HONORABLE DEPUTY SPEAKERS, MAJORITY LEADER, MINORITY LEADER, DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

UNITED FOR A BETTER FUTURE: BUILDING A STRONGER PHILIPPINES FOR ALL

“LIFE DENIES ITS BEST TO PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT GIVE THEIR ALL TO IT. SUCCESS DOES NOT COME TO THE HOLDOUTS. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO ACHIEVES IS THE ONE WHO BELIEVES HE CAN AND WHO THROWS HIMSELF INTO REACHING HIS GOAL.” -- NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

IN 2022, WHEN I WAS INSTALLED AS SPEAKER OF THIS ESTEEMED CHAMBER, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS EMERGING FROM A MULTITUDE OF UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES.

I STOOD BEFORE YOU THEN WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND, THAT ONLY FAIRNESS AND EQUITABLE

DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DEVELOPMENT OF ALL REGIONS SHALL PERMEATE WITHIN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS.

OUR CENTRAL THEME UPON THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR DUTY WAS “UNITY AND SOLIDARITY,” A MUCH-NEEDED SOLUTION TO A FRAGMENTED FILIPINO SOCIETY HOUNDED BY THE DEBILITATING IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS, THREATS TO OUR SOVEREIGNTY, AND GLOBAL CONFLICTS.

THE ODDS WERE STACKED AGAINST US, AND WE WERE CONFRONTED WITH EXPECTATIONS TO DELIVER BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION.

GIVEN THE CHALLENGES, THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF LEGISLATIVE EXCELLENCE. I WAS PRIVILEGED TO WIN THE SUPPORT OF A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF HONORED MEN AND WOMEN WHO NOW COMPRISE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND REGULAR SESSIONS.

TOGETHER, WE HAVE FORGED A PATH THAT SETS ASIDE PRIDE, AMBITIONS, DIFFERENCES, AND SELF-INTEREST BUT PUTS AHEAD PERSEVERANCE, UNDERSTANDING, DIPLOMACY, AND DILIGENCE.

NANGAKO TAYONG LAHAT NA MAGTA-TRABAHO NANG TAPAT. NAGKASUNDO NA ISANTABI ANG PULITIKA. GAGAWIN ANG

LAHAT PARA I-ANGAT ANG KABUHAYAN - ANG KABUHAYAN NG ATING MAMAMAYAN.

AS WE OPEN THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION OF THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS, WE RIDE ON THE MOMENTUM OF OUR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND REGULAR SESSIONS. OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO UNITY AND PROGRESS HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR TRANSFORMATIVE LAWS THAT UPLIFT AND EMPOWER EVERY FILIPINO.

OUR MISSION IS CLEAR: TO BUILD A PHILIPPINES WHERE EVERY CITIZEN CAN LIVE WITH DIGNITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND HOPE. WE ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING A PHILIPPINES WHERE DREAMS CAN BE ACHIEVED, AND WHERE EVERY FILIPINO FEELS VALUED AND SUPPORTED. TOGETHER, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A BRIGHTER, MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR ALL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FROM THE OPENING OF THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION ON JULY 25, 2022 TO THIS DATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ATTENDED TO A TOTAL OF 12,405 LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, CONSISTING OF 10,565 HOUSE BILLS, 1,839 RESOLUTIONS AND ONE PETITION.

OUT OF THESE NUMBERS, 4,125 MEASURES WERE PROCESSED WITHIN A SPAN OF 149 SESSION DAYS, OR AN AVERAGE OF 28 MEASURES PROCESSED PER SESSION DAY.

IN THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION ALONE, A TOTAL OF FIFTY- EIGHT (58) REPUBLIC ACTS WERE ENACTED. A RESULT OF YOUR OUTSTANDING CONSENSUS-BUILDING AND RESOLUTE EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASKS AT HAND.

