i ruunsDaY JuNE o, zorg

:liie Uirl*iiidf a*tiidJii"'f '+",n

',teour
of persistehce, Republic Act No.
I1213, also known as the Tax Amnesty
Acl was passed and signed in 2018. The m nority...
Meanwhile, revenue collection of the
BIR and BOC are still being monitored
for compliance. To improve collection, islative actions will be pursued ftrther
TIIE 17th Congress waS a fruitftrl and . we have reiteraied implementation of by these dedicated public offi9i9l1 wln
eventft term. We unveiled and probed the Attrition Law. Hopefirlly, we will wlll be continuing their servicd in the
issues, both chronic and short-term. see the Atbition Law implemented soon
'fhe courageous pursuits for tuth, nJ Congt"... Let me also give honor
to aid this adqinishation in its drive to tn" Ute Hon' Ciriaco Ca-
transparency, and accoirntab ity led to against corruption. ^"JtnU[
iof"on *a the late Hon' Rodel Bato-
maoy significant reforms,in the gov-
erunent" not just in policy-making but ffi'-
*U*:"'no, during their lifetime, have
-strides iLr legislation
also in program implementation. The -Je sienincant
hear-
and wed actively lnvolved in the
collective action of the legislative has
ings and debates'
contributed to the growth we are ex- These honorable
periencing today. Of the 28 common
men and women stood On June 30, I will be taking mY oath
legislative agenrla approved at the start of ofrce as Governor of the Province of
of the 17th Congress, 22 of ihem were with me amid all issues Ouezon. Rest assue4 dear readers' that
accomplished by the House of Reprc- that surrounded the we will continue to engage in relevant
sentatives while tlie remaihing 6 are conversations of national interest.
pending in the respective Committees. legitimacy of the Hou
Mabuhay kaYong lahat. Marmning
As this Congress comes to an en4 I Minority bloc.ll salarrtat po.
would like to acknowledge the indis-
pensable contributions of my senior
deputy, other deputy members and the t: opAq-.r -Aq'/
rest ofthe Minority family in our legis-. During budget deliberations, 'we
years.
lative feats for the past three were vigilant in assessing the perfor-
The Minority was instrumental in the mance of each agency, as against their
investigation and resolution of issues correspondin$ budget propolab. We
and controversies that b€set the gov- invokid the power of the purse 6 ask
ernment and the country. Early on, we for the commituent of our govemment
were active in investigating the prolif- agencies in expediting and resolving
erationofillegal drugs and drug syndi- delayed projects, and the elimination of
cates in theBilibid prison, and stongly underspending. Agencies eventually re-
recommended accountability &om the spondd and we remain firm and inces-
rwolved personalities. We also called sant in calling out those agencies whose
for the intensification of the Small perfornance arc lagglng behind. For
l'own Lotiery operations to curb ille- numerpus times, the Minority has also
gal gambling. The PCSO, in response, sought for the amendment of the pro.
has repofied expansion ofits operations curement act du€ to various issues that
along with the increased employment st€m from its implementation.
ofcabos and cobradores in STL. We are I am proud to say that I have good
conident that the PCSO has also been and compeient legislators in the Minor-
cooperative with ow uncompromising 1ty. These honorable men and women
stance on reviewing STL applicanh stood with mp amid all issues that sur-
with stict scrutiny. rounded the legitimacy of the House
The Minority also actively participat- Minority bloc- We have been called
ed in tle deliberations oftle now enact- many names, but our accomplishments
ed TRAIN law and remained watchfirl speak for themselves. We remained true
of its impact per year of inplenenta- to our vision of becoming a construc-
tion. We have repeatedly called for tive Minodty-we give credit where
programs that could cushion the nega- it is due, and call the administrati(m's
tive effects ofTRAIN to the consumingr attention when necessary, and always
public, and sought lbe conesponding witb a view to providihg solutions.
compliance of government agencies to Fortunately, some members of the
timelines especially in the Buil4 Buil4 Minority will still be in the 18th Con-
Build program which the TRAIN seeks gress. I am confdent tbat our shared
to finance, and the efficient reveme col: viewq advocacy, policies and other leg-
lection of the Bureau of Intemal Reve- I0nbrrj