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TRANSCRIPT
Journal of the
House of Representatives
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION
2014 – 2015
JOURNAL NO. 71 Monday to Wednesday, May 25 to 27, 2015; Monday to Thursday, June 1 to 4, 2015; and Monday to Wednesday, June 8 to 10, 2015
Prepared by the
JOURNAL SERVICE Plenary Affairs Bureau
JOURNAL NO. 71
Monday to Wednesday, May 25 to 27, 2015;
Monday to Thursday, June 1 to 4, 2015; and
Monday to Wednesday, June 8 to 10, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
At 4:00 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2015, Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao called the session to or-der. NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PRAYER
Pursuant to Section 73, Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Members sang the National Anthem and thereafter, Representative Angelina Ludovice Katoh delivered the invocation. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay, the Chair suspended the session at 4:03 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:05 p.m.
DEFERMENT OF THE ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Binay, there being no objec-tion, the Body deferred the calling of the Roll. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Binay thereafter acknowledged the presence
in the Session Hall of guests of Rep. Bai Sandra A. Sema.
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL
On a subsequent motion of Rep. Binay, there be-ing no objection, the Body approved Journal No. 70, dated May 18 to 20, 2015.
REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On further motion of Rep. Binay, there being be-ing no objection, the Body proceeded to the Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills and Resolutions, including the Message from the Sen-ate and Committee Reports, which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5786, entitled: “AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 3 OF REPUB-
LIC ACT NO. 8292 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE HIGHER EDUCATION MODERN-IZATION ACT OF 1997' AND OTHER PUR-POSES”
By Representative Turabin-Hataman
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND
TECHNICAL EDUCATION House Bill No. 5787, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDA-
TORY ESTABLISHMENT OF WOMEN-CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES IN ALL EVAC-UATION CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF”
By Representative Turabin-Hataman
TO THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY
RESOLUTIONS House Resolution No. 2110, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A SERIOUS
AND COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE PROPOSAL TO DECONGEST METRO MANILA, BOTH AS A DISASTER MITI-GATION STRATEGY, AND AS A STRAT-EGY TO ENHANCE THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH TO ALL OTHER REGIONS”
By Representative Rodriguez (O.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES House Resolution No. 2111, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
2 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOY-MENT TO CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE IN-QUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON LA-BOR LAW VIOLATIONS OF KENTEX MANUFACTURING CORPORATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE DEADLY FIRE THAT GUTTED ITS MANUFACTURING FACIL-ITY LAST MAY 13, 2015”
By Representatives Gutierrez, Katoh, Mendoza
(R.) and Paquiz TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2112, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMIT-
TEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM TO INVES-TIGATE THE ALLEGED LAND GRAB-BING OF THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS (BSP) AND THE MANILA BANKING CORPORATION (TMBC) IN-VOLVING MORE THAN 1,000 HECTARES OF LAND IN BARANGAY SAN ISIDRO, SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, BU-LACAN”
By Representative Hicap TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2113, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING WARM FE-
LICITATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO HONORABLE DEPARTMENT OF SO-CIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) SECRETARY CORAZON 'DINKY' JULIANO SOLIMAN FOR BEING RECOG-NIZED BY THE WORLD BANK FOR HER LEADERSHIP IN SOCIAL ACCOUNTA-BILITY FROM THE GLOBAL PARTNER-SHIP FOR SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY (GPSA)”
By Representative Olivarez TO THE COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES
House Resolution No. 2114, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON THE INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIG-ENOUS PEOPLES TO CONDUCT AN IN-QUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, TO
LOOK INTO THE PLIGHT OF THE INDIG-ENOUS PEOPLES, THE SUBANEN TRIBE, OF PAGADIAN CITY IN THE FULL IM-PLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT 8371 OR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ACT OF 1997”
By Representative Turabin-Hataman TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2115, entitled: “RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPART-
MENT OF HEALTH TO ADOPT AND IM-PLEMENT THE PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD) FIRST POLICY FOR FILIPINOS WITH END-STAGE-RENAL DISEASE (ESRD) WHEN APPROPRIATE”
By Representative Relampagos TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
House Resolution No. 2116, entitled: “RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PRO-
FOUND CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF RETIRED COLONEL FRANCISCO G. ACEDILLO, PHILIPPINE ARMY, FATHER OF THE HONORABLE FRANCISCO ASH-LEY L. ACEDILLO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MAGDALO PARA SA PILIPINO (MAGDALO) PARTY LIST”
By Representatives Belmonte (F.), Gonzales and
Zamora (R.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and Reso-lutions hereunder indicated:
Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bills
No. 4024 and 5634; Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado for House Bill
No. 5277; Rep. Edgardo R. Masongsong for House Bills No.
3753 and 4022 and House Resolution No. 809; Rep. Silvestre "Bebot" H. Bello III for House Bill
No. 4114;
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 3
Rep. Belma A. Cabilao for House Bill No. 3958; Rep. Frederick "Erick" F. Abueg for House Bill
No. 5697; Rep. Wes Gatchalian for House Resolution No.
2097; Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. for House Bill
No. 5493;
Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago for House Bill No. 5600;
Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bill No. 3399; Rep. Joseller "Yeng" M. Guiao for House Bills
No. 4975 and 5321; Rep. Luis "Jon-Jon" A. Ferrer IV for House Bills
No. 4352 and 4724; Rep. Rodolfo T. Albano III for House Bill No.
5589; Rep. Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr. for House
Bill No. 5637;
Rep. Maria Zenaida B. Angping for House Bills No. 4975 and 5321;
Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte for House Bill
No. 2484; Rep. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay for House
Bill No. 2694 and House Resolution No. 277;
Rep. Susan A. Yap for House Bill No. 1707; Rep. Frederick "Erick" F. Abueg for House Bill
No. 5663;
Rep. Victoria G. Noel for House Bill No. 5389; Rep. Romero "Miro" S. Quimbo for House Bill
No. 5332;
Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado for House Bill No. 2172;
Reps. Joseph Stephen S. Paduano and Edcel
"Grex" B. Lagman for House Bill No. 1179;
Rep. Raul V. Del Mar for House Resolutions No. 2053 and 2056; and
Rep. Gus S. Tambunting for House Bills No. 5144,
5154, 5487, 5520, 5572, 5585, 5603, 5604, 5605, 5618, 5660, 5663 and 5672.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
Message dated May 19, 2015 informing the House of Representatives that the Senate on even date ap-proved the Conference Committee Report of the Bicameral Conference Committee on the disa-greeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2277 and House Bill No. 4085, both entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OPEN HIGH
SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 732), re H. No. 2592, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAND TRANS-
PORTATION OFFICE SATELLITE OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2, PA-RAÑAQUE CITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval with amendment
Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.), Ungab and Tambunting
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 733), re H. No. 2814, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A ONE-STOP GOV-
ERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT SER-VICES PROCESSING CENTER IN SAN JOSE CITY, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”
recommending its approval without amendment
Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.), Ungab and Violago
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Transportation and the
Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 734), re H. No. 4404, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT OF-
FICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
4 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
OFFICE (LTO) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA, CAVITE AND APPROPRIAT-ING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval without amendment
Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.), Ungab and Loyola
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Transportation and the
Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 735), re H. No. 4421, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LAND TRANS-
PORTATION OFFICE IN THE MUNICI-PALITY OF MALITA, PROVINCE OF DA-VAO OCCIDENTAL AND APPROPRIAT-ING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval without amendment Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.), Ungab
and Bautista TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Information and Commu-
nications Technology (Committee Report No. 736), re H. No. 5790, entitled: “AN ACT PROMOTING CONSUMER PRO-
TECTION IN THE PURCHASE OF MO-BILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES BY ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO UNLOCK THE MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE LOCK-IN PERIOD UNDER THE MOBILE COMMUNICATION SERVICE CON-TRACT”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5027 Sponsors: Representatives Abaya and Duavit TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Information and Commu-
nications Technology (Committee Report No. 737), re H. No. 5791, entitled: “AN ACT PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC WIRE-
LESS INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, TERMINALS, PARKS AND PLAZAS THROUGHOUT THE COUN-TRY”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 1550
Sponsors: Representatives Ridon and Duavit TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Commit-
tee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 738), re H. No. 5792, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE TALISAY DIS-
TRICT HOSPITAL IN TALISAY CITY, PROVINCE OF CEBU, INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE TALI-SAY CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, IN-CREASING ITS BED CAPACITY FROM TWENTY- FIVE (25) TO TWO HUNDRED (200) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 4347 Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel and Gullas TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-
ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 739), re H. No. 5794, entitled: “AN ACT MANDATING THE CONSERVA-
TION OF GABALDON AND OTHER HER-ITAGE SCHOOL BUILDINGS NATION-WIDE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VI-OLATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 1707 Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Noel TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-
ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 740), re H. No. 5795, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GULOD, QUE-ZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS GULOD NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 5
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 849
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Vargas TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-
ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 741), re H. No. 5796, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY NAGKAISANG NAYON, QUEZON CITY, METRO MA-NILA TO BE KNOWN AS NAGKAISANG NAYON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 848 Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Vargas TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 742), re H. No. 5797, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GREATER FAIR-VIEW, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS WEST FAIRVIEW NA-TIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRI-ATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4771
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab and Vargas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 743), re H. No. 5798, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY KALIGA-YAHAN, QUEZON CITY, METRO MA-NILA TO BE KNOWN AS SUSANA D. VARGAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4718
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab and Vargas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-
ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 744), re H. No. 4894, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE VILLAFUERTE-
PEÑA HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY PONGLON, MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSE, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR INTO A NATIONAL TECHNICAL-VOCA-TIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS THE JUAN C. PEÑA NATIONAL TECH-NICAL-VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”
recommending its approval with amendments Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Fuentebella TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-
ture and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 745), re H. No. 5799, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY TAÑONG, CITY OF MARIKINA, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS TAÑONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 4977 Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Teodoro
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this juncture, Rep. Monique Yazmin Q. Lag-dameo acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of guests of Reps. Juliet R. Cortuna and Mariano U. Piamonte Jr.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Lagdameo (M.), the Chair sus-pended the session at 4:10 p.m.
6 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 4:25 p.m., the session resumed.
THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
It being a Monday, on motion of Rep. Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III, there being no objection, the Chair declared a Privilege Hour.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Rep. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz from Abakada Party-List for his privilege speech.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. DELA CRUZ
Rep. Dela Cruz aired his concern on the political, socioeconomic, and cultural issues surrounding the ap-proval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). He also underscored the ramifications of the draft BBL as well as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bang-samoro and Framework Agreement, all containing the demands of the Bangsamoro people to exercise their right to self-determination and political and territorial autonomy. He however opined that these do not re-solve the problem of political autonomy for Muslim Mindanao as they violate the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, deprive the Filipinos of a sovereign na-tion, and might trigger an endless ethnic strife between Christian Filipinos and Muslims similar to the political situation in the Baltic republics, particularly in the for-mer Yugoslavia.
Rep. Dela Cruz added that more alarming and which should be exposed and opposed is that taken in their totality, the acts of the negotiating panels and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission may have al-ready committed treason in proposing an unconstitu-tional and unrealistic Bangsamoro Law since this may have already sold the country down the drain.
In closing, and in commemoration of the tragic
Mamasapano massacre, Rep. Dela Cruz urged every-one to stand fast and do the right thing and by the grace of the Almighty, overcome the sins and prejudices, an-imosities and inequalities of the past and move on to glorious days as one, undivided country under the grace of God.
REFERRAL OF REP. DELA CRUZ’ SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr., there being no objection, the Body referred the speech of Rep. Dela Cruz to the Committee on Rules.
SUSPENSION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
Likewise, on motion of Rep. Gullas, there being
no objection, the Body suspended the Privilege Hour.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Gina P. De Venecia acknowl-edged the presence in the Session Hall of family mem-bers of the late Don Emilio T. Yap for the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Medal of Achievement to the late Don Emilio Yap, chairperson of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation and chair emeritus of the Philippine Trust Company, who were all guests of Rep. Eric L. Olivarez.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
Recognized by the Chair, Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr.
spoke of Don Emilio Yap’s contributions to the nation and how he, as a man of public service, was greatly influenced by the latter’s thinking. He further under-scored Don Emilio Yap’s person as one who lived by his principles; a good citizen of Manila who practiced patriotism, and an honest taxpayer of the City of Ma-nila. To conclude, Rep. Atienza said that Mr. Yap in-vested all his earnings in the Philippines and advocated good, clean and effective government.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At 5:00 p.m., the Chair motu proprio declared a recess.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:01 p.m., the session resumed with Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. presiding.
PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 147
AND CONFERMENT OF MEDAL
OF ACHIEVEMENT
On motion of Rep. Neptali M. Gonzales II, there
being no objection, the Body proceeded to the presen-tation of House Resolution No. 1062, now numbered as Resolution No. 147, which was adopted on Novem-ber 25, 2014 and which the Secretary General was di-rected to read, conferring the Congressional Medal of Achievement on Don Emilio T. Yap, chairman of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation and chairman emeritus of the Philippine Trust Company.
On another motion of Rep. Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body invited Mr. Yap’s family to as-cend the rostrum for the presentation of said Resolu-tion and conferment of the Congressional Medal of Achievement.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION Accordingly, the Chair suspended the session at
5:03 p.m.
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 7
RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 5:08 p.m., the session resumed, with Deputy
Speaker Aggabao presiding. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Gullas acknowledged the presence in the Ses-
sion Hall of guests of Reps. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba, Florencio T. Flores Jr., M.D., and Ben P. Evardone; as well as former Minor-ity Leader Edcel C. Lagman.
RESUMPTION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-
tion, the Body subsequently resumed the Privilege Hour and the Chair recognized Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo from Magdalo Party-List for his privilege speech. PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ACEDILLO
Rep. Acedillo said that China continues to main-
tain its aggressive posturing and effective control over the West Philippine Sea and the entire South China Sea in order to strengthen her territorial claim and safe-guard her interest in the area. He described the ex-panded reclamation and construction activities in the seven Chinese-occupied reefs, three of which were within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He cited the increasing deployment of Chinese cargo vessels, ships, and Coast Guard forces to patrol the vi-cinity of Scarborough and Ayungin Shoals and to har-ass Philippine vessels therein.
He also cited to the Body the actions taken by both the House and the Senate on the issue of the West Phil-ippine Sea and the Spratly Islands, the economic and military implications, the threat to the energy security of the country on the continuing operation, reclama-tion and construction activities in the Chinese-occu-pied reefs which are within the Philippine EEZ, and the medium to long-term geopolitical implications of such occupation in the West Philippine Sea.
Thereupon, Rep. Acedillo expressed belief that
China, in disrupting the seaborne trade routes of goods and oil by enforcing maritime and fishing regulations in the West Philippine Sea, seeks to fundamentally al-ter the balance of power in Asia, which has diminished the vitality of United States-Asian alliances that would ultimately displace the US as the preeminent power in the Asia-Pacific region.
He noted that despite the country’s efforts of pur-
suing an independent foreign policy, it cannot escape
the realities of great power politics involving China and the US, this as he stressed that in the last 70 years, only the latter has guaranteed continued security in the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, he asked whether China is trying to avoid a major confrontation with the US, as it has done before, or has now taken an action that will lead to war. REFERRAL OF REP. ACEDILLO’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-tion, the Body referred Rep. Acedillo’s privilege speech to the Committee on Rules.
SUSPENSION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-
tion, the Body suspended the Privilege Hour. ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-
tion, the Body proceeded to the Roll Call.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General called the Roll Call and the following Members were present:
Abu Abueg Acedillo Acosta-Alba Adiong Agarao Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Angara-Castillo Antonio Apostol Arenas Arnaiz Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes
8 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Briones Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Calalay Calixto-Rubiano Cari Castelo Castro Catamco Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cruz-Gonzales Cua Cueva Dalog De Jesus De Venecia Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Dela Cruz Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Enverga Erice Eriguel Ermita-Buhain Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Fernandez Ferriol Flores Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (S.) Geron
Gerona-Robredo Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Guiao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hicap Hofer Iway Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Manalo Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mercado Mercado-Revilla Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Ocampo Olivarez Ong Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pagdilao Pancho Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 9
Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Quisumbing Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Sacdalan Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suansing Suarez Sy-Alvarado Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tieng Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas Unabia Uy (R.) Vargas Velasco Villanueva Villarica Violago Yap (A.) Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (R.) Zarate Zubiri With 198 Members responding to the Roll Call,
the Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also Appendix 1)
APPROVAL ON THIRD READING
OF CERTAIN MEASURES
On successive motions of Rep. Ortega (F.), there
being no objection, the Body proceeded to the ap-proval on Third Reading of the following measures, printed copies of which were distributed to the Mem-bers on the dates specified hereunder, pursuant to Sec-tion 58, Rule X of the Rules of the House: Distributed on May 19, 2015: 1. House Bill No. 5752, entitled: “AN ACT REDE-
FINING THE TERM 'INDIGENT SENIOR CIT-IZEN' UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010'”;
The Chair then directed the Secretary General to call the Roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the House, a second Roll Call was made.
RESULT OF THE VOTING The result of the voting was as follows:
Affirmative:
Abu Abueg Acedillo Acosta-Alba Adiong Agarao Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Angara-Castillo Antonio Apostol Arenas Arnaiz Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes
10 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Briones Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Calalay Calixto-Rubiano Cari Castelo Castro Catamco Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cruz-Gonzales Cua Cueva Dalog De Jesus De Venecia Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Dela Cruz Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Enverga Erice Eriguel Ermita-Buhain Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Fernandez Ferriol Flores Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (S.) Geron
Gerona-Robredo Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Guiao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hicap Hofer Iway Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Manalo Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mercado Mercado-Revilla Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Ocampo Olivarez Ong Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pagdilao Pancho Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 11
Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Quisumbing Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Sacdalan Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suansing Suarez Sy-Alvarado Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tieng Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas Unabia Uy (R.) Vargas Velasco Villanueva Villarica Violago Yap (A.) Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (R.) Zarate Zubiri
Negative:
None
Abstention:
None With 198 affirmative votes, no negative votes and
no abstentions, the Body approved on Third Reading House Bill No. 5752.
APPROVAL ON THIRD READING
OF CERTAIN MEASURES (Continuation) Distributed on May 19, 2015:
2. House Bill No. 5755, entitled: “AN ACT AU-THORIZING THE MERGER OF THE DEVEL-OPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, WITH THE LAND BANK OF THE PHILIP-PINES AS THE SURVIVING ENTITY”;
The Chair then directed the Secretary General to
call the Roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the House, a second Roll Call was made.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. DELA CRUZ Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Dela Cruz
said that he was voting against House Bill No. 5755 because he was previously advised that his proposed amendments will be considered.
The Chair however pointed out that the Body was
already voting on the Bill on Third Reading and there-fore, no further amendments will be entertained.
After he was informed by the Majority Leader on the status of the Bill, Rep. Dela Cruz withdrew his manifestation and reiterated his “no” vote to House Bill No. 5755, which the Chair noted. RESULT OF THE VOTING
The result of the voting was as follows:
Affirmative:
Abu Abueg Acedillo Acosta-Alba Adiong Agarao Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano
12 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Angara-Castillo Antonio Apostol Arenas Arnaiz Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Briones Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Calalay Calixto-Rubiano Cari Castelo Castro Catamco Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cruz-Gonzales Cua Cueva Dalog De Jesus De Venecia Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Enverga Erice Eriguel
Ermita-Buhain Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Fernandez Ferriol Flores Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (S.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Guiao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hicap Hofer Iway Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Manalo Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mercado Mercado-Revilla Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.)
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 13
Noel Oaminal Ocampo Olivarez Ong Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pagdilao Pancho Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Quisumbing Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Sacdalan Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suansing Suarez Sy-Alvarado Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tieng Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas
Unabia Uy (R.) Vargas Velasco Villanueva Villarica Violago Yap (A.) Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (R.) Zarate Zubiri
Negative:
Dela Cruz
Abstention:
None
With 197 affirmative votes, one negative vote and
no abstentions, the Body approved on Third Reading House Bill No. 5755.
