AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Facebook)

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has thanked his colleagues in the House of Representatives for helping him "learn the ropes" as a first-time legislator. 

"Bagamat marami akong experience sa larangan ng business, zero ang experience ko sa government work, lalo na ang legislation," neophyte solon Lee said in a Facebook post just before the turn of the new year. 

(Although I have a lot of experience in the field of business, I have zero experience in government work, especially in legislation.) 

“But through the kindness of my colleagues in Congress, I learned the ropes and was able to serve my constituents better. Maraming salamat sa House leadership at sa lahat ng aking mga kasama sa Kongreso,” he added. 

(Thank you very much to the House leadership and to all my colleagues in Congress. 

The year 2023 was Lee's first full year as a congressman. He assumed his House seat in June 2022.

Lee also praised his hardworking staff in the House for helping turn seven of his bills into laws in 2023. "Your work will benefit a lot of our countrymen...and for this you should be very proud," he said. 

"Thank you for a job well done. In 2023, seven of our bills were signed into law, while 93 of the bills we principally authored and co-authored were passed by Congress on third reading. Iba-iba ang subject ng mga ito, pero iisa ang hangarin: tulungan ang ating mga kababayan," he noted. 

(These have different projects, but the same goal: to help our countnymen.) 

Among the bills authored by Lee that were passed into law are Republic Act (RA) No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, RA (RA) No.11956 or the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension Act, and RA Ni. 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023. 

Lee emphasized that despite the work already done, “marami pang dapat gawin at marami pa ang gagawin natin para sa ating mga kababayan.” 

(A lot still needs to be done and we will do so for the sake our countrymen.) 

“They need jobs, affordable food, and free medical care. In 2024, we will hit the ground running because the more we accomplish, the more people we can help," the pro-farmer solon further said.