Martin Romualdez#Personal life

{{Short description|Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 2022}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Martin Romualdez

| image = Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| order = 24th

| office = Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines

| deputy = {{Collapsible list|title=See list|Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2022–2023)
Isidro Ungab (2022–2023)
Roberto Puno
Kristine Singson-Meehan
Camille Villar
Raymond Democrito Mendoza
Ralph Recto (2022–2024)
Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
Vincent Franco Frasco
Tonypet Albano
Yasser Balindong}}

| term_start = July 25, 2022

| term_end =

| predecessor = Lord Allan Velasco

| successor =

| office1 = House Majority Leader

| term_start1 = July 22, 2019

| term_end1 = June 30, 2022

| predecessor1 = Fredenil Castro

| successor1 = Mannix Dalipe

| order2 =

| office2 = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Leyte's 1st district

| term_start2 = June 30, 2019

| term_end2 =

| predecessor2 = Yedda Marie Romualdez

| successor2 =

| term_start3 = June 30, 2007

| term_end3 = June 30, 2016

| predecessor3 = Remedios Petilla

| successor3 = Yedda Marie Romualdez

| party = Lakas–CMD

| birth_name = Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez{{cite news |title=Martin Romualdez and wife Yedda: A love built on helping others |url=http://www.manilastandard.net/showbitz/199558/martin-romualdez-and-wife-yedda-a-love-built-on-helping-others.html |access-date=October 19, 2019 |agency=Manila Standard |date=February 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019200840/http://www.manilastandard.net/showbitz/199558/martin-romualdez-and-wife-yedda-a-love-built-on-helping-others.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|11|14}}

| death_date =

| death_place =

| spouse = {{marriage|Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt|November 1999}}

| birth_place = Manila, Philippineshttps://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2025NLE/COC_2025NLE/COC_Local/COC_Local_R8/LEYTE/OPES_LEYTE/HOR_D1_ROMUALDEZ_FERDINAND_MARTIN_G.pdf

| relations =

| children = 4 (including Andrew Julian)

| parents = Benjamin Romualdez (father)
Juliette Gomez-Romualdez (mother)

| residence =

| alma_mater = {{plainlist|

}}

Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez ({{IPA|tl|ˈgɔmɛs ɾoˈmwɐldɛs}}, born November 14, 1963) is a Filipino businessman, lawyer, and politician who has served as the 24th speaker of the House of Representatives since 2022. He has also served as the representative for Leyte's first district since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2016. He was previously the House Majority Leader from 2019 to 2022. He is a first cousin of President Bongbong Marcos.

Born to the fourth generation of the Romualdez family, he graduated from Cornell University in the United States and pursued legal studies at the University of the Philippines College of Law, being admitted to the bar in 1993. Romualdez entered government in 2007 after being elected to the House of Representatives, being subsequently reelected in 2010 and 2013. Upon being term-limited as a representative in 2016, he sought a seat in the Senate and lost.

Romualdez was elected back to the lower chamber in 2019. During his second tenure, he managed the successful vice presidential campaign of Sara Duterte. He was subsequently elected as speaker in 2022. During his speakership, Romualdez played a key role in the Marcos–Duterte rift and pursued constitutional reforms that were marred by irregularities.

Early life and education

Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez is the third child of former Leyte Governor and Ambassador to the United States Benjamin Romualdez and Juliette Gomez-Romualdez.{{cite news |date=August 18, 2009 |title=Who is Martin Romualdez? |agency=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/08/18/09/who-martin-romualdez |access-date=November 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430113306/http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regions/08/18/09/who-martin-romualdez |archive-date=April 30, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Kimberly Jane |last2=Calonzo |first2=Andreo |date=November 20, 2009 |title='Lavish dinner' host is chief fund raiser of Arroyo party |agency=GMA News |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/177432/lavish-dinner-host-is-chief-fund-raiser-of-arroyo-party/story/ |access-date=November 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129200421/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/177432/lavish-dinner-host-is-chief-fund-raiser-of-arroyo-party/story/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Ong |first1=Czarina Nicole |date=June 25, 2018 |title=Sandiganbayan junks forfeiture case against Imelda's late brother |publisher=Manila Bulletin |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/25/sandiganbayan-junks-forfeiture-case-against-imeldas-late-brother/ |access-date=November 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129201258/https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/06/25/sandiganbayan-junks-forfeiture-case-against-imeldas-late-brother/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}} His father was once named by Forbes as the 30th richest man in the Philippines with a net worth of {{Philippine peso|3.3 billion|link=yes}}, which the Presidential Commission on Good Government claimed was ill-gotten.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2016 |title=Romualdez: My father was not a Marcos crony |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/02/15/16/romualdez-my-father-was-not-a-marcos-crony |website=ABS-CBN News}} He is the nephew of former first lady Imelda Marcos and former President Ferdinand Marcos, while incumbent President Bongbong and Senator Imee Marcos are his cousins.

