24/07/2025
(Disclaimer: These views are opinions and not news. They are the point of view of the writer from information already available to the public via mainstream and vettable news organization.)
On Monday, July 28, the 20th Congress will hold its first session and expectedly, both Chambers will be electing their new set of officers – either retain and reaffirm the positions held by their previous set, or elect a new set entirely.
Over at the Senate, it is widely believed Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero will most likely be retained. But at the other side of the fence – at the House of Representatives – a handful are reportedly challenging Leyte rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for the Speakership.
Initial reports bare Romualdez may have the numbers as he is said to have supposedly showered members of the House during the 19th Congress which he headed with an infinity of assistance in the form of “ayudas.” He was even reported to have presided over the meeting of newly-elected members of the House where he again was said to have extended “ayudas” although there are rumors not everyone received and those who benefitted were said to be complaining of not receiving the same amount. But that’s another story.
Anyway, this is about the character Romualdez has built and projected for himself. As a go-to-guy for his colleagues, Mr. Ayuda or someone who is all about the welfare of his subordinates. Is he really that person he is trying to project for himself? Is he really the guy who looks after the welfare of his subordinates, much more his employees?
About three years ago, the media industry was shocked by the report that veteran media man, Charlie Manalo was fired from his work as a columnist at the Manila Standard – a broadsheet widely believed to be owned by Romualdez himself.
While Manalo did not personally issue any statement as regards to that, media personalities close to him bared he was fired personally by Romualdez after he exposed in his column that Christopher Pastrana whom former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez as general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority then, was actually the business partner of the latter.
At that time, Rodriguez still enjoyed the trust of the administration, Romualdez included. Below is the link to a radio program hosted by Herman Laurel and Ado Paglinawan discussing Manalo’s unceremonial firing.
https://www.facebook.com/globaltalknewsradio/videos/charlie-manalo-sacked-over-pastrana-article-doe-should-have-agnes-meralco-refund/2076790489169205/?_rdr
But looking at it again, Manalo’s article on Pastrana, if indeed it was the reason for his sacking, actually did the Marcos administration a favor by preventing the appointment of someone who would have a conflict of interest with his position had his appointment pushed through. And look at where Rodriguez is now.
Is that how Romualdez treats his employees who were out to protect him and his benefactor – the administration headed by no less than his first cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.?
Manalo served as a columnist for the Manila Standard for four years – from 2018 to 2022. But rumors are rife he was not paid a single centavo during his entire stint with the newspaper. It was only his penchant for writing that kept him there. And how did he end up with the Manila Standard anyway?
Before jumping to Manila Standard, he was with another broadsheet where one of his favorite subjects was criticizing the late Environmental Secretary Gina Lopez’s policy on mining. Manalo was very vocal on his stance on mining. He was against Lopez’s total anti-mining policy but instead advocated responsible mining.
Because of this, rumors again have it that Romualdez allegedly plucked Manalo out of “retirement” when he left that broadsheet to continue where he left – criticizing Lopez’s mining policy as a mining firm reportedly owned by the Romualdezes was one of those hit by the policy of the former Cabinet member of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Being said to be close to Romualdez (he served as a principal sponsor in Manalo’s wedding), the veteran media man reportedly obliged.
Unfortunately for him, Romualdez’s political ambition knows no loyalty. Thus, in July 2022, even as PBBM has yet to deliver his first State of the Nation Address, Manalo the inaanak, the ever loyal Manila Standard employee who did not receive even as single centavo during his four-year stint, was sacked.
While this is only a small sample case, if the story on Manalo’s sad plight is true, it could speak volumes of Romualdez’s character. And the irony is he is again seeking the position of the speakership – the fourth highest position in the land.
