SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday expressed his optimism as to the House of Representatives’ performance as the 19th Congress approaches its conclusion, highlighting its near-complete fulfillment of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures and its commitment to delivering responsive legislation under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
Speaker Romualdez underscored the House’s accomplishments, citing the passage of 27 out of 28 LEDAC priority measures and 61 out of 64 priority measures under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) for the 19th Congress, including SONA priorities and additional Congress priority measures.
“We are well on track to achieving our legislative goals under President Marcos administration. These laws and measures are concrete testaments to our unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation,” Speaker Romualdez said. “Our mission is clear: to ensure that every Filipino benefits from these reforms.”
The 28 LEDAC priority measures slated for approval before the conclusion of the 19th Congress are as follows:
Enacted into law (11)
1. Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act – Republic Act (RA) No. 12009
2. Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act (AFASA) – RA 12010
3. Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act – RA 12022
4. VAT on Digital Transactions – RA 12023
5. Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act (SRDP) – RA 12024
6. Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) – RA 12028
7. Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Program – RA 12063
8. Philippine Maritime Zones – RA 12064
9. Archipelagic Sea Lanes – RA 12065
10. CREATE MORE – RA 12066
11. Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) – RA 12078
Under Conference Committee (2):
12. Blue Economy
13. Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease
Approved on Third Reading (14):
14. Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets
15. Amendments to the Right-of-Way
16. Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics
17. Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime
18. Department of Water Resources/ National Water Resources
19. Amendments to the Universal Health Care
20. Open Access in Data Transmission
21. Waste Treatment Technology
22. Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program/ Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
23. Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill
24. E-Governance
25. Amendments to the Philippine Immigration Act
26. New Government Auditing Code
27. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) (Rationalizing the Mandate of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation)
Still Under Committee Deliberation (1):
28. Amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law (this is the only measure not yet acted upon).
The Speaker also highlighted the House’s significant contributions to passing 61 out of 64 priority measures under the CLA for the 19th Congress, which included SONA priorities and additional Congress priority measures.
They are:
Enacted into Law (29)
1. SIM Registration Act (RA 11934)
2. Postponement of Barangay/SK Elections (RA 11935)
3. Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP (RA 11939)
4. New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953)
5. Maharlika Investment Fund (RA 11954)
6. Regional Specialty Hospitals (RA 11959)
7. National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS)/Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act (RA 11962)
8. LGU Income Classification (RA 11964)
9. Amendments to the BOT Law/PPP Bill (RA 11966)
10. Internet Transaction Act/E-Commerce Law (RA 11967)
11. Ease of Paying Taxes (RA 11976)
12. Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act (RA 11981)
13. New Philippine Passport Act (RA 11983)
14. Revitalizing the Salt Industry Bill (RA 11985)
15. Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) (RA 11995)
16. Negros Island Region (NIR) (RA 12000)
17. Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) (RA 12001)
18. Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 12009)
19. Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act (AFASA) (RA 12010)
20. Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (RA 12021)
21. Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act (RA 12022)
22. VAT on Digital Transactions (RA 12023)
23. Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) (RA 12024)
24. Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) (RA 12028)
25. Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Program (RA 12063)
26. Philippine Maritime Zones (RA 12064)
27. Archipelagic Sea Lanes (RA 12065)
28. CREATE MORE (RA 12066)
29. Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) (RA 12078)
Transmitted to the President (1)
30. Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry
Under Conference Committee (2)
31. Blue Economy Law
32. Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease
Approved on Third Reading (28)
33. Virology Institute of the Philippines
34. Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA)
35. National Disease Prevention Management Authority
36. Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART)
37. Waste Treatment Technology
38. Free Legal Assistance for Police and Soldiers
39. Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers
40. Eastern Visayas Development Authority (EVDA)
41. Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone
42. Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE)
43. Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program/Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
44. E-Governance
45. National Government Rightsizing Program
46. Amendments to the Universal Health Care
47. Comprehensive Infrastructure Development Master Plan
48. National Land Use
49. Philippine Immigration
50. Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law
51. Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics
52. Amendments to the Fisheries Code
53. Open Access in Data Transmission
54. Amendments to the Right-of-Way
55. Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension Reform Bill
56. Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime
57. New Government Auditing Code
58. Department of Water Resources/National Water Resources
59. Amendments to the Cooperative Code
60. Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets
61. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) – Rationalizing the Mandate of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation)
For Committee Deliberation (3 – Not yet approved)
62. Budget Modernization Bill
63. National Defense Act
64. Amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law
“We worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of laws that directly impact the lives of Filipinos as instructed by President Marcos,” Speaker Romualdez said. “Our goal remains to finish strong by passing the remaining measures to achieve 100% approval of all LEDAC priority bills.”
The House’s achievements reflect its commitment to the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of President Marcos, particularly in fostering economic recovery, national development and institutional reforms.
“We are working hand in hand with the executive branch to ensure that these measures address our people’s needs and aspirations,” he added.
The Speaker commended his colleagues for their dedication and diligence, emphasizing the importance of their work in ensuring a brighter future for all Filipinos.
“Our collective effort as lawmakers will define the legacy of the 19th Congress,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring an efficient legislative process and continued collaboration with the Senate and the executive branch.
“With our strong legislative agenda and unified vision, I am confident that we will achieve our remaining targets and deliver on our promises to the Filipino people,” he stated.
The House is set to reconvene in January, aiming to finalize the remaining LEDAC and House priority measures, reinforcing its drive to uphold legislative excellence and public service.
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