The House of Representatives formally opened on Monday morning, July 25, its first regular session for the 19th Congress, with a total of 309 representatives present.
The secretary general presided over the morning session pending the selection of the new House speaker.
With 283 affirmative votes, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as the House Speaker of the 19th Congress following his nomination by Ilocos Rep. Sandro Marcos.
Former president and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also selected as the Senior Deputy Speaker.
Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio was present in the opening of the 19th Congress, where she was welcomed by lawmakers.
The Lower House and the Senate are expected to be in a joint session this afternoon for the first State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos. —Report from Daniel Manalastas/KC-ag
