55 bills signed into law during 2nd regular session of 18th Congress

Official seals of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

MANILA, Philippines — Fifty-five bills have been signed into law during the second regular session of the 18th Congress while seven measures are still pending President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval, data from the Senate showed.

Among the measures enacted into law during the period of July 27, 2020 to March 24 this year are the 50-year franchise to a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to build an airport in Bulacan as well as 15 broadcast franchise bills, according to the list of the Senate’s performance shared with reporters Monday.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which reforms corporate income taxes and incentives, has also been signed into law during the second regular session of the 18th Congress.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act was also among the bills signed into law in a bid to fast track the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines to Filipinos.

Meanwhile, seven bills are awaiting the President’s signature, including the bill seeking to the lower minimum height requirement for police and other uniformed personnel.

On the other hand, bills seeking to establish the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute; to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection; expand the jurisdiction of second-level courts; as well as to improve the confirmation of land titles are still pending the approval of the bicameral conference committee.

There are 22 other bills that have already been approved on third and final reading by the Senate, four that were passed on second reading while another 67 measures are awaiting the upper chamber’s second reading approval.

Resolution, committee reports

The Senate, during the 18th Congress’ second regular session, also adopted 47 resolutions, including a resolution concurring with the ratification of a treaty that would ban the development and use of nuclear weapons.

The chamber likewise approved two committee reports on the Senate investigations into alleged anomalies within the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. as well as the “red-tagging” activities by military officials against personalities and organizations.

Congress is currently on break and will resume session on May 17.

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