CEBU, Philippines - Three neophyte congressmen from Cebu yesterday completed a four-day executive course on legislation.
First district Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas, second district Rep. Wilfredo Caminero, and third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia were among the over 40 first time lawmakers in their batch who graduated the crash course offered by the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).
“Daghan kaayo ko og nakat-unan sa crash course. Naay mga butang nga wala mi nakahibalo ug karon ra namo nahibalo-an,†Gullas said.
Gullas said they were taught to make friends with their colleagues in congress.
The other participants in the course include film director-turned-congressman Lino Cayetano of Taguig City and Francis Gerald Abaya of Cavite, brother of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
Magdalo party-list Rep. Francisco Acedillo, and OFW party-list Rep. Roy Señeres were also among the graduates.
The course was designed to equip neophyte congressmen with the working knowledge of the theories, concepts, and dynamics of legislation, specifically in the context of the strategic development of the Philippines and the participants’ legislative districts.
The subjects include the Philippine Administrative System, Philippine Development Plan and the Economy, Roles and Challenges Facing Philippine Legislators, National Budget Process, Role of Congress in the Budget Process, Negotiating the Legislative Mill, Working with the Executive Agencies to Provide Constituent Needs, and Working With Peers Within the House of Representatives, among others. (FREEMAN)