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ON THE COVER
Top Speaker Jose de Venecia (Photo by Perfecto Camero/PRID)
Bottom, from left Deputy Speakers Emilio R. Espinosa Jr., Raul V. del Mar, Abdulgani A.
Salapudin, and Eric D. Singson, Majority Leader Prospero C. Nograles, and Minority Leader Francis
Joseph G. Escudero
Cover art by Waldemar Alvarez/PRID
Foreword
A
t the opening of the Second Regular
Session in July 2005, I said that the
13th Congress was in the midst of a political
crisis, and that the fateful decisions we
faced would be of inestimable importance
to our nation.
This Session was defined by such
decisions.
There has never been a year in our
recent past when every member of the
House of Representative was called upon
to vote his conscience on many hotly
divisive issues. In full view of the nation—
and before audiences in many countries of
the globe where Filipino communities have
grown—we faced the toughest moments in
legislative decision-making.
We debated the big issues—often
acrimoniously; we sharply differed in our
views on how best to achieve sustained
economic growth and political stability; we
batted for reforms, aware that before such
ideas could gain acceptance, they go
through the gauntlet of criticism and
scrutiny. But always, in this noisy democracy
of ours, we forged consensus from the
welter of clashing ideas and voices.
In a time of hyped-up political
differences, the leadership of the House
never wavered from acting with a deep
understanding of the nation’s priorities—
that the only way to go with reforms was
with deliberate speed to put the nation back
on track.
The bid to impeach the President—
although intensely debated for weeks—was
decisively beaten by a huge majority in a
session that was telecast live and intensely
watched by the nation in its full 23-hour
length—itself an unprecedented moment
in our history.
We went beyond partisan skirmishes
to craft an Anti-Terrorism Law with enough
teeth—and make the Philippines a
dependable ally in the global coalition to
fight organized terror.
We scrapped the death penalty to
make our justice system more humane. We
passed the nation’s first trillion-peso budget
on time—only to be halted by an obdurate
Senate.
Government reform is one continuing
key task we have doggedly pursued. We
introduced the streamlining of bureaucratic
procedures, clearer guidelines for
government workers, more information for
the public, heavier penalties for
malfeasance, and more incentives for good
governance.
We anticipated the need for alternative
fuels and the need to shore up the integrity
of the natural environment. We threw our
favor to victims of human rights abuses and
acted to prevent the future occurrence of
such atrocities. We saw to it that society’s
disadvantaged sectors will have a palpable
measure of support in law.
Best of all, we wavered not a bit in our
resolve to usher in the mother of all
reforms, the historically and politically
compelling shift to a unicameral,
parliamentary and federal system of
government. Regrettably, our sense of
urgency found little sympathy in the Senate.
But we are not giving up.
This House, although exposed to the
extreme forces of politics, has firmly kept
to the center to act on the country’s most
pressing concerns. Our actions and
decisions remain rooted in the best interests
of the Filipino.
I thank my colleagues for their
steadfast support in accomplishing our
legislative agenda so far—and the officials
and staff of the Secretariat for their
invaluable help every step of the way.
JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
Speaker
House of Representatives
House of Representatives
Accomplishment Report
Second Regular Session
(July 2005 - June 2006)
Urgent concerns, decisive action
F
rom its start, the Second Regular Session was
marked by a deepening sense of urgency for the House
to put in order the nation’s priorities and bring the
country squarely into the path of vital reforms.
In early September 2005, the House rejected two
impeachment complaints against President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo in a marathon 23-hour plenary session,
the longest ever in Congress’ history, live on television.
With conviction, the House voted 158 against 51,
with six abstentions, to finally dismiss the impeachment
complaints initiated in July, dousing serious attempts
to cause further division in public opinion.
The process of weighing the arguments for
impeachment took away time and attention on vital
measures intended to alleviate the more pressing issues
of poverty, food, jobs, wages, education, health, peace
and order, and public governance.
Immediately after resolving the matter of the
presidential impeachment, Speaker Jose de Venecia
moved to galvanize effective consensus on the national
agenda, urging House Members to set aside differences
and tackle pending priorities, topped by the AntiTerrorism Bill, the proposed trillion-peso General
Appropriations Act, and the “mother of all reforms,” the
amendment of the 1987 Constitution to shift to a
unicameral and parliamentary government and end
seventy years of a flawed bicameral presidential system.
SEVEN QUESTIONS. Rep. Edcel Lagman enumerates seven very
relevant questions or issues he says must first be debated upon and
resolved to determine which complaint or complaints shall be subject to
the jurisdiction of the Justice Committee during the Impeachment
hearings. Reps. Simeon Datumanong and Eduardo Gullas flank Lagman.
Powerhouse
By the close of the Second Regular Session. House
Members filed a record 5,537 bills—2,469 of national
significance and 3,068 for local purposes—of which
5,518 have been referred to various committees.
The urgency pervading the lawmaking process bore
fruition on its passage of 883 bills. Of these, 14 were
enacted or had lapsed into law. The remaining 838
bills were approved on third reading, with 824 bills—
many of them of urgent national concern—still pending
at the Senate. Six bills are awaiting Presidential action.
Members filed 1,284 resolutions, 1,110 of which
were referred to various committees, and 173 of which
were adopted by the House; and 32 concurrent
resolutions and 17 joint resolutions.
Of the 14 bills that became law, nine were enacted
during the Second Regular Session.
The measures approved on third reading are
consistent with the House’s thrust towards establishing
environmental safeguards, providing expanded housing
opportunities, reforming tax administration, streamlining
the bureaucracy to promote good government,
strengthening the delivery of basic services, and
advancing local development.
Committee work
All in all, the 57 standing committees and 16 special
committees acted on 5,244 bills from July 2004 to June
2006. Approximately 70 percent of this total was referred
during the Second Regular Session. There were 1,757
committee reports (CRs) that were filed from July 2004
up to June 2006, 811 of which were filed during the
report period. These proposals include 85 CRs on bills
of national application, 476 CRs on bills of local
application, 246 CRs on various resolutions, three CRs
on privilege speeches, and one CR on a letter-complaint.
The Committee Affairs Department assisted 741
committee meetings/public hearings during the report
period, which included 689 meetings held in-house or
within Metro Manila, 25 meetings held outside the
capital, 17 ocular inspections and 10 bicameral
conference committee meetings. Also conducted were
268 technical working meetings.
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New laws
Five significant bills of national application became
law during the Second Regular Session.
As an urgent social amelioration measure, HB 3356,
later RA 9341, or the Rental Reform Act, provides “safety
nets” for the most vulnerable among our people—the
urban poor. Extended for three years more from January
1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, this Act immediately
benefited millions of daily-wage and low-salaried earners
who are not yet in a financial position to own a house
or lot and are renting in urban centers near to their
places of work. This law protects them from unreasonable
increases in their rental expenses.
The law covers all residential units in the National
Capital Region and other urban cities with rentals not
exceeding P7,500 and residential units in all other areas
with rentals not exceeding P4,000. Rent eats up 13.6
percent—or the second-largest share—in the family
budget. More than 1.5 million households or roughly
10.1 percent of the 15.3 million households in the
country rent their dwelling units, the highest in the
NCR with 32 percent of households that rent.
