16TH Congress Congressional Record PDF

Congressional Record
16th CONGRESS, FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Vol. 1
No. 2
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

CALL TO ORDER
At 4:00 p.m., Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong

called the session to order.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). The
session is called to order.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong).
Everybody will please rise for the singing of the National
Anthem.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). The Dep.

Majority Leader is recognized.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
REP. BANAL. I move to suspend the session for a few
minutes.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). The
session is suspended.
It was 4:03 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National

Anthem.
At 4:13 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy

Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding.
INVOCATION
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The session

is resumed.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). Please

remain standing for the Invocation to be led by the honorable
Rep. Ferdinand L. Hernandez.
Everybody remained standing for the Invocation.
REP. HERNANDEZ. Almighty Father, Your Son our
Lord, once told us:
Whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them
will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.
The rains descended, the floods came, the windows blew
and beat upon the house and it fell not, for it was founded
upon a rock.
But whoever hears these saying of mine, but fails to do
them, will be like a foolish man who built his house upon
the sand. The rains descended, the floods came, the windows
blew and beat upon that house. The house fell, and great was
the fall of it.
Lord, I implore you to help us build this house.
On faith, to shield us from the temptation of corruption
and danger of apathy;
On industry and diligence, to help us make the most out
of the short three years that lie ahead of us;
On wisdom, to help us discern what is right, what is just,
and what is best for our economy and our nation; and
On charity and selflessness, to keep us always reminded
that we are here NOT for personal gains or political power,
but as humble servants and unyielding protectors for our
constituents.
Amen.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we defer the

calling of the roll.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there any
objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is
approved.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we also defer
the approval of the Journal.
approved.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, before we proceed to the
Reference of Business, I move that we acknowledge the
presence of some of the guests.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Please
proceed.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We have the guests of Hon. Regina Ate Gina O. Reyes
of the Lone District of Marinduque: Eleuterio R. Raza Jr.,
Harold Red, SP Member; Normal Ricohermoso, SP Member
and Ryan Pielago.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Welcome
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013
to the House of Representatives. All guests, please rise.

(Applause)
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we take up the
Reference of Business.
approved.
The Secretary General will please read the Reference
of Business.
REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
The Secretary General read the following House Bills
and Resolutions on First Reading, and the Deputy Speaker
made the corresponding references:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 1, entitled:
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND SECURITY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Biazon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE
AND SECURITY
ANACTAMENDING THEADMINISTRATIVE CODE
OF 1987 BY PROHIBITING A PERSON FROM
BEING APPOINTED AS THE SECRETARY OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
WITHIN THE NEXT THREE (3) YEARS AFTER
RELIEF, SEPARATION OR RETIREMENT
FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A COMMISSIONED
OFFICER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
PHILIPPINES (AFP)
AND SECURITY
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ARTICLES
OF MILITARY JUSTICE IN THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES REPEALING
FOR THAT PURPOSE COMMONWEALTH
ACT NUMBERED FOUR HUNDRED EIGHT,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ARTICLES OF
WAR, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL LAWS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND SECURITY
A N A C T C R E AT I N G A N AT I O N A L
T R A N S P O RTAT I O N S A F E T Y B O A R D ,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

REORGANIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE
ON TRANSPORTATION
AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE THE CUSTOMS
MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2013
TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
AN ACT DESIGNATING THE MUNICIPALITY
OF PINAMALAYAN IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO AS THE REGIONAL
CENTER OF REGION IV-B OR THE MIMAROPA
WHICH WAS CREATED UNDER EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 103, SERIES OF 2002
By Representative Umali (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF
THE ROXAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF ROXAS, PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO, FROM FIFTY TO ONE
HUNDRED BEDS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 7857
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE OFFICE
O F T H E G O V E R N M E N T C O R P O R AT E
COUNSEL, BY RE-DEFINING, EXPANDING,
STRENGTHENING, RATIONALIZING AND
F U RT H E R P R O F E S S I O N A L I Z I N G I T S
ORGANIZATION, UPGRADING EMPLOYEE
BENEFITS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
AN ACT GRANTING AMNESTY TO IMPORTERS
AND SURETIES WITH UNLIQUIDATED AND/
OR UNSETTLED AMOUNT OF OBLIGATION/S
WITH THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT TO PRESCRIBE THE CUSTOMS
MODERNIZATION AND TARIFF ACT OF 2013
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

By Representative Bichara
TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS
AN ACT TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE
PASSPORT ACT OF 1996
TO THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
AN ACT GRANTING PUBLIC ELEMENTARY
AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS NON-WAGE
BENEFITS IN THE FORM OF FREE TERTIARY
EDUCATION IN ANY STATE COLLEGE OR
UNIVERSITY FOR ONE (1) DEPENDENT
CHILD, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE TAKEOVER,
LIQUIDATION AND WINDING UP OF A
CLOSED BANKING INSTITUTION
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES
A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G T H E S P E C I A L
ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT IN THE
PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, CREATING
FOR THIS PURPOSE THE ILOCOS SUR
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT
AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Singson (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
AND THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
AN ACT PROVIDING BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES
TO ACCREDITED DAY CARE WORKERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 6972, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
BARANGAY-LEVEL TOTAL DEVELOPMENT
AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT
TO T H E C O M M I T T E E O N W E L FA R E O F
CHILDREN
A N A CT C R E ATIN G T WO A D D ITIO N A L
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS
SUR, ONE FOR THE CITY OF VIGAN AND
ANOTHER FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO.
DOMINGO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7472 ENTITLED AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF THE REPUBLIC
3
ACT NO. 7154 ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND
SECTION FOURTEEN OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BILANG 129 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1981 BY RESTORING THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT BRANCH IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
CANDON AND CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN
THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE
AN ACT DESIGNATING THE SATURDAY NEAREST
THE SECOND MONDAY OF MAY 2016 AND
EVERY THREE YEARS THEREAFTER AS THE
DAY FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTION, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 7166,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT PROVIDING
FOR SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL
REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT REQUIRING FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL
INFORMATION ON FISCAL MANAGEMENT
FROM ALL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, AGENCIES AND
OTHER INSTRUMENTALITIES, INCLUDING
GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED
CORPORATIONS, AND THEIR SUBSIDIARIES,
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Robredo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
INFORMATION
AN ACT INTEGRATING ALL AGENCIES
AND OFFICES ON VETERANS WELFARE,
C R E AT I N G F O R T H E P U R P O S E T H E
PHILIPPINE VETERANS AUTHORITY (PVA),
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representatives Acedillo and Alejano
ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND WELFARE
AN ACT INCREASING THE SPECIAL GROUP
TERM INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
THE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES
OF THE PHILIPPINES, INCLUDING THE
MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL

POLICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 352, AS AMENDED
BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1965, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
AND SECURITY AND THE COMMITTEE ON
PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY

AN ACT DEFINING PRIVATE ARMIES AND
OTHER ARMED GROUPS, IMPLEMENTING
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR
THEIR DISMANTLING, PRESCRIBING
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND
SAFETY
AN ACT ENSURING THE RIGHTS OF AIRLINE
PASSENGERS BY PROVIDING STANDARDS
FOR AIRLINE CARRIER SERVICES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
AN ACT REORGANIZING THE GOVERNMENT
BUREAUCRACY, CREATING A GOVERNMENT
REORGANIZATION COMMISSION, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
REORGANIZATION
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF
THE POOR
By Representative Del Mar
T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N P O V E RT Y
ALLEVIATION
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE RIGHT OF
CITIZENS TO INFORMATION HELD BY THE
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND REFORMING
THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AMENDING
FOR THAT PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9340, RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SK
ELECTIONS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO
THE COMMITTEE
GOVERNMENT
ON
LOCAL

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR
FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION IN INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO T H E C O M M I T T E E O N H I G H E R A N D
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A UNIFIED
S C H O L A R S H I P A N D G R A N T- I N - A I D
PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN TECHNICALVOCATIONAL AND TERTIARY EDUCATION,
T H E R E B Y R AT I O N A L I Z I N G A C C E S S ,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE UPGRADE AND
MODERNIZATION OF THE J.R. BORJA CITY
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AS AN EXTENSION
HOSPITAL OF THE NORTHERN MINDANAO
MEDICAL CENTER (NMMC) IN CAGAYAN
DE ORO CITY, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez
(M.)
AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE
NORTHERN MINDANAO MEDICAL CENTER
IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7938,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(M.)
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CITY PUBLIC COLLEGE
IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO BE KNOWN
AS THE CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY PUBLIC
COLLEGE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
(M.)
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT IMPOSING A LOGGING BAN IN CAGAYAN
DE ORO CITY

(M.)
T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N N AT U R A L
RESOURCES
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE RIGHT OF
CITIZENS TO INFORMATION HELD BY THE
GOVERNMENT
By Representative Teodoro
INFORMATION
AN ACT HONORING AND GRANTING
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES
TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS, DECLARING
THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL
RESPECT FOR CENTENARIANS DAY, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON POPULATION AND
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE AIR
PASSENGER FAIRNESS ACT OF 2013
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION
OF MARRIAGE AS AN INVIOLABLE SOCIAL
INSTITUTION AND THE FAMILY AS THE
FOUNDATION OF THE NATION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT OF THE WATER SECTOR,
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER,
SEWAGE, AND SANITATION, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
AN ACT PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS ALLOWANCE FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOL TEACHERS
By Representatives Piamonte and Cortuna
AND CULTURE
AN ACT INSTITUTING A COMPULSORY
INSURANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
5
OF ELECTION INSPECTORS FOR EVERY
NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PART-TIME
AND INDEPENDENT STUDENTS
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT REQUIRING ACCIDENT AND LIFE
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR RAILWAY
TRANSIT PASSENGERS
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES TO POST THE CURRENT
CRIME RATE AND CONDITION IN THE
COMMUNITY WHERE THE SCHOOL IS
LOCATED
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHERAND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON
BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE
AN ACT RESTRICTING THE UNNECCESARY
C R E AT I O N / C O N V E R S I O N O F L O C A L
GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 450, 452, AND 461 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9009
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF CAGAYAN
DE ORO A MINING FREE ZONE
(M.)
RESOURCES
AN ACT DESIGNATING BARANGAYS AS THE
IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES FOR PRIORITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
THEREBY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT
NUMBER 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Nadres
GOVERNMENT
6
AN ACT DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
(DOLE) AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS (LGUs) ON THE ESTABLISHMENT
A N D O P E R AT I O N O F T H E P U B L I C
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE (PESO),
AND THE OPERATION OF JOB PLACEMENT
OFFICE IN SUCs AND NGOs, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 3, 6, 7 AND
9 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8759, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE OFFICE ACT OF 1999
By Representative Villarica
TO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING REFORMS
AND CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN THE
C O L L E C T I O N A N D R E M I T TA N C E O F
CONTRIBUTIONS OF GSIS PREMIUMS,
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM ACT OF 1997
ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION
AN ACT TO INTEGRATE PALLIATIVE AND
HOSPICE CARE INTO THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AT LEAST ONE (1)
SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTER FOR EACH
SCHOOL DIVISION AND AT LEAST THREE (3)
SPED CENTERS IN BIG SCHOOL DIVISIONS
FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (CSN),
PROVIDING GUIDELINES THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
CHILDREN
AN ACT ADOPTING THE INTEGRATED RIVER
BASIN MANAGEMENT APPROACH AS
A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK IN
DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THE
COUNTRYS RIVER BASIN SYSTEMS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE SUGAR CANE

INDUSTRY BY ESTABLISHING THE SUGAR
CANE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Benitez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND
FOOD
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N O F T H E C Y B E R
EDUCATION PROGRAM, CREATING THE
C Y B E R E D U C AT I O N D E V E L O P M E N T
AND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT GRANTING FIXED HONORARIA AND
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS TO
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPUBLIC ACT 7883
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS INCENTIVES AND
BENEFITS ACT OF 1995
AN ACT PROVIDING ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS,
INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS, MEMBERS
OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA,
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND
BARANGAY DAY CARE WORKERS, A LUMP
SUM RETIREMENT PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE
(1) YEAR HONORARIUM, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 393 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
CODE OF 1991
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO BARANGAY
TANODS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6847,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE
SPORTS COMMISSION ACT
By Representative Pacquiao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS
DEVELOPMENT

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A COMMUNITY FITNESS CENTER IN
EVERY BARANGAY NATIONWIDE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE BOXING
COMMISSION THEREBY STRENGTHENING
THE COUNTRYS STANDING IN BOXING
SPORTS, ENSURING THE WELFARE OF
FILIPINO BOXERS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR
ON YOUTH AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G A T E RT I A RY
PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE
OF SARANGANI TO BE KNOWN AS THE
SARANGANI PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF BREAST CARE CENTERS IN EVERY
REGION NATIONWIDE, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT TO REGULATE THE IMPORTATION,
MANUFACTURE, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION
OF CHILDRENS TOYS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES,
CHILDCARE ARTICLES AND OTHER RELATED
PRODUCTS CONTAINING TOXIC CHEMICALS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Del Rosario (A.G.)
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE STEM CELL
CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING PRE-EMPLOYMENT
PRIVILEGE TO INDIGENTS BY GRANTING
A DISCOUNT ON FEES IN SECURING PREEMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS AND
7
CLEARANCES FROM GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT REMOVING THE AUTHORITY OF THE
SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN AND
SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNSOD TO CREATE
BARANGAYS AND GRANTING INTERNAL
REVENUE ALLOTMENTS TO BARANGAYS
CREATED BY SAID LOCAL SANGGUNIANS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS
6 AND 285 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY
DISCLOSURE AND DISPLAY OF NUTRITIONAL
CONTENT INFORMATION OF FOOD ON
THE MENUS AND MENU BOARDS OF
RESTAURANTS AND FAST FOOD CHAIN
E S TA B L I S H M E N T S A N D P R O V I D I N G
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOR
AN ACT CONVERTING THE DAVAO REGIONAL
HOSPITAL INTO DAVAO REGIONAL MEDICAL
CENTER, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
ACT NO. 7179
AN ACT CONVERTING THE TAGUM CITY STO.
TOMAS ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO
DEL NORTE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE HEALTHY
LIFESTYLE OFFICE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AN ACT PROVIDING PRIORITY TO THE
IMMEDIATE DESCENDANT OF DISTRESSED

OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER IN THE
AVAILMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL MIGRANT
WORKERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND, AMENDING
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT
OF 1995 AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
TO THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS
AFFAIRS

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OPEN
TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM
IN THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT EARMARKING THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINE
CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE (PCSO)
CHARITY FUND FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH
CARE COVERAGE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, THEREBY AMENDING REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 1169, AS AMENDED BY BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 42
ANACT PROVIDING FOR FREEAND MANDATORY
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND
OTHER MEDICAL-RELATED PRIVILEGES
TO SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432,
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED, AN ACT TO
MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR
CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT
BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFIT PACKAGE
OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL INSURANCE
ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT SKILLS
AND TRAINING CENTER FOR OUT-OFSCHOOL YOUTH IN THE FIRST DISTRICT OF
DAVAO DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT GRANTING ACCREDITED BARANGAY
H E A LT H W O R K E R S C O M P U L S O RY
COVERAGE UNDER THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE PROGRAM AND GOVERNMENT
SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, AMENDING
FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7883,
H E A LT H W O R K E R S B E N E F I T S A N D
INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G A N AT I O N A L
CENTER FOR MISSING CHILDREN AND
CHILDREN
AN ACT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR CITIZENS,
ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED AN
ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION-BUILDING,
GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT ENHANCING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
BY PROMOTING VOLUNTEER TOURISM
(VOLUN-TOURISM) IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE FULL
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N O F T H E U S E O F
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTSAND SIGNATURES
IN GOVERNMENT TRANSACTIONS,
ACT NUMBERED 8792, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT OF
2000
AN ACT MANDATING ALL PUBLIC UTILITY
V E H I C L E O P E R ATO R S TO S E C U R E
C O M P U L S O RY C O M P R E H E N S I V E
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THEIR MOTOR
VEHICLES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF
THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Bagatsing
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER 28 OF EVERY
YEAR AS THE FOUNDATION DAY OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA MARGARITA AND
A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY
By Representative Sarmiento (M.)

AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE MECHANISMS
TO FACILITATE THE DISPOSITION OF
G O V E R N M E N T- O W N E D L A N D S F O R
SOCIALIZED HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT

AN ACT DECLARING OCTOBER 16 OF EVERY
YEAR AS CALBAYOG CITY CHARTER DAY
AND A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY
IN THE CITY

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 18 AND 21 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, ENTITLED AN
ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE
AND CONTINUING URBAN DEVELOPMENT
AND HOUSING PROGRAM, ESTABLISH THE
MECHANISM FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE URBAN DEVELOPMENTAND
HOUSING ACT OF 1992, TO INCLUDE THE
CONSTRUCTION OF EDUCATION FACILITIES
AS AN ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE TO THE
BALANCED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT

AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN REAL
PROPERTY VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT
IN THE PHILIPPINES, REORGANIZING
THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FINANCE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
REORGANIZATION
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE EQUAL
PARTNERSHIP OF BOTH WIFE AND HUSBAND
IN FAMILYAFFAIRS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE ARTICLES 14, 96, 124, 211, AND 225
OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209, SERIES OF 1987,
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
By Representative Acosta-Alba
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE
HAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Acosta-Alba
TO THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY
AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN THE
GOVERNMENTS DRIVE AGAINST
P R O F E S S I O N A L S Q U AT T E R S A N D
SQUATTING RACKETEER/S OR SYNDICATES,
STRENGTHENING THE MECHANISMS

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MAGNA CARTA
FOR BARANGAYS
GOVERNMENT
A N A C T C R E AT I N G T H E P H I L I P P I N E
THOROUGHBRED HORSERACING
AUTHORITY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
TO T H E C O M M I T T E E O N G A M E S A N D
AMUSEMENTS
AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE TAX ON
WINNINGS, AND DOCUMENTARY STAMP
TAX ON HORSE RACING, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 126 AND 190 OF
THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
OF 1997, AS AMENDED, SECTIONS 11 AND 13
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8407 AND SECTIONS 8
AND 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7953
AND THE COMMITTEE ON GAMES AND
AMUSEMENTS
10
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE
PUBLIC SAFETY COLLEGE SYSTEM AS THE
PREMIER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
FOR TRAINING, HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING
EDUCATION OF ALL POLICE, FIRE AND
JAIL PERSONNEL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT OF THE
PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ON MATTERS OF
PUBLIC CONCERN GUARANTEED UNDER
SECTION SEVEN, ARTICLE THREE OF THE
1987 CONSTITUTION AND THE STATE
POLICY OF FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF
ALL ITS TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING PUBLIC
INTEREST UNDER SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT,
ARTICLE TWO OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION,
By Representatives Baguilat and Bag-ao
INFORMATION
AN ACT TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, UTILIZE,
DEVELOPAND SUSTAINABLYMANAGE FOREST
RESOURCES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representatives Baguilat, Sarmiento (M.) and Bagao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
REFORESTATION
AN ACT CONSOLIDATING ADMIRALTY AND
MARITIME LAWS, UPDATING RULES IN
NAVIGATION, SAFETY STANDARDS AND
MARITIME PRACTICES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Baguilat
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CULTURAL
COMMUNITIES
AN ACT TO INCLUDE ETHNIC ORIGIN IN THE
NATIONAL SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE
NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE
COMMUNITIES

AN ACT TO PREVENTAND CONTROL POLLUTION
FROM SHIPS, PROVIDE PENALTIES THEREFOR
By Representative Hagedorn
AN ACT HONORING AND GRANTING
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES
TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS, DECLARING
THE 25TH OF SEPTEMBER AS NATIONAL
RESPECT FOR CENTENARIANS DAY, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Lagman
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT PROHIBITING MERCHANDISING
STORES AND SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
FROM CHARGING MORE THAN THE CASH
RETAIL PRICE OF GOODS AND SERVICES
PURCHASED WITH CREDIT CARDS AND
P R E S C R I B I N G P E N A LT I E S F O R A N Y
VIOLATION THEREOF
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
STUDENTS
AN ACT DECLARING JUNE 23 OF EVERY YEAR
AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN
THE CITY OF BACOOR TO COMMEMORATE
ITS ANNIVERSARY AS A CITY
By Representative Mercado-Revilla
ANACT CHANGING THE SCHOOLCALENDAR FROM
JUNE TO MARCH TO SEPTEMBER TO MAY
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND
CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER
AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT PROMOTING A COMPREHENSIVE
PROGRAM ON BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES
AND REGULATING THE TRADE, MARKETING
AND PROMOTIONS OF CERTAIN FOODS FOR
INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRODUCTION,
IMPORTATION, SALE, PROVISION, USE,
RECOVERY, COLLECTION, RECYCLING AND
DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC BAGS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE BACOOR NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL VILLA MARIA ANNEX IN
BARANGAY MOLINO II, CITY OF BACOOR,
PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO THE BACOOR
NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL VILLA
MARIA ANNEX SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS
THE BACOOR NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH
SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE
AND MANAGEMENT POLICY, PROVIDING
THE IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS
By Representatives Bag-ao, Baguilat and Banal
TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND USE
AN ACT TO REFORM AND STRENGTHEN THE
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK), AMENDING
FOR THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
By Representative Bag-ao
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON
THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
AND GENDER IDENTITY AND PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR
By Representative Bag-ao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND GENDER
EQUALITY
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM FOR THE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF
THE ISLAND OF BORACAY, MUNICIPALITY OF
MALAY, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, DEFINING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE MODE OF ACQUISITION
FOR CERTAIN PARCELS OF ITS PUBLIC
DOMAIN CLASSIFIED AS AGRICULTURAL
LAND OPEN TO DISPOSITION UNDER
PROCLAMATION NO. 1064 AND PROVIDING
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS THEREFOR,
11
By Representative Haresco
RESOURCES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE
REAPPORTIONMENT OF THE LONE DISTRICT
OF THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT CREATING THE AKLAN AIRPORT
AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION AND THE
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBOKON MEMORIAL
HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN
FROM ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (162)
TO FOUR HUNDRED (400) BEDS AND
IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL FROM TWENTYFIVE (25) TO ONE HUNDRED (100) BEDS AND
AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST THIRTY-ONE OF
EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-WORKING
HOLIDAY IN AKLAN TO COMMEMORATE
THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF JAIME
CARDINAL L. SIN, ARCHBISHOP OF ILOILO
AND MANILA, A TRUE-BLOODED AKLANON
AND AN ICON OF DEMOCRACY
AN ACT RATIONALIZING AND STRENGTHENING
THE PROBATION SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS
OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 968,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PROBATION
LAW OF 1976, AS AMENDED
By Representative Aggabao
ANACTADOPTING THE SIMPLIFIED NET INCOME
TAXATION SCHEME FOR INDIVIDUALS
12

ENGAGED IN TRADE/BUSINESS AND/OR
PRACTICE OF PROFESSION, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE THE NATIONAL INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED

AN ACT TO EXTEND THE PERIOD FOR
RECTIFICATION OF SIMULATED BIRTHS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 22
OF RA 8552, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998
TO THE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES
AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE FAMILY HOME FROM
THE PAYMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAX
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT IMPOSING A UNIFORM FRANCHISE TAX
ON DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES IN LIEU OF
ANY AND ALL TAXES COLLECTED BY THE
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF
FILIPINO SEAFARERS
By Representative Aglipay
AFFAIRS
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PRIVATE
SECURITY INDUSTRY, AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5487,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ACT TO
REGULATE THE ORGANIZATION AND
OPERATION OF PRIVATE DETECTIVE,
WAT C H M E N O R S E C U R I T Y G U A R D S
AGENCIES
SAFETY
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE SECURITY OF
TENURE OF EMPLOYEES, AMENDING FOR
THIS PURPOSE ARTICLES 106, 109, 280, AND
281 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBER 442,
OR THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES;
AND ADDING ARTICLES ARTICLE 108-A
ON THE DEFINITION OF CONTRACTING,
ARTICLE 108-B ON THE PROHIBITION OF
LABOR-ONLY CONTRACTING, ARTICLE
108-C ON THE EXISTENCE OF AN EMPLOYER-
EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

