Intrigue in Manila: A Dynastic Duel for the House Gavel

As Martin Romualdez fights to keep his speakership, budget scandals and Marcos-Duterte rivalries threaten to reshape Philippine politics. Who will wield the power?

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — May 16, 2025

THE Batasang Pambansa pulses with tension, its marble halls alive with whispered plots and sidelong glances. Lawmakers gather in tight knots, their voices barely audible over the hum of ambition. At the epicenter stands House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a Marcos heir whose once-iron grip on power now trembles. The 2025 midterm elections have unleashed a storm of intrigue, with accusations of budget mismanagement and a fractured Marcos-Duterte alliance fueling a challenge to his throne. Three contenders—Albee Benitez, Toby Tiangco, and Angelo Marcos Barba—prowl the edges, while whispers of Sandro Marcos as an interim Speaker add a dynastic twist.

Jakarta. Brasília. The names change. The power struggles don’t. And neither do the truths they unmask. In the Philippines, this battle is a vivid saga of family loyalties, political vendettas, and a democracy straining under dynastic weight. It’s a drama that could shape President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legacy and test the resilience of a nation haunted by its authoritarian past. Will Romualdez hold firm, or will the House anoint a new leader?

The Budget Bombshell: Scandal or Smokescreen?

The spark igniting this firestorm is the alleged mishandling of the 2025 national budget, a charge that strikes at the heart of Philippine governance. In a country where public funds fuel schools, roads, and livelihoods, any hint of mismanagement is political dynamite. Though details are scarce, the accusation suggests procedural errors or favoritism in budget allocations, eroding trust in Romualdez’s leadership. For lawmakers reliant on district funding, this is no small matter. Could this be the scandal that dethrones a Speaker?

Yet, the allegations lack clarity. Are they rooted in evidence, or are they a political cudgel wielded by rivals? Budget disputes are a global constant—I’ve seen them stall parliaments in India and Mexico—but they often mask deeper agendas. Romualdez’s allies, like Quezon Reps. David Suarez and Wilfrido Mark Enverga, call the claims overblown, pointing to his legislative record. Without concrete proof, the budget issue may falter, but its symbolic power fuels the rebellion.

Marcos vs. Duterte: A Feud That Splits a Nation

The budget row is a symptom of a deeper wound: the collapse of the Marcos-Duterte “Uniteam” that swept the 2022 elections. Romualdez, as Lakas-CMD president, brokered that alliance, but its unraveling has made him a target. In 2023, his House denied confidential funds for Vice President Sara Duterte’s ROTC program while rushing funds to the President’s office. Former President Rodrigo Duterte exploded, branding the House “rotten” and accusing Romualdez of colluding with leftists. The fallout was seismic: a loyalty check resolution ousted Duterte allies like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and seven PDP-Laban lawmakers defected to Lakas-CMD.

By 2024, the feud turned venomous. Sara accused Romualdez of sabotaging her education budget and claimed he wanted her dead—a charge that shocked the nation. His probe into Rodrigo Duterte’s South China Sea deal with Xi Jinping, dubbed “political payback,” deepened the rift. This is no mere squabble; it’s a dynastic showdown. The Marcoses dominate Luzon, the Dutertes rule Mindanao, and 2028’s presidential race looms. For Duterte loyalists, toppling Romualdez is vengeance. Can they rally the votes?

The Marcos Dynasty: Power’s Double-Edged Sword

Philippine politics is a family saga, and the Marcos clan is its starring cast. Romualdez, nephew of Imelda Marcos and cousin to the President, wields the speakership as a dynastic linchpin. His 2022 election, with 283 votes, showcased Marcos muscle. Yet, the bombshell that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos backs Albee Benitez, a billionaire outsider, hints at cracks in the family facade. Why turn against her cousin? Is it strategy or a personal slight?

Dynasties define the Philippines—113 of 149 cities are clan-ruled—but they spark resentment. The rumor that Sandro Marcos, the President’s 31-year-old son, could serve as interim Speaker fuels cries of privilege. I’ve seen this elsewhere: Pakistan’s Bhuttos, Indonesia’s Sukarnos. Dynasties offer stability but choke meritocracy. In the House, where loyalty often trumps principle, the Marcos name is Romualdez’s armor. But it also makes him a target.