APPROVAL ON THIRD READING OF CERTAIN HOUSE MEASURES (Continuation)
Distributed on May 20, 2015:
3. House Bill No. 5588, entitled: “AN ACT FACIL-ITATING THE ACQUISITION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY SITE OR LOCATION FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PRO-JECTS”;
4. House Bill No. 5706, entitled: “AN ACT REGU-
LATING THE PRACTICE OF CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES AND AP-PROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEAL-ING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6506, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'AN ACT CREATING THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS IN THE PHILIP-PINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES'”;
5. House Bill No. 5707, entitled: “AN ACT REGU-
LATING THE PRACTICE OF FORESTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE (R.A. NO. 6239), KNOWN AS 'THE FORESTRY PROFESSION LAW'”;
14 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
6. House Bill No. 5708, entitled: “AN ACT REGU-LATING THE PRACTICE OF PLUMBING EN-GINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES, APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF”;
7. House Bill No. 5729, entitled: “AN ACT AL-
LOWING THE RECTIFICATION OF SIMU-LATED BIRTH RECORDS AND PRESCRIB-ING ADMINISTRATIVE ADOPTION PRO-CEEDINGS”;
8. House Bill No. 5391, entitled: “AN ACT
AMENDING THE FRANCHISE OF ALIW BROADCASTING CORPORATION GRANTED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7399, AND RENEWING/EXTENDING THE TERM THEREOF TO ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT”;
Distributed on May 19, 2015:
9. House Bill No. 5710, entitled: “AN ACT IN-CREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE NARRA MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF NARRA, PROVINCE OF PA-LAWAN FROM TEN (10) TO ONE HUNDRED (100) BEDS TO BE NOW KNOWN AS THE GOVERNOR ALFREDO M. ABUEG, SR. ME-MORIAL HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
10. House Bill No. 5712, entitled: “AN ACT INTE-
GRATING THE TALISAY CITY COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF TALISAY, PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO THE TALISAY CITY STATE COLLEGE, THEREBY AMENDING REPUB-LIC ACT NO. 10594, ENTITLED: 'AN ACT ES-TABLISHING A STATE COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF TALISAY, PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS THE TALISAY CITY STATE COLLEGE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR'”;
11. House Joint Resolution No. 33, entitled: “JOINT
RESOLUTION ENJOINING THE CELEBRA-TION OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF NA-TIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE, N.V.M. GONZALEZ, DECLARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 TO SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 AS A PERIOD OF REMEMBRANCE OF HIS INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL HERIT-AGE”;
Distributed on May 20, 2015:
12. House Bill No. 5711, entitled: “AN ACT ESTAB-LISHING A CAMPUS OF THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (PMMA) IN MINDANAO TO BE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACAD-EMY-MINDANAO CAMPUS AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
13. House Bill No. 5746, entitled: “AN ACT CON-
VERTING THE MAYOR HILARION A. RAMIRO SR. REGIONAL TRAINING AND TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL INTO A MEDI-CAL CENTER TO BE KNOWN AS THE MAYOR HILARION A. RAMIRO SR. MEDI-CAL CENTER”;
14. House Bill No. 5747, entitled: “AN ACT RE-
NAMING THE BINAKAYAN DIVERSION ROAD LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KAWIT, PROVINCE OF CAVITE AS ISLAND COVE DRIVE”;
15. House Bill No. 5748, entitled: “AN ACT NAM-
ING THE INTERSECTION OF JOSE ABAD SANTOS AVENUE (GAPAN – SAN FER-NANDO – OLONGAPO ROAD) AND THE GUAGUA – FLORIDABLANCA PROVINCIAL ROAD LOCATED AT THE BORDER OF BA-RANGAY SAN ANTONIO AND BARANGAY JOSE ABAD SANTOS, BOTH IN THE MUNIC-IPALITY OF GUAGUA, PROVINCE OF PAM-PANGA AS THE 'WILLIAM GOLANGCO JUNCTION'”;
16. House Bill No. 5750, entitled: “AN ACT DE-
CLARING THE STRETCH OF BEACHES THAT LINE THE ALBAY WEST COAST IN THE THIRD DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBAY AS TOURIST SPOTS AND AP-PROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
17. House Bill No. 5751, entitled: “AN ACT IN-
CREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF THE ROSARIO DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF ROSARIO, PROVINCE OF LA UNION FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO FIFTY (50) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
18. House Joint Resolution No. 32, entitled: “JOINT
RESOLUTION AMENDING SPECIAL PROVI-SION NOS. I.A.1 AND I.D.1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10651, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015'”; and
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 15
19. House Joint Resolution No. 34, entitled: “JOINT RESOLUTION ENJOINING THE CELEBRA-TION OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF NA-TIONAL ARTIST FOR FILM, MANUEL CONDE, DECLARING OCTOBER 9, 2015 TO OCTOBER 9, 2016 AS A PERIOD OF REMEM-BRANCE OF HIS INVALUABLE CONTRIBU-TION TO THE NATIONAL HERITAGE”. The Chair then directed the Secretary General to
call the Roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the House, a second Roll Call was made.
RESULT OF THE VOTING The result of the voting was as follows:
Affirmative:
Abu Abueg Acedillo Acosta-Alba Adiong Agarao Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Angara-Castillo Antonio Apostol Arenas Arnaiz Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Briones
Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Calalay Calixto-Rubiano Cari Castelo Castro Catamco Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cruz-Gonzales Cua Cueva Dalog De Jesus De Venecia Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Dela Cruz Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Enverga Erice Eriguel Ermita-Buhain Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Fernandez Ferriol Flores Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (S.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Guiao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez
16 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Hicap Hofer Iway Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Manalo Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mercado Mercado-Revilla Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Ocampo Olivarez Ong Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pagdilao Pancho Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Quisumbing Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera
Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Sacdalan Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suansing Suarez Sy-Alvarado Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tieng Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas Unabia Uy (R.) Vargas Velasco Villanueva Villarica Violago Yap (A.) Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (R.) Zarate Zubiri
Negative:
None
Abstention:
None With 198 affirmative votes, no negative votes and
no abstentions, the Body approved on Third Reading the aforementioned House Bills and House Joint Res-olutions.
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 17
TRANSMITTAL TO THE SENATE OF HOUSE
MEASURES APPROVED ON THIRD READING
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there being no ob-
jection, the Chair directed the Secretary General to transmit to the Senate the House Bills and House Joint Resolutions that had just been approved on Third Reading.
RESUMPTION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-tion, the Body resumed the Privilege Hour.
EXTENSION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
Likewise, on motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objection, the Body extended the Privilege Hour for 20 minutes. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Gullas also acknowledged the presence in the
Session Hall of guests of Rep. Edgardo R. Masong-song.
On motion of Rep. Gullas, the Chair recognized Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate from Bayan Muna Party-List for his privilege speech.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ZARATE
Speaking in Filipino, Rep. Zarate adverted to the
P123 billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike, a public-private partnership (PPP) project creating an offshore megadike in Laguna Lake and enumerated the numerous critical environmental and public infrastruc-ture concerns that will affect the towns and communi-ties of Biñan, Santa Rosa, San Pedro and Taguig lo-cated along Laguna Lake. He explained that the meg-adike project will not address the causes of the peren-nial flooding from Laguna Lake if the government were not to address first the problems of comprehen-sive dredging, reforestation and rehabilitation of wa-tersheds, re-opening of the Napindan Hydraulic Con-trol System, wastewater treatment and prevention of dumping of garbage in rivers and waterways, which he claimed were the primary causes of the flooding. He argued that the government’s approval of the mega-dike project will only allow private corporations and real estate developers to gain substantial profit through a reclamation project and a six-lane expressway, en-danger public safety during flooding and occurrences of earthquake as it is near the Marikina West Valley Fault System, and cause the eviction of coastal com-munities residing along Laguna Lake.
He then sought the help of his colleagues repre-senting Taguig, Muntinlupa, and Laguna to oppose the project.
REFERRAL OF REP. ZARATE’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-tion, the Body referred the speech of Rep. Zarate to the Committee on Rules.
TERMINATION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
On motion of Rep. Gullas, there being no objec-
tion, the Body terminated the Privilege Hour.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5677
On successive motions of Rep. Lagdameo (M.), there being no objection, the Body considered on Sec-ond Reading House Bill No. 5677, calendared under the Business for the Day, as contained in Committee Report No. 683 and reported out by the Committee on Revision of Laws, declaring January 23 of every year a special working holiday in the entire country to com-memorate the declaration of the First Philippine Re-public; dispensed with the reading of the text thereof without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory Note as the sponsor-ship remarks on the measure; terminated the period of sponsorship and debate; terminated the period of amendments in the absence of Committee and individ-ual amendments; and approved the same on Second Reading through viva voce voting.
OMNIBUS APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF CERTAIN BILLS UNDER THE BUSINESS
FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
On an omnibus motion of Rep. Lagdameo (M.),
there being no objection, the Body considered on Sec-ond Reading the following Bills calendared under the Business for Thursday and Friday, as contained in var-ious Committee Reports and submitted by the Com-mittees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of the measures without prejudice to their inser-tions into the Record of the House; adopted the Ex-planatory Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures; terminated the period of sponsorship and debate; approved the amendments as contained in the Committee Reports, if any; terminated the period of amendments; and approved the same on Second Read-ing through viva voce voting:
18 MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015
Submitted by the Special Committee on Reforestation and the Committee on Appropriations:
1. House Bill No. 5678, as contained in Committee
Report No. 684, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately ninety-four (94) hectares of mangrove in Virac, Catanduanes;
2. House Bill No. 5679, as contained in Committee
Report No. 685, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately eighty (85) hectares of mangrove in Viga, Catanduanes;
3. House Bill No. 5680, as contained in Committee
Report No. 686, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately three hundred sixty (362) hectares of mangrove in San Andres, Catanduanes;
4. House Bill No. 5681, as contained in Committee
Report No. 687, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately nine hundred thirteen (913) hectares of mangrove in Pangani-ban, Catanduanes;
5. House Bill No. 5682, as contained in Committee
Report No. 688, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately two hundred thirty three (233) hectares of mangrove in Pandan, Catanduanes;
6. House Bill No. 5683, as contained in Committee
Report No. 689, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately two hundred (200) hectares of mangrove in Bato, Catanduanes;
7. House Bill No. 5684, as contained in Committee
Report No. 690, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately twenty two (22) hectares of mangrove in Baras, Catanduanes;
and
8. House Bill No. 5685, as contained in Committee
Report No. 691, providing for the reforestation and rehabilitation of approximately two hundred seventy four (274) hectares of mangrove in Baga-manoc, Catanduanes;
Submitted by the Committee on Public Works and Highways: 9. House Bill No. 4954, as contained in Committee
Report No. 694, renaming the Wawa Road at San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal, as General Licerio I. Ge-ronimo Highway;
Submitted by the Committee on Local Government: 10. House Bill No. 5692, as contained in Committee
Report No. 695, creating Barangay Liwon in Asip-ulo, Ifugao;
11. House Bill No. 1462, as contained in Committee
Report No. 696, creating Barangay Poblacion 2 in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental;
12. House Bill No. 5693, as contained in Committee
Report No. 697, subdividing the one-barangay Municipality of Dumalneg in Ilocos Norte into three separate and independent barangays to be known as Barangays Kalaw, Cabaritan and Qui-bel;
13. House Bill No. 5694, as contained in Committee
Report No. 698, separating the sitios of Guina-ang, Madopdop, Mallango, Lanlana, and San Pablo from Lacnog, Tabuk, Kalinga and constituting them into a separate and independent Barangay Lacnog West;
14. House Bill No. 5695, as contained in Committee
Report No. 699, separating the sitios of Ileb, New Colayo Village, Kinama and Nambaran Daya from Nambaran, Tabuk, Kalinga and constituting them into a separate and independent Barangay Nam-baran East; and
15. House Bill No. 5478, as contained in Committee
Report No. 700, creating Barangay Sta. Cruz in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Lagdameo (M.), there being no objection, the Body suspended the session until four o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
It was 6:46 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2015.
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 19
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May
26, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao
presiding.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Representative Francis Gerald A.
Abaya, there being no objection, the Body proceeded
to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills
which were referred to the appropriate Committees as
hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5788, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FRESHWATER
AQUACULTURE CENTER UNDER THE
BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC
RESOURCES FOR THE RESEARCH,
BREEDING AND PRODUCTION OF TI-
LAPIA, CARP, PANGASIUS, CATFISH
AND OTHER FRESHWATER SPECIES IN
AGUS RIVER, MUNICIPALITY OF
BALOI, LANAO DEL NORTE TO BE
KNOWN AS THE LANAO DEL NORTE
FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE CENTER
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-
FOR”
By Representatives Dimaporo (I.) and Dimaporo
(A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE
AND FISHERIES RESOURCES
House Bill No. 5789, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES
HATCHERY UNDER THE BUREAU OF
FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
FOR THE BREEDING AND PRODUCTION
OF BANGUS, MUDCRABS, MUSSELS,
OYSTERS, PRAWNS AND SIMILAR SPE-
CIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SULTAN
NAGA DIMAPORO, LANAO DEL NORTE,
TO BE KNOWN AS THE LANAO DEL
NORTE MULTI-SPECIES HATCHERY
AND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representatives Dimaporo (A.) and Dimaporo
(I.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE
AND FISHERIES RESOURCES
House Bill No. 5793, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING DANGEROUS
DRUGS COURTS TO STRICTLY EN-
FORCE THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT 9165 OR THE COMPREHENSIVE
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002 AND
TO EFFECT A REDUCTION OF DRUG-RE-
LATED CASES, DECLOGGING OF THE
SAME IN COURT'S DOCKETS, AND
STREAMLINING THE FIVE PILLARS OF
THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS
DRUGS
House Bill No. 5800, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY REBE, MUNICI-
PALITY OF LALA, PROVINCE OF LANAO
DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE
REBE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Dimaporo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCA-
TION AND CULTURE
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and Reso-
lutions hereunder indicated:
Reps. Alex "AA" L. Advincula and Luis "Jon-Jon"
A. Ferrer IV for House Bill No. 5435;
Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bill No. 2623;
Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla for House Bill No.
4864;
Rep. Romero "Miro" S. Quimbo for House Bill
No. 1815;
Rep. Roy V. Señeres Sr. for House Bill No. 2694
and House Resolution No. 277;
20 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015
Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza for House Bills
No. 1098, 4022, 4714, 4777, 4973 and 5435 and House
Resolution No. 1950;
Rep. Enrico "Recom" Echiverri for House Bill No.
5215;
Reps. Conrado M. Estrella III and Maximo B. Ro-
driguez Jr. for House Bill No. 2694 and House Reso-
lution No. 277;
Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado for House Bills
No. 1849 and 4024; and
Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bill
No. 2727.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Abaya, the Chair suspended the
session at 4:01 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:18 p.m.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Abaya acknowledged the presence in the Ses-
sion Hall of guests of Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Abaya, the Chair declared a re-
cess at 4:20 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:26 p.m.
PRIVILEGE HOUR
With leave of the House, on motion of Rep. Abaya,
there being no objection, the Chair declared a Privilege
Hour and then recognized Rep. Emil L. Ong from the
Second District of Northern Samar for his privilege
speech.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ONG
Rep. Ong decried the anomaly surrounding the
Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Program
(HCAAP) funded by a Japanese government loan to
promote the agricultural and economic development of
Northern Samar through infrastructure, irrigation fa-
cilities, and public health services. He explained that
the Korean contractor of the Catubig Dam - one of the
HCAAP’s main components and which would irrigate
4,500 hectares of rice lands - left without completing
it even after several extensions of the project deadline.
He said that he subsequently asked for P140 million in
the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the comple-
tion of the project, but alleged that the National Irriga-
tion Administration (NIA) committed technical mal-
versation when it bid out P60 million thereof and used
the remaining P80 million to pay the old project con-
tractor who had failed to finish the project.
Thereupon, Rep. Ong stated that the project would
greatly help the farmers in his district and called for an
immediate congressional investigation on the matter
considering the huge amount of money involved.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Abaya, the Chair
recognized Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. for his manifesta-
tion.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Atienza commiserated with Rep. Ong; stated
that the government has failed to attend to the prob-
lems of the agricultural sector; joined the latter’s plea
for a congressional investigation on the matter; and ex-
pressed hope that appropriate cases would be filed
against the guilty.
REMARKS OF REP. ONG
As he expressed his gratitude to Rep. Atienza,
Rep. Ong hoped that the Committee concerned could
send a copy of his speech to the Office of the Ombuds-
man for the proper filing of the case.
QUESTION OF QUORUM OF REP. ATIENZA
Thereupon, Rep. Atienza raised a question of
quorum considering that there were not enough Mem-
bers present on the floor.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair suspended the session at 4:45 p.m.,
upon motion of Rep. Abaya.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:59 p.m.
REFERRAL OF REP. ONG’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Abaya, there being
no objection, the Body referred the privilege speech of
Rep. Ong, as well as Rep. Atienza’s manifestation
thereon, to the Committee on Rules.
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 21
The Chair thereafter recognized Rep. Samuel D.
Pagdilao of Party-List ACT-CIS to deliver his privi-
lege speech.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Before delivering his speech and with the permis-
sion of the Chair, Rep. Pagdilao first acknowledged the
presence of his guests in the Session Hall.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. PAGDILAO
As he informed his colleagues that every May 16,
the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine Na-
tional Police (PNP) celebrates its founding anniver-
sary, Rep. Pagdilao underscored how SAF troopers
perform special operations with courage, discipline
and skill. He thereafter sought justice for the SAF 44
who died in the line of duty four months ago in Ma-
masapano, Maguindanao. He also noted the national
government’s insensitivity to said incident while ag-
gressively pushing for the passage of the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to accommodate the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He thereafter asked why the Department of Justice
has failed to indict a single person, the MILF or other-
wise, involved in said incident, and expressed reserva-
tion about the MILF’s sincerity and submission to au-
thority to warrant the trust of the Filipino people. Fi-
nally, he expressed doubt that the BBL is compliant
with the Constitution and is an effective tool in achiev-
ing peace, development, and reconciliation in the
country.
REFERRAL OF REP. PAGDILAO’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Abaya, there being no objec-
tion, the Body referred Rep. Pagdilao’s privilege
speech to the Committee on Rules.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Abaya acknowledged the pres-
ence in the Session Hall of guests of Reps. Linabelle
Ruth R. Villarica, Gwendolyn F. Garcia, and Ong.
The Chair thereupon recognized Rep. Barry
Gutierrez of Party-List Akbayan to deliver his privi-
lege speech, on motion of Rep. Abaya.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. GUTIERREZ
Rep. Gutierrez expressed dismay and outrage over
the violent dispersal of some 40-50 farmers within the
premises of the House of Representatives by the mem-
bers of the PNP and the House security contingent by
using tear gas and water cannons. He underscored that
the farmers were just voicing out their position over
some pending bills on agrarian reform and that as rep-
resentatives of the people, the Members should allow
their constituents to directly state their opinions on
matters that concern them.
In closing, Rep. Gutierrez said that he will pursue
possible administrative or criminal remedies to seek
redress for the farmers and hoped that the incident will
not happen again.
REFERRAL OF REP. GUTIERREZ’
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Abaya, there being no objec-
tion, the Body referred Rep. Gutierrez’s privilege
speech to the Committee on Rules.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Thereafter, Rep. Abaya acknowledged the pres-
ence in the Session Hall of guests of Rep. Sherwin N.
Tugna.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Whereupon, on motion of Rep. Abaya, the Chair
suspended the session until four o’clock in the after-
noon of Wednesday, May 27, 2015.
It was 5:26 p.m., Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
22 WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015, the
session resumed with Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B.
Aggabao presiding.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Representative Francisco Emmanuel
R. Ortega III, there being no objection, the Body
proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business and
the Chair directed the Secretary General to read on
First Reading the titles of the following Bill and
Resolutions, which were referred to the appropriate
Committees hereunder indicated:
BILL ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5802, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF
BATANES AS A RESPONSIBLE, COMMU-
NITY-BASED, ECOTOURISM ZONE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Abad
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2117, entitled:
“RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING THE MANDAUE CHIL-
DREN'S CHOIR FOR WINNING THE TOP
PRIZE OF THE GEORG FRIEDRICH HAN-
DEL INTERNATIONALES KINDERCHOR
FESTIVAL IN HALLE, GERMANY”
By Representative Quisumbing
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2118, entitled:
“RESOLUTION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY
IN AID OF LEGISLATION, TO DETER-
MINE WHAT COURSES OF ACTION COG-
NIZANT AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT
INTEND TO TAKE IN ORDER TO MITI-
GATE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE
REPORTED STEADY DECREASE OF THE
ANGAT DAM'S WATER LEVELS, AND
ENSURE THE CONTINUED SUPPLY OF
ENERGY AND WATER TO METRO MA-
NILA AND ADJACENT AREAS”
By Representative Pancho
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2119, entitled:
“RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO IMMEDIATELY
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IN AID
OF LEGISLATION INTO THE AQUINO
ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE TO THE
CASE OF MARY JANE VELOSO”
By Representative Tinio
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2120, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING MS. NORA CABALTERA
VILLAMAYOR ALSO KNOWN AS 'NORA
AUNOR' FOR WINNING THE BEST LEAD
ACTRESS AWARD IN A FOREIGN LAN-
GUAGE FILM AT THE SAINT-TROPEZ IN-
TERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HELD IN
NICE, FRANCE LAST MAY 16, 2015 FOR
HER PERFORMANCE IN THE FILM 'DE-
MENTIA' ”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2121, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES COMMENDING MS. GEN-
EROSE COMODA FOR HER EXEMPLARY
BEHAVIOR AND HONESTY IN RETURN-
ING A BAG WITH MONEY WORTH PHP
172,863.00 TO THE OWNER, MS JULIET
HALLARA”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 23
House Resolution No. 2122, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES EXPRESSING WARM FE-
LICITATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS
TO MS. CYNTHIA ALCANTARA BARKER
FOR BEING THE FIRST FILIPINO
ELECTED AS COUNCILOR IN THE RE-
CENT UNITED KINGDOM GENERAL
ELECTIONS”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2123, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING MR. EDEN SONSONA
FOR WINNING THE WORLD BOXING
COUNCIL (WBC) INTERNATIONAL SIL-
VER SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPI-
ONSHIP”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
House Resolution No. 2124, entitled:
“RESOLUTION CONFERRING THE CON-
GRESSIONAL MEDAL OF DISTINCTION
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO HONORABLE DEPARTMENT OF SO-
CIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
(DSWD) SECRETARY CORAZON 'DINKY'
JULIANO SOLIMAN FOR BEING RECOG-
NIZED BY THE WORLD BANK FOR HER
LEADERSHIP IN SOCIAL ACCOUNTA-
BILITY FROM THE GLOBAL PARTNER-
SHIP FOR SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
(GPSA)”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2125, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION CONFERRING THE CON-
GRESSIONAL MEDAL OF DISTINCTION
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO EL GAMMA PENUMBRA FOR BEING
THE FIRST FILIPINO WINNER OF ASIA'S
GOT TALENT 2015”
By Representative Olivarez
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills hereunder
indicated:
Rep. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz for House Bill No.
