00:00The House of Representatives holds the purse of government, so it is their duty and task to ensure taxpayer money and government revenue are spent prudently.
00:10So says newbie partylist Representative Laila de Lima, who added she and others in their party, will not outright block any program of government needing funds, as our Mela Les Moras reports.
00:22M.L. partylist Representative Laila de Lima assured the House Minority Block will be fiscalizers, not obstructionists during the remaining term of the Marcos administration.
00:35According to de Lima, the block recently held a meeting where they formally endorsed for peace partylist Representative Marcelino Libanan to once again serve as the House Minority Leader.
00:44We actually signed a statement of support for Congressman Marcelino Nonong Libanan as a minority leader.
00:55And then we also discussed some general directions of the minority block.
01:01Ang pinag-usapan is that definitely as minority block we will be fiscalizer, but we also make it clear that we are not the kind of unreasonable minority.
01:12In other words, we're not going to be obstructionists.
01:16So kung may magandang policya, magandang legislative agenda, or the certain pieces of legislation na i-pupush ng majority, we can always support.
01:26Akbayan Partilist Representative Shel Jogno, for his part, also echoed the Lima statement.
01:32Well, we want to really push for issues that we believe are very important for our people.
01:38And we believe that our place in the House is really in the minority.
01:44The Lima and Jogno were interviewed by the media during the second phase of the executive course on legislation for new members of the House of Representatives.
01:54Among the other notable attendees were Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Janice De Gamo,
01:59Tengok Partilist Representative Andro Romualdez, the son of re-elected later 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez,
02:05and Negros Occidental Representative Javi Benitez, son of Bacolod City Representative Albi Benitez.
02:12Meanwhile, the filing of new bills in the House of Representatives continues.
02:16In separate instances, TGP Partilist Representative Jose Bong Tevez Jr.
02:21and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alon to Adyong filed proposed measures related to health.
02:26One hospital bills, ibig sabihin, ang lahat ng mga private and government hospitals,
02:34pag may mga pasyenteng kung mapasok through maiprogram guarantee letters,
02:39ay kailangan may libre na rin pati doctor's fee.
02:43Kasi ang nangyayari ngayon, ang libre lang natin ay mga hospital bills,
02:48pero dito sa ating one hospital bills, dapat isama na rin ang mga pre-professional fee o doctor's fee.
