After weeks of speculation, the House of Representatives has switched leadership from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first cousin to an ally who belongs to a political dynasty in Isabela.

Leyte (1st district) Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned the speakership on Wednesday amid accusations of corruption involving flood control projects and of “insertions” in the 2025 budget. Isabela (6th district) Rep. and Deputy Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III was elected in his place on a vote of 253-4, with 28 abstentions.

“Under my leadership, this House will change,” Dy declared in a speech after his election. “I will not defend the guilty and I will not shield the corrupt. No rank, no ally, no office will be spared from accountability.”

He also promised that the House would pass “a well-managed and a clean budget” and warned that he would not allow any lawmaker to use the chamber for their personal interest.

Dy, who served as governor of Isabela from 2010 to 2019, is a member of the President’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. He was nominated for the speakership by Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo, and the nomination was seconded by Isabela (1st district) Rep. Tonypet Albano.

Heavy burden

The leadership change in the House occurred a week after Vicente Sotto III replaced Francis “Chiz” Escudero as president of the Senate.

In his own speech, Romualdez admitted that the ongoing scandal concerning corruption in multibillion-peso flood control projects “have raised questions that weigh not only upon me but [also] upon this institution we all serve.”

“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 a decision. Today, with a full heart and clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said.

But he added: “I step down not in surrender, but in service—for sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before.”

Romualdez was accused by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco as inserting billions of pesos in flood control allocations in this year’s budget. 

He and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, former chair of the House committee on appropriations, were also tagged as among the lawmakers who received kickbacks from flood control projects.

Romualdez said he resigned his top post to allow the newly constituted Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to “pursue its mandate freely and fully, without doubt, without interference, without undue influence.”

He said he “fully and unequivocally embraced” the President’s remark in the fourth State of the Nation Address in July that “accountability must prevail and that no one is above scrutiny.”

“Let me be clear: the House of the people will never condone corruption, whether in public works, local governance, or any other area of government service. Allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated thoroughly and addressed decisively,” Romualdez said.

“I fully support initiatives for independent scrutiny and fair prosecution to ensure that those who betray public trust are held accountable under the law,” he added.

‘Nothing to hide’

Still, Romualdez maintained that he committed no wrongdoing. “Let me be clear: I am innocent and I have nothing to hide,” he said in a statement.

His only goal is to serve and to improve the lives of every Filipino family, but “when questions arise, it is the people’s trust that must always come first,” he said, adding:

“Even if it pains me, I am stepping aside so that the independent investigation may proceed freely—without pressure, without influence, and without fear. This is not surrender, but an act of conscience. I do this because I believe that true service is valuing the trust of the people above any position.

“If my decision can help restore faith in our institutions, then I offer myself willingly as an example of accountability.”

Most of those present in the hall gave Romualdez a standing ovation after his speech.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor told reporters that the House “needs to rebuild its reputation and regain its integrity.” He said the leadership shakeup was necessary in the face of growing public displeasure over allegations of corruption against certain lawmakers. including Romualdez, in the flood control projects.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said of Romualdez: “Whether he resigns or not, he can still be investigated.”

She also confirmed to reporters that Romualdez met with the President on Tuesday, but did not disclose what they discussed.

Mr. Marcos said on Monday that the investigation of the ICI would spare no one, not even Romualdez and his political allies.

Despite the change in leadership in the House, Malacañang said in a statement on Wednesday that the President recognizes the chamber’s vital role, “especially at a time when the public demands visible results and Congress is called upon to take active steps that address people’s concerns and deliver improvements in daily life.”

It thanked Romualdez for his service and said it was looking forward to working with Speaker Dy to advance measures that strengthen the economy, ensure basic services, and protect Philippine democracy.

“The administration remains committed to constructive collaboration with all lawmakers to keep the focus on the needs of Filipino families and move the nation forward,” it said.

Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the change in House leadership was the “right move” to remove doubts over the chamber’s inquiry into allegations of corruption implicating Romualdez and some lawmakers.

‘Worsening infighting’

But in a statement, members of the Makabayan bloc said the change in House leadership showed the “worsening infighting within the Marcos ruling clique amid public outrage over corruption.”

“The supposed deliberations on whether Speaker Romualdez will stay, take a leave, or resign altogether is obviously a Marcos move designed to further consolidate Malacañang’s control over Congress and give credibility to his so-called anticorruption drive amid public outrage over corruption,” said ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio.

The leadership change will “not bring any meaningful change to the systemic corruption plaguing the Marcos regime,” Tinio said. “Whether it is Romualdez, Dy, or anyone from the ruling clique, the corrupt system of pork barrel politics and budget insertions will continue to benefit the ruling elite at the expense of the Filipino people. Marcos himself is the one allowing corruption to thrive because he upholds this corrupt system.”

In his own statement, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte said replacing Romualdez with Dy was just a “cover-up” and “a change of faces, but the system remains rotten.”

“Mr. President, what is this? If you are truly serious about fighting corruption, why don’t you immediately file cases against corrupt lawmakers? Corruption will not end with just crying and grandstanding. Let us prove that this is not just all words,” Duterte, a son of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, said in Filipino.

The Davao lawmaker also expressed disbelief that the President did not know about the supposed corruption in the House given that his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, is the majority leader.

“Enough with the deception. Stop the show. If you want the people to continue respecting you, fight corruption directly—no sacred cows, no cover-ups, no hesitation. If you can’t clean up yourselves, it would be better for all of us to just go home,” Duterte said.

‘Not the Palace choice’

Speaking to reporters after the voting, the young Marcos said the choice for the speakership was not made by Malacañang.

“That might have been his style when he was still a presidential son, but I can assure you that we are consultative with all the parties,” Sandro Marcos said in reference to Paolo Duterte. “We met for many weeks. If Congressman Pulong had shown up here at work and at the session, he might have seen it, too. But I’m sure he’s busy looking for the ₱51 billion [in flood control funds] spent in his district.”

According to the young Marcos, Tiangco of Navotas was earlier floated as a possible contender for the speakership but declined, and that Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez was also considered but gave way to Dy.

Both Tiangco and Benitez voted for Dy, as did Cebu (5th district) Rep. Duke Frasco, who had earlier criticized Romualdez’s leadership. 

Pampanga (2nd district) Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was not present during the voting.

A brief statement from the ex-president’s office said Arroyo had to leave for an engagement that she could not cancel, “but she expresses her support for Speaker Bojie Dy and that she remains with the majority.” 

In an apparent dig at her cousin, with whom she is at odds, Sen. Imee Marcos said in a brief Facebook post on Wednesday: “Bonjing out, Bojie in.” She had earlier called Romualdez a “spoiled Bonjing” during a speech in the Senate, and urged the House members to replace him.

At the continuation of Wednesday’s session, the House adopted Resolution No. 287 commending Romualdez for his “distinguished and transformative leadership” of the chamber and for his “enduring contributions to the advancement of legislative excellence, national unity, and public service.”