THE CONTRACTOR AND CONTRACTUAL
EMPLOYEE, ARTICLE 108-D ON THE RIGHTS
OF CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEES, ARTICLE
108-E ON THE CONTRACT BETWEEN
CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR AND
CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYEE, ARTICLE
108-F ON THE EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF
CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYMENT, ARTICLE
108-G ON LICENSING OF CONTRACTORS
AND SUBCONTRACTORS, ARTICLE 108-H ON
GOOD FAITH CONTRACTING, ARTICLE 280-A,
DEFINING FIXED TERM EMPLOYMENT;
AND ARTICLE 280-B, DEFINING PROJECT
EMPLOYMENT TO PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
NUMBER 442, OR THE LABOR CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT
PRESCRIBED MINIMUM WAGES, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC
THE WAGE RATIONALIZATION ACT, AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8188, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT PROVIDING AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
IN DISTRESS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
AFFAIRS
AN ACT LIMITING THE NUMBER OF RENEWALS
OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY
ISSUED TO BARANGAY MICRO BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES (BMBEs) TO TWO (2),
BARANGAY MICRO BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
(BMBEs) ACT OF 2002
TO THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT DECLARING THE VERDE PASSAGE
MARINE CORRIDOR LOCATED IN THE
PROVINCES OF MARINDUQUE, BATANGAS,
M I N D O R O O C C I D E N TA L , M I N D O R O
ORIENTAL, AND ROMBLON AS A PROTECTED

AREA, PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT
By Representative Reyes
RESOURCES
AN ACT SEPARATING FROM THE SECOND
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE
OF BATANGAS TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF
BATANGAS
By Representatives Abu, Mendoza (M.), Collantes and
Ermita-Buhain
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE CODE FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF FISCAL INCENTIVES
FOR THE PROMOTION OF INVESTMENTS
By Representative Villar
INDUSTRY
AN ACT EXEMPTING THE SALE AND
IMPORTATION OF DRUGS, MEDICINES,
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
A N D R E L AT E D R AW M AT E R I A L S ,
AND PHARMACEUTICAL EQUIPMENT
A N D IN S TRU M EN TS U S ED F O R TH E
MANUFACTURE THEREOF FROM THE
COVERAGE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8424,
O T H E RW I S E K N O W N A S N AT I O N A L
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9337 AND
THE IMPOSITION OF TARIFF AND DUTIES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT FOR
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW),
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL
INCENTIVE TO WIDOWS OR ORPHANS OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE WHO HAS DIED IN AN ACTUAL
COMBAT WHILE IN ACTIVE SERVICE
13
AN ACT PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR
THEFT, ROBBERY AND DESTRUCTION OF
PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY
OF WHISTLEBLOWERS ENSURING THEIR
SECURITY AND PROVIDING BENEFITS FOR
THEIR WELFARE
AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE POTENTIALS OF
THE FILIPINO YOUTH TOWARD NATIONBUILDING, PRESCRIBING THE FREE
EXERCISE OF CERTAIN RIGHTS AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE HALAL
ACCREDITATION AND REGULATORY BOARD
FOOD
AN ACT BANNING THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF A
REGULAR MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL AND
BAR COUNCIL (JBC) WHO HAS ALREADY
SERVED THE FULL TERM
By Representative Abaya
AN ACT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF
SANDIGANBAYAN DIVISIONS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
NO. 1606, AS AMENDED BY R.A. NO. 7975 AND
R.A. NO. 8249, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT ADVANCING AND SUSTAINING
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, CREATING THE
ASSET SCHOLARSHIP CENTER, PROVIDING
FOR ITS FINANCING, AND MANDATING IT
TO INSTITUTIONALIZE REFORMS IN THE
14

PROCUREMENT AND FUND DISBURSEMENT
SYSTEMS IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS,
TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

AN ACT LIMITING THE RE-APPOINTMENT
OF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES BY-PASSED
BY THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS
(CA)
AN ACT INSTILLING FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN
THE PUBLIC SECTOR BY ESTABLISHING
DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RULES IN LINE WITH THE
PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT AND TOWARDS PROMOTING
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER SEVEN
OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF CAVITE,
PROVINCE OF CAVITE, TO COMMEMORATE
THE FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CITY OF CAVITE
AN ACT REINSTATING THE MANDATORY
RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS
(ROTC) FOR STUDENTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND
SIMILAR LEARNING INSTITUTIONS
HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT PROVIDING PROTECTION AND
BENEFITS TO PERSONS WHO DISCLOSE
CONDUCT CONSTITUTING GRAFT AND
CORRUPTION AND TO WITNESSES FOR
THE PROSECUTION THEREOF, PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS HEREOF, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT CREATING A ROAD DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION AND
THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR
AND RADIATION SAFETY COMMISSION,
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION AND
CONTROL OF NUCLEAR AND OTHER
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, FACILITIES,
AND RADIATION GENERATING EQUIPMENT
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT
9184,OTHERWISEKNOWNASTHEGOVERNMENT
PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE PEOPLES RIGHT
TO INFORMATION
By Representative Paquiz
INFORMATION
ANACT PROVIDING FOR PROTECTION, SECURITY
AND BENEFITS OF WHISTLEBLOWERS AND
OTHER PURPOSES
NURSING LAW TOWARDS QUALITY HEALTH
CARE SYSTEM, REPEALING FOR THIS
PURPOSE RA 9173 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR SECURITY OF TENURE
FOR ALL NON-REGULAR EMPLOYEES OF
THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDING NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS, STATE UNIVERSITIES
AND COLLEGES, GOVERNMENT OWNED AND
CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS AND ALL
OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTALITIES,
WHO HAVE RENDERED AT LEAST TWO (2)
YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE, AND FOR
OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND
PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CIVIL SERVICE CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ANACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE CONDITIONAL
CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM OF THE
GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE POVERTY AND
PROMOTE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
By Representative Yap (S.)
ALLEVIATION
AN ACT PROMOTING POSITIVE AND
NONVIOLENT DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN
CHILDREN
AN ACT TO GOVERN THE OPERATIONS AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THE OVERSEAS
WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION
AFFAIRS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CREDIT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS WORKERS
AFFAIRS
AN ACT PROVIDING ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS,
INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS, MEMBERS
OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA,
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND
BARANGAY DAY CARE WORKERS, A LUMP
SUM RETIREMENT PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE
(1) YEAR HONORARIUM, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 393 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
15
IN THE CITIES OF ALAMINOS, DAGUPAN AND
SAN CARLOS AND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
LINGAYEN, ALL SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE
OF PANGASINAN, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATIONACT OF 1980,ASAMENDED,
By Representative Bataoil
AND CONSERVATION OF BAYBAYIN, AND
DECLARING BAYBAYIN AS THE NATIONAL
SCRIPT OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA
FOR LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY PERSONNEL
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE
CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
FAMILY RELATIONS
PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION ACT
BANK PROTECTION ACT OF 2013
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT DECLARING ALL DISPOSABLE
LANDS OF THE GOVERNMENT WHICH
HAVE REMAINED IDLE AND SUITABLE
FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES SHALL BE
DEVELOPED INTO SOCIALIZED HOUSING
SITE FOR LOW-SALARIED GOVERNMENT
AND SALARIED GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE
EMPLOYEES AND SQUATTERS
By Representative Singson (E.)
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE ANTI-
16

SMUGGLING MECHANISM, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1464,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TARIFF AND
CUSTOMS CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS
AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

AN ACT CREATING THE ILOCOS SUR UPLAND
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND
AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 198, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE PROVINCIAL WATER
UTILITIES ACT OF 1973
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT REQUIRING TOBACCO
MANUFACTURERS TO USE A MINIMUM
OF SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT (75%)
LOCALLY PRODUCED TOBACCO IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT DECLARING THE BESSANG PASS
NATURAL MONUMENT LOCATED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF CERVANTES, ILOCOS
SUR AS A PROTECTED AREA, PROVIDING
FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
RESOURCES
AN ACT RE-ORIENTING THE PHILIPPINE
MINING INDUSTRY, ENSURING THE HIGHEST
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS,
By Representatives Colmenares, Zarate, De Jesus, Tinio,
Hicap and Ridon
RESOURCES
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Hicap, Ridon and Erice
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT REGULATING THE DOWNSTREAM
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY AND FOR OTHER
RELATED PURPOSES
Hicap and Ridon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
A N A C T R E N AT I O N A L I Z I N G P E T R O N
CORPORATION
Hicap and Ridon
AN ACT INCREASING PENSIONS UNDER THE
SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF R.A. 1161,
SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
By Representatives Colmenares and Zarate
ANACTINSTITUTINGCENTRALIZEDPROCUREMENT
OF PETROLEUM IN THE COUNTRY
Hicap and Ridon
AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY
GRADE OF GOVERNMENT DOCTORS FROM
SALARY GRADE 16 TO 24
GRADE OF GOVERNMENT NURSES FROM
SALARY GRADE 11 TO 15
AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT THE PARTYLIST SYSTEM IS RESERVED FOR THE
MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PARTY-LIST
SYSTEM ACT FOR THAT PURPOSE
Hicap and Ridon
ELECTORAL REFORMS

AN ACT CREATING THE BARANGAY PENSION
FUND TO PROVIDE PENSION BENEFITS TO
ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT CREATING A NATIONAL CANCER
INSTITUTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL
CANCER INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Tambunting
AN ACT PRESCRIBING A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR
DEMOLITION AND EVICTION OF HOMELESS
AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CITIZENS
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT PRESCRIBING A BAN ON PRESIDENTIAL
APPOINTEES FROM SEEKING ANY ELECTIVE
POSITION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR
TERMS OF OFFICE
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT GRANTING FREE COLLEGE ENTRANCE
EXAMINATIONS TO GRADUATING HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATES, COLLEGE ENTRANTS OR
TRANSFEREES APPLYING FOR ADMISSION
IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
AND LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AND TO UNDERPRIVILEDGED PUBLIC
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BELONGING
TO THE TOP TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE
GRADUATING CLASS APPLYING FOR
ADMISSION IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF ENERGYEFFICIENT LIGHTING PRODUCTS,
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT MANDATING FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
17
BY GOVERNORS, CITY MAYORS, MUNICIPAL
MAYORS, TREASURERS, ACCOUNTANTS,
BUDGET OFFICERS AND OTHER FUND
ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL
BUDGET AND FINANCES OF THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT AMENDING THEREBY
SECTION 352 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991
By Representative Castelo
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ALTERNATIVEONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR HIGH
SCHOOL AND FIRST TWO YEARS OF
COLLEGE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AN ACT INCREASING THE TERM OF OFFICE
OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS BY ANOTHER
TWO YEARS THEREBY MAKING FIVE YEAR
THEIR TERM OF OFFICE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SOCIAL SECURITY
SYSTEM TO OPEN A SPECIAL LOAN WINDOW
OTHER THAN THAT OF EMERGENCY LOAN
FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
PRESCRIBING LOW INTEREST RATE FOR ITS
REPAYMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT INSURING THAT PENSION FUNDS
OF SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND THE
GOVERNMENT INSURANCE SERVICE
SYSTEM ARE SUBJECT OF A CULTURE OF
TRANSPARENCY AND INTERNAL SYSTEM
OF DISCLOSURE IN ALL ITS BUSINESS OR
CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF
OVERSEAS WORKERS, RATIONALIZING
THE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RELATED TO
18

OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Arenas
ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BOHOL SPECIAL
ECONOMIC ZONE IN THE PROVINCE OF
BOHOL, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE
THE BOHOL SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
By Representative Yap (A.)
INDUSTRY
AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE EXPORT OF
RICE, CORN AND OTHER GRAINS OR
RELATED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
6(a) xiii OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 4,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL
GRAINS AUTHORITY ACT, AS AMENDED,
FOOD
AN ACT PRESCRIBING HIGHER PENALTIES
FOR THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION, TRANSPORT
AND STORAGE OF HOT MEAT, AND OTHER
ADULTERATED MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS,
CARCASSES OR PARTS THEREOF AND
OTHER PROHIBITED ACTS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9296, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE NATIONAL MEAT INSPECTION CODE,
FOOD
AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE THE
CONDITIONAL CASH SUBSIDY PROGRAM
OF THE GOVERNMENT, PROVIDING FUNDS
ALLEVIATION
AN ACT MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS TO EARMARK A PORTION OF THEIR
INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) FOR
FREE MEDICINES TO INDIGENT PATIENTS IN
THEIR JURISDICTIONS

TO THE COMMITTEE
GOVERNMENT
ON
LOCAL

AN ACT STRENGTHENING CONSUMER
PROTECTION IN THE PURCHASE OF BRAND
NEW MOTOR VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE HONORARIA OR
ALLOWANCES OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS AT
MINIMUM WAGE LEVELS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 393 PARAGRAPH (a)
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT DEFINING THE OFFENSE OF ECONOMIC
SABOTAGE THROUGH THE SOLICITING,
SELLING OR OFFERING TO SELL A PRE-NEED
PLAN BY MEANS OF FALSE OR MISLEADING
REPRESENTATION AND OTHER FRAUDULENT
MEANS,AMENDING FORTHE PURPOSE SECTION
KNOWN AS THE PRE-NEED CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION
OF EXPIRATION OF PREPAID CARDS,
CERTIFICATES OR OTHER DEVICES OF
PREPAYMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES,
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
A N A C T P R O V I D I N G P R O T E C T I O N TO
C O N S U M E R S B Y E X PA N D I N G T H E
DEFINITION OF BASIC NECESSITIES AND
PRIME COMMODITIES, AMENDING FOR
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PRICE ACT,
INDUSTRY

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL
ALLOWANCE FOR GOOD CONDUCT TO
PRISONERS WHO STUDY, LEARN AND
SEEK LITERACY SKILLS AND VALUES IN
PENAL INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING FOR
OTHERWISE KNOWNAS THE REVISED PENAL
CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF FINE MESH
NETS IN TRAMMEL NET SET-UP AND OTHER
SIMILAR FISHING OPERATIONS, PROVIDING
PENALTIES THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTIONS 4 AND 89 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8550, OTHERWISE KNOWN THE
PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSE
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND
FISHERIES RESOURCES
AN ACT DEVELOPING AND EXPANDING PUBLIC
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES,
UTILIZING AND APPROPRIATING A PORTION
OF THE RESERVE FUND OF THE PHILHEALTH
FOR THE PURPOSE, AMENDING SECTION
KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE ACT OF 1995, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT PROMOTING RAINWATER HARVESTING
A N D S M A L L - S C A L E I R R I G AT I O N
TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES IN THE
PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
FOOD
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM
OF DETERMINING THE MINIMUM
FOOD REQUIREMENTS OF FILIPINOS,
REORGANIZING THE NATIONAL FOOD
AUTHORITY, ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL
STRATEGIC FOOD SUPPLY AND RESERVE
CORPORATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Ponce Enrile
ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION, THE
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FOOD
SECURITY
19
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REFORMS IN LENDING
AND ACCESS DEVICES, PROMOTING
ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND
DISCLOSURE IN AVAILMENT AND USE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT AMENDING THE PHILIPPINE FOREIGN
SERVICE ACT OF 1991 BY PROVIDING A LEGAL
AID DESK AND A LEGAL SERVICE HOTLINE
IN ALL EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AFFAIRS
AN ACT INCREASING THE ALLOWABLE
PERSONAL AND ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS
OF INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 35(A) AND (B)
OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED
A N A C T R E D U C I N G T H E I N C O M E TA X
R AT E S O F I N D I V I D U A L TA X PAY E R S ,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
CHAPTER III, SECTION 24(A)(1)(c) OF
THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED
AN ACT PROHIBITING MONOPOLIES, ATTEMPT
TO MONOPOLIZE AN INDUSTRY OR LINE OF
COMMERCE, MANIPULATION OF PRICES
OF COMMODITIES, ASSET ACQUISITION
AND INTERLOCKING MEMBERSHIPS IN
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COMPETING
C O R P O R AT E B O D I E S A N D P R I C E
DISCRIMINATION AMONG CUSTOMERS,
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFORE, AND
OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY
AND THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC
AFFAIRS
AN ACT INTENSIFYING STEM CELL RESEARCH
AND THERAPY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Eriguel
20
AN ACT FIXING THE LIMITS OF FOREST
LANDS WITHIN FIVE (5) KILOMETERS
FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE ASPIRAS
HIGHWAY (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MARCOS
HIGHWAY) FROM AGOO, LA UNION TO
BAGUIO CITY, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE PROCLAMATION NO. 1754
RESOURCES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE AGOODAMORTIS
PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE
IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION AS A
PROTECTED AREA, PROVIDING FOR
ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
RESOURCES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION (NBI) EXTENSION
OFFICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO,
LA UNION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
A N A C T C O N V E RT I N G T H E L A N D
TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION
OFFICE LOCATED IN AGOO, LA UNION
INTO A REGULAR LTO DISTRICT OFFICE,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 8 OF EVERY
YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO, PROVINCE
OF LA UNION, TO BE KNOWN AS AGOO
DAY
ROSARIO DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN ROSARIO,
LA UNION, FROM TWENTY FIVE (25) TO
FIFTY (50), UPGRADING ITS SERVICES AND
FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH
CARE, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE OF ITS
MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING INDUSTRY
CLUSTER-BASED PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
THROUGH INTER-LOCAL COOPERATION
AND PEOPLES PARTICIPATION, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Cruz-Gonzales
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PEOPLES
PARTICIPATION
AN ACT TO REGULATE THE IMPORTATION,
MANUFACTURE, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION
OF CHILDRENS TOYS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES,
C H I L D C A R E A RT I C L E S A N D O T H E R
RELATED PRODUCTS, CONTAINING TOXIC
CHEMICALS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE CODE FOR
ENTERPRISE-BASED EDUCATION AND
TRAINING CODE IN THE PHILIPPINES
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS EBT CODE THEREBY
AMENDING THE LABOR CODE, R.A. 7686
DUAL TRAINING ACT, EXECUTIVE ORDER
111 AND CONSOLIDATING ALL POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS TO AFFORD AND TO PROMOTE
EMPLOYMENT, PROTECTION OF TRAINEES/
STUDENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY
AND RELEVANCE OF EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT PROTECTING FILIPINO WOMEN
AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS INDIVIDUALS
OPERATING IN THE INTERNET WHO ARE
ENGAGED IN MATCH-MAKING ACTIVITIES
AND OTHER VARIOUS SCHEMES, PURPOSELY
FOR MARRIAGE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS,
ANTI-MAIL ORDER BRIDE LAW
EQUALITY
AN ACT GRANTING DISCOUNTS TO
UNDERPRIVILEGED COLLEGE STUDENTS
ON BASIC AND EDUCATION SERVICES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS
PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

AS THE WITNESS PROTECTION, SECURITY
AND BENEFIT ACT, AND PROVIDING
ADDITIONAL FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT GRANTING A NON-WAGE BENEFIT TO
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE FORM
OF FREE TERTIARY EDUCATION IN ANY
STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FOR ONE (1)
DEPENDENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
AND COMPENSATION FOR EDUCATORS IN
BASIC EDUCATION
AND CULTURE
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875
HEALTH INSURANCE ACT OF 1995 AS
AMENDED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FILIPINO
IS GRANTED WITH BASIC HEALTHCARE
SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE
A MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
COVERAGE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE GRANT
OF COMPENSATION IN THE FORM OF
ADDITIONAL HONORARIUM TO BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS
By Representative Nuo
GOVERNMENT
OTHERWISE KNOWNASTHE MEATINSPECTION
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PRESCRIBING
PENALTIES OF IMPRISONMENT AND FINES
FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND AMENDING
CHAPTER XIV THEREOF FOR THE PURPOSE
By Representative Abayon
FOOD
21
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE LABEL
FRESH MILK IN THE PACKAGING AND
SALE OF PASTEURIZED AND PROCESSED
MILK AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEROF
By Representative Abayon
INDUSTRY
AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM THE POPULATION
AND THE LAND AREA REQUIREMENTS THE
CONVERSION OF A MUNICIPALITY INTO A
COMPONENT CITY IF IT HAS A LOCALLY
GENERATED AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME OF
AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED TWENTY MILLION
PESOS (P220,000,000.00), AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 450 OF REPUBLIC
CODE OF 1991.
By Representative Loyola
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF
COOPERATIVES OFFICER MANDATORYINALL
PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES
AMENDING SECTION 487(a) OF REPUBLIC
CODE OF 1991
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
OFFICER MANDATORY IN ALL PROVINCES,
CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, AMENDING
SECTION 484(a) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES
FOR FALSIFICATION OF CERTIFICATES
OF LAND TITLE OR ANY APPLICATION,
DEED, INSTRUMENT OR SUPPORTING
DOCUMENT, REASONABLY CONNECTED
WITH AND CALCULATED TO CAUSE THE
ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF LAND
TITLE, CLASSIFYING THE SAME AS A
HEINOUS OFFENSE INVOLVING ECONOMIC
SABOTAGE IF THE VALUE OR AGGREGATE
VALUE OF THE LAND IS AT LEAST TEN
22

MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00), AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 171 AND 172
OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS, THE REVISED PENAL CODE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

AN ACT CONVERTING THE CONGRESSIONAL
AVENUE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GENERAL
MARIANO ALVAREZ (GMA), PROVINCE
OF CAVITE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING SOUTHWOODS AVENUE
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA,
PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO A NATIONAL
R O A D A N D A P P R O P R I AT I N G F U N D S
THEREFOR
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION
ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Relampagos
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
AN ACT PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF
I N T E R N A L LY D I S P L A C E D P E R S O N S ,
THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Relampagos
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
THE DAVAO REGIONAL HOSPITAL FROM
TWO HUNDRED (200) TO FIVE HUNDRED
(500) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
By Representative Zamora (M.)
AN ACT INCREASING THE ADDITIONAL
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR EACH
QUALIFIED DEPENDENT FROM TWENTYFIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,000) TO FIFTY
THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000), AMENDING
CHAPTER VII, SECTION 35(B) OF THE
NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
(NIRC), AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

AN ACT LOWERING THE MANDATORY
RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTIONS 13(b) AND 13-A OF REPUBLIC
THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM ACT OF 1997, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE
AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION AND
THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT
AN ACT NATIONALIZING THE CASOON
HIGH SCHOOL (MONKAYO NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL ANNEX) IN BARANGAY
CASOON, MONKAYO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY
PROVINCE, INTO THE CASOON NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
ANACTSTRENGTHENINGCONSUMERPROTECTION
IN THE PURCHASE OF BRAND NEW MOTOR
VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM MONTHLY
SALARIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
TO TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS
(P25,000) AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL
TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (P15,000)
By Representative Tinio
GRADE OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION
TEACHING PERSONNEL FROM SALARY
GRADE 12 TO 16
AN ACT INCREASING THE ALLOWANCE OF
PERSONAL EXEMPTION FOR INDIVIDUAL
TAXPAYERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 35 (A) AND (B) OF REPUBLIC ACT
8424, OR THE TAX REFORM ACT OF 1997, AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 9504

