Last chance for good governance bills

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino’s so-called “last two minutes” as Chief Executive may also be the last chance for Congress to pass legislation to carry out the President’s objectives of inclusive economic growth and continued good governance, according to political analysts.

Prospero de Vera, a professor at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, said the President and the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives need to hasten the passage of such key measures as the law creating the so-called “Bangsamoro entity” in Muslim Mindanao and the rationalization of fiscal incentives this year, “because if they start on it in 2015, it will get caught up in the politics of the 2016 presidential and national elections.”

The law covering the framework agreement with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “must be legislated in 2014 because if it is not done, 2015 will be too late because those who have political ambitions in 2016 both at the national and even those at the local positions in Mindanao will use that issue for their political campaigns,” he said.

The proposed lifting of tax-free and duty-free incentives to certain industries must also be passed this year, otherwise politicians could be pressured by campaign contributors against supporting them, he said.

“It is going to be impossible to pass closer to 2016 because politicians will not support rationalization of fiscal incentives because of the impending elections,” De Vera said.

“Some of their financial support and economic connections are related with companies that will lose with the rationalization of fiscal incentives,” he explained.

Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said the challenge for the President is to have his allies in Congress pass the legislation he needs before things get too politically charged as 2016 approaches.