House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday, Dec. 19, shut down the dispute rumors between him and Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that nothing had changed in their relationship.
Interviewed during DZRH Dos Por Dos, Romualdez said they have yet to interact as they are busy fulfilling their respective duties and responsibilities as top government officials.
“Well, hindi naman nag-aaway. Obviously, si VP Sara is very busy now as a Vice President and Secretary of DepEd [Department of Education]. Ako naman as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, busy with all of the priority legislative measures, kagaya ng budget and other priority legislation,” he said.
“Siguro sasabihing 'di ganoon ka-close kasi we do not interact as much as before noong magkasama kami araw-araw sa kampanya. Pero by large, I see that nothing much has really changed,” the House Speaker continued.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez ukol kay VP Sara Duterte: Hindi naman nag-aaway. Obviously si VP Sara is very busy now as a Vice President and Secretary of DepEd.#DosPorDos#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 18, 2023
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Romualdez asserted that he still respects and holds the Vice President in high regard.
When asked to describe her relationship with Duterte, he responded that he looks at her as “a friend”, “my vice president”, and “Secretary of Education.”
“I share the same vision with her, working together for the betterment of the country. That’s how I look at it,” Romuadlez underlined.
The allegations about the rift between the House Speaker and the Vice President started in November, a month after the House of Representatives stripped down the confidential and intelligence funds from several civilian agencies, including Duterte’s office and the education department.
A video circulated online, showing Duterte allegedly snubbing Romualdez during President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.’s arrival from his three-day trip to the United States at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
The Vice President then debunked snubbing claims and remarked, “Hindi ko nakita. Hindi ko nakita yung nasa social media. [Hindi] ako maka-comment. Wala ako nakita.”
Duterte and Romualdez used to be party-mates under Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD). However, the Vice President tendered an irrevocable resignation in May this year.