676;
Reps. Roy M. Loyola, Alex "AA" L. Advincula,
Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr., Francis Gerald A. Abaya and
Lani Mercado-Revilla for House Bill No. 5550;
Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III for House Bill No. 254;
Reps. Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Arthur C. Yap
for House Bill No. 5603;
Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bill No. 388;
and
Rep. Arnel M. Cerafica for House Bill No. 5435.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), the Chair
suspended the session at 4:02 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:15 p.m.
At this juncture, on motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), the
Chair recognized Rep. Edcel “Grex” B. Lagman from
the First District of Albay on a question of privilege.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. LAGMAN
In celebration of the International Week of the
Disappeared and on behalf of the families of all
desaparecidos, human rights organizations in the
Philippines, and kindred spirits all over the world, Rep.
Lagman spoke on the compliance of government
implementors to Republic Act (RA) No. 10353 or the
“Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law” and the refusal
of the government to ratify the International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearances.
24 WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
Rep. Lagman thereafter cited the provisions of RA
No. 10353 and the Convention which he said are
complementary and mutually reinforcing. He also
enumerated the arguments to make a compelling claim
for the ratification of the Convention.
In behalf of all the victims of enforced
disappearances, Rep. Lagman sought a congressional
oversight inquiry into the implementation of RA No.
10353 as well as urged the Committees on Human
Rights, Justice, and Foreign Relations to explain
before a congressional hearing the Philippine
government’s refusal to ratify the said UN Convention.
REFERRAL OF REP. LAGMAN’S SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there being no
objection, the Body approved to refer Rep. Lagman’s
speech to the Committee on Rules.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Subsequently, on motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), the
Chair suspended the session at 4:28 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 4:33 p.m., the session resumed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 119
ON RESOLUTION OF BOTH HOUSES NO. 1
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there being no
objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second
Reading of Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, as
embodied in Committee Report No. 119 and reported
out by the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Resolution, to wit:
“RESOLUTION OF BOTH HOUSES PROPOS-
ING AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN ECO-
NOMIC PROVISIONS OF THE 1987 CON-
STITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
PHILIPPINES PARTICULARLY ON ARTI-
CLES XII, XIV & XVI.”
On further motion of Rep. Ortega, the Body
proceeded to the period of amendments and the Chair
thereafter recognized Rep. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano,
chairperson of the sponsoring Committee, to sponsor
the measure.
AMENDMENTS OF REP. GONZALES
As proposed by Majority Leader Neptali M.
Gonzales II and accepted by the Sponsor, there being
no objection, the Body approved the following
amendments to the measure:
1) On paragraph 1, Section 3 of Article XII (Na-
tional Economy and Patrimony), after the
word “lease” in the fourth sentence, delete the
comma “,” and in lieu thereof place a period
“.” and insert the phrase UNLESS OTHER-
WISE PROVIDED BY LAW, THE LEASE
before the fifth sentence. Then delete the
phrase “for a period not” and consequently
add the phrase SHALL NOT. Thereafter
change the word “exceeding” to EXCEED;
2) On paragraph 1, Section 10 of Article XII (Na-
tional Patrimony and Economy), in the first
sentence, to delete the phrase “or such higher
percentage as Congress may prescribe,” and to
insert the phrase UNLESS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED BY LAW after the last word with
a “comma (,)” before the phrase; and
3) On paragraph 1, no. 2, Section 4 of Article
XIV (Education, Science and Technology,
Arts, Culture, and Sports), to insert the phrase
UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY
LAW at the end of the first sentence and to in-
sert a COMMA (,) before the phrase, and to
delete the last sentence of the same paragraph;
and on paragraph 2, no. 2, to add the phrase
UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY
LAW at the end of the sentence thereof and to
insert a COMMA (,) before the phrase.
REMARKS OF REP. ATIENZA
Thereupon, Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. inquired from
the Chair the parliamentary status of the measure
under consideration.
REMARKS OF REP. GONZALES
With the permission of the Chair, Rep. Gonzales
informed Rep. Atienza that the measure under
consideration pertains to Resolution of Both Houses
No. 1 and that it is in the period of individual
amendments.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair suspended the session at 4:40 p.m. upon
Rep. Gonzales’ motion.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 25
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:52 p.m.
TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF AMENDMENTS
On motion of Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal, there
being no objection, the Body terminated the period of
Committee and individual amendments.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF RESOLUTION OF BOTH
HOUSES NO. 1, AS AMENDED
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Banal, there being
no objection, the Body approved on Second Reading
Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, as amended.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE XXXI
SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there being no
objection, the following Members were elected to the
Special Committee on the XXXI Summer Olympic
Games:
5. Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing
6. Rep. Joseller “Yeng” M. Guiao
7. Rep. Aileen C. Radaza
8. Rep. Benjamin C. Agarao Jr., and
9. Rep. Franz E. Alvarez
RECONSIDERATION OF THE
APPROVAL OF JOURNAL NO. 70,
DATED MAY 18 TO 20, 2015
Subsequently, on motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there
being no objection, the Body reconsidered the
approval of Journal No. 70, dated May 18 to 20, 2015.
CORRECTION ON JOURNAL NO. 70
Likewise, on motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there
being no objection, the Body corrected Journal No. 70,
pages 14 to 19, to reflect that Rep. Neri J. Colmenares
voted in the negative on House Bill No. 5060, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FILIPINO
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.”
APPROVAL OF JOURNAL NO. 70,
AS CORRECTED
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there
being no objection, the Body approved Journal No. 70,
dated May 18 to 20, 2015, as corrected.
RATIFICATION OF THE CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE REPORT ON THE
DISAGREEING PROVISIONS OF HOUSE
BILL NO. 4462 AND SENATE BILL NO. 2488
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), there being no
objection, the Body ratified the Conference
Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of
House Bill No. 4462 and Senate Bill No. 2488,
providing for the safety of children aboard
motorcycles.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Ortega (F.) acknowledged the
presence in the Session Hall of guests of Rep. Roy V.
Señeres Sr.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Ortega (F.), the Chair
suspended the session at 4:55 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:02 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
On motion of Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr.,
there being no objection, the Body resumed the
Privilege Hour and the Chair recognized Rep. Carlos
Isagani T. Zarate of Party-List Bayan Muna to avail of
the same.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ZARATE
Rep. Zarate questioned the World Bank’s
International Finance Corporation ₱17-billion
estimate for the Sasa Wharf Modernization Project in
Davao City as against the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and
Philippine Ports Authority’s proposed budget of ₱4
26 WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
billion. He denounced the DOTC’s preference for the
bigger costing over its own, even as it constituted
another instance of overpricing in a public-private
partnership (PPP) project under the PNoy
Administration.
He pointed out why the proposals for dredging,
breakwater construction, and other infrastructure were
unnecessary and stressed that the wharf’s personnel
and services just had to be improved. Saying that the
private operator of the wharf would raise docking and
wharfage fees in order to recover its investment and
thus incur losses, he stressed that the government and
the consuming public would be the one to shoulder
such losses. As he added that hundreds of poor
families had already been displaced in order to
implement the project, he asked the Body to
immediately conduct an investigation thereon.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Atienza man-
ifested his desire to raise a parliamentary inquiry.
The Chair stated however that the Body would
first finish the referral of Rep. Zarate’s privilege
speech.
REFERRAL OF REP. ZARATE’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Monique Yazmin Q. Lag-
dameo, there being no objection, the Body referred the
privilege speech of Rep. Zarate to the Committee on
Rules.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
OF REP. ATIENZA
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Atienza
asked when the Members would get a copy of the final
version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL) in order for them to thoroughly study the meas-
ure before it goes to plenary deliberations the follow-
ing week.
With the permission of the Chair, Majority Leader
Gonzales stated that the House leadership has in-
structed the Secretariat to distribute copies of the pro-
posed BBL, together with the comments of the Com-
mittees on Appropriations, and Ways and Means as ap-
pended to the Committee report, the following day to
the respective offices of the Members.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Gullas, the Chair
recognized Rep. Terry L. Ridon from Kabataan
Party-List for his privilege speech.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. RIDON
Rep. Ridon raised his concern on what he de-
scribed as “education deregulation epidemic” which
has claimed the lives of poor yet deserving students
who were driven to desperation due to the unafforda-
bility and inaccessibility of education. He said that the
policy of education deregulation or that of allowing
private school owners to set their own tuition rates is
codified in the Marcos-era “Education Act of 1982” or
Batas Pambansa No. 232. He said that the Education
Act transformed Philippine schools into money-mak-
ing institutions as it allowed school owners unlimited
authority to raise tuition fees thus rendering the De-
partment of Education (DepEd) and the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) useless in curbing an-
nual tuition fee increases.
He called on Congress to act swiftly on the issue
as they cannot allow another student to fall victim to
the epidemic of education deregulation. He enjoined
his colleagues to support House Resolution No. 2135
which seeks to obligate the government to ensure qual-
ity education and to scrap the Education Act of 1982,
among others. He also urged Congress to immediately
pass stronger tuition regulation laws.
REFERRAL OF REP. RIDON’S
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ”
D. Romualdo, there being no objection, the Body re-
ferred the privilege speech of Rep. Ridon to the Com-
mittee on Rules.
TERMINATION OF THE PRIVILEGE HOUR
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Romualdo, there be-
ing no objection, the Body terminated the Privilege
Hour.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015 27
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Romualdo acknowledged the presence in the
Session Hall of guests of Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna.
DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO
THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 4275
AND SENATE BILL NO. 1386
On motion of Rep. Lagdameo (M.), there being no
objection, the Body designated the following Mem-
bers as House conferees to the Conference Committee
to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of House Bill
No. 4275 and Senate Bill No. 1386, amending the
“Public Employment Service Law”: Reps. Karlo
Alexei B. Nograles, Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, Em-
meline Aglipay-Villar, Victoria Isabel G. Noel, and
Ridon.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Lagdameo (M.),
there being no objection, the Chair suspended the ses-
sion until four o’clock in the afternoon of Monday,
June 1, 2015.
It was 5:36 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015.
28 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June
1, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong
presiding.
INVOCATION
On motion of Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy”
P. Bondoc, the Chair recognized Rep. Jesus N.
Sacdalan followed by Rep. Zajid G. Mangudadatu for
the invocation.
MOTION OF REP. BONDOC
Rep. Bondoc thereupon moved that the Body
proceed to the Additional Reference of Business.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
At this point however, Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr.
sought recognition from the Chair.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 4:05 p.m., on
motion of Rep. Bondoc.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:19 p.m.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On a previous motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional
Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills
and Resolutions, including the Messages from the
Senate and the Committee Reports, which were
referred to the appropriate Committees hereunder
indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5803, entitled:
“AN ACT AUTHORIZING ALL METRO
MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(MMDA) OPERATIVES TO
COMMANDEER ANY OR ALL PUBLIC
OR PRIVATE VEHICLES AND/OR HEAVY
EQUIPMENT MACHINES FOR
PURPOSES OF SAVING LIVES DURING
THE OCCURRENCE OF EARTHQUAKES”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON METRO MANILA
DEVELOPMENT
House Bill No. 5804, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING DULY APPOINTED
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES AN
INCENTIVE TO BE CALLED A HAZARD
PAY EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST
TWENTY PERCENT (20%) OF THEIR
MONTHLY BASIC SALARY/PAY AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
House Bill No. 5805, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL IN BARANGAY UPPER STA.
CRUZ, MUNICIPALITY OF LALA,
PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE TO
BE KNOWN AS THE UPPER STA. CRUZ
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Dimaporo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
House Bill No. 5806, entitled:
“AN ACT DEFINING AND CLASSIFYING
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
ARTICLES 279, 280 AND 281 OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS
AMENDED”
By Representatives Nograles and Ramos
TO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT
House Bill No. 5807, entitled:
“AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SOCIAL
SECURITY COMMISSION TO CONDONE
PENALTIES ON DELINQUENT
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 29
CONTRIBUTIONS AND TO DETERMINE
THE MONTHLY SALARY CREDITS, THE
SCHEDULE AND RATE OF
CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE RATE OF
PENALTY ON DELINQUENT
CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNPAID LOAN
AMORTIZATIONS, THEREBY FURTHER
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE SOCIAL SECURITY LAW”
By Representative Relampagos
TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT
ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2126, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL RESOURCES, THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, AND
OTHER APPROPRIATE HOUSE
COMMITTEE/S TO INQUIRE, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, INTO CERTAIN
ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES IN THE
ISSUANCE OF LAND TITLES BROUGHT
ABOUT BY APPROVAL OF THE
APPLICATION FOR FREE PATENT BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR), IN
THE LIGHT OF A REPORTED CASE
INVOLVING LAND PROPERTIES IN
TALISAY, BATANGAS, AND TO
RECOMMEND FEASIBLE SOLUTIONS
TO END THIS NEFARIOUS ACTIVITY
THEREBY UPHOLDING THE PUBLIC
TRUST IN THE TORRENS SYSTEM AND
RECTIFYING THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION
AGAINST FRAUDULENT ISSUANCE OF
LAND TITLES”
By Representative Magsaysay
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2127, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE MANILA
NORTH TERMINAL CORPORATION
(MNTC) TO IMMEDIATELY INSTALL A
SEPARATE AND EXCLUSIVE TOLL GATE
TO EASE TRAFFIC TO THE PHILIPPINE
ARENA IN BOCAUE, BULACAN”
By Representatives Castelo, Belmonte (J.), Vil-
larica and Pancho
TO THE COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORTATION
House Resolution No. 2128, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING
FILIPINO GOLD PRO JENNIFER
ROSALES FOR BEING INDUCTED INTO
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME,
BEING GIVEN RECOGNITION AS THE
FIRST FILIPINO TO WIN TWICE IN THE
LPGA, RULE THE WORLD CUP WITH
PARTNER DOROTHY DELASIN AND
EMERGING AS THE FIRST USC NCAA
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
House Resolution No. 2129, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSING
WARM FELICITATIONS AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO AHMED
TURABIN HATAMAN FOR WINNING A
BRONZE MEDAL AT THE 2015
INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABLE
WORLD ENERGY, ENGINEERING AND
ENVIRONMENT PROJECT (ISWEEP)”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and
Resolution hereunder indicated:
Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bills
No. 5616, 5779 and 5780;
Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bills
No. 5624, 5625, 5626 and 5656;
Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bills No. 119
and 5017;
30 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" R. Teodoro for House
Bill No. 3681;
Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bills
No. 4360, 4801, 5674 and 5709;
Rep. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay for House
Bill No. 5004;
Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang for House Bill No.
5589;
Rep. Edcel "Grex" B. Lagman for House
Resolution No. 74;
Rep. Emmi A. De Jesus for House Bill No. 5704;
Rep. Winston "Winnie" Castelo for House Bill No.
5791;
Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo for House Bill No.
5776;
Rep. Benjamin "Atong" D. Asilo for House Bill
No. 26;
Rep. Xavier Jesus "XJ" D. Romualdo for House
Bill No. 676;
Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado for House Bills
No. 1674 and 4496;
Rep. Gus S. Tambunting for House Bills No. 1899,
1900, 3277 and 3279; and
Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez for House Bill No. 5053.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
Message dated May 25, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that on May 20, 2015, the Senate
designated Senators Paolo Benigno 'Bam' Aquino
IV, Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, Manuel 'Lito' M.
Lapid, Teofisto L. Guingona III and Joseph Victor
G. Ejercito as conferees to the Bicameral Confer-
ence Committee on the disagreeing provisions of
Senate Bill No. 2212, entitled:
“AN ACT TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL
EDUCATION AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH”
and House Bill No. 5603, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING THE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL
LITERACY PROGRAM AMONG THE
FILIPINO YOUTH BY INSTITUTING
MECHANISMS AND STRATEGIES”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 25, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed with amendments House Bill No. 4073, en-
titled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE
CITIZENSHIP TO FARRELL ELDRIAN
WU”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 25, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date des-
ignated Senators Paolo Benigno 'Bam' Aquino IV,
Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, Juan Edgardo
'Sonny' Angara, Ralph G. Recto and Joseph Victor
G. Ejercito as conferees to the Bicameral Confer-
ence Committee on the disagreeing provisions of
Senate Bill No. 2486 and House Bill No. 5610,
both entitled:
“AN ACT ALLOWING FOREIGN VESSELS TO
TRANSPORT AND CO-LOAD FOREIGN
CARGOES FOR DOMESTIC
TRANSSHIPMENT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 25, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed without amendment House Bill No. 1248,
entitled:
“AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF GUBAT
DISTRICT HOSPITAL TO SALVADOR R.
ENCINAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN
GUBAT, SORSOGON”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 25, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed the following Senate Bills:
Senate Bill No. 2679, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE AND UNIFIED
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
SYSTEM FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION
(UniFAST), THEREBY RATIONALIZING
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 31
ACCESS THERETO, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”;
Senate Bill No. 2481, entitled:
“AN ACT INCREASING BED CAPACITY OF
THE NORTHERN MINDANAO MEDICAL
CENTER IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7938,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”;
Senate Bill No. 1386, entitled:
“AN ACT DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) AND THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) AND
ACCREDITED NONGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) IN THE
ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF
THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
OFFICE (PESO), AND THE OPERATION
OF JOB OFFICES IN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTIONS 3, 5, 6, 7 AND 9 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8759, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS 'PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE OFFICE ACT OF 1999' ”;
Senate Bill No. 2422, entitled:
“AN ACT INCREASING THE PRESCRIPTIVE
PERIOD FOR VIOLATIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 3019, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT
PRACTICES ACT', FROM FIFTEEN (15)
YEARS TO TWENTY (20) YEARS,
AMENDING SECTION 11 THEREOF”; and
Senate Bill No. 2655, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE DAVAO
REGIONAL HOSPITAL INTO DAVAO
REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER,
INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7179”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Public Information and
the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Re-
port No. 746), re H. No. 5801, entitled:
“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE RIGHT OF
CITIZENS TO INFORMATION HELD BY
THE GOVERNMENT”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 26, 34, 94, 149, 485, 843,
1082, 1450, 1555, 1646, 1940, 2003, 2067,
2656, 2946, 3004, 3131, 3147, 3183, 3237,
3643, 3746 and Petition No. 0001
Sponsors: Representatives Almonte, Ungab, Del
Mar, Baguilat, Bag-ao, Castelo, Gutierrez, Ge-
rona-Robredo, Abad and Paez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro
Basic Law (Committee Report No. 747), re H. No.
5811, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO
AUTONOMOUS REGION, REPEALING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9054, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO
STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AND
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN
ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT
FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN
MUSLIM MINDANAO' ”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 4994
Sponsors: Representatives Rodriguez (R.), Balin-
dong, Hataman-Salliman, Sema, Oaminal,
Loong, Acop, Mendoza (R.) and Apostol
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources and
the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Re-
port No. 748), re H. No. 5816, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FINAL
FORESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE
PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR”
32 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5114
Sponsors: Representatives Matugas, Ungab and
Pernes
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-
mittee Report No. 749), re H. No. 5817, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FINAL
FORESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE
PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL SUR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 2394
Sponsors: Representatives Matugas, Ungab, Mel-
lana and Plaza
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Thereupon, Rep. Bondoc acknowledged the
presence in the Session Hall of guests of Reps. Alex
“AA” L. Advincula, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla,
Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, and Sherwin N. Tugna.
Likewise, he recognized the guests from the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by
Secretary Mario M. Montejo.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair suspended
the session at 4:25 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 4:49 p.m., the session resumed with Deputy
Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Chair directed the Secretary General to
call the Roll and the following Members were present:
Abad
Abaya
Abueg
Acharon
Acop
Adiong
Advincula
Aglipay-Villar
Alcala
Alejano
Aliping
Almonte
Alvarez (F.)
Alvarez (M.)
Amatong (I.)
Andaya
Angara-Castillo
Angping
Antonio
Apostol
Aragones
Arbison
Arenas
Arnaiz
Atienza
Bagatsing
Balindong
Banal
Barcelona-Reyes
Barzaga
Bataoil
Bello
Belmonte (F.)
Belmonte (J.)
Biazon
Binay
Bondoc
Bravo (A.)
