Recognizing their hard work and dedication to duty, Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, Dec. 5, praised the officials and employees of the House of Representatives for their valuable contribution in advancing the chamber’s legislative agenda.

Romualdez spoke to House officials and employees after attending the flag-raising ceremony where he expressed his appreciation for their relentless efforts and services.

“We in the House of Representatives are successful as we are because of your hard work here,” he said said in his message at the event that was also attended by Tingog Party-list Rep. and his wife Yedda Marie Romualdez.

House Deputy Speakers Isidro Ungab, Kristine Singson-Meehan, and Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco as well as several other House members were likewise present.

But more than just words of appreciation, the Speaker gave credit to them by displaying a practical gesture so they can have a joyful celebration of Christmas with their families and loved ones.

“I’m here ... para maging mas masaya ang Pasko natin (so that our Christmas will be merrier),” Romualdez said, addressing the cheering audience.

“We want to make sure that all of you who worked very hard, would have a merry, merry Christmas. And so I wish that to all of you,” he stressed.

The Speaker noted that the the lower chamber’s performance depends largely on the quality of service that they render to the House leaders and members.

Romualdez has many things to be grateful for, but he considers their contribution to the completion of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2023 national budget their biggest accomplishment.

READ: House leader calls 2023 GAB a ‘very good budget’ as bicam meetings end

“The most important and biggest piece of legislation, the National Budget for 2023, we are about to conclude. And it is again to great credit to all of you here.... You made this all possible,” he said, noting this was accomplished in a short period of time.

“The efficiency, the hard work, the diligence, and the scrutiny you have employed in its passage has gone a long way to make our country stronger and to provide a brighter future to all Filipinos,” he added.

The Speaker reminded the House workers that other pending bills that need to be attended to before the House adjourns its session on Dec. 16.

“We have other legislation in the works. I implore you that these last remaining days of 2022, let’s keep on pushing hard because we’ve done so much thus far and we will get this year through with so many accomplishments,” Romualdez said.

Earlier, Romualdez committed that the House would pass the priority bills of Malacañang that will boost the Marcos administration’s “Agenda of Prosperity,” the core mission of the country’s “economic transformation towards inclusivity and sustainability.”