By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s grip on the House of Representatives may have weakened after the resignation of his cousin as Speaker, a development analysts said could complicate his legislative agenda in the second half of his term and sharpen political infighting.
The exit of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, long seen as the President’s chief political manager in the chamber, comes at a sensitive time. The administration is grappling with mounting public anger over alleged corruption in flood-control projects and the political fallout from a contractor’s Senate testimony linking Mr. Romualdez and other lawmakers to questionable infrastructure contracts. Mr. Romualdez has denied the accusations.
“This will further make Mr. Marcos more of a lame-duck President, having weaker influence in terms of pursuing his policy agenda in the next two to three years,” Arjan P. Aguirre, a political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat at the weekend.
The leadership shake-up in the House followed a broader realignment in Congress. Earlier this month, Senator Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III replaced Francis G. Escudero as Senate president amid tensions tied to the same flood-control scandal.
Both chambers are under renewed scrutiny after a string of typhoons and monsoon rains this year exposed weaknesses in flood-prevention systems despite billions in government spending.
“Without Mr. Romualdez at the helm, the House may drift toward its own direction or amplify accountability pressures on the administration,” Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said via Messenger chat. “He was more than a presiding officer. He was the President’s chief political manager in the House.”
The speakership has now passed to Faustino “Bojie” Dy II, a veteran politician from Isabela province and a member of Mr. Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. At 64, Mr. Dy faces the task of managing a 317-member chamber whose loyalties may fracture as lawmakers prepare for the 2028 presidential elections.
“How he navigates the aftermath will determine whether Mr. Marcos can still command unity or whether fractures will define his remaining years in office,” Mr. Tapia said.
Analysts said the change could spark more jockeying among political blocs. “With the midterms behind us, leaders are already realigning, and this could destabilize the chamber,” he added.
Mr. Aguirre said some factions might even tilt toward Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, who has consistently polled as a frontrunner for 2028. A survey by WR Numero in August showed 31% of Filipinos would vote for her if elections were held today, putting her well ahead of other potential contenders.
“Some parties will definitely entertain the idea of even joining the Dutertes as they prepare for a possible presidential run in 2028,” Mr. Aguirre said.
The President still wields considerable influence, but analysts stressed his hold over Congress is now subject to negotiation and compromise. “This change reveals that his hold over the House is subject to negotiation, compromise and the emergence of new power centers that could redefine the balance of authority in Congress,” Mr. Tapia said.
Mr. Dy sought to project stability in a fiery acceptance speech last week, vowing sweeping reforms and pledging to confront corruption, echoing Mr. Marcos’ recent calls for an intensified anti-graft campaign.
“If anti-corruption does become a central feature for the remaining years of his administration, then it would be him against those who are benefiting from the old system but are incapable or unwilling to follow his directives,” Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, a political science associate professor at De La Salle University, said in a Messenger chat.
He said the anti-graft drive could be weaponized against dissenters, warning that politicians who resist risk being labeled as “apologists for corruption,” a charge that could damage reputations and lead to political isolation.
“We must keep on asking whether he is sincere or not [in the anti-corruption drive],” Mr. Borja said. “If he is, then how far is he willing to go? If not, then how will he protect his allies from the campaign he started and keeps on adding fuel to?”
