MANILA -- A record-high average of 247 representatives have attended the 18 session days of the House of Representatives since the 18th Congress opened on July 22 this year.
House Deputy Speaker Neptali Gonzales II commended his colleagues for their dedication to perform their legislative duties under the guidance of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
“I have been a member of several Congresses, and I am truly elated by the record attendance of House members of the 18th Congress led by Speaker Cayetano,” said Gonzales, majority leader during the 16th Congress.
“The high attendance of our colleagues reflects their discipline, hard work, deep passion, and great interest to serve the people and enact priority laws that will give them a safe and comfortable life,” he added.
Despite many holidays last month, Gonzales said the House recorded high attendees of 266 on Aug. 13, a day after the observance of Eid al-Adha Day and 259 attendees on Aug. 27, a day after the National Heroes Day.
With the consistent presence of an overwhelming majority of its members, the House effectively held the committee budget hearings on the proposed General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2020 and other priority measures.
Gonzales said the House is on the right track to beat its self-imposed deadline for the approval of the proposed national budget before the October 4 break.
He credited Cayetano’s strong and competent leadership for keeping the House of Representatives on track in achieving its legislative agenda and priorities.
“Speaker Cayetano is a working Speaker, administratively and legislatively. He is very hands-on. He makes sure that all committees, especially the important and big ones, are handled by qualified House Members. He can’t be influenced by a recommendation simply because of party entitlement,” Gonzales said. (PR)
