‘Organizing House leadership only took 2 weeks’

MANILA, Philippines — It only took a “record time” of two weeks for the leadership of the House of Representatives under Speaker Martin Romualdez to organize itself and put the chamber in order, before budget deliberations start this week, according to House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

Marcos said this speed highlights the lower legislative chamber’s “determination to move decisively on the President’s ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ legislative priorities.”

“As of Aug. 6, upon the guidance of Speaker 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 eldest son of President Marcos announced.

Historically, organizing the House leadership would take a month or more, making this collaborative achievement a resounding success for the 20th Congress.

The Ilocos Norte first district congressman, now on his second term, noted that the speed of the 20th Congress’ organization was about efficiency and giving lawmakers more time to act on urgent national concerns.

“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.

Running unopposed, Romualdez was reelected to a second term as Speaker, alongside Quezon second district Rep. David Suarez as senior deputy speaker, 10 deputy speakers and Marcos as majority leader and chair of the committee on rules.

To complete its framework, the House also reelected Secretary General Reginald Velasco and Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon Taas, reinforcing its operational stability.

Key leadership posts were quickly filled, including the chairmanships of the committees on appropriations, justice, ways and means, agriculture, higher and technical education, foreign affairs, public works, basic education, energy, transportation, labor and national defense.

The quad comm – composed of committees on human rights, public order and safety, dangerous drugs, and public accounts – was also constituted to spearhead oversight and investigations.

In addition, the House finalized the election of 12 members to the Commission on Appointments and six members to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.

The House is now set to open marathon budget deliberations and fast-track priority measures aligned with national goals of inclusive growth, stronger institutions, and better services for all Filipinos.