House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook)

Both senior and junior members of the House of Representatives hailed the chamber’s leadership for its many achievements in the 19th Congress, which is entering its homestretch.

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep David “Jay-Jay” Suarez and House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe commended House Speaker Martin Romualdez for his transformative leadership that strengthened the chamber’s oversight capabilities.

“The 19th Congress has set a new standard for legislative excellence, not just in passing laws but in ensuring that government programs and agencies are held accountable,” Gonzales said. 

“Our oversight function has been a cornerstone of this Congress’ success, and it reflects our commitment to protecting public interest and trust,” added the Pampanga solon.

Under Speaker Romualdez’s leadership, the 19th Congress has demonstrated unparalleled legislative productivity. From July 25, 2022, to December 27, 2024, the House filed 13,454 measures, including 11,241 bills, 2,212 resolutions and one petition. 

Of these, 166 became Republic Acts—73 national laws and 93 local laws. Also, 1,319 committee reports were submitted during the period.

Across 178 session days, the House processed 4,760 measures, averaging an impressive 12 measures per session day. 

These milestones reflect not just legislative efficiency but the chamber’s unwavering dedication to addressing the needs of the Filipino people.

“These statistics underscore our collective effort to deliver results. But beyond the numbers, the true achievement lies in ensuring that the laws we pass and the inquiries we conduct directly benefit the lives of every Filipino,” Dalipe pointed out.

The lawmaker from Zamboanga City’s second district highlighted the critical role of committee inquiries in strengthening governance and shaping impactful policies.

“Oversight is essential in ensuring that laws and programs deliver their intended benefits. This Congress has maximized its investigative powers to address systemic issues and propose real solutions,” Dalipe said.

One of the most notable initiatives was the quad-committee’s (quad-comm) investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), their links to illicit drug trade, money laundering and extrajudicial killings. 

The hearings revealed how POGOs facilitated financial crimes and corruption while exposing troubling patterns of impunity tied to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“These hearings demonstrated our resolve to protect national interests and uphold human rights,” said Suarez, who represents the second district of Quezon province in Congress.

“The findings led to meaningful recommendations, including stricter gaming regulations, enhanced anti-money laundering measures, and stronger safeguards against abuse of power,” he added.

Another key investigation was led by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which scrutinized the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under Vice President Sara Duterte.

“This inquiry was about upholding transparency and ensuring public funds are used effectively,” Gonzales noted. “It highlighted the importance of stricter oversight mechanisms.”

The leaders also commended the efforts of the quinta-committee (quinta-comm), also known as the Murang Pagkain Super Committee, which tackled agricultural smuggling, price manipulation, and weaknesses in food security programs. 

“Our investigations into agricultural smuggling, hoarding, price manipulation, profiteering and cartels are a prime example of oversight in action,” Suarez said. 

“We identified gaps in enforcement and accountability, ensuring that future policies address these issues head-on,” he added.

The House leaders credited the vision and leadership of Speaker Romualdez for making oversight a central pillar of the 19th Congress’ legacy.

“Speaker Romualdez has redefined what it means to lead the House. He has made oversight not just a duty but a powerful tool for reform,” Gonzales said. “Under his leadership, the House has become a guardian of public trust and a driver of accountability.”

'Young Guns': Numbers don't lie

For their part, the so-called "Young Guns" bloc in the House of Representatives said that the numbers cranked out by the legislative mill speak for themselves.

"The numbers speak volumes about the commitment of this Congress to making a difference. From the filing of 13,454 measures to the enactment of 166 Republic Acts, this is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering focus of all 307 House members on addressing the needs of the Filipino people,” the Young Guns said in a joint statement.

Sharing this sentiment were Reps. Jay Khonghun (Zambales), Paolo Ortega V (La Union), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur), Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Party-list), Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Pammy Zamora (Taguig), Margarita “Migs” Nograles (PBA Party-list), Cheeno Miguel Almario (Davao Oriental), Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio Jr. (Manila), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City), Mikaela “Mika” Suansing (Nueva Ecija) and Inno Dy V (Isabela).

According to them, the record-breaking legislative output is a testament to the collective hard work, collaboration and dedication of the 19th Congress. 

They credited Speaker Romualdez’s unifying leadership for fostering an environment that allowed lawmakers to thrive and deliver for the Filipino people.

“Every member of this Congress, regardless of district or party affiliation, worked tirelessly to ensure that every measure passed uplifts the lives of our constituents. This is governance in action,” they emphasized.

The 19th Congress will officially end on June 6, 2025, or after the mid-term elections.