Speaker ‘not easily derailed by political distraction’ – solon
THE record number of bills and resolutions passed by the House of Representatives during the first regular session of the 19th Congress can be attributed to the “laser-focused” discipline of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in ensuring the passage of priority legislation set by the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said that this “very evident passion” lawmakers see in the House leader in his work ethic is what they try to emulate, which is why the larger chamber was able to process a total of 9,600 measures broken down into 8,490 bills, 1,109 resolutions and one petition.
“The only politics Speaker Romualdez engages in is the politics of completion, the accomplishment of the legislative goals the Marcos administration set, which he excellently executes by faithfully fulfilling his mandate both as an ordinary lawmaker and as a great leader of the House of Representatives,” Romualdo said.
“Kaya nga napaka-productive ng House nung naging Speaker siya. He is not easily derailed by political distraction. ‘Yung pace at bilis niya ang sinusundan namin. At pag masipag at passionate ang Speaker lalo na sa pagpasa ng priority legislation, talagang napakaraming magagawa ang Kongreso,” he added.
Under the leadership of Romualdez, the House was able to approve on third and final reading 33 out of 42 bills listed as priority measures of President Marcos and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
These priority legislation forms part of the total 577 bills passed on final reading in the larger chamber in just 10 months of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress, before it adjourned sine die last June 2.
“He was an effective Majority Leader in the 18th Congress, when he served the Filipino people by being part of the House leadership that passed laws needed to address the adverse effects of the pandemic. This experience made him a much greater leader now that he is Speaker,” Romualdo said.
Romualdo added that Romualdez is easily one of the most intelligent, diligent, energetic and industrious leaders he has seen in his entire political life.
“Napakasipag ng aming Speaker, walang event o meeting na hindi pinapaunlakan basta pasok sa schedule niya, kahit na galing pa sa minority o oposisyon ang imbitasyon. And he makes it a point to be at the House plenary when we approve measures on final reading, lalo na kung priority ito ng administrasyon,” Romualdo said.
“We wonder where he gets this seemingly unending amount of energy. That is why we believe that he is an effective leader, when he can get things done in the House of Representatives and still attend to his other duties as Speaker that we know is physically taxing,” Romualdo said.
