Death penalty revival, dep’t for overseas Filipinos among Senate priority bills in 2021

The Senate building at the GSIS Complex in Pasay City. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The revival of the death penalty, the creation of a new department for overseas Filipinos, and the raising of age for statutory rape are among the Senate’s priority measures for 2021.

In a document shared by Senate President Vicente Sotto III to reporters on Monday, the reimposition of capital punishment in the country was third in the chamber’s priority for the second regular session of the 18the Congress.

LOOK: Among the Senate’s priority measures for next year include the reimposition of the death penalty, the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, the proposed Hybrid Election Act and Medical Reserve Corps Act | @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/voESkHS6k1

— Christia Ramos (@christiaramos_) December 28, 2020

Debates on whether the death penalty should be reinstated in the country were revived following the fatal shooting of a mother and son in the hands of a policeman in Tarlac.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri recently said that the revival of the death penalty has a “50-50 chance” of passing in the upper chamber.

Also among the legislations to be prioritized by the Senate next year is the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, which President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent earlier this month.

Increasing the age of sexual consent and determination of statutory rape is also a priority measure for the Senate.

Below is the complete list of the Senate’s priority bills for 2021:

• National Land Use Act
• Creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos
• Re-imposition of Death Penalty
• E-Governance Act
• Boracay Island Development Authority
• National Housing Development Act
• Amendment/Repeal to Republic Act 10192 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016
• Medical Reserve Corps Act
• Creation of a Disease Prevention and Control Authority
• Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (approved on second reading)
• Internet Transactions Act
• Military and Uniformed Personnel Services Separation, Retirement, and Pension Act
• Amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000 (pending second reading)
• Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers
• Increasing Age of Statutory Rape
• Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act – Pending Second Reading
• Hybrid Election Act – Pending Second Reading
• Amendments to Public Service Act
• Potable Water Supply for Every Barangay
• Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency

Congress is currently on break and will resume session on Jan. 17 next year.

JPV