AN ACT INCREASING THE CEILING FOR THE
TOTAL EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME
OF 13TH MONTH PAY AND OTHER BENEFITS
TO SIXTY THOUSAND PESOS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 32 (B)(7)(E) OF THE
NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE
SYSTEM
AN ACT INCREASING THE PERSONNEL
ECONOMIC RELIEF ALLOWANCE GRANTED
TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO
FOUR THOUSAND PESOS (P4,000) AND
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A TEACHING SUPPLIES
A L L O WA N C E F O R P U B L I C S C H O O L
TEACHERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
AN ACT INSTITUTING GENUINE AGRARIAN
REFORM IN THE COUNTRY AND CREATING
THE MECHANISM FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION
By Representatives Hicap, Colmenares, Ilagan, De Jesus,
Tinio and Ridon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A P125.00 DAILY
ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE IN THE
SALARY RATES OF EMPLOYEES AND
WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Tinio and Ridon
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY TWENTY-TWO
OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING
23
HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS NATIONAL
FARMERS DAY
Tinio and Ridon
AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT 8479,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DOWNSTREAM
OIL DEREGULATION LAW OF 1998
Tinio and Ridon
AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9136
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT ORDAINING
REFORMS IN THE POWER INDUSTRY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN
LAWS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Tinio and Ridon
AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10083
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE AURORA
PACIFIC ECONOMIC ZONE AND FREEPORT
ACT OF 2010
Tinio and Ridon
INDUSTRY
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS
TO ALCOHOLIC OR INTOXICATING LIQUOR
OR BEVERAGE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representative Tan (A.)
INDUSTRY
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL PLAN FOR
TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION, DETECTION,
TREATMENTAND CONTROLAND PROVIDING
RELIABLE DRUGS SUPPLY AND FREE
LABORATORY MONITORING SERVICE TO
TB PATIENTS
By Representative Tan (A.)
AN ACT MAKING VOTERS EDUCATION
MANDATORY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL
CURRICULUM IN BOTH PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
By Representative Olivarez
AND CULTURE
24
AN ACT REQUIRING PARENTS TO PLANT TWO
TREES FOR EVERY CHILD BORN TO THEM,
TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
REFORESTATION
AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF LIGHT
EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHTS IN ALL
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT CREATING A LOCAL HOUSING BOARD
IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY,
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND DEFINING
ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
DEVELOPMENT
A N A C T C O N V E RT I N G T H E A N G E L I N A
CANAYNAY AVENUE, SAN DIONISIO,
PARAAQUE CITY, INTO A NATIONAL
R O A D A N D A P P R O P R I AT I N G F U N D S
THEREOF
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE STUDY NOW
PAY LATER PLAN FOR POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL TWO (2)
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE
CITY OF PARAAQUE, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT PROVIDING TAX CREDITS TO ASSIST
THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ESTABLISHING
NATION-WIDE PREGNANCY CARE CENTERS
T H AT W I L L P R O V I D E C O U N S E L I N G ,
CARE AND INFORMATION RELATED
TO ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION AND
ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION

AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST A PERSON
BY REASON OF
AGE UPON HIRING FOR AND DURING
EMPLOYMENT, PENALIZING ANY VIOLATION
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT UPGRADING THE SERVICE CAPACITY
OF THE FLORENCIO V. BERNABE SR.
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF
PARAAQUE, METRO MANILA FROM FIRST
LEVEL TO SECOND LEVEL COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AN ACT CREATING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
IN BARANGAY STO. NIO PARAAQUE CITY
TO BE KNOWN AS STO. NIO NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL PARAAQUE CITY AND
AND CULTURE
AN ACT SEPARATING THE PARAAQUE
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LA HUERTA
ANNEX IN BARANGAY LA HUERTA, CITY
OF PARAAQUE, METRO MANILA FROM
THE PARAAQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN
AS LA HUERTA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
PARAAQUE CITY, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
AN ACT SEPARATING THE PARAAQUE
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DON GALO
ANNEX IN BARANGAY DON GALO, CITY OF
PARAAQUE, METRO MANILA FROM THE
PARAAQUE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS
DON GALO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND
AND CULTURE
AN ACT CONVERTING THE BAYAWAN CITY

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO)
EXTENSION OFFICE INTO A REGULAR LTO
DISTRICT OFFICE
By Representative Teves
AN ACT EXPANDING AND STRENGTHENING THE
PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND
RENAMING IT TO THE PHILIPPINE RICE AND
CEREALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTE (PhilRice)
FOOD
A N A C T P R O M O T I N G C O R P O R AT E
FARMING AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES
THEREOF
FOOD
AN ACT REORGANIZING THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REPEALING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6939, CREATING THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
By Representatives Paez and Bravo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVES
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT TO ORDAIN A MICROFINANCE CODE
OF THE PHILIPPINES
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION
AND ORGANIZATION OF CREDIT SURETY
FUND COOPERATIVES TO MANAGE AND
ADMINISTER CREDIT SURETY FUNDS TO
ENHANCE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF MICRO,
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTREPRENEURS,
COOPERATIVES AND NON-GOVERNMENT
O R G A N I Z AT I O N S T O T H E C R E D I T
FACILITY OF BANKS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER
AND DATE OF ELECTION OF SECTORAL
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S T O T H E L O C A L
SANGGUNIANS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
25
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONDONATION
OF UNPAID INTERESTS, PENALTIES AND
SURCHARGES ON LOANS SECURED BY
FARMERS, FISHERFOLKS AND AGRARIAN
REFORM BENEFICIARIES FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM
(DAR), THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(DA), THE PEOPLES CREDIT AND FINANCE
CORPORATION (PCFC), THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA), THE
NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY (NFA) AND THE
QUEDAN AND RURAL CREDIT GUARANTEE
CORPORATION (QUEDANCOR)
FOOD
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY
APPOINTMENT OF COOPERATIVES OFFICERS
IN EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE REPUBLIC
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT MANDATING THE REPRESENTATION
OF COOPERATIVES IN THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE LAND BANK OF THE
PHILIPPINES, AMENDING THEREFORE
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 3844, AS
AMENDED
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE
PARTICIPATION OF BONA FIDE CIVIL SOCIETY
ORGANIZATION (CSOs) BUDGET HEARINGS
AND DELIBERATIONS IN CONGRESS, IN
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (NGAs),
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PEOPLES
PARTICIPATION
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE
COOPERATIVE BANKING ACT OF 2013
INTERMEDIARIES
26
AN ACT SEPARATING THE SILAE NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL ST. PETER ANNEX IN BARANGAY
ST. PETER, CITY OF MALAYBALAY, PROVINCE
OF BUKIDNON FROM THE SILAE NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL, TO BE KNOWN AS ST. PETER
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
By Representative Flores
AND CULTURE
AN ACT SEPARATING THE HALAPITAN
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE BAGUIO
ANNEX IN BARANGAY LITTLE BAGUIO,
MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FERNANDO,
PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROM THE
HALAPITAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, TO
BE KNOWN AS LITTLE BAGUIO NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL
By Representative Flores
AND CULTURE
AN ACT GRANTING EXEMPTION TO THE PUBLIC
SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND EDUCATION
PERSONNEL FROM THE COVERAGE OF
REPUBLIC ACT 6758, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE SALARY STANDARDIZATION LAW
AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATIONS
OF FUNDS THEREFOR
By Representative Magsaysay
AN ACT CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
E L E M E N TA RY S C H O O L H E A D S I N
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND
DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PROVIDING FURTHER BENEFITS TO
PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS IN FORM OF
DISCOUNT PRIVILEGES, PROVIDING THE
MECHANICS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
AND CULTURE
ANACT REQUIRINGAUTOMATIC EXPENDITURE FOR
MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT OF
PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYEES
INTHEANNUALGENERALAPPROPRIATIONSACT

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING SCHOLARSHIP
GRANTS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS
AND THEIR CHILDREN AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AND CULTURE
AN ACT CREATING PLANTILLA POSITION IN
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR
VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS WITH AT LEAST
FIVE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE
IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND
AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CRIME OF DEFECTIVE
TEXTBOOK PUBLICATION, PROVIDING
FOR PREVENTION, SUPPRESSION AND
IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF
LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BASIC
E D U C AT I O N T E A C H E R S P R O V I D I N G
CERTAIN POLICIES AND MECHANISMS FOR
ITS IMPLEMENTATION
AND CULTURE
AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE OF
SCHOOL HEADS AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES
OF BASIC EDUCATION GOVERNANCE AT
THE SCHOOL LEVEL WHICH RENDERS
THEM HIGHLY-RELIABLE AND MOST
DEPENDABLE TO BECOMING MEMBERS OF
THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, AMENDING
IN VIEW THEREOF, REPUBLIC ACT 7160, AS

AND CULTURE
AN ACT CREATING THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARDS
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PRESCRIBING CERTAIN GUIDELINES ON
COLLECTION OF SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS
FROM PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS, EXPANDING THE
PROVISION OF FREE PUBLIC BASIC
EDUCATION THEREOF, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PROHIBITING SPITTING IN PUBLIC
PLACES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AN ACT PROHIBITING COLLECTION OR
SOLICITATION OF FEES FOR THE USE OF
COMFORT ROOMS IN COMMERCIAL AREAS
APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND PROVIDING
MECHANISMS THEREFOR
INDUSTRY
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE
SUBIC-CLARK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,
ESTABLISH THE MECHANISM FOR ITS
IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
THE INVESTMENTS AND INCENTIVES CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT STRENGTHENING CONSUMER
27
PROTECTION IN THE PURCHASE OF BRAND
NEW MOTOR VEHICLES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT RECONFIGURING THE DISPOSITION
OF THE MONIES COLLECTED AND
DELINEATING THE STATUS OF THE SPECIAL
FUNDS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTIONS 7 AND 8 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8794, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MOTOR
VEHICLE USERS CHARGE LAW, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION,
REHABILITATION, AND SUSTAINABLE
MANAGEMENT OF FOREST ECOSYSTEM
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
REFORESTATION
AN ACT ENCOURAGING CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY, PROVIDING INCENTIVES
By Representatives Macapagal-Arroyo (G.) and
Arroyo
INDUSTRY
AN ACT TO GIVE JURIDICAL PERSONALITY
TO THE PRESENT VETERANS MEMORIAL
MEDICAL CENTER (VMMC) AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Arroyo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
AND WELFARE
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL
PARTY SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
Arroyo
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 27 AND 71 OF
AS THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN
28

REFORM LAW OF 1988 THEREBY LIFTING THE
RESTRICTION ON THE RIGHT OF FARMERBENEFICIARIES TO MORTAGE AND/OR
ENCUMBER THE LANDS AWARDED TO THEM
UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN
REFORM PROGRAM AND ALLOWING THE
SUBMISSION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
LAND OWNERSHIP AWARD AS SUFFICIENT
COLLATERAL FOR LOANS ENTERED INTO
WITH BANKS AND/OR OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES
Arroyo

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE COMPULSORY
DISCLOSURE OF FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS
AND MEASURES IN CAMPUS BUILDINGS
Arroyo
SAFETY
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE
THE USE OF ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF
INSTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS
Arroyo
AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY OF THE
CRIME OF CARNAPPING AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 OF REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 6539 ENTITLED AN ACT PREVENTING
AND PENALIZING CARNAPPING AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Arroyo
AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO ALL
B A R A N G AY O F F I C I A L S , I N C L U D I N G
BARANGAY TANODS AND MEMBERS OF THE
LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA, AND BARANGAY
EMPLOYEES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Arroyo
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT CONVERTING SITIO CAMATCHILE IN
BARANGAY NABUKLOD, MUNICIPALITY
OF FLORIDABLANCA, PROVINCE OF
PAMPANGA, INTO A BARANGAY FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Macapagal-Arroyo (G.)

GOVERNMENT
AN ACT SETTING THE DIRECTION OF AND
PARAMETERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
AND REGULATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Arroyo
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
BENEFIT TO BE PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL
SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8282 ENTITLED
AN ACT FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE
SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM THEREBY
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, REPUBLIC
KNOWN AS THE SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
Arroyo
E N T E R P R I S E S A N D P R I VAT I Z AT I O N
AND THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 ENTITLED
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
By Representatives Macapagal-Arroyo (G.) and Arroyo
(D.)
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AMENDING
6734, ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO, AS AMENDED AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Arroyo
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 91 AND 97

KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES
CODE OF 1998
Arroyo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND
FISHERIES RESOURCES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CORAZON C.
AQUINO SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND
FREEPORT AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Guiao
INDUSTRY
AN ACT CREATING THE CORAZON C. AQUINO
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY,
TRANSFERRING EXISTING ASSETS OF
THE CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CORPORATION TO THE AUTHORITY,
VESTING THE AUTHORITY WITH POWER TO
ADMINISTER AND OPERATE THE CORAZON
C. AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT DECLARING JUNE 15 OF EVERY YEAR
AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY
IN THE PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA AND
ANGELES CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE MT.
PINATUBO MEMORIAL DAY
AN ACT ALLOWING THE FLAG TO BE FLOWN
AT HALF MAST IN CERTAIN DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION SCHOOLS OR DISTRICT
OFFICES TO MOURN THE DEATH OF FORMER
OR INCUMBENT PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
ASSIGNED THEREAT, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE, SECTION 23 OF REPUBLIC ACT
8491 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FLAG AND
HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND CULTURE
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRESENTATION TO THE
PRESS OR PUBLIC OF SUSPECTS IN CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATIONSBEFORECASESAREFORMALLY
FILED AGAINST THE SUSPECTS
29
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 284 AND 393
CODE OF 1991
By Representative Suarez
GOVERNMENT
A N A C T M A N D AT I N G T H E N AT I O N A L
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
( N T C ) TO I N S TA L L A R E G U L ATO RY
METERING DEVICE TO INTERLINK WITH
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
PLAYERS AS AN ENHANCEMENT TO ITS
SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
AN ACT PENALIZING NONFEASANCE IN THE
MAINTENANCE OF ROAD CONDITIONS AND
SIGNAGES
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 220 CHAPTER II
TITLE VIII OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8424
AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL GAMING
COMMISSION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
TO T H E C O M M I T T E E O N G A M E S A N D
AMUSEMENTS
AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE FEES AND
CHARGES ON FIREARMS, AMMUNITION,
SPARE PARTS, ACCESSORIES, COMPONENTS,
EXPLOSIVES, EXPLOSIVE INGREDIENTS,
PYROTECHNICS AND FIRECRACKERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 256, S. 1995
SAFETY
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE PACIFIC PALISADES SUPERHIGHWAY
30

CONNECTING THE PROVINCES OF BICOL,
QUEZON, AURORA, QUIRINO, ISABELA AND
CAGAYAN
HIGHWAYS

AN ACT MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE TO SELL THE NEW BILIBID PRISONS
AND FROM THE PROCEEDS THEREOF TO
ACQUIRE FOUR NEW PRISON FACILITIES
TO BE LOCATED IN LUZON, VISAYAS,
MINDANAO, AND THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
REGION
AN ACT DIVIDING THE PROVINCE OF LANAO
DEL SUR INTO TWO SEPARATE PROVINCES,
NAMELY MARANAW AND LANAO DEL
SUR
By Representative Balindong
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT CONVERTING THE DANUGAN
DAPAO KALENTAY PROVINCIAL ROAD IN
THE 2ND DISTRICT, PROVINCE OF LANAO
DEL SUR INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE MALABANG
LUMBATAN PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE
2ND DISTRICT, PROVINCE OF LANAO
DEL SUR INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
HIGHWAYS
By Representative Aragones
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT PROVIDING GRANTS TO INSTITUTE
PROJECTS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ON
PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCIES
A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G A M AT E R N A L
AND INFANT HEALTH HOME VISITING

PROGRAM
House Bill No. 339 entitled:
AN ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF
PREGNANT WOMEN BY GRANTING THEM
CERTAIN BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES
AN ACT PROVIDING GRANTS FOR THE TRAINING
OF MEDICAL RESIDENTS IN PREVENTIVE
MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION
OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH AND NUTRITION
PROGRAM (SHNP) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS, AND
AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF
FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT PENALIZING DISCRIMINATION ON
THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR
GENDER IDENTITY
EQUALITY
AN ACT CLASSIFYING THE SERVICES OF
FRANCHISE GRANTEES OF WATER UTILITIES,
AND SALE OR IMPORTATION OF MACHINERY
AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED IN
OPERATING, MAINTAINING, IMPROVING AND
EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION OF POTABLE
WATER BY WATER UTILITIES AS VALUEADDED TAX EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 109
(1) OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE
CODE, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9337, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ANACT CLASSIFYING THE SALE OF ELECTRICITY
BY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, AND
DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES AND ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVES, AND THE SERVICES OF
FRANCHISE GRANTEES OF ELECTRIC
UTILITIES, AND SALE OR IMPORTATION OF
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY
USED IN GENERATION, TRANSMISSION,

AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY AS
VALUE-ADDED TAX EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 108
(A) (ii) AND 109 (1) OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 9337, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT CLASSIFYING THE SALE OR IMPORTATION
OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RAW
MATERIALSINTHEMANUFACTURETHEREOFAS
VALUE-ADDED TAX EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 109
(1) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8424, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE TAX REFORM ACT OF 1997, AS
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Hicap and Ridon
AN ACT CLASSIFYING SERVICES RENDERED
BY TOLLWAY OPERATORS AS VALUE-ADDED
TAX EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 109 (1) OF THE
NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, AS
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Hicap and Ridon
AN ACT TO ENSURE PUBLIC ACCESS TO
OFFICIAL RECORDS, DOCUMENTS AND
ANY OTHER INFORMATION OF PUBLIC
CONCERN
By Representatives Colmenares, Zarate, De Jesus, Tinio
and Ridon
INFORMATION
ANACT PROVIDING FOR PROTECTION, SECURITY
AND BENEFITS OF WHISTLEBLOWERS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Hicap and Ridon
AN ACT ESTABLISHING CITY AND MUNICIPAL
REHABILITATION CENTERS FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES
AN ACT PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF STUDENTS
31
OF COURSES REQUIRING PROFESSIONAL
LICENSING EXAMINATIONS TO ENROLL IN
REVIEW CENTERS OF THEIR CHOICE AND
THEREOF
Hicap and Ridon
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT TO ADDRESS THE WORSENING
STATE OF THE POWER INDUSTRY IN THE
PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 47 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9136, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT DEFINING STRATEGIC LAWSUITS
A G A I N S T P U B L I C PA RT I C I PAT I O N ,
PROHIBITING THE FILING THEREOF,
PROVIDING MEASURES FOR ITS DISMISSAL,
AN
ACT
M A N D AT I N G
THE
T E L E C O M M U N I C AT I O N S S E RV I C E
PROVIDERS TO SEND FREE MOBILE ALERTS
IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL AND MANMADE DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES
ANACT IMPOSINGATHREE-YEAR MORATORIUM
ON TUITION AND OTHER FEE INCREASES ON
ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
By Representatives Colmenares, Zarate and Ridon
AN ACT TO INCLUDE ETHNIC ORIGIN IN
THE NATIONAL SURVEYS, CENSUSES
AND OTHER DATA-GATHERING METHODS
CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL STATISTICS
OFFICE (NSO)
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF FILIPINO
SIGN LANGUAGE INSETS FOR LOCAL
NEWS PROGRAMS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 22 OF REPUBLIC ACT
32

7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES (PWDs)
FROM BROADCAST, NEWS AGENCIES AND

INTERNET PUBLICATIONS
INFORMATION

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR TAX EXEMPTION
AND SUBSIDIES FOR THE LOCAL MUSIC
INDUSTRY AND AMENDING FOR THIS
PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE
GOVERNMENT

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE VENUE OF THE
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL ACTION IN LIBEL
CASES AGAINST COMMUNITY JOURNALIST,
P U B L I C AT I O N S O R B R O A D C A S T
STATIONS

AN ACT DECLARING THE SAMAR ISLAND
NATURAL PARK (SINP), SITUATED IN
THE PROVINCES OF SAMAR, NORTHERN
SAMAR AND EASTERN SAMAR, AS A
PROTECTED AREA AND ITS PERIPHERAL
AREAS AS BUFFER ZONE, PROVIDING
FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
By Representative Evardone
RESOURCES
RECOVERY, COLLECTION, RECYCLING AND
By Representative Fortun
AN ACT ESTABLISHING MARINE PROTECTED
AREAS IN ALL COASTAL MUNICIPALITIES
AND CITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
RESOURCES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BENEFITS AND
PRIVILEGES TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND
THEIR FAMILIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN
ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR
OR REPORTER OF ANY PUBLICATION
FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF
PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION
OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE BY INCLUDING
WITHIN ITS COVERAGE JOURNALISTS

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A FREE BREAKFAST
PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN
IN DAY CARE CENTERS, PRESCHOOLS AND
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY
AND CULTURE
AN ACT INCREASING THE SALARY GRADE OF
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM SALARY
GRADE 11 TO 20 AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREOF
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE
THE USE OF ENGLISH AS THE MEDIUM OF
INSTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS
AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY PREAUDIT OF GOVERNMENT DISBURSEMENTS
AND USES OF FUNDS
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED
FOUR HUNDRED NINETY THREE (RA
493) TO INCLUDE IN THE COVERAGE
OF PROHIBITION THE USE, WEARING
MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF UNIFORMS
AND TEXTILE OF UNIFORMS OF THE
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF
THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE, PRESCRIBING HEAVIER
PENALTY FOR VIOLATION THEREOF, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A LIGHT RAIL
TRANSPORT (LRT) OR MONORAIL OR BUS
RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) OR ANY OTHER
APPROPRIATE MODERN MASS TRANSPORT
SYSTEM IN CEBU CITY AND METRO CEBU
OF AN UNDERSEA TUNNEL OR BRIDGE
FROM CEBU CITY TO THE MUNICIPALITY
OF CORDOVA AND A COASTAL ROAD
E X P R E S S WAY T O T H E M A C TA N CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND
HIGHWAYS
OF A CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD FROM CEBU
CITYS FIRST DISTRICT (NORTH) TO THE
SECOND DISTRICT (SOUTH)
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CREATING THE METRO CEBU TRAFFIC
AUTHORITY, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT CONVERTING THE FOUR (4) BARANGAY
ROAD SECTIONS OF TALAMBAN LUSARAN
ROAD, LUSARAN ADLAON TAPTAP
ROAD, PIT-OS GUBA SIRAO ROAD, AND
AGSUNGOT GUBA ROAD WITHIN THE
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF CEBU
CITY TO NATIONAL ROADS AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
HIGHWAYS
VICENTE SOTTO MEMORIAL MEDICAL
CENTER, LOCATED IN CEBU CITY, FROM
EIGHT HUNDRED (800) TO ONE THOUSAND
TWO HUNDRED (1,200) BED CAPACITY, AND
33
AN ACT REESTABLISHING THE TWENTY (20)
BED EXTENSION HOSPITAL II OF VICENTE
SOTTO MEMORIAL CENTER (FORMERLY
THE SOUTHERN ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER)
AT BARANGAY GUBA, FIRST DISTRICT OF
CEBU CITY, TO BE KNOWN AS THE VICENTE
SOTTO MEMORIAL CENTER EXTENSION
HOSPITAL II AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREOF
AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7621 OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS AN ACT CREATING THE CEBU PORT
AUTHORITY DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING APPROPRIATION
ENTERPRISES
AND PRIVATIZATION AND
THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
AN ACT CREATING A PENAL CODE COMMISSION
TO IMPLEMENT THE RE-CODIFICATION
OF ALL EXISTING SUBSTANTIVE PENAL
LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING
ITS COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS, AND
By Representatives Co and Batocabe
AN ACT CREATING A CIVIL CODE COMMISSION
TO IMPLEMENT THE RE-CODIFICATION
OF ALL EXISTING CIVIL LAWS OF THE
PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS COMPOSITION
AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND PROVIDING FOR
FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION TO ONE (1)
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE IN A
FAMILY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT CREATING THE 2010 COMMERCIAL
CODE COMMISSION TO IMPLEMENT
THE CODIFICATION OF ALL EXISTING
COMMERCIAL LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES,
34

DEFINING ITS COMPOSITION AND
FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL SANITATION
COORDINATING COUNCIL THAT SHALL
PROVIDE FOR A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM
AND MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE
SANITATION AND OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 6 OF REPUBLIC
PARTYLIST SYSTEM ACT
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE BARANGAY
IPIL, SURIGAO CITY SAN FRANCISO
MALIMONO MAINIT PROVINCIAL ROAD IN
THE MUNICIPALITIES OF SAN FRANCISCO,
MALIMONO AND MAINIT AND IN THE CITY
OF SURIGAO, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL
NORTE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD
By Representative Romarate
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT MANDATING THE REGISTRATION OF
MOTORCYCLE HELMETS AT THE LAND
TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) THROUGH
THE USE OF REFLECTIVE STICKERS OF
PLATE NUMBERS AND ALLOCATING FUNDS
GENERATED TO MOTORCYCLE ROAD
SAFETY PROGRAMS TO BE IDENTIFIED BY
CONGRESS
AN ACT CREATING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING A
GOVERNMENT PROTECTION AND SECURITY
SERVICE (GPSS)
SAFETY
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 7 OF REPUBLIC
A C T N O . 8 9 8 1 , O T H E RW I S E K N O W N
AS THE PRC MODERNIZATION ACT OF
2000, PROVIDING FOR THE INCLUSION
IN THE PRC POWERS, FUNCTIONS, AND
RESPONSIBILITIES THE REGULATION OF
THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION

OF LICENSURE EXAMINATION REVIEW
CENTERS AND SIMILAR ENTITIES
AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR
THE MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY, AND
IMPORTATION OF ELECTRIC, HYBRID AND
OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(M.)
INDUSTRY
AN ACT PENALIZING ANTI-COMPETITIVE
AGREEMENTS, ABUSE OF DOMINANT
POSITION, AND ANTI-COMPETITIVE
MERGERS, ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE
FAIR COMPETITION COMMISSION AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(M.)
AFFAIRS
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL
PARTY SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
(M.)
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE
COMPETITIVENESS OF THE PHILIPPINE
M O TO R V E H I C L E M A N U FA C T U R I N G
INDUSTRY
(M.)
INDUSTRY
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ADOPT-A-WILDLIFE
SPECIES PROGRAM, PROVIDING INCENTIVES
RESOURCES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A GREEN ENERGY

FOR HOMES AND BUILDINGS PROGRAM
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO
PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
PROMOTE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL,
AND INDUSTRIAL SCALE ENERGY
EFFICIENCY AND ON-SITE RENEWABLE
TECHNOLOGIES
HAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
RECOVERY, COLLECTION, RECYCLING, AND
AN ACT TO INSTITUTE REFORMS IN THE
SUBDIVISION AND CONDOMINIUM BUYERS
PROTECTIVE DECREE
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE REGULATORY
FRAMEWORK FOR THE SAFE OPERATIONS
OF THE LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)
INDUSTRY, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL POWERS
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEFINE
AND PENALIZE CERTAIN ACTS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING MEASURES TO ENSURE
THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN ABOARD
MOTORCYCLES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
CHILDREN
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY
PREGNANCY TESTING OF ALL WOMEN OF
CHILDBEARING AGE WHO WILL UNDERGO
C O S M E T I C S U R G E RY, P R O V I D I N G
PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
35
AN ACT EXPANDING THE PROHIBITED ACTS
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
ON ACCOUNT OF SEX, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 135 AND 137
OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, AS
LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT REGULATING THE USE OF HAD-HELD
MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES WHILE
DRIVING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT PROHIBITING RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND
RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
COMMUNITIES
AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITAL
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM,
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT,
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION OF THE PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROFESSION
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT-ISSUED
IDENTIFICATION CARDS, CERTIFICATES
AND LICENSES TO INCLUDE A PORTION
INDICATING THE BLOOD TYPE OF THE
HOLDER AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL MENTAL
H E A LT H C A R E D E L I V E RY S Y S T E M ,
ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSES THE
NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
AN ACT DEFINING THE CRIME OF SEXUAL
INFIDELITY AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
36

THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
ARTICLE 333 (ADULTERY), ARTICLE 334
(CONCUBINAGE) AND ARTICLES 344 AND
345 OF TITLE ELEVEN, BOOK II OF ACT NO.
THE REVISED PENAL CODE

AN ACT ADDRESSING THE SYSTEM OF
PROSTITUTION, IMPOSING PENALTIES
ON ITS PERPETRATORS, PROVIDING
PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR ITS VICTIMS, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 202 AND 341 OF THE
REVISED PENAL CODE
AN ACT DECLARING THE SEVENTEENTH OF
NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL
STUDENTS DAY
AN ACT TO COMBAT ABUSE AND ENHANCE
PENALTIES FOR CRIMES AGAINST AND TO
STRENGTHEN GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND
SUPPORT MECHANISMS FOR SENIORS
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT PROHIBITING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
HOSPITALS FROM REQUIRING THE PAYMENT
OF MONEY UPON REGISTERED NURSES WHO
WANT TO GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE AND
PENALIZING ANY VIOLATION THEREOF
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS AMONG
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FOR AN
INNOVATION-INSPIRED CORPS OF CIVIL
SERVANTS AND A PRODUCTIVE POSTSERVICE CITIZENRY
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT EMPLOYERS,
LABOR CONTRACTORS AND LABOR
ORGANIZATIONS FROM DISCRIMINATING
AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE OF

AGE
EMPLOYMENT
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REPRESENTATION
IN ALL LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, CREATING THE
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, THE
K AT I P U N A N N G S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S ,
PROVIDING FOR THEIR POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PERTINENT SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT PROMOTING UPLAND AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTING AN UPLAND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
FOOD
AN ACT MAKING FIRST TIME HOME OWNERSHIP
EASIER AND MORE AFFORDABLE BY
MAKING THE COST OF THE PURCHASE
CHEAPER, REDUCING THE FINANCING
C O S T, E X E M P T I N G T H E P U R C H A S E
FROM TAXATION, ENHANCING PRIVATE
SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN HOUSING
CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCING, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF
REGISTERED NURSES BY PROHIBITING
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS FROM
CHARGING OR REQUIRING THE PAYMENT
OF MONEY FOR VOLUNTEER OR TRAINING
WO R K , P R O V I D I N G P EN A LTI ES F O R
VIOLATION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT CREATING THE BOHOL PORTS
AUTHORITY, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS

A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G T H E A G R I
SCHOLARSHIP FOR AGRIBUSINESS AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS IN THE
AGRICULTURAL CURRICULA OF STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE
CROP INSURANCE SYSTEM BY EXPANDING
ITS PROGRAM COVERAGE, INCREASING
ITS FUNDING SOURCE AND IMPOSING
H E AV I E R P E N A LT I E S O N S P U R I O U S
CLAIMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1467, AS
A M E N D E D , O T H E RW I S E K N O W N A S
THE CHARTER OF THE PHILIPPINE CROP
INSURANCE CORPORATION (PCIP)
FOOD
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION
O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E AT M O S P H E R I C ,
GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA),
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
AN ACT MAKING THE APPOINTMENT TO THE
POSITIONS OF LOCAL AGRICULTURIST,
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
OFFICER AND SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MANDATORY
IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT
SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610, AS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
GOVERNMENT
A N A C T P R O V I D I N G P R O T E C T I O N TO
CONSUMERS BY STABILIZING PRICES
OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS DURING
37
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, MANDATING
ITS INCLUSION AS A PRIME COMMODITY
UNDER THE COVERAGE OF THE PRICE ACT,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT
PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7581,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PRICE ACT,
INDUSTRY
AN ACT AMENDING PERTINENT PROVISION
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9507 THEREBY
EXTENDING COVERAGE OF THE
RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM FOR
DELINQUENT SOCIALIZED AND LOW-COST
HOUSING LOAN ACCOUNTS FOR A PERIOD
OF ANOTHER TWENTY-FOUR (24) MONTHS
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT INSURING THAT GOVERNMENT
SPECIAL HOSPITALS, MEDICAL CENTERS,
INSTITUTES OR SANITARIA EFFECTIVELY
IMPLEMENT PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN POLICY
FOR POOR PATIENTS FOR THEIR TREATMENT,
CONFINEMENT OR HOSPITALIZATION, AND
HEALING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT
OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TO
EARMARK SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR GRANT
TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AT BOTH
THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS AND
PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES THEREOF AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT REQUIRING EVERY MAJOR BUSINESS
ESTABLISHMENT LOCATED IN CENTRAL
OR CORE BUSINESS DISTRICT OR AREA,
ON COMPULSORY BASIS, TO INSTALL IN
ITS PLACE OF BUSINESS OPERATION, A
CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERA AND
EVERY MINOR BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT,
ON OPTIONAL BASIS AND PRESCRIBING
EFFECTIVE GUIDELINES THEREFOR
SAFETY
AN ACT CONSTITUTING THE COMMISSION ON
38

AUDIT (COA), OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN,
AND COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT OF
CONGRESS INTO A TRIPARTITE BODY TO
BE KNOWN AS THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT
COUNCIL TO PERFORM IDENTIFIED TASKS
ENABLING GOVERNMENT TO EFFECTIVELY
RUN AFTER CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND MADE THEM TO
ACCOUNT FOR EMBEZZLEMENT OF PUBLIC
FUNDS

AN ACT REQUIRING LICENSE AND CLEARANCE
F R O M P R O F E S S I O N A L R E G U L AT I O N
COMMISSION FOR THE PRACTICE OF
OPTOMETRY AND OPERATION OF OPTICAL
SHOPS, RESPECTIVELY AND THE SAME TO
BE STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT MANDATING THE CERTIFICATION
OF INALIENABLE GOVERNMENT-OWNED
PROPERTIES AND ASSETS
RESOURCES
AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10176, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS AN ACT REVIVING THE
O B S E RVA N C E O F A R B O R D AY B Y
AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR
CELEBRATING THE DAY FOR TREE PLANTING
AS AN ANNUAL EVENT
TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON
REFORESTATION
AN ACT CONVERTING THE JUNCTION NATIONAL
ROAD MURCIA BRGY. CONCEPCION
JUNCTION NATIONAL ROAD TALISAY CITY,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL INTO
A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE CARLOS HILADO
MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE IN THE CITY
OF TALISAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, INTO A
STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE

CARLOS HILADO STATE UNIVERSITY AND
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE CITY
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE IN THE CITY
OF VICTORIAS, PROVINCE OF NEGROS
OCCIDENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8488, ENTITLED
AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY
OF VICTORIAS, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, INTO
A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE
CITY OF VICTORIAS
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT INCREASING THE BED
CAPACITY OF NAGUILIAN DISTRICT
HOSPITAL IN NAGUILIAN, LA UNION,
F R O M T W E N T Y F I V E ( 2 5 ) TO F I F T Y
(50), UPGRADING ITS SERVICES AND
FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONAL HEALTH
CARE, AUTHORIZING THE INCREASE
OF ITS MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND
AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROSARIO TUBAO
ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION INTO
A NATIONAL ROAD
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE NAGUILIAN CABA
ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION INTO
A NATIONAL ROAD
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE NAGUILIAN
BAGULIN ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA
UNION INTO A NATIONAL ROAD
HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CONVERTING THE AGOO STO. TOMAS
TUBAO ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA
UNION INTO A NATIONAL ROAD

HIGHWAYS
AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF SAN
MANUEL NORTE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO, PROVINCE
OF LA UNION TO DR. MANUEL T. CASES, SR.
MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
AND CULTURE
AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF SAN
MANUEL NORTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO, PROVINCE
OF LA UNION TO DR. MANUEL T. CASES, SR.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AND CULTURE
AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF BAYBAY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY SAN
MANUEL SUR, MUNICIPALITY OF AGOO,
PROVINCE OF LA UNION TO SAN MANUEL
SUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AND CULTURE
AN ACT GRANTING FREE POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION IN STATE UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES AND PUBLIC TECHNICAL AND
VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO DEPENDENT
CHILDREN OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE HIRING OF
T E A C H E R S I N T H E P U B L I C S E C TO R
THROUGH CONTRACTS OF SERVICE OR
JOB ORDERS
AND CULTURE
AN ACT REGULATING CLASS SIZE IN ALL
PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND APPOINTING FUNDS
THEREFOR
AND CULTURE
39
ACT 6646, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
ELECTORAL REFORMS LAW OF 1987,
MAKING ELECTION SERVICE VOLUNTARY
FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
OTHER CITIZENS
ELECTORAL REFORMS
AN ACT DECLARING OCTOBER 5 OF EVERY
YEAR AS NATIONAL TEACHERS DAY
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 10175,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CYBERCRIME
PREVENTION ACT OF 2012
ACT 6426, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT ACT OF THE
PHILIPPINES
INTERMEDIARIES
AN ACT DECLARING FEBRUARY FOUR OF
EVERY YEAR AS PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN
WAR DAY
AN ACT WITHHOLDING OPERATIONAL FUNDS
OF UNITS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
PHILIPPINES IMPLICATED IN GROSS HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
AND SECURITY
AN ACT DECLARING FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE
AS THE NATIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE OF
THE FILIPINO DEAF AND THE OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE OF GOVERNMENT IN ALL
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE DEAF,
AND MANDATING ITS USE IN SCHOOLS,
BROADCAST MEDIA, AND WORKPLACES
40

AN ACT FURTHER LIBERALIZING THE
COMMERCIAL AVIATION INDUSTRY OF
THE PHILIPPINES BY ALIGNING EXISTING
POLICIES, RULES AND REGULATIONS

AN ACT ESTABLISHING REHABILITATION
CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH
DISABILITIES NATIONWIDE
CHILDREN

THE POOR
ALLEVIATION

AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 10, 11, 22 AND
KNOWN AS THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS ACT
OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED

AN ACT PENALIZING ANTI-COMPETITIVE
AGREEMENTS, ABUSE OF DOMINANT
POSITION, AND ANTI-COMPETITIVE
MERGERS, ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE
FAIR COMPETITION COMMISSION AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AFFAIRS
AN ACT REQUIRING MANUFACTURERS,
PACKERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF FOOD
PRODUCTS, AND RESTAURANT AND FASTFOOD CHAIN OPERATORS TO SPECIFY
IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FOOD LABELS,
PACKAGES OR CONTAINERS THE NUTRITION
I N F O R M AT I O N O F E A C H P R O D U C T
CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE LADDERIZED
I N T E R FA C E B E T W E E N T E C H N I C A L VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
AND HIGHER EDUCATION
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE IMPOSITION
OF ANY FEE FOR THE USE OF PARKING
SPACES AND FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN
SHOPPING MALLS, HOTELS AND SIMILAR
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, AND
PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR
INDUSTRY

AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE TYPOLOGY OF
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL
M A N G R O V E C O N S E RVAT I O N A N D
REHABILITATION PROGRAM COVERING
ALL MANGROVE AREAS IN THE COUNTRY,
AND PROVIDING INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
AND INCENTIVES THEREFOR
By Representative Guanlao
RESOURCES
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL
FOOD AUTHORITY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
TOTHE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTENTERPRISES
AND PRIVATIZATION, THE COMMITTEE ON
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD AND THE SPECIAL
COMMITTEE ON FOOD SECURITY
AN ACT TO SPUR RURAL DEVELOPMENT BY
STRENGTHENING PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE
THROUGH A BALANCED FARM, FOOD,
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
FOOD AND THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE
AND INDUSTRY
AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REPEALING
6939, CREATING THE COOPERATIVE
41
DEVELOPMENT

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION,
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF
COOPERATIVE BANKS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
INTERMEDIARIES

AN ACT DECLARING MAY 15 OF EACH YEAR
AS NATIONAL FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK
DAY
FOOD

ANACT PROVIDING FORAWHOLISTIC PROGRAM
FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
FOOD
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONDONATION
OF UNPAID INTERESTS, PENALTIES AND
SURCHARGES ON LOANS SECURED BY
FARMERS, FISHERFOLK AND AGRARIAN
REFORM BENEFICIARIES FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM
(DAR), THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
(DA), THE PEOPLES CREDIT AND FINANCE
CORPORATION (PCFC) THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA), THE
NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY (NFA) AND THE
QUEDAN AND RURAL CREDIT GUARANTEE
CORPORATION (QUEDANCOR)
FOOD
AN ACT PROMOTING CORPORATE FARMING
AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREOF
FOOD
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE LAKES
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
O N A Q U A C U LT U R E A N D F I S H E R I E S
RESOURCES
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE CROP
INSURANCE CORPORATION, AMENDING
NO. 1467 AS AMENDED

AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND
INSTITUTIONALIZING CREDIT, GUARANTEE
AND INSURANCE SUPPORT OF THE LAND
BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES TO AGRARIAN
REFORM BENEFICIARIES, SMALL FARMERS
AND FISHERFOLK, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE, CHAPTER IV OF REPUBLIC ACT
3844 ALSO KNOWN AS THE AGRICULTURAL
LAND REFORM CODE
A N A C T E S TA B L I S H I N G T H E S TAT E
A G R I C U LT U R A L G U A R A N T E E A N D
INSURANCE PROTECTION FUNDS (SAGIP),
CREATING THE STATE AGRICULTURAL
GUARANTEE AND INSURANCE PROTECTION
CORPORATION (SAGIPCo), DEFINING
ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS, FUNCTIONS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND
FOOD
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE FRUITS
INDUSTRY AND TRADE AUTHORITY,
VESTING IT WITH REGULATORY POWERS
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE
PURPOSE
THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND
FOOD
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 27 AND 71 OF
AS THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN
REFORM LAW OF 1988 THEREBY LIFTING
THE RESTRICTION ON THE RIGHT OF
FARMER-BENEFICIARIES TO MORTGAGE
AND/OR ENCUMBER THE LANDS AWARDED
TO THEM UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE
42

AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM AND
ALLOWING THE SUBMISSION OF THE
C E RT I F I C AT E O F L A N D O W N E R S H I P
AWARD AS SUFFICIENT COLLATERAL
FOR LOANS ENTERED INTO WITH
BANKS AND/OR FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES

AN ACT RATIONALIZING AGRICULTURE
EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF
AGRICULTURE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS,
PROVIDING FOR MECHANISMS OF
IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
FOOD
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA
FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS
FOOD
AN ACT TO INSTITUTIONALIZE MICRO-CREDIT
FINANCING, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3844, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CODE OF
AGRARIAN REFORM IN THE PHILIPPINES,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AT LEAST ONE (1)
SPECIAL EDUCATION (SPED) CENTER
FOR EACH SCHOOL DIVISION AND AT
LEAST THREE (3) SPED CENTERS IN
BIG SCHOOL DIVISIONS FOR CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (CSN), PROVIDING
GUIDELINES THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
CHILDREN
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE PHILIPPINES IN ZAMBOANGA,
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TECHNICAL EDUCATION

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COLLEGE EDUCATION
TRUST FUND FOR CHILDREN OF GSIS AND
SSS MEMBERS
A N A C T C R E AT I N G A N A D VA N C E D
STUDIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR
EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM THE
GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE
A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L R E G U L AT I O N
AND THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT
A N A C T E X E M P T I N G F R O M TA X A L L
ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS GRANTED
TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, INCLUDING
THOSE IN THE STATE COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES
AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE MANUFACTURE,
IMPORTATION, SALE, DISTRIBUTION,
USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF HYBRID
AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES
BY GRANTING TAX EXEMPTIONS AND
PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
INDUSTRY
AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY IMPOSED
AGAINST POLLUTERS OF NAVIGABLE
WATERS BY AMENDING SECTION 7 OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 979
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT OF THE
PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ON MATTERS OF
PUBLIC CONCERN GUARANTEED UNDER
SECTION SEVEN, ARTICLE THREE OF THE
1987 CONSTITUTION AND THE STATE
POLICY OF FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
OF ALL ITS TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING
PUBLIC INTEREST UNDER SECTION
TWENTY-EIGHT, ARTICLE TWO OF THE
1987 CONSTITUTION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

TO THE COMMITTEE
INFORMATION
43
ON
PUBLIC

AN ACT INSTITUTING A NATIONAL LAND USE
POLICY, PROVIDING THE IMPLEMENTING
MECHANISMS THEREFORE, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND USE
AN ACT DEFINING THE GROUNDS FOR
IMPEACHMENT AS PROVIDED IN THE
1987 CONSTITUTION AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SELECTION OF
AN ACTING PRESIDENT AND ACTING VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
PHILIPPINES IN CASE OF A FAILURE OF
ELECTION
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MECHANISM FOR
THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FOR
BENEFITS, RIGHTS AND CORRESPONDING
O B L I G AT I O N S , A N D F O R O T H E R
PURPOSES
FAMILY RELATIONS
REPORT MALFEASANCE IN GOVERNMENT

OFFICES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
ANACT TO REORGANIZEAND STRENGTHEN THE
COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,
REPEALING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
THE CHARTER OF THE COOPERATIVE
DEVELOPMENT
AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLES 155 AND 157 OF
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 209 AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CODE
OF THE PHILIPPINES, SO AS TO STRENGTHEN
THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW GOVERNING
THE FAMILY HOME
FAMILY RELATIONS
AN ACT REQUIRING THE TOLL REGULATORY
BOARD TO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS
PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF TOLL RATES
OR ANY INCREASE THEREIN, AMENDING
NUMBERED EIGHTEEN HUNDRED NINETYFOUR

AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN REAL
PROPERTY VALUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES,
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL VALUATION
AUTHORITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
REORGANIZATION

AN ACT GRANTING CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY
TO CONTRACTUAL AND CO-TERMINOUS
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE
RENDERED A TOTAL OF FIVE (5) YEARS
OF EFFICIENT SERVICE, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

AN ACT CREATING THE DEBT MANAGEMENT
BOARD, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
ON APPROPRIATIONS

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED
EIGHTY-FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-TWO,
MUSEUM ACT
AND CULTURE

ANACTPROVIDINGTHE GRANTING OF REWARDS
AND PROTECTION TO THOSE WHO WILL

AN ACT CREATING THE MEDICAL TOURISM
BUREAU WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF
44

TOURISM, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
ON TOURISM

AN ACT GRANTING TRAVEL ALLOWANCES TO
BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS, AMENDING
H E A LT H W O R K E R S B E N E F I T S A N D
INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995, AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
GOVERNMENT
AN ACT GRANTING FRANKING PRIVILEGES TO
SANGGUNIANG BARANGAYS
GOVERNMENT
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 1, entitled:
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE
ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE REVISED ARMED FORCES OF
T H E P H I L I P P I N E S M O D E R N I Z AT I O N
PROGRAM, WITH FOCUS ON ITS
O B J E C T I V E S , P R I O R I T I Z AT I O N I N
EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION, AND FUNDING
REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCES, IN
RELATION TO THE COUNTRYS PRESENT
NEEDS
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND
SECURITY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN
AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES-RETIREMENT
AND SEPARATION BENEFITS SYSTEM (AFPRSBS) IN RELATION TO ITS MANDATE AND
ORGANIZATIONAL VIABILITY
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN
INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION
INTO THE UNREASONABLE GRANT OF
WATER RATE INCREASES BY REGULATORY
A U T H O R I T I E S I N FAV O R O F WAT E R
CONCESSIONAIRES IN METRO MANILA

