Lawmakers on Speaker’s ratings: We’re doing the right thing

MANILA, Philippines — Despite harsh criticisms, members of the supermajority coalition at the House of Representatives have expressed vindication with the latest double-digit surge in the ratings of Speaker Martin Romualdez, who was the main subject of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s tirades.

“It simply means we’re on the right track. It resonated with the general public. At least, everything that we did went not just for naught,” South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Peter Miguel said, as Romualdez’s trust rating increased six points from 54 percent during the second quarter to 60 percent in the third quarter.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who chairs the House appropriations committee, is also glad that slowly but surely, the trust and performance ratings of the Speaker continue to climb due to his unrelenting attitude when it comes to legislative work.

“I believe that if the Filipino people continue to put their trust in Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, then the House must be doing something right,” Co, who is also the president of the 54-member Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. in the lower chamber, said.

Representatives Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte’s second district, Mark Enverga of Quezon’s first district and Christian Unabia of Misamis Oriental’s first district also congratulated Romualdez for the two-digit increase in his performance ratings.

“It further affirms our view of the Speaker, who is a quiet but good general. Not much talk, but just doing his job. The people are already seeing this. Filipinos know results when they see it. And their recognition of the Speaker makes us very proud,” Barbers said in English and Filipino.

Enverga noted that the “substantial increase in trust and approval ratings for Speaker Romualdez serves as a resounding testament to his effective leadership.”

This was based on the Third Quarter 2023 survey of OCTA Research, conducted last Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.

“It reinforces our commitment within the House to remain vigilant in our role, especially when it comes to ensuring the stability of prices for essential commodities, with a particular focus on staples like rice and other vital agricultural products,” Enverga