WITH VIDEO | Bojie Dy: ‘This House Will Change…I Will Not Shield The Corrupt’

New Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela vowed on Wednesday, Sept. 17, to “restore the trust” of 115 million Filipinos in the House of Representatives, following allegations of corruption in flood control projects.

He said this is the overarching goal of his leadership.

“Under my leadership, this House will change,” he declared. “Our duty is not to protect each other – our duty is to protect the Filipino people. I will not defend the guilty and I will not shield the corrupt. As President Marcos said, no one will be spared.”

With 253 votes for him, zero “no” votes and 28 abstentions, the former deputy speaker from Isabela’s 6th district was elected the 29th Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, replacing Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who stepped down from the post.

The 28 abstentions came from the House minority bloc, led by Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan. Meanwhile, four others did not cast their votes.

Dy assured the public that he will be a “listening” Speaker. “I will be transparent and accountable with my actions. We will listen to the cries of the public. We will listen to your voice.”

“No rank, no ally, no office will be spared from accountability,” the new Speaker warned.

He credited his predecessor, former speaker Romualdez, for the “smooth transition” of power.

Dy emphasized that under his leadership, the House would not tolerate corruption or impunity, would cooperate fully with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and would ensure that all inquiries into corruption are conducted openly and fairly.

The most immediate objective, according to him, is to earn back the trust of the people by pursuing budget reforms, ensuring transparency and helping address corruption in the country’s questionable flood control projects.

The Speaker also explained that budget reforms would be pursued under his leadership with the help of the members of Congress, emphasizing that the national budget must be aligned with the needs of the people.

No other contender

No other House member was nominated for the post of the Speaker other than Dy.

Dy, who came from a political dynasty entrenched in Isabela for several decades now, was nominated by Quezon City 2nd district Rep. Ralph Tulfo – son of Sen. Raffy and nephew of Sen. Erwin – whose motion was seconded by another Isabela ally, Deputy Speaker Tonypet Albano.

President Marcos’ son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro, was the one directing the floor while the plenary session was presided over by Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan.

The new Speaker had just returned to the House last July after serving as Isabela vice governor from 2019 to June 2025 and governor from 2010 to 2019. He served as congressman of Isabela’s third district for three terms, from 2001 to 2010.

Dy ran under the President’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

The new House leader, who was sworn in by Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, was among the 11 deputy speakers under Romualdez.

Meanwhile, other independent legislators opposed to Romualdez have now joined the super majority coalition bloc, including Benitez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco and Cebu 5th district Rep. Duke Frasco.

Dy spent four decades in public service, starting at the barangay level and then later as mayor of Cauayan in 1992.

The new Speaker took up economics at the University of Santo Tomas. He is married to Mary Ann Arcega, with whom he has four children: Francis Faustino, Faustino IV, Faustino V and Justin Faustino.

In a statement, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes congratulated Dy and thanked Romualdez for helping advance the legislative agenda for the elderly, pensioners and retirees.

“I congratulate Congressman Faustino Dy III on his election as Speaker of the House. I chose to support his election because his goals are aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and because of our shared concern for barangays, farmers and countryside communities,” Ordanes said. “These are the same communities the Senior Citizens Party-list serves and represents because we are essentially a grassroots communities organization.”

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin also voiced support for the leadership change.

“I remain solidly behind the public service agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Garbin said in a statement. “I will heed the continuing guidance of the President and will be stead-fast in my support of his governance priorities.”

Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez said the election of a new House leader is “the best way to move forward.”

“That’s a good move, that is probably the best way to move forward so at least we will see and find the truth on the problems that’s rocking the House,” Benitez said.

Senators also congratulated Dy for his election as new Speaker. “It’s a very good choice for the congressman. He has a very good record. He’s been vice mayor, mayor, congressman, governor, vice governor, congressman-elect. And in all those years, no bad record,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said. “I am sure he is capable and it will be good for the House.”

Former Senate president Francis Escudero said Dy’s “experience and steady leadership will serve the House well during this critical period.”

But Escudero said the change in House speakership “should not distract us from the unresolved issues surrounding past budgets and infrastructure anomalies.”

Sen. JV Ejercito said the House leadership change is a much-needed “reboot” and a “fresh start for both” chambers of Congress.

Members of the so-called Duterte bloc, however, trained their guns on Romualdez, with Sen. Ronald dela Rosa calling the former speaker’s resignation a “sign of guilt.”

Sen. Imee Marcos declined to comment on her cousin’s resignation even as she called Dy a “kind” person.

“My problem is Bojie’s very kind,” she said, referring to Dy by his nickname.

“Poor him, it’s tough being in his shoes,” Marcos said, calling the Speaker post “arguably the worst job in the world.”