Ferdinand Martin Romualdez

Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, 62, is the most powerful Speaker of the House of Representatives ever. He is also the most controversial. And the most maligned.

As a lawyer, politician and businessman, Speaker Martin’s power comes from the four essentials of what power means.

First is the power of relativity and political gravity. Martin is the first cousin and closest adviser of Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., the 17th president. He is often viewed as the de facto prime minister helping Marcos Jr., 67, do visioning for the country and manage state affairs. Speaker Martin accompanied the President to the just concluded ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The Philippines is the 12th largest nation on earth, with its 120 million population, and the 33rd largest economy, with a nominal GDP of $462 billion – bigger than Vietnam, No. 34, and Malaysia, No. 37.

The Philippines is Asia’s second fastest growing economy today. World Economics estimates the Philippines’ 2024 GDP at $1.733 trillion in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms and an initial estimate of $1.839 trillion for 2025. This figure is 43 percent higher than the official estimate published by the World Bank.

Second, as the 24th Speaker of the land, Martin has excellent leadership and organization ability. He is able to reach out to nearly every one of the 313 members of Congress, considered the bigger house of the legislative branch.

Third, he is the heir to large political power base, the clannish Eastern Visayas region around Leyte. He served as congressman of Leyte’s first district, from 2007 to 2016, ran for senator but lost in 2016 and, since 2019, has been congressman again, serving as majority floor leader from 2019 to 2022, and speaker since July 2022.

Martin ran unopposed on May 12, 2025 as Leyte first district representative. He told Leyteños: “I will not squander your trust. We will continue to deliver projects, programs and care to every barangay, every home. Leyte first district will remain the model for reform, progress and orderly governance.”

“I commit to a leadership that is inclusive and collaborative,” he says, adding, “the true measure of leadership is not what we preserve – but what we build.”

Fourth, Martin has equally awesome business sense and executive credentials. He is a tycoon in his own right. The Romualdez family is involved in mining (the family controls two-thirds of Benguet, the pioneer mining company); construction (20 percent of EEI which later was sold), banking, real estate, casino, hospitality and media.

This May 2025, the Sandiganbayan ordered the return of at least P3.5 billion worth of Philippine International Commercial Bank (PCIBank) shares, now Banco de Oro (BDO) shares, to the late Benjamin Romualdez, brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos. The Sandiganbayan’s 12-page ruling dated May 16 concerns Civil Case 0035 filed by the government against Trans Middle East Phils. Equities Inc. (TMEPEI)  owner Romualdez, among others, more than three decades ago.

In the 20th Congress, which opens this July, Speaker Romualdez has assembled a commanding coalition of 285 pro-admin congressmen, or 91 percent of total House seats of 313, which include 63 party-list congressmen. This also ensures Martin’s reelection as speaker. In 79 years of Congress, never has a ruling president, Marcos Jr., gathered an overwhelming 90 percent of solons under his umbrella.

Martin kept his Congress team intact even while President Marcos replaced the heads of the Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, Housing and Foreign Affairs departments in a major ongoing rigodon.

Martin’s wife, Yedda Marie Romualdez, is succeeded by their son, Andrew Julian Romualdez, as the first nominee of the Tingog Party-list, which won three seats. The two other Tingog congressmen are Rep. Jude Acidre and businesswoman Marie Calatrava.

Martin is a fourth generation Romualdez, a family distinguished for its public service, managing the economy and dedication and duty to country.

Martin is the third child of the late Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez and Juliette Gomez. Kokoy was the younger brother of first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Kokoy was ambassador to Saudi Arabia, China and the United States. He did the spadework for the pathbreaking diplomatic missions of the legendary Imelda.

Martin finished law at the University of the Philippines and went to Cornell University for his BA in government. He also went to Harvard.

The 19th Congress under Speaker Martin set records in productivity and reforms.

From July 25, 2022 to Dec. 27, 2024 alone, the House considered 13,454 measures, of which 1,368 were approved, including 166 that became Republic Acts – 73 national laws and 93 local laws.

“This Congress has set a new standard for productivity and purpose. Our collective achievements reflect our deep sense of duty to the Filipino people, ensuring that every measure we craft, debate and pass uplifts lives, strengthens communities and builds a resilient nation,” Speaker Romualdez said. Congress averaged 12 measures per session day.

“This Congress will be remembered as one of decisive action, unwavering unity and transformative legislation,” Romualdez stressed.

“We will not rest until every Filipino feels the impact of the progress we are creating – until we achieve a nation that is truly inclusive and empowered,” he declared.

Of course, the same House this year impeached Vice President Sara Duterte for betrayal of public trust (corruption and abuse of power). Sara is the first vice president to be impeached.

For the Senate trial, Martin has assembled a powerhouse prosecution panel that includes Congressmen Chel Diokno and Leila de Lima.

The idea: shame Sara beyond belief, for her excesses with her confidential and intelligence funds whose listed recipients were scores of restaurants and people yet to be born on this planet.  So that when the trial is over, Sara will have an albatross heavy enough to sink her into disrepute and ignominy just before the 2028 presidential elections.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]