FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY President Marcos signs the New Government Procurement Act, as well as the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, in Malacañang on Saturday, July 20, 2024. With the President are Senate President Francis Escudero, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and other ranking government officials. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to “follow up” on his accomplishments and focus on enhancing programs under his administration in his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Sunday.
He also assured Marcos that the House of Representatives is ready to act on any legislative priorities the chief executive will mention in his Sona.
READ: Sona preparations complete – Romualdez
“I expect the President to emphasize the importance of unity among all Filipinos, highlighting how collective efforts can lead to national progress. Furthermore, I anticipate a focus on the continued and immediate delivery of essential social services to ensure that the needs of the people are met promptly and effectively,” Romualdez said.
“We’re also looking forward to another year of follow-up on the successes and further build-ups on what we still have to continue in many programs of the Marcos administration, specifically ones that cover social amelioration benefits,” he added.
The Speaker also said the Sona would “set the tone for [the] legislative agenda.” He said they expect Marcos to propose new laws that seek to help citizens with economic development, healthcare, education, and infrastructure issues.
So far, the lower chamber approved 17 priority measures Marcos mentioned during his last Sona.
“Five of these priority measures have been enacted into law, namely, the LGU Income Classification (Republic Act No. 11964), the Ease of Paying Taxes Act (R.A. 11976), and the Tatak Pinoy Law (R.A. 11981),” Romualdez said.
“Two other important measures, the New Government Procurement Reform Act and the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act, were signed into law by the President Saturday morning,” he added.
Earlier, Romualdez committed to prioritize the approval of the P6.352-trillion 2025 national budget and the remaining Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority bills.