Closing remarks of Hon. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.

on the last day of the Third Regular Session of the 16th

Congress,
6
June
2016.

DEAR COLLEAGUES, IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO

ADDRESS ALL OF YOU HERE AT THE CLOSE OF THE THIRD
REGULAR SESSION OF THE 16TH CONGRESS.
LET ME EXPRESS MY DEEPEST, MOST SINCERE THANKS TO EACH
AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS, FOR YOUR
DEDICATION TO OUR WORK, AND MOST ESPECIALLY, FOR YOUR
SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THESE PAST SIX YEARS.
AS WE MEET TODAY, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE LAST REGULAR
SESSION OF THE 16TH CONGRESS, WE GATHER TO ASSESS OUR
PERFORMANCE AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY.
IN OUR OWN HUMBLE WAY WE HAVE REGAINED THE CREDIBILITY
OF CONGRESS WITH OUR PEOPLE AS SEEN IN THE MARKED
INCREASE IN TRUST RATINGS WE WERE GIVEN, IN THE VARIOUS
SURVEYS COMPARED TO PAST CONGRESSES.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT HISTORY WILL SHOW THAT WE HAVE
CONDUCTED OURSELVES CREDITABLY. THE 16TH CONGRESS
WILL LEAVE BEHIND A REMARKABLE LEGACY.
INSPIRED BY THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY, WE
PASSED LAWS WHICH ENHANCED OUR COMPETITIVENESS AS AN
INVESTMENT DESTINATION.
THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, IN ITS REPORT ON
COMPETITIVENESS OF 140 COUNTRIES FROM THE YEAR 2010
TO 2016, NOTED THAT THE COMPETITIVENESS RANKING OF THE
PHILIPPINES, ROSE BY 38 NOTCHES, FROM 85TH TO 47TH.
THIS WAS, NO DOUBT, UNDERPINNED BY OUR STRONG AND
STABLE
MACRO-ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT
AND
THE
STRUCTURAL REFORMS WE INITIATED THROUGH LEGISLATION.
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THE UPWARD TRAJECTORY IN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, FINALLY

BROKE THROUGH THE BOOM-BUST CYCLE WE EXPERIENCED,
SINCE WE REGAINED OUR INDEPENDENCE AS A NATION.
FOR YEARS, THE PHILIPPINES WAS LABELED AS THE SICK MAN
OF ASIA. TODAY, OUR COUNTRY IS HAILED AS ASIAS RISING
TIGER, ASIAS RISING STAR, AND ASIAS BRIGHT SPOT.
EQUALLY NOTABLE AND INSPIRING HAS BEEN THE 6.2% ANNUAL
AVERAGE GROWTH OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR
THE LAST SIX YEARS, THE HIGHEST AVERAGE IN THE LAST FOUR
DECADES. THIS IS TRULY REMARKABLE, DESPITE THE ALMOST
SUCCESSIVE DISASTERS WHICH DEVASTATED OUR COUNTRY,
AND THE SLOWDOWN IN THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
SITUATION.
AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC MEASURES ENACTED
IN THE 16TH CONGRESS ARE: RA 10667 (THE PHILIPPINE
COMPETITION ACT), RA 10668 (THE CABOTAGE LAW), RA 10846
(AMENDING THE PDIC CHARTER), RA 10708 (THE TAX
INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT & TRANSPARENCY ACT) AND RA
10863 (THE CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION AND TARIFF ACT).
WE HAVE ALSO FOCUSED ON LEGISLATION AIMED TOWARDS
GOOD GOVERNANCE, SUCH AS RA 10844 (THE DEPARTMENT OF
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ACT OF
2015), RA 10644 (THE GO NEGOSYO ACT), AND RA 10742 (THE
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN REFORM).
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OF
THE 15TH AND 16TH CONGRESSES HAS BEEN THE TIMELY
PASSAGE OF THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR THE PAST
SIX YEARS, AVOIDING THE WOES OF A GOVERNMENT RUNNING
ON A REENACTED BUDGET.
WHILE WE BELONG TO DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES, WE
FOUND COMMON CAUSE IN THE PASSAGE OF HIGHLYCONTROVERSIAL MEASURES SUCH AS THE SIN TAX BILL AND
THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ACT, THE KASAMBAHAY LAW AND
THE HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS COMPENSATION ACT. ALL OF THEM
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HAVE BEEN PENDING FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND FINALLY WE