AND ELSEWHERE
OMNIBUS RESOLUTION URGING THE
D E PA R T M E N T O F E N V I R O N M E N T
AND NATURAL RESOURCES DENR TO
IMMEDIATELY: (1) FILE A CLASS SUIT IN
BEHALF OF ALL MARINDUQUEOS AND THE
NEXT GENERATION OF MARINDUQUEOS
AGAINST PLACER DOME, INC. AND
MARCOPPER MINING CORPORATION, IN A
COUNTRY WHERE JURISDICTION CAN BE
HAD, FOR THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IT HAS
CAUSED TO THE PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE
AND TO THE COUNTRYS ECOSYSTEMS; (2)
ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF U.N. AGENCIES
A N D E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S T G R O U P S /
NGOS TO HELP THEM IN SUCCESSFULLY
PROSECUTING THIS CASE; (3) ISSUE AN
ORDER TO WITHHOLD MARCOPPERS
OPERATION OR PARTICIPATION IN THE
MINING INDUSTRY, IF ANY, IN THE
PHILIPPINES UNTIL SAID COMPANIES
COMPLETE THEIR REHABILITATION OF
MARINDUQUE; (4) DISQUALIFY PLACER
DOME, ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY COMPANY
WHERE PLACER DOME HAS AN INTEREST
IN, FROM ANY FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN
THE MINING OPERATIONS BY FOREIGN
MINING COMPANIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
PENDING THE SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS
BY THE SUITS PETITIONERS AND BY THE
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT
By Representative Reyes
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE OF
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S C O M M I T T E E O N
METRO MANILA DEVELOPMENT, NATURAL
RESOURCES, ECOLOGY AND OTHER
APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT
AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE
REPORTED OIL SPILL IN THE PASIG RIVER
AND REVIEW THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
APPURTENANT TO THE CONDUCT OF
BUSINESS AND ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE
BANKS OF RIVERS AND OTHER BODIES OF
WATER FOR THE PURPOSE OF CRAFTING
RELEVANT MEASURES WITH THE END IN
VIEW OF ENSURING THEIR SURVIVAL FOR
FUTURE FILIPINOS
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE OF
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S C O M M I T T E E O N
OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS, LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN
INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION,
ON THE REPORTED ABUSE OF FILIPINOS
OVERSEAS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
AND EMPLOYEES FOR THE PURPOSE OF
REVIEWING THE PENALTIES FOR SAID
CRIMINAL ACTS AND ENSURE THAT FULL
PROTECTION IS ACCORDED BY LAW TO ALL
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
RESOLUTION TO URGE THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES MEDICAL
CENTER AND ADOPT A SUSTAINABLE
PROGRAM THAT WILL ADDRESS THE
MEDICAL NEEDS OF FILIPINO SOLDIERS
AND SECURITY
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE SCRAPPING OF
THE RP-US VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT
AND PLANS TO GIVE TEMPORARYACCESS OF
PHILIPPINE MILITARY BASES TO AMERICAN
FORCES
Hicap and Ridon
AND SECURITY
A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING ERIK SPOELSTRA, THE FILAM HEAD COACH OF THE MIAMI HEAT, FOR
LEADING HIS TEAM TO VICTORY IN THE
2013 NBA FINALS
DEVELOPMENT
A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING DR. MARIETTA GERALDINO,
A FILIPINA, FOR BEING AMONG THE 11
RECIPIENTS OF THE FIRST EVER CITY-WIDE
BIG APPLE AWARDS, WHICH RECOGNIZES
THE TOP TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ACROSS NEW YORK CITY
AND CULTURE
A RESOLUTION DECLARING 6TH OF JANUARY
AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS
NATIONAL LEGAL HOLIDAY IN HONOR OF
45
MELCHORAAQUINO, A.K.A. TANDANG SORA,
THE MOTHER OF THE REVOLUTION
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND
C O N G R AT U L AT I N G J O L L I B E E F O R
RECEIVING PRAISES FROM TOP US CHEF
ANTHONY BOURDAIN FOR ITS AMAZING
ALOHA BURGER AND ITS VERSION OF
HALO-HALO
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE AQUINO
ADMINISTRATIONS PLAN TO AMEND OR
REVISE THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
BY REMOVING THE RESTRICTIONS AGAINST
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF LANDS AND
FOREIGN MILITARY BASES, TROOPS, AND
FACILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
By Representative Hicap
TO THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE
ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND
P R I VAT I Z AT I O N T O C O N D U C T A N
INDEPENDENT AND COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW OF THE CONCESSION AGREEMENTS
B E T W E E N T H E M E T R O P O L I TA N
WAT E R W O R K S A N D S E W E R A G E
SYSTEM (MWSS) AND TWO (2) WATER
CONCESSIONAIRES MAYNILAD WATER
SERVICES INC. AND MANILA WATER
COMPANY AND IF WARRANTED, TAKE
ACTION TO STOP ANY IMPENDING WATER
RATE INCREASES PENDING TERMINATION
OF REVIEW
Tinio and Ridon
A RESOLUTION
EXTENDING
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE IGLESIA NI
CRISTO 99TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY ON
JULY 27, 2013
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEES TO
INQUIRE ON THE RECENT REPORT OF
THE ADVOCACY GROUP, WATER FOR
THE PEOPLE NETWORK (WPN), THAT
CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN SHOULDERING
THE COSTS OF THE CORPORATE INCOME
46

TAXES OF MANILA WATER INC. AND
MAYNILAD WATER SERVICES INC., AND TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, ON THE ACCOUNTABILITY
OF THE METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS
AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS) OVER
THIS MATTER IN PARTICULAR, AND THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCESSION
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE MWSS AND
THE SAID TWO WATER CONCESSIONAIRES
IN GENERAL

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN
INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION
BY THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
AND FOOD REGARDING THE IMPORTATION
OF PALM COOKING OIL BY COCONUT
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT FUND (CIIF) OIL
MILLING COMPANIES
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND
CONGRATULATING THEODORE KARL
QUIJANO, FILIPINO, FOR GRADUATING
WITH HONORS FROM THE US AIR FORCE
ACADEMY IN COLORADO, USA, ON MAY 22,
2013 AND FOR BRINGING HONOR TO THE
COUNTRY
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION TO
CONSTITUTE A NATIONAL TEXTBOOK
REVIEW BOARD TO CONDUCT A
SYSTEMATIC AND EXTENSIVE REVIEW
ON ALL TEXTBOOKS IN USE IN ALL
P R I VAT E A N D P U B L I C S C H O O L S AT
P R I M A RY A N D S E C O N D A RY L E V E L S
AND INSTITUTE A SYSTEM OF
ACCREDITATION IN ORDER TO WARRANT
AUTHORSHIP OF THE SAME WITH THE
END IN VIEW OF PURGING CONCEPTUAL,
GRAPHICAL, AND PRACTICAL ERRORS
THEREFROM
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE NDRRMC,
PAGASA AND PHIVOLCS TO SUBMIT TO
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A JOINT
COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE NATIONS
PREPAREDNESS FOR NATURAL CALAMITIES
BEFORE AND AFTER THEIR OCCURRENCES
WITH THE END IN VIEW OF FORMULATING

AN EFFICIENT AND SYSTEMATIC NATIONAL
SCHEME OF REDUCING RISKS TO LIVES AND
PROPERTIES
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES
ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE AND
HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
TO MAP OUT INSTITUTIONALIZED
A L T E R N AT I V E A C A D E M I C A N D
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR OUT-OFSCHOOL YOUTH
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE
ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS, TO
IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT AN INQUIRY,
I N A I D O F L E G I S L AT I O N , O N T H E
REPORTED SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF
FEMALE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
BY SOME DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND EMPLOYMENT PERSONNEL
POSTED IN SEVERAL MIDDLE EASTERN
COUNTRIES
By Representatives Bello (W.) and Gutierrez
RESOLUTION URGING THE OVERSEAS
WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION
TO CRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM
T O M I N I M I Z E , I F N O T T O TA L LY
E R A D I C AT E , T H E S O C I A L C O S T S O F
MIGRATION AMONG FILIPINO OVERSEAS
WORKERS
A RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY TO DESIGN, INITIATE AND
I M P L E M E N T A N AT I O N A L E N E R G Y
CONSERVATION PROGRAM INVOLVING
ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND ITS
INSTRUMENTALITIES
A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THE HOUSE
COMMITTEES ON HIGHER AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION AND ON BASIC EDUCATION,
IN JOINT COMMITTEE ASSEMBLED,
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF
LEGISLATION TO LOOK INTO THE ALLEGED

VIOLATIONS OF THE PROPER SHARING OF
THE PROCEEDS OF TUITION FEE INCREASES
IMPOSED BY VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS
By Representative Sy-Alvarado
COMMITTEES ON BASIC EDUCATION,
S O C I A L S E RV I C E S , H E A LT H A N D
LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT AN
INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
PLAN OF ACTION FOR NUTRITION (PPAN)
PARTICULARLY THE VARIOUS FEEDING
PROGRAMS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL
C H I L D R E N I N E A R LY C H I L D H O O D
CARE AND EDUCATION CENTERS (DAY
CARE CENTERS), ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY
By Representative De la Cruz
COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HIGHWAYS, GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES
AND PRIVATIZATION, APPROPRIATIONS,
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND METRO MANILA
DEVELOPMENT TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY
IN AID OF LEGISLATION INTO THE VARIOUS
ISSUES AND CONCERNS INCLUDING THE
SO-CALLED WATER TAX REGARDING
THE OPERATIONS AND AFFAIRS OF THE
METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND
SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS) AND ITS TWO
SERVICE PROVIDERS, MANILA WATER
COMPANY (MWC) AND MAYNILAD WATER
SERVICES, INC. (MWSI)
By Representative De la Cruz
47
P R O C U R E M E N T R E F O R M A C T, F O R
THE PURPOSE OF FORMULATING THE
N E C E S S A RY I M P L E M E N T I N G R U L E S
AND REGULATIONS (IRR) FOR FOREIGNFUNDED PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES OF
THE GOVERNMENT
ADDITIONAL COAUTHOR
Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla for House Bill No. 191.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
I move that we acknowledge the presence of some guests
in the gallery.
proceed.
REP. BANAL. Thank you.
We have the guests of the Hon. Kaka J. Bag-ao, the
Representative of the Lone District of Dinagat Islands:
honorable Board Member Rolizareth Ladaga, Ms. Angela
Elago, Richard Salcedo, Elgenio Savandal, Panchito Docoy
and Mr. Marino Albores.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). All names
called, please rise. Welcome to the House of Representatives.
(Applause)
We also have the guests of Congressman Flores of
Bukidnon: Marywoods Academy faculty and students Ruth Ignacio, Jose Andres Ignacio, Ma. Rutchini Callao,
Althea Mae Alburo, Mantigue Callao, Keannu Dela
Cerna, Mikaela Dayao, Joshua Flores, Gabriel Gamo,
Juan Paolo Ignacio, Miguel Ignacio, Alyssa Pearl Liu,
Audrey Molina, Nelson Sarmiento, Danielle Soriano and
Benedict Tagud.
House Joint Resolution No. 1, entitled:

JOINT RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE COMBAT
DUTY PAY OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED
PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
PHILIPPINES (AFP) FROM A MINIMUM OF
FIVE PER CENTUM (5%) TO A MAXIMUM OF
TWENTY-FIVE PER CENTUM (25%) OF THE
BASE PAY OF A PRIVATE AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). All guests

mentioned, please rise. Welcome. (Applause)
House Concurrent Resolution No. 1, entitled:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECONVENING
THE JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE CREATED UNDER SECTION 74
KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT

I move that we recognize the honorable Representative
of the Party-List Akbayan, the Hon. Walden F. Bello, for his
privilege speech.
PRIVILEGE HOUR
REP. BANAL. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I move that
we open the Privilege Hour.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion to call for the Privilege Hour?
(Silence) There being none, the motion is approved.
48
objection? (Silence) There being none, the Honorable Bello

is recognized.
Please proceed.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. BELLO (W.)
REP. BELLO (W.). Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
The topic of my talk is the parallel between the
establishment of the State of Manchukuo and Sansha City.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, on February 18, 1932,
Japan proclaimed the State of Manchukuo as the governing
body for the region of Manchuria, which they had invaded
and detached from China. The date was a dark day in Chinese
history that the people in China are determined to erase.
July 24, 2012 is a similar date in Philippine history, a
blot in the history of the Filipino people that they are likewise
determined to expunge. July 24, tomorrow, will mark the first
anniversary of the creation of Sansha City by the Peoples
Republic of China to administer the whole West Philippine
Sea and the islands and terrestrial features that, it claims,
belong to China, among which are the Spratly Islands, the
Paracel, Macclesfield Bank, Scarborough Shoal, Panganiban
Reef and Recto Bank.
Following the proclamation of Sansha City have been a
series of provocative Chinese moves, including the occupation
of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc by up to 90 Chinese
ships which have barred Filipino fishers from the area, an
increase in Chinese military presence at Ayungin Shoal,
and a Chinese generals brazen presentation of the so-called
cabbage strategy. The thrust of the cabbage strategy, Major
General Zhang Zhaozhong explained, was to surround Bajo de
Masinloc, Ayungin Shoal and other Philippine territories with
massive Chinese naval presence to stave Filipino detachments
and prevent reinforcements from reaching them.
What China adduces as a legal basis for its aggressive
moves is a note verbale that Beijing submitted to the United
Nations on May 7, 2009, which unilaterally asserted Chinas
undisputable sovereignty over all the islands in the
West Philippine Sea and their adjacent/relevant waters.
Accompanying the note was the infamous NineDash Line
map. No official explanation for the Nine-Dash Line was
provided for at that time or since, though there has been
unofficial reference to the islands and waters of the West
Philippine Sea being ancestral Chinese territories, or to their
inclusion in old maps of the defunct nationalist Chinese
regime that date back to the late 1940s.
Among the brazen claims of the Nine-Dash Line
document is that the nine Spratly islands and terrestrial
features that have long been a municipality of Palawan
belong to China. The Kalayaan Island Group is about 370
kilometers from Palawan and some 1,609 kilometers from
China. Another clear implication is that the Bajo de Masinloc,
which is 137 kilometers from the province of Zambales and
is an integral part of that province, also belongs to China,
which is 7000 kilometers away.
Yet, another assertion is that the Philippines and the four
other claimants to the West Philippine Sea are not entitled
to their 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zones under
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since
the whole area belongs to or is under Chinas undisputable
sovereignty. What most of the other claimants are left with
are only the territorial waters that extend 12 nautical miles

from their coast.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, if allowed to stand, the
Nine-Dash Line claim will probably be the most brazen
maritime territorial grab in history. In contrast to China,
which is threatening to use force to enforce its claims, the
Philippines has actively resorted to peaceful methods to
resolve the territorial disagreements.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to which
four of the claimants belong, also favor a peaceful resolution
as shown by the declaration of the recent ASEAN Foreign
Ministers Meeting in Brunei which reaffirmed the Southeast
Asian governments collective commitment under the 2002
Declaration of Conduct of Parties to ensuring resolution of
disputes by peaceful means in accordance with universally
recognized principles of international law, including the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea without
resorting to the threat or use of force while exercising selfrestraint in the conduct of activities.
Also, in contrast to China, which wants only bilateral
talks in which it just can bamboozle its much weaker
neighbors, the Philippines has advocated and resorted to
multilateral diplomacy to resolve territorial disagreements
among several rival claimants.
Again, the ASEAN has supported the stance of the Philippine
government. With the exhaustion of all possible bilateral
approaches to address the issue and to show its commitment to
the use of peaceful methods to resolve its disagreements with
China, the Philippines recently brought its case over Bajo de
Masinloc to the United Nations for international arbitration. The
process would allow China, the Philippines and other claimants
to clarify their maritime entitlements under the UNCLOS, paving
the way for a truly peaceful and lasting settlement of the West
Philippine Sea disputes.
The five-member United Nations arbitral tribunal
formally began the hearing on the Philippine petition on July
11. China, however, refuses to participate in the processa
clear indication that it realizes that international law is not
on its side.
The Philippines and ASEANs moves have placed China
on the defensive, making it realize that it is losing the battle
for global public opinion by coming across as a regional bully.
Thus, at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brunei
Darussalam on June 30, it was announced that China had
belatedly agreed to participate in talks to come up with a Code
of Conduct to govern the behavior of the different claimants
to the West Philippine Sea, something we have been pushing
for so long. This was a step forward, but Filipinos are, like
their government, cautious, waiting to see if Beijing is really
serious about holding constructive talks.
The Chinese retreat showed the importance of being
steadfast in the defense of our national interests but the
significance of the Philippines stand goes beyond the
Philippines, beyond the ASEAN countries that have claims
to the area. As Ambassador Erlinda Basilio, Philippine
Envoy to Beijing, has stated the Philippines is not just
protecting its national interest but is fulfilling its international
responsibilities in assuming its diplomatic stance. For what
China is saying with its Nine-Dash Line claim is that a body
of water that is 3,500,000 square kilometres big, which
borders six states, and through which transits one-third of the
worlds shipping, is a domestic waterway like Lake Michigan

in the United States. Such a claim is simply unacceptable to
other countries, to all countries with a stake in freedom of
navigation in the worlds seas and oceans.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, Chinas behavior in the
West Philippine Sea dispute is a far cry from that of a state
rectifying borders that were violated by colonial rule, like the
Peoples Republic of China did in dismantling Manchukuo
and reclaiming Manchuria after the Second World War. It is
that of a state that is behaving like a colonial or imperial state,
imitating the expansionist conduct of the Western power and
the fascist-era Japan that it condemned in international fora.
Chinas interest in the undersea resources and rich fisheries
of the West Philippine Sea is long standing. However, its
behavior has been particularly aggressive in recent years.
Why is China behaving this way? Where is China coming
from? There are two theories on the source of Chinese
behavior. The first says it stems from insecurity. Chinas
increasingly aggressive rhetoric stems less from expansionist
intent than from the insecurities brought about by high-speed
growth followed by economic crisis. Long dependent for its
legitimacy on delivering economic growth, domestic troubles
related to the global financial crisis have left the Communist
Party leadership groping for a new ideological justification,
which it has found in virulent nationalism. The second
theory is that Chinas moves reflect the cold calculation of a
confidently rising power. It aims to stake a monopoly over
the fishing and energy resources of the West Philippine Sea
in its bid to become a regional and later, global hegemon.
But whatever the source of its behavior, Beijings moves have
alarmed its neighbors and may be forcing them into the hands
of the United States by allowing the latter to portray itself
as a military savior or balancer. If China feels threatened by
the closer military relations the US is developing with its
neighbors it has, tragically, only itself to blame.
Filipinos have different opinions on the role of the
United States with some welcoming it as a savior and
others seeing it as an opportunist, taking advantage of
the situation to project its might. We share the latter view,
feeling that we must not only counter Chinese hegemony
but we must also counter US efforts to escalate its military
presence in the region. Actively allying with the United
States by offering it the use of our bases will simply
result in superpower dynamics marginalizing resolution
of the territorial issues, thus becoming self-defeating
from the point of view of Philippine national interest.
However, Filipinos view the role of the United States,
most are united on the stand that military confrontation
between two superpowers is not the best way to resolve
territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea but that
active multilateral diplomacy is the answer.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, the Filipinos do not
begrudge Chinas effort to provide regional leadership.
Indeed, many see it as a natural course of action for this
hugely important country that is slated to soon become the
worlds biggest economy. There is, however, a great difference
between seeking regional leadership and imposing regional
hegemony. The sooner China behaves like a responsible
regional leader and not like a power-hungry hegemon, the
sooner stability returns to the area, the less opportunistic
superpowers will be tempted to take advantage of conflicts
among neighbors, the earlier China and its neighbors will
finally achieve that mature relationship based on mutual
49
respect for each others sovereign rights that were derailed
by colonialism and the Cold War.
The international community stands behind the
Philippine governments efforts to defend its interest in the
West Philippine Sea. One of the strongest sources of support is
the Filipino nation. Standing squarely behind the government
are not only the people living in the Philippines but also those
in the global diaspora. From Manila to Riyadh, from Rome
to New York, 12 million global Filipinos are asserting that
the Philippines will not be bullied into submission.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleague, at 12 noon on July 24, that
is tomorrow, Filipinos will hold protest rallies in major cities
all over the world to bring the weight of global condemnation
to bear on China, to make it rethink the cause of its aggression
towards the Philippines and to push it towards a diplomatic
solution to the issue.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues.
REP. TINIO. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). What is the
pleasure of the Gentleman from ACT Party-List?
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker.
REP. TINIO. Will the Gentleman from Akbayan entertain
a few questions?
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With the
permission of the Gentleman on the floor, the Chair would
like first to recognize the Dep. Majority Leader.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before we
recognize the Honorable Tinio, the honorable Representative
of the Lone District of Muntinlupa registered his intent to
interpellate the honorable privilege speaker. So, with that, I
move that we first recognize Cong. Rodolfo Biazon.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Biazon). With the
permission of the Gentleman from ACT Party-List, the
Chair wishes to recognize the Honorable Biazon from
Muntinlupa.
REP. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the
Gentleman yield to some questions?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
Gentleman may yield if he so desires.
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, of course. I am always willing
to yield to questions from the Gentleman from Muntinlupa.
proceed.
REP. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Fourteenth Congress enacted into law the Philippine
Baselines Law and this Representation was the principal
author and principal Sponsor of the measure. This law
was submitted to the International Tribunalthe United
50
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The

importance of the enactment of the Baselines Law is that
any dispute, any protest will have reference to the Baseline
Law. That is, if our Baselines Law is compliant with the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. That is
the reason this Representation, in authoring that law, saw
to it that our Baselines Law is compliant with the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any resolution of
any disputes, any resolution of any protest filed in relation to
disputes among nations will have to be referred to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The question, Mr. Speaker, is, do we know what is the
status of this Baselines Law, our Baselines Law, which is
compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea? Do we know what is its relation to the International
Tribunal on the Law of the Sea?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, with respect to
our Baselines Law, I believe that it has been found to be
compliant with the UNCLOS.
REP. BIAZON. Do we know whether or not this has
been acknowledged and accepted?
REP. BELLO (W.). I do not have a specific document
that I can refer to at the moment, but certainly, this is
something that we can ask for a specific confirmation from
our Department of Foreign Affairs. As I understand it, Mr.
Speaker, dear colleague, I understand that it has been found
compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea, but we will definitely ask for more documentary
confirmation on this.
REP. BIAZON. We do understand that each country that
is interested in submitting, as required by the United Nations,
had been submitting its own baselines law. Whether or not their
baseline laws are compliant with the provisions of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is a question. For
example, China may have submitted its own baselines law in
accordance with their claim, the Nine-Dash
REP. BELLO (W.). Line.
REP. BIAZON. claim which is effectively putting
claims almost to the whole West Philippine Sea, including our
municipality of the Kalayaan Island Group. Now, therefore
it is important to know whether the International Tribunal
for the Law of the Sea has accepted our own Baselines Law
as being compliant with the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea.
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, as I said in the
speech, the note verbale was submitted to the United Nations
on May 7, 2009 and from this note verbale unilaterally asserted
Chinas indisputable sovereignty over all the islands in the West
Philippine Sea and their adjacent waters and relevant waters. As
I understand it, no official explanation for the Nine-Dash Line
was provided at that time or ever since, although there have
been unofficial references to the islands and waters of the West
Philippine Sea as being ancestral Chinese territories, or to their
inclusion in old maps of the defunct nationalist Chinese regime
that date back to the late 1940s.
Now, Mr. Speaker, if that was submitted formally as a

