By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The House of Representatives formally opened its first regular session for the 20th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, July 28, with a total of 317 representatives present.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco presided over the morning session pending the selection of the new House speaker.
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was elected as the House Speaker, following his nomination by Quezon Province 2nd District Rep. David Suarez and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, who was elected and nominated by his colleagues as the House Majority Leader.
Meanwhile, the Senate also convened for its first regular session. All 24 senators were present in the session hall at the opening, including first-time members Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Erwin Tulfo, and Camille Villar, as well as returning Senators Bam Aquino, Ping Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan, and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
With 19 votes, Senator Francis Escudero was reelected as the Senate President of the 20th Congress, following his nomination by Senators Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald Dela Rosa, and Raffy Tulfo.
The lawmakers also retained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as the Senate President Pro Tempore.
Members of the chamber also elected Sen. Joel Villanueva as the Senate Majority Leader and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Rules and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III as the Senate Minority Leader.
The elected Senate officials formally took their oath as the Senate opened its session.
The Senate and the House of Representatives will hold a joint session at 4:00 p.m. Monday at the Batasang Pambansa to hear President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
avds
