Bacolod lawmaker tops list of bill filers

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia topped the list of congressmen from Western Visayas who filed the most number of bills during the 16th Congress.

Data from the website of the House of Representatives showed Leonardia filed 58 bills and co-authored 61 others.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas filed 56 bills and co-authored 49 others, while Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco filed 38 bills and co-authored 49 others and Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Abelardo Benitez filed 35 bills and co-authored 27.

Negros Oriental 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz filed 27 bills and and co-authored 87 others while Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Pryde Henry Teves, Iloilo 5th District Rep. Niel Tupas and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Oscar Garin filed 25 bills each.

Among the measures Leonardia authored was Republic Act 10715, which created three more regional trial court branches in Bacolod City. President Aquino signed the measure earlier this month.

Leonardia also filed House Bill 5918 that seeks to create a Metro Bacolod Development Authority.

Leonardia’s other bills seek to establish the Bacolod offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission (HB 2360), Professional Regulations Commission (HB 2361) and the Commission on Higher Education (HB 4703), as well as the Negros Island Tourism Office (HB 4702).

He also filed HB 4692 to amend the Anti-Hazing Law, HB 4694 to amend the Family Code of the Philippines and HB 4696 to amend the Social Security Services Law.