Drilon vows passage of key, priority measures before yearend

MANILA, Philippines – Congress leaders have agreed to approve before the end of the year several key measures including those that would ensure a more level business playing field, provide more education opportunities for out-of-school youth, and provide more allowances to soldiers, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday.

“We are resolved to finish priority measures, in recognition of their immense benefits to the public and the urgency needed to properly effect such legislation,” Drilon said in a statement.

Drilon also touted the impending enactment of the measure increasing the tax exemption ceiling for the 13th month pay and other bonuses, which would be sent to the President for his signature before the end of the year.

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The House of Representatives has adopted the Senate version of the bill, which pegged the new ceiling at P82,000 from P30,000. With the adoption, there is no longer any need for a bicameral conference committee and the bill could already be sent to the chief executive.

But Drilon said it was not likely to take effect in 2014.

The Senate president, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of Fair Competition Act, which has reached the period of amendments in the Senate.

The House version of the bill, though, is still at the committee level.

Drilon said the measure would make the Philippines more attractive to investors and encourage efficiency and innovation. It would prevent anti-competitive agreements, the abuse of dominant position and other anti-competitive deals, he said.

“Having a competition law will foster the competitive environment in our national economy, spur economic efficiency and innovation, and attract investments – all of which lead to lower prices, higher quality of products and services, and more choices for consumers,” he said.

The House is also slated to pass its version of the Senate Joint Resolution that seeks to increase the subsistence allowance of Filipino soldiers as well as police officers and jail and fire officials from P90 to P150 a day.

“Our soldiers have waited long enough for us to help them in their daily expenses, and we intend to end their wait,” he said.

Congress intends to approve the bills that would establish an open high school system for out of school youth, thereby opening up more chances for them to get an education.

Up for approval as well is the amendment of the Fisheries Code, which would provide higher penalties for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, among others; the repeal of a Revised Penal Code provision that makes the premature marriage of women a crime; and the authorization of the sale of Zest Airways to Air Asia Philippines.

The House is expected to approve as well the Senate version of the bill that seeks to decongest the Sandiganbayan docket. For instance, the bill seeks to allow the concurrence of two justices to render a judgment, instead of the unanimous vote of three justices.

Also pending in the House is the P22.467 billion supplemental budget to provide funds for projects that were stalled or that went unpaid because of the Supreme Court ruling against the priority development assistance fund and the Disbursement Acceleration Program, and for the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda.

Drilon said the Senate would immediately scrutinize the supplemental budget bill upon receiving the approved version of the House.