House opens 3rd regular session

Hours before President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his last State of the Nation Address, the House of Representatives opened its 3rd regular session on Monday morning.

Deputy Speaker Michael Romero presided over the opening of the 3rd regular session of the 18th Congress at 10 a.m. A total of 298 congressmen attended physically and virtually.

In his remarks, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco stressed that the 17th and 18th Congresses have been strong and steady partners to the Duterte administration.

Velasco said the chamber has kept the legislative mill running despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting community lockdowns.

"In pursuit of meaningful change and comprehensive development, we in the House of Representatives fully supported the legislative agenda of this administration, passing laws that promoted economic development, strengthened the administration of justice and the rule of law, enhanced the protection of labor and social welfare, improved the quality of and increased access to education and information, enhanced our health and emergency response system, and strengthened our political and governmental institutions," Velasco said.

The Speaker further said it is time for a "one last big push" to pass the remaining legislative priority bills of the Duterte administration.

"We are right on track to approve the remaining legislative priority measures, including the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act. To assist in our economic recovery, we are pushing for the taxation of Philippine offshore gaming operators and e-sabong betting activities. We await and will closely monitor the Senate action on these measures," he said.

Velasco also mentioned the establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as among the priority bills, to help create a more comprehensive and responsive public health emergency management system in the country.

2022 budget

Velasco is expecting that the Department of Budget and Management, including the country's economic managers, will soon submit the National Expenditure Program for 2022, which will be the last budget of the Duterte administration.

He said there is a need to carefully look into the proposed budget to address the needs of the Filipinos amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Kailangan natin itong busisiin, himayin, at buuin nang maayos upang makasagot sa lumalaking pangangailangan ng ating bayan ngayong panahon ng patuloy na pandemya," Velasco said.

(We need to carefully study [the budget] in order to address the needs of our country in this time of pandemic.)

SONA

House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza has said around 300 individuals would physically attend the President's last SONA, which is lower compared to the usual 1,450 attendees. Those allowed were fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 and should have undergone RT-PCR and antigen testing.

Some legislators, government officials and other guests of Malacañang would attend virtually. Special identification cards were provided to essential congressional staff and SONA attendees.

Velasco is expecting that in his last SONA, Duterte will look back on the performance of his administration. He said the President might also ask Congress to pass certain legislative measures within the remaining months.

Velasco expressed gratitude to the President for his service to the country.

"Manapa’y mauuna na po ako, Mr. President, Mayor Sir, sa pagpupugay at pagpapasalamat sa inyong matibay at walang sindak at pagkatig na pagpapatupad ng ating mga batas upang magkaroon ng katahimikan at kapayapaan sa ating mga pamayanan," Velasco said.

(I'll go ahead, Mr. President, in expressing gratitude for your fearless implementation of our laws for the peace and security of our community.)

"Maraming salamat sa pagpapakitang walang lugar sa ating gobyerno ang korapsyon. Salamat sa matinong pag-akay sa bansa sa gitna ng isang pandaigdigang krisis," he added.

(Thank you for showing that there is no space for corruption in the government. Thank you for guiding the country in this time of world crisis.) — RSJ, GMA News