(From  to right) Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Pasig City lone district Rep. Roman Romulo, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker's Office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has praised President Marcos for signing 15 new laws during the six-week congressional recess.

Romualdez said the enactment of these measures--which advance significant reforms across the sectors of agriculture, education, defense, and the judiciary--was a testament to the administration’s commitment to resilience and national progress.

“The signing of these 15 new Republic Acts (RA) during the recess shows a relentless commitment to our people,” Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives said on Monday, Nov. 4, or on the resumption of sessions in the current 19th Congress.

“From strengthening our agricultural economy to enhancing judicial capacity and supporting education, these laws represent concrete steps to ensure a safer and more prosperous Philippines,” the Speaker added.

One of these laws signed between Sept. 26 and Oct. 30 was Republic Act (RA) No.12022, which defined the crimes of agricultural economic sabotage. It prescribes penalties and vests jurisdiction over such offenses with the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

“Our new law against agricultural economic sabotage directly targets those who seek to exploit our farmers and consumers through smuggling and other illicit activities,” the Speaker said, referring to RA No.12022. 

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and this law will protect it by enforcing strict penalties and giving jurisdiction to the CTA, ensuring those responsible are held accountable,” pointed out the Leyte 1st district congressman.

RA No.12022 repeals RA No. 10845 or the “Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016".

Romualdez noted that the other new laws address specific challenges facing Filipinos today.

Since President Marcos assumed office on June 30, 2022, a total of 103 bills have been signed into law, with 50 of national importance and 53 for local application.

What laws did PBBM sign?

The full list of the 15 new laws is as follows:

1. RA No.12022. 

2. RA No.12023 amends sections of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, introducing new provisions to enhance tax administration and compliance.

3. RA No.12024 revitalizes and strengthens the self-reliant defense posture program, promoting the development of a national defense industry and allocating necessary funds.

4. RA No.12025 establishes five additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the National Capital Judicial Region, stationed in Muntinlupa City, to improve judicial efficiency.

5. RA No.12026 creates four additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Fourth Judicial Region, stationed in Calauag, Quezon Province, to enhance access to justice.

6. RA No.12027 suspends the implementation of the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction for Kindergarten to Grade 3, as provided under the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.”

7. RA No.12028 establishes the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, allocating funds to support educational recovery initiatives.

8. RA No.12029 creates two additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Fourth Judicial Region, stationed in Silang, Cavite, to address case backlogs.

9. RA No.12030 establishes three additional branches of the  Metropolitan Trial Court in the National Capital Judicial Region, stationed in Parañaque City, to expedite legal proceedings.

10. RA No.12031 creates two additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Second Judicial Region, stationed in Cabagan, Isabela, to improve judicial services.

11. RA No.12032 establishes three additional branches of the Regional Trial Court and two additional branches of the Municipal Trial Court in the Tenth Judicial Region, stationed in Dinagat Islands, to enhance judicial accessibility.

12. RA No.12033 creates one additional branch of the Regional Trial Court, designated as a special court for drug cases, in Baybay City, Leyte, to strengthen anti-drug efforts.

13. RA No.12034 establishes six additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Ninth Judicial Region, stationed in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay, to improve legal services.

14. RA No.12035 creates three additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Tenth Judicial Region, stationed in Valencia City, Bukidnon, to address judicial needs.

15. RA No.12036 establishes four additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Eighth Judicial Region, stationed in Tacloban City, Leyte, to enhance judicial capacity.