JAN.

23, 2015

NR # 3720B

HRep Resolution expresses collective gratitude

to Pope Francis for his visit
The House of Representatives is expected to adopt a Resolution expressing its
collective and heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness Pope Francis following his State visit and
Apostolic journey to the Philippines last January 15 to 19, 2015.
Lawmakers, led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., filed no less than five separate
but similar resolutions expressing the Filipino peoples gratitude, through their
congressional representatives, for his historic visit that centered on the universal message
of mercy and compassion.
The Speaker, with senior leaders of the House as co-authors, filed HR 1816 which
stressed that the leader of the Roman Catholic Church provided inspiration and
encouragement to millions of Filipinos to make Jesus Christ the center of their lives.
His Holiness Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the first Pope to come
from a third world country, Argentina.
One of the main objectives of the pastoral and apostolic journey of the Pope was to
visit and bring comfort to Filipinos who were victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which had
caused massive loss of life and devastation to the country in November 2013.
Despite the harsh weather conditions brought about by typhoon Amang, Pope
Francis proceeded to the Province of Leyte to hold Mass for one hundred fifty thousand
pilgrims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, braving the strong winds and rains to
personally bring his message of hope and renewal to our countrymen, Belmonte and his
colleagues pointed out.
Co-authors of HR 1816 included: Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi
Aggabao, Sergio A.F. Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos M. Padilla, and Roberto Puno;
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II; Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora; Reps. Mel Senen
Sarmiento; Enrique M. Cojuangco; Mark Llandro L. Mendoza; Eleandro Jesus Madrona;
Elpidio Barzaga, Jr.; Antonio Lagdameo, Jr.; Rolando G. Andaya, Jr.; Mar-Len Abigail S.
Binay; Nicanor M. Briones and Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza.
HR 1816 notes the Popes emphasis on the need for genuine reforms in order to
build a society anchored on social justice and respect for human dignity and sounded the
call for honesty, integrity, a strong commitment to the common good, and for the
eradication of corruption and poverty.
His openness to interreligious dialogue and ecumenical cooperation to foster

harmony between people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths is of great significance to
present day reality, and his belief in the efforts of bringing just and lasting peace to the
Philippines, particularly in Mindanao has made His Holiness Pope Francis a symbol of
unity and promoter of peace, the resolution stressed.
Likewise, the lawmakers collectively declared that the overwhelming positive
response to the Popes visit indicates how the message of Mercy and Compassion, love
and peace has resonated with the Filipino people, igniting their hearts to make
meaningful and positive changes to the nation and the entire world.
His humility, compassion, simplicity, dedication, passion, warmth and great love
for the people made him a beacon of hope and inspiration to our countrymen, and the
nation is truly grateful for the presence of His Holiness Pope Francis in our midst, the
lawmakers stressed.
The four other similar House resolutions filed on resumption of sessions include:
HR 1799 authored by Reps. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
Lani-Mercado-Revilla, Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Jose L. Atienza, Jonathan dela Cruz,
Victor Ortega, Philip Pichay, Aleta Suarez and Toby Tiangco. HR 1802 authored by Rep.
Eric L. Olivarez; HR 1813 filed separately by Deputy Speaker Sergio Apostol, and HR
1806 by Rep. Winston Castelo.
The resolutions, which will be consolidated into one House Resolution, is expected
to be unanimously adopted by the House plenary with all members as signatories. (30) dpt