HB 5065, now RA 9344, provides special protection
to children in conflict with the law (CICL) and establishes
a comprehensive juvenile justice system. It emphasizes
“restorative justice” and rehabilitation in halfway houses
and centers for offenders under 18 years old—unless
they have acted with discernment—versus jail, where
they are mixed with hard-core adult inmates in congested
cells and sub-human conditions. The passage of this
law, expected to dismiss at least 70 percent of court
cases currently filed against minors, was hailed by both
government and non-government sectors involved in the
promotion of children’s rights, as well as by international
organizations.
The House also voted overwhelmingly with dispatch
on HB 4826, later RA 9346, in favor of prohibiting the
imposition of the death penalty. Authors of the bill
cited the “anti-poor” qualities and “brutalizing effects”
of the death penalty in scrapping it, a decision welcomed
by human rights and religious groups.
DEATH NO MORE. Speaker Jose de Venecia, with new Apostolic Nuncio
to the Philippines, H.E. Most Rev. Fernando Filoni, who paid the Speaker
and the House membership a courtesy call during a plenary break, holds
a copy of the conference committee report on the abolition of the death
penalty in the country following its ratification by the House last June 6.
Also shown are (from left) Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar with Reps.
Eduardo Veloso, Augusto Baculio (partly hidden) Luis Villafuerte, Edcel
Lagman (principal author and sponsor), Simeon Kintanar and Constantino
Jaraula.
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NO TO TERROR. Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Chairman of the Justice
Committee, defends the consolidated Anti-Terrorism Bill, or House Bill
4839, in plenary, alongside Rep. Marcelino Libanan. Seen seated at left
are Reps. Eduardo Gullas and Antonio Cuenco, chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, who helped draft the final version.
By approving HB 4066, or RA 9343, the House
amended the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Act of 2002
to extend the period for setting up SPVs and availing of
incentives for setting up special purpose vehicles to
liquidate non-performing assets of financial institutions.
On the political front, HB 3742 seeking to reset
the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to
May 2008, effectively extending the term of incumbent
office holders, became RA 9340. The new election date
would save the country from further political division
and around P2.5 billion in election-related expenses,
the House leadership noted.
Top concerns
The House managed to gain consensus on major
legislative concerns in the Second Regular Session,
namely, the trillion-peso national budget, the AntiTerrorism Act, and the opening of plenary debates,
marked by much color and passion, on the concurrent
resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution,
specifically to transform the structure of government to
a unicameral, parliamentary system in a bid to end
decades of the present bicameral, presidential and unitary
system prone to gridlock and slow policy-making.
The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, or HB 4839, leads
the priority bills approved on third reading and currently
pending in the Senate, closely followed by HB 4629, or
the Bioethanol Fuel Act. HB 4839 spells out acts of
terror and prescribes the conditions by which a
warrantless arrest and detention can be done in the
course of ferreting out terrorists. HB 4629 responds to
the worldwide clamor to find alternatives to fossil fuels,
prompted by continually rising oil prices. The bill aims
to reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil by
developing production of environment-friendly fuels from
plants, such as ethanol from sugarcane and grain, to be
proportionally mixed with standard gasoline.
A mangled budget
However, at the adjournment of the Second Regular
Session, Speaker de Venecia called the Senate’s
“mangling” of the General Appropriations Act, or the
2006 National Budget, as the tragic “triumph of political
expediency.” The House contingent
to the bicameral conference
committee refused to allow the
Senators to cut P64-billion from the
proposed P1.053-trillion budget that
resulted in the cancellation of longanticipated programs to build
infrastructure, create jobs, encourage rural
entrepreneurship and rebuild the peace where this is
most needed.
The Senate deleted, among other things, the P5billion Kilos Asenso fund (the government program which
makes funds available for agri-businessmen), the
Kalayaan Barangay fund, and other appropriations
intended to finance grassroots economic programs.
“With an unprecedented P129 billion in [proposed]
new spending, the 2006 Budget represented the country’s
best chance to make irreversible moves that could
jumpstart the moribund economy,” noted Rep. Joey Sarte
Salceda, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
He called the collapse of the bicameral budget talks
as “the biggest missed opportunity for poverty reduction
in this decade,” noting that the poor are worse off
without new social spending, like P2.9 billion in health
insurance affecting 36 million people.
Futility of bicameralism
Moreover, de Venecia
expressed frustration over the
failure of the Senate to act on
more than 820 pending bills at
the Senate’s door. Practically 90
percent of these bills are of local
importance, which may be “totally unimportant to our
Senators, but of inestimable value to our local
constituencies, to the provinces, cities, towns and
villages,” he said.
In the Speaker’s eyes, the remainder—the list of
national bills for which the House has expended time,
resources and effort—forms part of the incontrovertible
proof that each bill pending or ignored by the Senate
shows the failure of that chamber as well as the “utter
futility and wastefulness” of a two-house legislature.
“This system cannot continue; we have to break it,
we have to dismantle it,” de Venecia urged his colleagues
in his closing speech.
Public sector reform
The House continues to wage
a campaign for laws that aim to
improve bureaucratic conduct and
oil the wheels of government to
deliver vital public services. In the
Second Regular Session, it
approved HB 3776, or the Anti-Red Tape Act, to cut
through inconvenient and unnecessary procedures in
government transactions. It seeks to ease and make
clear to the public the process of dealing with each
agency through information materials and billboards,
to remove fixers from the scene and restore citizen
confidence in public service.
To assure faster tabulation and less tampering of
ballots, the House gave its nod to HB 5352, which
amends RA 8436 (the law on automation of elections).
As proposed, the bill envisions the immediate use of an
automated voting system to ensure secured balloting,
accurate counting and immediately release of election
results. The Commission on Elections is thus expected
to develop this system, with the assistance of a multiagency Advisory Council, which shall ensure the integrity
and auditability of voting and carry safeguards against
unauthorized access and error recovery in case of device
failure.
Similarly, HB 4846, or the Land Administration
Reform Act, a consolidation of 15 bills, fortifies the
credibility and marketability of land titles, survey plans
and other public documents pertaining to the country’s
land resources. It is also a strategy to shorten the
notoriously tedious documentation process of acquiring
and transferring proof of ownership of lands by
streamlining basic land administration functions in a
single government body.
In pursuit of curbing graft by streamlining
government procedures, the House approved HB 3309,
the Frontline Service Information Act, and HB 4069,
the Anti-Smuggling Act, in its First Regular Session.
In the education front, HB 5008 seeks to strengthen
the University of the Philippines as the premier state
university by amending its archaic 1908 charter to define
its roles and empower it as the country’s hub of
excellence in the various disciplines, serving as a
graduate, research, and public-service university.
Constitutional reform
By approving Concurrent Resolution
No. 26, the House moved to amend the
1987 Constitution by Constituent
Assembly of Congress. The key
amendments are two-fold with farreaching consequences. One is the shift
from the bicameral presidential system—which has failed
the nation’s hopes—to the parliamentary unicameral
system; the other is the lifting of economic restrictions
to attract foreign direct investments into the country—
an open-door policy that, applied elsewhere in Asia,
gave impetus to China’s rise as an economic powerhouse,
and the rapid development of Singapore, Hong Kong,
Malaysia and Thailand. Forming a somber backdrop to
the campaign was the failed plot to overthrow the
government in late February.
