Speaker Martin Romualdez launched Monday, Jan. 22, what he described as the House of Representatives’ historic and pioneering CongressTV, where Filipinos will not be limited to just monitoring legislative deliberations to push the pro-poor agenda of President Marcos, but also join, through an interactive platform, in the formulation of laws.
“CongressTV is our commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left in the dark, that every citizen is afforded a front-row seat to the legislative process,” the House leader said, as he unveiled the legislative chamber’s “collaboration” with state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV) network.
“Through this platform, we are tearing down the walls that have long kept the inner workings of the legislature away from public scrutiny,” the Speaker said. “As we embark on this journey, I call upon each one of you to engage with CongressTV actively.”
CongressTV was PTV General Manager Ana Puod’s brainchild. A veteran broadcaster who formerly worked with ABS-CBN, Puod said CongressTV is a dedicated free-to-air digital channel that will broadcast the sessions and regular legislative work and public service of the House of Representatives daily for the benefit of the viewing public.
Puod said PTV’s digital channel 14 Manila will serve as the free-to-air broadcast platform for CongressTV. It will also be available via Channel 46 on GMA Affordabox and Channel 2 on ABS-CBN TVPlus.
Romualdez stressed though that “CongressTV is not a one-way street.”
“It’s not just about broadcasting what happens within the House. It’s about sparking conversations, about fostering a more interactive and participatory form of governance. It’s about you, the people, having direct access to your representatives and the legislative process,” he declared.
“This initiative is not just a channel; it’s a bridge. A bridge that connects the hallowed halls of the House of Representatives to every home, every school, and every Filipino. It’s a bridge built on the pillars of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity,” the administration stalwart added.
“In an age where information is both a tool and a weapon, the onus is on us, the elected representatives of the people, to ensure that the power of information is harnessed to empower, educate, and engage,” the Speaker said.
Romualdez, a lawyer by profession, also believes that democracy can only be “truly effective” if society, or government institutions for that matter, “require the active participation of its citizens.”
“It requires an informed populace, aware of the issues, engaged in the discourse, and empowered to make informed choices,” he asserted. “The debates, the deliberations, and the decisions that unfold within these walls are a testament to the democratic ideals we all hold dear.”
The Speaker then advised the general public to join in the interactive platform by ‘asking the hard questions, demanding accountability, and participating in the great democratic process.’
“For in every debate that is broadcast, in every law that is discussed, your voice, your concerns, and your aspirations are reflected,” according to the representative of Leyte’s first legislative district.
“I am confident that this platform will serve as a beacon of democracy, a catalyst for change, and a cornerstone in our collective journey towards a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive Philippines,” he said.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide Filipinos with unfiltered access to the decision-making process in crafting our nation’s laws by featuring regular sessions at the House of Representatives and encouraging active participation and feedback via CongressTV’s online platforms and social media pages.
“By way of Congress TV, we hope to promote greater transparency and accountability in our legislative process and encourage our people to actively interact with our lawmakers in the spirit of true democracy.”
Moreover, Puod said PTV aims to forge a stronger connection between the government and the public as the country’s primary state broadcaster and engender a deeper understanding of the work of legislation and how Congress actively serves the needs of its constituency.
“We are thrilled to announce Congress TV as one of our first major projects this year, on the occasion of PTV’s 50th anniversary as a broadcast institution in the country,” Puod said.
“By airing the sessions of Congress, we aim to present democracy in action, and show participative governance in the shaping of a new Philippines under our President’s vision of Bagong Pilipinas,” she added.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, having read the proposal on CongressTV by Puod in 2023, expressed his support for the project.
“We found her proposal a welcome development as it gives Congress the opportunity to show to the Filipino people the good things that we do here in the House of Representatives. It also allows our countrymen to know more about how laws are created, how the national budget is examined and passed. It gives our people the opportunity to watch their representatives in action,” Velasco said.
Congress TV airs daily from 9 am to 9 pm starting Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, on PTV Digital Channel 14 Manila, and online via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X.
PTV reaches millions of viewers nationwide through the power of 16 analog transmitting stations and 6 digital transmitting stations and connects with the bigger, global community through its various digital platforms and official social media pages.
For more information about Congress TV and other PTV programs, visit: https://ptvnews.ph/ or send an email to [email protected].