Marilyn Cahatol

Members of the House of Representatives open the 2nd regular session of the 19th Congress on July 24, 2023.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17494469623411749446960751.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the House of Representatives open the 2nd regular session of the 19th Congress on July 24, 2023. <em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) — The House of Representatives needs a leader who “unites rather than divides,” according to House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, who withheld support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s continued leadership in the 20th Congress. </p><p>“At this critical time in our nation, I believe we need leadership in the House that unites rather than divides. Leadership that reinforces our shared vision and strengthens the path forward for our country,” Frasco asserted Monday.</p><p>He said he decided not to sign the manifesto supporting Romualdez as House Speaker next Congress, after “careful reflection” and consultation with some colleagues and constituents.</p><p>“In recent weeks, I have spoken with my colleagues in Congress, local leaders—especially from the Visayas and Mindanao—and most importantly, with my own constituents. A shared frustration has emerged. There is deep disappointment that the unity our people once hoped for has been steadily undermined by political and personal interests,” Frasco said in a statement. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/7/deputy-speaker-frasco-withholds-support-for-romualdez-s-leadership-at-house-1441">Deputy Speaker Frasco withholds support for Romualdez’s leadership at House</a></div><p>He added that he believes the House&#x27;s values of unity, stability, and &quot;a government that delivers meaningful change,&quot; should not only be applied through the laws it passes &quot;but also in the leadership that we uphold.&quot;</p><p>“This decision is not about creating further division. I simply believe the House of Representatives can, and must, do better. We should be a partner in building the country up, not a platform for further discord,” Frasco said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SUPERMAJORITY</strong></div><p>The Romualdez leadership is backed by a “supermajority of 285 members” in the 20th Congress, according to House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Second District Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/19/-house-supermajority-wants-romualdez-as-speaker-in-20th-congress-2015">&#x27;House supermajority wants Romualdez as Speaker in 20th Congress&#x27;</a></div><p>He said this is a “true sign of unity” among 20th Congress House members.</p><p>“If you look at the support that Speaker Romualdez has garnered and continues to maintain, 285 congressmen have signed the manifesto of support, and I think that is a true sign of unity when it comes to the members of the House of Representatives,&quot; Suarez said.</p><p>&quot;And if there is unity that needs to be shown, I think the manifesto of support that Speaker Martin Romualdez has gained as of this moment is a true sign of unity in the House of Representatives,” he added.</p><p>House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. also denied that Romualdez’s leadership “divides”.</p><p>&quot;Bakit? Hindi ba united ‘yung Congress ngayon? United naman ‘yung Congress. Wala akong nakikitang division ng Congress because of the leadership of our speaker, Speaker Martin Romualdez. The mere fact na may pumirma nang 285 for the 20th Congress, that is a manifestation na talagang gusto nila ‘yung liderato ng ating naka-upong Speaker,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>EXPELLED</strong></div><p>The National Unity Party (NUP) has expelled Frasco for “breaching NUP&#x27;s position” to support Romualdez’s continued House leadership.</p><p>“The party leadership has decided to expel Duke (Frasco) from the NUP because his unilateral decision not to support Rep. Martin’s continued stay as Speaker in the next Congress is a blatant breach of the NUP’s official position of unequivocal support for the Speaker to keep his premier post in the next Congress,” NUP president and Camarines Sur Second District Rep. LRay Villafuerte said on Saturday.</p><p>He noted that the deputy House speaker should have discussed his decision first with the party leadership, instead of publicizing it.</p><p>This contradicts the &quot;long-standing policy of the NUP for all of us to speak and act as one,” said Villafuerte. </p><p>On Monday, Villafuerte expressed his suspicion that Frasco&#x27;s move is an effort to &quot;arm-twist&quot; the Speaker, so that the Cebuano solon could supposedly retain his post as Deputy Speaker. </p><p>&quot;He was the one grandstanding by issuing statements in the media prior to consultation with the party leaders. And the suspect of the members is that he&#x27;s bargaining, arm-twisting the Speaker to retain him as Deputy Speaker,&quot; said Villafuerte.</p><p>&quot;He&#x27;s the one sowing disunity within the party by making statements contrary to the party stand. So that is ground for immediate expulsion,&quot; he also said.</p><p>Asked whether Frasco’s decision is connected to the House of Representatives’ decision to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, Villafuerte expressed doubts, saying Frasco signed the impeachment complaint.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X7BdK5jZDZU?si=8n4ljkNabYruog6D" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The House of Representatives needs a leader who “unites rather than divides,” according to House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, who withheld support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s continued leadership in the 20th Congress.</p>

The House of Representatives needs a leader who “unites rather than divides,” according to House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, who withheld support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s continued leadership in the 20th Congress.

Frasco on withholding support for Romualdez: 'We need leadership that unites, not divides'

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Frasco on withholding support for Romualdez: 'We need leadership that unites, not divides'

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 09, 2025 01:34 PM PHT

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Updated June 09, 2025 04:06 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

ABSnews

Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco

Martin Romualdez

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