JULY 4, 2013

NR # 3154B

Belmonte elated over peers enthusiasm on filing bills

Re-elected Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. today expressed elation over the enthusiasm shown by congressmen at filing their pet measures in anticipation of the opening of the 16 th Congress on July 22nd. If the long queue on Monday was indicative of the enthusiasm of my peers to participate actively in quality legislation, it must be a very promising start. Who knows, it may even make this 16 th Congress surpass the achievements of its predecessor, Belmonte said. The House of Representatives Plenary Affairs Bureau opened its windows on Monday to accommodate representatives of lawmakers and even lawmakers themselves who filed bills and resolutions on various vital issues and policy reforms. As of 10:30 am Thursday, July 4, 1,093 House Bills have been filed and 31 House Resolutions. At the close of Monday alone, by 6:00 p.m., some 826 bills of national and local scope, 25 House Resolutions, one Concurrent Resolution and one House Joint Resolution were officially received and numbered. The measures would be transmitted by the Office of the Secretary General headed by Atty. Marilyn Barua-Yap to the Committee on Rules following its reconstitution when Congress opens on the morning of July 22nd. There are on-going consultations on the matter of reorganizing the House hierarchy, the 50-plus standing committees and special committees, their respective chairmen and other officers and members may subsequently be confirmed by plenary or succeeding sessions following the election of the Speaker. Belmonte also lauded the involvement and determination of peoples organizations to participate actively in legislation and policy making. The eagerness of our people to participate in policy-making, through the various organizations in coalition, is vital and truly welcome. We need public input to even make policies and laws more responsive to the needs of our sovereign people and the changing times, Belmonte stressed. Belmontes reaction came after the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, a convergence of about 18 peoples organizations, including media groups, bonded together to file the Petition for indirect initiative to enact a national legislation titled An Act to Strengthen the Peoples Right to Information. The petition was received by the office of the House Secretary General, for subsequent transmittal to the soon-to-be reconstituted Committee on Rules. Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, which governed the 15 th Congress, the measures submitted to the House through peoples initiative shall be referred to the Committee on Rules for appropriate action. (30) dpt