IF WE INCLUDE THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION, THE HOUSE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE SWIFT PASSAGE OF SEVENTY- SEVEN (77) LAWS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

THESE INCLUDE THE RECENTLY SIGNED 2 LANDMARK LEGISLATIONS: REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 12009 OR THE NEW GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ACT (NGPA), WHICH INTRODUCES CRUCIAL REFORMS THAT SAFEGUARDS PUBLIC FUNDS, ELIMINATE CORRUPTION, AND FOSTER A MORE COMPETITIVE AND FAIR PROCUREMENT ENVIRONMENT; AND REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 12010 OR THE ANTI-FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS SCAMMING ACT (AFASA), WHICH STRENGTHENS OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM BY PREVENTING FRAUD AND PROMOTING TRUST AMONG CONSUMERS, BUSINESSES, AND INVESTORS.

WORTH NOTING ALSO IS REPUBLIC ACT (RA) NO. 11976, OR THE “EASE OF PAYING TAXES ACT” WHICH INSTILLED OPTIMISM AMONG TAXPAYERS WHO LONGED FOR A MORE STREAMLINED PROCESS IN DEALING WITH TAX-RELATED INTRICACIES AND PROVIDES A POSITIVE MOVE TOWARDS IMPROVING TAX COMPLIANCE.

LAWS AIMING TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THE MAHARLIKA INVESTMENT FUND ACT OF 2023 (RA 11954); EXTENDING THE AVAILMENT OF TAX AMNESTY (RA 11956); ONE TOWN ONE PRODUCT PHILIPPINES ACT (RA 11960); TRABAHO PARA SA BAYAN ACT (RA 11962); PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (RA 11966); INTERNET TRANSACTIONS ACT OF 2023 (RA 11967); AND TATAK PINOY (PROUDLY FILIPINO) ACT (RA 11981) WILL GENERATE, PRESERVE AND GROW NATIONAL WEALTH; DRIVE INCLUSIVE LOCAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY; ENSURE EQUITABLE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL; ENCOURAGE PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO INVESTORS; BOOST AND MAINTAIN A VIGOROUS ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ENVIRONMENT; AND PROMOTE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE FILIPINO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

WE LIKEWISE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN OUR ENDEAVORS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE ENACTMENT OF RA 11995, OR THE “PHILIPPINE ECOSYSTEM AND NATURAL CAPITAL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM (PENCAS) ACT.”

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ALSO GAVE SIGNIFICANT ATTENTION TO EDUCATION AND SUPPORTED THE PASSAGE OF RA 12006, OR THE “FREE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS ACT”; RA 11984, OR THE “NO PERMIT, NO EXAM PROHIBITION ACT”; AND RA 11997, OR THE “KABALIKAT SA PAGTUTURO ACT.”

OUT OF THE SEVENTEEN (17) PRIORITY MEASURES IDENTIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT IN HIS 2023 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS, FIVE (5) HAVE BEEN ENACTED INTO LAWS, ONE BICAM REPORT RATIFIED AND PRESENTLY UNDER ENROLMENT PROCESS; ANOTHER ONE UNDER DELIBERATION IN THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE; AND TEN (10) REMAINING MEASURES HAVE BEEN APPROVED ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY THE HOUSE, WITH ONE AS EARLY AS NOVEMBER 2022.

THIS AMOUNTS TO A 100% APPROVAL ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY THIS AUGUST CHAMBER OF THE 2023 SONA PRIORITIES.

LAHAT NG KAILANGANG BATAS NA HINILING NI PANGULONG FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. SA NAKARAANG STATE-OF-THE NATION ADDRESS, PASADO NA PO LAHAT DITO SA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WE HAVE DONE OUR HOMEWORK. WE ADDRESSED CONCERNS ON FOOD SECURITY, CLIMATE CHANGE, SOCIAL PROTECTION, TOURISM, PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY, AMONG OTHERS.

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS REFLECT OUR PROACTIVE STANCE IN CATERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE BY PASSING THESE MUCH-NEEDED LEGISLATION THAT ARE ATTUNED TO THE PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE EIGHT-POINT SOCIO-ECONOMIC AGENDA UNDER THE MEDIUM-TERM FISCAL FRAMEWORK OF THE PRESIDENT.