Bravo (M.)
Bulut-Begtang
Cabilao
Cagas
Calixto-Rubiano
Cari
Castelo
Castro
Catamco
Cayetano
Celeste
Cerafica
Cerilles
Chipeco
Co
Collantes
Colmenares
Cortuna
Cua
Cueva
Dalog
De Jesus
De Venecia
Defensor
Del Mar
Del Rosario (A.G.)
Del Rosario (A.A.)
Deloso-Montalla
Dimaporo (I.)
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 33
Dy
Enverga
Erice
Eriguel
Escudero
Espina
Fariñas
Fortuno
Garay
Garcia (G.)
Garcia-Albano
Garin (R.)
Geron
Gerona-Robredo
Go (A.C.)
Gomez
Gonzales
Gonzalez
Guiao
Gullas
Gunigundo
Gutierrez
Hagedorn
Hataman-Salliman
Hernandez
Hicap
Hofer
Ilagan
Iway
Javier
Katoh
Kho
Labadlabad
Lagdameo (A.)
Lagdameo (M.)
Lanete
Leonardia
Leonen-Pizarro
Lobregat
Loong
Lopez (C.)
Lopez (C.J.)
Macrohon-Nuño
Madrona
Magsaysay
Mangudadatu
Marcos
Masongsong
Mendoza (M.)
Mercado-Revilla
Mirasol
Montejo
Nava (P.)
Noel
Oaminal
Ocampo
Olivarez
Ortega (V.)
Padilla
Paduano
Paez
Pancho
Panganiban
Panotes
Paquiz
Pernes
Piamonte
Pichay
Primicias-Agabas
Puno
Quimbo
Ramirez-Sato
Ramos
Relampagos
Revilla
Ridon
Rivera
Robes
Rodriguez (I.)
Rodriguez (M.)
Rodriguez (O.)
Rodriguez (R.)
Roman
Romarate
Romualdez
Romualdo
Romulo
Roque
Sacdalan
Sakaluran
Salimbangon
Salvacion
Santiago
Sarmiento (C.)
Sarmiento (M.)
Sema
Señeres
Singson (E.)
Suansing
Suarez
Sy-Alvarado
Tambunting
Tan (A.)
Tan (M.)
Tejada
Teodoro
Teves
Tiangco
Tolentino
Treñas
Tugna
Tupas
Turabin-Hataman
Umali (C.)
Umali (R.)
Unabia
34 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
Ungab
Uy (J.)
Uy (R.)
Vargas-Alfonso
Velasco
Villanueva
Villarica
Yu
Zamora (R.)
Zarate
With 193 Members responding to the Call, the
Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also
Appendix 1)
BUSINESS FOR THE DAY:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading
House Bill No. 5811, as embodied in Committee
Report No. 747 and reported out by the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS
REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED 'AN
ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AND
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN
ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT
FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN
MUSLIM MINDANAO.'”
As copies of the Bill had been previously
distributed to the Members, on motion of Rep.
Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body dispensed
with the reading of the text of the measure without
prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House.
On Rep. Bondoc’s motion, the Chair recognized
Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, from the Second District of
Cagayan de Oro City and Chairperson of the Ad Hoc
Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), for
his sponsorship speech.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH OF
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.)
Rep. Rodriguez said that after conducting lengthy
and taxing public consultations for a total of 51
Committee hearings that involved the participation of
various stakeholders, the Ad Hoc Committee on the
BBL is privileged to present for plenary consideration
House Bill No. 5811 or the draft Basic Law for the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) in
substitution of House Bill No. 4994 or the proposed
BBL. The measure, he stressed, seeks to resolve the
centuries-old conflict in Mindanao which is inhabited
by at least 18 million or 24% of the total Philippine
population and represents the different cultures of the
Moro, Lumad and Christian groups. He attributed the
root of the conflict to the National Government’s
perennial disregard for Mindanao and the
marginalization of its indigenous and Muslim
populations, and thereafter expounded on the efforts
done by past and present administrations to forge a
peace settlement with Muslim rebel groups.
After narrating the measure’s timeline of events
starting with the formal organization of the Ad Hoc
Committee on September 16, 2014 until the
Committee’s voting on the substitute measure on May
20, 2015 and submission thereof for plenary
consideration, Rep. Rodriguez enumerated the
objectives and salient features of House Bill No. 5811,
which included the following, among others: 1) the
draft BLBAR aims to create a political entity with its
basic structure of government to be called the
Bangsamoro Government in the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region, that is cognizant of the justness
and legitimacy of the Bangsamoro people, as well as
to secure their identity and posterity and allow for their
meaningful self-governance; 2) the measure provides
for the geographical area of the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region, and defines and enumerates the
powers and form of the Bangsamoro Government as
well as its relations to the National Government and
BAR’s constituent local government units (LGUs); 3)
the Bangsamoro Government shall enjoy fiscal
autonomy, funding grant and support from the
National Government, as well as a share of the national
internal revenues and the incomes derived from the
exploration of its natural resources; and 4) a
Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is created to
serve as the interim governing body in the BAR during
the transition period.
The Sponsor then enumerated and explained the
amendments made to the original House Bill No. 4994
during the Committee deliberations to conform with
the provisions of the Constitution. Among others, he
cited the amendments on the name and territory of the
proposed political entity under the BLBAR, the
rationalization of the powers of the Bangsamoro
Government and constitutional bodies such as the
Ombudsman, Commission on Audit and Civil Service
Commission, the asymmetrical relationship between
the Bangsamoro Government and the National
Government, inclusion of the protection of the rights
of non-Moro indigenous peoples and Christians, and
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 35
the safety, defense and the security of the Bangsamoro
people as a primary responsibility of the National
Government. He also mentioned the amendments on
foreign assistance and natural resources, explaining
that the National Government would still have the last
say and supervision. As regards the opt-in provision,
he said it could only be invoked by those cities and
provinces contiguous to the ARMM and listed under
the Tripoli Agreement.
Rep. Rodriguez then sought support for the BBL
which he said had been renamed as the Basic Law for
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). He
stressed that although it was not a miraculous cure, it
would expose and address centuries of violence,
injustice, discrimination and misunderstanding in
Mindanao and provide an opportunity for peace and
development.
The Chair subsequently recognized Deputy
Speaker Balindong for whom Rep. Bondoc sought
recognition.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH OF
DEPUTY SPEAKER BALINDONG
After citing World Bank statistics on the impact of
conflict and violence in several provinces in
Mindanao, Rep. Balindong deemed good governance
and a basic law granting authentic autonomy as the key
for socioeconomic development in the region.
Deputy Speaker Padilla relinquished the Chair, at
this point, to Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal.
He underscored that Congress needs to ensure that
the proposed BLBAR grants authentic, meaningful
and functional autonomy to Muslim Mindanao in
order to build institutions that will secure its identity
and prosperity and will be responsive to the needs of
the people. He stated that it is critical and incumbent
upon Congress to bring peace in the Bangsamoro areas
as the problem of war and conflict continues and has
far-reaching and permanent effects. He noted however
that the violence associated with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) has significantly dropped
with the signing of the Framework Agreement on the
Bangsamoro in 2012. He added that putting an end to
the conflict will impact positively on the prospects for
peace and stability across the Bangsamoro areas.
At this juncture, Rep. Banal relinquished the Chair
to Deputy Speaker Padilla.
Finally, Rep. Balindong called on his colleagues to
support the passage of the draft BLBAR as the
measure is not for the MILF alone but for all the
Filipino and Bangsamoro people. He stressed that now
is the time to forge peace in Mindanao.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair
recognized Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman from the Lone
District of Basilan for his sponsorship speech.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH OF REP. HATAMAN-
SALLIMAN
At the outset, Rep. Hataman-Salliman stated that
the story of the Bangsamoro is a national tragedy that
vividly demonstrates the social ills of injustice,
inequality and discrimination, as reflected in the lives
of Muslim Filipinos in Mindanao who have remained
among the country’s poorest of the poor. He said that
House Bill No. 5811 is envisioned to provide not only
genuine autonomy to Muslim Filipinos but also to
produce lasting peace and development in the whole
of Mindanao, as well as to serve as an instrument of
social justice that would rectify the historical injustices
suffered by the Bangsamoro people.
He stressed that the proposed measure has passed
the proverbial eye of the needle as it went through
numerous meetings and public consultations
nationwide. He also stressed that the measure is not
unconstitutional because it aims to develop Mindanao
and protect the Bangsamoro and the indigeneous
peoples (IPs), and should therefore be given a liberal
interpretation to allow it to flourish. He called on his
colleagues to support the Bill because it would benefit
every Filipino, regardless of religion, culture and
political beliefs, and stressed that failure to honor the
country’s commitments under the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) would tarnish
its image before the international community. Finally,
he thanked the Speaker for supporting the measure as
well as the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on
the BBL for doing a splendid job.
The Chair next recognized Rep. Bai Sandra A.
Sema of the First District of Maguindanao and
Cotabato City, on motion of Rep. Bondoc.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF REP. SEMA
Rep. Sema stressed that the Bangsamoro people
has never succumbed to invasion nor recognized any
document inked by foreign invaders that until now,
they wish to retain their identity and live in peace, but
will however continue to struggle, if necessary, to
maintain their independence. She underscored that
while they have learned to share the fruits of their
homeland with the other natives of the archipelago,
they would like to retain their identity and that with the
enactment of the measure, peace and unity can be
36 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
achieved not only in Mindanao but throughout the rest
of the country. She admitted that House Bill No. 5811
or the draft BLBAR might not be perfect but
emphasized that in the pursuit of peace, the Members
should be more understanding and make the necessary
corrections or perfecting amendments when needed,
and cast a favorable vote as advocates of peace.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF REP. OAMINAL
Recognized by the Chair on motion of Rep.
Bondoc, Rep. Henry S. Oaminal from the Second
District of Misamis Occidental recalled how the
country’s five Presidents in a period of 40 years had
tried but failed to attain lasting peace for the
Bangsamoro region. With the resumption of peace
negotiations under the PNoy Administration in 2011
that culminated in the signing of the Framework
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) in October 2012
and the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB) in March 2014, he conveyed that
such agreements paved the way for the creation of a
new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) as
proposed under the instant House Bill No. 5811.
He then called on the Members to support the
measure, a product of public consultations and
executive sessions, which seeks to address the deep
and legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro people,
grants them rights and powers for a meaningful
exercise of self-governance, and aims to deliver them
from the bondage of fear and poverty.
Rep. Oaminal said that the draft BLBAR will
abolish the ARMM which he described as a failed
experiment. He stated that failure to pass the Bill
would give the MILF, its splinter groups and civilian
supporters, a reason to believe that the government is
insincere and has deceived the MILF out of the
negotiating table which could cause more armed
encounters between government forces and Muslim
secessionists, among others.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair
recognized Rep. Tupay L. Loong from the First
District of Sulu for his sponsorship speech.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF REP. LOONG
Rep. Loong expressed the gratitude of the
Bangsamoro people to President Benigno S. Aquino
III for his determination and relentless effort to pursue
a peace agreement with the MILF despite the
obstacles, put an end to the Mindanao war, keep the
Filipino people united, and for recognizing the identity
of the Bangsamoro people and its legitimate
grievances and struggles to preserve its faith, culture
and identity. He also paid respect to the Bangsamoro
mujahideen, namely the members of the MILF and
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), for choosing
to forge a negiotiated peace settlement and accepting
political autonomy.
In sponsoring House Bill No. 5811 with great
pride, Rep. Loong said that the measure will provide a
more genuine and meaningful autonomy to the
Bangsamoro people and bring an end to the armed
struggle of the Bangsamoro mujahideen so that lasting
peace will reign throughout the country. He pointed
out that the draft BLBAR reflects the aspirations and
wishes of the Bangsamoro people and conforms to the
provisions of the 1987 Constitution as the
controversial features of the original draft BBL under
House Bill No. 4994 were already amended and
corrected in the substitute House Bill No. 5811. He
mentioned that the pending Bill cannot be said to have
been rushed, as it went through a long, thorough and
exhaustive scrutiny and study at the level of the Ad
Hoc Committee on the BBL.
As he reminded his colleagues that the
Bangsamoro people are their brothers who have long
been deprived of the proper benefits and development
that they deserve, he expressed hope that the Members
would be more considerate and understanding in the
judgment of the proposed measure. Lastly, despite his
personal reservation on the substitute measure, Rep.
Loong expressed hope that it would be passed without
further amendments considering that a delay in its
passage would only further heighten the suffering of
the Bangsamoro people.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF REP. ACOP
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair recognized
Rep. Romeo M. Acop from the Second District of
Antipolo City who, as a retired soldier and policeman,
had witnessed how Mindanao has endured decades
upon decades of conflict and chaos. He cited that in
the pursuit of lasting peace in Mindanao, the Members
should not be deterred by the Fallen 44 incident, their
differences in opinion and perspective on the proposed
measure, and the question on the constitutionality of
the substitute measure. Although the proposed
BLBAR may not be the perfect measure in seeking
lasting peace in Mindanao, he opined that he would
rather give this one a try than the pursuit of armed
conflict.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH OF
DEPUTY SPEAKER APOSTOL
Recognized by the Chair, upon motion of Rep.
Bondoc, Deputy Speaker Sergio A.F. Apostol
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015 37
expressed belief that it is high time for the Members to
put a stop to the Mindanao armed conflict and save
innocent lives; learn to understand the diversity of
their fellowmen and realize that they cannot simply
compel everyone to believe in the same thing for it is
the right of everyone, including the Bangsamoro
people, to live a peaceful life in accordance with their
own culture.
Whereupon, Deputy Speaker Apostol argued that,
among others, the draft BLBAR 1) acknowledges and
respects the culture, traditions and beliefs of the
Bangsamoro people who should be given the right and
power to identify and address the services and laws
that they need and to create their own systems of
governance defining further their culture and
traditional beliefs; 2) gives them the chance to explore
and utilize their natural resources to help in the
development of their economy; 3) helps develop more
appropriate strategies in terms of programs and
projects that will be more responsive to their needs,
capacities, capabilities and limitations; and 4) protects
the rights, cultures and integrity of the non-Moro
indigenous peoples and addresses the injustices they
are experiencing. He underscored that by having their
own system of government, the Bangsamoro people
would be more efficient and effective in attending to
the needs of its own people and would give them the
chance to live comfortable and peaceful lives they
deserve.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair suspended
the session at 7:18 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 7:21 p.m., the session resumed.
INSERTION INTO THE RECORD OF
REP. MENDOZA’S SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved to insert into the Record
of the House, the sponsorship speech of Rep.
Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza on House Bill No.
5811.
MOTION OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Atienza moved for the adjournment of
session, citing the absence of quorum.
MOTION OF REP. BONDOC
Thereupon, Rep. Bondoc moved to suspend
consideration of House Bill No. 5811.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
7:22 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 7:23 p.m., the session resumed.
REMARKS OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Atienza cited his pending motion.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
With the indulgence of Rep. Atienza, on motion of
Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body
suspended further consideration on Second Reading of
House Bill No. 5811.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On Rep. Bondoc’s further motion, there being no
objection, the Chair suspended the session until four
o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
It was 7:24 p.m., Monday, June 1, 2015.
38 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, June
2, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong
presiding.
DESIGNATION OF CONFEREES TO
THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 4591 AND
SENATE BILL NO. 2679
On motion of Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy”
P. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body
designated the following Members as House conferees
to the Conference Committee to reconcile the
disagreeing provisions of House Bill No. 4591 and
Senate Bill No. 2679, providing for a comprehensive
and unified financial assistance system for tertiary
education: Reps. Roman T. Romulo, Mariano U.
Piamonte Jr., Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro, Rogelio
Neil Pepito Roque, Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte,
Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, Juliet R. Cortuna, Harlin
C. Abayon, Nicasio M. Aliping Jr., Eric L. Olivarez,
Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo, Antonio L. Tinio and
Leah S. Paquiz.
RATIFICATION OF CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE BILL
NO. 5603 AND SENATE BILL NO. 2212
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body ratified the Conference
Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of
House Bill No. 5603 and Senate Bill No. 2212,
promoting entrepreneurship and financial education
among Filipino youth.
REFERRAL OF RESOLUTIONS ON
INQUIRIES IN AID OF LEGISLATION
Subsequently, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there
being no objection, the Body referred the following
House Resolutions on inquiries in aid of legislation to
the appropriate Committees hereunder indicated:
1. House Resolutions No. 2042, 2048 and 2119
– to the Committee on Overseas Workers Af-
fairs; and
2. House Resolution No. 2134 – to the Commit-
tee on Good Government and Public Account-
ability.
CHANGE OF REFERRAL OF
CERTAIN MEASURES
Likewise, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body approved the change of referral
of the following measures:
1. House Bills No. 5012 and 5159 – from the
Committee on Health to the Committee on So-
cial Services; and
2. House Bill No. 4586 – from the Committee on
Health to the Committee on Local Govern-
ment.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional
Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills
and Resolutions, including the Messages from the
Senate and Committee Reports, which were referred to
the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5808, entitled:
“AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS
OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF TAN-
JAY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING
THE OFFICES OF REGISTER OF DEEDS”
By Representative Arnaiz
TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
House Bill No. 5809, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THE POSITION/RANK
OF UNIFORMED FIRE TRUCK OFFICER
IN THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION”
By Representative Pagdilao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER
AND SAFETY
House Bill No. 5810, entitled:
“AN ACT DESIGNATING BICYCLE LANES IN
ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
ROADS AND TO ESTABLISH A BIKE-
FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES”
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 39
By Representative Pagdilao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTA-
TION
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2130, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION EXCLUDING THE PROV-
INCE OF PALAWAN AND THE CITY OF
PUERTO PRINCESA IN THE PROPOSED
BANGSAMORO ENTITY”
By Representative Abueg
TO THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE
BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW
House Resolution No. 2131, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. VIR-
GINIA DAVIDE AND BARANGAY CAP-
TAIN CHITO VALMOCINA FOR THEIR
LAUDABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
PUTTING TOGETHER THE COLOR AND
PAGEANTRY OF THE KALAPATI FESTI-
VAL OF BARANGAY HOLY SPIRIT, QUE-
ZON CITY HELD LAST MAY 24, 2015”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2132, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPART-
MENT OF TOURISM TO INSTITUTION-
ALIZE THE KALAPATI FESTIVAL OF BA-
RANGAY HOLY SPIRIT, QUEZON CITY”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM
House Resolution No. 2133, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT IM-
MEDIATE INQUIRY ON THE CONFLA-
GRATION AT THE KENTEX MANUFAC-
TURING FACTORY THAT RESULTED TO
AN UNACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF CAS-
UALTIES IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE
CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN THE COM-
PREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHIL-
IPPINES AND THE NATIONAL BUILDING
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES SO AS TO
PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF SIMI-
LAR INCIDENT IN THE FUTURE”
By Representatives Pagdilao, Acop and Bataoil
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2134, entitled:
“RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN INVESTI-
GATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO
THE REPORTED ANOMALY IN THE DIS-
BURSEMENTS BY THE BUREAU OF JAIL
MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY
(BJMP) FOR THE SUBSISTENCE ALLOW-
ANCES OF INMATES IN VARIOUS PRO-
VINCIAL JAILS WHICH WERE ALREADY
SHOULDERED AND PAID FOR BY THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS CON-
CERNED”
By Representative Garcia (E.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2135, entitled:
“EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT EDUCA-
TION IS A RIGHT AND PUBLIC EDUCA-
TION SHOULD BE FREE AND ACCESSI-
BLE AT ALL LEVELS, AND THAT THE
COLLECTION OF TUITION AND OTHER
SCHOOL FEES SIGNIFICANTLY IN-
FRINGES THIS RIGHT AND GROSSLY
BARS ACCESS TO EDUCATION, EVEN
RESULTING TO THE CONSECUTIVE
DEATHS OF SEVERAL STUDENTS WHO
WERE DRIVEN TO DESPERATION DUE
TO THE GROWING INACCESSIBILITY
AND UNAFFORDABILITY OF EDUCA-
TION IN THE COUNTRY”
By Representative Ridon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCA-
TION AND CULTURE
House Resolution No. 2136, entitled:
“RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE PHILIP-
PINE GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE FOR-
MAL TALKS WITH THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA, JAPAN AND OTHER IN-
TERESTED COUNTRIES FOR THE POSSI-
BLE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MILITARY
AND ECONOMIC FACILITY IN THE
KALAYAAN GROUP OF ISLANDS”
40 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
By Representative Erice
TO THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and
Resolutions hereunder indicated:
Rep. Angelina Ludovice Katoh for House Bill No.
3971 and House Resolution No. 1746;
Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bills
No. 5752 and 5756;
Rep. Raul V. Del Mar for House Resolution No.
1051;
Rep. Nancy A. Catamco for House Resolution No.
1711;
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr. for House Bills No.
5312 and 5336;
Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bill
No. 1542;
Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento for House Bills No.
