House reconvenes for 19th Congress session, approves priority measures

Members of the House of Representatives reconvened on Monday, July 22, for the third regular session of the 19th Congress with 262 members responding to the roll call.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez highlighted the chamber's '100%' approval rate of priority measures set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and emphasized ongoing investigations into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and substance use.

Romualdez reiterated the president’s message of unity, stressing the House's commitment to transformative laws that benefit Filipinos, while urging colleagues to maintain legislative momentum despite approaching national elections in 2025.

The Speaker vowed to continue working on legislative priorities identified during the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting, including reforms in capital markets, amendments to foreign investor lease acts, and changes to agricultural laws.

Several resolutions were approved by the House ahead of President Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address scheduled for 4 pm on Monday.