De Venecia called Charter reform the “country’s last
remaining hope to turn around the economy and
transform the Philippines from a third-world to a secondworld country in the next ten years.” A final effort,
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endorsed by the LEDAC, to reconcile the Senate and
House approaches to Charter reform collapsed in early
June. By then the second approach to Charter reform—
the People’s Initiative—succeeded in gathering nearly
nine million signatories to the petition pushing for the
shift to a parliamentary government.
More resources for localities
A frequent source of confusion
and conflict in local governance is
access of local government units
(LGUs) to their lawful share in the
exploitation of natural resources in
their boundaries. HB 2744 offers a
solution by requiring all independent
power producers, generation companies and/or energy
resource developers to directly remit the amount they
are required to set aside as financial benefit to host
communities, no longer coursing the funds through the
national government. In the same manner, HB 54 amends
the Local Government Code to authorize LGUs to apply
at least 80 percent of the share of the proceeds derived
from hydrothermal, geothermal and other sources of
energy for the electrification of areas within the same
province.
Armed Forces reform
Also gaining favor on third
reading in the Second Regular
Session were bills meant to initiate
changes in Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) administration,
most of them filed by Members
formerly in the military service.
On one hand, HB 219, now in
bicameral conference committee, seeks a fixed tenure
for the AFP Chief of Staff of three years, with no extension
unless Congress approves it due to war or national
emergency. The Major Service Commanders shall have a
fixed term of two years.
HB 3370, on the other hand, aims to create the
Office of the AFP Comptroller, civilian in nature, to take
the place of the whole Office of the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Comptrollership, also known as “J-6,” which
has been notorious as a graft-prone military office
handling the budgeting, accounting, finance and internal
auditing and management of the entire AFP. The new
civilian Comptroller must be insulated from pressures in
military culture which may lead to corruption.
To institute a stronger anti-graft mechanism within
the AFP, HB 4870 enhances the powers of its Inspector
General Service Office to serve as an administrative
deterrent to malfeasance and emphasizes a pro-active
disposition towards investigating instances where an
anomaly is perceived.
In the matter of recognizing veterans, HB 4451 is
a measure amending RA 6948 to redefine the term
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“veteran” to encompass those who rendered military
service during the revolution against Spain, the
Philippine-American War, World War II, the Korean
Campaign, the Vietnam Campaign, and AFP retirees as
well as those sooner separated due to death or disability
arising from injuries or sickness incurred in the line of
duty while in active service.
Housing for all
An estimated 3.5 million
housing units need to be built to
cover the heads of Filipinos who have
no shelter of their own. The
Committee on Housing and Urban
Development has worked overtime to
craft and endorse a battery of measures—approved, in
turn, in plenary—to address this problem, which it
considers a result of long-term government neglect and
inadequate socialized housing funds and incentives.
HB 4264, or the Omnibus Housing and Urban
Development Act, aims to orchestrate national
government action with the various factors involved in
addressing the shelter shortage—finance, land, local
governments, non-government organizations, and private
sector cooperation—under a Department of Housing and
Urban Development. Its primary concern is to make
available housing for low-income and middle-level
earners across the country, integrated with access to
transport, employment, and financing.
To further define the responsibilities of both real
estate buyer and developer, HB 4073 seeks to amend
the Subdivision and Condominium Buyers Protective
Decree. Among several features, this measure obliges
the subdivision developer to concrete roads within one
year from the issuance of the project license. If the
developer fails to complete his project, the Housing
HOUSING BONANZA. Vice President Noli de Castro and Speaker Jose
de Venecia sign an agreement launching the Kalinga Pilipinas
Congressional District Housing Program, which aims to build an initial
200,000 low-cost houses in 60 districts across the country simultaneously
in 2006, following the successful Gawad Kalinga housing program. Other
signatories are Executive Director Antonio Meloto of Gawad Kalinga
Foundation; Acting Social Welfare and Development Secretary Luwalhati
Pablo; Chairperson Rosemarie Basa, CREBA Social Housing
Foundation; Minority Leader Francis Escudero; Chairman Eduardo
Zialcita of the Housing and Urban Development Committee; Bohol
Governor Erico Aumentado, president of the Union of Local Authorities
of the Philippines and the League of Provinces; Mayor Ramon Guico
Jr., president of the League of Municipalities; and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry
Treñas, president of the League of Cities.
and Land Use Regulatory Board can declare it abandoned
and, after five years, the subdivision roads can become
public in character.
In cognizance of the role homeowners play in local
development, HB 4428, or the Magna Carta for
Homeowners’ Organizations, formalizes and spells out
the basic rights, powers, and duties of these groups and
links them closer to the local government units. Through
this measure, homeowners’ groups are recognized as
grassroots forces in improving communal quality of life.
To fully professionalize the real estate industry, HB
4847 proposes a Professional Regulatory Board of Real
Estate Service which would conduct licensure
examinations for brokers, appraisers and consultants in
this field. The bill empowers the Board to regulate the
practice of these professions by imposing ethical conduct
upon those it has licensed and accredited. Corresponding
penalties upon persons and entities in violation of the
law are set down in the bill. HB 4847 grants the real
estate industry the professional recognition it deserves
by elevating brokerage, appraisal and consultancy to
the level of a profession. In this manner, it also gives
the public a measure of protection from anomalous real
estate deals.
In the First Regular Session, the House passed HB
3769, aiming to institutionalize local housing boards
in every locality; HB 3835, to open up a process of
restructuring delinquent socialized and low-cost housing
loans; and HB 3834, calling for a “No Bidding” sale of
government-owned properties to its informal occupants
(as buyers under a direct negotiated sale for socialized
housing).
Social reform
The Second Regular Session
proved to be fertile ground for the
passage of legislation to give due
recognition to women and children
and to provide relief to sectors
which may be disadvantaged by
current laws and societal
conditions.
HB 4244 gives hope for the legitimation of children
born to parents below 18 years of age. Under Article
177 of the Family Code, children born in such
circumstances are considered illegitimate. This makes
adoption a necessary course for gaining legitimate
status. HB 4244 seeks to amend the Family Code and
add a clause allowing those conceived and born to
parents under the age of majority to be eligible for
adoption.
To further assist the integration of persons with
disabilities (PWDs) into the mainstream, HB 2810 aims
to ensure that they receive the services due them under
the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons—including access
to supportive telecommunications, education, and
employment systems—by creating a Persons with
Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in every province, city
and municipality. A function of the PDAO will be to
check compliance of public and commercial buildings
with the mandated infrastructure for PWDs, to seek
training programs and to encourage job openings for
them, as an office promoting their civil and political
rights.
For small fishermen who use the traditional handline
fishing at sea, HB 4067 will help them safely engage in
their livelihood without being mistaken for poachers or
subjected to rules applicable only to big fishing operators
by authorities. The bill defines handline fishing and
lays down the rules on registration of handline fishing
boats, as well as the manning complement of the boats,
whose catch shall be considered as Philippine produce
and not subject to import duties, even if caught beyond
Philippine exclusive economic zone. Some 30,000 tuna
handline fishermen, mostly in Mindanao, will benefit
from this measure.
