The House of Representatives has accomplished its task of helping President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Filipino people, Speaker Martin Romualdez declared Wednesday before Congress adjourned session for its Holy Week recess.
In his speech, Romualdez took pride in reporting to his colleagues the 100-percent approval ahead of time of priority bills identified by the President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July last year, and by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), aside from doing oversight functions.
“We have done our homework. Our accomplishments reflect our proactive stance in catering to the needs of the people by passing these much-needed legislation that are attuned to the Philippine Development Plan and the 8-point socio-economic agenda under the medium-term fiscal framework of His Excellency, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” he said.
“Wala po tayong backlog sa trabaho. Tapos natin ang mga napagkasunduang assignment bago pa man dumating ang deadline. Ang grado natin sa LEDAC: 100 percent. Lahat nang ito, dahil sa pagkakaisa natin, sa sipag ninyong lahat, at sa malasakit na ipinakita ninyo sa trabaho at sa mamamayan (We have no backlog. We have finished our assignments before the deadline. Our grade in LEDAC: 100 percent. All these, because of our unity, your diligence, and the concern you have shown to your responsibilities and to the people),” Romualdez said.
He said the House accomplishments underscore the unwavering resolve of House members to uplift and honor every segment of the society “from the valiant seafarers navigating the high seas to our esteemed centenarians who have weathered the tides of time, and make the application process for regular passports readily accessible to every Filipino.”
“By God’s grace, all of our efforts towards the betterment of our country and the Filipino people will soon come to fruition,” he added, as he thanked House leaders and his colleagues, including those in the minority, for the chamber’s “impressive performance.”
In terms of legislative output, Romualdez reported “significant milestones” with several bills having been signed into law by the President, including Republic Act (RA) No. 11981 or the Tatak Pinoy Act; RA 11982, the Centenarians Act; RA 1193, the New Philippine Passport Act; the ‘No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act; and RA 11985, or the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.
He said the law banning the “no permit, no exam” practice of schools “is a testament to our dedication to break down barriers to education and ensure that every Filipino student is granted the opportunity to succeed irrespective of their financial circumstances.”
On the other hand, the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act aims “to create more jobs in the countryside and coastal communities” and make the country “become salt self-sufficient, and eventually a net exporter of salt.”
Romualdez underscored the exercise by the House of its oversight function through inquiries in aid of legislation, which he said “have been pivotal in safeguarding the integrity of government institutions and the welfare of our people.”
“These inquiries are the bedrock of accountability and transparency within our government,” he said.
Romualdez also justified the hearings conducted by the committee on legislative franchises on alleged violations by Sonshine Media Network International of the broadcasting privilege Congress had given it, and the panel’s recommendation to cancel it.
Romualdez also cited Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) that the House approved with 288 votes.
He said through the resolution proposing crucial amendments to certain restrictive economic provisions within the 1987 Constitution, “we have paved the way and created a turning point for our nation…a resolution poised to catalyze a new era of economic vitality and competitiveness for the Philippines.”
Romualdez said the proposed insertion of “unless otherwise provided by law” into these provisions “is a clear testament to our readiness to adapt to the dynamic global economy, ensuring that our legislative framework can swiftly respond to changing economic conditions while steadfastly safeguarding our national interests.”
“With the approval of RBH 7 on third and final reading, and its subsequent transmission to the Senate, we stand on the cusp of realizing a more open and robust economy. This is more than just an economic imperative; it is a clarion call to action that resonates with the aspirations of the Filipino people for a more prosperous and secure future,” he added.
Romualdez said that on the global stage, “we stand resolute behind the president’s foreign policy initiatives to fortify bilateral relations and uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly concerning the West Philippine Sea dispute.”
In the spirit of the Lenten season, Romualdez urged his colleagues to “strive toward a closer alignment with the virtues that epitomize the best of our existence.”
“Let us harness this season to reignite our passion for service and recommit to the cause of our nation and its people. Together, we have forged significant progress, and I stand confident that, united in purpose and action, we will continue to chart a course toward a new Philippines – one that is robust, equitable, and prosperous for all Filipinos,” he said. (PNA)
Photo credit: House of Representatives Official Website
