Congressional spouses group get back House office

The Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFi), which former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez kicked out from the Batasang Pambansa Complex, is back in the House.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday led the oath-taking of the new CSFi officers, now being led by her daughter, Luli.

"Congratulations to all of you and thank you for putting together the Congressional Spouses again," she told them following the oath-taking.

"I hope that you will be very happy now that you have found your home again back here in the halls of Congress," she added.

In February last year, Alvarez said he wanted the CSFi to move out of the House premises as deputy speakers and party-list representatives were in need of more office space.

"It is not a function of Congress, but they are occupying a big space. Pero ang nangyari kasi, nagdagdag ng mga congressmen, maraming party-list ang pumasok. Kailangan ko po ng mga opisina," he said in an ANC interview then.

At that time, the CSFi was being led by Alvarez's wife, Emelita.

As the CSFi found its way back to the House, Arroyo challenged its members to start a project that could directly help their spouse's districts.

"I understand from Luli the one that would fit that the most would be Kabuhayan Fair then it will help the people in your districts and therefore help your Congress spouse," she said.

"So I hope in the short we are together we will be productive and most importantly, the camaraderie that is needed to make the congressional spouses successful in their work," she added.

The CSFi is a cause-oriented organization composed of spouses of House members, committed to support the mandate of the chamber of legislation and public service by conducting socio-civic and other developmental initiatives. —NB, GMA News