APRIL 14, 2012 DATE

NR # 2709C
REF. NO.

Solons vow to work harder and pursue legislative priorities as House, Speaker get higher ratings
House members today vowed to work harder and remain focused on their legislative agenda to ensure the enactment of the solons remaining priority measures and deliver more services to the people who gave the House of Representatives and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. higher satisfaction ratings in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The lawmakers said the higher satisfaction ratings are an affirmation of the peoples confidence and approval of the legislative agenda and performance of the House under the leadership of Speaker Belmonte. House Deputy Speaker Ma. Isabelle Climaco (1st District, Zamboanga City) said the welfare of the country and the people will remain the priority of the House during the 15th Congress. Every one works hard. Rest assured that we will continue to work on the passage of measures that will address poverty, unemployment, investments generation, education issues, among others. We are glad that the people have voiced their approval on the legislative direction weve been charting under the able leadership of Speaker Belmonte through the SWS and other surveys, said Climaco. Senior Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin (1st District, Iloilo) said the encouraging SWS survey results show that people appreciate the work done by the House in contributing to the fulfillment of the Aquino administrations promise for transparent and good governance, as well as socio-political and economic reforms. Survey or no survey, we should remain steadfast in our promise to improve the plight of the Filipino people and step up development in our country by passing relevant bills. And we acknowledge Speaker Belmonte for competently leading us on how to accomplish these goals during the 15th Congress, Garin said. Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (4th District, Isabela) said the higher satisfaction rating of the House manifests strong public confidence on the institution in initiating and passing pro-poor, pro-people measures. On the part of the Speaker, Aggabao said the positive and higher satisfactory rating of the top leader of the House also mirrors the high conviction rate the public showed against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in the latest survey.

I think the public sentiment so manifested is that, Congress was right to impeach him, said Aggabao, a member of the House prosecution panel. Rep. Simeon Datumanong (2nd District, Maguindanao) said even the Minority in the House does its part in the enactment of needed legislative measures. Every one is aware of his or her role in the House and carries this out diligently. We in the Minority cooperate in the enactment of legislative measures needed for national development while we continue our job to fiscalize in the interest of democracy. Datumanong, a former justice secretary, said there is strong teamwork in the House as promoted by Speaker Belmonte. His rising satisfaction rating means people have noticed that such teamwork exists and works effectively among House members. Rep. Teddy Casino (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, said the higher satisfaction ratings of the House and the Speaker mean that people are fully aware of and deeply appreciate the numerous accomplishments of the House. In fact, until adjournment last month, the House approved on third and final reading 13 priority measures identified by the House and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). This showed the firm commitment and dedication of the House to pass these important bills as soon as possible, unfazed by its demanding role in the impeachment trial, said Casino. Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (2nd District, Davao City) said the House will continue pursuing reforms for good governance, national development, poverty eradication, youth welfare and development, among others, during the remaining months of the 15 th Congress. We are glad that the people are pleased by what we have achieved so far. Speaker Belmonte has effectively steered the House toward approving important socio-economic measures vital for the progress of our country and prosperity of our people, said GarciaAlbano, an assistant majority leader. The high satisfactory rating shows that the chamber is doing its job contrary to reports that the legislative work has been affected by the impeachment proceedings, said Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte). In the March 2012 SWS survey, the House garnered an all-time high satisfaction rating of 56% from 46% in a previous survey. Speaker Belmonte meanwhile got a satisfaction rating of 39% from 33% in an earlier rating. (30) rbb