HB 4713 declares November 20 each year as a
special non-working holiday to be known as the National
Children’s Day, to ascertain awareness of the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child and
emphasize the youth’s role in the future of the nation,
while acknowledging the State’s responsibility to provide
institutional support to protect, educate and nourish
Filipino children.
In the same manner, HB 4999, authored by all
women legislators, declares June 30 every year as a day
of celebration to commemorate Philippine feminism. The
bill cites June 30, 1905 as the founding date of
Asociacion Feminista Filipina, the first formal feminist
organization in the country, and that, by celebrating
this date, official recognition is given to the invaluable
roles played by women in the struggle for independence
and freedom, and in the whole effort of nation-building.
As a way to honor the nation’s diverse traditions,
the House approved HB 981, declaring the culmination
of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah (Saudi Arabia)
a national holiday. The nationwide observance of Eidul
Adha, the last day of the hajj, shall instill better
awareness and understanding of the cultural heritage of
15 million Filipino Muslims in our predominantly
Christian population.
Environmental sustainability
The planting of more trees
throughout the country has gained
even more urgency in the wake of
catastrophic mudslides that have
occurred in Guinsaugon, Southern
Leyte and in Camiguin.
HB 4491 aims to set up the “Tree
for Legacy Program,” a nationwide self-sustaining
reforestation program to be administered by LGUs, in
cooperation with the DENR and other concerned
agencies. Under this Program, instruments such as the
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Tree for Legacy Contract, Certificate of Tree Ownership,
Certificate of Usufruct, and Permit to Harvest are issued
to document the growing, cutting, preservation and
harvesting of forest products. Among the incentives for
participants are the right to harvest, sell and utilize
trees on private land, exemption from forest charges,
and technical and marketing assistance.
The revival of Arbor Day is a practical solution the
House has approved as embodied in HB 3821. The bill
vests provincial, city and municipal governments, with
their component barangays, the responsibility to revive
the annual celebration of Arbor Day at a fixed date every
year suitable for tree-planting activities. The bill’s
authors say it is a practical solution to maintain
ecological harmony and beautify localities.
Earlier, in the first year of the 13th Congress, the
House approved HB 4081, a measure aiming to spur the
planting of a billion trees through the complementary
tree-planting programs of various government agencies,
like the DENR and the DepEd, with one million hectares
of open and denuded forest lands as target areas on its
first five years of implementation. In its comprehensive
view, HB 4081 defines the roles of government agencies
as well as upland communities, non-government
organizations, private individuals and families,
corporations, homeowners and real estate developers
even as it opens opportunities for eco-tourism, foreign
funding, BOT funding and securitization of trees. Speaker
de Venecia himself championed this bill to create a
national greenbelt.
In advancing the fight against pollution, HB 4363
seeks to implement the provisions of the 1992
Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
and the 1992 International Convention on the
Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation
for Oil Pollution Damage. This measure devises a scheme
of adequate compensation to victims of oil pollution
damage and the institutional mechanism to process such
claims. It enables the victims to directly proceed against
the ship owner involved in the pollution incident and
imposes a system of strict but limited liability against
erring ship owners. Penalties are imposed for noncompliance with the law, failure to maintain financial
security, failure to contribute to the International Oil
Pollution Compensation Act, and the failure to submit
the report of contributing oil.
be sourced from the P35-billion Marcos deposits granted
by Swiss courts, will be distributed to the bill’s
beneficiaries, led by the 9,539 victims who won a class
suit in the Hawaii District Court in 1995 against the
Marcos estate.
To augment the capacity of the Commission on
Human Rights in delivering services, HB 2854 wants to
set up Human Rights Resource Centers in every province.
The bill, according to its primary authors, shall help
build a human rights-based law enforcement system
among local government units and push for the effective
enforcement of measures against abuses of human rights,
especially among women and children.
Responding to a need to fill a wide information
gap between workers and their legal rights, the House
assented to HB 376, which requires employers to clearly
inform employees of their rights, benefits and privileges,
on the first day of work and every time a compensable
contingency occurs. Thousands of workers who suffer
work-related illnesses or accidents annually fail to avail
of benefits under the Employees Compensation Program
due to ignorance and stand to lose their right to
compensation beyond the three-year prescriptive period
of filing claims.
Inter-parliamentary relations
The House pursued its policy
of bolstering inter-parliamentary
relations. Raising the institution’s
profile further, the Speaker
accepted, through Rep. Antonio V.
Cuenco, the Presidency of the Asean
Inter-Parliamentary Organization (AIPO) during the
regional group’s 26th General Assembly in Vientiane, Laos
in September 2005.
Three parliamentary delegations were hosted in the
Second Regular Session. From the People’s Republic of
China (PROC), the Hon. Zhang Dejiang, Member of the
Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the
Amplifying human and labor rights
The House made good its
commitment to amplify human
rights concerns. HB 3315,
providing compensation to
victims of human rights violations
committed during the Martial Law
regime under deposed President
Marcos, garnered 140 votes on
third reading in June 2006. An estimated P8 billion, to
7
GLOBAL DEBT RELIEF. Speaker de Venecia addressed the World
Summit of Speakers of Parliament at the UN where he unveiled his
proposal to ease the debt burden of some 100 developing nations. The
Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Paris Club also welcomed his ideas
on debt-for-equity exchange. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called
the proposal “a creative way of approaching the issue of external debt.”
RP-KOREA TIES. Speaker Jose de Venecia introduces House Members
to Speaker Kim Won-Ki of South Korea shortly before the start of bilateral
parliamentary talks.
Communist Party of China, and his delegation arrived in
November 2005. The succeeding month saw the visit of
the Hon. Li Shenxue, Secretary General of the Jilin
Provincial Committee and concurrent Vice Minister of
the People’s Congress of Jilin Province, also from the
PROC. Speaker Kim Won-Ki of the National Assembly of
Korea paid a visit in March 2006 accompanied by
Members of Parliament.
In compliance with its international commitments,
the House sent official delegations to 20 interparliamentary conferences, including the 94th Session
of the International Labor Organization (Geneva), Second
World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments (New York),
113th and 114th Assemblies of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (Geneva and Nairobi), 6th General Assembly of
the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (Pattaya),
11 th Asean Summit (Kuala Lumpur), 6 th Ministerial
Conference of the World Trade Organization (Hongkong),
14th Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum
(Jakarta), Fourth Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership
Meeting (Helsinki), and the Second World Conference
of Women Parliamentarians (Sofia).
Debt-for-equity program
On the world development
stage, the House leadership made
waves.
Debt burden remains a major
obstacle to national development
and eradication of grinding poverty
among more than 100 heavilyindebted middle-income nations of Africa, Asia and Latin
America. Using innovative thinking, Speaker de Venecia
worked out a program converting half of their foreign
debt to international lending institutions into equity in
development programs to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals of the United Nations. “It will build
housing and schools, fight disease, lift literacy, and
create jobs,” he said.
Unveiled in September last year, the program won
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s endorsement as a
means to “finance sustainable development programs.”
Key political leaders in Asia, Europe and Africa either
endorsed or showed interest in the program, which is
not a plea for debt forgiveness, debt cancellation, debt
moratorium and debt discount.