Chinese baselines law, as a drawing of its baselines legally,
that I do not know at the moment, or if that was just submitted
as a separate note verbale that did not have reference to a
Chinese submission of a baseline law.
Actually, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague, this is the reason
the Philippine government has submitted the dispute and
our claims and the Chinese counterclaims to the United
Nations arbitral tribunal. The aim of the submission of the
Philippines to the arbitral tribunal is precisely to be able to
resolve these disputed, these conflicting maritime claims,
including, I would imagine, reference to the baselines laws
or the baselines arrangements that have been submitted by
these parties to the United Nations, which is why I really
think that the Philippine government has basically submitted
these as a step forward to peacefully clarify the legitimacy
of the claims of the different states to the area, which I think
is a major step forward.
REP. BIAZON. Mr. Speaker, the Philippine
Baselines Law defines three boundaries, the first being
the Territorial Waters Boundary, which is 12 miles from
the nearest point of land. Then the next one being defined
is the Boundary of our Contiguous Waters. Of course,
there is no argument about the extent of jurisdiction
of each country if we are referring to territorial
watersabsolute jurisdiction. The jurisdiction within
the contiguous waters is limited to the enforcement of
maritime laws, enforcement of customs laws and the
enforcement of environmental laws; that is another
12 miles from the boundary of the territorial waters.
What is problematic right now is the overlapping of
the exclusive economic zones. For example, we have
overlapping exclusive economic zones in reference to
Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and a little with
Vietnam, but if we are going to refer to the UNCLOS,
there is no overlapping of exclusive economic zone
with China. The UNCLOS, Mr. Speaker, provides that if
there is such a dispute in the delineation of the exclusive
economic zones, there can be an arbitration, or there can
be a bilateral agreement between two countries.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I had proposed that, insofar
as our dispute with Taiwan is concerned, because the
One-China policy is there to be considered, if the two
countries can agree that the delineation of the boundary
to define the extent of each countrys exclusive economic
zones be allowed at the provincial level. Meaning, the
province of Batanes and the southernmost province of
Taiwan be allowed to come to an agreement in order to
define the boundaries between the two countries. Is there
an official move by our appropriate department towards
this proposal?
REP. BELLO (W.). I am not aware, Mr. Speaker, dear
colleague, if there has been an official move along the lines
of adopting his proposal. My personal opinion about it,
though, is, that it is certainly an innovative proposal that
should be considered very seriously by our Department of
Foreign Affairs. That will also give local and provincial units
in both Taiwan and the Philippines a chance to participate
in the drawing of these boundaries in such a way that, with
respect to their own provincial and local benefits, they may

derive the same in such agreement. So, I would support that
his proposal be studied very seriously by the DFA.
REP. BIAZON. Mr. Speaker, may we know who among
the six claimant countries Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam,
Philippines, China and Taiwanwho among these countries
are signatories to the UNCLOS?
REP. BELLO (W.). Mr. Speaker, as far as I know, if I
am not mistaken, I believe that five of the claimant countries
are signatories, Taiwan not being a country but some sort of
a special case, is not a signatory to the UNCLOS.
REP. BIAZON. So, it is not a signatory to the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and, therefore,
it cannot ask for a resolution of these overlapping disputes
in accordance with the UNCLOS. Is China a signatory, Mr.
Speaker?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, China is a signatory to the
UNCLOS.
REP. BIAZON. It is?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes.
REP. BIAZON. And properly ratified?
REP. BELLO (W.). I would imagine so because I
once
REP. BIAZON. I asked this question, Mr. Speaker,
because there are countries that had signed, they are
signatories to the UNCLOS but their ratification of the
treaty or this international law is in question like the United
States.
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, yes, definitely, Mr. Speaker, I
believe that China has undertaken all the appropriate moves
to ratify the treaty, including the submission and approval by
its parliament. I do not think in this case that it has behaved
like the United States which participated in the UNCLOS
negotiations, signed it and yet, refuses to ratify it. So, I think
that is the difference between the behavior of China and
that of the United States with respect to the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea.
REP. BIAZON. Mr. Speaker, one problem that we have
witnessed in this particular issue is the problem of a national
position where we even hear members of the official family
of the Executive saying different things at one time. I think
that this had been resolved such that only one, I think it is the
Department of Foreign Affairs, is supposed to issue public
statements related to this problem that we are having with
the other claimant-countries, especially China. Would the
Gentleman agree to a proposition that I think it should be time
for us, for Congress, to enter into the picture by conducting
an inquiry into the matter?
REP. BELLO (W.). Mr. Speaker, dear colleague, I would
certainly support such a move because I do think definitely that
Congress has a say in this matter of extreme national interest.
51
REP. BIAZON. May I, therefore, make a motion, Mr.
Speaker, that, at the appropriate time and by the appropriate
committee, this be looked into so that we may be able to help
form a national position on the issue.
REP. BELLO (W.). Mr. Speaker, dear colleague, I
certainly agree to that and I believe that Congress should
really take a much more active role in the formulation of our
national policy and not just, you know, leave many of these
items to the Executive. It is really time that we take a proactive
role in terms of congressional input into foreign policy.
REP. BIAZON. I end my interpellation, Mr. Speaker,
with that motion hanging.
Thank you.
REP. BELLO (W.). Thank you very much, dear
colleague. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). What is now
the pleasure of the Gentleman from the ACT Party-List?
REP. TINIO. Mr. Speaker, will the Honorable Bello (W.)
entertain a few questions?
Gentleman may yield if he so desires.
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, we are definitely happy to
entertain questions from the Gentleman from the ACT
Party-List.
proceed, Honorable Tinio.
REP. TINIO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Bello (W.) at the beginning
and at the end of his speech mentioned, as I understand it, a
global action that will take place to protest the Chinese claim
in the West Philippine Sea. Is that correct, Mr. Speaker?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes. Mr. Speaker, dear colleague,
this has been in the plans for the last three months, and
among the organizations that have been pushing and
moving for a global action are organizations of Filipinos
in the United States, Europe, Australia as well as here in
the Philippines itself.
Among the organizations that have supported this has
been the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) that is
led by Loida Nicolas-Lewis, one of our prominent Filipino
expatriates.
REP. TINIO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That was actually
going to be my next question for the Honorable Bello (W.), to
clarify exactly whowhich organizations and personalities
are behind or have organized the global protest tomorrow.
So, the answer isone would be the US Pinoys for Good
Governance led by Loida Nicolas-Lewis. Is that correct?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes. She isthe US Pinoys for
Good Governance is one of the promoters of the action. We
have quite a number of Filipino organizations that are also
52
part of this. Former Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Secretary Alunan and a number of other
personalities and organizations are part of the action that will
be taking place tomorrow in front of the Chinese embassy.
REP. TINIO. This Loida Nicolas-Lewis in particular, I
understand that she herself is a successful businesswoman
in the United States, if I am not mistaken?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Loida Nicolas-Lewis is
a successful businesswoman. She has been active in
Philippine overseas expatriate issues. She actually
funded, partlyshe actually supported us when we hired
an airplane to go to the Spratlys, as well as several other
individuals, including Filipino-Chinese businessmen who
felt that we needed to assert or support a congressional
effort to clearly communicate to China that the Spartlys or
the nine islands that have been occupied by the Philippines
in the area are part of Philippine territory.
It is interesting that the Gentleman mentioned his
famous trip a few years ago to the Kalayaan Islands and the
role played by this Miss Loida Nicolas-Lewis. Now, Loida
Nicolas-LewisNicolas sounds like a Filipino name. Is she
related to any prominent Filipinos?
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, I believe she is related to
Imelda Nicolas who, I believe, is the Commissioner of the
Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
REP. TINIO. All right. Okay. So, is she the sister of one
of the officials of this administration? Is that correct?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, I believeI am not quite certain
if she is the sister, but I do believe she is the sister.
REP. TINIO. I understand very clearly that Loida
Nicolas-Lewis and the US Pinoys for Good Governance
have taken a strong stand against China on the issue of the
West Philippine Sea territorial disputes. May I ask: would
the Gentleman from Akbayan know what is the stand of the
US Pinoys for Good Governance on US military presence
in the Philippines?
REP. BELLO (W.). I have not seen any unified stand in
terms of the US Pinoys for Good Governance. I know that
there are a number of people in the United States just like
themI believe they reflect the different views in the Filipino
communitywhere some are more partial to it, but some are
opposed to it. So, I do not think that we can say that there is
a unified US Pinoys for Good Governance support for US
military presence in the area.
REP. TINIO. Thank you for that. Going back to Miss
Loida Nicolas-Lewis, is it not true that apart from being a
very successful businesswoman in Wall Street, she is also
quite active in US politics? In fact, is it not correct to say that
she actively participated in and was a major contributor to
the successful presidential campaign of US President Barack
Obama in 2008 and again in 2012? Is that not correct, Mr.
Speaker?

REP. BELLO (W.). Well, first of all, I understand
that the wealth of Loida Nicolas-Lewis mainly came from
something that she inherited from her businessman husband
who died early. Yes, I do believe that Loida Nicolas-Lewis
was an active supporter of Mr. Obama just like many other
Filipinos who were active supporters of Mr. Obama in the
United States, including Filipinos who do not support the US
military presence in the Asia-Pacific Region. So, I would say
that I do not see that as a reason to impugn her stand on the
Philippines and China dispute.
Is it not true that she is not just an ordinary supporter
one of the many millions of Americans who supported
Obama? In fact, according to her Wikipedia page, it says
thereat that Lewis represented President Obama in a debate
opposite a representative of Governor Mitt Romney which
aired in November 2012. So, she was really, we would say,
one of the more prominent Filipino-American personalities
supporting the Democratic Party and supporting US President
Obama.
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, congratulations to her. If I
were to debate in the US against Mitt Romney and in favor
of Obama, I would have done it, too.
REP. TINIO. Mr. Speaker, you would, okay. Well, now ...
REP. BELLO (W.). No, I mean, if the alternative was
Mitt Romney, and the Filipinos were being forced to choose
between Romney and Obama, I would have debated to say,
Support Obama instead of Romney.
REP. TINIO. Okay. Fortunately, as Filipino citizens, we
do not have to take part in that but since you mentioned it, Mr.
Speaker, since it was mentioned, the trip that the Honorable
Bello (W.) and some other colleagues of mine in the Fifteenth
Congress made to the Kalayaan Islands, I understand that it
is not easy to take a trip there. You know, just logistically, it
is quite difficult.
REP. TINIO. If you are taking an ordinary boat ride, I
understand that it takes up to 24 hours, you know.
REP. TINIO. As I understand, the Honorable Bello (W.)
and the others were fortunate enough to be able to take the
private plane. Is that not correct?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, we took two private planes,
each of which could seat 18 people because the press
wanted to come along with us, and from the very start,
we identified our donors. Ms. Lewis was one of them;
also Jun Lopez who is my classmate as well as the head
of Starbucks chain was also somebody who contributed;
and also a number of Filipino-Chinese businessmen
who believe that we really need to assert Philippine
sovereignty over the Kalayaan Islands in the face of
Chinese threat. So, I think, from the very beginning,

we were quite transparent in telling everybody where
we were getting the funds for that trip because we wanted to
make sure that this was something that was funded by civil
society, by the private sector; and that it was not Philippine
government money that was funding this trip. So, I think that
was very clear that it was not government money that was
supporting it. In the interest of transparency, let me say that
the people who accompanied me in the trip were Rep. Kaka
Bag-ao, please stand up; Ben Evardone, you were also with
us on that trip; and Congressman Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, is
he here? Yes. So, in the interest of transparency, these were
my co-conspirators.
REP. TINIO. Now, Mr. Speaker, funding from the private
sector is one thing, but funding from a prominent personality
associated with the ruling Democratic Party of the United
States is another thing. Let me express that, on my part,
I am uncomfortable with the idea that Congressmen and
Congresswomen of the Republic of the Philippines went to
the Kalayaan Islands to express their position on the Spratlys,
but on a trip that was funded by one Loida Nicolas-Lewis
who, as we have already established, is, in fact, very closely
associated with the ruling President of the United States of
America, whose government has its own national interest
in the West Philippine Sea, in the question of the territorial
dispute thereat and which interests are certainly not identical
with the interests of the Republic of the Philippines and of
the Filipino people.
Kaya ang gusto ko lang pong sabihin, lalo na po at
binanggit ng dalawang beses ng ating kasama na mayroon
daw mga protesta laban sa Tsina bukas sa ibat ibang bahagi
ng bansaang gusto ko lang pong ilinaw, kilalanin natin kung
sino ang nasa likod nito. In this case, the US Pinoys for Good
Governance. Ang gusto ko lang pong sabihin, hindi porket
may Filipino na pangalan, in this case, Filipino-Americans, ay
otomatiko nang nagtataguyod ng tunay na interes ng Pilipinas
at ng mga Pilipino.
So, in the concrete case here, malinaw na ang nasa likod
nito is, in fact, an ally of the United States government and,
in fact, is an American citizen, okay. So, you know, ayaw
natin mangyari, We do not want it to happen that, wittingly
or unwittingly, even Representatives of this House become
the witting, the conscious or unconscious apologists for US
foreign policy in the guise of nationalism.
Iyon lang po, Mr. Speaker. Maraming salamat.
REP. CASTRO. Mr. Speaker.
REP. BELLO (W.). Can I just answer, Mr. Speaker?
so.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Please do


Gentleman from Akbayan would like to reply.
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, first of all, I think that
53
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). May we allow
first the Gentleman from Akbayan to make a brief reply to the
last statement of the Gentleman from ACT Party-List.
REP. CASTRO. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
REP. BELLO (W.). Thank you very much.
Well, first of all, again, I would like to say that Filipinos
overseas, including Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, as well as
many Filipinos in the United States who consider themselves
Filipinos and are very concerned about our national interest,
and their help in terms of supporting Philippine national
interest is very, very important and appreciated. I think,
certainly, whatever views Ms. Lewis might hold with respect
to the United States in the West Philippine Sea, and the views
that are held by a number of us, including myself and the four
of us who went to the Spratly Islands, who oppose US military
presence, we can unite on one thing and that is, supporting the
interests of the Philippines vis--vis the aggressive behavior
that has been displayed by China.
So, I would like to again say that the global diaspora of
the Filipinos are very, very strong and vocal in supporting our
national interest in the West Philippine Sea. The second thing
I would just like to say here, Mr. Speaker, is that I would like
to really emphasize that certainly, our position in Akbayan is
that we do not support the United States effort to protect or
re-militarize the area. We do not support it because we feel
that once superpower dynamics come in, then the territorial
disputes, the management of these becomes marginalized
and so, we are against the hegemony of either of these two
superpowers over our poor country.
Thank you very much.
Majority Leader is now recognized.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, before we recognize the
Honorable Rodriguez (R.), may we please acknowledge the
presence of a few guests in the gallery.
We have members of the Barangay Council of Pagatpat,
municipality of Calabangga, guests of the honorable Rep.
Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Third District of Camarines
Sur.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). All the guests
mentioned, please rise.
REP. BANAL. We also have the guests of the Hon. Ben
P. Evardone from the Lone District of Eastern Samar, the
Barangay Chairman from the municipality of Oras, Eastern
Samar headed by Punong Barangay Gloria Lomunstad.
(Applause)
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Please rise.
REP. BANAL. We also have the officers of Lamrag
Guiuan Cooperative headed by Architect Perez.
(Applause)
54
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). You are all
welcome to the House of Representatives.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this point,
may we recognize the honorable Representative of the
Second District of Cagayan de Oro City, the Hon. Rufus B.
Rodriguez.
Gentleman from the Second District of Cagayan de Oro City
is recognized.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would
the Gentleman from Akbayan yield to some interventions
from this Representation?
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). He may if
he so desires.
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, the Gentleman
from Cagayan de Oro City is always welcome.
proceed, Gentleman from Cagayan de Oro City.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you.
The interpellation will consist of four points: first, the
issue of the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and
China; second, the temporary access of American forces to
Philippine bases, in Philippine territory; third, the Baselines
Law; and last, the protest tomorrow against China for insisting
on its claim in the Philippine seas.
First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the honorable
Gentleman from Akbayan, on the issue of the West Philippine
Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) started with
three kinds of action when this started upon the filing of
the note verbale of 2009 which reiterated the 1949 claim
of the Nine-Dash Line of the nationalist China. Would the
Gentleman again explain to us these three actions of the DFA
to resolve the dispute?
REP. BELLO (W.). As I said, Mr. Speaker, the thrust of
the Philippines was to insist that we resolve this peacefully
through multilateral means because, since there are about
six different claimants, the best way to resolve this would
be through multilateral discussions, and as I understand it,
our country has been supported, for the most part, by the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations in this position. There
was one point, of course, when we failed to get a communiqu
last year because of the chairmanship of Cambodia but
recently, in the Brunei Darussalam Declaration, we were
again supported in our effort to have a peaceful resolution to
this issue. Most recently, we have brought this case already
to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the
arbitral tribunal, so that I believe, Mr. Speaker, the idea is to
clarify the maritime claims of our respective countries, the
six claimants in the area.
So that the thrust of our position has been, let us move
to clarify these different maritime claims in a peaceful way
even as we push, Mr. Speaker, for the Code of Conduct that
has been long postponed, that, even as this clarification is
taking place, the negotiations for the Code of Conduct of

the different parties, of the different claimants in the West
Philippine Sea, now be actively pursued. As I understand
it, Mr. Speaker, in the last meeting in Brunei, the Chinese
government finally agreed that there would be discussions
and negotiations on the Code of Conduct which, in my view,
is a major step forward.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I
think we should be reminded that there were three actions
that were formulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
First would be the diplomatic action; second, political;
and third would be the last option of legal action based
on International Law.
For the past four years since 2009, the problem was
that China tried really not to discuss and not to agree with
any lawful activity of our Foreign Affairs with the ASEAN.
China would not want the Philippines to be able to bring the
ASEAN to negotiate with China because they believe that,
of course, if a body like the ASEAN takes the cudgels for
the Philippines, it is a bigger bloc and it will be difficult to
ignore. That is why we have a problem there because before
Brunei, for example, Cambodia, a country receiving so much
aid from China, Hun Sen, the Prime Minister, refused even
to discuss the Code of Conduct, refused even to recognize
our representative and, in fact, our Secretary and that is why
we even have a problem right now on the diplomatic tack
because many of the ASEAN countries now are recipients
of so much Peoples Republic of China aid.
Then, on the political aspect well, we have the les affaires
Trillanes. You know, we have people going to China to talk
politically for the political action but nothing came of it
because, again, China was very adamant because they do
not want the ASEAN, they do not want a group undertaking,
they do not want to discuss with the Philippines, and simply
because they have no basis in International Law. That is why
we have been pushing since 2009 I was here and then in
2010, 2011, we have been pushing everytime we had a hearing
in the Committee on Foreign Affairsthat the Philippines
should already file its claim and petition under the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The last of the three actions was already, therefore, Mr.
Speaker, undertaken by the Philippine government, is that
correct, distinguished Gentleman from Akbayan?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague,
that is definitely correct. According to the DFA, all bilateral
efforts had been exhausted and this is why they moved
towards the arbitration in the United Nations. I would also
like to compliment the Gentleman from Cagayan de Oro for
having seen this quite early and thus, pushed for an early
filing with the United Nations on these issues. So, thank you
very much on that.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you. Therefore, as the
last option, we have filed, the Philippine government has
filed a petition before the International Tribunal for the Law
of the Sea, the agency tasked by the UNCLOS to administer
precisely disputes like these. Now, the problem here is that
the UNCLOS, while China is a signatory to the UNCLOS
as the Philippines is, they have opted out from compulsory
jurisdiction in the delimitation of the exclusive economic
zone. In other words, we cannot bring China under the

UNCLOS because it has opted out from jurisdiction. So,
she has to agree, Chinait has to agree before there can
be a solution or a hearing on delimitation of the exclusive
economic zone where there is a contentious claim among the
countries. So, the only thing that we have and that is why
we took it, this Annex VII of the UNCLOS and this is the
compulsory arbitration that even if one party would not agree
to join, the compulsory arbitration continues and this is now
Annex VII of the UNCLOS which is now being invoked by
the Philippines. Is that correct, Mr. Speaker?
REP. BELLO (W.). I believe, Gentleman from Cagayan
de Oro.
55
Bello, I move that we suspend the Privilege Hour, so I can
move for the calling of the roll.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Chair
declares a
REP. BANAL. I move to suspend the Privilege Hour.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). There is a
motion to suspend the Privilege Hour, but the time is already
up, so the Chair declares a one-minute recess.
It was 5:48 p.m.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Here, it is about any issue on

interpretation, not delimitation of zones, meaning, any issue
on interpretation of the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea can be brought to compulsory arbitration. Is
that correct, Mr. Speaker?
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 5:52 p.m., the session was resumed.
REP. BELLO (W.). I understand that is correct,

Gentleman from Cagayan de Oro.

is resumed.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). So even if China, Mr. Speaker,

did notwhen they were given the summons from the
International Tribunal that there will be constituted an arbitral
tribunal of the five international experts on International
Law, especially on Ocean Law and the UNCLOSChina
immediately made its manifestation that it will not join
this compulsory arbitration, and that was fine because in
International Law, Annex VII says that even if it did not join,
there will be a hearing and they will make a pronouncement.
This pronouncement may not be followed by China, but if
they do not follow after the decision is made by the arbitral
tribunal, it will be a rogue state, meaning, it has not followed
International Law. So, we are on the right track and we are
now going into compulsory arbitration this week. The five
members have been constituted, one member in view of his
marriage to a Filipina has been disqualified and therefore,
it is now all totally foreign componentfive experts and
two of them, Wolfrum and Pierre, were my professors in the
Rhodes Academy of International Law in Rhodes, Greece,
on Ocean Law.
Now, I would like to dare ask, for the information of
the Body here, there are three issuesI think this should be
clearly understood because we are all legislators, and there
are three issues brought by the Philippine government to
the arbitral tribunal. Would the Gentleman be able to tell us
what the three are?
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we extend the

Privilege Hour.

wishes to remind the Gentleman on the floor that the time
for the Privilege Hour has expired.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). We ask the Dep. Majority
Leader to extend the Privilege Hour.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the
indulgence of the Hon. Rufus Rodriguez and the Hon. Walden

approved.
REP. BANAL. I move to suspend the holding of the
Privilege Hour.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). There
is a motion to suspend the Privilege Hour. Is there any
approved.
The Floor Leader is recognized.
ROLL CALL
roll.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we call the

approved.
The Secretary General will please call the roll.
The Secretary General called the roll, and the result is
as follows, per Journal No. 2, dated July 23, 2013:
PRESENT:
Abad
Abaya
Abellanosa
Abu
Abueg
Acedillo
Acharon
Acop
Adiong
Advincula
Agarao
Aggabao
Aglipay
Agyao
Albano
Alejano
56
Aliping
Almario
Almonte
Alvarez (M.)
Amante
Amatong (I.)
Amatong (R.)
Andaya
Angara-Castillo
Angping
Antonino-Nadres
Apostol
Aragones
Arbison
Arenas
Arnaiz
Arroyo
Asilo
Atienza
Aumentado
Bag-ao
Bagatsing
Baguilat
Balindong
Banal
Barcelona-Reyes
Barzaga
Bataoil
Batocabe
Bautista
Bello (S.)
Bello (W.)
Belmonte (F.)
Belmonte (J.)
Belmonte (V.)
Benitez
Bernos
Biazon
Bichara
Binay
Biron
Bondoc
Bonoan
Bravo (A.)
Bravo (M.)
Bulut-Begtang
Cabilao
Cagas
Calalay
Calixto-Rubiano
Caminero
Cari
Castelo
Castro
Catamco
Cayetano
Celeste
Cerafica
Cerilles
Chipeco
Co
Cojuangco (E.)

