Intramuros, Manila – July 28, 2025 — More than 220 members of the House of Representatives gathered for a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday at the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Manila Cathedral, in preparation for the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress.
The solemn gathering comes a day before the official opening of the legislative session and the much-anticipated fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., scheduled for Monday, July 29.
According to congressional officials, the Mass was held to give thanks and seek guidance for the upcoming legislative year. In addition to lawmakers, several government officials and congressional staff also took part in the religious ceremony.
The 20th Congress is expected to tackle key legislative priorities aligned with the administration’s reform agenda, including measures on economic development, national security, and social services.
