Velasco assures House neophytes: We’re a call away to assist you

House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco has assured new lawmakers of the incoming 20th Congress that he will be available to address their concerns and requests round-the-clock. (Photo from econgress.gov.ph)

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco has assured new lawmakers of the incoming 20th Congress that he will be available to address their concerns and requests round-the-clock.

Addressing the first batch of House neophytes in a seminar on crafting laws and other procedures, Velasco said that the learning process for new lawmakers will not end after the three-day seminar, which was hosted on Monday by the House and the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

Velasco assured the new lawmakers that they will learn even when their terms end. During that time, the House official said the entire secretariat and support staff would be there to assist them.

“We have invited past and current House members and renowned individuals from academia, and subject matter experts with unmatched track records. Hence, this will also serve as a wonderful platform for intellectual exchange of perspectives and ideas.  But your orientation will not end after three days.   I’m sure you will eventually discover that it is an ongoing process and it starts from today and continues until you complete your term,” he said.

“As your Secretary General, I assure you of the wholehearted and unwavering support from the House Secretariat […] Let me share something interesting (with) you. I am available 24/7 via Viber or cellphone, FaceTime, Telegram, WhatsApp,” Velasco added.

According to Velasco, the House has a capable and dedicated team that can attend to the concerns of lawmakers.

“Here at the HREP, we take pride in having hardworking and dedicated officials and personnel who are experts in their respective fields, who can provide indispensable assistance with your administrative requirements as well as in the discharge of your legislative functions and duties,” he said.

During his speech, Velasco also jokingly appealed to the new House members to file their request for travel authority three days before their trip, noting, however, that they still attend to last-minute requests.

“I will share to you one thing. All travel clearances and travel authorities are signed by me and the Speaker. I beg you, please, please submit your request at least three days before you travel. But there are some congressmen who will call me and say, ‘SecGen, I need a travel clearance. Where are you now? I’m now at the airport,” Velasco said.

“Okay. We will find a way. So in 30 minutes, he was able to get his travel clearance […] And then another congresswoman begged me. She said, ‘Sec. Gen. I need my travel clearance.’ When? Now? Where are you? In Hong Kong. ’ So again, in a few hours, we were able to send her her travel clearance. So, these are the services that we render to all of you,” he added.

Even minor details such as seating arrangements can be brought up to him, Velasco noted.

“Plus, of course, personal questions, personal problems that you may have. Maybe you don’t like your seatmate at the plenary. So we try to make some arrangements so that you can be in another region,” he noted.

Last Thursday, Velasco said that the orientation program is aimed at introducing the basics of lawmaking to neophytes or incoming House members who have not been elected to the chamber before.

According to data from the secretary-general, there are 97 new lawmakers, 69 of whom are district representatives, while 28 are from party-list groups.

Some of the more notable new House members who attended the seminar were Davao 2nd District Representative-elect Omar Duterte, who is the son of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and grandson of former President Rodrigo Duterte; Batangas 1st District Representative-elect Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Sen. Loren Legarda; and Bukidnon 3rd District Representative-elect Audrey Zubiri, wife of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

While the seminar targets neophyte lawmakers, it will also be available to returnees, or former lawmakers who either took a hiatus or were elected back to Congress.  Among the returning lawmakers who attended the seminar earlier was Pangasinan 4th District Representative-elect Gina de Venecia, wife of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

Rep. de Venecia was a member of the House from 2010 to 2016.

READ: 97 new House members to get orientation before start of 20th Congress

De Venecia is one of the 41 returning lawmakers, who were not part of the 19th Congress but were members of past Congresses, 35 of which are district representatives, while six are from party-lists.

A total of 123 lawmakers are in their second term, while 51 are in their third term, leading to a total of 312 lawmakers who have been proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

With the 20th Congress expected to have a total of 317 seats, there are still five seats unoccupied — three from the Duterte Youth party-list, whose registration was cancelled by the Comelec 2nd Division, and one each from Abra and Marikina, whose proclamations were suspended by the Comelec./coa