House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III expressed full confidence in the Senate’s ability to act as an impeachment court without derailing its legislative duties.
Dy shared his outlook ahead of the opening of the second regular session of the 20th Congress on Monday, July 27, which coincides with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The House leader affirmed that the House is ready to partner with the Senate—under the leadership of Senate President Win Gatchalian—to push through remaining priority bills, especially those outlined by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
“May kumpiyansa po kami na may kakayahan ang Senado na pagsabayin ang kanilang constitutional duty bilang impeachment court at ang kanilang tungkulin bilang mga mambabatas,” Dy said.
He noted that lawmaking can proceed through technical working groups and bicameral conference committees even while the trial is underway.
“Handa po ang Kongreso na makipagtulungan sa Senado sa pamumuno ni Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian… nang sa gayon ay makagawa tayo ng mga batas na napapanahon at tutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan.”
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte commenced on July 6 with senators sitting as judges. Senate President Gatchalian previously estimated the trial could run for seven to eight months.
For its part, the House has designated an 11-member panel of lawmaker-prosecutors to present the case.
Dy urged both chambers to stay locked in on enacting laws that directly serve the public interest during the upcoming session.
“Inaasahan po nating magkakaisa ang dalawang Kapulungan upang mapanatili ang momentum ng ating legislative agenda.”
“Sa dulo ng lahat ng ito, hindi naman ito tungkol sa Kamara o Senado. Ang mahalaga ay magkaroon tayo ng mga batas na magpapagaan ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan at magpapaunlad sa ating bansa,” Dy added.
During the first regular session of the 20th Congress, the House approved 26 out of the 52 LEDAC priority measures.
Key bills passed included the Right to Information Act, the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law, and the postponement of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.