By Billy Begas
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday asked Filipinos to include members of the House of Representatives in their prayers “so that we may be guided in steering the country toward the right direction.”
Romualdez said the right direction is “the path to economic stability and a country where no one gets left behind.”
He said the right direction is to achieve the goals of poverty alleviation, food security, and sustainable development and to bring the country to a time when Filipino workers will no longer leave the country out of necessity, rather, they will work overseas because of their skills, talent, work ethics, creativity, and hospitality.
“We (lawmakers) understand the importance and necessity of our job, and we will always strive to fulfill our duty to the best of our abilities. We will maintain the highest standards, adhere to the principles of law and justice, and protect the rights of all citizens. We will not falter in our commitment to serve the public for the greater good and we resolve to make the necessary sacrifices to help each other in these challenging times,” Romualdez said.
As families and friends count down the minutes to welcome 2023 while gathering for the Media Noche, Romualdez said the Filipinos should “be thankful for the year that was, and be hopeful and steadfast in our pursuit of a better future.”
“The opening of a new year is an opportunity to start fresh, whether we set out goals for self-improvement, rekindle broken ties, embark on career advancement, or just enjoy the simple pleasures of life. The beginning of the year should serve as a reminder to enjoy life and make the most of what we have,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez also urged the public to take the time to reflect on the past year and use the lessons to make the upcoming year even better.
“May the coming year bring peace, prosperity, and health to everyone. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!” the House leader added.
In the short period of the 19th Congress, Romualdez said “the House of the People has exceeded its expectations in terms of approving remedial legislation and passing the budget” and attributed this to “the good working relationship among the Members of both Houses of Congress, who are responsive to the needs of the times.”
