JUNE 19, 2012 DATE

NR # 2775B
REF. NO.

House unhampered by impeachment trial work, passes landmark legislation

Despite the rigors and pains of the historic five-month impeachment trial, the House of Representatives still out-did itself during the second regular session, from July 25, 2011 to June 6, 2012, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. declared today. We answered the demands of our responsibilities as representatives of the Filipino people, Belmonte said as preparations for the coming July State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) of the President go high gear. Even as the 2nd regular session registered higher numbers in terms of measures processed and passed than its first regular session as revealed by the House Secretary Generals office and the Rules Committee, Belmonte was quick to point out that we never lost focus on our duties from the start of the 15th Congress. Its quality instead of quantity of legislation that we want achieved at all times. Numbers are just incidental. What were passed during the 1st regular session were legislation necessary at that time and needed to usher us to a good start for the just ended 2nd regular session, the Speaker said. However, just to feed the curiosity of our people, the fifty-two (52) session days of the 2 nd regular session saw 11 measures being enacted into law (6 national- 4 local- 1 Joint Resolution), while nine measures (8 national and 1- Joint Resolution) were signed into law by the President during the 76 session days of the 1st regular session. The House, during the 1st regular session processed a total of 1,409 measures or an average 18.5 measures per session day in 76 days. During the 2 nd regular session it processed 1,991 measures for an average of 38 measures per day in 52 session days. For the coming 3rd regular session of Congress, the House has already endorsed for Senate action come July opening a total of 220 national bills, 551 local measures and five Joint Resolutions which were approved on third during the 1st and 2nd regular sessions. 149 of the national bills were passed during the 2nd regular session. Since the start of the 15th Congress until adjournment last June 6, a total of 6,336 bills (3992 national; 2344 local) were filed, excluding some 2,549 resolutions, for a total of 8,884 measures which also resulted to a total of 2,253 Committee Reports (approved by the various standing and special committees for plenary consideration). Aside from the timely approval of the nations General Appropriations Act to finance government operations for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, enacted into law include, among others: R.A. 10150 which amended the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001; R.A. 10149 promoting financial viability and fiscal discipline in Government Owned and Controlled Corporations to make them more responsive to public interest; R.A. 10151- An Act allowing employment of night workers, amending the Labor Code of the Philippines; R.A. 10152 which provides for the mandatory basic immunization services for infants and children; and R.A. 10153 or the Synchronization of the

JUNE 19, 2012 DATE

NR # 2775B
REF. NO.

ARMM elections with the national and local elections. Also enacted into law were: R.A. 10154 which requires all concerned government agencies to ensure the early release of the retirement pay, pensions, gratuities and other benefits of retiring government employees; R.A. 10157 which institutionalizes the kindergarten education into the basic education system; R.A. 10158 or the decriminalization of vagrancy, amending the Revised Penal Code, among others. Before adjournment, the House ratified the bicameral conference committee reports on the disagreeing provisions of the following measures: HB 4275/SB 3009 Further strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Law, amending R.A. 9160 or the Anti-Money laundering Act of 2001; HB 6235/SB 2811 - Establishing the Peoples Survival Fund to address Climate Change; HB 4115/SB 2965 An Act protecting individual personal data in information and communications systems in the government and in the private sector, providing penalties for violations; and HB 5808/SB 2796 An Act defining Cybercrime, providing for the prevention, investigation, suppression and the imposition of penalties. Still awaiting the signature of the President include, among others (9 national -7 local bills) , are : HB 05015/ SB 3127 An Act Defining the Crime of Financing of terrorism, providing penalties and for other purposes; HB 04481 An Act to strengthen and propagate foster care for abandoned and neglected children and children with special needs; and R.A. 5640 An Act regulating the practice of Geology in the Philippines, amending R.A. 4209 or the Geology Professional Law of the Philippines. Pending in conference committee as of June 6 (adjournment), among others, are: HB 4667 An Act creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology, defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes; HB 4807 An Act prohibiting racial, ethnic and religious discrimination; There are now some 192 national bills approved by the House and transmitted to the Senate for its proper consideration and passage, among which are: HB 5727 An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco products; HB 6184 An Act granting additional benefits to Solo Parents, amending R.A. 8972 or the Solo Parents Act of 2000; and HB 6052 An Act strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines. Also transmitted to the Senate for its appropriate action are: HB 6086 An Act establishing the Open High School System in the Philippines; HB 6131 An Act providing stiffer penalties for the unauthorized cutting of coconut trees, granting police powers to the Phil. Coconut Authority, amending R.A. 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995; and HB 6118 Strengthening and institutionalizing direct credit support of the Land Bank of the Philippines to Agrarian Reform beneficiaries, small farmers and fisherfolk, amending the Agricultural Land Reform Code, as amended. There are also some 535 bills of local significance being deliberated on by the Senate which include establishment of high schools in many areas of the nation; environment protection-related bills; infrastructure development; health and other vital local concerns. (30) dpt