House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

It will be a working recess in the House of Representatives for the next five weeks. 

This, after the House under Speaker Martin Romualdez approved during plenary session Wednesday, Sept. 27 a motion to allow committees to continue tackling important pieces of legislation during the break, which will last from Sept. 28 to Nov. 5. 

The motion was made by Deputy Majority Leader Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas. 

“I move that we authorize all committees to conduct meetings and/or public hearings, if deemed necessary, during the House recess," she said. 

Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, the presiding officer at that time, promptly carried the motion after nobody objected. 

Romualdez, the head of the 310-strong chamber, said he instructed House leaders to hold committee hearings during the break to ensure the expeditious passage of important legislation, including those aimed at addressing the high prices of basic commodities. 

“While we already passed almost all of our priority bills listed under LEDAC (Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council) and SONA (State of the Nation Address), we want to accelerate the passage of other House priority legislations,” Romualdez said in his speech Wednesday night. 

“We still have a lot on our legislative table and other urgent measures are in various stages of deliberation,” noted the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

Romualdez said House members “have been diligent in our parliamentary duties not only because it is expected of us, but also because we continue to be a faithful and dependable partner of the executive department in bringing about policies that enhance the well-being of our fellow Filipinos and strengthen the capacities of both the national and local governments". 

"I am confident that with our steady and stable pace, driven by our eagerness to fulfill our duties, the rest of our targets are achievable. Let us do our best and prove that through our solid efforts, the nation is in good hand. Let us continue working to fulfill our obligation and tackle the lawmaking process with greater fervor,” he said.