IN FACT, THE FRUITS OF OUR OVERARCHING DEVELOPMENT AGENDA INITIATIVES FOR THE PAST TWO (2) YEARS ARE NOW SLOWLY BEING FELT ACROSS THE NATION.

FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2022 TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2024, THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY EXPERIENCED AN AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OF 6.1%. FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2024 ALONE, THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY OUTPERFORMED INDONESIA (5.1 PERCENT), MALAYSIA (4.2 PERCENT), SINGAPORE (2.7 PERCENT), AND THAILAND (1.5 PERCENT).

IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA) STATED THAT THE COUNTRY’S TARGET GROWTH RATE OF 6% TO 7% THIS YEAR IS ACHIEVABLE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT POLICIES.

AS A RESULT, THE COUNTRY IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE OUTPERFORMING MOST EMERGING ECONOMIES AND EXPAND FURTHER TO A RANGE OF 6.5% TO 7.5% IN 2025. THIS IS NOT FAR FROM THE 6.2% ECONOMIC GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR THE PHILIPPINES IN 2025 BY KEY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (6.2%), THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (6.1%) AND THE WORLD BANK (5.9%).

I BELIEVE, DEAR COLLEAGUES, THAT THE POLICIES HAVE ALL BEEN PUT IN PLACE AND THE GAINS OF A COMPETENT, FOCUSED, AND THOROUGH LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ARE NOW BRINGING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ECONOMY.

IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, FITCH RATINGS, A RECOGNIZED CREDIT RATING COMPANY, AFFIRMED THE COUNTRY’S INVESTMENT-GRADE LONG-TERM FOREIGN CURRENCY TRADING AT “BBB” RATING WITH A STABLE OUTLOOK.

THIS INDICATES THE COUNTRY’S ROBUST MEDIUM-TERM GROWTH AND SUGGESTS A REDUCED CREDIT RISK. IT ALSO STATES THAT OUR ABILITY TO MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS IS SUFFICIENT. THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED, IN PART, TO THE PURSUIT OF PRIORITIES SUCH AS THE BUILD-BETTER-MORE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM AND INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

MALINAW PO ANG ESTADO NG ATING EKONOMIYA. MATIBAY AT MATATAG. PINAG-TITIWALAAN HINDI LAMANG SA LOOB NG ATING BANSA KUNDI MAGING SA BUONG MUNDO.

IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT APPROVAL ON THIRD READING OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE RICE TARIFFICATION LAW WHICH

SEEKS TO REMEDY THE WIDENING GAP BETWEEN RICE RETAIL AND FARM GATE PRICES, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WELCOMES AND FULLY SUPPORTS THE MOVE OF THE PRESIDENT TO REDUCE THE TARIFF ON IMPORTED RICE FROM 35% TO 15% THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 62.

MAY I JUST ADD THAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LOWERING OF RICE TARIFFS FOR THE BENEFIT OF FILIPINO CONSUMERS, WE WILL STRIVE TO PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME OF OUR FARMERS.

BY AUGMENTING THE RICE SUPPLY AND MANAGING PRICES, RICE BECOMES MORE AFFORDABLE AND THUS, ACCESSIBLE TO ALL FILIPINOS.

OUR DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AND ALLIANCES WITH OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE ALSO BEEN AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

IN TOKYO LAST JUNE, THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP MET WITH SPEAKER FUKUSHIRO NUKAGA OF JAPAN AND OTHER JAPANESE LAWMAKERS TO ENHANCE THE DEFENSE AND SECURITY COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES. DURING THE MEETING, WE MADE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO EXPAND THE TRILATERAL COOPERATION AMONG THE PHILIPPINES, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATES.

WE ALSO ADDRESSED THE MATTER OF FAIR ACCESS TO PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BY REVIEWING THE PHILIPPINE-JAPAN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; ASSISTANCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THROUGH THE

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA); PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS); AND JAPANESE INVESTMENTS.

