Bojie Dy takes over as House speaker, replaces Romualdez

17 Sep 2025, 08:55 by Dominique Nicole Flores · philstar

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has elected Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III (Isabela, 6th District) as the new speaker of the 20th Congress, securing 253 votes from the over 300-member chamber.

Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan declares Dy as the next House speaker.

He secured 253 votes from the chamber, including support from lawmakers who previously declared themselves independent. Singson-Meehan said 28 abstained, while 4 did not vote.

In his first speech as House speaker, Dy didn't deny the challenges that come with the position and the risk of damaging his name. However, he promises that under his leadership, "the House will change."

"I will not defend the guilty. I will not shield the corrupt," he said, stressing his desire to cooperate with the executive's independent probe into anomalous infrastructure projects.

Dy said he won't allow any House member to exploit the chamber's name for their personal interests. For lawmakers tagged in the alleged kickback scheme and budget insertions, he said there will be a proper forum where they can explain.

The newly elected House speaker is a returning congressman who was elected as one of the 11 deputy speakers of the 20th Congress. He previously served as Isabela's vice governor for two terms from 2019 to 2025.

He ran in the 2025 midterm elections to take his son's place, former representative and now Echague Mayor Faustino "Inno" Dy V, under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). This was the political party that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. chaired himself.

Romualdez resigns

Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District) formally announced his resignation before the House on Wednesday, September 17, a move that was met with applause and a standing ovation from the chamber.

This effectively placed the speakership up for election. House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos then moved to open the floor to nominations.

Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo (Quezon City, 2nd District) nominated Dy, which was seconded by Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano (Isabela, 1st District).

No other lawmaker was nominated for speaker, prompting the chamber to declare their votes one by one.

Romualdez reportedly endorsed Dy's speakership when he informed party leaders on Tuesday of his final decision to resign as speaker.

In an ambush interview, Sandro explained that Dy's speakership wasn't a "matter of being chosen by Malacañang," but of numbers among the chamber. Party leaders were asked who they thought should succeed Romualdez, to which Sandro said Dy's name cropped up the most.

Romualdez's critics vote for Dy

As Romualdez stepped down, fewer lawmakers abstained and declared themselves independent.

Even Romualdez's critics and supposed challengers before the 20th Congress convened, such as Rep. Duke Frasco (Cebu, 5th District), Rep. Albee Benitez (Bacolod, Lone District) and Rep. Toby Tiangco (Navotas, Lone District), voted for Dy's speakership. They now join the majority after declaring themselves independent when Romualdez was elected as speaker.

Meanwhile, Rep. Kiko Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District), who earlier declared his intention to challenge Romualdez's speakership, abstained.

Representatives of the Akbayan Party-list, Makabayan bloc, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list and House Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan also abstained to retain their membership in the minority bloc.

Romualdez resigned as speaker of the 20th Congress after the chamber under his leadership was hounded by corruption allegations tied to the anomalous flood control projects and insertions in the 2025 budget.

This came after calls for his ouster mounted over the past weeks, with Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno saying Romualdez has long considered stepping down to confront the issues himself.