“We propose only that the rich countries,
multilateral institutions and large commercial banks plow
back into the economies of the debtor-countries 50
percent of an agreed-on portion of the debt-service
payments due them,” de Venecia said. Before top leaders
of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank
in Washington DC, de Venecia called the program a
“formula to finance the global battle against
poverty…that will be painless to the creditor institutions
and at the same time help the billions of poor people
all over the world.”
PRUDENCE BEARS FRUIT. Speaker Jose de Venecia informs President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the record P190 million savings the House
posted in 2005. “This is a significant House achievement because no
other government agency has saved this much,” de Venecia told the
President. With de Venecia are (from left) Deputy Secretary General
Noel Albano, Secretary General Roberto Nazareno, House Accounts
Committee Chairman Robert Ace Barbers and Deputy Minority Leader
Agapito Aquino.
Unprecedented savings
In June 2006, Speaker de Venecia proudly
announced an unprecedented P190 million in savings
in 2005 “through a program of austerity, cost-cutting
and disciplined financial management.”
In a meeting with President Arroyo, the Chief
Executive warmly congratulated de Venecia and the entire
House for the savings, the second time in as many years
that the chamber successfully reduced costs “to set an
example for other government agencies.” In 2004, de
Venecia turned over P66 million in House savings to the
National Treasury.
The Speaker—joined by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers,
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations;
Deputy Minority Leader Agapito “Butz” Aquino; and
Secretary General Roberto Nazareno—told Ms. Arroyo the
House would allocate P100 million of the savings for the
construction of a new building in the Batasan Pambansa
Complex to accommodate the expanded membership of
the lower chamber and their support staff.
De Venecia said the rest of the savings would be
utilized to augment the financing for full
computerization of the entire operations of House offices
under the Speaker’s program to modernize the legislature
and bring it to the digital age.
8
·
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PLENARY AFFAIRS BUREAU
13TH CONGRESS CUMULATIVE STATISTICAL DATA ON BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
July 1, 2004 to June 24, 2006
I. HOUSE BILLS
A. Number of House Bills Filed
5537
Number of House Bills Referred to Various Committees
5518
National Application
2468
Local Application
3050
Accomplishment Report
Accomplishment Report
B. House Bills Acted Upon by the House
883
1. Enacted/Lapsed into Law
14
National Application
10
Local Application
4
2. Vetoed by the President
0
3. Approved on Third Reading
838
a) Pending Action by the Senate
National Application
Local Application
824
76
748
b) Pending in Conference Committee
8
c) Pending Presidential Action
6
National Application
1
Local Application
5
4. Approved on Second Reading
National Application
Local Application
31
25
6
II. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
Number of Resolutions Filed
1284
Number of Resolutions Referred to Various Committees
Number of Resolutions Adopted by the House
1110
173
III. HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Filed
32
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Referred to Committees
17
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Pending by the House
10
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Pending by the Senate
5
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Pending in Conference
0
Number of House Concurrent Resolutions Adopted by Both Houses
0
IV. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
17
Number of House Joint Resolutions Filed
Number of House Joint Resolutions Referred to Committees
12
Number of House Joint Resolutions Pending Action by the Senate
5
Number of House Joint Resolutions Adopted by Both Houses
0
Number of House Joint Resolutions Adopted by the House
0
9
NATIONAL BILLS APPROVED BY THE 13TH CONGRESS
July 1, 2004 to June 24, 2006
RA/ HOUSE
BILL NO.
TITLE
DATE
ENACTED
RA09334
AN ACT INCREASING THE SPECIFIC TAX RATES IMPOSED ON ALCOHOL AND
TOBACCO PRODUCTS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 141, 142, 143,
144 AND 145 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS
AMENDED (HB 03174/ SB 01854)
12/21/04
RA09335
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE IN REVENUE COLLECTION
THROUGH THE GRANT OF SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND REWARDS FOR
EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND THROUGH LATERAL ATTRITION IN REVENUEGENERATING AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (HB
02996/ SB 01871)
01/25/05
RA09336
AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FROM JANUARY ONE TO DECEMBER THIRTYONE, TWO THOUSAND FIVE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (HB 03154)
03/15/05
RA09337
AN ACT RESTRUCTURING THE VALUE-ADDED TAX, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTIONS 106, 107, 108, 110 AND 114 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (HB
03555/ HB 03705/ SB 01950)
05/10/05
RA09340
AN ACT RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS,
EXTENDING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG
KABATAAN OFFICIALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (SB 02000/ HB 03742)
09/22/05
RA09341
AN ACT TO EXTEND THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE RENTAL REFORM ACT OF 2002,
PRESCRIBING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTHORIZED INCREASE AND THE
DISPOSITION OF RENTAL AND DEPOSIT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTIONS 3 AND 5 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9161, ENTITLED 'AN ACT
ESTABLISHING REFORMS IN THE REGULATION OF RENTALS OF CERTAIN
RESIDENTIAL UNITS, PROVIDING THE MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES' (SB 01956/ HB 03356)
12/21/05
RA09342
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8996, ENTITLED 'AN ACT GRANTING THE
END TIME MISSION BROADCASTING SERVICE, INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT,
INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN FOR RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL
AND NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING
STATIONS ANYWHERE IN LUZON' (HB 03524)
01/19/06
RA09343
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINETY-ONE HUNDRED AND
EIGHTY-TWO (R.A. NO. 9182), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SPECIAL PURPOSE
VEHICLE ACT OF 2002 (HB 04066/ SB 02204)
04/24/06
RA09344
AN ACT PROVIDING SPECIAL PROTECTION TO CHILDREN/JUVENILES IN CONFLICT
WITH THE LAW BY ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE JUVENILE JUSTICE
SYSTEM AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAM, CREATING THE OFFICE OF
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION UNDER THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES (SB 01402/ HB 05065)
04/28/06
RA09346
PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION OF DEATH PENALTY IN THE PHILIPPINES (HB 04826/
SB 02254)
06/24/06
II. PENDING PRESIDENTIAL ACTION (1)
HB05015
Rationalizing the Composition and Functions of the National Labor Relations Commission
III. PENDING IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE (8)
HB00219
Prescribing a Fixed Term for the Chief of Staff and Major Service Commanders of the AFP
HB00224
Creating the Rank of First Chief Master Sergeant/First Master Chief Petty Officer in the Enlisted Ranks of the
AFP
HB04710
Budget 2006
HB05013
Appropriating P13,100,000,000.00 as Supplemental Appropriation to Fund the Adjustment in Compensation of
the National Government Employees
HB04900
Declaring a One-Time Amnesty on Certain Tax and Duty Liabilities Incurred by Business Enterprises Operating
Within the Special Economic Zones and Freeports
HB05064
Amending RA 7227, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992
HB05296
Restructuring the Income Taxation for Individuals
HB05352
Amending Certain Provisions of RA 8436 (Use of an Automated Election System in National and Local
Electoral Exercises)
10
Accomplishment Report
I. ENACTED INTO LAWS (10)
IV. PENDING ACTION BY THE SENATE (76)
Accomplishment Report
HB00054
Authorizing Local Government Units to Apply the Share of the Proceeds Dervied from Hydrothermal,
Geothermanl and other Sources of Energy
HB00068
Prohibiting the Detention of Live or Dead Patients in Hospitals and Medical Clinics for Nonpayment of Hospital
Bills or Medical Expenses
HB00077
Providing for the Venue of the Criminal and Civil Action in Libel Cases AGainst Community Journalists,
Publications or Broadcast Stations
HB00372
Providing for Reliefs from and Execution of Final Decisions and Awards of the National Labor Relations
Commission and Labor Arbiters
HB00376
Requiring Employers to Inform Their Employees of Their Rights, Benefits and Privileges Under Existing Laws
and Company Policies or Employment Contracts
HB00643
Granting Filipino Citizenship to Mr. Charles William Mosser
HB00692
Granting a Franchise to Cable Link and Holdings Corporation
HB00788
Providing for Additional Members of the Board of Trustees of the National Maritime Polytechnic
HB00981
Declaring the Culmination of Muslim Haji a National Holiday for the Observance of Eidul Adha
HB01173
Declaring Arnis as the Philippine National Sport
HB01351
Strengthening the Workers' Constitutional Right to Self-Organization
HB01531
National Book Development Trust Fund Act
HB01561
Amending PD 1638, Known as the AFP Military Personnel Retirement and Separation Decree of 1979
HB01562
Amending RA 340, as Amended, Which Established a Uniform Retirement System for the AFP
HB01829
Granting Philippine Citizenship to Rev. Fr. Ulrich H. Schlecht, SVD
HB02454
Granting Philippine Ctizenship to Mr. Jose R. Rodriguez
HB02478
Granting a Franchise to Radio Maria Foundation, Inc.
