Senate priority bills for last regular session

Senate President Franklin Drilon opens the First Session of the Senate for the Year 2015 on Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2015) at the Senate Building in Pasay City. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — What’s in the senators’ to-do list for the last Regular Session of the 16th Congress?

Senate President Franklin Drilon revealed the priority bills in the Senate’s list for the remaining months.

As the last session opens, Drilon said that the senators should set aside their political interests and focus on the passage of the bills that will serve the interest of the people.

“We are racing against time. We must set aside political interests and think of solutions to the nation’s pressing problems. Let us remind ourselves that we are here to serve the people, and not special interest groups,” he said

National budget

The 2016 National budget is on top of the senate list.

“We will scrutinize the 2016 National Budget. We shall pass it on time as we have done in the past five years so that the government would not operate on a reenacted budget,” he said.

“If you recall, because of the reenacted budget, the previous administration converted the entire GAA into a single lump sum appropriation,” he added.

Drilon also noted that the senators should make sure that the people are assured that there will be no more ‘pork’ in the budget.

“We assure our people that the pork barrel system is a thing of the past.”

BBL

“We will continue to promote lasting peace and sustainable development in Mindanao through a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is consistent with our Constitution.”

Drilon earlier said that the Senate will ensure that they will approve a constitutional version of the BBL.

The bill seeks to create a Bangsamoro political entity which will replace the ARMM.

On Thursday, Drilon said that he is yet to discuss the timetable of the BBL’s passage with the other senators.

“Senator (Bongbong) Marcos told us that he will be ready to file the report on August 3, that is one week after the SONA. When this report is presented, I will ask for a caucus with all senators so that we can set our timetable,” Drilon said.

Other bills

Aside from the national budget, Drilon also said that the Senate should focus on the  Customs and Tariff Modernization Act (CTMA).

Citing the estimated P200 billion loss of the government due to smuggling in 2013, Drilon said passing the act will “enhance trade and commerce.”

“This will introduce full automation of customs procedures, and strengthen the Bureau of Customs’ risk management, revenue collection and enforcement systems.”

For transparency, he also mentioned the Tax Incentives Monitoring and Transparency Act (TIMTA).

“The Tax Incentives Monitoring and Transparency Act (TIMTA) will become law in this last session. This will foster transparency and accountability in the grant of fiscal incentives to business entities.”

Drilon is also eyeing for the passage of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and  the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration.

In the area of technology, we will create the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to develop ICT systems and enhance communication services. We have the most expensive internet rates, but one of the slowest in terms of speed, outpacing only Afghanistan.

We will modernize PAGASA. We will equip our weather bureau with state-of-the-art facilities and technologies.

‘Pursuit of good governance’

Drilon then urged his colleagues to continue heeding the people’s “intense calls for meaningful reforms.”

“We have seen the vigor and enthusiasm of our people to participate in the life of our nation. We have heeded their intense calls for meaningful reforms.

All our hard work will rake in huge dividends in improving the life of Juan Dela Cruz, strengthening the economy, creating a stable political system, and providing social protection to our citizens,” he said.

“We should continue in the last regular session of this Congress, and even beyond, the pursuit of good governance and the audacity to implement meaningful reforms, no matter how unpopular they may be,” he added.