Three influential lawmakers—two from the current 19th Congress and one returning member—are reportedly forming a powerful alliance to challenge House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s bid for re-election in the 20th Congress.

Outgoing Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, veteran Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, and returning and political kingmaker Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez, all known allies of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., are said to be laying the groundwork for a leadership shake-up in the House of Representatives.

Frasco, however, has denied that he is gunning for the speakership.

“Contrary to recent reports, I have not made any decision—much less offered myself—for the position of Speaker of the House in the 20th Congress,” Frasco clarified in a statement on Tuesday (June 24).

Frasco added that if the election for Speaker were held today, he would back either Tiangco or Benitez.

“I believe the House of Representatives must be a united and proactive partner in delivering meaningful, lasting change for the Filipino people,” he said.

Speculation about Frasco's ambitions emerged after he joined President Marcos on a recent trip to Japan and was seen with the Marcos family during the Independence Day reception at Malacañang. Frasco is married to Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco, daughter of outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

While Frasco denies plans to run for Speaker, the emerging trio is seen as a formidable bloc. Tiangco, chair of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, reportedly has support from lawmakers in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon. Benitez, meanwhile, is believed to have retained strong ties with political groups in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Their alliance has reportedly been formalized and is expected to pose a serious challenge to Romualdez, who is President Marcos’s cousin and currently the highest-ranking official in the House.