ONE must be misinformed if he thinks the House of Representatives is giving all its attention to impeachment cases.
Chances are he’s glued too much.on social media where most of the information need to be verified.
Contrary to posts on socmed, the lower chamber is doing more than what’s reported in the cyberspace.
Yes, the House of Representatives carried out its constitutional mandate to act on impeachment complaints. But Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos of Ilocos Norte ensured the chamber remained fully functional and productive.
Deputy Speaker Paolo P. Ortega V of La Union credited Marcos for shepherding the passage of priority measures in line with the legislative direction set by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, underscoring that the House continued to approve key national and local bills, advance reforms, and adopt significant resolutions.
He underscored that the constitutional process of impeachment, while a serious and time-bound responsibility, did not derail the chamber’s broader legislative mandate to pass laws and attend to urgent national concerns.
“The impeachment process is a constitutional duty that we take seriously, but it is only one of many responsibilities of the House. Amid a packed legislative agenda, House Majority Leader Marcos took the lead in securing the approval of vital measures, acting on the guidance of Speaker Dy. We remained focused on our work – passing priority measures, protecting public welfare and ensuring that the legislative agenda continues to move forward,” Ortega, a stalwart of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), said.
Ortega also credited Marcos for the latter’s twin priority measures aimed at reinforcing accountability in public office and strengthening the country’s tourism sector.
He was referring to Marcos’ House Bill (HB) No. 7432, or the “No Work, No Pay for Members of Congress Act,” which seeks to link the salaries and other emoluments of senators and representatives to their attendance and participation in plenary sessions, committee hearings and other official legislative functions.
The second measure, HB No. 7443, proposes the outright abolition of the travel tax imposed on travelers, with the goal of making travel more accessible and enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
“These measures reflect a strong commitment to public accountability and economic growth. By ensuring that lawmakers are held to clear standards of performance while easing the burden on travelers, Majority Leader Marcos has advanced reforms that benefit both governance and the broader economy,” Ortega said.
He noted that even as the House processed impeachment complaints in accordance with the Constitution and House rules – a political exercise rooted in accountability and due process – committees and the plenary continued to deliberate on measures affecting energy security, worker protection, public safety and national observances.
Foremost among the measures approved on third and final reading last week was HB No. 6676, or the proposed Energy Systems Storage Act, which aims to ensure stable and continuous electricity supply through the development and commercialization of energy storage systems, a reform seen as crucial in strengthening the country’s power resilience.
Also approved on third reading was HB No. 7239, mandating compulsory insurance coverage for electrical and telecommunications line workers, reflecting broad support for additional protection for workers who ensure the country’s power and communications networks remain operational even during calamities.
In addition, the House passed last Wednesday on third reading HB No. 7304, proclaiming the first Monday of August of every year as National Line Workers Appreciation Day; HB No. 7301 declaring April as Philippine Veterans’ Month; HB No. 7303 declaring December 12 as Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Day; HB No. 7368 declaring November 30 as Jesus Reigns National Day of Worship; and HB No. 7379 declaring December 19 as National Masonic Day
On second reading, the House approved last Wednesday HB No. 7565 mandating the proper installation and maintenance of overhead electric distribution and communication lines for public safety, alongside the omnibus approval of several local holiday bills affecting Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Dapa in Surigao del Norte, Lapu-Lapu City, Mendez-Nuñez in Cavite, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Rosario and Taysan in Batangas, and Calamba in Misamis Occidental.
Beyond legislation, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 758 expressing profound condolences to the family of former Speaker Jose C. De Venecia Jr., as well as additional resolutions honoring former lawmakers Simeon Lucero Kintanar, David Abadiano Ponce de Leon, and Emilio “Milling” Dela Rosa Espinosa Jr., affirming the chamber’s institutional memory and respect for public servants who shaped le
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