Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday night assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of vigorous support from the House of Representatives in protecting the nation in compliance with a directive from President Marcos.
Romualdez made the assurance during the HOR-AFP Fellowship at the Tejeros Hall in Camp Aguinaldo.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner invited the Speaker to the fellowship and the golf competition that preceded it.
Aside from Romualdez, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. addressed the fellowship participants.
In his remarks, the leader of the 310-strong House also expressed his deepest gratitude to the members of the AFP for their service to the country.
“On behalf of the members of the House, we would like you all to know, the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly you, the generals and the leaders of the AFP, that we stand beside you and we shall be in strong support of you every day of your lives because our President, our commander in chief, has set the policy that you are the priority, the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for all the services and sacrifices you have given to the country. This is the least we can do,” Romualdez said.
He said the House “shall be responsive not just in the halls of the Batasan, where we move for approval of your budgets but we want you know that we always stand by you and we want to make ourselves accessible to you.”
“(This is) so that you know at any given time, your representatives will be with you and we will respect all that you have done for us and we shall uphold all the ideals and values that you cherish particularly in safeguarding the nation.”
The House leader reiterated that “our commander in chief has instilled in us that you have been the priority ever since he assumed office and ever since he participated in the first service command (conference) here in Camp Aguinaldo, he called upon me to remind all the members of the House to respect, to protect, to support the men and women in uniform particularly the AFP.”
He said the camaraderie between members of the House and the military “goes beyond the camaraderie of sport – it reflects the unity and collective strength of the nation.”
“As we work together, we are reminded that irrespective of our roles in the country, we are part of one team – Team Philippines. Let this fellowship today be a testament to our commitment to working together and learning from each other and to build the nation where every filipino can strive,” he said.
Romualdez said the golf match was a reminder to everyone “of the essential role sportsmanship plays in not just games but in the larger arena of nation-building.”
“Sportsmanship, at its core, is about respect, integrity and fairness. These are not just principles for a game, but they are the bedrock of a strong, cohesive society,” he added.
He pointed out that on the golf course, players learn to respect each other’s game, observe fair play, and accept outcomes with grace.
“These lessons extend far beyond the greens; they guide us in our legislative chambers and military strategies, fostering a spirt of mutual respect and understanding,” he stressed.
The House leader said the HOR-AFP fellowship symbolizes the partnership between the legislature and the military.
“This partnership is crucial in navigating complex challenges our nation faces. Together, we can chart a course towards peace, security and prosperity,” he said.
He thanked General Brawner for organizing the fellowship and the golf contest, and HOR and AFP members for participating in the twin events.