An election for the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines was suddenly held on September 17, 2025. It was the second leadership election of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress and was the 47th election for the speakership in the chamber's history.
This election followed the resignation of incumbent House speaker Martin Romualdez, after being implicated in the controversy on anomalous flood control projects. This was the first leadership election in the House since July 26, 2001 that happened in the same year when a previous leadership election also took place.
Background On July 28, 2025, President Bongbong Marcos delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, which centered on the government's accomplishments despite various issues surrounding the administration, particularly government-funded anomalous flood control projects, which gave rise to allegations of corruption and bribery involving several lawmakers, government officials, and associated contractors. House speaker Martin Romualdez, who had drawn criticism for his involvement in the approval of the 2025 national budget, tagged as one of the "most corrupt" general appropriations measures in Philippine history, was implicated by contractor Curlee Discaya during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe into public works contracts. Discaya alleged that Romualdez approved the budget through unprogrammed funds and insertions, citing statements by former Quezon City Representative Marvin Rillo and incumbent Uswag Ilonggo party-list Representative Jojo Ang. Romualdez denied the allegations, but amid growing pressure from various sectors, ultimately resigned as speaker on September 17, 2025. A day earlier, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno reported that Romualdez had considered taking a leave of absence instead, but stated that before going to Malacañang Palace to discuss with the president, Romualdez chose to resign completely.
Electoral system
Election Nominations On September 17, 2025, Martin Romualdez resigned from his position as speaker of the House, a move he noted was intended to restore the chamber's credibility and was in response to his cousin, President Bongbong Marcos's, call for accountability, after he was implicated in the flood control scandal. Romualdez was said to have recommended to House party leaders Deputy Speaker Bojie Dy of Isabela, a partymate of Marcos in Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, as his successor. Dy was later nominated by Ralph Tulfo of Quezon City after the table for nominations was declared open by Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, the sole nominee in the election. Notable votes were those of independent members, who belonged to neither the majority nor the minority bloc: Albee Benitez of Bacolod, Duke Frasco of Cebu, and Toby Tiangco of Navotas, who were noted to have not supported Romualdez but voted for Dy in the election.
Results + September 2025 election for speaker Party Nominees Nominated by Votes % PFP Bojie Dy (Isabela–6th) Ralph Tulfo 253 Abstention 28 Total votes 281 100.00