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2004 OATHTAKING – in June 2004, Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte took his oath before then Chief Justice Hilario Davide, a classmate at UP, with his family with him. Congressman Villafuerte, who won last month over former Congressman Sulpicio Roco by five times his margin over the same opponent in 2004, took his oath this week before Chief Justice Reynato Puno. |
Will push reforms whatever the result of speakership fight
With the House of Representatives now near the bottom with a negative rating of -32% in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) public acceptance survey, Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte called this week for concerted efforts to improve the image of the legislative body.
But reforms should start by replacing Speaker Jose de Venecia who has failed in the task and whose leadership style has aggravated congressional woes.
This was made clear by Congressman Villafuerte. Kampi national president, even as he reiterated his firm support for Rep. Pablo garcia of Cebu to become the next Speaker.
He also clarified that 166 congressmen had signed a 12-point economic and political agenda which the coalition later presented to President Arroyo but not an endorsement for Speaker Jose de Venecia.
He said Garcia, a bar topnotcher who had served for several terms as governor and congressman of Cebu and who has been allies of President Arroyo can best institute needed reforms in the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives under Speaker de Venecia has suffered under the stigma of negative public acceptance and may continue to be the object of the people’s scorn if de Venecia who was soundly repudiated by the people when he ran for President in 1998 is not replaced, he added.
Villafuerte said that transparency and accountability in the use of House funds of around P3.4 billion each year is one of the many issues that should be the urgent subject for reforms.
He said there is a need to dismantle traditional modalities entrenched in the House that are no longer effective and effi cient.
He cited the need to:
1. Condense/committee membership to a more efficient number unlike the present set-up where some committees have nearly a hundred members;
2. Equalize benefits of committee chairmen, vice chairmen and members;
3. Activate sub-committees within the scope of the mother committees;
4. Budget of committees/sub-committees should be well-established and should not be considered as perks of chairmen and vice chairmen;
5. Priority legislation should be established through a screening process for adoption by the majority;
6. There should be coordination with respect to bills proposed by Malacañang;
7. There should be a continuing liaison with the executive on the funding of local bills;
8. To speed up deliberations in the Committee on Appropriation, simultaneous hearings should be done by sub-committees;
9. The power of realignment of the Speaker should have a limit;
10. The constitutional entitlements of every congressman must be fair and equitable irrespective of party affiliation. Each congressman must have at least 20 employees to be able to hire functional professionals.
11. There should be proper budget for the district office that should include operating expenses, personal services and community services;
12. The Speakership being a management function, the Speaker must take a proactive role and not just be a bystander.
Congressman Villafuerte said that regardless of the outcome of the election for the Speaker his group will continue to advocate for reforms.
