Ahead of SONA, Speaker Romualdez sets House agenda; 2025 budget a top priority

A week before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the resumption of session, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday assured that the House of Representatives is committed to passing the 2025 national budget, remaining Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority bills, and possible additional key SONA measures.

“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,” Speaker Romualdez said.

He said the House eagerly awaits the executive branch’s proposed P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP), which will form the basis for the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), and aims to pass it before the end of September.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong legislative chamber said the swift and timely passage of next year’s national budget is a top priority.

“The 2025 national budget is essential for sustaining our nation’s growth and addressing the immediate needs of our citizens, and the House is ready to ensure its swift approval to support our development and progress,” the Speaker said.

He added, “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.”

The 2025 national budget, which represents a 10-percent increase from this year’s P5.768-trillion allocation, is equivalent to 22 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

The Department of Budget and Management is expected to submit the 2025 NEP to Congress on July 29, following its review by the full cabinet.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the NEP must be submitted to Congress within 30 days after the SONA. Once approved, it becomes the GAB, and then the General Appropriations Act when signed into law by the President.

In addition to the 2025 national budget, Speaker Romualdez said the House is ready to pass all the President’s priority measures during the remaining session days of the 19th Congress.

“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,” the Speaker said after the House of Representatives approved all the SONA measures asked by the President last year.

In his upcoming SONA, President Marcos is expected to outline key legislative measures aimed at addressing the country’s most urgent issues and driving its growth agenda.

“These SONA measures are crucial for addressing our nation’s immediate needs and promoting sustainable development,” the House chief said. “We will work closely with the executive branch to ensure their swift and successful passage.”

Speaker Romualdez said the bigger chamber is also dedicated to passing all remaining LEDAC priority bills.

“We are committed to completing the legislative agenda by passing these crucial measures. They are vital for our nation’s progress and prosperity, and we will ensure they are enacted swiftly and effectively,” he said.

Since the start of the 19th Congress in July 2022, the House has shown impressive legislative output.

“The House has diligently prioritized LEDAC bills, leading to substantial progress, with over 12,000 measures filed and 75 bills enacted into law,” the Speaker said.

This robust legislative activity, he said, “underscores our commitment to addressing the diverse needs of our nation.”

Among the notable laws enacted are the Act Emancipating Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries from Financial Burden, the Act Establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund, the Act Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans, the Act Establishing Specialty Centers in DOH Hospitals and GOCC Specialty Hospitals, the Act Establishing the National Employment Master Plan (Trabaho Para sa Bayan), the Act Protecting Online Consumers and Merchants Engaged in Internet Transactions, the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, the Act Granting Benefits to Filipino Octogenarians and Nonagenarians, the Act Mandating Educational Institutions to Allow Disadvantaged Students to Take Examinations Despite Unpaid Fees, the Act Protecting Workers in the Movie and Television Industry, the Act Institutionalizing Teaching Allowances for Public School Teachers, the Act Extending the Availment of Estate Tax Amnesty, and the Act Mandating Private Higher Educational Institutions to Waive College Entrance Examination Fees for Certain Students.

From July 2022 to June 2024, a total of 12,405 measures were filed, including 10,565 bills, 1,839 resolutions, and one petition.

During the same period, 1,123 committee reports were filed and 75 bills were enacted into law, comprising 30 national and 45 local measures.

Speaker Romualdez reaffirmed the House’s commitment to passing the remaining three of the 28 LEDAC bills targeted for approval before the end of the 19th Congress: amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the Agrarian Reform Law, and the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act.

The amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law and the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act are also among the five new priority bills identified during the recent full LEDAC meeting, which Speaker Romualdez vowed the House will advance.

The other three priorities—the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, Reforms to the Philippine Capital Markets, and Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law—have all been approved by the House on third and final reading.

“Our focus on these new LEDAC measures demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enacting laws that drive national progress,” the Speaker said.

Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez expressed his anticipation of a more vibrant collaboration with the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

“I look forward to a robust partnership with the Senate, led by Senate President Escudero. Together, we can achieve significant legislative milestones that will profoundly benefit our nation,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“This collaboration is vital to ensuring our legislative efforts are cohesive and effective in addressing the pressing needs of our people,” he added.