By House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
As we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, let me wish everyone a happy New Year.
We Filipinos have much to be thankful for in 2016. We conducted free and fair elections in May and elected Rodrigo Duterte as President for the next six years.
After just six months in office, the Duterte administration has made significant gains not only in the war on illegal drugs and in fighting crime and corruption,
but also in laying the ground for sustained socio-economic advance, lasting peace and political reforms.
but also in laying the ground for sustained socio-economic advance, lasting peace and political reforms.
For us in the House of Representatives, the first six months of the 17th Congress has been very productive. We have deliberated upon and passed meaningful
legislation aimed at enhancing economic growth, social progress and political stability over the long term. I am proud to say that the House of Representatives worked really hard in the past six months to pass laws consistent with the comprehensive reform
program of the Duterte administration. But we cannot be complacent. Much work remains to be done, and we commit to work even harder in the months ahead so that our nation can attain peace and prosperity that we all hope for.
legislation aimed at enhancing economic growth, social progress and political stability over the long term. I am proud to say that the House of Representatives worked really hard in the past six months to pass laws consistent with the comprehensive reform
program of the Duterte administration. But we cannot be complacent. Much work remains to be done, and we commit to work even harder in the months ahead so that our nation can attain peace and prosperity that we all hope for.
As we enter 2017, let us forge a strong unity behind the reform agenda of theDuterte administration. Let us all work together to put an end to mass poverty
strengthen our democratic institutions, and move our country forward.
strengthen our democratic institutions, and move our country forward.
Let us take the first of the many giant steps we as one nation must undertake to effect a paradigm shift by changing our form of government from presidential
to federal. Let’s all open our eyes that it is only through federalism that we can break the barriers of a fatally flawed Manila-centrist government to one that grants political and economic autonomy to all of our country’s regions.
to federal. Let’s all open our eyes that it is only through federalism that we can break the barriers of a fatally flawed Manila-centrist government to one that grants political and economic autonomy to all of our country’s regions.
Mabungahong Bag-Ong Tuig!