Some bright new faces among grey-haired leaders and committee heads

SPEAKER Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. always topped the list of outstanding congressmen when he was a member of the House in the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Congress.

And this is not his first time to be head of the House.

The official website of the House gives this short biography:

“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 24 to June 30, 2001.

“Speaker Belmonte is author and co-author of the following landmark laws: Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 [RA (Republic Act) 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 Regulation 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 Dula 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 and 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.”

Deputy Speaker Raul Daza

Another veteran congressman and House official is Deputy Speaker Raul Daza.

The House website’s brief biography of him reveals that “he has a passion for public service, distinguishing himself both in the legislative and executive departments.

“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 form the 7th to the 10th Congress. He was Speaker Pro Tempore in the 9th Congress [1992-1995] and Senior Deputy Speaker in the 10th Congress [1995-1998].

“He was also appointed Deputy Minister of 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 elected Governor of the province of Northern Samar. After being re-elected 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.”

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo ‘Erin’ Tañada 3rd

This young and brilliant third-termer carries the honorable legacy of patriotism and integrity from his grandfather and then his father gave him.

The House website says:
“Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Tañada 3rd 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 [House Bill] 2799, the International Displacement Act; and HB 5886, the Involuntary 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 Anti-Smuggling 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 People’s Participation in Budget Deliberations Act of 2008; and Joint Resolution 40, declaring January 25 as Cory Aquino Day.

“In the 13th Congress, Deputy Speaker Tañada’s accomplishments included the passage of RA 9495, Creating of the Provinces of Quezon del Sur and Quezon del Norte, and RA 9346, Abolishing the Death Penalty.”

The other deputy speakers are:

Pablo ‘Pabling’ Garcia

“Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia was recognized as the ‘Constitutionalist of the House’ during his tenure as the Representative of the 3rd District of Cebu in the 8th and 9th Congresses. He later became the Senior Board Member, vice Governor and Governor of Cebu. He returned to the House in the 14th Congress to represent the people of Cebu’s 2nd District.”

He has been a respected figure for many decades.”

Also of great merit are Deputy Speakers Arnulfo “Noli” Fuentebella, Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, and Isabelle “Beng” Climaco.

Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales is also, at 55, someone who carries the Mandaluyong Gonzales’ name with honor.

Minority Leader is Edcel Lagman, whose latest fame has been in being one of the congressmen most loyal to former President Gloria Arroyo and the principal sponsor of the Reproductive Health Bill, which the Church and others concerned that it will promote abortion.

Most of the various committee chairmen and chairwomen are also outstanding persons. –RUBEN MANAHAN 4TH REPORTER, Manila Times