MANILA — The announcement will have to come from Vice President Sara Duterte whether she will become an opposition leader following her resignation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s cabinet, according to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Asked about the statement of former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque branding the Vice President as the new leader of the opposition, Romualdez told the media, “That’s Mr. Harry Roque’s statement, but I guess we have to just hear from the VP if and when the time comes to make statements on policies of the national government.”

• Romualdez denies 'attacking' VP Duterte, says 'nami-miss ko siya'

Romualdez said he misses the closer interactions with Duterte, which they used to have during the UniTeam campaign in 2022, but noted that he respects her decision to leave the Marcos cabinet and wished her well.

 "Obviously, we miss the closer interactions that we had during the campaign. But nonetheless, there's politics, and there's personal and we only wish the Vice President nothing but the best and we wish her always the best of luck in all the endeavors and in her service to the Filipino people,” he said.

• VP Duterte on Speaker Romualdez: Why attack administration allies?

Romualdez served as Duterte's campaign manager during the 2022 elections.

Rumors on the alleged rift between former UniTeam allies swirled during the budget season when the House of Representatives stripped Duterte's offices of confidential funds. 

Several lawmakers also began supporting investigations seen as targeting the Duterte family.