Prior to his entry into public service as Representative of the First District of Leyte, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez spent a greater part of his professional life in the private sector. He held several executive positions and directorships for big companies, among them Equitable PCI Bank, PCI Leasing Corporation, and Philippine Commercial International Bank. But public service is a fate he could not defy. It runs in the blood. His father, the late Benjamin Romualdez, was former ambassador and governor of Leyte.
He finished his undergraduate studies with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Government from Cornell University in New York in 1985. He earned a Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University in 1988. Then in 1992, he earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines.
Under the leadership of Speaker Romualdez, the House of Representatives will prioritize the passage of laws that will help the country recover quickly from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and will support the administration’s legislative agenda.
Speaker Romualdez said that it’s full speed ahead for the House of Representatives as they aim to pass the 2023 national budget on time, as well as other measures that will help in economic recovery, and jobs and livelihood creation.
The speaker also wants to prevent even a single presidential veto of bills through closer coordination with Malacañang and the Senate, stressing that it is important to ensure not only effective legislation but also cost-effective legislation. A zero veto of bills ensures that government resources are spent wisely and prudently.
As the fourth highest official in the Philippine government, Speaker Romualdez has his plate full. And while his passion for public service has been evident from the start, his greatest source of inspiration remains his family, especially his wife Tingog Partylist Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and their four children.