The House of Representatives on Monday opened the second regular session of the 20th Congress, ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In his opening address, House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III vowed that the "new Congress" would uphold a "new standard for public service," saying the House remains committed to restoring public trust and strengthening its commitment to serving the Filipino people.
The House of Representatives has been under scrutiny over the past year after several lawmakers were implicated in the flood control scandal.
"Gaya po ng binigyang-diin ko noon, patuloy kaming magsusumikap araw-araw upang maibalik ang inyo pong tiwala. Ito rin po ang naging inspirasyon ng inyong Kongreso para gawing puspusan ang aming paglilingkod," Dy said.
"Ang bagong Kongreso ay hindi lamang po tungkol sa bagong pamunuan o mga bagong programa, kasama po ang iba’t ibang mga kinatawan ng bulwagang ito. Handa kaming tanggapin ang hamon na magtaguyod ng isang panibagong pamantayan ng paglilingkod “a new standard for public service," he added.
Dy also said he stood before the public not only as Speaker but as a fellow Filipino who understands the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
"Nandito po ako sa inyong harapan, hindi bilang Speaker, kundi bilang mamamayang Pilipino, kasama ko ang buong Kapulungan na sa mga panahon ng pagsubok, damang-dama po natin ang pinagdaraan ng ating mga kababayan. Like the rest of the world we continue to face challenges in our daily lives," he said.
The Speaker also recognized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s efforts to address inflation, crime, and corruption, while assuring the public that the House would continue pursuing reforms aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.
"Sa pagbubukas muli ng sesyon, panghawakan po ninyo ang aming paninindigan na patuloy na kikilos nang masigasig, makikinig nang mas taimtim, at maglilingkod nang may pananagutan," Dy said.
"It is in challenging times like this that our people need their representatives more than ever... Patunayan po natin sa ating mga kababayan na tayo ay isang kongresong tumutupad sa ating tungkulin," he added.
Dy also highlighted the House's accomplishments during the first regular session, saying it approved 163 bills, including 26 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
