For not backing Romualdez: NUP expels Duke

CEBU, Philippines — The National Unity Party (NUP), one of the political parties belonging to the supermajority coalition that is backing House Speaker Martin Romualdez to remain at the helm of the bigger chamber in the incoming 20th Congress, is expelling House deputy speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco as a member of the NUP for contravening the party’s official position to support Romualdez, NUP president and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte said yesterday.

“The party leadership has decided to expel Duke (Frasco) from the NUP because his unilateral decision not to support Rep. Martin’s continued stay as Speaker in the next Congress is a blatant breach of the NUP’s official position of unequivocal support for the Speaker to keep his premier post in the next Congress,” Villafuerte said in a statement.

The Freeman reached out to Frasco for confirmation, to which he replied, "Mao lagi, oh well."

Earlier in the day, Frasco confirmed to The Freeman that he did not sign the manifesto supporting the continued speakership of Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for the 20th Congress.

“I will issue an official statement in the coming days as to the reason why I did not sign the manifesto of support," Frasco said.

Frasco also acknowledged the possible consequence of his decision, saying he expects not to be elected as House deputy speaker in the next Congress. — Philippine Star News Service