Romualdez attended Cornell University in the United States from 1981 to 1985, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in government.{{cite news |last1=Wilensky |first1=Joe |title=Alumni, students aid the Philippines |url=http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2013/11/alumni-students-aid-philippines |access-date=November 29, 2019 |publisher=Cornell Chronicle |date=November 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903072511/http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2013/11/alumni-students-aid-philippines |archive-date=September 3, 2017}} In 1988, he earned a Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University. He later enrolled at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1988, becoming a Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity member. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1992.{{cite news |title=CEU Law dean leads Upsilon UNO awardees |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/ceu-law-dean-leads-upsilon-uno-awardees/ |access-date=November 29, 2019 |publisher=Manila Bulletin |date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418165136/https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/09/ceu-law-dean-leads-upsilon-uno-awardees/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 18, 2019}} He was admitted to the bar in 1993.

In 1992, Romualdez was appointed as concurrent trustee and president of the Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation and Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, both of which are owned by his family.{{Cite web |last=Gabieta |first=Joey A. |date=February 26, 2012 |title=Leyteños pay their last respects to Romualdez |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/152099/leytenos-pay-their-last-respects-to-romualdez |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

In 1995, he started work as a director and legal counsel for the CARPA Realty Development Corporation. Prior to his political career, Romualdez served as chairman of the board for Equitable PCI Bank.{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2015 |title=Who I Am : Martin Romualdez |url=http://martinromualdez.com/whoiam/ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821021527/http://martinromualdez.com/whoiam/ |archive-date=August 21, 2015 }} He also served as a chairman of Benguet Corporation.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2024 |title=Rapid growth, ravaged land: Zamboanga Sibugay’s mining dilemma |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/rapid-growth-ravaged-land-zamboanga-sibugay-mining-dilemma/ |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Rappler}}

House of Representatives

= Elections =

File:Martin Romualdez.jpg

Romualdez was first elected as representative of Leyte's first district in 2007. He was re-elected in 2010 and in 2013.

In April 2014, Romualdez expressed interest in running for senator in the 2016 elections.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/590828/romualdez-eyes-senate-seat-in-2016 |title=Romualdez eyes Senate seat in 2016 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016}} He filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on October 13, 2015.{{cite news |date=October 13, 2015 |title=Romualdez files COC for senator; mum on presidential pick |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/730417/romualdez-files-coc-for-senator-mum-on-presidential-pick |access-date=April 28, 2016 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} On November 7, 2015, Romualdez declared his support for presidential candidate Jejomar Binay.{{cite news|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/112070-binay-romualdez-cousins-yolanda|title=Romualdez cousins supporting Binay in 2016|publisher=Rappler|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2016}} In 2016 Davao City Mayor and presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte also endorsed the candidacy of Romualdez.{{cite news|url=http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/vote-for-romualdez-duterte|title=Vote for Romualdez –– Duterte|publisher=Journal Online|last=Ponce Pacpaco|first=Ryan|date=May 7, 2016|access-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507174446/http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/vote-for-romualdez-duterte|archive-date=May 7, 2016|url-status=dead}} He ran under the Lakas–CMD party, which he is the national president of, but ultimately failed to win a senate seat, placing 15th.{{cite news |date=May 25, 2015 |title=Lakas–CMD chief: In democracy, anyone can run |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/694573/lakas-cmd-chief-in-democracy-anyone-can-run |access-date=April 29, 2016 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

In the 2019 elections, Romualdez again won as representative of Leyte's first district. Romualdez was later elected as Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for the 18th Congress. He was re-elected in 2022 and in 2025.

