Sona 2024: House opens 19th Congress’ final regular session
House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives opened its third and final regular session on Monday ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).
The House’s session started at 10:00 a.m. with a quorum of 262 lawmakers in attendance. It was adjourned at 11:08 a.m. after the leadership adopted resolutions indicating that the House has entered into its functions and is ready to hear Marcos’ third Sona in a joint session.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez presided over the session.
The following resolutions were adopted at the opening of the House session on Monday:
- House Resolutions No. 1799 (informing Senate that a quorum is present, allowing the House to exercise its functions)
- House Resolutions No. 1800 (informing President Marcos that a quorum is present, allowing the House to exercise its functions)
- House Concurrent Resolution No. 27 (Providing for the Senate and the House to hold a joint session to hear President Marcos’ Sona)
The House also received messages from the Senate regarding the presence of a quorum.
Additionally, the following lawmakers were named part of a committee tasked to notify the President that Congress is ready to convene for his Sona:
- Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
- Deputy Speaker Yasser Alonto Balindong
- Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno
- Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan
- Deputy Speaker Camille Villar
- Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza
- Deputy Speaker David Suarez
- Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco Frasco
- Deputy Speaker Antonio Albano
Next focus
Despite completing most of the priority bills set by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), the House resumes its session with several important bills awaiting action.
READ: Romualdez: Politics won’t affect House’s work despite 2025 polls
Last June 25, Romualdez said they would act on the three remaining Ledac bills that the House has not passed on the third reading. These are:
- Proposed amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act (no bill has been filed)
- Proposed amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law (for committee deliberations)
- Proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) (under technical working group/ committee deliberations)
Romualdez also previously said the House will prioritize approving the 2024 national budget.
READ: House to pass 3 remaining Ledac bills before 19th Congress ends
Earlier Monday, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives released videos of Romualdez saying the lower chamber is 100 percent ready for the Sona this Monday afternoon. President Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his Sona at the Batasang Pambansa.
“We are 100 percent complete. All systems go. We have set [the] grand stage for another historic presidential address. We are ready to hear and appreciate the accomplishments of the Marcos administration,” Romualdez said.
“It fills me with immense pride to recognize the significant role that the House of Representatives has played in crafting legislation and policies that promote the welfare of all Filipinos. We are excited for the President’s Sona because we know he has many positive developments to share with the nation,” he added.
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