Aware of their responsibilities to ensure that public funds are spent judiciously, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the lower chamber would keep asserting its power of the purse and hold government officials to account for how they are spending taxpayers’ money.
In his adjournment speech Wednesday evening, Romualdez indicated that congressional investigations launched by the House Quad Committee would continue to determine the truth about many serious issues affecting the nation because “criminals have no place in our society.”
“We are leaving no stone unturned to preserve the peace and security in our country… We will not allow the lords and followers of darkness and evil to rule our nation,” he said.
Romualdez acknowledged the efforts of lawmakers working under the four House committees that are conducting joint inquiries into several intertwining public issues such as the extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), human trafficking and other violations.
He said their investigation is crucial not only to address deficiencies and flaws in our existing laws, but also to help obtain justice for the victims and their respective families.
The Speaker said he is pleased his fellow representatives managed to pursue these investigations while scrutinizing the proposed P6.3-trillion national budget for 2025 at the same time.
“I am proud to emphasize the impressive performance of the House of Representatives to safeguard our nation’s coffers. You have consistently displayed enthusiasm, fairness, and thorough scrutiny of the budget, which led to the prompt approval of the 2025 General Appropriations bill on third and final reading,” Romualdez said.
House Quad Comm co-chairperson Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, earlier mentioned their hearings would continue amid the ongoing break of the third regular session of the 19th Congress.