5312 and 5336;
Rep. Maximo B. Dalog for House Bill No. 5637;
and
Reps. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte, Jorge "Bolet"
Banal, Francisco A. Calalay Jr. and Winston "Winnie"
Castelo for House Bill No. 5737.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
Message dated May 26, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date des-
ignated Senators Paolo Benigno 'Bam' Aquino IV,
Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara, Teofisto L.
Guingona III, Aquilino 'Koko' Pimetel III, Cynthia
A. Villar, Sergio R. Osmeña III and Vicente C.
Sotto III as conferees to the Bicameral Conference
Committee on the disagreeing provisions of Sen-
ate Bill No. 2282, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING FAIR COMPETITION
TO PROTECT CONSUMER WELFARE,
ADVANCE DOMESTIC AND INTERNA-
TIONAL TRADE AND SUSTAINED ECO-
NOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY, AMONG
OTHERS, REGULATING MONOPOLIES,
ANTI-COMPETITIVE AGREEMENTS,
ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION, AND
ANTI-COMPETITIVE MERGERS, ESTAB-
LISHING THE FAIR COMPETITION COM-
MISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PUR-
POSES”
and House Bill No. 5286, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING A NATIONAL COM-
PETITION POLICY FOR THE PHILIP-
PINES, PROHIBITING ANTI-COMPETI-
TIVE AGREEMENTS, ABUSE OF DOMI-
NANT POSITION AND ANTI-COMPETI-
TIVE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS,
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE COM-
PETITION COMMISSION AND APPRO-
PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 27, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date ap-
proved the Conference Committee Report of the
Bicameral Conference Committee on the disagree-
ing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2212, entitled:
“AN ACT TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE ENTRE-
PRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL EDU-
CATION AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH”
and House Bill No. 5603, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING THE ENTREPRE-
NEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL LITERACY
PROGRAM AMONG THE FILIPINO
YOUTH BY INSTITUTING MECHANISMS
AND STRATEGIES”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated May 27, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date ap-
proved the Conference Committee Report of the
Bicameral Conference Committee on the disagree-
ing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2488, entitled:
“AN ACT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHIL-
DREN ABOARD TWO-WHEELED MO-
TORCYCLES TRAVELLING ALONG PUB-
LIC AND PRIVATE ROADS”
and House Bill No. 4462, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING MEASURES TO EN-
SURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN
ABOARD MOTORCYCLES”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 41
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Veterans Affairs and Wel-
fare (Committee Report No. 750), re H. R. No.
2139, entitled:
“RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMISSION
ON AUDIT TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT ON
THE FUNDS AND OPERATIONS OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VETER-
ANS OF WORLD WAR II (BTVWWII) AND
TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT HAS
COMPLIED WITH GOVERNMENT AC-
COUNTING AND DISBURSEMENT PRO-
CEDURES”
recommending its adoption in substitution of
House Resolution No. 148
Sponsor: Representative Roman
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Works and High-
ways and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-
mittee Report No. 751), re H. No. 5819, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROAD
STRETCHING FROM BARANGAY
ANDUYAN, MUNICIPALITY OF TUBAO,
PROVINCE OF LA UNION TO BARAN-
GAY SAN PASCUA, MUNICIPALITY OF
TUBA, PROVINCE OF BENGUET INTO A
NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 4381
Sponsors: Representatives Cosalan and Eriguel
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Order and Safety
and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee
Report No. 752), re H. No. 5822, entitled:
“AN ACT PREVENTING THE PROLIFERA-
TION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUC-
TION BY REGULATING THE PROVISION
OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, BROKER-
ING, FINANCING, AND TRANSPORTING
SERVICES IN RELATION TO THE MAN-
AGEMENT OF TRADE IN STRATEGIC
GOODS”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 3206
Sponsors: Representatives Ferrer (J.), Acedillo
and Ungab
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Transportation and the
Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report
No. 753), re H. No. 5825, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT OF-
FICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE IN THE PROVINCE OF SARAN-
GANI, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 2793
Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.), Ungab
and Pacquiao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ERRATUM NOTICE FOR COMMITTEE
REPORT NO. 747 ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
At this point, Rep. Bondoc stated that the
Committee on Rules received a communication
from Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, Chairperson of the
Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic
Law, regarding Committee Report No. 747 on
House Bill No. 5811 in substitution of House Bill
No. 4994. Quoting from the communication, Rep.
Bondoc said that per advice of the Secretariat, the
following amendment to the proposed
Bangsamoro Basic Law was approved by the Ad
Hoc Committee on 19 May 2015: on page 30, lines
13 to 14, the bracketed sentence was deleted such that
Section 34 should read as follows:
“SEC. 34. Call for a New Bangsamoro
Parliament Election. – Within seventy-two (72)
hours upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of no
confidence of all members of Parliament against
the government of the day, the Chief Minister shall
advise the President of the Republic of the
Philippines to dissolve the Parliament and call for
a new parliamentary election. [In no case shall the
President of the Republic of the Philippines
countermand the advice of the Chief Minister.]”
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body noted said erratum and the
Chair directed the Secretary General to inform all the
Members accordingly.
42 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF BILLS UNDER THE BUSINESS
FOR THE DAY
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there
being no objection, the Body considered on Second
Reading the following House Bills calendared under
the Business for the Day, as contained in various
Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees
concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of
the measures without prejudice to their insertion into
the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory
Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures;
terminated the period of sponsorship and debate;
terminated the period of amendments in the absence of
Committee and individual amendments; and approved
the same on Second Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5779, as contained in
Committee Report No. 727 and submitted by
the Committee on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries, granting the Securities and
Exchange Commission the authority to
monitor and investigate nongovernmental
organizations, foundations, and similar
institutions;
2. House Bill No. 5780, as contained in
Committee Report No. 728 and submitted by
the Committees on Population and Family
Relations, Ways and Means, and
Appropriations, honoring Filipino
centenarians, granting them additional
benefits and privileges, and declaring the
twenty-fifth day of September as a national
day of respect for centenarians;
3. House Bill No. 5785, as contained in
Committee Report No. 730 and submitted by
the Committees on Social Services,
Appropriations, and Ways and Means,
establishing a comprehensive system for
registration and licensing of social welfare and
development agencies and accreditation of
social welfare and development programs and
services;
4. House Bill No. 5790, as contained in
Committee Report No. 736 and submitted by
the Committee on Information and
Communications Technology, promoting
consumer protection on the purchase of
mobile communications devices by allowing
consumers to unlock the mobile wireless
devices prior to the expiration of the lock-in
period under the mobile communication
service contract;
5. House Bill No. 5791, as contained in
Committee Report No. 737 and submitted by
the Committee on Information and
Communications Technology, providing free
public wireless Internet access in public
buildings, terminals, parks and plazas
throughout the country;
6. House Bill No. 5794, as contained in
Committee Report No. 739 and submitted by
the Committees on Basic Education and
Culture, and Appropriations, mandating the
conservation of Gabaldon and other heritage
school buildings nationwide; and
7. House Bill No. 5582, as contained in
Committee Report No. 622 and submitted by
the Committee on Legislative Franchises,
renewing the franchise granted to Radio
Veritas-Global Broadcasting System,
Incorporated to construct, install, operate and
maintain for religious, educational, cultural
and commercial purposes radio and television
broadcasting stations in the Philippines under
Republic Act (RA) No. 7579 to another
twenty-five years.
OMNIBUS APPROVAL ON SECOND
READING OF BILLS UNDER THE
BUSINESS FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
On an omnibus motion of Rep. Bondoc, there
being no objection, the Body considered on Second
Reading the following House Bills calendared under
the Business for Thursday and Friday, as contained in
various Committee Reports and submitted by the
Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of
the texts of the measures without prejudice to their
insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the
Explanatory Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the
measures; terminated the period of sponsorship and
debate; approved the amendments as contained in the
Committee Reports, if any; terminated the period of
amendments; and approved the same on Second
Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5784, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 729 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Public Works and Highways, and
Appropriations, recognizing the current Third
(3rd) District Engineering Office of Zambo-
anga del Sur as the Second (2nd) District Engi-
neering Office of the Province of Zamboanga
del Sur;
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 43
2. House Bill No. 2592, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 732 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Transportation, and Appropria-
tions, converting the Land Transportation Of-
fice (LTO) satellite office into a district office
in District 2, Parañaque City;
3. House Bill No. 2814, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 733 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Transportation, and Appropria-
tions, establishing a one-stop government land
transport services processing center in San
Jose City, Nueva Ecija;
4. House Bill No. 4404, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 734 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Transportation, and Appropria-
tions, establishing an LTO district office in
Carmona, Cavite;
5. House Bill No. 4421, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 735 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Transportation, and Appropria-
tions, establishing an LTO office in Malita,
Davao Occidental;
6. House Bill No. 5792, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 738 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Health, and Appropriations, con-
verting the Talisay District Hospital in Talisay
City, Cebu, into the Talisay City General Hos-
pital, and increasing its bed capacity from 25
to 200 beds;
7. House Bill No. 5795, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 740 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, establishing the Gulod Na-
tional High School in Gulod, Quezon City;
8. House Bill No. 5796, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 741 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, establishing the Nagkaisang
Nayon National High School in Nagkaisang
Nayon, Quezon City;
9. House Bill No. 5797, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 742 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, establishing the West Fair-
view National High School in Greater Fair-
view, Quezon City;
10. House Bill No. 5798, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 743 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, establishing the Susana D.
Vargas National High School in Kaligayahan,
Quezon City;
11. House Bill No. 4894, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 744 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, converting the Villafuerte-
Peña High School in Ponglon, San Jose,
Camarines Sur into the Juan C. Peña National
Technical-Vocational High School;
12. House Bill No. 5799, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 745 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Basic Education and Culture, and
Appropriations, establishing the Tañong Ele-
mentary School in Tañong, Marikina City;
13. House Bill No. 5816, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 748 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Natural Resources, and Appropria-
tions, establishing the final forestland bound-
ary of Siquijor; and
14. House Bill No. 5817, as contained in Commit-
tee Report No. 749 and submitted by the Com-
mittees on Natural Resources, and Appropria-
tions, establishing the final forestland bound-
ary of Agusan del Sur.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Gina P. De Venecia
acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of
interns from the UP-NCPAG, Ateneo de Manila
University, and College of St. Benilde.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second
Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as contained in
Committee Report No. 747 and reported out by the Ad
Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONO-
MOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, EN-
TITLED ‘AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND
EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO,’ AND REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6734, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT PROVIDING
44 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AU-
TONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MIN-
DANAO.’”
Thereafter, Rep. Bondoc stated that the Body
would resume the period of sponsorship on the
measure and on his motion, the Chair recognized Rep.
Rufus B. Rodriguez to sponsor the measure.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
At this point, Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. sought
recognition from the Chair.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 4:24 p.m., upon
motion of Rep. Bondoc.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:55 p.m. with Deputy
Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body proceeded to the Roll Call. Upon
direction of the Chair, the Secretary General called the
Roll and the following Members responded to the Call:
Abad
Abaya
Abayon
Abellanosa
Abu
Abueg
Acharon
Acop
Adiong
Advincula
Agarao
Agyao
Albano
Aliping
Alvarez (F.)
Alvarez (M.)
Amatong (I.)
Amatong (R.)
Andaya
Angara-Castillo
Angping
Antonino
Apostol
Aragones
Arbison
Arenas
Arnaiz
Asilo
Atienza
Aumentado
Balindong
Banal
Barcelona-Reyes
Barzaga
Bataoil
Bello
Belmonte (F.)
Belmonte (J.)
Belmonte (V.)
Binay
Bondoc
Bravo (A.)
Bravo (M.)
Bulut-Begtang
Cabilao
Cagas
Calixto-Rubiano
Caminero
Cari
Castro
Cayetano
Celeste
Cerilles
Chipeco
Collantes
Colmenares
Cortuna
Cosalan
Cueva
Dalog
De Jesus
De Venecia
Defensor
Del Mar
Del Rosario (A.A.)
Deloso-Montalla
Dimaporo (I.)
Dy
Echiverri
Enverga
Eriguel
Escudero
Espina
Evardone
Fariñas
Fernandez
Ferrer (L.)
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 45
Ferriol
Flores
Fortuno
Garay
Garcia (E.)
Garcia (G.)
Garcia-Albano
Garin (R.)
Gatchalian (S.)
Gatchalian (W.)
Geron
Gerona-Robredo
Go (A.C.)
Gonzales
Gonzalez
Gorriceta
Guanlao
Guiao
Gullas
Gunigundo
Hagedorn
Hernandez
Hicap
Hofer
Ilagan
Iway
Javier
Katoh
Khonghun
Lagdameo (A.)
Lagdameo (M.)
Lanete
Leachon
Leonardia
Leonen-Pizarro
Lobregat
Loong
Lopez (C.)
Lopez (C.J.)
Loyola
Macrohon-Nuño
Madrona
Magsaysay
Mangudadatu
Marcos
Masongsong
Matugas
Mendoza (J.)
Mendoza (M.)
Mercado
Mirasol
Montejo
Nava (J.)
Nava (P.)
Noel
Oaminal
Olivarez
Ortega (F.)
Ortega (V.)
Padilla
Paduano
Paez
Pancho
Panganiban
Panotes
Paquiz
Piamonte
Pichay
Primicias-Agabas
Puno
Quimbo
Quisumbing
Ramos
Relampagos
Revilla
Reyes
Robes
Rodriguez (I.)
Rodriguez (M.)
Rodriguez (O.)
Rodriguez (R.)
Roman
Romualdo
Sacdalan
Salimbangon
Salvacion
Santiago
Sarmiento (C.)
Sarmiento (M.)
Sema
Señeres
Singson (E.)
Suansing
Suarez
Sy-Alvarado
Tan (A.)
Tejada
Teodoro
Teves
Tiangco
Tieng
Tinio
Tolentino
Treñas
Tugna
Tupas
46 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
Turabin-Hataman
Umali (C.)
Umali (R.)
Unabia
Ungab
Uy (J.)
Uy (R.)
Vargas-Alfonso
Villanueva
Villarica
Yap (S.)
Yu
Zamora (R.)
Zarate
With 197 Members responding to the Roll Call,
the Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also
Appendix 1).
REMARKS OF REP. BONDOC
Whereupon, Rep. Bondoc stated that the Body
had resumed the consideration on Second
Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as embodied in
Committee Report No. 747, on the proposed Basic
Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
(BLBAR). He said that the measure was still in
the period of sponsorship and debate and on his
motion, the Chair recognized Rep. Rodriguez (R.)
to continue with the sponsorship of the measure.
REMARKS OF REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.)
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Rodriguez
said that the sponsorship speeches on House Bill No.
5811 were already delivered the previous day and that
the sponsoring Committee was ready to answer
interpellations.
ADOPTION OF REP. MENDOZA’S
EXPLANATORY NOTE AS
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved to adopt the explanatory
note of Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza as his
sponsorship speech on House Bill No. 5811.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ZAMORA (R.)
Minority Leader Ronaldo B. Zamora, who was
recognized by the Chair upon motion of Rep. Bondoc,
noted that the sponsorship speech delivered by Deputy
Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong the previous day
emphasized how poor the provinces are in Muslim
Mindanao in terms of their scant contribution to the
national gross domestic product (GDP) and the very
low income level of their people; hence, the need for
the national government to save the Bangsamoro area
and its people.
Rep. Zamora then aired his concern over how the
Ad Hoc Committee treated the amendments submitted
by the Committees on Appropriations, and Ways and
Means, to which House Bill No. 5811 was referred for
comments, pursuant to Section 44 of the House Rules,
with respect to the appropriation or tax or revenue
aspects of the measure. He noted that the sponsoring
Ad Hoc Committee had opted not to incorporate or
engross in the measure the proposed amendments of
the two Committees.
In reply, Rep. Rodriguez (R.) explained that
Section 44 states that the sponsoring committee “may”
incorporate in its report the recommendations of the
Committee on Appropriations and/or the Committee
on Ways and Means. He said that the Ad Hoc
Committee complied with said Section of the House
Rules by attaching to Committee Report No. 747 the
letters of the chairpersons of the two Committees,
which contained their comments on and proposed
amendments to House Bill No. 5811. He explained that
Section 44 uses the word “may” which is simply
directory and not mandatory as implied by the word
“shall” and that incorporation by attachment is one
way of complying with said Rule.
Rep. Zamora then requested for a suspension of
session to allow the Sponsor to consult with the
chairpersons of the Committees on Appropriations,
and Ways and Means who were on the floor. Rep.
Rodriguez stated that there was no need for the
chairpersons to recall any similar case because House
Bill No. 5811 as embodied in Committee Report No.
747 has already complied with the House Rules when
the letters of the two Committee chairpersons
containing their proposed amendments to the instant
measure were attached to and made part of the records
of Committee Report No. 747.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair on motu proprio suspended the session
at 5:31 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:33 p.m.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 47
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ZAMORA (R.)
(Continuation)
Upon resumption of session, Rep. Zamora stated
that the chairpersons of the Committees on
Appropriations, and Ways and Means confirmed that
it was the first time that a committee report on a given
bill did not incorporate their proposed amendments.
To Rep. Zamora’s query, Rep. Rodriguez (R.)
stressed that he did not convene anymore the Ad Hoc
Committee on the BBL so its members can act on the
proposed amendments of the two Committees because
it was incumbent for the chairperson and his vice
chairperson, who agreed with the procedure, to simply
implement the provision of the Rules that the
Committee may incorporate the proposed amendments
as mere attachments to the Committee Report. He
argued that as the one who has control over the
Committee proceedings, even the chairperson alone
can decide to implement the above procedure as a way
of complying with the Rules.
Rep. Zamora however noted that there are several
Supreme Court cases pertaining to the issue at hand
and thereafter advised Rep. Rodriguez to consult with
his staff on the matter before the approval of the Bill.
The Sponsor argued that under the rules of statutory
construction, the word “may,” which is provided for in
Section 44 of the House Rules, implies permissible
directory unlike the word “shall” which means
mandatory.
Reps. Zamora and Rodriguez then debated on the
contractual obligations between the Executive
Department specifically the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the MILF
as contained in previous agreements/documents,
namely, the Framework Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (FAB), the Comprehensive Agreement
on the Bangsamoro (CAB), and the four annexes and
one addendum to the FAB. The Sponsor argued that
based on the principles of separation of powers and of
checks and balances, the Executive’s obligations may
be set aside once Congress enacts the draft BBL into a
law.
After alerting the Sponsor that his interpellation
will focus on constitutional issues, the Minority
Leader observed that while the Ad Hoc Committee
tried to address these issues in relation to the original
draft BBL, the instant BLBAR measure contains no
significant changes and continues on its original and
dangerous course of violating the Constitution. He
urged the Body to enact instead a BBL that would
embody the hopes and ambitions of the people of
Mindanao and would be unceasingly compliant with
the Constitution.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Padilla
relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Henedina R.
Abad.
To another query of Rep. Zamora, Rep. Rodriguez
(R.) clarified that his replies and statements during the
course of the interpellations on House Bill No. 5811
will not bind the OPAPP or the MILF because he will
be speaking as chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee
on the BBL. He then discussed with the Minority
Leader the definition and identity of the Bangsamoro
people based on Section 1, Article II of the measure
and which can also be determined by ascription or self-
ascription, provided that the non-Moro indigenous
people’s (IP) freedom of choice shall be respected and
no one shall be discriminated against on account of
one’s identity, religion and ethnicity. Rep. Zamora
signified to propose at the proper time a more inclusive
definition of the Bangsamoro people in the Preamble
by simply using the phrase “inhabitants of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.” The Sponsor
however opined that an enumeration of groups of
persons, namely, the Bangsamoro people, non-Moro
IP and Christian settlers, followed by the generic
phrase “other inhabitants” is more inclusive.
The Members then exchanged views on the
provision on the Bangsamoro symbol particularly on
the difference between a flag and an emblem to
identify a province or a state or nation; and the change
of the term “territory” to “geographical area” so as not
to comply with the elements of a state as provided for
in the Montevideo Convention of 1933. They further
delved into the rule of contiguity as applied in the local
government units (LGUs) contiguous to the proposed
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region with Rep. Zamora
maintaining that the rule should be imposed
throughout the Bangsamoro provision on the
definition of geographical area. Rep. Rodriguez
clarified that only three provinces were qualified under
the requirement of contiguity and of inclusion in the
Tripoli Agreement’s list.
To his colleague’s succeeding questions, Rep.
Rodriguez said that all Representatives from
Mindanao including Party-List Representatives based
therein were included in the Ad Hoc Committee on the
BBL and that the Committee will look into Rep.
Zamora’s concern about the number of towns in Lanao
del Norte. He affirmed that under Sections 2 and 3,
Article III of House Bill No. 5811, three plebiscites
would be held during which any of the qualified
provinces can choose to be included in the proposed
autonomous region. He said that the collective
democratic rights of the Bangsamoro people refer to
the constitutionally provided political and social rights
as well as those advocated in United Nations (UN)
conventions.
48 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
On the proposed powers of the Bangsamoro
government, Rep. Rodriguez maintained that they are
constitutional as they are based on the Philippine
government’s unitary system and presidential form.
He explained that the parliamentary form of
government for the autonomous region was based on
Section 18, Article X of the Constitution; and the latter
did not qualify if the chief minister of the proposed
Region was to be elected through direct election.
