The House of Representatives led by Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III is ready to act on President Marcos' legislative clarion call--particularly on tax relief and the removal of systems loss charge in electricity bills--as laid out in the latter's fifth and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.

Dy said the President’s address provides Congress with a clear legislative direction as lawmakers begin work on the administration’s priority measures, including proposals to ease the tax burden on Filipinos and lower electricity costs.

“Ang SONA ang nagtatakda ng direksyon ng administrasyon. Ang papel ng Kamara ay tiyaking mabibigyan ito ng kinakailangang suporta sa pamamagitan ng maayos, masusi, at napapanahong pagtalakay ng mga panukala,” the Speaker from Isabela 6th district said.

(The SONA sets the direction of the administration. The role of the House is to ensure it receives the necessary support through proper, thorough, and timely deliberation of measures.)

Responding to the President’s legislative requests, Dy said the House is prepared to prioritize measures that would expand the income tax exemption to cover more workers earning up to P350,000 annually; reduce income taxes for other workers; exempt small businesses from the minimum corporate income tax; and grant tax amnesty for unpaid income tax, estate tax, donor’s tax, value-added tax (VAT), and the corresponding penalties.

“The House fully supports the President’s call to provide meaningful tax relief to our people. We will carefully study these proposals and work to pass measures that will allow Filipino workers to keep more of what they earn, help small businesses grow, and give qualified taxpayers a fresh start through a fair and responsible tax amnesty,” Dy said.

He also welcomed the President’s call for reforms aimed at reducing electricity costs, including the passage of the Sariling Kuryente Act to make rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems more accessible and affordable for households, as well as amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to prohibit the charging of systems loss and the corresponding VAT to consumers.

“The President has made it clear that bringing down electricity costs is a national priority, and the House stands ready to do its part. We will give due priority to the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and the amendments to the EPIRA to ensure that consumers are no longer made to shoulder charges that should not be passed on to them,” the Speaker said.

Dy said the President’s message is in line with the direction he outlined at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, where he urged fellow lawmakers to prioritize reforms that directly benefit ordinary Filipinos.

“Ang hamon ngayon ay tiyaking ang bawat panukalang tatalakayin ng Kamara ay may malinaw na pakinabang sa bawat Pilipino. Iyan ang magiging sukatan ng ating trabaho,” noted the House leader.

(The challenge now is to ensure that every measure the House tackles has a clear benefit for every Filipino. That will be the measure of our work.)

He also underscored the importance of close coordination between the executive and legislative branches in carrying out the administration’s agenda.

“These are practical reforms that respond to the everyday concerns of Filipino families. The House is committed to working closely with the Executive to turn these priorities into laws that will ease the cost of living, strengthen our economy, and improve the quality of life of every Filipino,” Dy said.

He said the House would continue to uphold responsible and people-centered lawmaking.

“Sa huli, iisa lang ang layunin ng ehekutibo at lehislatura—ang makapaghatid ng mas maayos na serbisyo at mas magandang buhay para sa bawat Pilipino. Mas madali natin itong magagawa kung sama-sama tayong kumikilos,” Dy said.

(In the end, the executive and legislature share one goal—to deliver better service and a better life for every Filipino. We can achieve this more easily if we act together.)

“Hindi lamang pagpasa ng batas ang mahalaga. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang pagtiyak na ang bawat batas ay may tunay na saysay at pakinabang sa ating mga kababayan."

(It is not only the passage of laws that matters. What matters more is ensuring that each law has real meaning and benefit for our people.)

Monday marked the start of the second regular session of the 20th Congress under the Marcos administration.