A WEEK before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), Speaker Martin Romualdez gave assurances that the House of Representatives would pass remaining priority bills and additional measures that the President might mention in the SONA.
"The House is ready to take swift and decisive action to ensure these legislative priorities are met, paving the way for sustained development and progress under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos," Romualdez said.
"We are fully committed to passing all the bills that President Marcos will possibly outline in his SONA. The House is ready and determined to work diligently to ensure these critical measures are enacted swiftly to support our nation's progress and development," he said.
Marcos will deliver his SONA on July 22.
The Constitution states that the President "shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session."
Romualdez reaffirmed the House's commitment to passing the remaining three of 28 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council measures prioritized before the 19th Congress ends in 2025: amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, of the Agrarian Reform Law, and of the Foreign Investors' Long-Term Lease Act.
The next or 20th Congress will start its first regular session in 2025 after the May elections.
Romualdez said the House eagerly awaits the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025, which will come from the executive branch and which lawmakers will use in crafting the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
The swift and timely passage of the 2025 national budget is a top priority, he said.
"We are ready and determined to work hard to pass the 2025 GAB before we go on break at the end of September. We will ensure the timely transmission of the spending bill to the Senate for their consideration as well," he added.
The proposed 2025 national budget is 10 percent more than the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024.
The Department of Budget and Management is expected to submit the 2025 NEP to the House on July 29.
The President will submit the proposed budget to Congress within 30 days from the opening of every regular session.
Romualdez said he looks forward "to a robust partnership with the Senate, led by Senate President [Francis] Escudero. Together, we can achieve significant legislative milestones that will profoundly benefit our nation." "This collaboration is vital to ensuring our legislative efforts are cohesive and effective in addressing the pressing needs of our people," he said.
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