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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Arroyo lends presence as Romualdez builds legislative consensus ahead of SONA

Arroyo lends presence as Romualdez builds legislative consensus ahead of SONA

Published Jul 8, 2025 11:49 pm

At A Glance

  • In what could be described as a moment of unity, Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined a key gathering of pro-administration solons three weeks ahead of President Marcos' fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (left), Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (left), Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PPAB)


In what could be described as a moment of unity, Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joined a key gathering of pro-administration solons three weeks ahead of President Marcos' fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The meeting, attended by House of Representatives members from Central and Southern Luzon, waa led by Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president and House Speaker of the previous 19th Congress.
During the event, Romualdez called on his colleagues to unite behind the President’s Bagong Pilipinas program and legislative roadmap for the 20th Congress, which will be fully laid out in his SONA on July 28.
Arroyo, who served as president from 2001 to 2010, still holds sway in the lower chamber and has been supportive of her party-mate Romualdez's leadership and the Marcos administration in general.
Romualdez--President Marcos' top ally in the legislature--also presented the first 20 House bills (HB) he filed in the 20th Congress as part of a comprehensive reform agenda.
“These measures are designed not only to support the President’s vision but also to address real needs on the ground—from food security to healthcare, education to digital governance, and job creation to national security,” he said.
He also emphasized that policy-making should not be done in a vacuum, and used the occasion to consult with the solons about their local development priorities and concerns that need national support.
“Our job in Congress is to ensure national development reaches every district, every barangay, every Filipino. That starts with listening to you—your concerns, your aspirations for your provinces, and the legislative or oversight tools you need to make that happen," Romualdez said.
“That’s why I also invited you here today because we also have to make sure that we have this dialogues so that we are sensitive and responsive to the needs of your constituents,” the ex-Speaker added.
Romualdez also assured fellow lawmakers that the House will exercise its oversight functions vigorously to ensure proper implementation of national programs and alignment with regional priorities.
The president of the dominant Lakas-CMD party also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the needs of Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog will be heard and addressed in the national agenda.
Romualdez went on to enumerate his first 20 billa in the 20th Congress:
1. HB No. 1: Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act
2. HB No. 2: Strengthening the Philippine Health Care System
3. HB No. 3: Philippine Centers for Disease Prevention and Control Act
4. HB No. 4: E-GASTPE Act – Expanding Government Support to Private School Students and Teachers
5. HB No. 5: Eastern Visayas Development Authority Act
6. HB No. 6: Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone Act
7. HB No. 7: Amending the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits (RA 1045)
8. HB No. 8: Immigration Modernization Act
9. HB No. 9: Cybersecurity Act
10. HB No. 10: Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART) Act
11. HB No. 11: Budget Modernization Act
12. HB No. 12: National Land Use Act
13. HB No. 13: Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act
14. HB No. 14: Expanded Agricultural Insurance Act
15. HB No. 15: Green Lanes for Strategic Investments Act
16. HB No. 16: Enhanced Discounts for Senior Citizens and PWDs Act
17. HB No. 17: Freelance Workers’ Protection Act
18. HB No. 18: Last Mile Schools Act
19. HB No. 19: National Quality Infrastructure Development Act
20. HB No. 20: Enhanced National Shelter Program Act
Romualdez said these measures will be formally recommended to the House majority bloc as part of the priority legislative calendar once the 20th Congress opens its regular session also on July 28.
Arroyo and the attending House members expressed appreciation for the early dialogue and reaffirmed their readiness to work together for their collective mission of transforming the Philippines into a stronger and more inclusive nation.
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