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Manila Bulletin devider devider New speaker faces formidable task of matching, surpassing legislative accomplishments of Alvarez, Arroyo

New speaker faces formidable task of matching, surpassing legislative accomplishments of Alvarez, Arroyo

Published Jul 20, 2019 05:59 pm
By Ben Rosario The next speaker of the House of Representatives faces a formidable task of trying to equal or surpass the legislative accomplishments of the two speakers that took turns in heading the 17th Congress. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Pantaleon Alvarez (MANILA BULLETIN) Former House speakers Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Pantaleon Alvarez
(MANILA BULLETIN) The House public information office disclosed yesterday that the previous speakers of the Lower House were able to lead the legislative chamber in processing a total 4,682 measures in 236 session days during the 17th Congress. Former Speakers Pantaleon Alvarez and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were able to spearhead the Lower House in passing President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda which were spelled out in three State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) he delivered. The 4,682 measures processed by the House translate to an average of 20 measures processed per session day. Records of the Lower House showed that 9,212 were filed during the three regular sessions of the chamber.  On the other hand, a total 11,894 resolutions and 1,338 committee reports were filed. The House approved a total of 1,399 measures during this period. It also substituted/consolidated 2,513 measures and made 745 referrals of resolutions on inquiries. According to the official House report, 383 measures were enacted into law as of June 4, 2019. These include 120 national bills, 259 local bills, and four joint resolutions. Notable among the House Bills enacted into law during the First Regular Session of the 17th Congress is Republic Act 10927, designating casinos as covered persons under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, based on HB 5663. The Second Regular Session also produced numerous significant laws, among them were RA 10929 (Free Internet Access in Public Places Act) based on HB 5225; RA 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act) based on HB 5633; RA 11037 (Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act) based on HB 5269; and RA 10969 (Free Irrigation Service Act) based on HB 5670. The Speakership changed hands during the Third Regular Session, heralding months of intense productivity under the stewardship of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Enacted into law during this period were RA 11054 (Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) based on HB 6475; RA 11310 (An Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), based on HB 7773; RA 11148 (Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act) based on HB 5777; RA 11055 (Philippine Identification System Act) based on HB 6221; RA 11165 (Telecommuting Act) based on HB 7402; RA 11202 (Mobile Number Portability Act) based on HB 7652; RA 11210 (105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law) based on HB 4113; RA 11223 (Universal Health Care Act) based on HB 5784; and RA 11291 (Magna Carta of the Poor) based on HB 5811. Instruments of change At the opening of the First Regular Session of the 17th Congress on July 25, 2016, then newly-elected Speaker Alvarez said their mission is to “give the President the necessary legislation which will be his tools to effect meaningful and genuine change. In sum, we too must be instruments of change.” He stated that their mission in the 17th Congress, is clear — “to enact laws that will deliver to our nation and our peoples a future better than yesterday’s and brighter than today’s.’’ Meanwhile, during her sine die adjournment speech last June 4, 2019, then Speaker Arroyo said because of their tireless work and dedication, the House Members of the 17th Congress achieved genuine milestones that will benefit both the present and next generation of Filipinos. She said the 880 measures approved during her term include all the bills highlighted by President Duterte in his SONA 2018. “For early on, I defined our principal objective in no uncertain terms as to push for the legislative agenda of President Duterte. Our House focused on the passage of priority bills, especially those he highlighted in his 2018 SONA,” said then Speaker Arroyo.
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