Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III is new House speaker

MANILA, September 18 ------ Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III replaced Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as House speaker and promised change at the House of Representatives. Dy, a member of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, was elected by 253 votes at the 317-seat House. Twenty-eight members abstained from voting — including Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga, who said he would take the speakership from Romualdez — four did not vote. One member voted against Dy.

Dy said that, under his leadership, "the House will change." He added he would not "not defend the guilty [nor] shield the corrupt." Dy acknowledged that the House, which has been heavily criticized over alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, has had shortcomings. "Nakikiusap po kami na sana ay bigyan n'yo kami ng pagkakataong ituwid ang mga maling kalakaran at linisin ang aming hanay," Dy said in remarks to the public. He added that the House should strengthen its oversight committee and coordinate with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which Marcos Jr. created to probe alleged corruption in projects.

Dy, who was a deputy speaker to Romualdez, was elected a member of the House in the May elections. He had been vice governor of Isabela province from 2019 to 2025 and was its governor from 2010-2019. "His return to the House in 2025 as Representative of Isabela’s 6th District marked a full circle in his career, capped by his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives," a profile that the House released on Wednesday reads. Dy is among the sons of Faustino Dy, a longtime governor of Isabela province. Dy's son Faustino V represented the 6th District from 2019 to 2025 and is currently mayor of Echague town. Another son, Francis, is vice governor of Isabela.

The Palace said the Marcos Jr. administration “recognizes the vital role of the House of Representatives, especially at a time when the public demands visible results and Congress are called upon to take active steps that address people’s concerns and deliver real improvements in daily life.”

The Palace said it respects the independence of the lower chamber and “acknowledges the contributions of former Speaker Martin Romualdez”. “We now look forward to working with Speaker Faustino Dy III to advance measures that strengthen the economy, ensure basic services, and protect our democracy.”

The Marcos administration vowed to “remain committed to constructive collaboration with all lawmakers” to keep the focus on the needs of Filipino families and move the nation forward. Romualdez, the President's cousin, said he was resigning as speaker "with a clear conscience" to let the Independent Commission for Infrastructure "pursue its mandate freely and fully, without doubt, without interference, without undue influence."

Source: news.abs-cbn.com