Senior congressional leaders lauded the House of Representatives of the 19th Congress for its historic legislative achievements, underscoring the critical role of its oversight function in advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Senior deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., deputy speaker David Suarez, and House majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe also commended Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for his transformative leadership that strengthened the chamber’s oversight capabilities.
“The 19th Congress has set a new standard for legislative excellence, not just in passing laws but in ensuring that government programs and agencies are held accountable,” Gonzales said in a House press release.
“Our oversight function has been a cornerstone of this Congress’ success, and it reflects our commitment to protecting public interest and trust,” added the representative of Pampanga’s third legislative district.
Under Romualdez’s leadership, the 19th Congress has demonstrated unparalleled legislative productivity. From July 25, 2022, to Dec. 27, 2024, the House filed 13,454 measures, including 11,241 bills, 2,212 resolutions, and one petition.
Of these, 166 became Republic Acts — 73 national laws and 93 local laws. Also, 1,319 committee reports were submitted during the period.
Across 178 session days, the House processed 4,760 measures, averaging an impressive 12 measures per session day.
These milestones reflect not just legislative efficiency but the chamber’s unwavering dedication to addressing the needs of the Filipino people.
“These statistics underscored our collective effort to deliver results. But beyond the numbers, the true achievement lies in ensuring that the laws we pass and the inquiries we conduct directly benefit the lives of every Filipino,” Dalipe stressed.
The lawmaker from Zamboanga City’s second district also highlighted the critical role of committee inquiries in strengthening governance and shaping impactful policies. “Oversight is essential in ensuring that laws and programs deliver their intended benefits. This Congress has maximized its investigative powers to address systemic issues and propose real solutions.”
One of the most notable initiatives was the Quad Committee’s investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), their links to illicit drug trade, money laundering, and extrajudicial killings.
Another key investigation was led by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which scrutinized the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, under Vice President Sara Duterte.
The leaders also commended the efforts of the Quinta Comm, or the Murang Pagkain Super Committee, which tackled agricultural smuggling, price manipulation, and weaknesses in food security programs.
The House leaders credited the vision and leadership of Romualdez for making oversight a central pillar of the 19th Congress’ legacy.
“The 19th Congress has demonstrated that through strong oversight, we can ensure that every peso, every law, and every program benefit the Filipino people. This is the kind of leadership and legacy we must continue to uphold,” Suarez said. ||
