The House of Representatives has officially opened at exactly 10 a.m. Monday, July 26, 2010, to elect its next speaker, who will welcome President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to deliver his first State of the Nation Adress (SONA) this afternoon.

Acting House Secretary-General Marilyn Barua-Yap officially opened the session, leading the members of 15th Congress in singing the national anthem before rolling calls for attendance to determine if there is enough quorum for the election.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte were seen present observing in the plenary hall to support 4th District Rep. Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte, who has been expected to win the speakership race.

The former Quezon City mayor is running against Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who could be the next leader of the minority bloc should he lose the race.

Former First lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, Pangasinan Rep. Manay Gina De Venecia, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, and Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado stood out from congressmen, who filled up the plenary hall in time for the election.

Filipino boxing champion and now Saranggani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao received warm applause from hundreds of guests.

Former Pampanga congressman and now Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo also showed up to participate in Congress' order of business today in support of Lagman's bid for speakership, saying he is ready to become part of the minority.

Yap declared the presence of quorum after 260 congressmen responded to the roll call.

She clarified that the total number of House members for the 15th Congress only reached 261 following the untimely passing of Cagayan Rep. Florencio Vargas last week and the deferment of proclamation of some 11 party-list group nominees.

Only former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was not seen in the opening of the 15th Congress after flying out of the country Sunday night to accompany her husband for a check up in Honk Kong last Sunday night.

However, the House secretariat committed a mistake when it counted as present Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who is now detained in Hong Kong for allegation of illegal drug possession.