Cojuangco (K.)
Collantes
Colmenares
Cosalan
Cruz-Gonzales
Cua
Cueva
Dalog
Dayanghirang
De Jesus
De Venecia
Defensor
Del Mar
Del Rosario (A.A.)
Del Rosario (A.G.)
Dela Cruz
Deloso-Montalla
Dimaporo (A.)
Dimaporo (I.)
Durano
Dy
Echiverri
Enverga
Erice
Eriguel
Ermita-Buhain
Escudero
Espina
Estrella
Evardone
Farias
Fernandez
Ferrer (J.)
Ferrer (L.)
Ferriol
Flores
Fortun
Fortuno
Fuentebella
Garay
Garcia (E.)
Garcia (G.)
Garcia-Albano
Garin (O.)
Garin (S.)
Gatchalian (S.)
Gatchalian (W.)
Geron
Go (A.C.)
Gonzales
Gonzalez
Gorriceta
Guanlao
Guiao
Gullas
Gunigundo
Gutierrez
Hagedorn
Haresco
Hataman-Salliman
Hernandez
Hicap
Hofer
Ilagan
Iway
Javier
Kho
Khonghun
Labadlabad
Lacson-Noel
Lagdameo (A.)
Lagdameo (M.)
Lagman
Leachon
Lee
Leonardia
Leonen-Pizarro
Lobregat
Loong
Lopez (C.)
Lopez (C.J.)
Madrona
Manalo
Mangudadatu
Masongsong
Matugas
Mellana
Mendoza (J.)
Mercado
Mercado-Revilla
Mirasol
Montejo
Nava (J.)
Nava (P.)
Noel
Nograles
Nuo
Oaminal
Olivarez
Ong
Ortega (F.)
Ortega (V.)
Pacquiao
Padilla
Paez
Pagdilao
Pancho
Panganiban
Panotes
Paquiz
Pernes
Piamonte
Pichay
Plaza
Primicias-Agabas
Puno
Quimbo
Quisumbing
Radaza
Ramos
Relampagos
Revilla
Reyes
Ridon
Rivera
Robes
Robredo
Rodriguez (I.)
Rodriguez (M.)
Rodriguez (O.)
Rodriguez (R.)
Roman
Romarate
Romualdez
Romualdo
Romulo
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Sarmiento (C.)
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Singson (E.)
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Suansing
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Tambunting
Tan (A.)
Tejada
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Ting
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Umali (C.)
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Yu
Zamora (M.)
Zamora (R.)
Zarate
Zubiri

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The Speaker is
present.
The roll call shows that 264 Members responded to the
call.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 264
Members present, the Chair declares the presence of a
quorum.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker.
Before we resume the Privilege Hour, I move for a
correction to Journal No. 1 dated July 22, 2013: on page 18,
under Result of Voting for Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., to
insert the name of Rep. Ibarra Barry Gutierrez III after the
name of Representative Gunigundo.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL
REP. BANAL. There being no further corrections to
Journal No. 1, I move for its approval, as corrected.
motion to approve the Journal, as amended.
Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
With that, I move that we resume the Privilege Hour.
PRIVILEGE HOUR
Continuation
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Privilege
Hour is resumed.
REP. BANAL. Likewise, I move that we recognize the
Hon. Walden Bello and the Hon. Rufus Rodriguez to continue
with the interpellation.
Gentlemen mentioned are directed to take their places on
the floor.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We are ready to resume our interpellations. I just would
like to therefore go back to my question on the three subject
matters of the issues that were presented to the compulsory
arbitral tribunal in Hamburg, Germany?
We should remember, Mr. Speaker, that there were three
options of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Now, these have
also threethree options, three issues. The three options in
relation with the China dispute over the West Philippine Sea
57
are: one, diplomatic option which we did but failed; two,
political action, done but failed; and now, we are on last
option, the legal option.
May we know from our distinguished colleague the
three issues that are now going to be the subject matter of
the compulsory arbitral tribunal constituted in Hamburg but
will meet in The Hague, Netherlands?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, Thank you very
much, dear colleague from Cagayan de Oro. I understand that
there are three major issues that need to be clarified. The first
is, what exactly is the Nine-Dash Line claim of China?
All we seemed to have been presented with is nine dashes
on a map. So, I think that would be really the first, according
to the DFA negotiators.
The second is the maritime entitlements of both China
and the Philippines. This would serve as a very, very
important body to clarify what exactly is China entitled to
and what exactly the Philippines is entitled to.
Third, as I understand it, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague,
is, we want to clarify the status and character of the features
that China is currently occupying, including, I was told, and
specifically the structures on Panganiban Reef or the Mischief
Reef area. So, these are, as I understand it, the three main
issues that need to be clarified. I know, Mr. Speaker, that you
probably have more detailed knowledge about these aspects
that you would like to share with the Body.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
distinguished colleague. The three main issues:
1. Whether the Nine-Dash Line that is being claimed
by China has basis in the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea.
The Philippines is of the position that the Nine-Dash Line
declared by nationalist China in 1949 and the note verbale of
2009 had completely no basis at all in International Law; that
is why China cannot claim the South China Sea, or what we
call the West Philippine Sea, as its backyard waters. That is
why in that particular regard, we are very clear that, based on
International Law and the UNCLOS, there is no mention of
Nine-Dash Line. Even historic rights have been removed by
this positive law United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea because always, under the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea, the principle is, land dominates the
sea. All the rights to the sea come from land and that is why,
as stated by Congressman, former Senator Biazon, we have
our Baselines Law and our Baselines Law had been accepted
by the entire international community except China.
We were correct in that we have the baseline of the
Philippines which is the farthest point, the land point and
they connect them; and we have two Regime of Islands. That
is what China does not agree tothe Regime of Islands:
the Kalayaan Islands and the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough
Shoal. What we did is in consonance with the Baselines Law
and the Regime of Islands as stated in the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea. So, that is the first issue,
and on this issue, Mr. Speaker, we are going to, therefore,
win in this issue because the Nine-Dash Line has no basis in
International Law or the UNCLOS, because the only basis
is, from the land that you have and Hainan, the nearest island
to the sea is very far from our Spratly Islands or Kalayaan
Islands and very far from Panatag Shoalmore than 700
58
nautical miles; while the Panatag Shoal is within the 200

miles, and the Spratlys also, part of it is in that.
REP. BELLO (W.). Mr. Speaker, I would just like to
add with respect to that which I fully agree with is that, I
understand China has not in fact articulated in any formal
document what is the basis of the Nine-Dash Line. That is
in fact correct, right?
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Yes. They would say historic
rights for centuries
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). but precisely, the UNLCOS,
they would not recognize historic rights
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). because everything now
should be based on land; from your baseline, then you count
the 12-mile territorial sea; and then you have the 200-mile
exclusive economic zone; and then the continental shelf from
the baselines.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, the second issue is whether
the Panatag Shoal or the Scarborough Shoal, the Bajo de
Masinloc is an island or a rock. There will be twoif the
twothere is a big difference when a mass of land is a rock
or an island, and that is precisely what the UNCLOS has
already stated.
A rock, Mr. Speaker, is land that is always above water
even if it is high tide, so, it is always above water. A rock
would be an island if the rock is susceptible to being able
to produce habitation and life in that island. Meaning,
there is water and people can live there and so, it can be an
island. Why? A rock, under UNCLOS, only has 12-mile
territorial sea. An island only has a 12-mile territorial sea
but has a 200-mile economic zone and a continental shelf
of up to 300 miles. So, what we have sent to the arbitrary
tribunal is to get its opinion on whether Scarborough Shoal
is a rock or an island. Now, what is the implication to
the Philippines if it is an island? If it is an island, then
you count 200 miles from Bajo de Masinloc, granting
that they have sovereignty because that is another matter
on the ownership of the Scarborough, but just for the sea
issue. Then we have Bajo de Masinloc-Panatag Shoal,
they will count 200 miles and we have also our shoreline
in Zambales, 200 miles, and they will overlap. If they will
overlap, then we need to have delimitation of exclusive
zone. However, if the arbitrary tribunal decides that it is
a rock, then it is only allowed 12 miles.
Therefore, Chinese vessels outside, even granting that
they own the Panatag Shoalfor the sake of argument
because territories are not part of the UNCLOS, only the
seasgranting that it is a rock, then they are only allowed 12
miles. If they are outside that, all the other waters are within
the 200-mile economic zone. If you have an economic zone
of 200 miles, there is what we call in law sovereign rights,
not sovereignty. Sovereignty goes to the 12-mile territorial
sea but sovereign rights means that you have the right
to expel people who are going to get your fish, to get your
corals or minerals in that area because that is an exclusive
economic zone. That is very crucial and if that is decided

by the arbitrary tribunal, then the Chinese vessels could not
stand by our sea around the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough
Shoal without the permission of the Philippine government.
So, that is the second issue that is done.
The third issue is the Mischief Reef. A reef is never an
island because a reef is always submerged and that is why
there is no right of China over the Mischief Reef because it
is a sea, it is water and it is within the 200-mile economic
zone. Mr. Speaker, I just would like to emphasize that, you
know, it took so much time for the DFA to file, it was in
2009 when they claimed this Nine-Dash Line and we only
filed about four months ago. Better late than never because
then, we are able, therefore, to have these three issues on
interpretation. And even if China does not agree to join
us, there will be a ruling of the arbitrary tribunal and in
that ruling, even if China will not accede, China will then
become a rogue state; and all international communities
will have contempt for countries that are rogue, that do
not follow international tribunals.
Second point, Mr. Speaker, is: what is the view of
Akbayan in relation to temporary access to our airports, to
our bases here in the Philippines, that they wish to have
temporary access of armed forces in the Philippines? What
is the view of Akbayan on this raging issue on whether the
American forces, its destroyers, its planes could land on
Philippine soil, in our bases?
REP. BELLO (W.). Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker,
dear colleague.
First of all, let me just say that I fully agree to your
clarification of the different points that we seek to clarify in
the arbitration that we are seeking and that, in fact, this is
part of the Philippines effort to be able to have the rule of
law in terms of governing the maritime area within the West
Philippine Sea.
So, basically, I think this would be a very important step
forward in terms of promoting the rule of law which, at this
point, is quite essential in terms of a peaceful resolution of
these disputes.
On the question of the increased access, Mr. Speaker,
you know, in the last Congress, the Fifteenth Congress,
I co-authored a joint resolution with Senator Miriam
Defensor-Santiago that sought the abrogation of the
Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) because we feel that
the Visiting Forces Agreement was something that was
creating problems in terms of our national interest. Besides
that, its constitutional status was not at all clear because
the kind of privileges/facilities that were established under
the Visiting Forces Agreement, according to Section 25 of
the Constitution, it is not something that can be given by
a mere agreement, but is in fact something that should be
governed by a treaty, and the Visiting Forces Agreement
is merely an agreement.
So, even more now that there is going to be this increased
access to our Philippine bases, because what this would
really mean is that they will become Philippine bases only
in name but, de facto, they become American bases, this is
a constitutional issue that Congress must really participate
in its resolution. As far as Akbayan goes, we do not favor
this increased access because it is in violation of our
Constitution.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). So, Akbayan believes that
temporary access of American forces would violate Article
II on the Declaration of Principles and State Policies, that
provides, The State shall pursue an independent foreign
policy. The fundamental concern should be on sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Does Akbayan believe that giving
temporary access to the armed forces at this time would be
in violation of Article II on independent foreign policy, and
that we should also have a fundamental consideration of
sovereignty and national territorial integrity?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, we do believe that this would
be indeed a violation of Article II and Article XVIII, Section
25.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). A violation?
REP. BELLO (W.). It is fairly clear in Section 25,
Article XVIII that such facilities and their activities cannot
be entered upon by the State, except by virtue of a treaty. So,
I think, on those two counts, we are not for the current policy
that was articulated by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin
on giving increased and more intensified military access by
the United States.
Mr. Speaker, dear colleague, there is an even bigger
issue here because we do not want the Philippines to become
a frontline state. We know what happens to frontline states.
We know what happened to Afghanistan. We know what
happened to Pakistan. What happens is that the development
of our country becomes subordinate to superpower dynamics
and that is not something that really is conducive to our
national development or our national interests.
Now, it might seem very easy to run to the United States
but actually, in the long run, it will be quite detrimental to
our national interest and that is the point of view of this
Representation as well as of Akbayan.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). So, Mr. Speaker, distinguished
colleague, Akbayan is of the position that an agreement for a
temporary access of American forces to the Philippines would
violate Article II and Section 25 of Article XVIII on pursuing
an independent foreign policy and taking into consideration
the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity. Is that
not correct?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, Mr. Speaker.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Now, not only for being
unconstitutional but also detrimental to the national interest.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Would Akbayan also believe
that Section 8, Article II of the Constitution which provides
for the freedom of the Philippines from nuclear weapons
within its territory would likewise be violated with the
temporary access agreement?
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, Mr. Speaker, the position of
the US Defense Department when it was asked whether it is
transporting or bringing into the country nuclear weapons,
is basically that they will neither confirm nor deny this.
59
However, since nuclear weapons are very central weapons,
they are the centerpiece, both strategic and tactical, since
nuclear weapons are the centerpiece of American military
strategy, then we have to assume that nuclear weapons
would be brought into the Philippines, you know, with this
temporary access agreement. I think the US Defense doctrine
is still very much centered on the so-called nuclear offensive
and nuclear deterrence.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The fact that the United States neither confirms nor
denies that they have a nuclear arsenal in its vessels or in
its planes, would it not also reallyif they wish to come to
the Philippinesis it not our right to be able to either get
their confirmation, or we can inspect these vessels because
they will be coming here on our own fiat and therefore, we
have that right to be able to inspect because we do not want
a violation of our Constitution on freedom from nuclear
weapons? Is that possible, Mr. Speaker?
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, Mr. Speaker, the United
States, as I understand it, whenever its ships enter any
country, they will not, in fact, allow foreign parties,
resident governments to inspect their vessels, and all
they would really give us is, again, the position of neither
confirming nor denying the existence of nuclear weapons.
I believe that such position is not congruent with our
national interest.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Yes, because precisely, if
they want to come, then they have to follow the Constitution
and it can be part of an agreement, of the temporary access
agreement, that they should say that they have none. If they
neither confirm nor deny its presence, then we have the right
to inspect for ourselves because we want to implement our
Constitution to protect ourselves and to implement our own
principles.
Now, I would like also to askmy last point is the
protest tomorrow. Is Akbayan joining a call for the people
to support the protest against China that will be started
tomorrow?
REP. BELLO (W.). Let me again be very clear, Mr.
Speaker, dear colleague, that the protest is a global protest and
the PhilippinesI mean, Akbayan is only one of the parties
that are involved in bringing together this protest.
I would just like to say that, ever since the crisis from two
years back erupted in terms of Chinas aggressive behavior,
our party has consistently held demonstrations in front of
the Chinese embassy, and one of the activities that we, in
fact, did was in August of 2011. We had two planeloads, led
by four legislators who visited the Kalayaan Islands, a visit
that was protested by China but which we said was perfectly
legitimate because we were visiting a part of Philippine
territory, and this position was supported by the Executive
Department.
I would just like to say that this protest tomorrow really
indicates that all over the world, Filipinos, the diaspora, global
Filipinos are, in fact, coming out for a very strong support
for the national interest of our country.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). With that, Mr. Speaker, I would
60
like to thank the distinguished colleague from Akbayan for

being able to discuss with us the protest tomorrow and the
antecedents of our claim in the West Philippine Seas and
likewise, its position on the temporary access of the Armed
Forces of the United States in the Philippines.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker; thank you very
much, distinguished colleague.
REP. BELLO (W.). Thank you very much.
With that I move that we recognize the distinguished
Gentleman from the Second District of Capiz, Rep. Fred
Castro.
REP. CASTRO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla).
Fredenil Fred H. Castro is recognized.
The Hon.
REP. CASTRO. Will the Gentleman from Akbayan

yield to some interpellations?
REP. BELLO (W.). Yes, please, dear colleague.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla).
proceed.
Please
REP. CASTRO. Mr. Speaker, my dear colleague, I

am not going to dwell on theoretical matters because the
privilege speech of the Gentleman from Akbayan has been
well-presented, chronicled and debated intelligently, not
only by the speaker himself but even by the interpellators.
What has been discussed, as I had observed, were purely
theoretical, opinionated; there was nothing tangible in the
discussion, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my only question to the Gentleman from
Akbayan is, since he brought the matter of Chinas incursion
on the territories of the Philippines, what does he want this
House to do?
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague,
that is a very important question and certainly, this House
can enact a number of measuresfrom holding hearings
on the issue to enacting resolutions to, in fact, supporting
the stand of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the
Executive to show that Congress is fully behind the efforts
of the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrive at a peaceful
resolution of this issue, including our bringing the matter
to the United Nations and the arbitral tribunal. I believe
the position of the Gentleman from Paraaque about us in
Congress becoming much more active in promoting and
pushing our foreign policy concerns is something that would
be quite congruent with this position.
REP. CASTRO.
I understand the position of the
Gentleman from Akbayan. What is in it, Mr. Speaker, is
that the fact that the Republic of the Philippines has filed an
action for a compulsory arbitration before the United Nations
is an admission that the solution is not with us. Therefore, any

resolution or any declaration, even by the Members of the
House, individually or as a Body, is an exercise in futility.
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, that is the opinion of the
Gentleman, but I believe such a piece of legislation declaring
our support for a peaceful resolution of the issue would be a
very strong political statement that would, in fact, be sent to
the world, that the Philippine government stands unified behind
our effort to arrive at a peaceful diplomatic solution to the West
Philippine Sea issue. So, I think, Mr. Speaker, that we should
not underestimate the statement that would give to China and to
the world at large the fact that we are determined to defend our
interest, that Congress stands behind the Executive, and that we
stand with the Filipino people in our effort to have a peaceful
resolution of the West Philippine Sea dispute.
REP. CASTRO. Do I understand it, Mr. Speaker, from the
Gentleman from Akbayan that all that this House can do is a
public pronouncement that we support a peaceful resolution
of the issues at hand. Is that all, Mr. Speaker?
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, I think this is one of the
many steps that we can take. We alsothe Foreign Affairs
Committee, of course, which has been very active on this
issueis obligated to exercise its oversight functions on the
progress of the arbitration on the negotiations with China, and
to always make sure that our representatives in the Executive
are faithfully promoting the national interest. So, there is a
big latitude for Congress to, in fact, intervene on this issue,
including the use of our oversight function.
REP. CASTRO. Mr. Speaker, I am lost and confused by
the statement of the Gentleman from Akbayan that perhaps
through legislation, Congress can support our cause or the
cause of the Republic of the Philippines over the incursion
of Chinese people on our territories. When we speak of
legislation, legislation in any form is only territorial and of
local application. It has no extra-territorial application beyond
the jurisdiction of this country, and therefore, I doubt, Mr.
Speaker, how legislation could properly support the claim of
the Philippines that indeed there is an illegal and unlawful
incursion on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines
by the Republic of China.
REP. BELLO (W.). Well, Mr. Speaker, I would disagree
because one of our functions as legislators is, in fact, to enact
laws that, in fact, also guide our foreign policy. We cannot just
leave the formulation of our foreign policy to the Executive
because we are obligated to be the ones to create the laws that
the Executive would need to implement. That is the first.
The second thing is our oversight function. We have a
Committee on Foreign Affairs, we have a Congress that is
obligated to make sure that our people in the Executive are,
in fact, promoting the national interest. That is why we have
a very active Committee on Foreign Affairs which, in the
Fifteenth Congress, was headed by Congressman Bichara and
we were always calling for hearings on the developments in
the relations between China and the Philippines, and China
and the United States. I do believe that this oversight function
had a very important input or impact in the behavior of our
negotiators.

Third, let us not underestimate the value of the political
statement in resolutions and bills that we pass in support of
our national position, of our national interest, because this
communicates to China, to the world and other interested
parties, the determination of our people. So let us not
denigrate or depreciate our role as legislators because we
have a wide latitude and it is our duty to act, rather than just
leave this to the Department of Foreign Affairs. That would
be an abdication of our legislative responsibilities.
REP. CASTRO. Mr. Speaker, again, I am getting more
confused by the statement of the Gentleman from Akbayan
that he wants to be sure or we should be sure that our
officials in the Executive Department are interested or will
be interested in our international affairs. I am confused,
Mr. Speaker. Does the Gentleman from Akbayan doubt
the interest of our Executive officers or officials on our
international affairs?
REP. BELLO (W.). I do not doubt that our officials in
the DFA, for the most part, would be promoting our national
interest, but that is precisely our role as oversight. Our
oversight function is extremely important to ensure that,
indeed, the actions of the members of the Executive will
always comply with the national interest. It is not a question
of trust or not having trust. The whole thing about separation
of powers is precisely that the separation of powers ensures
that the different powers of government, in fact, relate to
one another in a way that makes sure that in this system of
checks and balances, we have the appropriate policy that
emerges. So, let us not reduce it to a question of trust. I think
that oversight over the role of our Foreign Affairs and the
Executive is one of our most important functions. I believe
that this is something that we can never surrender and must
always actively perform for our national interests.
REP. CASTRO. In any event, Mr. Speaker, I believe that
there will be more time to debate on this further. I understand
from the Majority Leader that there are still matters that will
have to be undertaken by the House in plenary, thus, Mr.
Speaker, I terminate my interpellation with profound thanks
to the Gentleman from Akbayan for having allowed this
Representation to interpellate.
REP. BELLO (W.). I would also like to express my great
gratitude to the Gentleman for this very spirited debate and
hopefully, we can continue this discussion and debate over
the Sixteenth Congress.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I move that we refer the speech of the Honorable Bello,
together with the interpellations of the Honorable Biazon, Tinio,
Rodriguez (R.) and Castro to the Committee on Rules.
motion to refer the privilege speech of the Gentleman from
the Party-List Akbayan together with all the interpellations
to the Committee on Rules.
61
Is there any objection? (Silence) There being none, the
motion is approved.
I move that we now recognize the honorable
Representative of the Party-List Kabataan, the Hon. Terry
L. Ridon, for his privilege speech.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Hon.
Terry Ridon is recognized.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. RIDON
REP. RIDON. Honorable Speaker, distinguished
colleagues:
Good evening.
I rise to defend the right of the youth and the people to
peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress
of grievances, a right which has been violated in yesterdays
State of the Nation demonstrations. In my years as a student
leader, the State of the Nation Address was always a day of
protest, a day of outrage of the people. Ours was a generation
awakened by the plunder and deceit of the previous regime.
Ours was a generation not unlike any generation, for early
in our youth, we already knew by heart why there is a need
to protest.
Yesterday, as we sat here comfortably while listening to
the SONA, dozens upon dozens of rallyists in Commonwealth
were experiencing unspeakable brutalities in the hands of
the Philippine National Police. Due to the Quezon City
governments denial to issue a permit for the SONA rally,
thousands upon thousands of police were deployed along
Commonwealth Avenue and a sea of police uniforms and
truncheons choked up the road from Sandiganbayan to Ever
Gotesco. Early in the day, the police seemingly adopted the
Presidents very own wily tacticsthey gave out flowers
and balloons to rallyists and passersby early in the dayas
if it could hide the fact that they were in full battle gear
and there were razor sharp concertina wires littered around
Commonwealth Avenue.
A little past ten oclock in the morning, rallyists and
the police had a stand-off, with the police line advancing,
ready to disperse the demonstrators and push them farther
from Batasan. Leaders quickly negotiated with the police
to avoid violence. Both sides agreed to peacefully stay in
their ranks. However, as the negotiators for the rallyists
were just about to return to the crowd, the police started
marching into the crowd, cudgels and truncheons in
their hands, violently beating down protesters. After the
skirmish, dozens of activists were injured. Even former
Bayan Muna Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy
Casio were not spared. A fellow youth leader, Anakbayan
Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, was severely bruised in
the head. The police nabbed 10 rallyists, including several
students and workers. One student was forcedly nabbed
by the police just because he helped a sidewalk vendor to
get up on his knees.
The police detained the rallyists in Camp Karingal.
As a result of the detention, over 200 activists staged an
indignation rally in front of Camp Karingal last night,
and everything got worse from there. As activists chanted
demands for the police to release the illegally detained
62
rallyists, all hell broke loose. Hundreds of policemen, still
in their full battle gear, mercilessly pounded at the activists
with their truncheons, incessantly pushing the crowd from
Sikatuna Village up until Kamias Road, a good kilometer
away or so from Camp Karingal. Last night, I personally
rushed to Camp Karingal to negotiate with the QCPD but
to no avail. They were only released today, with the charges
against them dismissed.
Is the right to protest not guaranteed by Article III,
Section 4 of the Constitution? Going back to Newtons
Law, it is said that for every action, there is an equal
opposite reaction. The violence wrought by the police
yesterday defied Newtonian Law for they acted not with
equal force, but with brute force. To put it simply, the
PNPs actions yesterday were clear overkill. Such acts
remind us of the cruel days of the calibrated pre-emptive
response during the previous regime. It portrays the grim
truth that this regime is no different from the previous one
when it comes to human rights.
Truly, if one inspects the Presidents SONA yesterday, it
is evident that he did not touch upon the continuing reign of
impunity in the country. He left out the fact that extrajudicial
killings, enforced disappearances, torture, political detention
and other forms of human rights violations remain and even
intensified under his watch.
The SONA is bereft of any explanation as to why
millions remain impoverished amid the nations muchtouted economic progress. The SONA is bereft of any
explanation as to why prices of basic commodities and
services are increasing while wages remain stagnant. The
SONA is silent on fundamental issues of the day, including
growing joblessness and the worsening crisis. His almost
two-hour speech touched on almost everything except
these major issues, issues that ironically were addressed
not by the President, but the people which state forces were
dispersing outside Congress gates.The youth condemns in
the strongest possible terms the excessive use of force in
yesterdays demonstrations. A nation depriving its citizens
the freedom of expression is a nation in a developing
fascist state and only a rising fascist can grandstand in
front of an audience while its people are being harassed
for speaking the truth.
Thank you and good day.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Deputy
Since there is no Member who wishes to interpellate, I
move that we refer the speech of the Hon. Terry Ridon to the
Committee on Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence). There being none, the motion is
approved.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize
the honorable Representative of the OFW Family Party-List,
the Hon. Roy V. Seeres Sr., for his privilege speech.
Gentleman, the Honorable Seeres, is recognized.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. SEERES
REP. SEERES. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Noong nakaraang linggo po, kami po ay nag-attend ng
seminar tungkol sa aming dapat gagawin bilang mga bagito
sa House of Representatives, at mayroon pong nagsabi sa
akin, Dahil bagito ka lang, Roy, huwag ka munang lumikha
ng ingay. Hayaan mo muna iyong mga senior na tumayo at
magsalita.
But, Mr. Speaker, I cannot afford to just keep quiet in the
face of the inadvertence of the President of the Republic of
the Philippines. I am using the word inadvertence instead
of failure on the part of the President to mention or cover
in his State of the Nation Address the state of the 10 million
overseas Filipino workers as well as their families in the home
front, comprising of about 50 million Filipinos. We speak
here of 60 million Filipinos, Mr. Speaker, an overwhelming
majority of the 100 million Filipinos that reside in this country
presently.
I am not blaming the President. He is the very
personification of the sovereignty of the Republic of the
Philippines, the Filipino people. Probably, Mr. Speaker, you
may allow me to instead blame the appointive officials that
surround him, like the Secretary of the Department of Foreign
Affairs as well as the Secretary of the Department of Labor
and Employment. It seems to me that they have been remiss
in giving the President the right advice. How can you ignore
60 million of our countrymen10 million OFWswho are
suffering from the pain of being exiled overseas, away from
their loved ones in the home front?
We call them the new heroes of the Republic of the
Philippines, and let me say, Mr. Speaker, that they are heroes
in the real sense of the word heroes. Were if not for them,
this country would have long been dead, not only the sick
man of Asia but probably the dead man of Asia. Yet,
they were not even mentioned by our leader who instead
mentioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the
Philippine National Police. The 10 million army of OFWs
who are deployed in various jobsites overseas comprise our
army in the fight against poverty in the home front. Who
should be the Commander-in-Chief of this 10 million army,
Mr. Speaker? It should be the President.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs is mandated to take
care of Filipinos overseas.
As a matter of fact, under Republic Act No. 8042, Section
27, it is provided that the highest priority concern, that
is the phrase that is used by law, not by Roy Seeres, the
highest priority concern of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
as well as the foreign service, should be the protection of
Filipinos overseas. In other words, it is the very cornerstone,
the very bedrock of Philippine foreign policy. What are the
other two areas which are not considered as higher than the
protection of our people overseas? Economic diplomacy as
well as furtherance of national security. On the other hand,
the Department of Labor is likewise mandated under the
Constitution and under the Labor Code to protect not only
Filipino workers in the home front but also Filipino workers
overseas. These are two big departments which are mandated
to protect our people overseas and yet in the face of so many
abuses against our countrymen overseas, they did not even
advise or they failed to advise the President about the state
of our 60 million countrymen in this country.