In closing his interpellation, Rep. Zamora (R.)
stressed that the Constitution could not be tampered
with and that the Bill should be effective and provide
a better life for all their constituents.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ANDAYA
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair next
recognized Rep. Rolando G. Andaya Jr. who asked on
accountability regarding the budget for the
Bangsamoro government.
Deputy Speaker Abad relinquished the Chair to
Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal.
Rep. Rodriguez assured his colleague that the Bill
was amended to ensure that budget execution and
accountability as well as post-auditing would follow
national laws. Upon request, he gave a breakdown of
the annual block grant of the Bangsamoro government.
He added that once the Bill is approved, a lump sum
amount of four percent of net internal revenue taxes
shall be automatically allocated and approved by
Congress every year and shall be part of the budget
annexes; and that the Committee would consider an
amendment to clarify that unused allocations shall
revert to the National Treasury. He added that fiscal
autonomy for the Bangsamoro government merely
required giving the highest budget priority to
education and meant noninvolvement of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in its
budget implementation.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At 7:17 p.m., the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 7:44 p.m.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body suspended consideration on
Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811.
APPROVAL ON THIRD READING
OF CERTAIN HOUSE BILLS
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there
being no objection, the Body proceeded to the
approval on Third Reading of the following House
Bills, printed copies of which were distributed to the
Members on the specified dates hereunder indicated,
pursuant to Section 58, Rule X of the Rules of the
House:
Distributed on May 25, 2015:
1. House Bill No. 5592, entitled: “AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 AND RE-
NEWING THE FRANCHISE
GRANTED TO FAR EAST BROAD-
CASTING COMPANY (PHILIPPINES),
INC. UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8115, ENTITLED 'AN ACT GRANTING
THE FAR EAST BROADCASTING
COMPANY (PHILIPPINES), INC., A
FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, MAIN-
TAIN AND OPERATE NON-COM-
MERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING
STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES'”;
2. House Bill No. 5760, entitled: “AN ACT
PROHIBITING HAZING AND REGU-
LATING OTHER FORMS OF INITIA-
TION RITES OF FRATERNITIES, SO-
RORITIES, AND OTHER ORGANIZA-
TIONS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
FOR VIOLATION THEREOF, REPEAL-
ING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8049”;
3. House Bill No. 5767, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY DON AL-
BINO T. TARUC IN THE MUNICIPAL-
ITY OF SOCORRO, PROVINCE OF SU-
RIGAO DEL NORTE”;
4. House Bill No. 5768, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPOR-
TIONMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF
AKLAN INTO TWO (2) LEGISLATIVE
DISTRICTS”;
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 49
Distributed on May 26, 2015:
5. House Bill No. 5677, entitled: “AN ACT
DECLARING JANUARY 23 OF EVERY
YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLI-
DAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO
COMMEMORATE THE DECLARA-
TION OF THE FIRST PHILIPPINE RE-
PUBLIC”;
6. House Bill No. 5695, entitled: “AN ACT
SEPARATING THE SITIOS OF ILEB,
NEW COLAYO VILLAGE, KINAMA
AND NAMBARAN DAYA FROM BA-
RANGAY NAMBARAN, CITY OF
TABUK, PROVINCE OF KALINGA
AND CONSTITUTING THEM INTO A
SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT BA-
RANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARAN-
GAY NAMBARAN EAST”;
Distributed on May 25, 2015:
7. House Bill No. 5769, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY PUDO IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF NATONIN,
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE”;
8. House Bill No. 5770, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY SAN ISIDRO
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TITAY,
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA
SIBUGAY”;
9. House Bill No. 5775, entitled: “AN ACT
PROHIBITING MINING OPERATIONS
WITHIN THE CARIGARA BAY AREA,
LOCATED BETWEEN THE NORTH-
ERN PORTION OF LEYTE PROVINCE
AND BILIRAN PROVINCE”;
Distributed on May 26, 2015:
10. House Bill No. 1462, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY POBLA-
CION 2 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
VILLANUEVA, PROVINCE OF
MISAMIS ORIENTAL”;
11. House Bill No. 4954, entitled: “AN ACT
RENAMING THE WAWA ROAD AT
BARANGAY SAN RAFAEL, MUNICI-
PALITY OF RODRIGUEZ, PROVINCE
OF RIZAL AS GENERAL LICERIO I.
GERONIMO HIGHWAY”;
12. House Bill No. 5478, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY STA. CRUZ
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAMPA-
KAN, PROVINCE OF SOUTH CO-
TABATO”;
13. House Bill No. 5678, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY NINETY-FOUR (94)
HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF VIRAC, PROV-
INCE OF CATANDUANES AND AP-
PROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
14. House Bill No. 5679, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY EIGHTY-FIVE (85)
HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF VIGA, PROVINCE
OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRI-
ATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
15. House Bill No. 5680, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY THREE HUNDRED
SIXTY-TWO (362) HECTARES OF
MANGROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF SAN ANDRES, PROVINCE OF
CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIAT-
ING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
16. House Bill No. 5681, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY NINE HUNDRED
THIRTEEN (913) HECTARES OF MAN-
GROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
PANGANIBAN, PROVINCE OF
CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIAT-
ING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
50 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
17. House Bill No. 5682, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED
THIRTY-THREE (233) HECTARES OF
MANGROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF PANDAN, PROVINCE OF
CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIAT-
ING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
18. House Bill No. 5683, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED
(200) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF BATO,
PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-
FOR”;
19. House Bill No. 5684, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY TWENTY-TWO (22)
HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BARAS, PROV-
INCE OF CATANDUANES AND AP-
PROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
20. House Bill No. 5685, entitled: “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REFORESTA-
TION AND REHABILITATION OF AP-
PROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED SEV-
ENTY-FOUR (274) HECTARES OF
MANGROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF BAGAMANOC, PROVINCE OF
CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIAT-
ING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
21. House Bill No. 5692, entitled: “AN ACT
CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY LIWON IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF ASIPULO,
PROVINCE OF IFUGAO”;
22. House Bill No. 5693, entitled: “AN ACT
DIVIDING THE ONE-BARANGAY
MUNICIPALITY OF DUMALNEG IN
THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE
INTO THREE (3) SEPARATE AND IN-
DEPENDENT BARANGAYS TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY KALAW,
BARANGAY CABARITAN AND BA-
RANGAY QUIBEL”; and
23. House Bill No. 5694, entitled: “AN ACT
SEPARATING THE SITIOS OF GUINA-
ANG, MADOPDOP, MALLANGO,
LANLANA AND SAN PABLO FROM
BARANGAY LACNOG, CITY OF
TABUK, PROVINCE OF KALINGA
AND CONSTITUTING THEM INTO A
SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT BA-
RANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARAN-
GAY LACNOG WEST.”
The Chair then directed the Secretary General to
call the Roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant
to the Rules of the House, a second Roll Call was
made.
RESULT OF THE VOTING
The result of the voting was as follows:
Affirmative:
Abad
Abaya
Abayon
Abellanosa
Abu
Abueg
Acharon
Acop
Adiong
Advincula
Agarao
Agyao
Albano
Aliping
Alvarez (F.)
Alvarez (M.)
Amatong (I.)
Amatong (R.)
Andaya
Angara-Castillo
Angping
Antonino
Apostol
Aragones
Arbison
Arenas
Arnaiz
Asilo
Atienza
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 51
Aumentado
Balindong
Banal
Barcelona-Reyes
Barzaga
Bataoil
Bello
Belmonte (F.)
Belmonte (J.)
Belmonte (V.)
Binay
Bondoc
Bravo (A.)
Bravo (M.)
Bulut-Begtang
Cabilao
Cagas
Calixto-Rubiano
Caminero
Cari
Castro
Cayetano
Celeste
Cerilles
Chipeco
Collantes
Colmenares
Cortuna
Cosalan
Cueva
Dalog
De Jesus
De Venecia
Defensor
Del Mar
Del Rosario (A.A.)
Deloso-Montalla
Dimaporo (I.)
Dy
Echiverri
Enverga
Eriguel
Escudero
Espina
Evardone
Fariñas
Fernandez
Ferrer (L.)
Ferriol
Flores
Fortuno
Garay
Garcia (E.)
Garcia (G.)
Garcia-Albano
Garin (R.)
Gatchalian (S.)
Gatchalian (W.)
Geron
Gerona-Robredo
Go (A.C.)
Gonzales
Gonzalez
Gorriceta
Guanlao
Guiao
Gullas
Gunigundo
Hagedorn
Hernandez
Hicap
Hofer
Ilagan
Iway
Javier
Katoh
Khonghun
Lagdameo (A.)
Lagdameo (M.)
Lanete
Leachon
Leonardia
Leonen-Pizarro
Lobregat
Loong
Lopez (C.)
Lopez (C.J.)
Loyola
Macrohon-Nuño
Madrona
Magsaysay
Mangudadatu
Marcos
Masongsong
Matugas
Mendoza (J.)
Mendoza (M.)
Mercado
Mirasol
Montejo
Nava (J.)
Nava (P.)
Noel
Oaminal
Olivarez
Ortega (F.)
52 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015
Ortega (V.)
Padilla
Paduano
Paez
Pancho
Panganiban
Panotes
Paquiz
Piamonte
Pichay
Primicias-Agabas
Puno
Quimbo
Quisumbing
Ramos
Relampagos
Revilla
Reyes
Robes
Rodriguez (I.)
Rodriguez (M.)
Rodriguez (O.)
Rodriguez (R.)
Roman
Romualdo
Sacdalan
Salimbangon
Salvacion
Santiago
Sarmiento (C.)
Sarmiento (M.)
Sema
Señeres
Singson (E.)
Suansing
Suarez
Sy-Alvarado
Tan (A.)
Tejada
Teodoro
Teves
Tiangco
Tieng
Tinio
Tolentino
Treñas
Tugna
Tupas
Turabin-Hataman
Umali (C.)
Umali (R.)
Unabia
Ungab
Uy (J.)
Uy (R.)
Vargas-Alfonso
Villanueva
Villarica
Yap (S.)
Yu
Zamora (R.)
Zarate
Negative:
None
Abstention:
None
With 197 affirmative votes, no negative votes and
no abstentions, the Body approved on Third Reading
the aforementioned House Bills.
RESUMPTION OF CONSIDERATION
ON SECOND READING OF
HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second
Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as embodied in
Committee Report No. 747 and reported out by the Ad
Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONO-
MOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, EN-
TITLED ‘AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND
EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE
AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO,’ AND REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6734, ENTITLED ‘AN ACT PROVIDING
FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AU-
TONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MIN-
DANAO.’”
On Rep. Bondoc’s motion, the Chair recognized
Rep. Rodriguez (R.), Chairperson of the Ad Hoc
Committee on the BBL, to resume sponsorship of the
measure and Rep. Andaya to continue with his
interpellation.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ANDAYA
(Continuation)
On further questions of Rep. Andaya, Rep.
Rodriguez (R.) affirmed that the funds for the
development programs and projects, Special
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 53
Development Fund, and annual block grant would be
sourced out through the enactment of appropriations
measures by Congress and that such funds shall be
mandatory. He also clarified that the amount of funds
to be released on the first year of the implementation
of the proposed BLBAR will only total P38.8 billion
and not P75 billion as claimed by certain critics. He
added that the P1 billion fund of the Bangsamoro
Transition Authority (BTA) shall be sourced by the
Executive Department from available appropriations.
Finally, the Members talked about the debt ceiling
imposed on the power of the proposed Bangsamoro
government to contract loans and the issue of its
currency. The Sponsor noted Rep. Andaya’s
suggestion that the proposed BLBAR should provide
for a debt ceiling and clarified that the Philippine peso
would still be the monetary currency to be used in the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, Deputy Speaker Abad motu proprio
suspended the session at 8:39 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 8:58 p.m.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Whereupon, the Chair motu proprio suspended the
session until four o’clock in the afternoon of
Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
It was 8:58 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
54 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m. of Wednesday,
June 3, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong presiding.
SENATE TRANSMITTAL OF BILLS
APPROVED ON THIRD READING
On motion of Representative Juan Pablo
“Rimpy” P. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Chair directed the Secretary General to immediately transmit to the Senate copies of the Bills that had been approved on Third Reading the previous day.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5822
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading House Bill No. 5822, in substitution of House Bill No. 3206, as contained in Committee Re-port No. 752 and submitted by the Committees on Public Order and Safety, and Appropriations, pre-venting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruc-tion by regulating the provision of technical assis-tance, brokering, financing, and transporting services in relation to the management of trade in strategic goods; adopted the Explanatory Note as the sponsor-ship remarks on the measure; terminated the period of sponsorship and debate; terminated the period of amendments in the absence of Committee and indi-vidual amendments; and approved the same on Sec-ond Reading, through viva voce voting.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair declared a recess at 4:02 p.m., upon
Rep. Bondoc’s motion.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:01 p.m.
OMNIBUS APPROVAL ON SECOND
READING OF BILLS UNDER THE
BUSINESS FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
On an omnibus motion of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading the following House Bills calendared under the Business for Thursday and Friday, as contained in various Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of
the texts of the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures; terminated the period of sponsorship and debate; terminated the period of amendments in the absence of Committee and individual amendments; and approved the same on Second Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5819, as contained in Com-mittee Report No. 751 and submitted by the Committees on Public Works and Highways, and Appropriations, converting the road stretching from Anduyan, Tubao, La Union to San Pascua, Tuba, Benguet into a national road; and
2. House Bill No. 5825, as contained in Com-mittee Report No. 753 and submitted by the Committees on Transportation, and Appro-priations, establishing a district office of the Land Transportation Office in Sarangani.
ADOPTION OF CERTAIN
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body considered the following House Resolutions; dispensed with the reading of the texts thereof without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; approved the amendments as contained in the Committee Reports, if any; and unanimously adopted the same:
1. House Resolution No. 1051, entitled: “RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO GIVE CON-GRESSIONAL RECOGNITION TO THE LEGENDARY LABOR LEADER ATTY. DEMOCRITO T. MENDOZA OF THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES (TUCP) FOR HIS LIFE-LONG AND INVALUABLE CONTRIBU-TION IN SHAPING AND ADVANCING THE PHILIPPINE LABOR MOVEMENT AND FOR TIRELESSLY WORKING TO DEFEND AND UPHOLD THE INTREST OF THE FILIPINO WORKING CLASS”;
2. House Resolution No. 1327, entitled: “RESOLUTION URGING THE HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND TO REVIEW ITS PREVAILING INTEREST RATES ON ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM AND END-USER HOME FI-NANCING PROGRAM”; and
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 55
3. House Resolution No. 2139, entitled: “RES-OLUTION URGING THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT ON THE FUNDS AND OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VETER-ANS OF WORLD WAR II (BTVWWII) AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT HAS COMPLIED WITH GOVERNMENT AC-COUNTING AND DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURES.”
REFERRAL OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2126
On another motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being
no objection, the Body referred House Resolution No. 2126, on the alleged irregularities in the issuance of land titles brought about by the approval of the appli-cation for free patent by the Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the light of a reported case involving land properties in Talisay, Batangas, to the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
ADOPTION OF SENATE BILLS AS
AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILLS
With the concurrence of the chairperson of the
Committee on Health as well as the authors of the instant measures, on successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body adopted the following Senate Bills as amendments to the House Bills hereunder indicated:
1. Senate Bill No. 2481 as an amendment to
House Bill No 31, increasing the bed capaci-ty of Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City; and
2. Senate Bill No. 2655 as an amendment to House Bill No. 67, converting the Davao Re-gional Hospital into Davao Regional Medical Center and increasing its bed capacity.
CONCURRENCE WITH SENATE
AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL NO. 4073
With the concurrence of the chairperson of the
Committee on Justice as well as the authors of the instant measure, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body concurred with the Sen-ate amendments to House Bill No. 4073, granting Philippine citizenship to Farrell Eldrian Wu.
ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
On further successive motions of Rep. Bondoc,
there being no objection, the Body elected the follow-ing as additional members of the Committee/Special Committee hereunder indicated:
1. Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado – to the Committee on Women and Gender Equality; and
2. Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr. – to the Special
Committee on the XXXI Summer Olympic Games.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Thereafter, Rep. Gina P. De Venecia acknowl-
edged in the Session Hall the presence of guests of Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla.
At this point, Deputy Speaker Balindong relin-
quished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Padilla.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objec-tion, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary Gen-eral read on First Reading the title of the following House Bills and Resolutions on First Reading, includ-ing the Message from the Senate, Communications and Committee Reports, which were referred to the appropriate Committees or consigned to the Archives as hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5812, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE 4TH DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE DE-PARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIOCON, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Amatong (I.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS
56 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
House Bill No. 5813, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CEN-TER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representative Lanete TO THE COMMITTEE ON WELFARE OF
CHILDREN House Bill No. 5814, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING THE REPARATIONS
FOR VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT, CREATION OF A REPARATION PRO-GRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOS-ES”
By Representative Lanete TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DE-
FENSE AND SECURITY House Bill No. 5815, entitled:
“AN ACT REQUIRING THE USE OF CHILD
RESTRAINT (SAFETY CAR SEAT) DE-VICE OR SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN RID-ING IN RUNNING MOTOR VEHICLES”
By Representatives Velarde and Tieng TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTA-
TION House Bill No. 5818, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ARBORETUM
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, LANAO DEL NORTE WITH THE MIGHTY CAVE PARK IN IT, TO BE KNOWN AS THE MIGHTY CAVE PARK ARBORETUM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representatives Dimaporo (I.) and Dimaporo
(A.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RE-
SOURCES House Bill No. 5820, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY SAN AN-
TONIO (SAPA), MUNICIPALITY OF PI-LAR, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, TO BE KNOWN AS SAN ANTONIO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Escudero TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCA-
TION AND CULTURE House Bill No. 5821, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LAND TRANS-
PORTATION OFFICE (LTO) IN THE CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OF BUKID-NON AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Roque TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTA-
TION House Bill No. 5823, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURT STATIONED AT THE MUNICI-PALITY OF TIGBAUAN, PROVINCE OF ILOILO, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Garin (O.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
House Bill No. 5824, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING THE LOCAL GOV-
ERNMENT UNITS TO INSTITUTIONAL-IZE REWARDS FOR WORK THROUGH 'PATHWAYS-TO-HOUSING SCHEMES' ENCOURAGING THEREBY THE PRI-VATE SECTOR TO ADOPT THIS INITIA-TIVE INTO THEIR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY”
By Representative Castelo TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOV-
ERNMENT
House Bill No. 5826, entitled:
“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PRACTICE
OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES, INSTITUTING FOR THE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 57
PURPOSE HIGHER STANDARDS OF REGULATION IN THE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL EN-GINEERS”
By Representatives Masongsong, Umali (R.) and
Unabia TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE
AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION House Bill No. 5827, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR TAX RELIEF
DURING TIMES OF CALAMITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representative Yap (A.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS
House Bill No. 5828, entitled:
“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6548 BY RENAMING QUEZON CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL TO QUEZON CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER”
By Representatives Calalay, Belmonte (F.),
Castelo, Banal, Vargas and Belmonte (J.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
House Bill No. 5829, entitled: “AN ACT DECLARING THE MONTH OF OC-
TOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS 'BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representative Gerona-Robredo TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
House Bill No. 5830, entitled: “AN ACT CREATING THE MUNICIPALITY
OF LINTANGAN IN THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE”
By Representative Amatong (I.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOV-
ERNMENT
House Bill No. 5832, entitled: “AN ACT NAMING THE DUMAGUETE
SOUTH ROAD WHICH STRETCHES FROM DUMAGUETE CITY TO THE MU-NICIPALITY OF BASAY, NEGROS ORI-ENTAL AS THE PANTALEON LEON KI-LAT VILLEGAS HIGHWAY”
By Representatives Arnaiz and Teves
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
House Bill No. 5833, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE TARLAC COL-
LEGE OF AGRICULTURE (TCA) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CAMILING, PROV-INCE OF TARLAC INTO A STATE UNI-VERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE TAR-LAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”
By Representative Villanueva TO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND
TECHNICAL EDUCATION House Bill No. 5834, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY MAHA-YAHAY, MUNICIPALITY OF KAPA-TAGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE MAHA-YAHAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Dimaporo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCA-TION AND CULTURE
House Bill No. 5835, entitled:
“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PHIL-IPPINE NATIONAL AND LOCAL VOL-UNTEER AWARD PROGRAM, AMEND-ING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT 9418 OR 'THE VOLUN-TEER ACT OF 2007' ”
By Representatives Abad, Acosata-Alba, Kho, Castelo and Nava (P.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE'S PAR-TICIPATION
58 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
RESOLUTION House Resolution No. 2137, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SEC-
RETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICA-TIONS TO REVIEW PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-13, ENTITLED 'GUIDELINES ON MOVEMENT OF VESSELS DURING HEAVY WEATHER', FOR THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING THE POLICY ON THE CANCELLATION OF SEA TRAVEL WHEN PUBLIC STORM WARNING SIG-NAL NO. 1 IS HOISTED, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE POSITIONS OF THE PAGASA AND SHIP OWNERS AND FERRYBOAT OPERATORS”
By Representatives Relampagos, Gatchalian (S.),
Batocabe, Alvarez (F.), Cagas, Tolentino, Roman, Catamco, Benitez, Gonzalez, Bagui-lat, Quisumbing, Lopez (C.), Del Mar, Per-nes, Abellanosa, Hernandez, Mercado, Ma-crohon-Nuño, Garcia (G.), Kho, Aragones, Lee, Belmonte (J.), Bravo (M.), Pancho, Cueva, Garin (O.), Umali (R.) and Angara-Castillo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTA-
TION
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and Reso-lutions hereunder indicated:
Reps. Benjamin “Atong” D. Asilo, Pablo Roces
Nava III and Winston "Winnie" Castelo for House Resolution No. 2064;
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr. for House Bill No.