The Contenders: Who Dares Challenge the King?

Three challengers vie for the gavel, each with unique strengths and hurdles:

Albee Benitez: A billionaire and former Bacolod mayor, Benitez brings charisma and cash. The First Lady’s endorsement signals elite support, but his absence from Congress since his mayoral term may weaken his clout. Can he unify a fractious House, or is he too much an outsider?
Toby Tiangco: A Marcos loyalist and Navotas representative, Tiangco is the steady hand. As campaign manager for Marcos’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, he’s trusted but wary, preferring a “less messy” transition. His caution may limit his appeal to anti-Duterte hawks. Is stability enough?
Angelo Marcos Barba: The President’s cousin from Ilocos Norte, Barba is a family stalwart. His candidacy could cement Marcos control, but his inexperience is a liability. Is he a unifier or a placeholder?

Then there’s Sandro Marcos, floated as an interim Speaker. His youth and role in Sara Duterte’s impeachment push make him divisive. Romualdez’s entrenched support—bolstered by Lakas-CMD and deal-making—gives him the upper hand. Numbers don’t lie.

Democracy’s High Stakes: Power or the People?

This isn’t just Manila’s drama; it’s a referendum on Philippine governance. The House, third in line to the presidency, shapes laws and budgets that touch every Filipino. Romualdez has delivered—33 of 42 priority bills passed since 2022, from immigration to salt industry reforms. But his tactics raise alarms. The 2023 SMNI suspension, tied to Duterte’s platform, and Arroyo’s ousting echo authoritarian playbooks. I’ve seen this in Thailand’s media crackdowns and Turkey’s purges—warning signs for democracy.

The Philippines’ vibrant but fragile democracy, scarred by Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship, hinges on checks and balances. A House ruled by one clan risks alienating voters. If Romualdez prevails, will he govern inclusively? If a challenger wins, can they heal divides? The 2025 elections proved voters’ power; 2028 awaits.

Why Romualdez Holds the Edge

Romualdez is bruised but resilient. His 2022 landslide and post-election endorsements from allies like Suarez and Enverga signal strength. The budget allegations, while potent, lack public traction, and his coalition, fortified by defections, is a juggernaut. The First Lady’s support for Benitez is a concern, but no evidence suggests the President opposes him. Tiangco’s caution and Barba’s inexperience weaken their bids, while Sandro’s interim role feels like a stopgap.

I’ve seen leaders like Indonesia’s Jokowi thrive through coalition mastery. Romualdez, with Lakas-CMD’s might, is similar. Continuity trumps chaos for now. He’s likely to keep the gavel when the 20th Congress opens in July.

Charting a Path: Saving Democracy from Itself

Philippine democracy thrives on its messiness, but it needs guardrails. Romualdez must tackle the budget allegations head-on—an independent audit by the Commission on Audit could restore trust. He should also reach out to Duterte allies, not exile them. Inclusion builds bridges. The Marcos administration must push anti-dynasty laws, a constitutional mandate stalled for decades. It’s a long shot, but it signals reform.

Challengers need vision, not just ambition. Benitez’s wealth and Tiangco’s loyalty are strengths, but they must rally broader coalitions. Barba and Sandro must prove their worth beyond their names. Voters hold the ultimate power—2028 is their chance to demand accountability.

A Flicker of Hope Amid the Storm

Years ago, looking into the People Power Revolution’s aftermath, I saw Filipinos topple a dictatorship with raw courage. That spirit endures, but dynasties threaten to dim it. Romualdez may hold the gavel, but the real battle is for a House that serves the people, not just the powerful. In Manila’s high-stakes drama, the audience—Filipino voters—deserves the final say.

Citations

Politiko, “Speakership up for grabs? Benitez, Barba, Tiangco reportedly circling Romualdez’s throne,” May 15, 2025.
Manila Bulletin, “Will Romualdez remain Speaker in 20th Congress? These 2 solons say yes,” May 16, 2025.
Context.ph, “House leaders say Speaker Romualdez will retain Speakership in 20th Congress,” May 16, 2025.
Wikipedia, “Martin Romualdez.”