Controversial bills still pending as 16th Congress reopens
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines–Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. cited controversial measures pending in the 16th Congress, such as charter change, freedom of information (FOI) and anti-political dynasty in his speech at the opening of the lower chamber’s second regular session.
Belmonte on Monday cited the anti-political dynasty measure in the lower Congress, several members of which belong to political clans.
While there is a constitutional ban on political families, there is still no law implementing it, he added.
“For the first time ever in 27 years, we have House Bill 3587 or the “Act Prohibiting the Establishment of Political Dynasties” — it has passed committee deliberations, and is now up for plenary discussion,” Belmonte sad.
‘We must proceed in earnest to examine the merits of this bill and lay out the parameters of its application toward creating effective deterrents to the establishment and perpetuation of political dynasties at all levels of government. The crux of this bill shall be on how we define political dynasty,” he added..
Belmonte also said the term political dynasty should also be properly defined. The Speaker had proposed limiting political families in Congress to just two members.
The Speaker also cited the FOI as the measure, meant to ensure transparency in government transactions, languishes in the committee level. Various versions of the bill are still up for consolidation in the public information committee.
“We must craft a viable FOI Law to promote greater transparency and strengthen accountability in government, without unduly restricting the latitude of options for government action in the delivery of services to the public and in responding expeditiously to the needs of our people,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte again reiterated his support for the bill amending the constitution by putting “as otherwise provided for by law” in pertinent provision.
The Joint Resolution, principally authored by Belmonte himself, intends to amend the “restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution that constrain the flow of important foreign direct investments in strategic sectors of our economy,” Belmonte said.
After hurdling the constitutional amendments committee, the resolution is awaiting plenary action, he said.
“These proposed amendments will ensure the continuous flow of investments that directly contribute to job creation, which could liberate our people from the clutches of poverty,” Belmonte said.
Belmonte’s charter change bill is controversial due to the Congress’ history of trying to amend laws so that politicians may extend their terms.
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