House of Representatives Swiftly Organizes for 20th Congress
House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos praised the swift organization of the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress. He emphasized the lower chamber’s firm commitment to advancing its legislative priorities as quickly as possible.
Marcos highlighted that the House reorganized in record time, accomplishing this feat just two weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address, which also marked the official opening of the 20th Congress. Typically, such reorganization would take a month or longer to complete.
Record-Fast Committee Chairmanship Appointments
“As of August 6, upon the guidance of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, we are proud to report that in record time, we have filled 76 out of 80 committee chairmanships—95 percent of the total. This shows how serious we are in getting to work right away,” the younger Marcos said, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Officials reported that this rapid filling of committee positions reflects the House’s determination to begin legislative work immediately. The resounding success of the reorganization is expected to provide ample time for lawmakers to focus on crafting and passing important measures.
Efficiency Leads to More Legislative Action
“The sooner we organize, the sooner we legislate. Every day we save means more time to craft solutions, respond to challenges, and deliver results for our people,” Marcos added, underscoring the urgency behind the swift setup.
Local leaders noted that this efficient reorganization will allow the House of Representatives to tackle pressing issues without delay, benefiting Filipino citizens through timely legislation.
Key Leadership Positions Secured
Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was reelected as Speaker of the House of Representatives for a second term. Reginald Velasco retained his role as Secretary General, while retired Police Major General Napoleon Taas continued as Sergeant-at-Arms, community members said.
Budget Hearings and Legislative Priorities
Appropriations Committee Chairperson and Nueva Ecija Representative Mikaela Suansing announced that the committee will begin hearings with the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) on August 18. This follows the transmission of the 2016 National Expenditure Program to the lower chamber, officials reported.
Suansing explained that after starting hearings with the DBCC, the committee will proceed with further hearings before moving deliberations to the plenary. Budget discussions are expected to begin by September 1, ensuring timely consideration of financial priorities.
Moreover, the Department of Budget and Management recently submitted its proposed 2026 budget of P6.793 billion to the president, community sources confirmed.
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