Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

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/1753674570105524380769_1087035110160613_6132388434017237232_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(From left) PPP Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte and 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab. <em>Office of Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and three other Davao-based congressmen on Monday declared themselves as members of an independent bloc in the House of Representatives after abstaining from the Speaker election. </p><p>The bloc includes Duterte, Davao City Second District Rep. Omar Duterte, Davao City Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab, and PPP party-list Rep. Harold Duterte, according to Ungab&#x27;s office. </p><p>Paolo Duterte said he did not vote for Speaker and did not join the Minority “because I refuse to take part in a political circus that has long forgotten who it is supposed to serve — the Filipino people.” </p><p>“I walked out after the roll call with my fellow Davao legislators because I represent the people of Davao City, not the political puppeteers nor the self-serving actors parading as public servants in Congress,” he said in a statement. </p><p>“I will not lend my name nor my vote to any side that treats leadership as a prize, not a responsibility. I am not a Dabawenyo for nothing. I have principles. I know where I stand,” Duterte added.   </p><p>Duterte and his aides left the Batasang Pambansa South Wing at 10:42 a.m., just minutes after House lawmakers opened the nomination.</p><p>Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez was the lone nominee for House Speaker. His nomination was seconded by House members from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the Nationalist People&#x27;s Coalition, the National Unity Party, the Nacionalista Party, and the PCFI.</p><div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PlkygPYixh8" title="LIVE: House of Representatives opens first regular session of the 20th Congress" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and three other Davao-based congressmen on Monday declared themselves as members of an independent bloc in the House of Representatives.</p>

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and three other Davao-based congressmen on Monday declared themselves as members of an independent bloc in the House of Representatives.

Paolo Duterte snubs Speakership election, forms House ‘independent bloc’ with 3 Davaoeño lawmakers

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Paolo Duterte snubs Speakership election, forms House ‘independent bloc’ with 3 Davaoeño lawmakers

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 28, 2025 11:53 AM PHT

|

Updated Jul 28, 2025 12:23 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

ANC promo

House of Representatives

SONA

SONA 2025

Paolo Duterte

Omar Duterte

Isidro Ungab

Harold Duterte

Speaker

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.