Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez today bared the legislative priorities for the House of Representatives in its 2nd Regular Session, which includes the new draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, charter change for federalism, family-related laws, as well as regulatory reforms, among others.
Addressing the House after he formally opened the session, Alvarez noted the solid accomplishment of the chamber in the First Regular Session as he also thanked lawmakers for their cooperation.
He noted that the chamber has passed a total of 210 bills within 97 session days, or an average of two bills passed on third reading for every session day. Alvarez said they also had quorum for every session day, which is unheard of.
“Our concrete efforts to provide our people with better chances at life is undeniable,” Alvarez said.
But while the House has reason to celebrate, Alvarez said they should temper their joy with the sobering thought that “we still have plenty of challenges left to face.”
For the Second Regular Session, Alvarez said the chamber should not only focus on landmark laws, grand in scope, but also on proposed measures to address basic issues, such as family matters.
Among others, Alvarez said Congress should address the issue of broken marriages through a bill that would allow dissolution of the marriage without the need for an extensively adversarial system.
‘Married persons can mutually agree to end their marriage subject to the approval of the Court. One of the conditions, which must be complied with, is an agreed upon and executable framework to provide for the care and support of their children,” Alvarez said.
He said he would also file a bill to legally recognize and protect civil partnerships, including those of same sex union.
“Our citizens should not be excluded from society just because of the person they love. They must also be treated with equality before the law,” Alvarez said.
In addition, Alvarez said Congress should provide equal protection to all children regardless of whether or not they were born within or outside of wedlock.
Alvarez also wants to clip the power of Phil. Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), merge the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, as well as create the Philippine Railways Authority and a Philippine Airports Authority.
Alvarez also wants to revert to Congress the authority to give franchises for the operation of casinos, public transportation, and mining.
But Alvarez said Congress must also focus its effort in passing two important measures that hold the key to lasting peace and prosperity of the country: the new draft BBL and the shift from unitary to a federal form of government.
Alvarez said that while the House would have its hands full in the second regular session he is confident they can rise to meet the challenge to leave a legacy of service to the people.
“On my part, I simply want to be remembered as the Speaker of the people who listened to – and acted upon– the often unheard cries and complaints of the marginalized and voiceless members of our society. Together, let us empower the disempowered,” Alvarez said.
Solid accomplishments
For their accomplishment in the First Regular Session, Alvarez cited among others the passage of the 2017 budget in record time, the approval on third reading of the Tax Reform Bill, as well as the death penalty bill, even as he acknowledged the efforts of the respective chairmen of the committees concerned.
In addition, Alvarez also cited the passage of the following bills among the achievement of the House in the First Regular Session:
· RA 10927 amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act
· Free College Education
· Free Wi-Fi bill
· Strengthening health care
· Updating fines/penalties under Revised Penal Code
· 5 to 10 year validity of Driver’s Licence
· 10 –validity of Philippine Passport
“In this endless journey we call nation-building, let us make sure that we write our chapter well so that those who will come after us may build upon what we have secured. Let us keep this in mind as we begin our second session,” Alvarez said. | HOR-PR