HB02744
Requiring All Independent Power Producers, Generation Companies and/or Energy Resource Developers to
Remit the Amount They Are Required to Set Aside as Financial Benefit to Hose Communities Directly to the
Latter
HB02810
Creating the Persons With Disabilities Affairs Office in Every Province, City and Municipality
HB02854
Human Rights Resource Center Act of 2004
HB02933
Granting a One-Time Tax Amnesty on all Unpaid National Internal Revenue Taxes for Taxable Year 2003 and
Prior Years
HB03295
The Investments Incentives Code of the Philippines
HB03309
Frontline Service Information Act of 2004
HB03315
Human Rights Compensation Act of 2004
HB03370
Creating the Office of the Comptroller of the AFP
HB03409
Further Amending P.D. No. 1869, Otherwise Known as Pagcor Charter
HB03413
Expanding the Prohibited Acts of Discrimination Against Women on Account of Sex
HB03740
Amending RA No. 8178 by Extending the Utilization Period of Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
HB03769
"Local Housing Board Act."
HB03776
"Anti-Red Tape Act of 2005."
HB03783
Declaring Nov. 25 of Every Year as "National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women"
HB03821
Revival of Arbor Day/Tree Planting Day
HB03828
According Official Status and Legal Recognition To Tribal Peace Pact Holders As Persons In Authority
HB03834
"No-Bidding" Sale of Government-Owned Properties To Its Occupants For Socialized Housing
HB03835
"Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2005."
HB04065
Volunteerism Act of 2005
11
"Handline Fishing Law."
HB04069
Anti-Smuggling Act of 2005
HB04073
"The Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree Amendments of 2005."
HB04074
"Subdivision Green Parks Act of 2005."
HB04081
"Billion Trees Act of 2005."
HB04148
Mandating the Representation of Cooperatives in the Board of Directors of the Land Bank of the Philippines
HB04220
Granting Franchise to Free Air Broadcasting Network Corp.
HB04244
Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Below Marrying Age
HB04264
"Omnibus Housing and Urban Development Act"
HB04275
Ensuring Objectivity and the Protection of Witnesses in the Prosecution of Cases by the Ombudsman, Allowing
Private Lawyers to Act as Prosecutors on His Behalf
HB04363
"Oil Pollution Compensation Act"
HB04428
"Magna Carta for Homeowners' Associations"
HB04451
Redefining the Term 'Veteran'
HB04491
"Tree for Legacy Act of 2005."
HB04553
Changing the Nomenclature of the National Library Into the National Library of the Philippines
HB04602
'Philippine Cooperative Code of 2005.'
HB04629
"Bioethanol Fuel Act of 2005."
HB04636
Granting Franchise to Transglobal Airways Corporation
HB04713
'National Children's Day Act of 2005.'
HB04721
Requiring All Local Government Units to Adopt a Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting Recognition Day
HB04835
Amending RA No. 53, As Amended, by Including Within Its Coverage Journalists From Broadcast, News
Agencies and Internet Publications
HB04839
'Anti-Terrorism Act of 2005."
HB04845
Granting Philippine Citizenship to Michael G. J. Gleissner
HB04846
"The Land Administration Reform Act of 2005."
HB04847
"Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines."
HB04848
"The Philippine Dental Act of 2005."
HB04861
"Physicians Act of 2005."
HB04870
Enhancing the Inspector General Service Office, AFP
HB04893
Defining as a Crime the Act of Driving Any Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or
Prohibited Drugs
HB04947
Granting Rewards to Informers of Violations of Internal Revenue and Customs Laws
HB04959
"Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2005."
HB04993
"Validation of Duly Issued Sales Certificates Covering Lots Within the Friar Lands of 2005."
HB04999
Declaring June 30 of Every Year As a Day of Celebration to Commemorate Philippine Feminism
HB05003
Amending Section 290 of RA 7160, Otherwise Known as the Local Government Code of 1991
HB05008
"The University of the Philippines Charter of 2005."
HB05070
Amending Sections 91 and 97 of RA 8550, Otherwise Known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998
HB05269
"Special Education Act of 2006."
HB05284
"Philippine VOIP Act of 2005."
HB05357
"Environmental Planning Act of 2006."
HB05371
Declaring Certain Parcels of Land of the Public Domain Within Small Islands as Agricultural Land Open to
Disposition for Commercial Eco-Tourism
12
Accomplishment Report
HB04067
LOCAL BILLS PASSED BY THE 13TH CONGRESS
July 1, 2004 to June 24, 2006
RA/ HOUSE
BILL NO.
