House of Representatives
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Seventy members of the Lower House will end their term as congressmen this 16th Congress.
They have served as lawmakers for nine long years. And this is why Congress will be holding a graduation rite for them.
The graduating members include the following:
1. House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II
2. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares
3. Gabriela party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan
4. Yakap party-list Rep. Carol Lopez
5. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
6. Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo
7. Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez
8. Marikina Rep. Teodoro Marcelino
9. Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr.
10. Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab
Before Congress goes on sine die adjournment on June 6, it will acknowledge the contributions of the last termers and present the proposed bills under its term.
“We have the so-called ceremonial activity that is made the secretariat for graduating. So, Monday will be put last day both the ceremonial and to give way for the secretariat for the graduating members of the house,” Neptali Gonzales II said.
Cong. Neri Colmenares is delighted that his term as congressman is finally ending.
11 of 178 bills he filed were enacted into law.
Some of these are:
1. R.A. 9745 – Anti-torture Act
2. R.A. 10366- accessible polling places for persons with disabilities and senior citizens
3. R.A. 10368 – Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act
4. R.A. 10380 – Local Absentee Voting for Media
5. R.A. 10639 – Free Mobile Disaster Act
6. R.A. 10653- increased ceiling for tax exempt benefits
“It made me feel that I learned a lot of things here. So, no regrets. I enjoyed my congressional esteem,” said Cong. Colmenares.
The majority leader of the house,Neptali Gonzales II, is likewise happy to leave Congress.
He filed 44 bills under 16th Congress.
“From Feb. 3, 2016, we’ve been talking about national bills. The president signed already about 20 national bills and as to date there are 3 national bills that are awaiting the signature of the president,” Gonzales stated.
The sine die adjournment of Congress is set on June 6 while the 17th Congress will convene on the day of State of the Nation Address on July 25.
(GRACE CASIN/UNTV News)
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