Lawmakers vow to pass last 2 Duterte priority bills

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives yesterday gave assurance on the passage of the last two of 10 priority measures laid out by President Duterte when sessions resume after the two-week lockdown ending on Aug. 20.

These are the Unified Military and Uniformed Services Personnel Separation, Retirement and Pension Act and the measure for free legal assistance to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police.

“Rest assured that we will work tirelessly to pass the remaining vital bills in the House once we return from the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said.

“In the meantime, let us cooperate with the IATF and authorities in ensuring that our lockdown would be worthy by getting vaccinated, observing strict health protocols, staying home and taking care of one another,” he added.

Romualdez noted that under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, the House has stayed true to passing most of the administration’s priority measures even with the challenges brought about the pandemic.

A check by The STAR indicated that three “investment-friendly bills” – the Foreign Investments Act (House Bill 0300), Public Service Act (HB 0078) and Retail Trade Liberalization Act (HB 0059) – have already been approved by administration lawmakers.

Other bills passed by the House were the creation of the Departments of Overseas Filipinos (HB 5832) and of Disaster Resilience (HB 5989), E-Governance Act (HB 6927), Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act (HB 7406) and the Law Mandating Evacuation Centers for provinces, cities and towns (HB 8990).

Last July 28, the proposed Virology Institute of the Philippines (HB 9559) and the Creation of a Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HB 9560), both authored by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, were also approved by the House.

Among Duterte’s priority measures, six remain pending in the Senate – the FIA, the PSA, the two new departments, the E-Governance Act and the law mandating evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, those pending deliberation in the bicameral conference committee are the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the BFP Modernization Act, which have been ratified by both the Senate and the House.

The taxation of Philippine offshore gaming operators and E-sabong betting activities that Velasco had long wanted to be passed have also been approved by legislators. The POGO bill is now undergoing deliberations in the bicameral conference committee level.

When session opened last July 26, Velasco told the House to give emphasis on measures aimed at recovering from the global health crisis.

“As we enter the final year of our present term in Congress, it is time for that one last big push,” said the Marinduque congressman. “To assist in our economic recovery, we are pushing for the taxation of POGO and E-sabong betting activities.”