5220; Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bills
No. 1510, 1526, 5627 and 5702; Rep. Arturo B. Robes for House Resolution No.
1908; Rep. Eric L. Olivarez for House Bill No. 5493; Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago for House Bill No.
3391;
Rep. Emmeline Aglipay Villar for House Bill No. 5813;
Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bill
No. 4478; and
Rep. Evelio "Bing" Leonardia for Resolution of Both Houses No. 1.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 3750, entitled: “AN ACT SEPARATING THE CITY OF BA-
TANGAS FROM THE SECOND LEGIS-LATIVE DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF BATANGAS TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF BATANGAS”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
COMMUNICATIONS
Letters dated May 25 and 29, 2015 of Vincent Z.
Bolivar, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, furnishing the House of Representatives with duly certified and authenticated Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issuances, to wit:
1. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-027 dated 23
April 2015;
2. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-028 dated 7 May 2015;
3. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-029 dated 6 May 2015;
4. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-030 dated 6 May 2015;
5. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-031 dated 14 May 2015;
6. Memorandum No. M-2015-022 dated 6 May 2015;
7. Memorandum No. M-2015-023 dated 19 May 2015;
8. Circular No. 877 dated 22 May 2015;
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 59
9. Circular No. 878 dated 22 May 2015;
10. Circular No. 879 dated 22 May 2015; and
11. Circular No. 880 dated 22 May 2015. TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND FI-
NANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Letter dated 27 March 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.,
Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, transmitting two (2) original copies of Joint Resolution No. 5 which was signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, entitled: “JOINT RESOLUTION INCREASING THE
DAILY SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE OF ALL OFFICERS, ENLISTED PERSON-NEL, CANDIDATE SOLDIERS, PROBA-TIONARY SECOND LIEUTENANTS, CA-DETS AND CIVILIAN ACTIVE AUXIL-IARIES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP), COMMIS-SIONED AND NON-COMMISSIONED PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NA-TIONAL POLICE (PNP), BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP), BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP), CADETS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE ACADEMY (PNPA), PHILIPPINE COASTGUARD (PCG), THE CANDIDATE COAST GUARD MEN OF THE PCG AND THE UNIFORMED PER-SONNEL OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND RESOURCE INFORMATION AU-THORITY (NAMRIA) FROM NINETY PE-SOS (P90.00) TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P150.00) PER DAY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015”
TO THE ARCHIVES
Letter dated 27 March 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.,
Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, transmitting two (2) original copies of Republic Act No. 10657 which was signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, entitled: “AN ACT REGULATING AND MODERNIZ-
ING THE PRACTICE OF CHEMISTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUM-BERED SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR (R.A. NO. 754), OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE CHEMISTRY LAW OF THE PHILIP-PINES”
TO THE ARCHIVES
Letter dated 27 March 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, transmitting two (2) original copies of Republic Act No. 10658 which was signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, entitled:
“AN ACT SEPARATING THE CITY OF BIÑAN FROM THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DIS-TRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF LAGUNA TO CONSTITUTE THE LONE LEGISLA-TIVE DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF BI-ÑAN”
TO THE ARCHIVES Letter dated 27 March 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.,
Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, transmitting two (2) original copies of Republic Act No. 10659 which was signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, entitled: “AN ACT PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING
THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE SUG-ARCANE INDUSTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
TO THE ARCHIVES
COMMITTEE REPORTS Report by the Committee on Transportation
(Committee Report No. 754), re H. R. No. 2146, entitled:
“RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE OF IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT A MANDA-TORY DRIVER'S LICENSE RETESTING FOR ALL HOLDERS OF A PROFESSION-AL DRIVER'S LICENSE IN THE PHILIP-PINES”
recommending its adoption in substitution of House Resolution No. 1860
Sponsors: Representatives Sarmiento (C.) and Ramos
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Report by the Committee on Ways and Means
(Committee Report No. 755), re H. No. 5831,
60 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
entitled: “AN ACT ENHANCING THE CURRENT TAX
SYSTEM BY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES THAT ENSURE TRANSPAR-ENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT AND AC-COUNTING OF TAX INCENTIVES GRANTED TO GOVERNMENT AND NONGOVERNMENT ENTITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 2492 and 5537 Sponsors: Representatives Quimbo, Gerona-
Robredo, Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy (Committee Report No. 756), re H. R. No. 1947, entitled: “RESOLUTION ORGANIZING THE PHILIP-
PINES-ISRAEL PARLIAMENTARIANS' FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION”
recommending its adoption with amendments Sponsor: Representative Del Mar TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2151, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMIT-
TEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO CON-DUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGIS-LATION, ON THE ALLEGED BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES IN-VOLVING CHINESE NATIONAL WANG BO”
By Representatives Belmonte (F.), Gonzales and
Zamora (R.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2152, entitled: “RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PRO-
FOUND CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF MRS. JUANA BUZA-AGGABAO, MOTHER OF THE HONORABLE GIOR-GIDI B. AGGABAO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT OF ISA-BELA”
By Representatives Belmonte (F.), Gonzales and
Zamora (R.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
REFERRAL OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2151
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body referred House Resolution No. 2151, on the alleged bribery and corruption activ-ities involving Chinese national Wang Bo, to the Committee on Good Government and Public Ac-countability.
ADOPTION OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2152 On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body considered House Resolu-tion No. 2152, entitled: “RESOLUTION EXPRESS-ING THE PROFOUND CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMI-LY OF MRS. JUANA BUZA-AGGABAO, MOTH-ER OF HONORABLE GIORGIDI B. AGGABAO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT OF ISABELA”; dispensed with the reading of the text thereof without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House; and unanimously adopted the same.
MOTION TO RESUME CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
At this point, Rep. Bondoc moved for the contin-
uation of consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as contained in Committee Report No. 747.
OBJECTION OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. however objected to the
motion.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair
suspended the session at 5:17 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 61
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:17 p.m.
REMARKS OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Atienza suggested the calling of the Roll be-
fore the Body proceeds to consider its business.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objec-
tion, the Chair directed the Secretary General to call the Roll and the following Members were present:
Abad Abayon Abellanosa Abueg Acedillo Acharon Acop Acosta-Alba Adiong Advincula Agarao Aglipay-Villar Agyao Albano Aliping Almonte Alvarez (F.) Amatong (I.) Andaya Angara-Castillo Apostol Aragones Arbison Arenas Arnaiz Asilo Atienza Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Belmonte (J.) Belmonte (V.) Biazon Bichara
Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Cagas Calixto-Rubiano Caminero Cari Castelo Castro Cayetano Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cueva Dalog De Jesus De Venecia Defensor Del Mar Del Rosario (A.A.) Deloso-Montalla Duavit Enverga Escudero Espina Evardone Ferrer (J.) Ferrer (L.) Ferriol Fortuno Garay Garcia (G.) Garin (R.) Garin (S.) Gatchalian (S.) Gatchalian (W.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hagedorn Hataman-Salliman Hernandez
62 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
Hicap Hofer Ilagan Iway Jalosjos Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Labadlabad Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Lee Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Mellana Mendoza (J.) Mendoza (M.) Mendoza (R.) Mercado-Revilla Mirasol Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Ocampo Olivarez Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pancho Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Puno Quisumbing Ramirez-Sato Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon
Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Roman Romarate Romualdo Roque Sacdalan Salimbangon Salvacion Santiago Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suansing Suarez Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas Turabin-Hataman Unabia Uy (R.) Velasco Villanueva Villarica Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (R.) Zarate
With 191 Members responding to the Call, the
Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also Appendix 1)
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
Recognized by the Chair, Rep. Atienza manifest-
ed that a quorum should be established every time the Body tackles vital measures, such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The Chair noted the manifestation of Rep. Atien-
za.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 63
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objec-tion, the Body resumed consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as embodied in Committee Report No. 747 and reported out by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary Gen-eral read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONO-MOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, EN-TITLED 'AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AU-TONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MIN-DANAO.'”
As to the parliamentary status of the Bill, Rep.
Bondoc stated that it was in the period of sponsorship and debate and upon his motion, the Chair recognized Rep. Henry S. Oaminal, Vice Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, to sponsor the measure, and Rep. Pryde Henry A. Teves to interpellate there-on.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. TEVES
Rep. Teves’ debate with Rep. Oaminal covered
the following, among other issues: 1) the exclusive powers granted to the Bangsamoro government and the concurrent powers which it has to share with the national government; 2) how to ensure the crafting and implementation of an education curriculum in the Bangsamoro area that observes and adheres to na-tional laws, with Rep. Teves making an appeal that education in the country must be coherent and never exclusive; 3) the issue of separation of Church and State in the incorporation of a Madaris-type and Is-lamic-based education in the Bangsamoro public ed-ucational system; 4) the implications on internal rev-enue allotment (IRA) sharing of the local government units (LGUs) to be created by the Bangsamoro Par-liament; 5) Rep. Teves’ proposal for the Sponsors to consider including Congress in the process of approv-ing the extension period during which the proposed Bangsamoro government may retain the 25 percent
share of the national government in the taxes, fees, and charges collected in the area; 6) the exclusive power of the Bangsamoro government to engage in barter and countertrade with the ASEAN countries, which Rep. Teves proposed to delete in view of the dangers it could pose; 7) the provision of the measure concerning the control of aviation, airspace, and air-ports; and 8) the assistance to other Bangsamoro communities that are outside of the Bangsamoro are-as. Rep. Oaminal noted Rep. Teves’ concerns.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair recognized Rep. Celso L. Lobregat for his interpella-tion. INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
Initially, Rep. Lobregat asked a follow-up ques-
tion regarding the IRA of local government units cre-ated under the Bangsamoro government, in relation to Republic Act (RA) No. 7160 or the 1991 Local Gov-ernment Code (LGC). The Sponsor stressed that the LGC will prevail and will not be repealed by the pro-posed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). To his colleague’s next query on the exclusive powers of the Bangsamoro government on “barter trade” and “counter trade”, he read Section 24 of the Bill and disagreed that the Bangsamoro government will in effect control all imports and ex-ports of the ASEAN countries.
Rep. Lobregat proposed to insert a provision to specify the limits to the tax shares of newly created LGUs and pointed out that the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL had rejected his request to add a provision on the definition of terms. He thereafter debated with Rep. Oaminal on whether the Ad Hoc Committee chairperson could choose to not incorporate the pro-posed amendments of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Appropriations, into the Bill.
Rep. Oaminal explained that pursuant to Section 44 of the Rules of the House, the comments of the Committees on Appropriations, and Ways and Means may or may not be incorporated in the measure but that the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL chose to at-tach the comments of said two Committees to the Committee Report on House Bill No. 5811 which will be part of the subject matter being debated in plenary.
For his part, Rep. Lobregat pointed out that in a way, the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL has disre-spected the two Committees as it may become a prec-edent for other committees considering that the for-mer has no intention of incorporating the proposed
64 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
amendments into the draft BLBAR.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Padilla relin-
quished the Chair to Rep. Bondoc.
Thereupon, Rep. Lobregat dwelled into the defi-nition of the words “bangsa” and “moro” taken sepa-rately and the concept of the word “bangsamoro.” He then inquired on the definition of bangsamoro as used in the draft BLBAR.
At this juncture, Rep. Bondoc relinquished the
Chair to Deputy Speaker Henedina R. Abad.
Rep. Lobregat also inquired as to when Christi-anity and Islam were introduced in the country, this as he stressed that his queries were important in rela-tion to Rep. Oaminal’s statement that the Bangsamo-ro has the right to ancestral domain. He then referred to the wordings of the Preamble as contained in House Bill No. 5811, and said that during the period of amendments, he would propose to use the phrase “the Filipino people” so as not to segregate nor dis-tinguish the Bangsamoro people from the rest of the citizenry.
Thereafter, Rep. Lobregat asked that Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez respond to his next query because of the conditions that he had allegedly set to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee. Rep. Lobregat referred to a March 4, 2015 newspaper article quoting Rep. Rodri-guez for saying that the passage of the draft BLBAR would depend on the surrender of the firearms seized by the MILF fighters during the Mamasapano inci-dent as well as the surrender of the MILF fighters
involved in the incident. To Rep. Oaminal’s explanation that Rep. Rodri-
guez’ proposal was overruled during the Committee meeting, Rep. Lobregat asked for a power point presentation thereof on the floor, and which presenta-tion he said has already been cleared with the Com-mittee on Rules. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Lobregat, the session was
suspended at 7:18 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 7:25 p.m.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal, the Chair
suspended the session at 7:25 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 8:29 p.m. with Deputy
Speaker Padilla presiding. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session
until four o’clock in the afternoon of Thursday, June 4, 2015.
It was 8:29 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2015.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 65
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 4:00 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2015, the session
resumed with Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong presiding. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy”
P. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General read on First Reading the titles of the following Resolutions, including the Committee Reports, which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2138, entitled:
“RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCA-TION AND CULTURE AND HOUSE COM-MITTEE ON INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEO-PLES, CONVENING EITHER JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY, TO CONDUCT AN ONSITE INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLA-TION, ON REPORTS OF MILITARIZA-TION OF SEVERAL LUMAD SCHOOLS IN MINDANAO INCLUDING THE TRIBAL SCHOOLS OF SALUGPONGAN TA'TANU IGKANOGON COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER (STTICLC) IN TALAINGOD, DA-VAO DEL NORTE, THREATENED TO BE CLOSED AND REPLACED BY A MILI-TARY-RUN PUBLIC SCHOOL AND IN-STRUCTION TO BE FACILITATED BY 'PARA-TEACHERS' ”
By Representative Ridon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2140, entitled:
“RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) TO CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF ALL CASES OF INMATES AND/OR DE-TAINEES IN ALL PROVINCIAL AND CITY JAILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY”
By Representative Atienza TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2141, entitled: “A RESOLUTION URGING THE SECRETARY
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR-TATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CIVIL AVIATIONS AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIP-PINES TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THE IMMEDIATE REPAIR AND REHABILITA-TION OF BISLIG AIRPORT IN THE CITY OF BISLIG, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR”
By Representative Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTA-
TION
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and Reso-lution hereunder indicated:
Rep. Raul V. Del Mar for House Bill No. 5791;
Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo for House Bill No.
5774; Rep. Neri J. Colmenares for House Resolution No.
3172; Rep. Jose "Pingping" I. Tejada for House Bills No.
4763 and 4777; Rep. Benjamin C. Agarao Jr. for House Bill No.
4714; Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bill No. 3496; Reps. Edgar R. Erice, Roy M. Loyola and Rogelio
J. Espina, M.D. for House Bill No. 5589;
Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III for House Bill No.
5737; Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza for House
Bills No. 5312 and 5336; and Rep. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay for House
Bills No. 5624, 5625 and 5626.
66 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Public Information (Committee Report No. 757), re H. R. No. 2150, entitled: “RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PHILIP-
PINE MEDIA FOR THE OUTSTANDING COVERAGE OF THE FOUR-DAY STATE AND APOSTOLIC VISIT OF HIS HOLI-NESS, POPE FRANCIS, AND THE FILI-PINO PEOPLE FOR THEIR VIGILANCE, DISCIPLINE AND COOPERATION THAT RESULTED IN THE PEACEFUL, OR-DERLY AND SUCCESSFUL PAPAL VISIT FROM 15 TO 19 JANUARY 2015”
recommending its adoption in substitution of
House Resolution No. 1823 Sponsors: Representatives Almonte, Pagdilao,
Acop, Bataoil, Acedillo and Alejano TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 758), re H. No. 5836, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING MARINE PRO-
TECTED AREAS IN ALL COASTAL MU-NICIPALITIES AND CITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 360, 2153 and 2631 Sponsors: Representatives Salimbangon and For-
tun TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Works and Highways (Committee Report No. 759), re H. No. 5837, entitled:
“AN ACT NAMING THE ROAD STRETCHING FROM BARANGAY SAN MIGUEL HEIGHTS, MUNICIPALITY OF LAOANG TO BARANGAY MABINI, MUNICIPAL-ITY OF LAPINIG, PROVINCE OF NORTH-ERN SAMAR AS PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO HIGHWAY”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5219
Sponsors: Representatives Cosalan and Ong
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Justice (Committee Report No. 760), re H. R. No. 2153, entitled: “RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO RECOMMEND HOUSE ARREST FOR FORMER PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPA-GAL-ARROYO FOR HUMANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS”
recommending its adoption in substitution of
House Resolution No. 1908 Sponsors: Representatives Tupas and Bello (S.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
RECONSIDERATION OF THE APPROVAL ON
SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILL NO. 2592
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body reconsidered the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 2592 in order to introduce perfecting amendments.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAND TRANS-
PORTATION OFFICE SATELLITE OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2, PA-RAÑAQUE CITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.”
MOTION OF REP. BONDOC
Rep. Bondoc then moved that the Body open the
period of amendments.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair declared a
recess at 4:02 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 5:45 p.m., the session resumed.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 67
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the following Committee Reports which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Rural Development and
the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 761), re H. No. 5840, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT AP-PROACH FOR NUTRITION IMPROVE-MENT (BIDANI) OF THE RURAL POOR AS A NETWORK PROGRAM OF THE PARTICIPATING STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 903 Sponsors: Representatives Agyao, Ungab and
Santiago TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Agrarian Reform
(Committee Report No. 762), re H. No. 5841, entitled: “AN ACT CREATING THE AGRARIAN RE-
FORM COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE CIRCUMVENTIONS AND VIOLATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 6657, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW OF 1988, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 9700, AND OTHER AGRARIAN REFORM LAWS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 4375 Sponsors: Representatives Baguilat, Bag-ao and
Gerona-Robredo TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization (Committee Report No. 763), re H. No. 5842, entitled: “AN ACT MANDATING A TWO THOUSAND
PESO (₱2,000.00) ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY PENSION WITH CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENT OF THE MINIMUM MONTHLY PENSION UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYS-TEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1997' ”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 175, 3851 and 4903
Sponsors: Representatives Sacdalan, Colmenares and Villar
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF BILLS UNDER THE
BUSINESS FOR THE DAY
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body considered certain House Bills, as contained in various Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures; terminated the period of sponsorship and debate thereon; approved the amendments as contained in the Committee Reports or as presented on the floor, if any; terminated the period of amendments; and approved the measures on Second Reading by viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5831, as contained in Com-
mittee Report No. 755 and submitted by the Committee on Ways and Means, enhancing the current tax system by implementing measures that ensure transparency in the management and accounting of tax incen-tives granted to government and nongovern-ment entities; and
2. House Bill No. 5842, as contained in Commit-tee Report No. 763 and submitted by the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, mandating a two thousand peso (P2,000.00) across-the-board increase in the monthly pension with corresponding adjust-ment of the minimum monthly pension under the Social Security System.
68 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015
ADOPTION OF CERTAIN
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
On successive motions of Rep. Bondoc, there
being no objection, the Body considered the following House Resolutions, as embodied in various Committee Reports submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts thereof without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; approved the amendments as contained in the Committee Reports and presented on the floor; terminated the period of amendments; and unanimously adopted the Resolutions by viva voce voting:
1. House Resolution No. 2146, as embodied in Committee Report No. 754 and submitted by the Committee on Transportation, entitled: “RESO-LUTION STRONGLY URGING THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE TO IMMEDI-ATELY CONDUCT A MANDATORY DRIVER’S LICENSE RETESTING FOR ALL HOLDERS OF A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE IN THE PHILIPPINES”;
2. House Resolution No. 1947, as embodied in Committee Report No. 756 and submitted by the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, entitled: “RESOLUTION ORGAN-IZING THE PHILIPPINES-ISRAEL PARLIA-MENTARIANS’ FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIA-TION”; and
3. House Resolution No. 2153, as embodied in Committee Report No. 760 and submitted by the Committee on Justice, entitled: “RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO RECOMMEND HOUSE ARREST FOR FORMER PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO FOR HU-MANITARIAN CONSIDERATIONS.”
RECONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL ON
SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILL NO. 2592
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body approved to reconsider the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 2592, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE SATELLITE OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2, PARAÑAQUE CITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR,” to introduce perfecting amendments therein.
