Leaders of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Party-list Coalition expressed their strong support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his legislative agenda as well as for Speaker Martin Romualdez, commending their leadership and vision in steering the House of Representatives toward continued productivity and unity for the country.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona highlighted the alignment of the 19th Congress’ priorities with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda, saying this ensures legislative measures are directed at the nation’s most pressing needs, especially economic recovery, institutional reforms and improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
“Speaker Romualdez’s leadership ensures that every step the House takes has a direction and clear goals for the good of all,” Barbers said.
“He takes the lead in advocating unity and cooperation among political parties,” he added.
Villar emphasized that the Speaker’s leadership style, which fosters collaboration across party lines, has been pivotal in achieving legislative objectives and beyond.
“With Speaker Romualdez at the helm, we’ve proven that unity in Congress can lead to great outcomes,” Villar said.
Under Romualdez’s guidance, the House has approved 27 out of 28 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures, including landmark laws such as the Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act, the VAT on Digital Transactions and the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act.
The other LEDAC priority measures include the following approved bills enacted into laws:
1. Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act – RA 12009
2. Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act – RA 12022
3. Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) – RA 12028
4. Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Program – RA 12063
5. Philippine Maritime Zones – RA 12064
6. Archipelagic Sea Lanes – RA 12065
7. CREATE MORE – RA 12066
8. Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) – RA 12078
Among the bills pending review of the bicameral conference committee include the following:
1. Blue Economy
2. Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease
Those measures approved already on third and final reading are the following:
1. Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets
2. Amendments to the Right-of-Way
3. Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics
4. Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime
5. Department of Water Resources/ National Water Resources
6. Amendments to the Universal Health Care
7. Open Access in Data Transmission
8. Waste Treatment Technology
9. Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program/ Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
10. Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill
11. E-Governance
12. Amendments to the Philippine Immigration Act
13. New Government Auditing Code
14. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) (Rationalizing the Mandate of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation)
The NP leaders also underscored how Speaker Romualdez has managed to foster an environment of cooperation in the House, resulting in the approval of 60 out of 64 priority measures under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA). These include the SIM Registration Act, Maharlika Investment Fund Act and Regional Specialty Hospitals Act.
As the House prepares to reconvene next week, the NP leaders reaffirmed their commitment to passing the remaining LEDAC and CLA priority measures to achieve 100% completion before the end of the 19th Congress.
The Nacionalista Party vowed to work closely with Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos Jr., ensuring that the legislative agenda remains a roadmap for sustainable development and a brighter future for all Filipinos.
“Our achievements are proof that when we work together under strong and inspiring leadership, we can accomplish great things for the Filipino people,” Barbers said.
Meanwhile, party-list groups joined the Nacionalista Party in expressing “unwavering support and full confidence” in Speaker Romualdez’s leadership
The Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) which groups scores of party-list organizations in the House of Representatives, has expressed its “unwavering support and full confidence” in the leadership of Speaker Romualdez.
In a resolution, the coalition headed by Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, chair of the House appropriations committee, cited the close collaboration of the House, under Romualdez, with the Marcos administration and the Senate in approving priority legislative measures, and the chamber’s record legislative accomplishments, among other achievements of the Speaker.
The coalition said the House “has maintained a strong collaborative relationship with the Senate and the Executive Branch, ensuring that priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) are deliberated upon and enacted in a timely manner, thereby enhancing governance and public service delivery.”
“Speaker Romualdez’s leadership has been characterized by integrity, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to transformative legislation, earning commendations from his peers and the public, and reinforcing the House’s role as a pillar of democracy,” it said.
The Party-list Coalition took note of the inquiries in aid of legislation the House has conducted in the exercise of its oversight power.
“The House has shown resolute determination in seeking justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the illegal drug war, initiating comprehensive investigations to hold accountable those responsible and to dismantle the networks perpetuating such injustices,” it said.
It said the House created the Quad Comm to look into the interconnections among Philippine offshore gaming operations, extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and Chinese syndicates, showing the chamber’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rules of law.
“Under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, the House has passed significant legislation aimed at criminalizing extrajudicial killings and banning offshore gaming hubs, reflecting a proactive stance against human rights violations and illegal activities,” he said.
The coalition pointed out that its members “are witness to and are active partners with Speaker Romualdez in the fulfillment of his legislative vision.”
