The House That Romualdez Built: A Trust Boom or a Bubble Waiting to Burst?

By Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo — July 17, 2025

IN THE humid political air of Manila, where scandals bloom like tropical storms, the Philippine House of Representatives has pulled off a feat that feels almost surreal. Under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the House’s trust rating has soared to a record 57% by June 2025, a 23-point leap in just three months, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS). It’s a political earthquake, shaking a nation accustomed to legislative dysfunction and public cynicism. But as the dust settles, a question looms like a shadow over the horizon: Can Romualdez’s coalition outrun the ghosts of past scandals, or is this trust surge a fleeting mirage in democracy’s rollercoaster?

The Ghosts of Scandals Past

To grasp this triumph, we must excavate the House’s troubled history. The Philippine Congress has long been a lightning rod for distrust, battered by controversies that cling to its reputation like damp rot.

Maharlika Investment Fund Controversy: The 2024 Maharlika Investment Fund Act, proposed by Rep. Ferdinand “Sandro” Marcos III, sparked outrage. Critics, including retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, argued it violated Article III, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, siphoning funds from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS)—public coffers meant to protect workers, not fuel risky ventures (Inquirer, December 8, 2022). Allegations of potential misuse deepened public skepticism, echoing broader concerns about elite dominance.
Duterte Impeachment: The February 2025 impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, the first in Philippine history, set Manila’s political class ablaze. The House’s 240 lawmakers approved four complaints alleging fund misuse and betrayal of public trust (AP News, June 11, 2025). The Senate’s decision to remand the case in June, citing legal ambiguities, fueled perceptions of partisan gamesmanship (East Asia Forum, February 25, 2025).
Historical Volatility: The 2021 Philippine Trust Index by EON Group revealed a volatile public, with government trust dipping during the pandemic’s mismanagement (BusinessWorld, November 29, 2021). The Department of Health’s trust fell from 85% to 81% amid alleged fund misuse, a warning for institutions like the House, where perceptions of corruption fester.

Yet, against this backdrop of political landmines, Romualdez’s House didn’t just survive—it thrived. How?

A Legislative Machine in Wartime Mode

Romualdez’s leadership is less a velvet glove than a steel fist wrapped in populist rhetoric. His “performance-first” ethos turned the 19th Congress into a legislative factory meeting wartime demand. The numbers are staggering:

Legislative Output: The House passed 61 of 64 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC)-priority measures, including 27 of 28 in the final session, and enacted over 280 new laws (Philippine News Agency, July 15, 2025).
Key Legislation: The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act tackled food security, a visceral issue for a nation where rice prices spark protests. The Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act and wage board reforms addressed job creation, while expanded PhilHealth benefits and specialty hospital construction bolstered healthcare (Official Gazette). The Philippine Maritime Zones Act reinforced claims in the West Philippine Sea, tapping nationalist fervor (Philippine News Agency).
Coalition Unity: Romualdez united over 300 lawmakers—283 of whom backed his re-election as Speaker—behind President Marcos’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda (Philippine News Agency, July 15, 2025).

Contrast this with the U.S. Congress, limping at a 23% approval rating in June 2025, paralyzed by partisan gridlock (Gallup, June 2025). Romualdez’s House, by comparison, is a disciplined phalanx, churning out laws while dodging the shrapnel of Duterte’s impeachment. House spokesperson Princess Abante’s words ring true: “Respect is earned. And Speaker Romualdez earned it through performance.”

The Fragile Foundation of Trust

Beneath the gleaming 57% trust rating, cracks are visible. The 2021 Philippine Trust Index showed trust in government plummeting during crises (BusinessWorld, November 29, 2021). The House’s surge—from 34% in April to 57% in June—is less a trend than a tightrope walk. Romualdez’s personal trust rating, up 11 points to 34%, lags behind Vice President Duterte’s 61% and Senate President Francis Escudero’s 55% (SWS, June 2025). This gap suggests the House’s gains are tied to institutional output, not Romualdez’s charisma—a double-edged sword.

Lingering Risks: The Maharlika Fund’s shadow fuels perceptions of elite dominance, a persistent issue in a dynasty-heavy political landscape. The Duterte impeachment, while a legislative win, risks being seen as a vendetta, especially in Mindanao, where trust lags at 49% (SWS, December 2024).
Regional Disparities: Trust varies—57% in Luzon, 51% in Metro Manila, but only 49% in Mindanao—hinting at a fractured mandate (SWS, December 2024).
Global Context: Globally, legislative distrust grows when citizens feel disconnected from representatives. In the U.S., districts averaging 762,000 people have sparked calls to expand the House (American Academy of Arts and Sciences). The Philippines faces similar pressures with its growing population.

If legislative momentum stalls or a new scandal erupts, trust could evaporate as swiftly as it formed.

A Roadmap to Lasting Trust

Romualdez’s House stands at a crossroads. The trust boom is a testament to his discipline, but without systemic reforms, it risks becoming another footnote in democracy’s rollercoaster. Here’s how the House can cement its gains:

Transparency as a Shield
The Maharlika Fund’s opacity was a self-inflicted wound. Launch real-time legislative tracking tools—public dashboards showing bill progress, amendments, and voting records—to counter perceptions of backroom deals. This aligns with global calls for open governance (American Academy of Arts and Sciences).
Grassroots as a Bedrock
The Barangay Development Program’s success in conflict-affected areas shows localized impact’s power (Philippine News Agency). Expand this through town halls, mobile offices, and digital platforms for citizen feedback. The 2021 Philippine Trust Index emphasized personal experiences as trust drivers (BusinessWorld, November 29, 2021).
Crisis Resilience as a Firewall
The Duterte impeachment didn’t derail the House, but future controversies might. Institutionalize bipartisan conflict-resolution protocols, modeled on effective state legislatures like California’s (National Conference of State Legislatures). A rapid-response team to address concerns transparently could prevent trust erosion.
Breaking the Dynasty Perception
The Marcos family’s role in the Maharlika Fund fuels dynasty concerns. Champion anti-dynasty measures, like stricter campaign finance rules, to level the playing field (Official Gazette).
Communicating the Wins
The House’s 280 laws are a goldmine, but the public must feel their impact. Use social media, regional media, and civic education partnerships to translate legislative jargon into real-world victories. The 2024 Philippine Trust Study’s call for “proof, not promises” underscores this (Manila Bulletin, November 18, 2024).

The Stakes Are High

Romualdez’s House has defied gravity, soaring to a 57% trust rating in a nation where skepticism is a reflex. Its legislative blitz—61 LEDAC bills, 280 laws, and a united coalition—stands in stark contrast to the U.S. Congress’s dysfunction. Yet, the ghosts of Maharlika and Duterte remind us that trust is fragile, built on performance but vulnerable to scandal.

The 20th Congress, convening July 28, 2025, must double down on transparency, grassroots engagement, and crisis resilience to prove this isn’t a fluke. The Filipino people have handed Romualdez a rare gift: their faith. But faith, like a monsoon rain, can vanish swiftly. The House must act not just as a legislative machine but as a beacon of accountability and connection. Only then can it outrun the ghosts and build a legacy that endures beyond the headlines.