Representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde on Thursday formally took his oath as the representative of Quezon City’s first district before Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, reaffirming his solid commitment to his constituents.
He vowed to carry forward the programs and the reforms he began in his first term.
“Ngayong araw ay pormal tayong nanumpa kay Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan ng Korte Suprema bilang inyong Congressman sa Unang Distrito ng Quezon City,” Atayde said.
“Ang ating panunumpa ay hindi lamang isang simpleng seremonya, kundi isang makabuluhang pagpapahayag ng ating pananagutan at paninindigan, sa bayan at sa inyo, aking mga kababayan sa Distrito Uno.”
The reelected lawmaker said the oath-taking is both a renewal of his duty and a challenge to serve his constituents better.
Atayde added: “Batid ko ang bigat ng responsibilidad na kaakibat ng panunumpang ito, kaya’t buong puso kong ipinapangako na ipagpapatuloy natin ang mga nasimulan na at higit pang paiigtingin ang serbisyong pampubliko. Tuloy-tuloy po ang Aksyon Agad!”
In his first term, Atayde authored and supported several landmark laws aimed at protecting workers, consumers, and the public. These include the Eddie Garcia Act, which ensures safer and fairer working conditions in the entertainment industry; the Internet Transactions Act, which strengthens safeguards for online buyers and sellers; and the New Government Procurement Act, which promotes transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
“Bilang inyong kinatawan sa ikalawang pagkakataon, ito ay isang panibagong hudyat upang harapin at tugunan ang iba pang pangangailangan ng distrito, hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng paghahatid ng mga serbisyong mula sa gobyerno, kundi higit sa lahat, sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulong ng mga makabuluhang batas na magsusulong ng kapakanan, hindi lamang ng ating mga kadistrito, kungdi ng lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino.”
He also pushed for laws that improve healthcare access and protect Filipino overseas workers, such as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialized medical centers across regions, and the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, which secures better working conditions and benefits for the country’s maritime workforce.
To help fight inflation and protect Filipino farmers and consumers, Atayde supported the passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, a measure aimed at curbing large-scale smuggling of agricultural goods and lowering food prices.
The legislator, also a veteran actor, was joined by his father, businessman Art Atayde and cousin administrative officer Gab Atayde during the oath taking.
