In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Lawmakers congratulate Marcos, see support of strong majority

By Filane Mikee Cervantes and Wilnard Bacelonia

June 30, 2022, 5:20 pm

<p><strong>OATH OF OFFICE</strong>. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signs his oath of office during his inauguration as the country’s 17th President at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on Thursday (June 30, 2022). Lawmakers congratulated him, expressing optimism that he would play a pivotal role in uniting the country toward "greater heights". <em>(PNA photo by Avito S. Dalan)</em></p>

OATH OF OFFICE. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signs his oath of office during his inauguration as the country’s 17th President at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on Thursday (June 30, 2022). Lawmakers congratulated him, expressing optimism that he would play a pivotal role in uniting the country toward "greater heights". (PNA photo by Avito S. Dalan)

MANILA – Lawmakers on Thursday congratulated Ferdinand Romualdez "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as he took his oath as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines at the National Museum of the Philippines here.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Marcos Jr. “will be a great President", noting that he would play a pivotal role in uniting the country toward "greater heights".

“He made history by being the first majority President in modern times. I am sure he has his eyes on other extraordinary feats by having a legacy Filipinos will be proud of for many years and by being a great President,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez wished Marcos all the best as he leads a nation facing complex challenges, such as recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and delivering his election campaign promise to unite the country.

1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero said it is time to rally behind the goals and aspirations laid out in the inaugural address of Marcos Jr.

"If we want to help our country recover from the pandemic, high inflation, and high fuel prices, we cannot fail the Filipino people. We must back up 200 percent our new leader! His success is everyone's success. We cannot let him fail," Romero said.

Romero particularly suggested creating the country’s strategic fuel reserve so that when fuel prices subside and stabilize that would be the time to inject the fuel reserves into the facilities and system built for the purpose.

He also said crucial to the food self-sufficiency objectives of the new administration, an efficient commodities market and trading system must be established, including its component storage depots, accountability and transparency mechanisms, and the commodities exchange.

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera expressed confidence that under Marcos’ guidance and leadership, the government will pursue effective ways to address the challenges the country is facing, such as Covid-19 and its economic fallout, and unabated fuel price hikes and rising inflation triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"We also join the entire nation in wishing him success in fulfilling the most challenging task of healing our deeply divided country. President Marcos campaigned on bringing people together, working across the aisle and uniting our nation. It is highly important that he delivers on that promise," Herrera said.

Herrera said she is looking forward with how the new administration and the 19th Congress would work together, adding that she would support in pushing for the "much-needed and meaningful laws that would be beneficial to our countrymen", particularly those that would further promote the welfare and rights of women and children; empower the micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and champion consumer protection, efficient internet, and economic recovery.

"We wish the new Administration success and will do whatever we can to help move our country forward," she said.

Support of strong majority

Senator Sonny Angara is confident that Marcos will lead the country to new heights.

"With the votes of over 31 million Filipinos behind him, President Bongbong can be assured of the support of a strong majority of the country for his policies and programs, many of which have already been laid out in the past weeks," Angara said in a statement.

He cited the "strong economic team" that Marcos created which is expected to build on the gains of the Duterte administration and steer the economy towards recovery.

"In taking on the agriculture portfolio, President Marcos has also demonstrated his commitment towards addressing the numerous problems of this sector and in increasing the yields of our farmers and fisherfolk, all with the goal of achieving food security for all Filipinos," Angara added.

Angara said he is looking forward to working with the designated Department of Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte as well.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero also congratulated Marcos, urging all Filipinos to support the new administration.

"Kaisa ako sa hangarin niya na mabigyan ng epektibo at agarang solusyon ang mga pagsubok ng bayan upang tuluyang malampasan natin ito (I am one with his intention to give effective and immediate solution the challenges of our country so we can get over this)," Escudero said.

Escudero also hopes that political parties, regardless of beliefs, persuasion or ideology, can set aside differences to "make the lives of 110 million Filipinos better".

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go vowed to support Marcos in continuing the legacy of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

"I am confident that, given your resounding message of unity and rejection of the politics of division, we will all be able to overcome whatever challenges we have now and in the future with you as the new captain of the ship," Go's statement read.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada expressed his commitment to work with Marcos in bringing back Filipinos to their feet amid many challenges, including the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.

"Sa kahabaan ng ating kampanya sa UniTeam, nakita ko kung gaano kainit ang suporta ng sambayanang Pilipino sa iyo, at ramdam ko kung gaano kalalim ang iyong pagmamahal sa ating bansa (In our long campaign in UniTeam, I saw how Filipinos support you, and I've felt how deep is your love for our country)," Estrada said in his social media post.

Last month, Marcos met with several lawmakers at his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City to discuss legislative plans to help revive the economy affected by the pandemic restrictions. (PNA)

Comments