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Opposition congressmen who supported a leadership change in the
House of Representatives said they are “impressed” with the way
newly-elected House Speaker Prospero Nograles performed during his
first days in office, as the 240-member chamber approved in just a
matter of two sessions a total of five national bills on third
reading, and three national bills and 32 local bills on second
reading.
In a joint statement, minority stalwarts Reps.
Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and Carlos Padilla Jr. of Nueva
Vizcaya said the Lower House managed to chalk up a “very
productive” record, just two days following the election of
Speaker Nograles, citing the smooth plenary proceedings.
Rodriguez said the first two session days under
the leadership of Nograles showed encouraging signs that the
minority and majority can actually find a common ground and work
together on the passage of very important legislations.
Padilla said “so far, so good. There are
marked improvements in the overall plenary proceedings.” But he
said there is a need to “address the perennial problem of
Congressmen leaving the plenary hall after the roll call.”
“We need warm bodies to be able to discuss and
pass important legislations,” Padilla pointed out.
Earlier on Tuesday, the House passed on third
reading five national bills and 16 other local measures with
lawmakers providing an “unprecedented” plenary quorum.
The House marked its highest attendance on
Monday during the change in leadership and registered an average of
207 congressmen present in plenary in the succeeding session days.
-- Maricel V. Cruz
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