THE CALL of the Filipinos to remove Martin Romualdez as House Speaker has been granted—but does it really mean accountability? Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez stepped down from the lower house leadership on September 17, 2025, and was replaced by Bojie Dy, who previously served as Deputy Speaker during Romualdez’s term. Now, accountability means being responsible and answerable for your own actions, decisions, and duties. Stepping down as Speaker without first fixing your mess does not erase the anomalies during your term.
Being the Speaker holds the most power in the lower house. It is beyond impossible that your fellow congressmen inserted budget allocations without your knowledge or approval—especially in proceedings you presided over. Isn’t it ironic? And the fact that you stayed silent about it is infuriating—knowing that Filipinos needed an immediate response to this situation, because they are the ones who will suffer.
Do you feel so high that you forgot you are only a servant of the people? You even acted as if you were the president of the republic. Furthermore, as a Filipino and one of the voices of my fellow citizens, I demand justice for the people’s blood and sweat paying taxes that were meant to create decent roads, control floods, and build infrastructures that could generate more jobs.
This is an appeal to hear our lamenting voices—hoping that we will finally be heard. We Filipinos are beyond tired of this corrupt system. Every election, we hope it will mark the end of this constant cycle of betrayal. Will this last forever, or will it finally end? If we truly want to change the status quo, we must hold them accountable not just with words but with action. And again, stepping down does not make you accountable. Running away from the problem only worsens the situation. Because if you were really not guilty, you should have faced the consequences of your lapses as Speaker and used the power you once held to fix them.
The question remains: was stepping down an act of accountability—or just a political tactic? The people are exhausted from the circus happening in Congress.
Accountability or strategy? The lives of millions of Filipinos are always at stake. Enough with your greedy personal interests—serve the people with a real sense of responsibility and accountability. The very reason you ran for office was to serve the people’s interests. Running from the consequences will never mean accountability.
Jhon Mark L. Cosico (UC Main Political Science Student)
cosicojhonmark@gmail.com
09682212145
