House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III on Monday called for stronger accountability in translating legislation into effective government programs, stressing that Congress’ responsibility does not end with the passage of laws.
Speaking at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, Dy said legislative reforms must produce tangible improvements in the daily lives of Filipinos.
‘But we know that our responsibility does not end here. Let us make sure that these laws are translated into programs that are effectively implemented so they truly improve the lives of our countrymen,’ he said.
The Speaker cited the House of Representatives’ approval of 163 bills during the First Regular Session, including 26 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
These included measures strengthening the National Nutrition Program and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, as well as reforms expanding educational assistance, access to tertiary education, and merit-based scholarships.
Dy said the House would build on this record by prioritizing measures addressing the most pressing concerns of Filipino families.
‘In our Second Regular Session, we will continue working to advance reforms that directly address the everyday problems of our people,’ he said.
Among these are the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act, which seeks to reduce rice prices while strengthening assistance to farmers; amendments to the Universal Health Care Act to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare; the CADENA Act to promote transparency in the use of public funds; and the Cybersecurity Act to protect Filipinos from digital threats.
Dy emphasized that effective governance requires not only legislation but also proper implementation, transparency, and continued engagement with the public.
He assured Filipinos that the House would listen more closely to their concerns and hold itself accountable to ensuring that legislative gains are felt beyond the halls of Congress.
‘As the session resumes, you can count on our commitment to work more diligently, listen more closely and serve with accountability,’ Dy said.
Senate formally opened the Second Regular Session
The Senate formally opened the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress on Monday morning, July 27, ending a nearly eight-week legislative recess as senators resume plenary sessions, take up pending legislative measures, and continue the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
At Monday’s opening session, senators convened in plenary and heard the opening address of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who said the 20th Senate will focus its second regular session on at least five priorities:
Topping the list are measures to address the steady rise in food prices and help families cope substantially with rising inflation by, among others, increasing their take-home pay with a slew of measures. The amendments to the rice tariffication law, a Ledac priority, is also on the agenda.
The Ginhawa bill is thus Senate priority, he said.
Under the proposal to increase the take-home pay of workers, the exemption level for income tax payers is being raised from P250,000. Those receiving P400,000 and below pay no more income tax, senators noted how the steady inroads of inflation have gouged the pocketbooks of the core of the middle class-workers who pay the bulk of individual income taxes.
Also on the table is a proposal to remove taxes on overtime and hazard pay, among others.
The high electricity rates – reported to be the highest in Southeast Asia in June – are also a focus of the second regular session. Another Ledac measure, Gatchalian said, is the bill strengthening the ERC bill, to allow the Energy Regulatory Commission to better keep in line the stakeholders in the power sector.
The Senate will also prioritize amendments to the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act, according to Gatchalian.
Fourth, it will focus on infrastructure as, Gatchalian pointed out, boosting infra spending is the first best way to boost the economy. Fifth, lawmakers will focus on measures to ensure there are more stable and decent jobs
Assistance for MSMEs will also be a priority, he said.
After suspending the morning session, senators proceeded to the Batasang Pambansa Complex for the joint session of Congress, to hear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
With Congress back in session, senators are expected to take up pending bills, resolutions, committee reports, appointments, and other legislative measures before the chamber.
The Senate will also continue hearing the impeachment case against Duterte, although proceedings will resume only on Wednesday, July 29, following adjustments to the trial schedule.
Presiding Officer Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said senator-judges agreed during a caucus to suspend trial proceedings on Monday, July 27, due to President Marcos’ Sona, and on Tuesday, July 28, to allow minority senators to prepare for and deliver the traditional Kontra-Sona.
Escudero said the impeachment trial will resume on Wednesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Senate plenary session set to begin at 4 p.m. He added that, beginning in August, impeachment proceedings will generally be held from Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., before the chamber convenes for its regular legislative session.
The Senate adjourned its last plenary session on June 3 for the legislative recess during which, the senators continued conducting committee hearings, oversight activities, and other legislative work.