Cardinal Advincula to lawmakers: May every law you create be a prayer before God

The 20th Congress opened its first regular session on Monday, 28 July, with the House Representatives convening at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City and the Senate in Pasay.

In his Thanksgiving Mass to mark the opening of a new Congress, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula reminded lawmakers that they are the "representatives of the Filipino people before God."

"Therefore, may you ensure that every law that you create and every resolution that you pass is a prayer before God, an expression of the Filipino people's aspirations and values, an expression of the people's faith in God's providence, an expression of the people's desire to approximate their lives to God's providence," Advincula said.

"Every law you create and every resolution you pass must be in line with the people's prayer to God, the prayer of Filipinos for a more prosperous life, a more just society, and a more peaceful nation," the cardinal continued in Filipino.

He also underscored the importance of having Filipino legislators who are close to God.

"They feel the dreams of the poor, and they also feel the mercy of God. They feel the loneliness of the [overseas Filipino workers], and they also feel the fatigue of the workers, and they also feel the guidance of God," he added.

"May your service to the nation become a sign and reflection of God's presence to his people. May the law you pass reflect God's guidance upon our nation. May the policies you craft reveal God's protection for the oppressed. May the budget you design signify God's providence for the poor."

As the 20th Congress convened its first regular session on Monday, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero maintained his leadership as Senate president, while Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was reelected as Speaker of the House.

Escudero defeated his sole challenger, former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. Sotto will now lead the new minority group in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Romualdez was reelected with 269 votes. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, on the other hand, is now the majority leader of the House of Representatives.

In the Senate, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada retained his position as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Sen. Joel Villanueva was voted majority leader and Rules Committee chair.