00:00Yesterday, it was the sitting vice president who irresponsibly and inaccurately threw shade at her boss for not acting quickly and decisively to summarily settle the colossal flood control mitigation mess, leaving the all-too-important elements of the rule of law and due process out of the equation.
00:20Today, it was her brother who recklessly assumed how the House leadership transition was orchestrated single-handedly, as our Melales Moras reports.
00:30Today, with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
00:43Later, First District Representative Martin Romualdez has formally stepped down as House Speaker.
00:49According to Romualdez, after deep reflection and prayer, he decided to do this to allow a fair and independent investigation into the issue of flood control projects in the country.
01:00in which he is among those being implicated.
01:02I do this so that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure may pursue its mandate freely and fully, without doubt, without interference, without undue influence.
01:20I stepped down, not in surrender, but in service.
01:25For sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let it go, so that this institution may endure stronger than ever before.
01:38Following the vacancy of the House Speakership Post, the plenary immediately voted for Romualdez' replacement.
01:44Only Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino Bojie D. III was nominated, and after the voting, he was also formally appointed to the post.
01:54In his speech, D expressed deep gratitude for the trust of his fellow lawmakers.
01:59He assured, under his leadership, the House will protect not only each of its members, but the welfare of the Filipino people.
02:06Ako po'y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga kasama kong mababatas sa House of Representatives sa paghalal ninyo sa akin bilang speaker.
02:18Ako po ay kaisa ng ating mahal na Pangulo sa kanyang layunin na linisin ang pamahalan upang tayo ay bumangon muli.
02:29Under my leadership, this House will change. I will not defend the guilty, and I will not shield the corrupt.
02:40Gaya ng paninindigan ng ating Pangulo, no rank, no ally, no office will be spared from accountability.
02:50We must threaten the Oversight Committee and fully cooperate with the Independent Commission of Infrastructure.
02:58Our duty is not to protect each other. Our duty is to protect the Filipino people.
03:06Several congressmen have expressed support for the new House leader.
03:10I have known him to be a good man. He has his own quiet leadership here in the House of Representatives as deputy speaker.
03:18And I'm ready to serve him as a floor leader in plenary.
03:22Nakita naman natin, naging magaling siyang congressman. Naging magaling din siyang governor.
03:26Naging magaling din siyang vice governor. At talagang nakita naman natin na naging stable naman, no?
03:37Nung pinamamahalaan niya yung probinsya ng Isabela.
03:40Even former independent lawmakers such as Navota City Representative Dobie Tshanko
03:45and Bacolod City Representative Albi Benitez have joined the majority to support Speaker D.
03:51We were saying naman, supportive kami kay Presidente BBM.
03:55Yun lang nga, yung speaker yung hindi namin kayo boto.
03:57Since magkakaroon ng change ng leadership, eh supportahan natin at tulungan natin.
04:01I'm hopeful that this will be a step moving forward
04:05to para magkaroon na talaga ng transparency at mabalik yung public trust sa atin.
04:10Mela Lasmoras from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
