in ltm Gongress citeil

By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco

THE House oI Repiesentatives ha6 adopted House
Resolution (HR) No. 2599 expre$ing the apprccia-
tion of the House of Representatives for the remark-
able achievement6 and contributions by the House
leader8hip, the Maiodty and the Minority Leaders,
the chairpersons oI the standing and special commitj
tees, the congr$sional staff, the Secretariat peFon-
nel, and other entities and individuals, that have
contiibuted to the outstanding perfomrance of the
House of Reprcsentatives during the 17th Congress.
HR No, 2599, principally authored by Spealer Gloria
Macapagal-Aroyo, House Majority Leader Fredenil
Castro and House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, cites
that the 17th Congress oftlie Republic ofthe Philippines
reaches the culmination of its term with pride after a
successful run toiMard the enactment ofmeaningfirl and
vital legislative measuies.
The resolution states that during the Fi$t and Second
Regular Sessions, fomer Speaker Pantaleon Alvalez the Standing and Special Comnittees were equally
proved his d i slmctive leadership to promote e\cellence competent in prcviding the guidance and clear definition
in pub lic service and facilitad the enachnen t ofseveral necessary to create, discu$s and approve substantive
miasures tha t resolved a rdnge of issues deemed crucial and beneficial bills and resolutions for the consideration
towa-rd buiJding a morcresponsive govemmenl. of tlie Congress of the Philippines.
It further sl.al.es Lhat during the Third Regu.lar Ses- With their institutional knowledge and experience,
sion,Spea-ker Arroyoeffectively steered the Houseto rise the Sesetar-ia t olficials dnd employees skillfully aided
a bove thepressure ofvarying personages and ideologies tJre House leadership and all House Memberp.
composirig the legislature, and wi th her usual grit and The seryices rendered by the CongressionaJ staff were
steady resolve, led the House Members to perform wi th likewise critical for they have provided the first line of
determination, compassion and open-mindedness. assistance required by the House Members and as such,
The Deputy Speakers deliveied exceptional contuol should be duly recognized, the resolution states.
and wisdom while presiding over *re Plinary sessions The House of Representatives is likewise grateful to
and assuming the du ties ard powers of the Speaker, and the distinguished persons in various govemment agell-
were instr:urnental in the fomulation of appropriate cies who selflessly renrlered their support and techrrical
policies, stral.egies and programs of actiorr ?6t , more expertise during the legislative process.
responsive and dlmamic House., it states. fhe resolution states that the synergy among the
Moreover, it cites the Maiority and the Minority House leadership, House members, Seiietariat, Con-
l,eaders' admirable feat ol harmbnizing the diverie gressional staff, other govemment agencies and private
causes and policies:'espoused by each House member, individuals, fgrged a formidable cornmihnmt to deUver
leading to a uni fted and productive legislative body. vital pieces of legislation and ensured the success of the
As also stated in tlle lesolution, the chairpersons of 17th Congess. Pqa3