MANILA, Philippines – The first batch of incoming neophyte lawmakers at the House of Representatives have finished training on legislative processes in preparation for the opening of the 18th Congress.
During the three-day training held Monday to Wednesday, the lawmakers attended a mock session where they experienced a regular session day.
Incoming Masbate 3rd District Tonton Kho and the other neophyte lawmakers said they were thankful for the orientation.
“Pasalamat din po kami sa nangyaring training, malaking tulong din po. Ngayon sobrang tuwa namin kasi kahapon pa lang nakita namin ‘yong mga mock committee hearings, and then mock session naman, so napaka-laking tulong po para sa aming mga neophyte,” Kho said in an ambush interview.
(We are very thankful for the training. It is very helpful. We appreciate the mock committee hearings and sessions as they are important to neophytes like us.)
Kho also said that it is essential for government officials like him who were from the executive branch to get get a briefing on legislative functions.
“Itong pagtungtong ko sa House of Representatives dahil dati mayor po ako, executive. Ngayon po legislative, sa ngayon may mga idea kami, mga bago, sa legislature, pero sobrang laking tulong po,” he added.
(I was a former mayor, so it was an executive function. This is legislative work. Now we have an idea of the legislature.)
House officials said there are around 135 to 145 first-time lawmakers or almost half of the 306 members of the 18th Congress.
There are two other batches of lawmakers who will be trained by veteran House members and professors from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) before the session starts on July 22.
They will undergo training from June 24 to 26 and from July 1 to 3. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
READ: House, UP NCPAG begin training of newbie congressmen