'Crucial' House bills enacted in 15th Congress --Belmonte

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives is expected to adjourn sine die on Wednesday as it reconvenes for its last session day to finish the remaining work in the 15th Congress.

 

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said the "15th Congress has lived up to its mandate as a catalyst of reforms, and serving as the crucible of our people's aspirations."

 

"Crucial laws were enacted to adapt to demands of these changing times in those vital areas of development. We must have sustainable development in mind as we consider our future policies to ensure consistent growth," the House leader said.

 

Data from the House Committee on Rules revealed that from July 26, 2010 until mid-May 2013, some 392 vital measures were enacted into law, 104 of which are of national significance and 283 cover local concerns.

 

Ten of these 104 measures cover the area of economic and fiscal reforms, such as the General Appropriations Act from 2011 to 2013, the law strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the measure restructuring the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products, also known as the Sin Tax Law.

 

In the field of public order and safety, among the measures passed were the laws defining the crime of financing terrorism and the act decriminalizing vagrancy.

 

The Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act and the law providing compensation to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime were also passed.

 

Belmonte claimed that "collective determination to institute reforms promoting transparent and responsive governance never fell short"

 

"The 15th Congress was a union of diverse individuals united in the goal of pursuing policy reforms needed to benefit the greater majority of our people," he said.