148 bills, ‘package of new legislation’ passed by Senate in 2015–Drilon

The Senate has passed a total of 148 bills of local and national application this year alone, 66 of which are now signed into law, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Thursday.

“In total, the 16th Congress, which opened in July 22, 2013, has been able to pass 89 new laws so far,” Drilon said in a statement.

Drilon said that among the 66 new laws are a “package of new legislation” aimed at increasing the take-home pay of Filipinos such as the P82, 000 tax exemption cap for 13th month pay, and other benefits and Joint Resolution No. 5 that increases the daily subsistence of all enlisted and uniformed personnel.

He also noted that the Senate has passed House Bill 5842 or the P2,000 across the board increase to the monthly pension received by retirees under the Social Security System has already been passed and which now awaits the President’s approval and signing into law.

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Drilon said there will be no letup in the Senate’s legislative efforts despite the forthcoming national elections next year.

“Even with the elections drawing close, we have much work to do in the Senate. We intend to make good on our promise to the Filipino people on the start of the 16th Congress that we will help the poor, widen the delivery of education and other social services and improve the economy,“ he said.

The Senate leader said deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will continue when the session resumes on January 18, 2016.

Aside from the BBL, Drilon said the Senate will also prioritize the passage into law of the Salary Standardization Law IV (SSL), which was earlier approved earlier on third and final reading but was later reverted back to the plenary for further amendments.

READ: Congress adjourns without ratifying Salary Standardization Law

He said the SSL IV was again approved on second reading and the chamber will pass it again on third and final reading when Congress resumes next month.

“The Senate will continue to be a working Senate and we vow as one chamber that we will maximize our remaining time to continue our mandate and work on relevant, important and much-needed laws for our people,” said Drilon. CDG

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