A FORMER lawmaker from Mindanao on Friday lauded former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for voluntarily stepping down from his post to protect the integrity and stability of the institution he represents and give the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) probe body a free hand in its task to ferret out the truth on the alleged anomalies on government infrastructure projects.

Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the Chief Communications Officer of Romualdez, said that while he commiserates with the Speaker on his decision, he praised it, saying it only proves that he is no “kapit tuko” or tightly clinging or gripping to his post.

“Sa kanyang boluntaryong pagbibitiw, labis akong napahanga sa pagkatao ng ating Speaker sapagkat ito’y isang pagpapatunay na ‘di sya kapit tuko sa kanyang posisyon at handa siyang magsakripisyo huwag lamang masira ang respeto at integridad ng House of Representatives bilang institution, kabilang na ang mga kasapi nito,” Barbers said.

Barbers, former chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs and lead chair of Quad Committee, disclosed that few days before the Speaker decided to step down, senior leaders of various political parties at the Lower House came over to his office and urged him to stay despite the undue pressures from his political detractors to resign.

“I knew that for a fact because I was there. All of those present in that meeting were concerned on who would replace him, somebody who has same stature that he has who could unify the majority of the members of the chamber,” he explained.

In his speech before the House plenary last Tuesday, Romualdez, Leyte 1st District Representative, a lawyer and graduate of the University of the Philippines, said: “Today, with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives. I do this so that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure may pursue its mandate freely and fully — without doubt, without interference, and without undue influence.”

Romualdez said he fully and unequivocally embrace the call made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the latter’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July “that accountability must prevail and that no one is above scrutiny.”

The alleged irregularities on government infra projects, the Speaker said, have raised questions not only upon himself, but upon the chamber itself.

“The longer I stay, the heavier that burden grows — on me, on this House, and on the President I have always sought to support. And so, after deep reflection and prayer, I have made the decision,” he said. “Let the truth emerge, and let justice be done.”

Romualdez was replaced by Isabela 3rd District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, former House Deputy Speaker and a member of President Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

Obtaining a total of 253 votes from the more than 314 members of the 29th Congress, Barbers said the new House Speaker, like resigned Speaker Romuladez, is seen as coalition builder as a leader and would ensure a smooth transition at the Lower Chamber.

“Speaker Bojie Dy is a veteran politician who is expected to steer the Lower House to the right path and regain public confidence to the recently maligned institution. With his lengthy political experience, serving as vice-mayor and later Mayor of Cauayan, Isabela; as Isabela vice-governor and later Governor, and as Congressman of the 6th District of the province, the new House Speaker, I believe, is the best choice as Speaker Romualdez’s replacement,” he said.