HOUSE members led by Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano on Monday justified the importance of the conduct of daily press briefings, saying that these help inform the public about the plans and accomplishments of the House of Representatives for the welfare and benefit of the Filipino people.
Albano said daily press conferences had been planned since the start of the 19th Congress to keep the public informed about what the House is working for, including their legislative accomplishments and other pending responsibilities.
“These daily press conferences are therefore warranted and no one has the right to question and ask us to stop these. In fact, anyone who criticizes these daily press conferences that we do should stop interfering with our important work of making known the legislative accomplishments and agenda of the House of the people,” Albano said.
Cagayan Rep. Ramon Nolasco Jr. stated that the House’s accomplishments are at 94.7 to 100 percent, with all 17 priority measures mentioned during the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) already approved on Third Reading,
“So as you can see, the House is actually six months in advance to the next SONA of our President when it comes to the 17 priority measure bills that the President has told Congress to approve,” Albano said.
The remaining priority measures that the House will take action on are the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the Budget Modernization Bill and the National Defense Act.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing added that the House has also approved 472 local bills.
“As congressmen, I think what sets us apart is we have particular constituencies that we take care of. That’s why we would also like to highlight the hundreds and hundreds of local bills that we have passed on third reading,” she said.
Albano also urged the public and the media to listen and be fairly informed, and disseminate the critical information that the lawmakers provide in their daily press conferences.
He appealed for other institutions to conduct their own press briefings so that the citizenry will likewise be informed of their duties, responsibilities and accomplishments.
Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez was also present during the morning press conference.