THIS COLLABORATION SERVES TO FORTIFY OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.

HINDI LAMANG PAG-GAWA NG BATAS AT PAGPAPATIBAY NG UGNAYAN SA IBANG BANSA ANG INAASIKASO NATIN. AKTIBO RIN NATING GINAGAMIT ANG OVERSIGHT FUNCTION NG KONGRESO PARA BIGYAN NG SOLUSYON ANG MGA PROBLEMANG HINAHARAP NG ORDINARYONG MAMAMAYAN.

IN RESPONSE TO THE MOST CURRENT AND PRESSING ISSUES, WE REITERATED OUR RELENTLESS FIGHT AGAINST CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE OPERATION OF ILLEGITIMATE PHILIPPINE OFFSHORE GAMING OPERATORS WHICH UNDERMINES THE INTEGRITY OF OUR LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING INTO THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE TO INTENSIFY OUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION OF THESE SUBSTANCES. COMPREHENSIVE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS ON POGO AND ILLEGAL DRUGS ARE UNDERWAY TO IDENTIFY AND PROSECUTE THE PERPETRATORS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

THE HOUSE LIKEWISE AIMED TO SAFEGUARD THE PURCHASING POWER OF OUR COUNTRYMEN BY KEEPING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL AND REDUCING ELECTRICITY COST.

THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY REPORTED THAT INFLATION IN JUNE DECELERATED TO 3.7% COMPARED TO 3.9% IN MAY DUE TO LOWER ENERGY AND TRANSPORT COSTS. THE AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM ACT (EPIRA), WHICH WE MUST FINISH IN DECEMBER, IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER EASE INFLATION.

ON HEALTH, A MEGA 13-STORY HEMODIALYSIS FACILITY WILL SOON RISE AT THE NATIONAL KIDNEY AND TRANSPLANT INSTITUTE TO SERVE EVERY FILIPINO SEEKING TREATMENT FOR FREE, AS PART OF THE LEGACY SPECIALTY HOSPITAL PROJECT OF PRESIDENT MARCOS JR.

UNDOUBTEDLY, THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF ALL OUR INITIATIVES WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE EXCEPTIONAL SYNCHRONIZATION BETWEEN THE WORKINGS OF THE LEADERS OF THE HOUSE AND OUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE SENATE.

TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS LEGISLATIVE FLOW, BOTH HOUSES AGREE THAT OUR PRIORITIES MUST ALIGN WITH THE EFFORTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT MARCOS JR. AND HIS “AGENDA FOR PROSPERITY” AND THE BAGONG PILIPINAS BRAND OF GOVERNANCE. THE EXISTENCE OF THIS DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP HELPS FORMULATE AND IMPLEMENT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.

WE, AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, STAND UNITED WITH THE PRESIDENT IN HIS DESIRE TO ADVANCE THESE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES THAT WILL SHAPE THE NATION’S PATH FORWARD. THIS IS A TIME FOR UNITY, AND WE FULLY SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.

THUS, ON JUNE 25, 2024, THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP ATTENDED THE FIFTH LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (LEDAC) MEETING LED BY PRESIDENT MARCOS JR. WHEREIN WE COMMITTED TO PRIORITIZE THE PASSAGE OF TWENTY-EIGHT (28) BILLS UNDER THE COMMON LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BEFORE THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS.

AMONG THE BILLS ON THE PRIORITY LIST ARE THE ANTI- AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE ACT, PHILIPPINE SELF- RELIANT DEFENSE POSTURE PROGRAM ACT; PHILIPPINE MARITIME ZONES ACT; AMENDMENTS TO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACT; AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM OR EPIRA; CREATE MORE ACT; VAT ON DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS; AND OUR PROPOSAL ON THE REFORMS IN THE PHILIPPINE CAPITAL MARKETS.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE LEDAC AGREED TO INCLUDE THE ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES ACT IN THE TOP PRIORITY LIST TO STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER ITS ARCHIPELAGIC WATERS AND MARITIME RESOURCES.

