The Senate, by a 19-3-0 vote, on Wednesday, Dec. 15 approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2234 that sought to amend the 85-year-old Commonwealth Act (CA) 146 ,or Public Service Act.
’We have amended a law that dates back to the Commonwealth era. Hence, it could be said that this is perhaps the most consequential economic legislation in our country since 1935. Future generations of Filipinos will truly benefit from what we have started in this chamber today,’’ according to Senator Grace Poe whose Senate Public Services committee fought hard to have the measure approved.
After the voting, Poe expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped hurdle what was once a seemingly impossible journey of this legacy bill.
‘’As I have mentioned yesterday, the main purpose of this measure is to provide consumers with choices. And I believe that by opening our economy to a diverse set of investors, we could provide our fellow Filipinos with more and better choices,’’ she said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto is one of the three who voted against the measure certified as urgent by Malacanang. The two others are opposition Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan.
Senator Joel Villanueva told his fellow senators that colleagues at the House of Representatives had informed him that the Lower House has adopted Senate Bill 2234 as an amendment to their House Bill 5836.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, principal author of the bill, has worked hard for the passage of the measure for the past five years, not allowing political considerations to come into play. Drilon and Poe are co-sponsors of the bill.
Sotto said talks of amending the Commonwealth Act started way back in the 9th Congress (1992-1997) and was passed only this current 18th Congress.
Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’ dela Rosa qouted Sotto as saying that the bill has finally ‘’seen the light of day.’’
He also said that passage of the measure is a’’therapy’’ to ensure the entry of foreign investments into the country.
Poe pointed out the fact that increasing our foreign domestic investment limit is not a novel idea, but is in accordance with the global trend.
‘’As a matter of fact, as compared to the Philippines, out of 30 ASEAN and G20 countries, 26 have higher FDI limits for telecommunications, 28 for air transport, 25 for maritime transport, and 24 for rail transport. We are only making our country more competitive in the world stage. Hindi na tayo mapag-iiwanan (we will not be left behind),’’ she said.
‘’In this bid to liberalize our economy, we have taken national security concerns into consideration. We recognize that certain industries are critical infrastructures. Thus, transactions resulting in the control of such industries are subject to several layers of safeguards. The country is now open for business but it must be according to our terms and our specific needs,’’ she said.
Poe emphasized that the Filipino consumer deserves better as ‘’we need efficient and innovative enterprises that can respond adequately to the needs of our people today, and provide the next generation with modern and accessible services that will enable us to face the challenges of the future.’’
‘’Senator Drilon’s commitment to improving the quality of public services in the country was on full display each time he has addressed our fellow senators’ concerns on the bill,’’ she pointed out.
‘’ I would also like to thank every member of this august body. I thank not only those who have expressed support for the measure, from whom we drew strength and inspiration, but also those who have challenged it precisely because you forced us to improve the bill. Your actions have allowed the measure to evolve into its best form and for that, I am thankful,’’ she said.
‘’I also thank the industries and private businesses who have expressed support for this bill. At the risk of losing profits, our industry players chose to welcome competition in the country,’’ she added.
‘’Years from now, we will be asked this question: are we truly satisfied with the service given by the industries in the country? By approving this measure, I have no doubt in my mind that we will be able to answer in the affirmative,’’ she stressed.
===30==