In December 2021, Romualdez became the campaign manager of Sara Duterte's vice presidential campaign alongside Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista.{{cite news|last=Quismorio|first=Ellson|title='I was her campaign manager': Martin responds to claim that he had no hand in Sara's VP bid|url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/25/i-was-her-campaign-manager-martin-responds-to-claim-that-he-had-no-hand-in-sara-s-vp-bid|access-date=February 1, 2024|work=Manila Bulletin|publisher=Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation|date=January 26, 2024}}{{cite news|last=Atienza|first=Kyle Aristophere T.|title=Duterte abandons ambition to become a senator|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2021/12/14/417527/duterte-abandons-ambition-to-become-a-senator/|access-date=February 1, 2024|work=BusinessWorld Online|publisher=BusinessWorld Publishing|date=December 14, 2021}}{{cite news|last=Quismorio|first=Ellson|title=VP-elect Duterte tells funny story about Romualdez's dedication as her campaign manager|url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/15/vp-elect-duterte-tells-funny-story-about-romualdezs-dedication-as-her-campaign-manager/|access-date=February 1, 2024|work=Manila Bulletin|publisher=Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation|date=June 15, 2022}}

= Tenure =

Romualdez authored House Bill No. 1039, which was enacted into law by President Benigno Aquino III as Republic Act No. 10754, or An act on expanding the benefits and privileges of people with disabilities.{{cite news |date=March 30, 2016 |title=Aquino signs into law Romualdez's PWD bill |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776893/aquino-signs-into-law-romualdezs-pwd-bill-2 |access-date=April 29, 2016 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}

On July 10, 2020, Martin and his wife Yedda Marie Romualdez were among the 70 representatives who voted to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.{{cite news |last=Perez-Rubio |first=Bella |date=July 10, 2020 |title=List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/10/2027049/list-lawmakers-who-voted-and-against-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal |access-date=July 22, 2020 |work=Philstar.com}}

House Speaker (2022–present)

File:First State of the Nation Address of Bongbong Marcos, 25 July 2022.jpg's first State of the Nation Address in 2022.]]

File:Johari Abdul and Martin Romualdez.jpgn counterpart, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Johari Abdul, in 2025.]]

Romualdez was as Speaker of the House of Representatives elected in July 2022, receiving the votes of the 284 House members.{{cite news |last1=Gregorio |first1=Xave |title=Marcos cousin Martin Romualdez is new House speaker |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/25/2197834/leyte-rep-martin-romualdez-new-house-speaker |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=The Philippine Star |date=July 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725061828/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/25/2197834/leyte-rep-martin-romualdez-new-house-speaker |archive-date=July 25, 2022}} During his speakership, Romualdez also assumed legislative caretaker roles for the majority of the vacated districts during the 19th Congress, such as Cavite–7th (later filled by Crispin Diego Remulla),{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1635174/speaker-romualdez-becomes-caretaker-of-cavites-7th-district|title=Speaker Romualdez becomes caretaker of Cavite’s 7th district|first=Daphne|last=Galvez|date=July 26, 2022|accessdate=May 1, 2024|website=INQUIRER.net}} Negros Oriental–3rd, Batangas–6th, Palawan–3rd, Palawan–1st, Cavite–4th, and Negros Occidental–3rd.{{cite news |last1= Quismoro|first1=Ellson |title=Romualdez tapped as caretaker of late Barzaga's district |url= https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/30/romualdez-tapped-as-caretaker-of-late-barzaga-s-district|accessdate=May 1, 2024|publisher=Manila Bulletin |date=April 30, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/speaker-romualdez-temporary-caretaker-of-3rd-district-of-negros-occ|title=Speaker Romualdez temporary caretaker of 3rd District of Negros Occ.|work=SunStar|first1=Merlinda A.|last1=Pedrosa|first2=Teresa D.|last2=Ellera|date=August 18, 2024|accessdate=August 23, 2024}}

In November 2022, Romualdez, along with six other lawmakers, filed House Bill No. 6398 proposing the creation of the Maharlika Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund for the Philippines inspired by South Korea's Korea Investment Corporation.{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/business/romualdez-files-bill-create-philippine-sovereign-wealth-fund/|title=Romualdez, Sandro Marcos file bill creating PH sovereign wealth fund|publisher=Rappler|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=December 3, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Cigaral |first=Ian Nicolas |title=Does the P250-B Maharlika Wealth Fund make sense? |work=Philstar.com |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/12/01/2227827/does-p250-b-maharlika-wealth-fund-make-sense|date=December 3, 2022|access-date=December 3, 2022}} The proposal drew mixed reactions from economists and mostly negative reactions from the general public.{{Cite web |last=Lacsamana |first=Brontë H. |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Maharlika Wealth Fund: Cheers and fears |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2022/12/05/491086/maharlika-wealth-fund-cheers-and-fears/ |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=de Guzman |first=Chad |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Why the Philippines' Sovereign Wealth Fund is Controversial |url=https://time.com/6241736/philippines-sovereign-wealth-fund/ |magazine=Time |language=en |access-date=March 19, 2023}}

