Senate targets OK of 13 bills in 9 days

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has assured the public that the Senate will pass urgent bills as it resumes session today.

“We will buckle down to work on Monday, Jan. 18, and will do our best to pass at least 13 bills next week,” he said over the weekend.

The senator said the nine session days won’t be enough to pass hundreds of measures pending in Congress.

Enrile said the Senate is scheduled to pass on third reading this week Senate Bill 3561, the Expanded Senior Citizens’ Act of 2009, which seeks to grant additional benefits to senior citizens.

“Our senior citizens deserve better treatment, and passing this bill will enable them to enjoy, among others, additional discounts for medicines and other much needed supplies,” he said.

Enrile also urged the House of Representatives to pass other pending bills like the Anti-Trust Act of the Philippines and the Electricity Rate Reduction Act of 2009.

“We need an Anti-Trust law that will maintain and enhance free and full competition in trade (and) industry,” he said.

An anti-trust law will enable the government to penalize all forms of unfair trade and anti-competitive marketing practices, he added.

Enrile said they also aim to pass the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons to ensure the implementation of programs and services for the disabled.

The Senate will also tackle a bill seeking to grant Civil Service eligibility to government employees who have rendered a total of five years of service, he added.

He hopes the Senate can also pass the Philippine Immigration Act of 2009 to improve protection standards for overseas Filipinos workers and promote their welfare and those of their families, Enrile said.

Other bills the Senate would take up on third reading:

• The Anti-Camcording Act, which prohibits the unauthorized use, possession, and/or control of audiovisual recording devices;

• Senate Bill 3530, the Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Services Pilferage Act of 2009;

• Senate Bill 2440, which calls for the prevention and control of pollution from ships and other seafaring vessels;

• Senate Bill 2393, declaring the Apo Reef in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro as a protected area;

• House Bill 1450 seeking to establish the Malaria, Tropical and Infectious Disease Research and Treatment Institute in Tawi-Tawi; and

• House Bill 889 creating the Aguinaldo Municipal Hospital in Ifugao.

The following bills are up for additional amendments:

• Senate Bill 2377, which seeks to effectively instill health consciousness through picture-based warnings on cigarette packs; and

• Senate Bill 1836, otherwise known as the Anti-Prostitution Act of 2007.

Bills scheduled for interpellation:

• Senate Bill 2546, otherwise known as the Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2008; • Senate Bill 871, which seeks to amend the Central Bank Act; and

• Senate Bill 2486, amending the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973.

Congress has until Feb. 5, or exactly nine days, to fast track the approval of several priority bills before it adjourns sine die in time for the campaign season.  –Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)