LEADERS of the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. possesses a rare combination of legislative acumen and executive savvy, having served as Representative of the 4th District of Quezon City during the 9th, 10th, and 11th Congresses, and consequently, Mayor of Quezon City for three consecutive terms.
During his previous stint as a lawmaker, Speaker Belmonte became chairman of the Metro Manila Congressional Caucus. He was senior vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and vice chairman of the Committees on Government Reorganization and Civil Service and Professional Regulation. He was a member of the Committees on Transportation and Communication, National Defense, Banks and Financial Intermediaries, and Government Enterprises and Privatization. He also became House Minority Leader, and later on, Speaker of the House of Representatives from January 24June 30, 2001. Speaker Belmonte is author and co-author of the following landmark laws: the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003); RA 8975, which ensures the expeditious implementation and completion of government infrastructure projects; the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 (RA 8750); the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA 8749); the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 (RA 8479); the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act (RA 8425); RA 7924, which created the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; the Export Development Act of 1994 (RA 7844); the Dual Training System Act of 1994 (RA 7686), the New Central Bank Act (RA 7553); and various laws regulating professions such as teaching, mechanical and chemical engineering, and seamanship. During the term of President Corazon Aquino, he restored the financial health of several struggling government-owned corporations. He was president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System and Manila Hotel as well as chairman of the National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines. He also represented the government in the corporate boards of the San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. He was once president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Airlines, then wholly owned by the government. His exceptional work is reflected in his various key positions in the past three decades. He was elected Representative of the Congressional District of Samar from the 7th to the 10th Congress. He was Speaker Pro Tempore in the 9th Congress (19921995) and Senior Deputy Speaker in the 10th Congress (1995-1998). He was also appointed Deputy Minister of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in 1986-1987 and served as Commissioner of the Preparatory Commission on Constitutional Reforms in 1999. In 2001, he was
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Feliciano Sonny BELMONTE Jr. Speaker

District Member : 4th District, Quezon City : 9th, 10th, 11th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 2 October 1936 / 73 years old Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : Lyceum of the Philippines Affiliation/s : Jaycees; Rotary Club of Manila; Knights of Rizal Citations : Outstanding Congressman of the 9th, 10th, and 11th Congresses; 1993 Gintong Ama Awardee; Oustanding Alumni Award Lyceum of the Philippines; 2003 Most Outstanding City Mayor

Raul S. DAZA Deputy Speaker

District Member Birthday/Age Profession School/s Attended : 1st District, Northern Samar : RBP, 8th, 9th, 10th and 15th Congresses : 2 May 1935 / 75 years old : Lawyer / Accountant : University of the Philippines; University of the East : Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants; State Bar of California, USA; Integrated Bar of the Philippines; California Society of Public Accountants, USA : Teresita Sambewito Ruiz

Affiliation/s

Spouse

Deputy Speaker Raul A. Daza has a passion for public service, distinguishing himself both in the legislative and executive departments. 1

From page 1, Deputy Speaker Raul S. Daza

elected Governor of the province of Northern Samar. After being reelected as such for three-consecutive terms, he won in the May 2010 election as the Representative of the 1st District of Northern Samar. Since 1969 to the present, he has held high positions in the Liberal Party as secretary-general, vice-president and president. Deputy Speaker Daza dedicated most of his professional life to public service contributing to the political, economic and cultural advancement of his countrymen, particularly the Warays. He excels not only in politics but also in other fields, particularly law and accounting.

Disappearance Act. He authored and co-authored bills enacted into law such as: RA 9500, the University of the Philippines Charter; RA 9502, the Cheaper Medicines Law; RA 9346, the Repeal of the Death Penalty; RA 9513, the Renewable Energy Act; RA 9640, amending the Local Government Code by lowering the amusement tax; RA 9700, the Extension of the Agrarian Reform Law; RA 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009; RA 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity; and RA 9903, the Social Security Condonation Law. He also authored and co-authored the following measures: HB 15, the AntiSmuggling Act; HB 318, the Charter of the Philippine Trade Representative Office; HB 1803, mandating the creation of marine protected areas in coastal municipalities and cities; HB 3732, the Freedom of Information Act; HB 5256, the Peoples Participation in Budget Deliberations Act of 2008; and Joint Resolution 40, declaring January 25 as Cory Aquino Day. In the 13th Congress, Deputy Speaker Taadas accomplishments include the passage of RA 9495, Creating the Provinces of Quezon del Sur and Quezon del Norte, and RA 9346, Abolishing the Death Penalty.

