Incoming lawmakers of the 19th Congress attended the commencement of the House of Representatives' “Executive Course on Legislation” on Monday, June 27, to orient both first-time and seasoned solons in the lower chamber.
The three-day program organized by the House Office of the Secretary General was carried out in partnership with the University of the Philippines–National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED).
The House website described the course as a "three-day training program held prior to a new Congress to offer support to both neophytes and returning members so that they can be acquainted with the ins and outs of the House of Representatives".
For the first day of the course, UP-NCPAG Associate Professor Dr. Enrico Basilio lectured solons on the topic of “Understanding Development Concepts, Indicators, and Approaches; Current Issues and Challenges in Philippine Development".
Of the listed first batch of incoming legislators, 24 out of 28 were present during the first day.
The House media bureau later said that 1-Rider Party-list Reps Bonifacio Bosita and Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez; Cagayan de Oro City 1st district Rep. Lordan Suan; and Camarines Norte 2nd district Rep. Rosemarie Panotes were not present on the first day of the course.
Of the 316 incoming members of the 19th Congress, it is estimated that about 150 are neophyte and returning legislators.