South Cotabato’s Ferdinand Hernandez elected as senior deputy speaker

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives on Wednesday, November 19, elected South Cotabato 2nd District Representative Ferdinand Hernandez as the new senior deputy speaker.

Hernandez replaces Quezon 2nd District Representative David “Jay-jay” Suarez, who was elected deputy speaker, the post previously held by Hernandez.

The position of deputy speaker is the second highest in the chamber, as the deputy speaker presides over the session when the Speaker is unavailable.

Hernandez, a party mate of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, ran for South Cotabato governor in 2022, after three consecutive terms as congressman, but lost to Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. He made a House comeback following his victory in the May 2025 elections.

Suarez, an ally of former speaker Martin Romualdez, served as senior deputy speaker for barely four months. – Rappler.com