University of San Carlos Affiliation/s : Integrated Bar of the Philippines Citation/s : 1999 Most Outstanding Governor for Central Visayas; Ten Most Outstanding Congressman Awardee of the 8th and 9th Congress; President Emeritus of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-IBP Cebu City Chapter Spouse : Retired Judge Esperanza Fiel

Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia was recognized as the Constitutionalist of the House during his tenure as Representative of the 3rd District of Cebu in the 8th and 9th Congresses. He later became Senior Board Member, Vice Governor and Governor of Cebu. He returned to the House in the 14th Congress to represent the people of Cebus 2nd district. As a respected legal luminary and constitutionalist of the 14th Congress, Deputy Speaker Garcia rendered his opinion on several controversial issues relating to the Human Security Act, Cheaper Medicines Bill, issuance of arrest warrants, aborted GRP-MILF Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, Hello Garci scandal, and May 2010 automated election. Notable of the laws he authored from 1987 to 1995 are RA 6809, lowering the age of majority from 21 to 18 years old; RA 6850, granting Civil Service Eligibility to public school teachers who have rendered 5 years of continuous and efficient service; RA 6733, granting members of both Houses of Congress general authority to administer oaths; RA 7659, declaring certain crimes as heinous crimes punishable by death; RA 7975, redefining the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan; RAs 7691 and 7902, both amending the Judiciary Act of 1980; RA 6968, punishing the Crimes of Coup detat by amending Art. 134, 135 and 136 of the Revised Penal Code; and RA 9520, amending the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.

Lorenzo Erin R. Taada III Deputy Speaker

District Member : 4th District, Quezon : 13th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 16 August 1963 / 46 years old Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : Ateneo de Manila University; Manuel L. Quezon University Affiliation/s : Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Manila Jaycees; Rotary Club of Manila Bay; Free Legal Assistance Group

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Taada III is a third term member of the House of Representatives. In the 14th Congress he was chairman of the Committee on Human Rights which acted on several resolutions calling for investigations in aid of legislation on alleged human rights violations. His committee passed on third reading HB 2799, the Internal Displacement Act; and HB 5886, the Involuntary

Pablo Pabling P. GARCIA Deputy Speaker

District Member : 2nd District, Cebu : 8th, 9th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age 25 September 1925 / 84 years : old Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : University of the Philippines;

Among his notable accomplishments and contributions to national policy were: The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 (RA 9136); Amendments to Crop Insurance Corporation Charter (RA 8175); Amendments to The Code of Agrarian Reform (RA 7907); and Omnibus Measures on Bills on Taxation, Revenue Generation, Economic Measures, Environmental Concerns, Peace and Order, Health, Education, and many others.

education, medical assistance and infrastructure. Deputy Speaker Remulla pushed for the approval of more than 60 bills in the Committee on Higher and Technical Education, including the use of English as a medium of instruction and the Magna Carta for Students. He also supported the approval of local education bills for most regions as part of human resource development. Among the bills he filed are HB 5958 entitled An Act Strengthening Further the Regulatory Powers of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and HB 1954 entitled The Philippine Immigration and Naturalization Act of 2007.

Arnulfo Noli P. FUENTEBELLA Deputy Speaker

District Member : 4th District, Camarines Sur : RBP, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 29 October 1945 / 64 years old Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : University of the Philippines; Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Affiliation/s : New York State Bar Association; American Bar Association; Integrated Bar of the Philippines Citation/s : 1994 Top Achiever Solon (The Philippine Legislator); Lawmaker of the Year: The Workaholic 1994 (Congress Post Philippines); Outstanding Public Servant of the Year (National Media Statistics Research News Publication, 2000); Outstanding Congressman in the 9th (Consumer Welfare Foundation of the Philippines); 10th and 11th Congresses (Congress Magazine and Makati School of Arts and Journalism); Outstanding Parliamentarian of the Year 1979 Spouse : Evelyn Buquid Fuentebella

Jesus Crispin Boying C. REMULLA Deputy Speaker

District Member : 7th District, Cavite : 13th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 31 March 1961 / 49 years old Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : University of the Philippines Affiliations : Carabaos Club-Imus, Cavite; Rotary Club of Cavite-East; Cavite Golfers Association; Calabarzon Provincial Board Members Association Spouse : Ma. Josefina D. Remulla

Maria Isabelle Beng G. CLIMACO Deputy Speaker

District : 1st District, Zamboanga City Member : 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 7 September 1966 / 43 years old Profession : Teacher / Guidance Counselor School/s Attended : Ateneo de Zamboanga; Ateneo de Manila University Affiliation/s : Philippine Council of Young Political Leaders; Interfaith Council of Leaders; Philippine Councilors League; Gender and Development Focal Point; Foundation for the Development of Children; Lady Legislators of the Philippines Spouse : Trifonio P. Salazar

Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin C. Remulla is one of the most diligent and hardworking members of the House. He was Deputy Majority Leader and a member of the rewriting team of the Committee on Rules in the 13th Congress. He was Vice-Chair of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education and a member of all standing House committees. He considers his bills revitalizing the University of the Philippines Charter, enacting the Philippine Normal University Charter, and several other bills concerning higher education as his best accomplishments as a legislator. His legislative agenda is focused on 3

Deputy Speaker Arnulfo P. Fuentebella is known for his selfless dedication to the upliftment of the socio-economic stature of Bicolanos. He hails from a family of public servants in Camarines Sur with a history of strong dedication and commitment to public service. As six-term Representative of the 3rd District of Camarines Sur, Deputy Speaker Fuentebella was elected to key positions in Congress as Deputy Majority Leader, Deputy Speaker and even Speakerattesting to his exemplary performance in the legislature.

Deputy Speaker Climaco is on her second term as member of the House of Representatives. During the 14th Congress she advocated childrens and womens welfare. She is also known for her active involvement, nationally
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From page 3, Deputy Speaker Maria Isabelle Climaco

and internationally, in gender issues. She is also behind the program named PINK October, a Breast Cancer Prevention Advocacy, which was adopted and implemented in different legislative districts in the country. She is proud to have authored the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), and the Amendment of the Cooperative Code (RA 9520). She also authored three local bills establishing three National High Schools particularly in Barangay Recodo (RA 9581), Barangay Capisan (RA 9594) and Barangay Sinubong (RA 9588) all in Zamboanga City. In her home district, she emphasizes the importance of consultation with the people. She funded programs and projects such as First Aid Kits for Public Schools, the Bata Kontra Bulati Campaign, Barangay EntreNegosyo Caravan, among others. Her district projects also include partnerships with various nongovernment organizations for the hearing-impaired and differently-abled persons. Deputy Speaker Climaco served as Councilor of Zamboanga City for two consecutive terms after she won in 1998. She was also Vice Mayor of Zamboanga City in 2004.

Profession School/s Attended

: Lawyer

: Far Eastern University; Ateneo de Manila University Affiliation/s : Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Rotary Club of Mandaluyong Spouse : Alexandria P. Gonzales

Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales was a practicing lawyer before he got elected in 1995 as representative of Mandaluyongs lone district. On his first term, he already served as Deputy Majority Leader and was one of the neophyte lawmakers that time to have the most number of bills enacted into law. He eventually became Majority Leader in the 11th and 12th Congresses. The people of Mandaluyong elected him City Mayor after his term in the House ended in 2004. Among the measures he authored were: RA 8191, prescribing measures for the prevention and control of diabetes mellitus in the Philippines; RA 8249, defining the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan; RA 8424, amending the National Internal Revenue Code; RA 8365, converting the Rizal Technological Colleges into a state university; RA 8497, establishing the Mandaluyong Science High School; and RA 9184 or the E-Procurement Law. In the 14th Congress, he has proudly sponsored measures that created integrated schools in his district to serve its growing secondary education population. He also filed a Resolution that helped local governments curb the high cost of water utilities for non-revenue offices or agencies like hospitals, city/municipal jails, police stations, and public schools. This objective was made possible by encouraging the MWSS to reclassify rates for the said agencies, resulting to a 30 percent discount on their water bills.

Edcel C. LAGMAN Minority Leader

District Member : 1st District, Albay : 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age 1 May 1942 / 68 years old : Profession : Lawyer School/s Attended : University of the PhilippinesDiliman Affiliation/s : Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Philippine Trial Lawyers Association; Philippine Collegian Alumni Editors Foundation; Rotary Club of South Triangle; Alpha Phi Beta Chancery Citations : Outstanding Congressman (1987-1998 & 2004-2008) Spouse : Ma. Cielo Burce-Lagman

Minority Leader Edcel Lagmans exceptional performance in Congress is best attested by his being chosen Outstanding Congressman every year from 1987 to 1998 and 2004 to 2008 by the Philippine Free Press and Consumers Welfare Foundation of the Philippines. He and his law firm, Lagman, Lagman and Mones, are labor rights advocates. His principal authorship and steering of the passage of the extension of the Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) component of the Agrarian Reform Program (RA 9700) stands as his remarkable feat as a legislator. This law sustains the empowerment of the farmers in the continuation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (RA 6657) and the first extension of LAD (RA 8532), both of which he principally authored. In his five terms as Representative of the 1st District of Albay, he initiated projects that immensely helped improve the lives of his constituents. During the 14th Congress, he supported the improvement of technical-vocational and tertiary education and prioritized countryside farm-to-market roads and irrigation projects to help farmers increase food production and their income.

Neptali Boyet M. GONZALES II Majority Leader

District : Lone District, Mandaluyong City Member : 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th Congresses Birthday/Age : 29 August 1954 / 55 years old

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