In recent developments, the House of Representatives Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez has been appointed as caretaker of Southern Leyte, replacing the province’s Representative Roger G. Mercado.
Mercado was earlier named by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the new Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), taking over the position of former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar who is running for senator in 2022 elections.
Romualdez, a lawyer who finished law from the University of the Philippines, has authored several significant laws like the Malasakit Centers Act, the Modernization of the Bureau of Fire and Protection Act, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1), the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.
He is at present the representative of the First District of Leyte, and also running for congressman of Leyte’s first district in the 2022 elections.