Angara touts legislative achievements

Sen. Sonny Angara INQUIRER.net file photo

Senator Sonny Angara heralded on Friday his legislative accomplishments during the 16th Congress, including the enactment of 20 laws, which he said aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.

Angara said this brought the number of laws under his belt to more than 80 since he became legislator for 12 years now — nine years as representative of Aurora province from 2004 to 2013 until he was elected senator in May, 2013.

“I’ve been privileged to have been a part of this legislative history. With the dedication of and cooperation among the members of both houses of Congress, we were able to pass a number of landmark laws and important socio-economic reforms that will make an impact in the lives of most if not all of our countrymen,” the senator said in a statement.

In his first three years as senator, Angara said, he authored or sponsored almost a third of the Senate’s more than 60 national bills signed into law. He said he also authored or sponsored seven local bills signed into law, and sponsored three treaties.

Although a newbie senator, he chaired five committees — ways and means; games and amusement and sport; labor, employment and human resources development; foreign affairs; and tourism.

Angara, vice chairperson of the labor and foreign relations committees, served as acting chairperson and was tasked to preside hearings, and sponsor and defend bills, in the absence of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who is detained for the pork barrel scam, and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is on medical leave.

As chairperson of such committees, he said, he principally sponsored 12 laws of national significance—the highest number among neophyte senators.

Angara said he also authored a total of 104 bills and 53 resolutions, presided over 50 committee hearings and meetings, and served as acting majority floor leader in 53 sessions.

“I thought the adjustment from being a congressman to being a senator would be easy but, I have to say, it’s a lot of work especially if you want to do quality legislation. I thank my senior colleagues for guiding me and allowing me to make ample contribution to the Senate’s outstanding performance this Congress,” he said.

The senator then enumerated his accomplishments as chair of the said committees.

As head of the powerful ways and means committee, for instance, the senator said he sponsored four of the six bills that were passed by the chamber and later signed into law by the President. The four are the following:

(1) Republic Act 10653 that provides that 13th month pay and other benefits not exceeding P82,000 shall be tax exempt;

(2) Republic Act 10708 or the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA) which promotes transparency and accountability in the grant and administration of tax incentives to registered business entities;

(3) Republic Act 10754 that exempts persons with disabilities (PWDs) from value added tax (VAT); and

(4) Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) which introduces reforms to Customs procedures including the raising of the tax exemption ceiling of balikbayan boxes.

READ: Senate OKs bill upgrading BoC, raising ‘balikbayan’ box exemption | Senate OKs P82K tax cap for 13th-month pay

Angara vowed to continue working for the passage of income tax reform in the 17th Congress, which will open on July 25.

Under the labor committee, the Senate passed 10 bills, seven of which, he said, were enacted and three are awaiting President Benigno Aquino III’s signature.

Under the sports committee, Angara said he shepherded the passage of RA10699 that grants bigger incentives and benefits to winning national athletes, and recognizes athletes with disabilities as national athletes.

As chair of the tourism committee, he called on authorities to improve the country’s airport infrastructure and facilities so as to sustain the growth of Philippine tourism over the past years, which he believes is a major job generator in the country.

Under the foreign relations committee, the senator sponsored three double taxation avoidance agreements that seek to promote international trade and improve political relations of the Philippines with Italy, Germany and Turkey.

As chairman of the committee on foreign affairs of the Commission on Appointment, Angara said he facilitated the appointment of 137 ambassadorial posts, chiefs of mission, career ministers and Foreign Service officers.

A known advocate for education, he said he also authored the recently enacted laws that he said would ensure wider access to quality education such as the Unified Student Financial Assistance System Act (UNIFAST), Ladderized Education Act, the Open Learning and Distance Education Act, and the Open High School System Act.

Angara said among other laws of national significance he authored include the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, Department of Information and Communications Technology Act, Rare Diseases Act and Farm Tourism Act.

“Ang atin pong mga isinusulong na batas ay iyong tiyak na makatutulong sa bawat Pilipino at makapagbibigay oportunidad sa kanilang pag-angat sa buhay. Makaaasa po kayo na tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagsisikap na makalikha ng mga batas na tutugon sa mga suliranin ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” he further said.

(The laws we are advocating are those which will surely help every Filipino and give them the opportunity to improve their lives. You can expect me to continue working on laws which would address the struggles of ordinary citizens.) IDL/rga