Zubiri sees Senate passage of 20 of Marcos’ priority bills in June

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (File photo from BIBO NUEVA ESPAÑA/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is planning to pass at least 20 new priority bills under the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (CLA-Ledac) before the 19th Congress’ second regular session ends in June.

“We are right on track when it comes to the approval of priority measures of the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) both in the Ledac and in his Sona (State of the Nation Address),” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a statement on Sunday.

“We are confident that the Senate can pass 20 of these measures before the 2nd Regular Session ends, and the rest of our commitment before this year ends,” he noted.

“Rest assured, all of the measures that passed Senate scrutiny have been carefully considered and thoroughly deliberated upon so that the resulting law is as near-perfect as humanly possible,” the Senate leader said.

Zubiri likewise disclosed that one measure, the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act, is ready for Marcos’ signature.

It provides the framework that accounts for the country’s ‘natural capital’ and its economic impact.

Natural capital is defined in the bill as the “stock of renewable and non-renewable resources, including plants, animals, air, water, soils, ores, and minerals, that provide a flow of benefits to people and living things.”

Zubiri added the bicameral report on two measures — the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the measure establishing the Negros Island Region — “have already been ratified and is now in the process of enrollment.”

“Four of the 20 measures are nearing enactment into law already. The rest are for bicameral committee approval, for second and final reading approval, or awaiting committee approval,” he said.

“We are confident we can finish deliberations on these bills in the final stages before we adjourn sine die on May 24,” he added.

Moreover, two priority measures are up for the bicameral conference committee’s approval – the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act and the Self Reliant Defense Posture Act.

On the other hand, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act was transmitted to the House of Representatives after it was approved on final reading by Senate.

Meanwhile, below are the priority measures that are seeking approval on second reading:

Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act

VAT on Digital Services/Transactions Act

Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act

Blue Economy Act

Waste-to-Energy Act

Mandatory Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) Act

Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension of MUPs/New Separation, Retirement and Pension System for the Military and Uniformed Personnel

Enterprise Based Education and Training (EBET) Program Act

Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act

Zubiri also said three of the priority measures — the E-Government/E-Governance Act, the Department of Water Resources Act and the Konektadong Pinoy Act – are pending in the committee level.

Meanwhile, the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Bill was transmitted to the Senate.

The legislative piece was previously passed on third and final reading in the House.