= Role in the Marcos–Duterte rift =

Romualdez was instrumental in the deepening rift between the Marcos and Duterte families.{{cite news |last1=Morella |first1=Cecil |title=Marcos, Duterte supporters rally in Philippines as family rift deepens |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/28/24/marcos-duterte-supporters-rally-in-philippines-as-family-rift-deepens |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128063406/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/28/24/marcos-duterte-supporters-rally-in-philippines-as-family-rift-deepens |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Magsambol |first=Bonz |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Sara Duterte: Romualdez had no part in urging me to run for VP |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-response-vice-presidential-bid-speaker-romualdez-no-part/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=Rappler |publisher=Rappler Inc. |location=Manila, Philippines |quote=On Monday, June 5, Duterte deliberately skipped mentioning the President's middle name [Romualdez] as she acknowledged the Chief Executive during her speech[....] 'I won't mention your middle initial. You know that I love you,' Duterte said, without explaining her action.}}{{cite news |last=Magsambol |first=Bonz |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Sara Duterte says 'ready' to work with zero OVP budget amid clash with House |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-ready-work-zero-budget-clash-house-representatives-september-2024/ |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=Rappler |publisher=Rappler Inc. |location=Manila, Philippines |quote=Duterte had accused Speaker Martin Romualdez and House committee appropriations chairman Zaldy Co of meddling in the 2023 budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) when she was the education secretary[...]}}{{cite news |last=Sarao |first=Zacarian |date=November 22, 2024 |title=VP Duterte: Romualdez is the only person who wants to kill me |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2008121/martin-romualdez-is-the-only-person-who-wants-to-kill-me |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=Inquirer News |publisher=INQUIRER.net |location=Manila, Philippines}}{{cite news |last=Andrade |first=Jeannette I. |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Romualdez calls out VP Sara Duterte: Explain fund use yourself |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2007843/romualdez-calls-out-vp-duterte-explain-fund-use-yourself |access-date=February 21, 2025 |work=Inquirer News |publisher=INQUIRER.net}} Under Romualdez's watch, the House denied Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte's requests for confidential funds that could be used for the Education department's proposed Reserve Officers' Training Corps program but swiftly passed the same funds for the Office of the President;{{cite news |last1=Cruz |first1=RG |title=House panel OKs Marcos office's budget with no questions asked; surveillance funds intact |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/05/23/house-panel-oks-marcos-offices-budget-with-no-questions-asked |access-date=November 5, 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905060228/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/05/23/house-panel-oks-marcos-offices-budget-with-no-questions-asked |archive-date=September 5, 2023}} this led Sara's father and former President Rodrigo Duterte to allege a connivance between Romualdez and the leftist Makabayan bloc in stripping Sara of confidential funds.{{cite news |last1=Regalado |first1=Edith |title=Duterte defends Sara on confidential funds |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/10/12/2303080/duterte-defends-sara-confidential-funds |access-date=October 25, 2023 |work=The Philippine Star |date=October 12, 2023}} Rodrigo Duterte criticized the House as the "most rotten institution" in the country{{cite news |last1=Banzuelo |first1=Neil |title=Duterte hits House after OVP is stripped of confidential funds |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/10/11/551142/duterte-hits-house-after-ovp-is-stripped-of-confidential-funds/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |work=BusinessWorld |date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012024353/https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/10/11/551142/duterte-hits-house-after-ovp-is-stripped-of-confidential-funds/ |archive-date=October 12, 2023}} and demanded an audit of the House under Romualdez;{{cite news |last1=Quismorio |first1=Ellson |title=Lakas-CMD membership in House continues to grow at the expense of PDP-Laban |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/13/lakas-cmd-membership-in-house-continues-to-grow-at-the-expense-of-pdp-laban |access-date=November 24, 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124093008/https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/13/lakas-cmd-membership-in-house-continues-to-grow-at-the-expense-of-pdp-laban |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |language=en}} Duterte's comments offended some House members{{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=House reps find Duterte's tirades offensive, a serious attack – secretary general |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1846755/house-secgen-says-lawmakers-offended-considers-dutertes-tirades-a-serious-attack |access-date=November 9, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016205137/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1846755/house-secgen-says-lawmakers-offended-considers-dutertes-tirades-a-serious-attack |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |language=en}} including Romualdez,{{cite news |last1=LLanesca T. |first1=Panti |title=Speaker vows fight vs. those who malign House; deputy tags Duterte |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/887447/romualdez-vows-to-fight-those-who-will-malign-dictate-upon-house/story/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |work=GMA News Online |date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107030135/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/887447/romualdez-vows-to-fight-those-who-will-malign-dictate-upon-house/story/ |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |language=en}} prompting the House to issue a loyalty check resolution in support of Romualdez. Shortly after, the House expelled Duterte's political allies former president and Representatives Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Isidro Ungab as Deputy House Speakers for failing to sign the resolution.{{cite news |last1=Galang |first1=Bamba |title=Political analyst: More 'tectonic shifts' seen in House as 2025 polls approach |url=http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/11/9/analyst-house-of-representatives-changes-2025-elections.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109174124/http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/11/9/analyst-house-of-representatives-changes-2025-elections.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023 |work=CNN Philippines |date=November 9, 2023}} Several House members of Duterte's party, PDP–Laban, later party-switched, mostly to the Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD,{{cite news |last1=Panti |first1=Llanesca T. |title=7 lawmakers from Duterte-chaired PDP-Laban defect to Romualdez-led Lakas CMD |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/888304/7-lawmakers-from-duterte-chaired-pfp-laban-defect-to-romualdez-led-lakas-cmd/story/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=GMA News Online |date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115195416/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/888304/7-lawmakers-from-duterte-chaired-pfp-laban-defect-to-romualdez-led-lakas-cmd/story/ |archive-date=November 15, 2023 |language=en}} In late November 2023, reports circulated that some House members want Vice President Sara impeached.{{cite news |last1=Mangaluz |first1=Jean |title=Ex-President Duterte: I'll run for senator or VP if Sara is impeached |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1863404/ex-president-duterte-ill-run-for-senator-or-vp-if-sara-is-impeached |access-date=November 24, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121151729/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1863404/ex-president-duterte-ill-run-for-senator-or-vp-if-sara-is-impeached |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |language=en}} The House later began tackling at least three house resolutions filed separately by the Makabayan bloc, House Human Rights Panel chairperson Bienvenido Abante Jr. and 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman{{cite news |last1=Lalu |first1=Gabriel Pabico |title=Lagman on reso urging PH cooperation with ICC: We're not putting anyone on trial |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223182/lagman-on-reso-urging-ph-cooperation-with-icc-were-not-putting-anyone-on-trial |access-date=November 24, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124090323/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/223182/lagman-on-reso-urging-ph-cooperation-with-icc-were-not-putting-anyone-on-trial |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |language=en}} urging the Marcos administration to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation into Duterte's war on drugs; Romualdez denied prioritizing the measures.{{cite news |last1=Cervantes |first1=Filane Mikee |title=House tackling ICC resolution just 'a matter of course' |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1214266 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123141816/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1214266 |archive-date=November 23, 2023}}

