MANILA, Philippines – Newly elected members of the House of Representatives are raising concerns over alleged coercion to sign a manifesto pledging support for the speakership of Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, a known ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a central figure in recent political controversies.
According to a newly elected congressman who requested anonymity, they were summoned to Congress under the pretense of an orientation session, only to be asked—allegedly pressured—to sign a manifesto endorsing Romualdez’s continued leadership as Speaker of the House.
“Pinatawag po kami sa Kongreso para sa isang orientation, pero iba pala ang pakay kundi papirmahin kami sa manifesto,” said the source.
“Kung hindi raw kami pipirma, wala kaming makukuhang proyekto sa aming distrito na halagang P200 million pesos.”
The alleged pressure tactic adds fuel to ongoing questions about political patronage and centralized power within the lower chamber. The incident also comes amid a period of sliding trust ratings for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with observers noting that internal power struggles within the administration coalition are contributing to public discontent.
Political obsevers said that Romualdez’s aggressive consolidation of power—reportedly through control of congressional resources and loyalty pledges—may be contributing to the erosion of the President’s credibility, particularly among independent or opposition-leaning sectors.
The speaker has also drawn criticism for being the architect of the 2023 People’s Initiative, a failed attempt to amend the Constitution via signature gathering, which was strongly opposed by former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies, including Vice President Sara Duterte.
The friction between the Romualdez bloc and Duterte allies in Congress has intensified in recent months, leading to speculation about looming political realignments and even potential impeachment threats. Some observers believe that the marginalization of the Duterte bloc may backfire on the administration, especially if public perception of backroom deals and coercive politics continues to grow.
In a Congress historically dominated by transactional politics, the reported P200-million carrot dangled in exchange for political loyalty revives long-standing concerns about “budget blackmail” and the use of public funds for political gain.
So far, Romualdez’s office has not issued a statement on the allegations. But calls for transparency and reform are once again rising, as critics warn that such moves could deepen rifts within the ruling coalition and further undermine public trust in both the legislature and the Marcos administration.