Romualdez tells House: Don’t be complacent, Filipinos deserve more

Highlights: Sona 2024

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez urges his fellow lawmakers to avoid complacency as Filipinos deserve much more from the government. Romualdez made this appeal at the opening of the third and final session of the House of Representatives under the 19th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 22, 2024. SCREENSHOT FROM RTVM/LIVE

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez urged his fellow lawmakers to avoid complacency, as Filipinos deserve much more from the government.

Romualdez appealed for more work from legislators at the opening of the third and final session of the House of Representatives under the 19th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 22.

In his speech, the House’s top leader touted the accomplishments of the lower chamber under his leadership. He also reminded legislators that the House still needs to approve crucial bills such as the proposed 2025 national budget and other priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), which is chaired by his cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Today, I emphasize our commitment to pass the remaining priority bills before the end of the third regular session […] For this purpose, I expect no less than your usual cooperation and swift action,” Romualdez said.

READ: Sona 2024: House opens 19th Congress’ final regular session

“Rest not on our laurels, my dear colleagues.  Our goal is to conclude the nineteenth Congress by upholding the principles of democracy, ushering in prosperity, and guiding a fair society.  Let us give the Filipino people what they deserve, and they deserve more,” he added.

According to Romualdez, the House was able to approve on the third and final reading the bills mentioned by President Marcos Jr. in his 2023 State of the Nation Address, including these five enacted proposals:

• LGU Income Classification (R.A. No. 11964)
• Ease of Paying Taxes Act (R.A. No. 11976)
• Tatak Pinoy Law (R.A. No. 11981)
• New Government Procurement Reform Act  (R.A. No. 12009)
• Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act (R.A. No. 12010)

However, Romualdez said work continues as three more Ledac-priority bills are pending. 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)

READ: House assures to pass 3 remaining Ledac bills before 19th Congress ends

“We have done our homework. We addressed concerns on food security, climate change, social protection, tourism, public health, public order and safety, among others.  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 eight-point socio-economic agenda,” Romualdez said.

“We have to continue building roads, highways, ports, school buildings, and climate change-proof structures to maintain and expand economic growth. Progress has to reach the remotest communities […] Tulad ng ginawa natin noong first at second regular session, ibu-buhos natin ang lahat ng lakas at panahon para maipasa ang mga batas na kailangan ng bansa,” he added.

(Like what we did during the first and second regular sessions, we would pour our best efforts and strength into passing the bills that the country needs.)

Romualdez previously said the House will prioritize approving the 2024 national budget.

The House opened its third and final regular session at 10:00 a.m. on Monday with a quorum of 262 lawmakers in attendance