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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Press release lang?': Minority solons say 'priority' tag not enough, call for urgent certification of key bills

'Press release lang?': Minority solons say 'priority' tag not enough, call for urgent certification of key bills

Published Dec 9, 2025 03:45 pm

At A Glance

  • Members of the House minority bloc were dismayed by Malacañang's announcement of its so-called priority measures, particularly because nothing had been certified as urgent by President Marcos.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (PPAB, MANILA BULLETIN)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (PPAB, MANILA BULLETIN)


Members of the House minority bloc were dismayed by Malacañang's announcement of its so-called priority measures, particularly because nothing had been certified as urgent by President Marcos.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said that the President has directed Congress to prioritize the Anti- Political Dynasty Bill, Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act, Party-list System Reform Act, and Citizens’ Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act.
"While we welcome the pronouncement from President Marcos Jr. about certain measures that he thinks Congress should prioritize, we remain disappointed that the proposed IPC/ICAIC Bill and Anti-Political Dynasty Bill were NOT certified as urgent," Deputy Minority Leader Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said.
ICAIC stands for the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption. Is it the House of Representatives own attempt at upgrading the existing Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
"Para bang ang order ng taumbayan ay i-certify ang mga ito as urgent, pero ang inihain sa atin ay PR (press release) na priority bills naman daw ang mga ito (It is as if the people’s order is to certify these as urgent, but what was given to us is a press release saying that these are supposedly priority bills)," she said.
'Kung totoong ipa-prioritize na lang din, bakit hindi pa itodo at totohanin na? Kahit parang sirang plaka na tayo, hindi tayo magsasawang kalampagin ang Pangulo na i-certify na ang mga ito as urgent, and for our colleagues to swiftly pass these measures," reckoned De Lima.
(If they are truly to be prioritized, then why not go all the way and make it real? Even if we sound like a broken record, we will not tire of pressing the President to certify these as urgent, and for our colleagues to swiftly pass these measures.)
Assistant Minority Leader Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said the executive branch could just be "trying to save face" with its pronouncement.
"Ang politikong gipit, sa pangakong reporma kumakapit (A beleaguered politician relies on promised reforms to survive). The Palace's support for these reforms seem more like they're only trying to save face," he said.
"The President should show his sincerity. Hindi sapat na 'i-prioritize' lang (It isn't enough to simply 'prioritize'. He should certify these bills as urgent ASAP!" added "Mader Perci".
Measures certified as urgent by the President not need go through the three-day wait period between second and third reading approval in plenary.
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