What about the Presidential Adviser on Overseas
Foreign Workers (OFWs) who happens to be the Vice
President of the Republic of the Philippines? His title, as
Presidential Adviser on OFWs, is res ipsa loquiturhe
is supposed to advise the President on what is happening
to our countrymen overseas. How many are in jail right
now? How many are being raped or sexually molested
by their employers as well as our very own people in the
embassies? That was not even mentioned.
Now, Mr. Speaker, because I am new here, can I ask
whether or not it is appropriate for us to summon the Vice
President of the Republic of the Philippines not in his capacity
as Vice President of the Philippines but in his capacity as
Presidential Adviser on OFWs? Can we most respectfully
summon him here, in a committee hearing, perhaps, to explain
why it seems to me that he failed to advise our President about
the plight of our ten million OFWs overseas?
We probably should likewise invite the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Speaker, because the protection of our
countrymen overseas is supposed to be his highest priority
concern, not furtherance of national security. Probably,
insofar as China is concerned, that should be his main
concern, but other countries in the world are not threats
to the national security of the Republic of the Philippines.
For instance, Saudi Arabia, it is 7,000 nautical miles away
from the Philippines. How can it be a threat to our national
security? Switzerland is not a threat to our national security.
Australia is not a threat, and so on and so forth. He should
focus his attention on what is mandated by law and this is the
highest priority concern of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
it should be the protection of our countrymen overseas. That
is likewise the mandate of the Secretary of Labor, aside
from maintaining industrial peace in our country. Aside
from generating employment, his or her primary concern
is to protect our people overseas. Yet, were they ignored
by the President or they just failed to advise the President
about our countrymen overseas as well as their families in
the home front which have become vulnerable to so many
kinds of abuses because of the absence of one or two pillars
in the family?
So many messages have been reaching my Facebook
page as well as my cellphones asking me, Hoy, naturingan
kang Representante ng mga OFW at pamilya nila, pakitanong
mo nga sa Pangulo kung bakit niya kami binalewala.
Money is supposed to be the lifeblood of the economy,
Mr. Speaker, and the lifeblood transfusion that is being done
by our countrymen overseas had already reached US$22
billion. This kind of money has tremendously increased
our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Were it not for this
lifeblood transfusion, referred to by a columnists as spending
injections into the spending stream of our economy, there
would have been no so-called economic growth that any
one of us could be proud of.
I move that we refer the speech of the Honorable ...
REP. BICHARA. Mr. Speaker.
63
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). What is the
pleasure of the Gentleman from Albay?
REP. BICHARA. Can I ask the Gentleman some
questions? Will he yield to some questions?
REP. SEERES. Gladly, Mr. Speaker.
Gentleman may yield if he so desires. Inasmuch as he
manifested his desire to yield, the Gentleman from Albay
may now proceed with his interpellation.
REP. BICHARA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Well, I have known the Gentleman representing the
OFW Family. He has been the Ambassador to the United
Arab Emirates.
REP. SEERES. To the United Arab Emirates, yes, as
Ambassador, Congressman Bichara.
REP. BICHARA. So you fear ...
REP. SEERES. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I was Ambassador
to the United Arab Emirates for quite some time.
REP. BICHARA. Yes, for the information of everybody.
So, Mr. Speaker, you are familiar with the problem there and
it has been existing for the past years, and I totally agree
with you that I think we should get into it and invite the Vice
President to a committee hearing since he is the designated
adviser for the OFW Affairs. Now, assuming that we invite
the Vice President, have you been gathering this kind of
observations? What sort of suggestions, when you mentioned
about advisers, to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary
of Labor, and you claimed that they have been remiss on their
dutieswhat sort of suggestions do you have in mind that,
perhaps, they have overlooked?
REP. SEERES. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker,
for that very relevant question.
My suggestions are so many. It is getting late but I will
just cite some of them. For instance, in Republic Act No.
8042, there is a provision there which says that there should
be a country team approach insofar as providing protection
to our countrymen overseas is concerned, a country team
approach whereby the ambassador himself is the team leader
of all the attached officials to his embassy like the labor
attach, the finance attach, the military attach. It seems
to me that that mandate is not being observed or complied
with by so many of our ambassadors. So my suggestion
is for the President to summon all his ambassadors to the
Philippines, have a command conference with them and
remind them about what the law is telling them to do and that
is to consider the protection of our countrymen on overseas
as their highest priority concern. That is the blueprint of our
Philippine foreign policy and our ambassadors should be
reminded about that blueprint.
REP. BICHARA. So, there is still an existing policy to
that effect, what you call this, the teamwork. Apparently,
what happened during my experience in Beirut was that the
64
other agencies like the Department of Laborwe have our
attachs, the welfare officers and the POLO, the labor officers,
but my observation was the resources are being remitted to
these people, to their own people without the knowledge
of the ambassador. In other words, in times of crisis, the
ambassador does not really know if you have available
resources within your vicinity, in your office. So, now the
problem occurredremember, the scandal that happened, the
pimping? I think most of the ambassadors did not realize
that something wrong was going on because some offices of
the Labor Department, the shelter offices are not within the
premises of the embassy, they are separated. So, ganoon ang
nangyari. So, hindi alamand all communications coming
from the Department of Labor goes directly straight to their
own people without the knowledge of the head of mission.
Am I right, Congressman?
REP. SEERES. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I agree with
the observation of my friend, Ambassador Bichara, the
Gentleman from Albay. Therefore, I would suggest that we
rectify the wrong and I would back you up, sir, should you
propose some legislation to that effect.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Padilla relinquished
the Chair to Rep. Jorge Bolet Banal.
REP. BICHARA. So, we are all for this cause and we
cannot really stop theI mean, the migration of our, not
migration but these job seekers going out of the country
because they really need jobs. There are lesser jobs here, they
are underpaid and so, they are looking for greener pastures.
The problem is, most of them, when they get into these
countries, they end up undocumented and once they are there
and considered undocumented, they do not get any assistance
from the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
and so, they are now in the hands of the Department of
Foreign Affairs. We have allocated, we appropriated millions
of pesos for ATN, that is the Assistance to Nationals program.
So, that is where the problem is now. The OWWA, assuming
that you are a member of the OWWA and one day, you lose or
you no longer have or your contract has expired, as far as the
OWWA is concerned, you will no longer be covered by the
OWWA. You will now be considered undocumented and so,
problema na naman iyon ng DFA. Finally, we have to correct
this kind of situation, if you agree with me that OWWA,
which has been getting their money, sometimes, they have
been remiss in their duties to assist these former members,
subscribers of OWWA. Do you not agree with that?
REP. SEERES. Well, Mr. Speaker, if the distressed
worker is not a member of the OWWA, the Department
of Foreign Affairs, as correctly pointed out by my friend,
Ambassador Bichara, should take over, but the funds of the
Department of Foreign Affairs to take care of this under the
law, are quite small. Therefore, probably we can request
the President to allocate some of his funds to take care of
undocumented Filipinos overseas. There are two kinds of
undocumented Filipinos: Those who do not go through POEA
or the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration,
they depart from the Philippines as tourists and once they
reached their destination, they apply for jobs there. They
are not covered by any papers coming from the POEA or

OWWA. The other kind of undocumented Filipino is one
who initially has papers from the POEA, but after his or her
papers has expire, he still continues to work overseas and
that is why he becomes undocumented, as correctly pointed
out by Congressman/ Ambassador Bichara.
At this juncture, the Presiding Officer relinquished the
Chair to Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla.
REP. BICHARA. So anyhow, next week, they will be
presentingthe Executive Department will be presenting to
Congress the proposed Budget for 2014. We can scrutinize
the budget and we can appeal to the rest of the Members
to increase the budget for the Assistance to Nationals
program.
I am happy that we have now a new Member of the House
who is truly a diehard Representative of the OFW and I wish
to congratulate the Gentleman of the OFW Family for raising
these issues to this august Body.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very
much.
REP. SEERES. Thank you, sir; thank you very much,
Mr. Speaker.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, with the indulgence of the
Gentleman
REP. GARCIA (G.). Mr. Speaker.
REP. BANAL. if we may recognize first the Lady from
the Third District of Cebu, the Hon. Gwendolyn F. Garcia.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Lady
from Cebu is recognized.
REP. GARCIA (G.). Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
May I direct my question to my distinguished colleague?
Inasmuch as I am a newcomer myself, and we were both in
the same batch, I feel that we canhe would welcome some
questions as regards his privilege speech.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Will the
Gentleman yield to the Lady?
REP. SEERES. Gladly, Mr. Speaker.
proceed.
REP. GARCIA (G.). Thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
First of all, I wish to commend my distinguished
colleague for pointing out a very glaring fact in yesterdays
State of the Nation Address by President Benigno. Aquino. It
is true that in that one hour-and-45 minute SONA, reputed to
be the longest State of the Nation Address in the entire history

of the Philippines where we were given facts and figures and
stories and video presentations, there was not one mention
about the 10 million living heroes that regularly bring in
hundreds, in fact, billions to the countrys economy. I praise
the distinguished Gentleman for pointing this out because,
in fact, this was a very glaring inadvertence. I just wish to
ask my distinguished colleague because he did mention
or point out or I am confused that while he points to this
inadvertence by the President of the Philippines in his State
of the Nation Address, my distinguished colleague seems to
pass the blame on to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs or even
the Vice President himself being the adviser on OFWs. Is
my distinguished colleague suggesting that the State of the
Nation Address that we heard yesterday was, in fact, not the
final decision of the President and that such a presentation
was decided upon by the Presidential Adviser or the Secretary
of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Speaker?
Gentleman may respond to the Lady from Cebu, the
Honorable Gwendolyn Garcia.
REP. SEERES. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very
much for that question, my dear distinguished colleague
from Cebu.
In my talk earlier, I said that it seemed to me that the
people who were supposed to advise the President about the
plight or the state of 60 million of our countrymen, 10 million
overseas and 50 million family members in the home front,
were remiss in advising our beloved President to that effect.
So, my observation is that it was an honest inadvertence on
the part of the President by virtue of the failure on the part
of two of his alter egos, one in the foreign ministry and one
in the Labor Department who carries the title of Presidential
Adviser on OFWs.
REP. GARCIA (G.). Mr. Speaker, thank you very much
for that answer, my distinguished colleague, but I would like
to ask my distinguished colleague that, whenever we deliver
any speech whatsoever, do we not take responsibility for
that speech and though we may have speech writers or even
resource persons or staff that would make the speeches or
give us the data that need to be inputted into that speech, in
the end, we make the final decision and we take responsibility
for what we say or may not have said?
REP. SEERES. Even a President can commit an honest
inadvertence, he is not perfect.
REP. GARCIA (G.). I submit to that, Mr. Speaker,
because I myself may commit the same inadvertence.
However, what I cannot reconcile with is putting the blame
on the Presidential Adviser on OFWs or on the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs because there seems to be no clear indication
that both had been remiss in their responsibilities. Would
there not have been a possibility that these data were in fact
submitted but in the final copy of the speech, these were
deleted? Could that have been possible, Mr. Speaker?
REP. SEERES. Mr. Speaker, I only said that it seemed
to me that the Presidential Adviser on OFWs was remiss
in doing his job by advising the President on the plight of
65
OFWs. Precisely, Mr. Speaker, I inquired whether or not it
would be appropriate for us to invite the Vice President not
in his capacity as Vice President of the Republic, but in his
capacity as member of the Cabinet and Presidential Adviser,
to come over and tell us that he is blameless.
REP. GARCIA (G.). Mr. Speaker, I go back to what
I previously said: is it not so that when we do deliver a
speech before anybody, we take responsibility for that
delivery?
We cannot go into hypothesizing, Mr. Speaker, on
whether or not somebody else was remiss for a speech of
utmost importance, which may have gone through several
drafts and redrafts, so that my distinguished colleague would
now wish to pinpoint the Presidential Adviser on OFWs as
well as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as the two persons
who were solely to be blamed. Could we not then, using
his own line of thinking, also speculate that perhaps the
speechwriters could have inadvertently deleted/omitted to
include in the final copy, data that may have been submitted
by the Presidential Adviser on OFWs or even the Secretary
of Foreign Affairs?
We cannot look into the complicated and tedious process
in the crafting of the SONA. There is no direct evidence
which suggests that, in fact, the Presidential Adviser on
OFWs as well as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs had been
remiss in presenting data or advising the President. What
we could only see as direct evidence was the SONA itself
delivered by the President himself who should be and who
should take responsibility for what he delivered. Is it not so,
Mr. Speaker?
REP. SEERES. Well, Mr. Speaker, going now into
the realm of speculation, we can even speculate that the
President probably missed one of the pages in his speech.
That is just a speculation. The best evidence, I believe,
to determine whether or not the Presidential Adviser, the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs or the Secretary of Labor and
Employment were remiss is to ask them to come over and
explain to us whether or not, indeed, they were remiss. That
is the best evidence for us to find out the truththeir oral
testimony before the relevant committee here in the House
of Representatives.
REP. GARCIA (G.). Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I thank my distinguished colleague.
Since we are now talking about speculation, this
speculation started from the very speculation of the
distinguished colleague that, in fact, the Presidential Adviser
on OFWs and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs had been
remiss in their duties. I shall yield to the request or suggestion
of my distinguished colleague, though I feel that should we
require the presence of the Vice President, as well as the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, then why do we not include
as well all others that may have been involved in the very
writing of the speech of the President since, as we said, we
can always speculate that all those who were involved, as
well as theand I talk here of the speechwritersmay also
have inadvertently been remiss in including some data that
may have been handed in by the Vice President as well as
the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
66

wishes to remind the Body that the extended time for the
Privilege Hour has expired.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for that
reminder. Unfortunately, we have one more interpellator.
May I therefore move that we extend the Privilege Hour for
another five minutes.
objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. BANAL. Thank you. With that, Mr. Speaker, I
move that we recognize the honorable Representative of
ABAKADA Party-List, Rep. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, for his
interpellation.
Hon. Jonathan Dela Cruz of ABAKADA Party-List is
recognized.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much. Maraming
salamat po. Mr. Speaker; Dep. Majority Leader, maraming
salamat po.
Nais ko lang pong tanungin sana ang ating kaibigan,
Cong. Roy Seeres, if the Gentleman from OFW Family
Party-List will yield to a few questions.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Will the
Gentleman yield?
REP. SEERES. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
or residents overseas, they should have given the President a

road map as well as an update of the situation of our workers
and our residents overseas, considering that these are the two
main agencies involved in giving assistance or promoting the
welfare of our workers and Filipinos overseas?
REP. SEERES. Yes, Mr. Speaker. My answer to the
question of the distinguished Gentleman, former Ambassador
Jonathan De La Cruz, is yes.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, is the distinguished
colleague aware if there is any budgetary allocation for this
kind of undertaking in both the Departments of Foreign
Affairs and Labor? Do they have any access to any funds
for that purpose?
REP. SEERES. Indeed, because the law is clear. The
law has directed that there should be an Office for Migrant
Workers Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Insofar
as the Labor Department is concerned, it has been sending
well-funded labor attachs and welfare officers overseas.
So, they have access to funds relevant to the protection of
Filipinos overseas.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Definitely, they have access to
information. They are supposed to be giving the President all
the necessary information as far as the state of our overseas
workers and residents are concerned. As my dear colleague
had mentioned, what happened was, the President apparently
missed out in at least giving a sentence or two, or a paragraph
as far as the state of our overseas workers and residents are
concerned. That is the problem.

proceed.
REP. SEERES. You know, Mr. Speaker, instead of

just scolding or vituperating some bureaus, the President
should have likewise scolded the Labor and Employment
Department as well as the Foreign Affairs Department.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Maraming salamat po.

My dear colleague, is it correct to assume that the direct
line agencies involved in overseas Filipino affairs, workers or
residents overseas, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
are the two main agencies involved in this, including the
Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)?
REP. DELA CRUZ. But, Mr. Speaker, my dear

colleague, Secretary Del Rosario was himself praised by the
President yesterday. As a matter of fact, he was the number
one performer as far as the President is concerned. So, is it
possible that Secretary Del Rosario forgot to even mention to
the President that he is also the Secretary of Foreign Affairs
in charge of assistance to nationals?
REP. SEERES. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Foreign

Affairs has three major areas of concern: number one, which
is the highest priority, according to the law, Republic Act No.
8042, is the protection of Filipinos overseas; number two,
economic diplomacy and furtherance of national security.
Now, it has a common denominator with the Department
of Labor and Employment because the three major areas of
concern of the Department of Labor and Employment are
maintenance of industrial peace, generation of employment,
and the protection of workers, both global and local. That
is the common denominator of the two agencies that I have
mentioned.
REP. SEERES. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that the

commendation of the President on the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs was well deserved. However, while he praised the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs for getting out of his way,
risking his life in rescuing OFWs in Libya before the death of
Khadafy, the President should have continued his accolades
by also mentioning the OFWs who were rescued by the good
Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He stopped at praising only the
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and praising likewise some
elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and
the Philippine National Police (PNP) when the biggest army
of this Republic is the 10 million army of OFWs fighting the
war against poverty in the home front.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My dear colleague, is it also correct to assume that as the
departments in charge of overseas Filipinos, whether workers
REP. DELA CRUZ. Quite apart from probably giving an

update or providing information to this House on the status

of our overseas workers and the contributions that they
have been giving to the Philippine economy and to their
families and communities, what are the other possible
ways by which the President and probably the Secretary
of Labor and Employment and the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, what other measures can they provide so that
the Gentleman from OFW Family can be satisfied that
indeed in this administration, the President and the
Secretaries of Labor and Employment and Foreign
Affairs, are concerned, not only concerned, but actually,
on top of their minds, are the welfare and promotion
of the rights and privileges of our overseas workers?
What other measures can probably be undertaken
so that the Gentleman can be satisfied that this
administration is concerned about our overseas workers
and that they actually appreciate the contributions of
our overseas workers to the economy, to their families
and communities?
REP. SEERES. Mr. Speaker, there ought to be a law.
In response to the query of the Gentleman from ABAKADA,
Mr. Speaker, there ought to be a law which would require
ambassadors to play the role of substitute or surrogate parents
of the OFWs in their jurisdiction. What does that mean? They
have to exercise the diligence of a good father of a family,
or mothers, as the case may be, in taking care of OFWs
in their jurisdiction. What is the further meaning to that?
They have to visit jails themselves personally where there
are Filipinos in prisons, and they have to visit Filipinos in
hospitals personally instead of just delegating this function
to their subordinates.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Lastly,
Gentlemen will now please conclude the interpellation.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Yes, thank you very much, Mr.
Speaker.
The reason I am giving out all of these information,
as well as predicating my final question and statement, Mr.
Speaker, is that I am afraid that the Presidential Adviser on
Overseas Filipino Workers is far apart from the frontline
and therefore cannot be blamed, if ever, for the inadvertence
the Gentleman had mentioned, for the President not even
mentioning the welfare and promotion of the rights and
privileges of our overseas workers concerned.
If there are any agencies to be blamed, these agencies
should be the Department of Foreign Affairs and the
Department of Labor and Employment. Is the Gentleman
aware and does the Gentleman agree to this conclusion, Mr.
Speaker?
REP. SEERES. Well, I have already said that earlier
in my answer to the distinguished Representative of Cebu.
There seems to be a failurea failureI am not yet blaming
anyone because we have to give them due process, we
have to ask them to come over and tell us whether they are
blameless or not.
67
REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
REP. BANAL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that we
refer the speech of the Honorable Seeres to the Committee
on Rules.
motion to refer the speech, including the interpellations, to
the appropriate committee.
REP. BELLO (W.). Mr. Speaker, just a brief
manifestation on the referral. May we just go on record to
ask that the speech be referred both to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Overseas Workers
Affairs.
Thank you.
manifestation is noted but the referral has been made to the
appropriate committee so we leave it to the Committee on
Rules.
REP. BANAL. Thank you for that, Mr. Speaker.
I now move that we terminate the Privilege Hour.
motion to terminate the Privilege Hour.
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we proceed to
the Additional Reference of Business.
approved.
The Secretary General will please read the Additional
Reference of Business.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
The Secretary General read the following Communication
from the President, and the Deputy Speaker made the
corresponding reference:
COMMUNICATION
Letter dated June 23, 2013 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive
Secretary, Office of the President, Malacaang,
transmitting the following documents to the House of
Representatives:
1. The Presidents Budget Message for FY 2014;
2. FY 2014 National Expenditure Program with the
Details of the FY 2014 Budget attached as Annex
A (Volumes 1 and 2);
3. FY 2014 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of
Financing;
4. FY 2014 Proposed Budget in Brief; and
5. FY 2014 Staffing Summary.
68

ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION
REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we adjourn the

session until July 24, 4:00 p.m., Wednesday.

is adjourned.
It was 7:43 p.m.
Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, Plenary Affairs Bureau

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of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph
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16TH Congress Congressional Record PDF

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Congressional Record

16th CONGRESS, FIRST REGULAR SESSION

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

At 4:00 p.m., Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). The Dep.

Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National

At 4:13 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The session

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Balindong). Please

REP. BANAL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we defer the

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

to the House of Representatives. All guests, please rise.

TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 22, entitled:

House Bill No. 28, entitled:

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 71, entitled:

By Representative Del Rosario (A.G.)

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

House Bill No. 82, entitled:

House Bill No. 88, entitled:

House Bill No. 83, entitled:

House Bill No. 89, entitled:

House Bill No. 84, entitled:

House Bill No. 90, entitled:

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 119, entitled:

EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 141, entitled:

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 167, entitled:

By Representatives Colmenares, Zarate, De Jesus, Tinio,

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 192, entitled:

By Representative Yap (A.)

House Bill No. 197, entitled:

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 236, entitled:

By Representative Zamora (M.)

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013

House Bill No. 310, entitled:

By Representative Macapagal-Arroyo (G.)