Rody’s high ratings seen to boost priority bills

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos’ overwhelming support for President Duterte will most likely boost priority bills that the new government wants to push in the 17th Congress, administration lawmakers said yesterday.

Incoming speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is expecting that the bills on federalism, emergency powers for traffic, death penalty revival and amendments to the Juvenile Delinquency Law will breeze through Congress.

“We are optimistic that we can have these bills fully supported by members of the super majority coalition. We hope to do it in one year. Our colleagues should take their cue from the President’s high ratings,” Alvarez said.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers agreed with Alvarez.

“President Duterte’s popularity in the surveys is the manifestation of the people’s resounding and overwhelming support and confidence in his leadership, thus making his plans and actions acceptable to the Filipino,” Barbers said, adding this will make their jobs in Congress easier and faster.

“Even with his unorthodox style of leadership, policy statements, actions and image, he is still accepted by our people,” he said.

A neophyte lawmaker from Luzon, L-Ray Villafuerte, also expressed belief that Duterte’s 91 percent trust and approval ratings – the highest in history for a president – will somehow be a walk in the park as far as Congress deliberations are concerned.