ROMUALDEZ NAMED CARETAKER OF PALAWAN, NEGROS ORIENTAL DISTRICTS

THE House of Representatives has designated Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as caretaker of the third districts of Palawan and Negros Oriental.

According to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, Romualdez will assume as caretaker of the said districts until the May 2025 midterm elections.

Romualdez will serve as legislative caretaker of the third district of the province of Palawan after Congressman Edward Hagedorn passed away last October 3. .

The congressional seat of the third district of Negros Oriental became vacant due to the expulsion of former Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr..

“We are in a status quo which means the Speaker will act as the caretaker of the Third District of Negros Oriental. The assessment of Congressman Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental, parang next elections na lang, in May 2025, punan ang vacancy,” Velasco said.

“The same with Palawan since we have another vacancy because of the death of Congressman Hagedorn, the caretaker of Hagedorn’s district is the Speaker,” he added.

Just days after the start of filing of the certificate of candidacy, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) canceled the December 9 special election in Negros Oriental’s 3rd legislative district.

The decision was made on Wednesday, November 8, a day after the House of Representatives adopted a resolution asking the poll body to “reconsider” the special election “given all the existing circumstances and present predicament affecting the province.”

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garciaalso said one of the reasons for the cancellation included a petition for certiorari filed by Teves Jr. before the Supreme Court, challenging his removal as a member of the House of Representatives.

Teves Jr., who has a warrant out for his arrest for his alleged role in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others, has been out of the country since February and has refused to return.