NANAWAGAN si reelected Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ng pagdaraos ng simpleng pagbubukas ng sesyon ng 20th Congress na susundan ng State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa Lunes, sa gitna ng nararanasang hirap ng maraming pamilya bunsod ng pagbaha na dala ng hanging habagat na pinalakas ng sunod-sunod na bagyo.

“In the past weeks, tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong have displaced families, destroyed livelihoods, and left many of our kababayan struggling to get back on their feet,” sabi ni Rep. Romualdez, ang Speaker ng 19th Congress.

“It would be out of touch to maintain a show of pageantry while our people are still in recovery,” dagdag pa ni Rep. Romualdez, isang abugado na nagtapos sa University of the Philippines at pangulo ng Philippine Constitution Association.

Sinabi ni Rep. Romualdez na hiniling niya sa Office of the Secretary General, na kung maaari, ay panatilihin ang pormal na mga protocol ngunit iwasan ang magarbong pagrampa sa red carpet, fashion coverage, at bongang seremonya.

“We will still observe decorum and tradition, but without the spectacle. The red carpet will be used for its functional purpose, not as a platform for display,” ani Rep. Romualdez.

Nilinaw naman ni Rep. Romualdez na malaya pa ring makipag-usap sa media ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso habang naglalakad patungo sa plenaryo, gaya ng nakasanayan.

“This is not about restricting access or silencing anyone. It’s about setting the tone: focused, grounded and responsive,” giit ni Rep. Romualdez.

“The opening of Congress is not a fashion event, it is a working session. Let’s begin it with the seriousness and humility our times demand,” dagdag pa nito.

Ang 20th Congress ay magbubukas sa Hulyo 28, na susundan ng SONA ng Pangulo.