House is ‘in order’—Speaker Says destabilization must be ‘nipped in the bud’

By Rio N. Araja

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Sunday assured the public that the “House of the People is in order” as he underscored the need to “nip in the bud” destabilization plots that might distract lawmakers from passing key legislative measures.

“There is still much work to do, so occasional moves to destabilize the House should be nipped in the bud,” Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday after a reorganization at the Lower House that saw the replacement of for- mer President and Pampanga Rep.

Gloria Arroyo as senior deputy speaker.

Arroyo earlier acknowledged that she “learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker

Romualdez.” She flatly denied the allegation, adding that her interest in the Speakership when President Marcos won is no longer part of her political objectives.

At least seven political blocs in the House – Lakas-CMD, the National Unity Party (NUP), the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), the Party-List Foundation Inc., (PCFI), PDP-Laban, the Nacionalista Party (NP), and the minority bloc – have all expressed support to the leadership of Romualdez.

"We are witnesses to how Speaker Romualdez has steered the House in legislating key reform measures included in the 8-Point Socio-Economic

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