House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg . Occ., 4th District)*
The majority of the Negros Island Region (NIR) representatives have signed a manifesto of support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) confirmed Monday night, September 15.
Ferrer said that eight of the 11 representatives from the NIR have signed the manifesto.
The only ones who did not sign were Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and his son, Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), he said.
Ferrer said the Bacolod representative is eyeing the House Speaker’s post.
Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) has yet to sign as she had to rush to the airport for a family emergency, but she has assured her support for Romualdez, Ferrer said.
The signatories from Negros Occidental include representatives:
• Julio A. Ledesma IV (1st District)
• Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District)
• Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District)
• Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo (5th District)
The signatories from Negros Oriental are representatives:
• Emmanuel L. Iway (1st District)
• Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria (2nd District)
• Janice Degamo (3rd District)
Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa also signed the manifesto.
The representatives, in their manifesto, said they stand firmly behind Romualdez who listens to the concerns of the NIR and ensures that “its voice is heard in the councils of the nation”.
“The creation of the Negros Island Region is more than a law – it is a promise to our people. It carries the hope of faster progress, stronger unity, and a better future for Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. For this promise to be kept, we need a Congress that is steady, purposeful, and led with vision,” they said.
They said the NIR work as the newest region of the country has just begun, they cannot afford uncertainty or distraction.
They are convinced that Romualdez will provide the stability and leadership needed to transform the law creating the NIR into real benefits for the people, through better infrastructure, stronger local governance, and opportunities that reach every community, the NIR representatives said.
‘ROMUALDEZ SHOULD STEP DOWN’
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, on the other hand, said he would not sign the manifesto of support for Romualdez.
He instead called for Romualdez to step down to restore public trust in the House of Representatives.
“His position is no longer tenable, he (Romualdez) has to make the supreme sacrifice,” Benitez reiterated on Monday.
Benitez pointed to issues raised in both Senate and House hearings, including “ghost projects,” substandard projects, and kickbacks involving contractors and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
He said that, “technically, there is command responsibility on the part of Romualdez. It would have been better had he given a complete and full story of what happened in the past three national budgets.”
He also cited a situation where a House member, Rep. Toby Tiangco (Navotas City), went to the Senate to reveal information, which has led to the perception that the House is engaged in a cover-up.
“I’m just articulating what I see from the hearings, from what’s happening,” Benitez explained.
“We need somebody to protect the House… something has to be done soon”, he said.*
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