TITLE
DATE
ENACTED
I. ENACTED INTO LAWS (4)
Accomplishment Report
RA09333
AN ACT FIXING THE DATE OF REGULAR ELECTION FOR ELECTIVE OFFICIALS OF
THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 9054, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT
FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO', AS
AMENDED (SB 01757/ HB02808)
09/21/04
RA09338
AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO MAHMOUD A.M. ASFOUR (HB
02659/ SB 01952)
07/28/05
RA09339
AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING THE FRANCHISE OF VISAYAN ELECTRIC COMPANY,
INC., GRANTED UNDER ACT NO. 3499, AS AMENDED, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE
AND MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF ELECTRIC
POWER TO THE END-USERS IN THE CITIES OF CEBU, MANDAUE AND TALISAY
AND THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MINGLANILLA, NAGA, SAN FERNANDO,
CONSOLACION AND LILO-AN, PROVINCE OF CEBU AND RENEWING/EXTENDING
THE TERM OF FRANCHISE TO ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE
OF APPROVAL OF THIS ACT (HB 03696)
09/01/05
RA 9345
CONVERTING THE PANGLAO ISLAND CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD IN TAGBILARAN
CITY, BOHOL INTO A NATIONAL ROAD (HB 03872)
06/05/06
II. PENDING PRESIDENTIAL ACTION (5)
1. Conversion, Naming & Renaming of Road
5
III. PENDING IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE (0)
IV. PENDING ACTION BY THE SENATE (748)
1. Establishing, Recognizing, Separating, Renaming & Converting of Schools
309
2. Conversion, Naming & Renaming of Roads & Bridges
293
3. Creation of Congressional District, Town & Province
8
4. Establishing, Converting, Separating Engineering Districts
8
5. Land Disposition & Utilization
28
6. Creation of Trial Courts
21
7. Franchise
8
8. Economic Development
2
9. Holidays
41
10. Economic & Free Port Zones
6
11. Tourist Spot/Eco-Tourism
6
12. Protected Area/Environmental Protection
13
13 Converting Natural Park
2
14 City Charter/Conversion into Highly Urbanized City
3
13
STATUS OF MEASURES CONSIDERED/PASSED VIS-À-VIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
SET BY LEDAC FOR THE 13TH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
MEASURES FILED/
AGENDA/ OBJECTIVE
SALIENT FEATURES
STATUS
HB Nos. 247, 279, 417, 2830
- Agricultural Land as Loan Collateral
Provides measures to enhance the acceptability
of agricultural lands as security for loans
obtained from lenders, banks, and other financial
institutions.
Draft Committee Report
approved by the Cttee on
Agrarian Reform, pending in the
Cttee on Appro
HB Nos. 251, 272, 1478, 2342, 2567,
2978, 3221
- National Land Use Policy
Provides for the National Land Use Policy and
Planning Framework and the Implementing
Mechanisms thereof.
Pending in the Cttee on Natural
Resources
HB No. 4846, CR No. 1155
- Land Administration Reform
Institutes reforms in land administration; creating
the Land Administration Authority (LAA), defining
its structure, powers and functions.
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 3-1-06
HB Nos. 107, 401, 402, 1491, 1763, 2961,
4267, 4528
- Idle Land Tax
Imposes taxes on idle agricultural, residential
and industrial lands.
Pending in the Cttee on Local
Government
HB No. 3315, CR No.117
- Compensation to Human Rights Victims
Mandates compensation to victims of human
rights during the entire period of Martial Law
On 2nd Reading
HB No. 0041, CR No. 754
- Health Sector Reform Implementation Act
Seeks to institute the modernization of health
care delivery system; it includes strong
advocacy for the establishment of district health
boards in every district, regional medical centers
and specialty hospitals
For 2nd Reading
HB No. 4375, CR No. 836
- Hospital Corporation
Authorizes government hospitals to utilize all its
income for their maintenance and operating
expenses.
For 2nd Reading
HB Nos. 494, 613, 1883
- Amending DOH -BFAD Regulatory
Mandates
Strengthens the capability of Bureau of Food
and Drugs (BFAD) by establishing adequate
testing laboratories and field offices in all
provinces and cities, upgrading its equipment,
creating a Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) under
its operational and administrative control.
Pending in the Cttee on Health
LEDAC 2 - Anti-Corruption
Amendments to the Ombudsman Act re:
Requiring the creation of an investigation
(case build-up) unit that would include not
only graft cases but also lifestyle
check/creation of a new institution
patterned after ICAC
HB No. 4275, CR No. 755
- Amending RA 6770 by allowing the Office
of the Ombudsman to hire private
prosecutors to litigate before the
Sandiganbayan
No bill filed
Ensures objectivity and the protection of
witnesses in the prosecution of cases by the
Ombudsman, allowing private lawyers to act as
prosecutor on his behalf.
Amending RA 1379 to be patterned after
US RICO Law by integrating attachment
proceedings with the filing of lifestyle check
cases
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 5-31-05
No bill filed
HB No. 3776, CR No. 389
- Amending RA 3019 and RA 6713
otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and
Corrupt Practices Act
Regulates the solicitation of contributions from
sale of tickets to any government official or
employee by any public official
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 5-31-06
HB Nos. 326, 1571, 1802, 2388
- Whistleblower's Protection Act
Establishes a system that will encourage the
general public to provide relevant information
and evidence against public officials and
employees for violation of RA 3019.
Pending in the Cttee on Justice
HB Nos. 608, 2101, 2403
- Requiring waiver of secrecy of bank
deposits of officials charged with corruption
(after finding of probable cause by OMB)
Requires public officials and employees to
submit written permission or waiver in favor of
the Ombudsman to look into all deposits of
whatever nature with banks or banking
institutions both within and outside the
Philippines.
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
14
Accomplishment Report
LEDAC 1 - Anti-Poverty
LEDAC 3 - Economic Growth and Job Creation
Sustaining Macro-Economic Stability
Accomplishment Report
HB No. 5296, CR No. 1581 - Simplified
Net Income Taxation
Exempts minimum wage earners from income
taxation and lowers the income tax of middle
income earners. It also increases the personal
exemptions by 50% enjoyed by every taxpayers.
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 5-31-06
HB No. 3174, CR No. 060
- Indexation of Sin Taxes
Increases the specific tax rates imposed on
alcohol and tobacco products.
RA 9334 (Signed - 12-21-04)
HB No. 3295, CR No. 098
- Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives
Rationalizes and harmonizes the grant and
administration of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 1-20-05
HB No. 2933, CR No. 026
- General Tax Amnesty
Grants a one-time tax amnesty on all unpaid
internal revenue taxes imposed by the national
government for taxable year 2003 and prior
years
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 12-15-04
HB No. 2895
- Mandatory Submission of Statement of
Assets and Liabilities and Networth (SALN)
Proposes the mandatory annual submission to
the BIR of statement of assets and liabilities and
networth by all natural and juridical persons
earning more than P200,000 or owning a real or
personal properties valued at P500,000
Pending in the Cttee on Ways
and Means
HB No. No. 2996, CR No. 028
- Lateral Attrition System
Provides for the optimum performance in
revenue collection through the grant of
special incentives and rewards for exemplary
service and through lateral attrition in
revenue-generating agencies of government
RA 9335 (Signed -01-25-05)
HB No. 1323
- Increase in Excise Tax on Petroleum
Products
Increases the excise tax imposed on petroleum
products by Php2.00. the tax rate on LPG which
is a basic household needs has been excluded
from the proposed increase and remains at
zero.
Pending in the Cttee on Ways &
Means
HB Nos. 553, 707, 712, 934, 1469, 1560,
1609
- Franchise Tax on Telecommunications to
Replace VAT
Re-imposes the franchise tax on telephone and
telegraph companies and radio and television
broadcasting companies.
Pending in the Cttee on Ways &
Means
HB No. 3555, CR No. 098
- Restructuring the Value Added Tax
Rate
Increases the rate of the value-added tax
from 10% to 12%.
RA 9337 (Signed 05-24-05)
HB No. 3890
- Fiscal Responsibility Bill
Instills fiscal discipline in the public sector by
specifying principles of responsible financial
management and promoting full transparency
and accountability in government revenue,
expenditure and borrowing programs.
