Martin Romualdez

The current speaker of the House of Representatives, Martin Romualdez began his political journey in the early 1990s as a member and president of the Kabataang Barangay in Tolosa, Leyte. Coming from a family deeply rooted in public service, his father, Benjamin Romualdez, served as Leyte's governor and as Philippine ambassador to the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia. Romualdez is also the nephew of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos and the late President Ferdinand Marcos; he is cousins with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Senator Imee Marcos.

Romualdez was first elected as the representative for Leyte’s First District in 2007, a role he held until 2016 and resumed in 2019. Serving as House Majority Leader from 2019 to 2022, he played a key role in passing crucial legislation, including the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, along with the COVID-19 Vaccination Act of 2021 and the Malasakit Centers Act.

Throughout his career, Romualdez has championed legislation such as the Alternative Learning System Act, the CREATE Law (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises), and Republic Act No. 11517, allowing the President to expedite national and local permits during emergencies. As Leyte’s First District representative, he has improved healthcare and education facilities in the region, achieving expansions for the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (RA 11567) and upgrading the Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital into a general hospital (RA 11566). He also supported establishing a national high school in Tacloban (RA 10290) and additional Regional Trial Court branches in Leyte (RA 10244).

In 2024, Romualdez passed all 20 priority measures, including the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Act, ahead of schedule. His leadership continues to reflect a commitment to public service and legislative progress in the Philippines.