With the final month of the year underway and Christmas fast approaching, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday called for unity among lawmakers and employees of the House of Representatives to help restore public trust and deliver long-awaited reforms for Filipinos.
Addressing the flag-raising ceremony at the Batasan Complex, Dy said that while the House continues to face challenges, it can overcome them if its members and workforce stand together.
“Ilang buwan pa lamang ang nakakalipas mula nang pagkatiwalaan tayo na pamunuan ang institusyong ito. Sa totoo lang, napakalaki ng hamon at suliraning ating nadatnan. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, hindi ako natinag—dahil alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa. Kasama ko kayo. Kasama ko ang tapang, talino, at puso ng bawat kinatawan at bawat kawani dito sa Kapulungan,” Dy said.
The Speaker urged both legislators and staff to stay focused on the people’s welfare.
According to Dy, unity will enable the House to finally advance and implement long-awaited reforms for Filipinos.
“Mga kasama, malinaw ang hamon sa ating lahat: Magkaisa. Magtulungan. Isantabi ang pansariling interes para sa kapakanan ng mamamayang Pilipino.”
Dy said that it is time for the chamber to help provide stability in the country and to that it must take the opportunity to meet the challenges confronting the nation with clarity, courage and unity.
“Kung may panahon mang hinihingi ang pagkakaisa, iyon ay ngayon na. Kung may pagkakataon mang dapat magpamalas tayo ng lakas ng loob at paninindigan, iyon ay ngayon na rin. Kung may puwang man para maging liwanag tayo sa gitna ng dilim ng kaguluhan, pagdududa, at maling impormasyon—ito na ang tamang panahon,” he said.
The first Speaker from the province of Isabela said lasting reforms require humility, cooperation, and faith, and can be achieved only through collective effort and trust in God.
“Kayang-kaya nating itayo ang isang Kongresong tapat, makatao, makabayan, at tunay na nagsisilbi. Kayang-kaya nating maging instrumento ng pagkakaisa at paghilom ng ating bayan,” he continued.
According to Dy, unity will enable the House to finally advance and implement long-awaited reforms for Filipinos.
“Dahil sa ating pagkakaisa, unti-unti nating maipaglalaban at maipapatupad ang mga pagbabagong matagal nang hinihintay ng ating mga kababayan,” he pointed out.
He also urged the entire institution to resist political noise and misinformation that could distract it from its mandate.
“Hinihikayat ko kayo: huwag nating hayaang maapektuhan tayo ng mga naririnig o nababasa sa social media. Kayang-kaya nating baguhin ang imahe ng institusyong ito sa pamamagitan ng tapat, masipag, at makabuluhang paglilingkod,” he stressed.
Dy paid tribute to the House workforce as the institution’s “pillar and strength” and said ongoing reforms are meant to give employees the respect and dignity they deserve.
“At para sa ating mga kawani—ang haligi at lakas ng Kongreso—hayaan ninyong sabihin ko ito mula sa aking puso: darating din ang araw na hindi ninyo na kailangan pang mag-alinlangan o mahiyang sabihing kayo ay empleyado ng Kamara,” Dy said.
The first Speaker from the province of Isabela said lasting reforms require humility, cooperation, and faith, and can be achieved only through collective effort and trust in God.
He added: “Hindi na magtatagal ang bawat isa sa inyo ay makakapaglakad nang taas-noo, dahil kabahagi kayo, at tayong lahat, sa pagbabagong ating sama-samang isinusulong. Hindi tayo titigil hanggang hindi natin maabot ang mataas na kalidad ng ating serbisyo at makagbigay tayo ng dignidad sa ating institusyon.”
With Christmas drawing near, Dy encouraged the entire institution to become a source of hope and reconciliation.
“Ngayong papalapit ang Pasko—hinihikayat ko kayong lahat: Magpakatatag. Maging liwanag. Maging tulay ng pagkakasundo. Maging dahilan ng pag-asa,” he said.
Dy urged all members and employees to face the coming year with confidence, unity and a renewed commitment to the institution’s work.
“Dalangin ko po na patuloy ninyo kaming samahan at pagkatiwalaan lalo na sa pagtahak natin sa panibagong Kongreso. Salubungin natin ang liwanag ng taong 2026 na mas masaya, mas masigla, at puno ng pagbabago at pag-asa.”
