Fellow Members of the House, friends and partners in governance, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Eighteen years ago today, I took my oath for the first time as a Member of the House of Representatives. On my third term, in 2001, I was honored with the privilege of serving this House as its 18th Speaker.
Through the next 9 years, from 2001 to June 2010, the people of Quezon City would entrust to me, for 3 consecutive terms, the rein of their City government. Many of those who worked hard with me in transforming Quezon City are here now in the audience, still giving me moral support.
Last May, the constituents of the 4th District of Quezon City, gave me the privilege to represent them anew in Congress.
My colleagues, today, you have given me back a rare honor. Through your trust and confidence, I stand here once again as the Speaker of the House of the People. Thank you for your overwhelming support. Be assured that I will work hard to earn this confidence. I am confident that you will help me succeed since, in electing me, you have as much stake as I have, in this success.
It is truly heart-warming and very humbling, that across the political spectrum, transcending political boundaries, new and old friends, even former political adversaries, chose to entrust me the leadership of this chamber for the next three years.
More so, since this 15th Congress opens at a time of no ordinary political transition. Last May, the people of the Philippines did not only cast their votes for their chosen candidates. The overwhelming majority used their electoral power to usher in a change in governance that is much more responsive to the public good.
The Filipino people have set very high expectations for all branches of government. Our President, Benigno Aquino III, is clearly setting the standards for exemplary public service. Congress should not set for itself, a benchmark of service to the Filipino people that is anything less.
While party affiliations may have put us at odds during the political campaign, the common thread that runs through each of us is that all of us are inspired and fired up by the interests of the constituencies that we serve.
While our constituencies may be different, we know that all are tied together by the common need of the Filipino people for a life that is free yet secure, economically vibrant, environmentally healthy, peaceful and socially accepting.
Our business is to continue to make sure that our laws sustainably assure the fulfillment of these aspirations.
Even before President Aquino took his oath of office last June 30, an overwhelming mood of hopeful change greeted his election.
Today, that hope has evolved into widespread public confidence that is visibly seen and felt – in the Filipinos who have renewed their faith in government, in local and foreign businessmen who have become aggressive in their investment plans, and in the emerging resurgence of the Philippines, in the eyes of the global community.
We must see to it that the House of Representatives contributes to this remarkable crest of change, and works further to maximize the advantages we are beginning to gain.
Our mandate is to make sure that our legislative agenda not only fully supports our country’s resurgence, but further ignites it. Remember, decades ago, the Philippines was among the fastest growing countries of Asia, neck and neck with its leading economies. Pwede ba nating ambisyonin muli ito?
We have so many important challenges and tasks ahead of us - liberating millions of our people from the shackles of poverty, ensuring our global competitiveness, peace in Mindanao, and so forth.
Let us keep in mind that government efficiency, economic well-being, and the attainment of public good are directly correlated to each other in the perception of the public.
My colleagues, the honor you have conferred on me, as your Speaker, comes with it my commitment to strengthen the House of Representatives, resolute as a co-equal branch of our government.
Co-equal in power and independent - certainly, but also accountable. We are accountable to each and every Filipino that we serve. We are accountable, according to the laws of the land. We are accountable, according to the universal values of honesty and integrity.
When I was Mayor of Quezon City, my first order of business was putting our house in order.
I believe that this internally driven review and improvement of the way things are run is a good formula to follow in this house of ours.
It will create a good foundation for a Philippine Congress that is an advocate of reforms and practitioner of good governance, and credible, because it began to champion the change within itself, even as it looked beyond.
Let us be one in promoting a strong work ethic among ourselves including the House Secretariat. Let us show our commitment through consistent attendance to our duties in the committees, in plenary, as well as to our constituencies.
In all my years in public service, I have always observed prudence and judiciousness in the use and allocation of funds. During these times when the entire national government must function within tight financial restraints, it would be good practice to opt for ways to optimize resources, to get maximum public value for every peso budgeted and spent. We should continuously aim to promote higher levels of efficiency.
Let us be judicious and prudent in crafting the national budget, we should relate agency performance and results obtained in promoting the welfare of the people and our country, to their share of these agencies' public funds. Let us use our power of the purse to prod government agencies to meet their performance targets. Let us clearly delineate the duties and responsibilities of government officials to prevent abuses and to minimize opportunities for graft and corruption.
The use of PDAF should engender no suspicion, but general agreement that they are used widely to give each district a socio economic lift, through greater transparency and focus on our projects.
Before the end of August, we shall define the legislative agenda for the 15th Congress. We shall be setting the policy blueprint for national growth and social reform for the next few years.
We hope to harmonize our priorities, with those of the Senate and the Executive, the program of P.Noy, so that the passage of priority measures can timely, efficient and responsive.
Ours will be a progressive and forward-looking House, able to overcome self-interest to raise the Filipinos and the Philippines to a proud stature in the global ranking of nations.
The 15th Congress shall be a strong, independent and accountable arm of government – because all of us are capable and productive partners in making this happen.
Through our election and oath of office, we have made a joint committee to give our people a much better life. Let us bravely embrace this challenge. What we do or failed to do, does matter.
Our country's future is at stake.
I am convinced that we, the Members of the 15th Congress, shall be the most ardent movers of the Philippines' social and economic transformation. All of you and I shall work collaboratively to make this happen, with God’s help.
May I now extend my hand to all of you: To those who supported me, to those who believed in me, my sincere and heart-felt gratitude; to my worthy opponent and dear friend, the gentleman from Albay, Edcel Lagman, and those who supported him, I extend my hand of cooperation. Let us work together, for this House is our House.
Let us make it, a true House, and for the benefit of all the people of the Philippines.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! Mabuhay and Pilipinas.
