House responds as NUP plans to exit majority bloc over Speaker Dy's leadership
Antipolo City Representative and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno announced the National Unity Party's (NUP) plan to leave the House of Representatives' majority bloc due to dissatisfaction with Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III's leadership. In response, Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez stated that the House leadership acknowledges NUP's concerns, but clarified that budget release and project implementation are outside their control, urging a direct dialogue regardless of party lines.
The National Unity Party (NUP), led by Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, has announced plans to leave the House of Representatives' majority bloc due to dissatisfaction with Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III's leadership. The announcement came from Antipolo City Representative and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, who cited concerns about budget distribution and project implementation under the current House leadership. This development follows Dy's ascension to the speakership in September 2025 after Martin Romualdez's resignation, a move that was criticized by Vice President Sara Duterte and her brother Paolo Duterte as being orchestrated by the Marcos administration.
In response to NUP's announcement, Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez stated that the House leadership acknowledges the party's concerns but clarified that budget release and project implementation are outside their direct control. Hernandez emphasized that these matters fall under the jurisdiction of the executive branch, specifically the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and implementing agencies. He urged for direct and constructive dialogue regardless of party lines, indicating the House's willingness to address NUP's grievances through proper channels.
The NUP's dissatisfaction appears to stem from broader concerns about budget allocation processes and project implementation timelines that have been ongoing since late 2025. The party, which currently comprises 43 members in the 317-member House, has been vocal about budget-related issues, including previous moves by party leaders to return the proposed P6.7-trillion 2026 budget to the DBM due to erroneous entries and zero allocations for multi-year programs. This latest development represents a significant political challenge for Speaker Dy, who has only been in his position since September 2025.
The potential exit of NUP from the majority bloc could have significant implications for the House's political dynamics, potentially weakening the ruling coalition's numerical advantage. The situation highlights ongoing tensions within the House regarding budget processes and leadership effectiveness, with NUP's concerns reflecting broader frustrations about the distribution of development funds and project implementation across legislative districts. The House leadership's response indicates an attempt to manage the situation through dialogue while clarifying institutional limitations on budget matters.
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