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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gonzales, fellow deputy speakers get spotlight in House resolution

Gonzales, fellow deputy speakers get spotlight in House resolution

Published Jun 18, 2025 08:19 pm

At A Glance

  • A lot has been said about how Speaker Martin Romualdez steered the House of Representatives to new heights in the just-concluded 19th Congress. But his collective "first mates"--his deputies led by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales III--also did their part steadying the ship these past three years.
Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales III (Facebook)
Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales III (Facebook)


A lot has been said about how Speaker Martin Romualdez steered the House of Representatives to new heights in the just-concluded 19th Congress.
But his collective first mates--his deputies led by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Dong Gonzales III--also did their part steadying the ship these past three years.
As such, Gonzales and company were commended under House Resolution (HR) No.2333, a measure that was adopted in plenary last week before the sine die adjournment of the 19th Congress.
Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan authored the resolution.
Commended in particular for their “devoted and outstanding service” were deputy speakers past and present--Gonzales, Raymond Democrito Mendoza, Roberto Puno, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Isidro Ungab, Camille Villar, Ralph Recto, Vincent Franco Frasco, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Antonio Albano, Yasser Alonto Balindong, and David Suarez.
Gonzales expressed his “profound gratitude” to Romualdez for giving him the “singular honor and privilege” of serving the House, the nation, and the administration of President
Marcos as senior deputy speaker.
The resolution said the 11 incumbent and former deputy speakers “heeded the call to serve as the second highest-ranking officials of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.
They said the essential responsibilities of the senior deputy speaker and deputy speakers “encompass the assumption of the duties and powers of the Speaker of the House, when necessary.
They also do “oversight, coordination and facilitation of actions on legislative measures, requests and other concerns raised by members in representation of their constituencies.
They likewise “recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action aimed at enhancing the legislative process and improving the quality of legislative measures.
The resolution’s authors said the deputy speakers “exhibited exceptional stewardship and statesmanship under the distinguished guidance and direction of Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales Jr., thereby facilitating the enactment of several landmark legislative measures, particularly those prioritized by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Such measures include Republic Act (RA) No. 11962 (Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act), RA No. 12028 (Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Act), RA No.12021 (Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers), RA No.12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act), and RA 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sealanes Act).
“The successful passage of these vital legislative measures stands as a resounding affirmation of the dedication, leadership and legislative acumen demonstrated by the Senior Deputy Speaker and Deputy Speakers, reflecting their unwavering commitment to advancing the policy agenda and addressing the needs of the Filipino people through their pivotal roles in the House of Representatives,” HR No.2333 read.
“Through their resolute commitment, strategic oversight and unwavering adherence to democratic principles, the Senior Deputy Speaker and Deputy Speakers steadfastly ensured that the constitutional mandate of the House of Representatives was not only honored but rigorously upheld as the paramount guidepost of legislative action throughout the 19th Congress,” it further stated.
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