FORMER House Deputy Speaker (DS) and now Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI) president, Rose Marie “Tita Baby” Arenas, on Monday paid tribute to the Secretariat officials and staff of the House of Representatives, calling them “unsung heroes” whose seamless work and dedication largely contributed to milestones for Congress.
Arenas commended the House Secretariat during Monday’s flag raising ceremony hosted by the House Engineering and Physical Facilities Department headed by Deputy Secretary-General Engr. Floro Banaybanay.
“You are the foundation by which we are able to carry out our mandate. And you are the pillar of strength through our every struggle here. Indeed, there are no milestones for Congress without the seamless work and dedication of the Secretariat. Truly, you are the unsung heroes. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead. I love you and God bless us all,” said Arenas, former representative of the third district of Pangasinan.
She cited the country’s exceptional hosting of the 38th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly or AIPA in 2017 as a prime example of the quality of the House Secretariat’s work.
“It was a masterpiece that has become the gold standard for future AIPA general assemblies. I cannot imagine receiving my AIPA Distinguished Service Award in Cambodia, a distinction that has eluded the Philippines for 20 years, without you in my AIPA journey,” she said.
Arenas also thanked the House Secretariat who have made things possible for the CSFI, where she is serving as president.
“I hope to foster in our CSFI members a stronger sense of belongingness by holding our events here, to be as close as possible to you and to our House Members. The CSFI is home, not only to the families of our House Members, but also to the former and future members of Congress. This means having you as an indispensable partner of the CSFI,” Arenas said.
For all this, Arenas thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and House Committee on Accounts chairperson Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog Party-list for all their support, guidance and inspiration.
Arenas said she and her daughter only have immense gratitude for the Secretariat’s selfless service and sacrifice.
“We will never forget how you faithfully served and championed the cause of this institution. You are my extended family, and Congress, my second home,” she said.
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