HAVE PASSED THEM.
WE SUPPORTED AND STRENGTHENED THE GOVERNMENTS
PROGRAM TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE
RAISED THE BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE MORE
DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO THE IMPOVERISHED SECTOR.
WE
PASSED LAWS WHICH SOUGHT TO GENERATE MORE JOBS AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT. THE UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE REACHED A RECORD LOW OF 5.6 PERCENT, WHICH IS
BELOW THE GOVERNMENTS TARGET OF 6.8PERCENT.
THIS CONGRESS HAS PASSED LAWS WHICH INTRODUCED
MEANINGFUL REFORMS IN EDUCATION, SUCH AS THE K TO 12
PROGRAM (RA 10533), RA 10647 (THE LADDERIZED EDUCATION
PROGRAM), RA 10648 (THE ISKOLAR NG BAYAN ACT), RA 10650
(THE OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING ACT), RA 10665 (PROVIDING
FOR AN OPEN HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR OUT OF SCHOOL
YOUTH), AND RA 106587 (THE UNIFAST ACT).
WE
MANIFESTED
OUR
ABIDING
CONCERN
FOR
THE
MARGINALIZED AND UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTORS BY ENACTING
LAWS SUCH AS THE MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS (RA 10645), STRENGTHENING NGOs ENGAGED
IN MICROFINANCE OPERATIONS FOR THE POOR (RA 10693), AND
GRANTING VAT EXEMPTIONS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (RA
10754).
WE ALSO SUPPORTED THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG
PILIPINO PROGRAM WHICH HAS GAINED WIDESPREAD
APPRECIATION AND SUPPORT.

WE INITIATED SEVERAL MEASURES TO INCREASE INVESTMENTS

IN THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE
VERY RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION ON
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS. WE DELIBERATED ON THE
BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW, WHICH THE 17th CONGRESS AND
THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS OR
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OVERHAUL. WE STOOD FIRM AND RESOLUTE ON THE ISSUE,

AND SHOWED THE WORLD, THAT THERE WAS NEVER ANY
DOUBT AS TO OUR SINCERITY AND DETERMINATION, TO
ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IN MINDANAO.
THE 15TH AND 16TH CONGRESSES PASSED A TOTAL OF 719
REPUBLIC ACTS, APPROVED 1,922 BILLS ON THIRD READING,
ADOPTED 1,870 RESOLUTIONS AND OUR MEMBERS DELIVERED
978 PRIVILEGE SPEECHES, TRULY AN ACHIEVEMENT WE CAN ALL
BE PROUD OF.
THIS CONGRESS RAISED THE BAR WHEN IT DID NOT ONLY PASS
SEVERAL MEASURES THAT HAVE LANGUISHED IN THE
LEGISLATIVE MILL FOR DECADES, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR
ITS RECORDBREAKING, FOUR-DAY PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE
PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JOINT
CANVASSING COMMITTEE LED BY SEN. KOKO PIMENTEL AND OUR
VERY OWN MAJORITY LEADER, BOYET GONZALES.
WITH PRIDE, LET ME CONGRATULATE THE COMELEC AND
EVERYONE WHO MADE THE 2016 ELECTIONS CREDIBLE, HONEST
AND PEACEFUL.
WE LIKEWISE CONGRATULATE PRESIDENT-ELECT RODRIGO ROA
DUTERTE AND OUR COLLEAGUE, VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT MARIA
LEONOR GERONA ROBREDO. WE WISH BOTH OF THEM THE
BEST AS THEY PERFORM THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES.

WE WELCOME THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENTELECT RODRIGO DUTERTE WITH HIGH HOPES AND UNWAVERING
FAITH IN OUR COLLECTIVE LOVE FOR THE FILIPINO NATION.
WHATEVER
CHANGES
OR
REFORMS
THE
INCOMING
ADMINISTRATION MAY PURSUE, WE HOPE THAT IT WILL FURTHER
STRENGTHEN AND CONTINUE THE REFORMS INITIATED BY THE
AQUINO ADMINISTRATION.
PRESIDENT
BENIGNO
S.
AQUINO
III'S
SINGLE-MINDED
DEDICATION TO HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND HIS
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UNBLEMISHED INTEGRITY HAS GAINED THE ADMIRATION AND