IN ADDITION, WE DECIDED TO INCLUDE FIVE (5) VITAL MEASURES TO THE PRESENT LEDAC PRIORITY LIST, WHICH BRINGS TO SIXTY-FOUR (64) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LEDAC PRIORITY MEASURES FROM THE CURRENT NUMBER OF FIFTY- NINE (59).

THESE INCLUDE, ASIDE FROM THE ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES ACT AND REFORMS IN THE PHILIPPINE CAPITAL MARKET I MENTIONED EARLIER: 1.) AMENDMENTS TO THE FOREIGN INVESTORS’ LONG-TERM LEASE ACT; 2.) AMENDMENTS TO THE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW AND 3.) AMENDMENTS TO THE RICE TARIFFICATION LAW.

OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, WELFARE PROGRAMS, AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION WHICH WE AIM TO FUND BY APPROVING THE PROPOSED 6.352 TRILLION 2025 GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL BEFORE THE SESSION ADJOURNS IN SEPTEMBER.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE BUILDING ROADS, HIGHWAYS, PORTS, SCHOOL BUILDINGS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE-PROOF STRUCTURES TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND ECONOMIC GROWTH. PROGRESS HAS TO REACH THE REMOTEST COMMUNITIES.

TODAY, I EMPHASIZE OUR COMMITMENT TO PASS THE REMAINING PRIORITY BILLS BEFORE THE END OF THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION. WE ARE READY AND EQUALLY DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT THESE CRITICAL MEASURES ARE ENACTED TO SUPPORT OUR NATION’S PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT.

FOR THIS PURPOSE, I EXPECT NO LESS THAN YOUR USUAL COOPERATION AND SWIFT ACTION.

TULAD NG GINAWA NATIN NOONG FIRST AT SECOND REGULAR SESSION, IBU-BUHOS NATIN ANG LAHAT NG LAKAS AT PANAHON PARA MAIPASA ANG MGA BATAS NA KAILANGAN NG BANSA.

ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES, THIS THIRD REGULAR SESSION SIGNIFIES A DISTINCT PERIOD FOR EVERYONE.

TO THOSE HOLDING OFFICE AS THIRD TERMERS, THIS MAY BE THE FINAL STRETCH TO OFFER AND DELIVER WHAT IS MOST BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

TO SOME OF US, THIS SIGNALS ANOTHER ERA IN WHICH WE MUST PROVE OURSELVES WORTHY OF ANOTHER TERM. REGARDLESS OF THE OBJECTIVE, WE ARE ALL GUNNING FOR THE SAME OUTCOME -- VICTORY, FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, OUR NATION, AND THE GENERATIONS TO COME -- AND WE CONTINUE TO MARCH TOWARD THAT GOAL NOW.

I URGE ALL OF YOU, AS I HAVE DONE DURING THE OPENING OF THE PREVIOUS TWO (2) REGULAR SESSIONS, TO PERSIST IN PERCEIVING THIS CHERISHED INSTITUTION AS A STRONGHOLD OF BATTLES WON, OF GLORY ATTAINED THROUGH CEASELESS LABOR DAY AND NIGHT, RELYING SOLELY ON OUR COMMITMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO UPLIFT US WHEN OUR LIMITS ARE BEING CHALLENGED.

REST NOT ON OUR LAURELS, MY DEAR COLLEAGUES.

OUR GOAL IS TO CONCLUDE THE NINETEENTH CONGRESS BY UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY, USHERING IN PROSPERITY, AND GUIDING A FAIR SOCIETY.

LET US GIVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE WHAT THEY DESERVE, AND THEY DESERVE MORE. (IHATAG TA HA MGA PILIPINO AN ANGAY HA IRA, NGAN ANGAY HIRA HIN LABAW PA.)

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND MABUHAY PO TAYONG LAHAT!!! (DAMO NGA SALAMAT NGAN MABUHAY PO KTA NGA TANAN!!!)