House leader sees ‘brighter future’ for Pinoys under BBM-SARA tandem

TACLOBAN City—filipinos can look forward to a better life under the leadership of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte, according to House Majority Leader and Leyte First District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez.

“My kasimanwas [countrymen], a brighter future awaits all of us. Our new President and Vice President share with us our dream of a better generation for our children. Not only here in Tacloban and Eastern Visayas, but in all parts of the country,” Romualdez said in his inaugural address witnessed by Vice Presidentelect Duterte.

Romualdez made the remarks after his ceremonial oath-taking on Wednesday at the Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation Gymnasium in Calanipawan Road.

He took his oath before Barangay 109-A Chairman Rodolfo Padillo. Romualdez ran unopposed in the recent elections.

Tingog Representatives-elect Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also took their ceremonial oath-taking.

In his speech, Romualdez highlighted the challenges the Marcos administration would face—the biggest being reducing poverty through the attainment of inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth. All should benefit from the blessings of progress. That is what we aim for in Tacloban and even in the whole of Eastern Visayas in the next three years under my next term as your Representative in the 19th Congress,” Romualdez said, partly in Filipino.

Achieving such a goal may be a “tall order,” he said, given the rising inflation, widening budget deficit and a bleak global economic outlook.

“But the election of dynamic and compassionate leaders at the highest levels of government gives us all hope of a brighter future,” Romualdez stressed.

“For the first time since 1986, we have elected a majority President in the person of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. The overwhelming mandate that he received from the Filipino voters will surely help him steer the nation in the direction that we all desire—one that is anchored on his message of unity and his vision of Filipino nationhood,” he added.

Sara Duterte, he said, who is known for her strong conviction and compassionate leadership.

“Her tenacity in demanding quality service from public servants of Davao City is known—a legend of its own—not only in the region but in other parts of the country. Her concern for the welfare of the poor and the marginalized lies at the core of her character, guiding all her decisions as the city’s top executive. I have no doubt that she will serve as the best Vice President we will ever have,” he said.

For the first time in more than three decades, the country would have a President and Vice President working as a team, Romualdez, one of the campaign managers of Duterte, said.

“I am fortunate to have seen, up close, the dynamics between President-elect Bongbong Marcos and Vice President-elect Inday Sara Duterte. Their relationship is one of mutual respect and one guided by the duty to serve the Filipino. This energetic tandem, I am sure, will work hand-in-hand to help improve the living condition of our people,” he said.

He called the May 9 elections a “triumph of democracy, the power of one’s vote and the voice of the majority.”

He thanked all who helped the electoral exercise, including teachers and policemen, barangay officials, volunteers, campaign staff, the media, watchdog groups, and “millions of nameless and faceless Filipinos who made sure that the voice of the people reigns supreme.”

Romualdez cited the victors for their “magnanimity” and their opponents for their “graciousness.”

Romualdez said he was happy that after two years of community quarantine and lockdowns, Filipinos could gather again “to see old and new friends, to hug family and loved ones, to commune as one people.”

He urged them to praise and thank the Lord for the “gift of life.”