HIGH REGARD OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN OUR ECONOMIC AND
GEOPOLITICAL
ENDEAVORS.
THE
CAMPAIGN
AGAINST
CORRUPTION
HAS
BEEN
THE
HALLMARK
OF
HIS
ADMINISTRATION. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE OUTGOING
ADMINISTRATION ARE REMARKABLE SO LET ME TAKE THIS
CHANCE TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU, MR.
PRESIDENT PNOY, SIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST,
CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT.
THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION AND THE 15TH AND 16TH
CONGRESSES HAVE PUT IN PLACE A SOUND AND VIABLE
ECONOMIC FOUNDATION FOR OUR COUNTRY, AS WELL AS THE
POLICIES AND THE INFRASTUCTURE NEEDED, BUT THE
CHALLENGES CONFRONTING US REMAIN DAUNTING AND
FORMIDABLE.
THE INCOMING DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY
DECLARED WAR ON DRUGS, POVERTY AND ALL FORMS OF
CORRUPTION. IT HAS VOWED TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION AND
HEALTH CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE.
TO ALL OF US WHO WILL BE PART OF THE 17TH CONGRESS, LET
US STRENGTHEN OUR RESOLVE TO HELP THE INCOMING
ADMINISTRATION BY CRAFTING AND FORMULATING LAWS
REQUIRED TO MOVE OUR COUNTRY FORWARD EVEN AS WE
EXERCISE OUR POWERS OF OVERSIGHT.
OUR COUNTRY MUST BE PRIMED TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN
THE INTEGRATION OF THE ECONOMIES OF THE SOUTHEAST
ASIAN REGION. THE DISPUTE ON THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA WILL
TEST THE METTLE OF THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION IN DIPLOMACY.
WE HOPE THAT THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION WILL
CONFRONT THESE CHALLENGES WITH WISDOM AND RESOLVE.
MY DEAR COLLEAGUES, IT HAS BEEN A MEMORABLE PRIVILEGE
AND HONOR TO HAVE BEEN YOUR SPEAKER FOR THE 15TH AND
16TH CONGRESSES.
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I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT.

I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND THE
CAMARADERIE WE SHARED IN THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE.
TO OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE, LED BY THE 15TH
CONGRESS SENATE PRESIDENT, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, AND 16TH
CONGRESS
SENATE
PRESIDENT,
FRANKLIN
DRILON, MYPERSONAL
GRATITUDE
AND
UTMOST
RESPECT.CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLEAGUES WHO WILL
BE JOINING THE SENATE IN THE 17TH CONGRESS SENATORSELECT WIN GATCHALIAN AND MANNY PACQUIAO.
I HAVE SO FAR SPENT A TOTAL OF FIFTEEN YEARS IN CONGRESS
SURROUNDED BY THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. THROUGH
FIVE CONGRESSES, I WAS IN THE COMPANY OF TRUE
VISIONARIES, OF STATESMEN, OF PRINCIPLED REFORMISTS, OF
GENUINE REVOLUTIONARIES, OF TALENTED STRATEGISTS, OF
ARTICULATE DEBATERS, OF SKILLED POLITICIANS, AND OF
DEDICATED ADVOCATES. BUT MORE THAN BEING ANY OR ALL
OF THIS, WITH ALL OF YOU, I WAS TRULY IN THE COMPANY OF A
BAND OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS. AND FOR THIS, I AM
FOREVER GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU.

MY WARMEST THANKS TO DEPUTY SPEAKERS DINA ABAD, GIGI

AGGABAO, SERGE APOSTOL, ALI BALINDONG, CALOY PADILLA,
ROBBIE PUNO. TO MAJORITY LEADER BOYET GONZALES AND
MINORITY LEADER RONNIE ZAMORA, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING
THE HOUSE IN ORDER.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS AND VICE
CHAIRPERSONS, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TENACITY IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS.
THANK YOU TOO TO THE HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF
THE HOUSE SECRETARIAT AND TO ALL OUR CONGRESSIONAL
STAFF, FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO TRULY
SERVE THE COUNTRY.
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WITH YOU ALL AS MY FRIENDS AND INSPIRATION, I WILL

ENDEAVOR TO REMAIN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR PEOPLE IN ANY
CAPACITY WHATSOEVER, FOR AS LONG AS I AM ABLE AND FOR
AS LONG AS OUR PEOPLE NEED ME.
MY DEAR COLLEAGUES, THE 15TH AND 16TH CONGRESSES
HAVE DONE ITS LEVEL BEST. WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED. WE HAVE PERFORMED OUR CONSTITUTIONAL
DUTIES, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR.
LET US ALL CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY WITH HONOR
AND DIGNITY.
GOD BLESS US ALL. GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.
MABUHAY ANG IKA-LABING ANIM NA KAPULUNGAN NG MGA
KINATAWAN NG KONGRESO NG PILIPINAS.
MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO.
THANK YOU ALL. GOD BLESS!

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