By Billy Begas
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. on Wednesday lauded Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for taking the moral high ground and refusing to engage with the recent swipe of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Barzaga noted that Romualdez never said a bad thing about Duterte despite being the obvious subject of her vicious insinuations following the alleged attempt to oust him.
“The Speaker held his horses and remained focused on his job as the leader of the House of Representatives amid this political rift. He never fired back with insults of his own. That shows strength of character,” said Barzaga, chairperson of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Barzaga, who is a stalwart of the National Unity Party said the support of various political parties for Romualdez’ leadership enabled the House to approve the priority bills of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
According to Barzaga, political bickering is the last thing the country needs, especially since Marcos ran and won on a platform of unity with Duterte, who has already resigned from Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats being led by Romualdez.
Barzaga also noted that Romualdez tremendously helped in pushing for the vice presidential candidacy of Duterte in the 2022 elections.
“The Speaker worked hard for then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s vice presidential bid because he genuinely believed that she would make a difference. Their rift is sad news and I hope that it will be mended soon,” Barzaga added.
In a speech last Monday, Duterte said she refused to mention the middle initial of Marcos.
“Hindi ko na banggitin ang middle initial niya… Mahal ko si apo BBM,” Duterte said.
The President’s mother, former first lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, is the aunt of the Speaker.
Following the removal of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Senior Deputy Speaker, Duterte posted a cryptic message on her social media account.
“In your ambition, do not be tambaloslos,” said Duterte, without naming the person she was referring to.
Tambaloslos is a mythical creature with a large mouth and penis found in Visayan, Bicolano, and Mindanao folklore.
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Barzaga misinformed: Sara Duterte reveals Imee Marcos convinced her to run for VP; Romualdez not in the picture
Barzaga reprimands DA official: ‘You are using the President as shock-absorber of your errors’
