SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday night called on the incoming members of the 20th Congress, particularly the younger generation of lawmakers, to support President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s legislative priorities and vision for a Bagong Pilipinas as they begin their journey in the House of Representatives.
Speaking at a fellowship dinner at Imelda Hall, Aguado Residence in Malacañang, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of unity, early preparation, and full support for the administration’s reform-driven agenda.
The Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to an inclusive, productive, and responsive 20th Congress, anchored on President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
“We want to make sure that the 20th Congress is much in sync with the administration’s policies, his (President Marcos) Philippine Development Plan, his Fiscal Medium-Term Framework for the economy, and the vision for the Bagong Pilipinas,” Speaker Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) President told 40 neophyte and returning lawmakers from the first batch of incoming House members who graduated Wednesday afternoon from the three-day Executive Course on Legislation for the New Members of the 20th Congress.
They received an orientation on the topics of legislation in the budget process, as well as ethics, accountability, the systems, and functions of the committee to ensure that members of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress have a deeper understanding of their roles as legislators and the processes in Congress.
The House of Representatives led by Speaker Romualdez in partnership with Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of the University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) initiated the Executive Course on Legislation.
The fellowship dinner capped a three-day orientation for incoming House members and served as a venue to foster camaraderie among neophytes and reelected lawmakers alike.
It marks one of the first major engagements leading up to the opening of the 20th Congress and the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
The Speaker expressed his appreciation for their active participation and encouraged them to approach the coming three years with purpose and heart.
“I hope it would be meaningful enough for you to make the three years ahead gratifying and very, very successful,” Speaker Romualdez said, adding he hoped their time in office would bring positive change not just to their districts but to the entire nation.
Speaker Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines, recognized the presence of key Members
of the House leadership and House officials, including Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez of Quezon, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II who is the Secretary General of Lakas-CMD, and party-list leaders such as House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre who is the chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Welfare Affairs,
TGP Party-list Rep. Bong Teves, and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep.-elect Alfredo Garbin, House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco, Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada, Deputy Secretary General for Committee Affairs Department Jennifer “Jef” Baquiran, and Deputy Secretary General for Legislative Operations Department lawyer David Robert Amorin.
He also acknowledged the efforts of congressional staff and returning members who participated in mentoring the new lawmakers.
In a light-hearted moment, Speaker Romualdez praised House members of the “Young Guns” group for their strong performance in the 19th Congress, saying they’ve now evolved into the “Top Guns.”
“You have to hand it to them, sila talaga ang nagpakita ng gilas ng ating Kongreso. Very eloquent, very learned, very experienced, and always on point. In fact, they are the pride of the 19th Congress and we thank them,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Some of the leaders of Young Guns who joined the fellowship dinner include House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union, House Special Committee on Bases Conversion and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales, House Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation Chairman Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, House Assistant Majority Leader Ernix Dionisio of Manila, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan, and Acidre.
Other vocal leaders of House Young Guns include Taguig City Rep. Pammy Zamora, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, Nueva Ecija Rep. Mika Suansing, Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Almario, and PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles.
The Speaker stressed the importance of legislative readiness and collaboration across all blocs in the House, noting that the chamber’s internal systems have been improved for efficiency and better policy outcomes.
“But we have some innovations here that try to make the whole process more efficient and more meaningful to all of you,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“And again, we in your House leadership are here to serve you,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez ended his remarks on a note of unity and shared purpose, expressing confidence that the new batch of lawmakers would contribute significantly in shaping a better future for Filipinos.
“We look forward to working with you, and I hope it would be a satisfying – not just like gratifying – but a satisfying experience. Because the better we serve you, we know the better you can serve the Filipino people. ‘Yun lang ang mandato natin at kaya po nandito tayo,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“So mabuhay po kayong lahat. Congratulations. Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas. Thank you,” he said.
