MANILA – House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III admitted on Monday that the public’s confidence in Congress has taken a hit, and he called on lawmakers and employees alike to work harder to restore it.
Speaking during the chamber’s weekly flag ceremony, Dy alluded to recent allegations that some legislators benefited from questionable flood control projects, a controversy that has cast a shadow over the House.
“Alam kong hindi madali ang sitwasyon ng Kongreso sa panahong ito. Mabigat ang hamon sa ating institusyon at maging sa bawat isa sa atin,” he said.
The Speaker shared that some members of the House had grown wary of being singled out amid the controversy.
“May nabalitaan nga po ako na may mga kasamahan tayong kailangang magpalit o mag-alis ng uniporme bago pumasok dahil sa takot na mapag-initan habang nagko-commute papunta dito sa Kongreso,” he said.
He acknowledged the erosion of trust but emphasized that it should serve as a challenge:
“Masakit mang tanggapin, talagang bumaba ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating institusyon. Pero ito rin ay paalala na mas kailangan nating pagbutihin ang ating trabaho at ibalik ang tiwalang iyon sa pamamagitan ng tapat na paglilingkod.”
Dy also thanked congressional staff for continuing their duties despite the controversies, pointing out their role in moving the national budget deliberations forward.
“Sa kabila ng lahat, patuloy kayong naglilingkod nang may malasakit at katapatan. Ang bawat dokumentong inyong inaayos, ang bawat pintuang inyong binabantayan, at ang bawat lugar na inyong pinananatiling malinis — lahat iyan ay may mahalagang bahagi sa ating gawain,” he said.
He added: “Sa mga nakaraang pagdinig ng budget na umabot hanggang madaling-araw, nandoon pa rin kayo, patuloy na nakasuporta at nagsusumikap. Walang batas na maipapasa at walang sesyon na maisasagawa kung wala ang inyong sipag at dedikasyon. Walang katumbas na salita ang aming pasasalamat.”
The House is expected to vote on the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Bill on second reading this week, with final approval scheduled for October 13./PN
