Speaker: House regained people’s trust during 15th Congress

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives in the 15th Congress was able to regain the trust and confidence of the people owing to the chamber’s commitment to promote transparency, social justice, and economic development in enacting legislation, according to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

In his address to lawmakers at the closing of the 15th Congress on Thursday night, the Speaker said through responsive legislation, House members succeeded in putting in place the “key policy pillars for good governance to achieve economic growth, people-centered political and administrative reforms, and social equity anchored on the imperative of securing the welfare of the poorest of the poor.”

“We end this Congress confident in the truth that we have, by our unity in purpose, sheer hard work and dedication to duty, won back a good measure of our people’s faith in our ability to give them a House they can trust, in a government that unconditionally honors their trust,” Belmonte said.

“Good governance by competent and upright leaders is the key to economic growth, poverty reduction and social peace. Good governance sets and implements right policies effectively, combats corruption, curbs abuse of power, and makes government and its officials accountable,” he said.

Citing the highest ever public approval ratings of the chamber since 1987, Belmonte expressed his gratitude to what he said was the people’s recognition of the collective efforts of House members.

He cited the latest 7.8 percent growth rate posted in the first quarter and the investment grade ratings the country received from three major credit rating agencies, namely: Fitch Ratings, Standard and Poor’s, and Japan Credit Rating Agency.

The country climbed 20 notches in the World Economic Forum competitiveness rankings from 2010 to 2012.

The Philippine stock market soared to a record high of more than 30 percent in 2012, and on May 15, 2013, the PSE main index breached the 7,400 level for the first time in its history, he said.

He also noted that foreign direct investments climbed from $1.2 billion in 2010 to $2 billion in 2012, reflecting increasing investor confidence in the economy under the current administration.

“The 15th Congress was an active partner of the administration in achieving these milestones, and in creating the policy foundations that now spur the momentum for economic growth,” Belmonte said.

He said the House passed the “most number of historic and game-changing laws without fanfare or grandstanding.”

He particularly cited the Reproductive Health Law and the controversial sin tax restructuring, to curbing the scandalous allowances and perks of government-owned and controlled corporations, and granting just compensation to human rights victims.

He also mentioned the prompt passage of the annual General Appropriations Act during the last three years, ending an era of re-enacted budgets and allowing government agencies to implement crucial projects and programs at the start of each fiscal year.

“We proved, beyond cavil, our resolve to make government, from the highest to the lowest, truly accountable to the people by first, impeaching an incumbent Ombudsman, and immediately thereafter, impeaching and successfully prosecuting a sitting chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines,” he said.

In terms of the number of laws enacted, he reported that some 447 laws out of 1,023 measures reported out by House committees and approved on third reading were enacted into law.

“We also passed 25 priority measures of the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) of which 15 have been enacted into laws. More than 500 House measures await Senate action to this hour,” Belmonte said.

Various bills ratified

The House of Representatives adjourned on Thursday after ratifying various bills and immediately concurring with the Senate’s versions of several measures to enable their swift enactment into law.

The House ratified the bill Expanding the Science and Technology Scholarships. On Wednesday, the chamber ratified the amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.