MANILA -- The House of Representatives will act swiftly on remaining important pieces of legislation, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Sunday ahead of the resumption of its session.

Romualdez's assurance comes as there are just two weeks left before the 19th Congress adjourns.

"Panahon na para tapusin ang mga naiwan nating trabaho. Now is the final stretch of the 19th Congress, and we intend to make every day count," Romualdez said in a statement. 

Among the measures up for final reading are House Bill (HB) No. 10987, the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act, which seeks to outlaw POGOs and prohibit offshore gambling operations in the country, and HB 11359, the Philippine Civil Registry Act, which updates the antiquated system of recording civil status information.

The following measures are also up for final approval: HB 11430, the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act; HB 11395, the AICS Act institutionalizing emergency assistance for individuals in crisis; and House Bill 11400, the proposed expansion of senior citizen benefits and privileges.

“Let us move decisively on these bills. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may direktang epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino, mula sa kaligtasan ng komunidad, hanggang sa karapatan at benepisyo ng ating mga senior citizens,” said Romualdez. 

The Anti-POGO bill, in particular, addresses rising concerns about crime, corruption, and national security allegedly linked to offshore gaming operations. 

“We owe it to our people to shut the doors on criminal syndicates hiding behind legal loopholes,” the House Speaker said, citing that the measure was an offshoot of the work of the House Quad Comm. 

The House of Representatives was able to process a large volume of legislative work during the 19th Congress, with 13,868 measures filed between July 25, 2022, and May 28, 2025.

Of this number, 11,506 were bills, and 2,361 were various forms of resolutions. The chamber also submitted 1,451 committee reports and ultimately approved 1,493 measures on final reading, including 280 Republic Acts – 93 national and 187 local laws. 

Romualdez also reminded lawmakers of their duty to defend democratic institutions amid rising online threats. 

“Fake news, disinformation, algorithmic manipulation – these are attacks on truth, on democracy and the Filipino mind. Kaya huwag nating hayaan na patuloy itong kumalat,” he said. 

“Sa huling mga araw ng 19th Congress, ipakita natin na ang House of the People ay tahanan ng katotohanan, katarungan at kaayusan. Tayo ang tagapagtanggol ng tiwala ng taumbayan,” he said. 

“We started strong, and we will end strong.”