Pending in the Cttee on Appro
HB Nos.193, 1532,
- Government Re-Engineering Act
Provides for the streamlining of all government
systems and procedures to facilitate and
improve the relevance and quality of frontline
services and impose policy formulation, planning
and performance evaluation.
Pending in the Cttee on
Government Reorganizations
HB Nos. 0075, 679, 720, 1561, 1562,
1735, 1801, 2355, 2688 - Rationalization
of existing pension/ retirement schemes of
all uniformed personnel and veterans
Increases the benefits of our Filipino World War
Veterans by increasing their monthly pension
and at the same time provide them with medical
assistance.
Pending in the Cttee on Veterans
Affairs & Welfare, and Cttee on
National Defense
Restructuring and Reforming the Financial Sector
HB No. 123
- Amendments to the BSP Charter to
strengthen its supervisory capacity
Seeks to remove the 5-year limit of the BSP's
tax exemption; authorizes the Monetary Board to
provide compensation structure based on job
evaluation studies and wage surveys but not
lower than those of other government financial
institution; and clarify that financial derivatives
are subject to the regulations of MB.
Amendments to the Corporation Code (to
include stronger provision on governance)
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
No bill filed
HB No. 3819
- Establishment of a Central Credit
Information Bureau and Domestic Credit
Rating Agencies
Creates a Credit Information Bureau with
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as the majority
shareholder that will have the power to collect
and disseminate credit related information and
maintain the credit history and track records of
borrowers
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
HB Nos. 127, 2073, 2204
- Corporate Recovery Act
Provides for the recovery of financially
distressed enterprises and the resolution of their
indebtedness.
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
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Provides the legal framework to govern and
regulate the operation of the pre-need industry.
It stipulates additional measures to protect the
rights of the planholders.
Pending on 2nd Reading
HB Nos. 094, 118, 274, 1412, 1636, 1928
- Personal Equity Retirement Account
(PERA)
Institutionalizes the PERA for all private and
private employees in order to promote among
them positive attitude toward saving for their
retirement years. It is hoped that with PERA, it
would give our workforce a comfortable and
secure retirement.
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
HB Nos. 120, 639
- Lending Investors Bill
Regulates the establishment and activities of
lending companies to prevent and mitigate
practices of lending companies that are
prejudicial to public interest.
Pending in the Cttee on Banks
and Financial Intermediaries
HB No. 3295
- Revised Investment Company Act
Provides for a more conducive regulatory
environment for the development of investment
companies including mutual funds.
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 1-20-05
Increasing Exports, Investments and Employment
HB 3126
- Revitalize the Mining Industry
Sub-categorizes small-scale mining into a
regular small-scale mining and artisanal mining.
It allows small-scale miners to organize
themselves into partnerships, corporations, and
cooperatives.
Pending in the Cttee on Natural
Resources
HB No. 4900, CR No. 1304
- Declare Subic and Clark as Logistics
Hubs
Declares a one-time amnesty on certain tax and
liabilities, inclusive of fines, penalties, interests
and other additions thereto, incurred by business
enterprises operating within the special
economic zones and freeports
On 2nd Reading
HB Nos. 569, 4188
- Southern Mindanao as Halal Food
Production Area
Establishes the general guidelines on the
preparation, handling and verification of Halal
products such as food, beverage, cosmetics,
garments and textile that serve as basic
requirement for certification.
Pending in the Cttee on Trade &
Industry
HB No. 683, CR No. 897
- Palawan as an Eco-Tourism Zone
Declares the province of Palawan as ecotourism capital
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 11-21-05
LEDAC 4 - Education and Youth Oppurtunities Programs
HB Nos. 105, 600, 1715, 1999, 2508,
2585, 2628, 3201
- Standardization of Day Care Instruction
to Provide Appropriate Early Childhood
Education
Institutionalizes a pre-school program in the
public educational system and integrating values
formation into the curriculum of public pre-school,
elementary and high school education.
Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Education and Culture
HB Nos. 084, 603, 1630, 1416
- Amendments to Magna Carta for Public
Teachers
Proposes additional incentives to public school
teachers who are assigned outside of their
towns and provinces.
Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Education and Culture
HB Nos. 316, 714
- Amendments to RA 7880 or the Fair and
Equitable Allocation of the DEC's Budget
for Capital Outlay
Provides for the allocation of the DepEd's
School Building Program budget, ensuring
budget priority for the construction and
maintenance of school buildings and
classrooms.
Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Education and Culture
HB Nos. 2864, 2898
- Removal of Election Duties from Teachers
Frees teachers from this mandatory duty, the
COMELEC is authorize to tap the participation,
through accreditation, of volunteer groups and
individuals to sit in the Board of Election
Inspectors.
Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Education and Culture
HB Nos. 165, 2262
- Amendments of Education Provision in
Local Government Code
Increases the Special Education Fund in order to
give schools the necessary facilities needed by
children and to enable teachers to undergo skills
training through seminars and training.
Pending in the Cttee on Local
Government
HB No. 1915
- Upgrading the Madrasah Education
System
Promotes Islamic philosophy or Madrasah by
establishing a trust fund to support its operation.
Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Educ.
HB No.2941
- Inclusion of mandatory air-time allocation
for educational instruction for elementary,
high school and college for all radio and
television franchises
Amends all franchises granted to different radio
and/or television broadcasting stations for the
purpose of mandating them to allocate time for
public information program of the government.
Pending in the Cttee on
Legislative Franchise
Making certification of 29 priority
occupations mandatory
No bill filed
Allowing TESDA schools to use income
generated from the production projects
No bill filed
HB No. 1219
- Institutionalizing of night classes
Institutionalizes the opening of night classes
using existing high school and elementary school
facilities all over the country.
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Pending in the Cttee on Basic
Education and Culture
Accomplishment Report
HB No. 4343, CR No. 826
- Pre-Need Code of the Philippines
LEDAC 5 - Energy Priority Measures
Accomplishment Report
HB No. 2223
- TRANSCO Franchise Bill
Grants the National Transmission Corporation a
franchise to construct, install, operate and
maintain a transmission system and the grid
throughout the Philippines..
Pending in the Cttee on
Legislative Franchise
HB No. 5515, CR No. 1714
- Natural Gas Bill
Ordains the development of the downstream
natural gas industry, consolidating for the
purpose all laws relating to the transmission,
distribution and supply of natural gas.
On 2nd Reading
HB Nos. 1068, 1347, 1583, 3016, 4908
- Renewable Energy Billl
Promotes the development, utilization and
commercialization of renewable energy systems
using indigenous resources.
Pending in the Cttee on Energy
HB Nos. 1758, 1831, 2422, 3219, 4697
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bill
Rationalizes the manufacture, repair, requalification, sale and distribution of liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
Pending in the Cttee on Trade &
Industry
HB No. 4629, CR No. 1002
- Alternative Fuels Utilization Bill
Promotes the manufacture, importation, sale,
distribution, use and development of hybrid and
alternative fuel vehicle by granting tax
exemptions and providing incentives therefore
Approved, transmitted to the
Senate on 11-14-05
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The following House offices have provided source data for this report:
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Office of the Secretary General
Committee Affairs Department
Congressional Planning and Budget Department
Legislative Operations Department
Bills and Index Service
Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Special Affairs Department
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