The House is Quiet
The House
The Philippine House of Representatives (HOR) is located at Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, and has approximately 19 hectares of land. As of the 20th Congress covering 2025 to 2028, there are 318 seats in the House, comprising 254 district representatives and 64 party-list representatives.
The halls were emptied by silence when I arrived here on the morning of January 30. I walked down the aisles with some good friends who were just like me, felt privileged to roam around. Upon entrance at the Session Hall, I was captivated by the gigantic-sized Philippine flag that adorned a large portion of the wall. A shiver ran down my spine as my eyes were powerfully attracted to its vibrant colors, which beautifully contrasted with the wooden interiors.
In the stillness, I could only envision the vibrant chaos unfolding within the session hall, where lawmakers from diverse regions eagerly prepared to take the stage. Each representative, fueled by their passion for public service, would rally with fervor around their crucial responsibility: crafting legislation that shapes the future for the Filipino people. The air would be thick with anticipation, as voices rise in spirited discussions, and the sound of papers rustling fills the space, signifying the importance of their collective mission. It’s a bustling scene of democracy in action, where every debate and every proposal hold the potential to impact lives across the nation.
Behind the bustle, I came to think who secures the safety of these solons in the Congress so they can work securely and at ease? What does it take to become the one who shields the peace, stability, and order in and out of the HOR? Fitted to occupy this position is Retired Brigadier Ferdinand Melchor C. Dela Cruz.
The Shield
The sergeant-at-arms serves a vital role in upholding the decorum and order within the House of Representatives Building Complex. Tasked with enforcing the established rules and regulations of the House, these individuals play a crucial part in fostering an environment conducive to productive legislative discussions. In addition to maintaining order, the sergeant-at-arms is also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of House officers, members, staff, and visitors, protecting them from any potential disruptions or threats. Their presence is essential in creating a secure atmosphere where democratic processes can flourish, allowing the important work of governance to proceed smoothly.
On September 23, 2025, Retired Brigadier General Ferdinand Melchor C. Dela Cruz was unanimously elected to the position of Sergeant-at-Arms after Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III was elected as the new House Speaker of the 20th Congress.
Tracking the records and significant accomplishments of Dela Cruz in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he was appointed as Brigade Commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Philippine Army, on February 16, 2023. His brief stint as Commander of the Brigade in the province of Cagayan resulted in the neutralization of the Commander of the New People’s Army in the region, and the surrender of the Secretary and key staff of the Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines operating in the Cagayan Valley Region. This feat eventually led to the dismantling of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) of the Communist Party-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
With the transfer of the area of responsibility of his Brigade in Abra province that confronted the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), he significantly thwarted the tactical move of the NPA to regain their former guerrilla bases in Ilocos Region as a result of decisive combat engagements which Dela Cruz personally commanded and led.
He restructured the Task Group in Baguio and introduced a concept of a Culture of Security and Resilience, which was embraced by the people of Baguio City, including progressive groups known to be left-leaning.
Before his retirement, he was one of the pioneering leaders of the newly organized AFP Intelligence Command, which is responsible for providing Command and Control of all Strategic Intelligence outfits of the Defense and AFP, noting that he is also a member of the Indo-Pacific Intelligence Forum.
On a personal note, Dela Cruz is the sixth child of late Col. Melchor F. Dela Cruz, the gentleman in whose honor the 502nd Infantry Brigade Camp in Soyung, Echague, and the headquarters of the 5ID in Gamu, Isabela were both named Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992, while his father belongs to Class 1953. Added to the list is Dela Cruz’s son, a Philippine Air Force officer belonging to Class 2020.
Dela Cruz was only three years old when his father died in a plane crash in San Mariano, Isabela, on November 8, 1971, while conducting an air reconnaissance mission. As a result, he has no vivid memories of what it was like to be an army son. Dela Cruz chose to pursue a military career to help alleviate his mother’s struggles in raising his other six siblings, who are all minors- the eldest was just 12 years old while the youngest was 11 months old when they were orphaned by their father.
Once a patriot, always a patriot
In the current political climate of the Philippines, it requires significant courage to hold a position that demands deep commitment. Congress is deeply plagued by political division and pervasive issues of corruption, making the prospect of a clean slate seem almost unattainable. Disturbances and destabilization efforts from various organizations and even private individuals could pose a national threat, and lawmakers could be the potential targets. Considering these dangers, it takes one to exercise a patriotic mission to protect the interests of the nation and its citizens. Dela Cruz’s willingness to take on the challenge of defending the HOR against these threats is a clear reflection of his background as a soldier, a patriot, as always.
If my friends and I were able to visit the HOR at its most quiet state, the stillness is not because there is no scheduled session, but because the security is stable.
Yes, the House was quiet as I stood at the center of the session hall, but my thoughts about the sergeant-at-arms’ duty were loud in my mind; thus, this story. # MAE BARANGAN
