WITH just two weeks left before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die, the House of Representatives is set to resume session this Monday and will act swiftly on remaining important pieces of legislation, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said Sunday.
“Panahon na para tapusin ang mga naiwan nating trabaho. Now is the final stretch of the 19th Congress, and we intend to make every day count,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He said among the measures up for final reading are House Bill (HB) No. 10987, the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act, which seeks to outlaw POGOs and prohibit offshore gambling operations in the country, and HB 11359, the Philippine Civil Registry Act, which updates the antiquated system of recording civil status information.
Speaker Romualdez also said these measures are up for final approval: HB 11430, the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act; HB 11395, the AICS Act institutionalizing emergency assistance for individuals in crisis; and House Bill 11400, the proposed expansion of senior citizen benefits and privileges.
“Let us move decisively on these bills. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may direktang epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino, mula sa kaligtasan ng komunidad, hanggang sa karapatan at benepisyo ng ating mga senior citizens,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Anti-POGO bill, in particular, addresses rising concerns about crime, corruption, and national security allegedly linked to offshore gaming operations.
“We owe it to our people to shut the doors on criminal syndicates hiding behind legal loopholes,” Speaker Romualdez said, adding that the measure was an offshoot of the work of the House Quad Comm.
The House of Representatives processed an impressive volume of legislative work during the 19th Congress, with 13,868 measures filed between July 25, 2022, and May 28, 2025.
Of this number, 11,506 were bills, and 2,361 were various forms of resolutions. The chamber also submitted 1,451 committee reports and ultimately approved 1,493 measures on final reading, including 280 Republic Acts – 93 national and 187 local laws.
He threw the House’s full backing behind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s P20 rice program, adding that the government has a moral obligation to do everything in its power to bring affordable rice to every Filipino table.
As Congress enters its final weeks, Speaker Romualdez reminded lawmakers of their duty to defend democratic institutions amid rising online threats.
“Fake news, disinformation, algorithmic manipulation – these are attacks on truth, on democracy and the Filipino mind. Kaya huwag nating hayaan na patuloy itong kumalat,” he expressed.
“Sa huling mga araw ng 19th Congress, ipakita natin na ang House of the People ay tahanan ng katotohanan, katarungan at kaayusan. Tayo ang tagapagtanggol ng tiwala ng taumbayan,” he said.
“We started strong, and we will end strong.”
