Enrile: 15th Congress most challenging

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile . JUNNY ROY/SENATE POOL

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile described the second regular session of the 15th Congress “as most challenging” before adjourning sine die (“without a day”) late Wednesday.

“In closing, permit me to make a confession. With candor, I will admit that this Second Regular Session has been the most challenging that I have had to lead, and mostly in part because of the impeachment [trial],” Enrile said.

He added that despite the delay in legislative work due to the 44-day ouster proceedings against Chief Justice Renato Corona, the Senate managed to pass urgent and priority bills. This week, the Senate made up for lost time by approving 13 bills, including six house bills, on third and final reading including SB 3009 amending the Anti-money Laundering Act of 2011; SB 3127 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012; SB 3164 amending the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act. Likewise, the Conference Committee has also approved the Cybercrime bill, Enrile said.

Majority Leader Senator Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said the Senate will resume its third regular session on July 23, in time for the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III.