Speaker: 19th Congress to finish strong in passing LEDAC priority bills

By: Charie Abarca - 1 day ago

The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez concluded the second regular session of the 19th Congress with a legislative milestone marked by the 100 percent approval of all the priority measures identified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) as well as those agreed upon by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).In his sine die adjournment speech delivered in plenary, Speaker Romualdez underscored that the House remained united and faithful in its solemn obligation to improve the living conditions of Filipinos by safeguarding the nation while fostering economic growth. Among the bigger Chamber’s legislative achievements which reflect their dedication to create a more just, prosperous, and dynamic society are the "Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program Act,”"National Housing Authority Act,” "Ease of Paying Taxes Act,” and the "Moratorium on Payment of Student Loan Act.” The Speaker likewise expressed his gratitude to his fellow House Members, House Secretariat officials and employees led by Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and Congressional staff for their hard work and dedicated efforts which were instrumental to the House’s exceptional performance. He also urged his colleagues to continue serving the country with dignity and integrity as they work to build a better future for all Filipinos. PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FB PAGE

The House of Representatives (File photo from HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES’ Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez is optimistic that the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress is set to “finish strong.”

He highlighted the lawmakers’ “near complete fulfillment” of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (Ledac) priority measures of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.

In a statement on Saturday, Romualdez said the chamber is “well on track” to achieve its legislative goals under the Marcos administration.

“These laws and measures are concrete testaments to our unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation,” he said.

According to the speaker, he and his colleagues worked hard to ensure the passage of laws that directly impact the lives of Filipinos.

“Our goal remains to finish strong by passing the remaining measures to achieve 100 percent approval of all Ledac priority bills,” he said.

Of the 28 Ledac priority measures in line for approval before the conclusion of the 19th Congress, 11 were already enacted into law.

14 bills in the House have been approved on third reading. These are as follows:

Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets
Amendments to the Right-of-Way
Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics
Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime
Department of Water Resources / National Water Resources
Amendments to the Universal Health Care
Open Access in Data Transmission
Waste Treatment Technology
Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program / Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill
E-Governance
Amendments to the Philippine Immigration Act
New Government Auditing Code
Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) (Rationalizing the Mandate of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management or PSALM Corporation)

Only one bill remains under committee deliberation.

This is the Amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law, which, according to Romualdez, is the only Ledac measure “not yet acted upon” in the House.

In the same statement, the Speaker also identified the significant contributions of the chamber in passing 61 out of 64 priority measures under the Common Legislative Agenda for the 19th Congress.

These legislative pieces are priorities in President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address and some important measures in Congress.

Twenty-nine of these bills were already enacted into law — including the SIM Registration Act, Postponement of Barangay / SK Elections, and Maharlika Investment Fund.

Concluding his remarks, Romualdez said the achievements of the House reflect its commitment to the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of Marcos, particularly in fostering economic recovery, national development, and institutional reforms.