Davao City Representatives Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte, and Isidro Ungab, along with Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandaragat (PPP) Party-list Representative Harold Duterte, have declared themselves independent members of the House of Representatives after abstaining from the Speaker election, choosing to remain unaffiliated with either the majority or minority blocs.

The four lawmakers announced their decision to forge an independent path in the Lower House, emphasizing their commitment to principled governance beyond traditional partisan alignments.

“A House member who chooses not to join the majority or minority can be considered an independent member of the House,” explained Rep. Paolo Duterte, outlining the group’s position.

Rep. Isidro Ungab cited historical precedent for their decision, noting that “there are historical precedents in the Philippine Congress, U.S. Congress, and even the British Parliament where members have chosen to remain independent rather than align with either the majority or minority.”

Both Rep. Omar Duterte and Rep. Harold Duterte emphasized that their decision reflects a dedication to serving their constituents without partisan constraints. “Our choice to become independent members demonstrates our commitment to principled governance and our intent to serve our country and constituents free from partisan considerations,” they stated.

The move marks a notable departure from traditional congressional alignments and could signal a shift in how some legislators approach their roles in the House of Representatives.