A month later, the National Telecommunications Commission imposed a 30-day suspension on SMNI, a media network which hosted Rodrigo Duterte's platform Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa, after the House adopted a resolution filed by PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles, who claimed that the network was propagating false information.{{cite news |last1=Sarao |first1=Zacarian |title=NTC suspends SMNI operations for 30 days |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1878035/ntc-suspends-smni-operations-for-30-days |access-date=December 21, 2023 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=December 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221151115/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1878035/ntc-suspends-smni-operations-for-30-days |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |language=en}} Two hosts of another SMNI talk show, Laban Kasama ang Bayan, were detained and cited in contempt by the House after one of its hosts–Jeffrey Celiz–refused to reveal his source for his claim that Romualdez had {{Philippine peso}}1.8 billion worth of travel funds.{{cite news |date=December 19, 2023 |title=MTRCB suspends SMNI shows hosted by ex-Pres. Duterte, Badoy, Celiz |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/19/smni-duterte-badoy-celiz-suspension-mtrcb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219070512/http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/12/19/smni-duterte-badoy-celiz-suspension-mtrcb.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |work=CNN Philippines |access-date=December 19, 2023}}

Amid the feud of the Marcos and Duterte clans in late April 2023, Romualdez said the House will probe into an agreement Duterte made during his presidency with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Under the agreement, Duterte agreed to maintain the "status quo" in the South China Sea to avoid escalating a war. Political analyst Ronald Llamas said the probe was engineered by President Bongbong Marcos as a "political payback" to Duterte's verbal attacks and to reduce Duterte's political influence ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.{{cite news |last1=Robles |first1=Alan |title=South China Sea: probe into Duterte-Xi pact sparks rumours of political payback |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3260980/probe-duterte-over-south-china-sea-pact-xi-jinping-seen-possible-political-payback |access-date=1 May 2024 |work=South China Morning Post |date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240501024548/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3260980/probe-duterte-over-south-china-sea-pact-xi-jinping-seen-possible-political-payback |archive-date=1 May 2024 |language=en}}

