For the 19th Congress, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has nine Deputy Speakers ready to take over whenever the need arises.
Deputy Speakers assume the responsibilities of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves. The circumstances apply during the Speaker’s absence or temporary incapacity until the Speaker returns to the office and resumes work.
Monitoring, coordinating, and facilitating action on filed measures, requests, and other concerns of members representing constituencies assigned by the Speaker also fall upon the responsibilities of the Deputy Speakers.
Another unique power Deputy Speakers have is providing the Speaker with suggestions on the appropriate policies, strategies, and programs to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures. They can also put forward options that can effectively address lawmakers’ concerns on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operations and integrity of the House.
The nine Deputy Speakers for the 19th Congress, composed of three women and six men, all strive to further the interests of their districts and the country as a whole.
Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Heading the list is Senior Deputy Speaker and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the 19th Congress, she was the principal author of 20 bills that focused on the environment, women empowerment, government, and health, among others.
Macapagal-Arroyo, who represents the second congressional district of Pampanga, also served as House Speaker during the 18th Congress under the Duterte administration.
“The senior deputy speaker position was created by members of the 19th Congress…The senior deputy speaker’s duties may also be summed up as: ‘Assumes the duties and powers of the Speaker when he is absent or incapacitated,’” she said.
“In my case, I have presided over some sessions that deliberated on the General Appropriations Act. Our deputy speaker/s organizational structure is designed to facilitate the work of the House of Representatives, to help ensure that the agenda of Speaker Martin Romualdez to support the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is carried out as smoothly, as efficiently, and as speedily as possible,” she added.
Rep. Isidro T. Ungab
Coming from the King City of the South, Deputy Speaker Isidro T. Ungab belongs to the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional party from Davao.
Ungab, who worked as a banker before joining politics, was described by HNP as “an experienced lawmaker” and is the only one to hold the chairmanships of both the ways and means and appropriations committees in the 18th Congress.
In the 19th Congress, Ungab was principal author of two bills and co-authored seven others revolving around health, modernization, and education, among other sectors.
Rep. Roberto V. Puno
As the representative of the First District of Antipolo, Roberto Puno has become a trusted name among his constituents for several years.
He served as district representative from 2007 to 2016 and again in 2019. With his service throughout the years, the people trusted him again to be their representative for the 19th Congress.
Puno principally authored five bills and co-authored one on several measures meant to benefit Antipolo and its population.
Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan
Kristine Singson-Meehan of the second district of Ilocos Sur represents women empowerment in the Lower House. Since the beginning of the 19th Congress, she principally authored 30 bills and jumped on 69 others that focused on local and national interests.
She founded the district-wide PUSO TI KABABAIHAN organization that aims to provide livelihood programs, training, outreach services, and socialization for and by women.
As a wife and mother of four, Singson-Meehan also recognizes the value of education in raising children. She initiated the PUSO TI AGTUTUBO, a school-based youth organization meant to form and mold them to become servant leaders, community entrepreneurs, and catalysts for change. She’s also working towards establishing a similar organization for farmers, the PUSO TI MANNALON.
Rep. Camille A. Villar
Being the daughter of two seasoned public servants, it was inevitable that Camille Villar heard a similar calling. In 2019, she ran and won as representative of the lone district of Las Piñas.
She crafted her identity as a public servant dedicated to improving education, especially for the youth and women, fortifying entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium enterprises as efficient tools in eradicating poverty. She also has 11 principally authored bills throughout the 19th Congress.
Villar is also a successful entrepreneur as the President and CEO of Villar Group’s AllValue. She also steered AllHome to become the fastest-growing full-line home center in the Philippines.
Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza
Giving a voice to the labor, workers of the Philippines and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines party-list is Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza. Born in Cebu City in 1962, Mendoza became passionate about the labor movement at a young age. His father, Democrito T. Mendoza, founder of TUCP, introduced him to workers’ struggles.
Mendoza is also no stranger to working within Congress. He became TUCP’s representative in the 14th, 15th, and 16th Congresses of the Philippines. In the 19th Congress, he authored 14 bills focusing on the welfare of Filipino workers.
Rep. Ralph G. Recto
Another veteran in the Philippine political landscape is Ralph Recto. Before becoming Deputy Speaker for the 19th Congress, he was Senate President Pro Tempore for the 16th, 17th, and 18th Congresses.
Throughout the 19th Congress, Recto remained busy by authoring 115 bills on the economy, worker welfare, and agriculture, among others. He also co-authored 49 other measures that focus on modernization and security.
Rep. Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales Jr.
Joining the list of Deputy Speakers is Aurelio “Dong” D. Gonzales Jr., the congressman of the third district of Pampanga. Before running for Congress, Gonzales Jr. was a board member for the same district.
Gonzales authored 38 bills in the 19th Congress, some of which highlighted the welfare of Filipino workers and farmers.
Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” D. Frasco
There’s more to Vincent Franco “Duke” D. Frasco than just being the current congressman of the fifth district of Cebu. He’s the “new blood’ that ended a 70-year representation of a well-entrenched political family in the province.
Frasco currently has 21 principally authored bills during the 19th Congress.