House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

High-ranking congressmen have come out to attest to House Speaker Martin Romualdez's effective leadership despite the blow to his approval ratings based on a recent survey.

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jayjay" Suarez, and Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe all commended Romualdez for the way that he has led the House of Representatives in the ongoing 19th Congress.

“Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance, the House has exemplified dedication and competence in fulfilling its legislative duties. His leadership has been instrumental in steering the chamber towards achieving legislative excellence,” Suarez said in a joint statement with his fellow House leaders Sunday, April 7.

According to Suarez, the Speaker’s “steadfast leadership has inspired unity and collaboration among House members, leading to commendable achievements for the benefit of the Filipino people"

“We stand proud of our collective accomplishments,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gonzales said Romualdez's vision and leadership have helped the 300-plus strong legislative chamber address the nation’s challenges with diligence and determination.

“Speaker Romualdez’s commitment to serving the Filipino people has been unwavering,” Gonzales said.

Dalipe was as appreciative of Romualdez’s efforts as the other two ranking solons.

“We commend the Speaker’s tireless efforts in leading us towards a brighter future for all Filipinos,” Dalipe said.

The results of a Publicus Asia survey released Tuesday, April 2, showed that Romualdez's approval rating dropped from 36 percent to 25 percent.

Perhaps the biggest achievement of the House under Romualdez is the it has practically completed the legislative work as far as President Marcos' agenda is concerned.

The chamber achieved the zero backlog feat by securing early approval of all priority bills outlined in the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and those identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

At the same time, the House fulfilled its oversight function diligently, ensuring the integrity of government institutions and prioritizing the welfare of the people.

In terms of legislative output, notable achievements include the passage of the Tatak Pinoy Act, the Centenarians Act, the New Philippine Passport Act, the 'No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,' and the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.

The House's oversight function has played a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of government institutions and ensuring the welfare of the people.

Examples of successful inquiries, such as the joint inquiry on gaps in implementing laws for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, have led to recommendations for harmonizing benefits and enhancing discounts.

There were also efforts to improve healthcare benefits under the Universal Health Care Law and the construction of the Philippine Cancer Center.

In terms of economic reforms, the chamber approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, which seeks to amend restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution to unleash the country's economic potential.

The resolution aims to adapt to global economic changes while protecting national interests, calling for a more open and robust economy to create more jobs and ensure a prosperous future for all Filipinos.

In its ongoing dedication to legislative duties, the Romualdez-led chamber has authorized all standing and special committees to conduct hearings throughout the Lenten break. The five-week break will end on April 28.