= Charter change attempts =

{{Main article|2024 constitutional reform attempts in the Philippines}}

Efforts to amend the Constitution intensified in January 2024 after pro-Charter Change group, People's Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA), admitted talking with Romualdez and claimed responsibility for a signature drive campaign that attempted to start a People's Initiative.{{cite news |last1=Galang |first1=Bamba |title=Pro-Cha-cha group admits initiating signature drive, talking with Romualdez |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/pirma-cha-cha-signature-drive.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=CNN Philippines |date=January 15, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115050815/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/pirma-cha-cha-signature-drive.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024}} The proponents proposed that both chambers of the Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—vote jointly on the proposed amendments in a constitutional assembly; consequentially, the 24-member Senate unanimously rejected the proposal since its vote would be overpowered by the 316-member House.{{cite news |last1=Ordoñez |first1=John Victor D. |title=Senate rejects efforts to dilute vote on ‘Cha-cha’ |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2024/01/23/570840/senate-rejects-efforts-to-dilute-vote-on-cha-cha/ |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=BusinessWorld |date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123195053/https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2024/01/23/570840/senate-rejects-efforts-to-dilute-vote-on-cha-cha/ |archive-date=23 January 2024}} The signature drive has been marred by allegations of vote-buying,{{cite news |title=PIRMA denies vote buying to push for Cha-cha via people’s initiative |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/pirma-denies-cha-cha-vote-buying.html |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=CNN Philippines |date=January 15, 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115063403/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/15/pirma-denies-cha-cha-vote-buying.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024}} and by evening of January 23, the proponents claimed to have achieved the required minimum 12 percent of national voters threshold.{{cite news |last1=Garner |first1=Jom |title=People’s initiative has reached required number of signatures — Salceda |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2024/01/24/peoples-initiative-has-reached-required-number-of-signatures-salceda |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=Daily Tribune |date=January 4, 2024 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124114000/https://tribune.net.ph/amp/story/2024/01/24/peoples-initiative-has-reached-required-number-of-signatures-salceda |archive-date=January 24, 2024}} Romualdez denied spearheading the initiative, although a video evidence showing the opposite was later disclosed by Senator Francis Escudero.{{cite news |last1=Torregoza |first1=Hannah |title='May resibo': Escudero shows proof of Romualdez’s Cha-cha plans via People’s Initiatives |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/may-resibo-escudero-shows-proof-of-romualdez-s-cha-cha-plans-via-people-s-initiatives |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129143238/https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/28/may-resibo-escudero-shows-proof-of-romualdez-s-cha-cha-plans-via-people-s-initiatives |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |language=en}} As of December 2023, Romualdez is the president of the Philippine Constitution Association.{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/13/2318458/speaker-house-push-cha-cha-next-year|title=Speaker: House to push for Cha-cha next year|first=Delon|last=Porcalla|date=December 13, 2023|work=The Philippine Star|accessdate=May 1, 2024}}

Other ventures

Romualdez is the owner of the newspaper companies Manila Standard and Journal Group of Publications and the mass media firm Philippine Collective Media Corporation.{{cite news |date=April 16, 2010 |title=Razon sells Manila Standard Today to Romualdez group |url=http://www.philstar.com/business/566495/razon-sells-manila-standard-today-romualdez-group |access-date=April 29, 2016 |publisher=The Philippine Star}}

Personal life

File:Congressman Martin Romualdez and Mrs. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez.jpg in 2011]]

Romualdez married Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt, who represented the Philippines at Miss International 1996, in civil rites in Hong Kong in November 1999, with a church wedding following at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati, on February 4, 2001.{{cite news|last=Ramirez|first=Donnie C.|title=Fullest blessing on fullest love|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GH42AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA69|access-date=December 25, 2023|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=February 11, 2001|page=F1}} They have four children and currently live in Tacloban and Makati. Their sons Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Jr., also known as Marty, and Andrew Julian Romualdez are also in politics, having been elected as a councilor of Tacloban and a representative of Tingog Party List in 2025, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Gabieta |first=Joey A. |date=2025-02-08 |title=Speaker’s son replaces mom as Tingog party-list’s first nominee |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2032923/speakers-son-replaces-mom-as-tingog-party-lists-first-nominee |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}