MANILA, Philippines?The government has to make do with existing laws in prosecuting groups that possess illegal firearms because Congress does not have time to pass a ?stricter legislation,? House of Representatives speaker Prospero Nograles said Tuesday.

Nograles said the House of Representatives would not be able to tackle the amended firearms code during the remaining nine days of session.

Congress will resume session on January 18 and will go on break anew on February 5 to give way to the campaign period for the May 2010 elections.

Emerging from the National Security Council (NSC) meeting presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang Tuesday, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said one of the agreements reached was the passage of a comprehensive firearms code to give more teeth to the measure.

Legislation of stricter firearms law is seen to boost up the government?s drive in dismantling private armies ahead of the May elections.

Passed on third reading, House Bill 6776 provides for stiffer penalties for crimes relating to firearms and light weapons, amending Presidential Decree 1866 that codifies the laws on ?illegal/ unlawful possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives and imposing stiffer penalties for certain violations.?

At the NSC meeting, Remonde said there was also consensus among the Commission on Elections, the police and military to coordinate in manning security control centers for the implementation of a nationwide gun ban during the election period, which started Sunday. The move would also allow government forces to have a commanding presence in ?security-sensitive areas.?