Romualdez is caretaker of Batangas 6th district

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez has been designated as caretaker of the sixth district of Batangas, which was left vacant with the appointment of Ralph Recto as finance secretary.

Romualdez will remain as caretaker pending a special election in the legislative district.

Under the rules, the House should issue a certificate of permanent vacancy and a resolution calling for a special election.

The House of Representatives also elected Quezon second district and deputy majority leader Rep. Jayjay Suarez to replace Recto as deputy speaker.

There was no objection to the motion of Zamboanga City third district Rep. and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe to elect Suarez during the chamber’s plenary session on Monday night.

Recto replaced Benjamin Diokno, who was appointed to the seven-member Monetary Board.

Romualdez is also the caretaker of the third legislative district of Negros Oriental and third district of Palawan, which were left vacant with the ouster of Arnolfo Teves Jr. and the death of Edward Hagedorn, respectively.