MANILAhola play, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has assured Filipinos that the House of Representatives has fought the forces of darkness and evil, noting that no ambition nor powerful person is above the Constitution and the law.
In his closing speech before Congress adjourned its session on Wednesday, Romualdez said the House has been exercising its oversight function with the goal of upholding the people’s welfare.
The benchmark PSEi fell by 1.50 percent, or 112.73 points, to close at 7,424.52 while the broader All-Shares index slipped by 1.08 percent, or 44.05 points, to settle at 4,033.36.
“We have enacted reforms that resonate beyond the walls of Congress—reforms that will be felt in the homes of the ordinary Filipino, in the aspirations of the working class, in the dreams of the youth, and in the resolve of the underserved. Isinulong natin ang interes ng sambayanan. Lumaban sa mga puwersa ng kadiliman. Hindi umatras sa kampon ng kasamaan (We pursued matters of public interest. We fought the forces of darkness. We did not falter against the henchmen of evil.),” Romualdez said.
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Article continues after this advertisementAccording to Romualdez, the House did not look away from abuses that people are complaining about, and instead faced the truth “no matter how difficult.”
Article continues after this advertisementHe also warned those who would try to manipulate the power given to them: history will always be present to judge their actions.
Article continues after this advertisement“In these hallowed halls, we did not turn a blind eye. We did not look the other way. Instead, we faced the truth, no matter how difficult, because leadership is not about privilege—it is about responsibility.
“To those who believe they can manipulate power without consequence, let this House be a reminder: Kasaysayan ang huhusga sa atin. At ang kasaysayan ay walang puwang sa mga duwag. Ang Kongresong ito ay hindi magpapagamit sa alinmang interes, maliban sa interes ng sambayanan. Ang tama, ipaglalaban. Ang mali, itatama,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisement“To those who believe they can manipulate power without consequence, let this House be a reminder: History will judge us. And in history, there is no space for the coward. This Congress did not allow itself to be used by whatever interest, except for the interest of the country. We fight for what is correct. We correct what is wrong.)
Romualdez also touted the achievements of the House, including the passage of 75 bills that became national laws, and 112 local laws—30 of which were priority bills of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council.
Still, the Speaker said the work is not finished yet.
“Yet, for all that we have accomplished, our task remains unfinished. As the 19th Congress nears its conclusion, let it be clear: our commitment does not wane with time. It strengthens. It sharpens,” he said.
“Marami na tayong nagawa. Pero hindi pa tapos ang ating misyon. Umaasa pa rin ang ating mga kababayan sa pangakong dala ng Bagong Pilipinas (We have done a lot. But we are not finished with our mission. Our people still expect a lot from the promises brought by a New Philippines.),” he added.
Romualdez’ closing speech came hours after he presided over the session, to tackle the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Just before 3:45 p.m., a fourth impeachment complaint was verified and sent immediately to the Senate after 215 lawmakers endorsed it. Under the 1987 Constitution, an impeachment complaint could be forwarded to the Senate for a trial if over one-third of all House members—102 out of 306—have signed and endorsed the petition.
Issues cited in the previous impeachment raps against Duterte—her threats against the President and other officials and confidential fund (CF) issues with her offices—were used as grounds for the fourth complaint.
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Copies of the fourth impeachment complaint showed that there were seven articles of impeachment:hola play
betrayal of public trust, commission of high crimes due to her threats to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption due to misuse of CFs within the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) betrayal of public trust and bribery within the DepEd violation of the 1987 Constitution and betrayal of public trust due to unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets commission of high crimes, due to involvement in extrajudicial killings in the drug war betrayal of public trust due to allege destabilization plots and high crimes of sedition and insurrection, and betrayal of acts due to her unbecoming conduct as Vice President. READ NEXT Civilian tip leads to arrest of cop linked to Maguindanao mass... CHED orders closure of Our Lady of Mercy College in Borongan City EDITORS' PICK January inflation steady at 2.9% as rice price growth hits over 4-yr low Cristine Reyes’ tribute to Barbie Hsu, self-birthday greeting draw mixed reactions VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment is ‘political persecution’ – Rep. Duterte Manila Water completes pipelaying projects to service more customers Enzo Pineda, Romnick Samenta win best actor plums at Emirates Film Festival New chief Edwin Mercado vows to find ‘cure’ for PhilHealth ‘ills’ MOST READ Sara Duterte impeached; House gets 215 to sign 39 of 61 Mindanao lawmakers back complaint House impeaches VP Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate Car owners may eventually have to pay fees to use Edsa, says Remulla Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments
