MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has challenged over 60 first-term lawmakers to surpass the achievements of the 19th Congress and deliver more meaningful reforms as they join the 20th Congress.

Speaking during a fellowship dinner at the Imelda Hall of Aguado Residence in Malacañang, Romualdez emphasized the importance of their role in shaping the country’s future, capping off the second batch of the three-day Executive Course on Legislation for neophyte lawmakers.

“We wound up the 19th Congress as a very, very productive one,” said Romualdez, citing the House’s passage of 61 out of the 64 priority bills under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). The 19th Congress also saw the filing of 11,557 bills and 2,393 resolutions, the passage of 1,565 measures, and the enactment of 287 national and local laws.

“Many say, and I tend to agree with them, that it was the most productive and most hard-working Congress in recent memory,” he added. “But I’m not going to leave it there. Because I think the 20th Congress may just live up to be the better one – with you there.”

Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), urged the new lawmakers to inject fresh ideas and energy into legislative work, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” governance vision.

“The House isn’t just about passing laws – it’s about listening, serving and lifting people up,” he told the lawmakers. “With your passion, drive and fresh perspectives, I truly believe we can make this 20th Congress the most dynamic yet.”

The event was part of an executive course organized by the House Secretariat in partnership with the University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG). The program aimed to equip new House members with knowledge in legislative processes, budgeting, committee work, parliamentary rules, and ethics in public service.

Romualdez was joined by several House leaders including Quezon Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez, former Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Davao de Oro Rep. Maricar Zamora, House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” Velasco, and Deputy Secretary Generals Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada and David Robert Amorin.

Also in attendance were members of the House’s emerging young leaders, including Reps. Paolo Ortega V (La Union), Jay Khonghun (Zambales), Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Ernix Dionisio (Manila), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro), Andrew Julian K. Romualdez (Tingog Party-list), Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Negros Occidental), Ryan S. Recto (Batangas), Brian Poe-Llamanzares (FPJ Panday Bayanihan), and Leandro Legarda Leviste (Batangas).

“With you, the 20th Congress can be even better,” Romualdez said in closing.