Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday vowed that the House of Representatives would continue to pursue its investigations that aim to eventually bring down prices of rice and other food items and electricity, a press release from the House of Representatives said
He made the commitment in remarks at the resumption of the session of the 19th Congress after its Christmas recess.
“Good governance demands transparency and accountability. This chamber is the vanguard of that principle. In the coming weeks, we will hold oversight hearings to ensure that the people’s money serves the people’s needs,” he told his colleagues.
“We will investigate the smuggling and hoarding that undermine our farmers and inflate food prices. We will probe P206 billion in disallowed expenditures by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), ensuring energy reforms that lower electricity costs,” he said.
The leader of the 307-strong House said his chamber would also “demand answers for P11.18 billion worth of expired medicines and underutilized Philhealth funds – an affront to every Filipino who struggles for access to healthcare,” he said.
“And we will scrutinize the alleged misuse of confidential funds, for no peso must go unaccounted for,” he added.
The Quinta Comm and the committee on ways and means have started looking into the high cost of rice and other agricultural products, and of electricity and alleged violations by NGCP of its legislative franchise.
NGCP is the transmission monopoly owned 40 percent by China and 60 percent by billionaire Filipino-Chinese partners.
At the same time, the House leader took pride in what the House has accomplished in 2024.
He said early projections indicate “a solid growth rate in the range of 5.9 percent to 6.5 percent, despite the challenges brought about by a series of typhoons and global economic uncertainties.”
However, Speaker Romualdez pointed out that economic growth should benefit the ordinary Filipino.
He said while the nation achieved economic progress, inflation remained a big challenge.
He also cited the accomplishments of the House in terms of approved legislative measures.
Among the bills passed and enacted into law were: the Corporate Recovery and Tax incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE), which fosters investments and job creation; the Self-reliant Defense Posture Act, strengthening our national security while creating skilled jobs; the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, targeting the scourge of smuggling and profiteering in agriculture; the Philippine Archipelagic Sealanes Act, and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, asserting sovereignty while promoting the maritime economy; and the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Act, bridging educational gaps for our youth.*