Martin Romualdez

Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez is the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress, winning unchallenged in July 2022. He has been the congressman of the 1st District of Leyte since 2019, a position he also held from 2007 to 2016.

Born on November 14, 1963, Romualdez is one of the four children of the late former Leyte governor and ambassador Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez and Juliette Romualdez. He is a nephew of former first lady Imelda Marcos – his father’s sister – and a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He is married to Tingog Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez, with whom he has four children.

Romualdez is also the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats political party. He was a key figure in the formation of the now-collapsed Uniteam alliance between his cousin, President Marcos, and Vice President Sara Duterte for the 2022 elections.

In the 2016 polls, Romualdez ran for senator but lost, placing 15th.

Aside from politics, Romualdez and his family are also known for their wealth and businesses, with involvement in industries such as media and mining.

Romualdez obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Government degree from Cornell University in the United States in 1985, then his Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1992. He passed the Bar Examinations in 1993.