Philippine House Speaker Romualdez May Step Down; Dy Seen as Successor

MANILA — Political drama is unfolding in the Philippines as House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is expected to step down from his post on Wednesday, September 16. His potential replacement: Deputy Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela province.

Romualdez has been under increasing pressure over allegations of lavish spending and corruption, including links to questionable flood control projects and luxury private jets. Sources say the controversies have left him exhausted, paving the way for a leadership change in the House of Representatives.

Dy has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed him, outpacing other contenders such as Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, and Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez.

But not everyone sees Dy’s rise as genuine change. Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga dismissed the move, saying Romualdez and Marcos would still hold sway through Dy. “There’s no real shift in power,” he argued.

Fueling speculation of a behind-the-scenes deal, the House abruptly suspended its session on Tuesday after only 30 minutes — a move that drew attention from both allies and critics.

For many observers, the shake-up underscores how corruption scandals and political maneuvering continue to dominate the Philippine Congress, even when leadership changes hands.