House urged to ‘sustain passion’ in 2nd session, boost Maharlika investments

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has urged his fellow lawmakers to sustain the dedication and passion they showed during the first regular session, adding that they can now amplify the investment prospects provided by the recently-enacted Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

Romualdez, in his opening address at the start of the second regular session on Monday, also thanked lawmakers for working hard during the previous session, stating that it was one for the history books.

“The 19th Congress’ inaugural session will be etched in the annals of our history. Amidst adversities, we emerged triumphant, transforming stumbling blocks into stepping stones, coming together in a shared purpose and commitment to establish an unparalleled record of priority measures that directly uplift the lives of our citizens,” Romualdez said.

“In the Second Regular Session, we renew our dedication and passion, honoring our pledge to amplify investment prospects for domestic and foreign investors through the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) and other initiatives aimed at accelerating our nation’s development,” he added.

Romualdez reiterated that the House would remain committed to pushing for the 20 bills considered priority proposals by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), particularly the three remaining bills that the House has not yet enacted:

• National Employment Recovery Strategy
• Amendment to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act
• Unified System of Separation, Retirement, and Pension for Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP)

“We face the remaining bills in the Ledac priority list with enthusiasm and optimism, steadfast in our determination to transform these initiatives into concrete laws for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos,” Romualdez said.

Last July 18, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the then-proposed MIF into law.  Several lawmakers, including Romualdez, lauded the Chief Executive’s move, saying that it allows the government to pursue big-ticket projects without relying on foreign loans or the annual budget.

After Romualdez’s speech, the House also adopted via viva voce the following resolutions informing the Senate and Marcos that the House has started its duties and that it will hold a joint session to listen to the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona):

• House Resolution (HR) No. 1122, informing the Senate that the House has entered upon the exercise of its functions
• HR No. 1123, informing the President that the House has entered upon the exercise of its functions
• House Concurrent Resolution No. 15, providing for the House and the Senate to hold a joint session to hear the President’s Sona

READ: No drama: House opens 2nd regular session with no changes in leadership

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