The plenary hall of the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives adjourned their session Wednesday, days before the start of the campaign period for the 2022 elections.
Both chambers of Congress approved and ratified several measures that are now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval. Some of which are as follows:
- Bill amending the Public Service Act
- Bill granting mandatory continuing benefits to public, private, and barangay health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies
- Bill requiring the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards
- Bill strengthening policies on anti-trafficking in persons
- Bill strengthening the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
- Bill providing for the establishment of a ‘Timbangan ng Bayan Center’ in all markets nationwide
- Bill extending the validity of the license to possess firearms and ammunition
- Bill granting night shift differential pay to government employees
- Bill strengthening the regulatory framework for the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.
Both the Senate and the House will return briefly from May 23 to June 3 prior to the sine die adjournment of the third and final session of the 18th Congress.
During that period, both chambers will also convene as the National Board of Canvassers tasked to proclaim the incoming president and vice president.
In his adjournment speech, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco urged his colleagues to ensure a peaceful, safe, and eco-friendly 2022 elections.
“Let us seize this opportunity to implement meaningful change in the way we conduct our campaigns, in the way we honor the sanctity of the ballot, and in the way we are held accountable for what we achieved,” Velasco said.
“Let us be creative in making our people informed and engaged, without resorting to mass gatherings that may trigger another virus outbreak,” he added.
The campaign period for national posts will begin on Feb. 8, and the campaign period for locally-elected positions will begin on March 25. Election day is on May 9.
Velasco is vying for reelection as Marinduque representative and Senate President Vicente Sotto III is running for vice president.
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