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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House forms West Philippine Sea panel, five other special committees

House forms West Philippine Sea panel, five other special committees

Published Jul 31, 2025 12:05 pm  |  Updated Jul 31, 2025 02:20 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives has started organizing so-called special committees, including the Committee on the West Philippine Sea, and named six congressmen to become its respective chairpersons.
​The House of Representatives has started organizing so-called special committees, including the Committee on the West Philippine Sea, and named six congressmen to become its respective chairpersons.
Bataan 3rd district Rep. Maria Angela Garcia will lead the Committee on the West Philippine Sea, which will have jurisdiction over matters relating to West Philippine Sea (WPS) issues​.
These include territorial and boundary disputes, national and regional peace and security issues, joint cooperation arrangements and maritime and environmental concerns.
On the other hand, Bohol 3rd district Rep. Kristine Alexei Tutor will head the House Committee on Globalization and World Trade Organization (WTO), while Pangasinan 5th district Rep. Mark Cojuangco will lead the House Committee on Nuclear Energy.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Alexander Sy Pimentel will be the chairperson of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence, while Agusan del Sur 1st district Rep. Alfelito Bascug will helm the House Committee on Persons With Disabilities.
Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Javier Benitez will chair the House Committee on Creative Industries.
According to the House of Representatives, the Special Committee on Globalization and WTO has jurisdiction over matters relating to the effects on various social sectors of WTO policies and other actions. It aims to harness opportunities offered by globalization for economic development.
The Special Committee on Nuclear Energy has jurisdiction over policies and programs for the production, utilization and conservation of nuclear energy​.That includes the development of nuclear power infrastructures as well as interaction of other energy sources with nuclear energy.
​The Special Committee on Strategic Intelligence ​will tackle matters relating to strategic intelligence initiatives, activities, and programs of the Philippine government​, including​ counterintelligence, counter terrorism, foreign intelligence, and economic intelligence.
The Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities ​will tackle matters about the needs, rights, welfare of persons with disabilities, as well as policies and programs that will enhance their active participation and integration in society.
​Lastly, the Special Committee on Creative Industries ​will focus on industries generated by individual creativity, skill and talent that produce cultural, artistic and innovative products​.
The House will resume organization of the other special committees in the coming session days.
During the 19th Congress, the House had 14 special committees ​that were instrumental in the passage and enactment of important measures, as well as held inquiries into important issues in the country.
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