Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez believes that the House members in the 20th Congress have what it takes to outdo the previous 19th Congress, which he himself led as House Speaker.

This, as Romualdez gave a pep talk to over 60 first-term solons during a fellowship dinner on Wednesday night, July 9 at the Imelda Hall in Malacañang.

“We wound up the 19th Congress as a very, very productive one...Many say, and I tend to agree with them, that it was the most productive and most hard-working Congress in recent memory," said Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP).

“But I’m not going to leave it there...Because I think the 20th Congress may just live up to be the better one – with you there,” said the Visayan--beleived to be a shoo-in for the Speakership once sessions resume in the House of Representatives.

The 19th Congress House members filed a total of 11,557 bills and 2,393 resolutions; passed 1,565 measures; enacted 287 national and local laws; and processed an average of 29 measures per day in 188 session days.

But more importantly, the lower chanber under his watch paased 61 out of the 64 priority measures identified as the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). These are bills considered as top priority by Malacañang itself.

Romualdez's remarks served as both an affirmation of the solons' role and a call for responsibility, as he emphasized that the effectiveness of Congress depends on how well its members rise to the challenge of public service.

He stressed that while the 19th Congress had proven the House’s capacity for collaboration and reform, the incoming batch of lawmakers has the opportunity to infuse governance with new energy, ideas and urgency.

Romualdez also reminded the House newbies that legislative work goes beyond drafting bills or attending sessions.

“The House isn’t just about passing laws – it’s about listening, serving and lifting people up,” he said. “With your passion, drive and fresh perspectives, I truly believe we can make this 20th Congress the most dynamic yet.”

Before the evening was over, Romualdez challenged the attendees to exceed the accomplishments of the 19th Congress and deliver even more meaningful reforms in the 20th Congress.

“With you, the 20th Congress can be even better,” he said. 

The event capped the second batch of the three-day Executive Course on Legislation for neophyte members of the House of Representatives. It was organized by the House Secretariat in partnership with the University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).