House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III announced the House of Representatives’ readiness to advance President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s key legislative agenda following the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.
Speaker Dy emphasized that Congress will prioritize measures aiming to lower electricity costs and grant tax relief to workers and small businesses.
According to Dy, representative of Isabela’s 6th District, the President’s address provides a clear roadmap for the legislative branch as it opens the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress.
“Ang SONA ang nagtatakda ng direksyon ng administrasyon. Ang papel ng Kamara ay tiyaking mabibigyan ito ng kinakailangang suporta sa pamamagitan ng maayos, masusi, at napapanahong pagtalakay ng mga panukala,” Dy stated.
Responding directly to the President’s call, Dy pledged swift action on crucial tax proposals.
Key measures include raising the income tax exemption threshold to P350,000 annually, lowering tax rates for other wage earners, exempting small businesses from the minimum corporate income tax, and implementing a comprehensive tax amnesty covering unpaid income, estate, donor’s, and value-added taxes.
“The House fully supports the President’s call to provide meaningful tax relief to our people. We will carefully study these proposals and work to pass measures that will allow Filipino workers to keep more of what they earn, help small businesses grow, and give qualified taxpayers a fresh start through a fair and responsible tax amnesty,” Dy said.
In addition to tax reform, Speaker Dy endorsed the administration’s push to lower energy expenses. The House plans to prioritize the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act—which aims to improve access to household solar panels and battery storage—alongside amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) designed to stop utilities from passing system loss charges and their associated VAT onto consumers.
“The President has made it clear that bringing down electricity costs is a national priority, and the House stands ready to do its part. We will give due priority to the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act and the amendments to the EPIRA to ensure that consumers are no longer made to shoulder charges that should not be passed on to them,” he added.
Dy noted that these legislative goals match the vision he outlined for the 20th Congress, stressing that lawmakers must center their work on practical reforms that directly ease the daily cost of living for Filipino families.
“Ang hamon ngayon ay tiyaking ang bawat panukalang tatalakayin ng Kamara ay may malinaw na pakinabang sa bawat Pilipino. Iyan ang magiging sukatan ng ating trabaho,” the Speaker noted.
Highlighting the need for smooth executive-legislative coordination, Dy reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to delivering impactful legislation through unity.
“These are practical reforms that respond to the everyday concerns of Filipino families. The House is committed to working closely with the Executive to turn these priorities into laws that will ease the cost of living, strengthen our economy, and improve the quality of life of every Filipino,” Dy expressed.
“Sa huli, iisa lang ang layunin ng ehekutibo at lehislatura—ang makapaghatid ng mas maayos na serbisyo at mas magandang buhay para sa bawat Pilipino. Mas madali natin itong magagawa kung sama-sama tayong kumikilos.”
“Hindi lamang pagpasa ng batas ang mahalaga. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang pagtiyak na ang bawat batas ay may tunay na saysay at pakinabang sa ating mga kababayan,” he concluded.