House adjourns sine die

The House of Representatives opens its 19th session on Monday, July 25, 2022, ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's first State of the Nation Address. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

MANILA, Philippines -- The House of Representatives adjourned session sine die on Wednesday night, closing its second regular session.

The adjournment will last until late July 2024 when the third regular session opens on July 23—the day of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the Congress is mandated to convene once a year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session unless another date is fixed by law.

The Constitution also mandates the president to address the Congress at the opening of its regular session.

The second regular session started on July 24, 2023.

"All these legislative measures that we had approved are not merely words on paper; they embody our commitment to the welfare of every Filipino ...", House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in a speech on Wednesday before the adjournment.

Among those he mentioned were Republic Act (RA) 11959 (the Regional Specialty Centers Act), RA 11965 (the Caregivers' Welfare Act), RA 11984 (No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act), and RA 11962 or the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.

Also in his speech, Romualdez said that the House's social welfare initiatives "are designed to uplift marginalized communities and ensure equitable access to resources."

"Our work in this session has been driven by a clear and compelling mission. Our focus: national security and economic transformation, which are key to improving the living condition for all Filipinos," he said.

"This holistic approach underscores our commitment to safeguarding our nation while fostering economic growth and ensuring that every Filipino experiences a tangible improvement in their quality of life," he said.

Also, Romualdez said that the House "passed critical measures on sovereignty and defense to enhance our national defense capabilities."

"Another equally crucial matter that requires our ongoing effort is the economic stability and growth of the nation. To sustain our impressive economic growth, we have enacted fiscal measures and created a stable economic environment conducive to long-term prosperity by ensuring improved revenue collections and prudent spending," he said.

He mentioned RA 11976 or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act.

Also in his speech, Romualdez mentioned RA 11954 or the Maharlika investment fund law.

"This is a significant step towards attracting high-impact investments that will drive economic growth and create jobs for our people," he said.