AMENDMENT OF REP. BONDOC
As proposed by Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved to amend “Section 1” of House Bill No. 2592, to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. THE EXISTING LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) SATELLITE OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2, PARAÑAQUE CITY IS HEREBY CONVERTED INTO A REGULAR LTO DISTRICT OFFICE."
TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF AMENDMENTS
There being no other Committee or individual
amendments, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body terminated the period of amendments. APPROVAL ON SECOND READING OF
HOUSE BILL NO. 2592, AS AMENDED
On further motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved on Second Reading House Bill No. 2592, as amended. RECONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
ON SECOND READING
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 4404
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body reconsidered the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 4404, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA, CAVITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,” to incorporate amendments therein. AMENDMENT OF REP. BONDOC
As proposed by Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved to insert the words PROVINCE OF before the word “Cavite” as it appears on Sections 1, 3 and title of the measure.
“SECTION 4. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER ITS PUBLICATION IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE OR IN NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION.” TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF AMENDMENTS
There being no other Committee or individual
amendments, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objection, the Body terminated the period of amendments.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 69
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 4404, AS AMENDED
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body approved on Second Reading House Bill No. 4404, as amended. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no
objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as embodied in Committee Report No. 747 and reported out by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONO-MOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, EN-TITLED ʹAN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,ʹ AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED ʹAN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AU-TONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MIN-DANAO. ʹ”
On Rep. Bondoc’s motion, the Chair recognized
Rep. Henry S. Oaminal, Vice chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), to resume sponsorship of the measure and Rep. Celso L. Lobregat to continue with his interpellation.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. OAMINAL
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Oaminal
provided additional clarification on his answers during the previous day’s interpellation regarding madaris education and stated that the proposed Bangsamoro government, as part of its other exclusive powers, will provide for the regulation and supervision of madaris through the appropriate ministry. Rep. Oaminal then stated that he was ready to answer Rep. Lobregat’s questions.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Balindong
relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Carlos M.
Padilla.
Initially, Rep. Lobregat stated that he had reserved some questions until Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez will be available because there are specific issues which only the latter can answer.
Thereafter, upon Rep. Lobregat’s request, a video was played which was supposed to be played the previous day when Rep. Rodriguez (R.) answered questions on the floor. However, since Rep. Rodriguez was not around this time, only the preliminary video would be played on the screen so that everyone would know what transpired during the Ad Hoc Committee meeting when he brought up the issue on the conditions to the MILF that would restore the trust and confidence for BBL to succeed. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
6:05 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 6:05 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation)
Upon resumption of session, and upon the request of Rep. Lobregat, with the permission of the Body, a preliminary video was played on the screen so they could keep track on where they would start on Monday and the questions he would be asking regarding Rep. Rodriguez’ (R.) sponsorship speech entitled, “Be on the Right Side of History.”
Thereafter, Reps. Lobregat and Oaminal discussed
certain points regarding: 1) the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) Annex on Normalization which involves the laying down of weapons of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members or the decommissioning of its forces; and 2) the National Support Service in relation to the Bangsamoro Police.
Rep. Lobregat then said that the Committee not
only deleted the aforecited provisions in the original Bill but also excluded provisions such as on decommissioning that were found in the FAB annexes and agreements. On another matter, he warned about the danger of giving police supervision and control to the Bangsamoro Chief Minister instead of the city and municipal mayors as was the current practice even in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
70 THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015
Rep. Oaminal said that the version of House Bill No. 5811 that he was defending on the floor was al-ready approved by the Ad Hoc Committee; and that his colleague was free to present pertinent amendments at the proper time. He added that he was not in a position to answer the decommissioning agreement as what they were discussing was the draft Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) and not the agreements entered into by the Philippine govern-ment and the MILF. He stated that Rep. Lobregat could inform the Body considering that he had posed said question to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
For his part, Rep. Lobregat stated however that
most of them are not members of the Ad Hoc Commit-tee on the BBL and that the Body should be informed of the specifics of such information considering the importance of the same. He then suggested that Rep. Oaminal ask the OPAPP personnel present in the Ses-sion Hall regarding the matter.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 6:46 p.m., upon mo-
tion of Rep. Oaminal.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 6:49 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation)
Upon resumption of session, Rep. Oaminal stated
that the Members could be furnished with the copies of the scheduling of the normalization and decommis-sioning agreements.
Rep. Lobregat maintained however that each and
every Member should be informed on the issue of the decommissioning agreement as it is a vital piece of in-formation in the peace process.
Rep. Oaminal pointed out that it is his position that since the questions raised are not part of the substance of the measure, he is not duty bound to answer. He stated that it is clear that the draft BLBAR is the ena-bling law of the agreements and that whatever is pro-vided in the measure will be the ones to be imple-mented.
Thereupon, Rep. Lobregat reserved his right to raise the issue of the decommissioning agreement to the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, which was noted by Rep. Oaminal.
REMARKS OF THE CHAIR
The Chair then advised Rep. Lobregat to proceed
with his next question.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation)
Considering that the series of questions he would propound require certain constitutional and law-re-lated issues, he inquired whether he could reserve said questions to the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL.
Rep. Oaminal stated that he would submit to the
discretion of the Chair.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At this point, the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session at 6:55 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 7:15 p.m.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. thereupon sought recog-
nition from the Chair.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
7:15 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 7:17 p.m.
REMARKS OF REP. ATIENZA
Recognized by the Chair, Rep. Atienza noted the
serious repercussions of the queries being raised by Rep. Lobregat, and since the Ad Hoc vice chairperson cannot clearly answer the same, he suggested that Rep. Lobregat be given another chance to interpellate the Chairperson himself.
The Chair took note of Rep. Atienza’s remarks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 71
REMARKS OF REP. LOBREGAT
Rep. Lobregat thereafter asked for the suspension
of his interpellation until Monday, June 8, 2015 to al-low other Members to pursue their questions.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair recognized Rep. Tupay T. Loong, to whom Rep. Oaminal yielded the floor, for the sponsorship of House Bill No. 5811. Rep. Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos was also recognized for his interpellation.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. JALOSJOS
Rep. Jalosjos exchanged views with Rep. Loong
regarding the funds to be allocated for the maintenance of national roads, bridges, and irrigation systems in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, aside from the annual block grant it will receive from the national government with the passage into law of House Bill No. 5811. They also dealt with the opt-in provision of the measure pertaining to local government units (LGUs) contiguous to the Bangsamoro area, with Rep. Jalosjos expressing his opposition to the provision and highlighting the decision of the First District of Zamboanga del Norte which includes the historic Dapitan City, to be excluded from the ARMM as gleaned from the results of the past plebiscites on the matter. INTERPELLATION OF REP. ABUEG
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, the Chair recognized
Rep. Frederick “Erick” F. Abueg who aired his serious concern over the inclusion of the Province of Palawan in the proposed Bangsamoro area even if it is not con-tiguous thereto and its people does not share any geo-graphic or cultural similarity with Mindanao. He in-quired why Palawan was again included in the work-ing draft BLBAR when it was voted to be deleted dur-ing the Committee deliberations.
In reply, Rep. Loong cited the historical affinity of Palawan with Mindanao as it used to be part of the Sul-tanate of Sulu. When sought for assurance that Pala-wan would not be included in the Bangsamoro geo-graphical area, the Sponsor cited the possibility that it will not be included once the BLBAR is submitted for ratification. He also advised Rep. Abueg to file the proper amendments in due time.
The Members then discussed the meaning of the words “geographic area” to determine where the peti-tion of the 10 percent vote of the registered voters would come from.
At this point, Rep. Abueg reiterated his concern on
the need for a more accurate definition of the geo-graphical areas and political boundaries comprising the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region which he opined should exclude Palawan inasmuch as majority of its people, even at the start of the framing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, are very much against the inclu-sion of Palawan in the Bangsamoro area.
Rep. Loong explained that the provinces and cities
covered under the 1976 Tripoli Agreement were in-cluded in the Bangsamoro area envisioned under House Bill No. 5811 as a matter of courtesy to the Or-ganization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) whose sec-retary general, he disclosed, visited the Philippines a few weeks back and suggested that the draft BBL be linked to the Tripoli and the 1996 Peace Agreements.
SUSPENSION OF THE PERIOD
OF INTERPELLATIONS
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Bondoc, there being no objec-tion, the Body suspended the period of interpellations on House Bill No. 5811.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On subsequent motion of Rep. Bondoc, there be-
ing no objection, the Body suspended further consid-eration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Abueg, there being
no objection, the Body suspended the session until four o’clock in the afternoon of Monday, June 8, 2015.
It was 8:06 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2015.
72 MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June
8, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla
presiding.
INVOCATION
Recognized by the Chair, Representative Erlinda
M. Santiago led the invocation.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At 4:02 p.m., the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Arthur R. Defensor Jr., there
being no objection, the Chair directed the Secretary
General to call the Roll and the following Members
were present:
Abad
Abaya
Abayon
Abellanosa
Abu
Abueg
Acharon
Acop
Acosta-Alba
Adiong
Aggabao
Aglipay-Villar
Agyao
Albano
Alejano
Aliping
Almario
Almonte
Alvarez (F.)
Amante
Amatong (I.)
Amatong (R.)
Andaya
Angara-Castillo
Angping
Apostol
Aragones
Arbison
Arenas
Arnaiz
Arroyo
Asilo
Atienza
Aumentado
Bag-ao
Bagatsing
Balindong
Banal
Barcelona-Reyes
Barzaga
Bataoil
Batocabe
Bautista
Belmonte (F.)
Belmonte (J.)
Benitez
Biazon
Bichara
Binay
Bondoc
Bravo (A.)
Bravo (M.)
Briones
Bulut-Begtang
Cabilao
Cagas
Calixto-Rubiano
Caminero
Cari
Castelo
Castro
Celeste
Cerafica
Cerilles
Chipeco
Co
Collantes
Colmenares
Cortuna
Cosalan
Cruz-Gonzales
Dalog
De Jesus
De Venecia
Defensor
Del Mar
Del Rosario (A.A.)
Deloso-Montalla
Durano
Dy
Echiverri
Enverga
Erice
Eriguel
Escudero
Espina
Estrella
Evardone
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 73
Fariñas
Fernandez
Ferriol
Flores
Fortuno
Garay
Garcia (E.)
Garcia (G.)
Garcia-Albano
Garin (R.)
Garin (S.)
Gerona-Robredo
Go (A.C.)
Go (A.F.)
Gonzales
Gonzalez
Gorriceta
Guanlao
Guiao
Gunigundo
Hataman-Salliman
Hernandez
Hicap
Hofer
Ilagan
Iway
Jalosjos
Kho
Lacson-Noel
Lagdameo (A.)
Lagdameo (M.)
Lanete
Leachon
Leonardia
Leonen-Pizarro
Lobregat
Loong
Lopez (C.)
Lopez (C.J.)
Loyola
Macrohon-Nuño
Madrona
Magsaysay
Mangudadatu
Marcos
Masongsong
Matugas
Mellana
Mendoza (J.)
Mendoza (M.)
Mendoza (R.)
Mercado
Montejo
Nava (J.)
Nava (P.)
Noel
Oaminal
Olivarez
Ong
Ortega (V.)
Padilla
Paduano
Paez
Pancho
Panganiban
Panotes
Paquiz
Pernes
Piamonte
Pichay
Primicias-Agabas
Puno
Quimbo
Quisumbing
Ramirez-Sato
Ramos
Relampagos
Revilla
Reyes
Ridon
Rivera
Robes
Rodriguez (I.)
Rodriguez (M.)
Rodriguez (O.)
Romarate
Romualdez
Romulo
Sacdalan
Sakaluran
Salimbangon
Salvacion
Santiago
Sarmiento (C.)
Sarmiento (M.)
Sema
Singson (E.)
Singson (R.)
Suarez
Tambunting
Tan (A.)
Tan (M.)
Tejada
Teodoro
Teves
Tieng
Ting
Tolentino
Treñas
Tugna
Tupas
Umali (C.)
Umali (R.)
Unabia
Ungab
Uy (J.)
74 MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
Uy (R.)
Vargas
Vargas-Alfonso
Velasco
Villanueva
Villar
Violago
Yap (A.)
Yap (S.)
Zamora (R.)
Zarate
With 215 Members responding to the Call, the
Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also
Appendix 1)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Defensor acknowledged the
presence in the Session Hall of guests of Rep.
Frederick “Erick” F. Abueg.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Rep. Defensor, there being no
objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional
Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read on First Reading the titles of the following
Resolutions, including the Messages from the Senate,
which were referred to the appropriate Committees as
hereunder indicated:
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2142, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING PROFOUND
CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REP-
RESENTATIVES ON THE DEMISE MR.
JUAN REANTILLO ECHIVERRI JR.,
BROTHER OF HONORABLE ENRICO
ECHIVERRI, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
FIRST DISTRICT OF CALOOCAN CITY”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2143, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES EXPRESSING PROFOUND
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEMISE OF
PBA VETERAN MR. ERNESTO 'ESTOY'
ESTRADA”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2144, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING DIRECTOR BRILLANTE
MENDOZA FOR RECEIVING THE ECU-
MENICAL JURY PRIZE-SPECIAL MEN-
TION IN THE 68TH CANNES FILM FESTI-
VAL FOR HIS FILM 'TAKLUB'“
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2145, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES EXPRESSING WARMEST
FELICITATIONS AND CONGRATULA-
TIONS TO THE MIRIAM COLLEGE HIGH
SCHOOL DANCE TROUPE 'SAYAWATHA'
FOR WINNING BRONZE FOR THE
CHEER HIP-HOP EVENT AT THE INTER-
NATIONAL CHEER UNION (ICU) WORLD
CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIPS”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills and
Resolutions hereunder indicated:
Rep. Mercedes K. Alvarez for House Resolution
No. 1516;
Rep. Joseph "Ace" H. Durano for House Bill No.
5614;
Rep. Roman T. Romulo for House Bill No. 3340;
Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo for House Bill No.
5781;
Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez for House Bills No. 5312
and 5336;
Reps. Frederick "Erick" F. Abueg, Gwendolyn F.
Garcia, Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay, Mercedes C.
Cagas and Pryde Henry A. Teves for House Bill No.
5029;
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 75
Reps. Frederick "Erick" F. Abueg, Gwendolyn F.
Garcia, Pryde Henry A. Teves, Leah S. Paquiz and
Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay for House Bills No.
1526 and 2116; and
Reps. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay, Mercedes
C. Cagas, Evelina G. Escudero, Pryde Henry A. Teves,
Frederick "Erick" F. Abueg and Gwendolyn F. Garcia
for House Resolution No. 2088.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed Senate Bill No. 2686, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICA-
TIONS TECHNOLOGY, DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRI-
ATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION
AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOL-
OGY
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed with amendments House Bill No. 4769, en-
titled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPAL-
ITY OF GENERAL TRIAS IN THE PROV-
INCE OF CAVITE INTO A COMPONENT
CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF
GENERAL TRIAS”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed with amendments House Bill No. 4537, en-
titled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZEN-
SHIP TO PETER LESLIE WALLACE”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed with amendments House Bill No. 4400, en-
titled:
“AN ACT NAMING AS THE 'PRESIDENT
CORY C. AQUINO AVENUE' THE CIR-
CUMFERENTIAL ROAD WHICH COM-
MENCES AT THE JUNCTION OF THE
ILOILO-DUMANGAS COASTAL ROAD
IN BALABAGO, JARO DISTRICT, ILOILO
CITY, THEN FOLLOWS A GENERAL
WESTWARD DIRECTION ALONG THE
FLOODWAY'S SOUTH BANK TOWARDS
BUHANG, JARO; TACAS, JARO AND
UNGKA II, PAVIA, THEN TRAVERSES
SOUTHWARDS TO THE MANDURRIAO
DISTRICT, ILOILO CITY-PAVIA- SAN MI-
GUEL TRI-BORDER, AND ENDS AT THE
ILOILO-ANTIQUE ROAD, NEAR THE
CENTER OF AREVALO DISTRICT, ILO-
ILO CITY”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 1, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed without amendment the following House
Bills:
House Bill No. 4398, entitled:
“AN ACT NAMING A STRETCH OF THE NA-
TIONAL HIGHWAY ALONG THE ILOILO
DIVERSION ROAD/ILOILO CAPIZ ROAD
(OLD ROUTE) WHICH BEGINS AT THE
JUNCTION OF GENERAL LUNA TO THE
AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD AND ENDS AT
THE GATE OF THE ILOILO INTERNA-
TIONAL AIRPORT, TRAVERSING THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF PAVIA, STA. BAR-
BARA AND CABATUAN, AND ILOILO
CITY, AS 'SENATOR BENIGNO S.
AQUINO, JR. AVENUE' ”; and
House Bill No. 1042, entitled:
“AN ACT NAMING THE DIVERSION ROAD
IN TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE AS GOV.
BENJAMIN 'KOKOY' T. ROMUALDEZ DI-
VERSION ROAD”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Defensor, the Chair suspended
the session at 5:46 p.m.
76 MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:50 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
Whereupon, on motion of Rep. Defensor, there
being no objection, the Body resumed consideration
on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as
contained in Committee Report No. 747 and submitted
by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic
Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW FOR
THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS
REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED ‘AN
ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,’ AND
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED ‘AN
ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT
FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN
MUSLIM MINDANAO.’”
Rep. Defensor stated that the parliamentary status
of the Bill was that it was in the period of sponsorship
and debate and thereafter on his motion, the Chair
recognized Rep. Romeo A. Acop, Vice-Chairperson of
the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law,
to sponsor the measure and Rep. Celso L. Lobregat to
continue with his interpellation.
QUERY OF REP. LOBREGAT
Whereupon, Rep. Lobregat recalled that during
the previous session, he had to suspend his
interpellation because the answers given to him by the
Sponsor were inadequate. As he would like to be
further enlightened thereon, he said he had to reserve
his right to interpellate the Ad Hoc Committee
chairperson, Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez. Before
suspending his interpellation, he asked the Chair to
rule as to whether he can continue in the next day’s
session with Rep. Rodriguez answering his questions,
and noted that the response was that the chairperson
would be present and that Rep. Lobregat may continue
with his interpellations. He then asked where Rep.
Rodriguez was.
REMARKS OF MAJORITY LEADER
GONZALES
With the permission of the Chair, Majority Leader
Neptali M. Gonzales II appealed to Rep. Lobregat to
allow other Members to interpellate and assured him
that he will be recognized once it is the turn of Rep.
Rodriguez (R.) to defend the Bill.
REMARKS OF REP. LOBREGAT
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Lobregat
stated that he is willing to wait for the turn of the Ad
Hoc Committee chairperson considering that he has
certain questions that need to be answered directly by
him. He said that he would continue his interpellation
of Rep. Acop and skip portions of his questions
intended for Rep. Rodriguez (R.). He asked anew why
the sponsoring chairperson was not present to defend
a very important and historic measure.
REMARKS OF THE CHAIR
In response, the Chair explained that the Ad Hoc
Committee had decided that the chairperson, vice
chairpersons and some members shall take turns in
sponsoring the measure, which is allowed under the
Rules of the House. He said that it was just
unfortunate that it was not Rep. Rodriguez’ turn to
sponsor the Bill that moment. He then advised Rep.
Lobregat to proceed with his interpellation if he was
amenable to Rep. Gonzales’ proposal.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation)
Thereafter, Rep. Lobregat reiterated his previous
question regarding the issue on the normalization
process. Specifically, he adverted to the deletion by the
Ad Hoc Committee of the provisions in the original
draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) for support
services and intergovernmental relations mechanisms
and operational coordination between the Special
Action Force (SAF) and the Criminal Investigation
and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine
National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) with the Bangsamoro government.
He inquired into the reasons for such a deletion
considering that there exists an agreement between the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the
national government of such operational coordination
in Bangsamoro territories. Rep. Acop maintained that
the deletion could create a legal precedent and then
proposed to submit the appropriate amendments in due
time.
Rep. Lobregat thereafter questioned the powers
and authority exercised by the Chief Minister, specifi-
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015 77
cally the operational control, supervision and discipli-
nary powers over Bangsamoro police personnel under
House Bill No. 5811 or the draft Basic Law for the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). He ex-
plained that under the PNP Law, such powers and au-
thority are exercised solely by the city and municipal
mayors. He pointed out the possible adverse public or-
der and security and political consequences of such
imposition of authority to the Bangsamoro Chief Min-
ister and cited as basis his experience as a former city
mayor who had direct contact and ground and opera-
tional control and supervision of policemen in his city.
He maintained that under the proposed BLBAR, the
Chief Minister cannot effectively exercise such re-
sponsibility and power considering that his position is
far removed to exercise operational control and super-
vision over the Bangsamoro police. Rep. Acop how-
ever disagreed therewith.
Rep. Lobregat then asked to be clarified on who
should exercise the power of deploying or redeploying
police forces in a local government unit (LGU) under
the instant measure.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Padilla
relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Sergio A. F.
Apostol.
Reps. Lobregat and Acop further debated on the
schedule and timetable of the decommissioning of
MILF weapons, this being part of a program on nor-
malization of the Bangsamoro; the percentage of arms
that will have to be surrendered once House Bill No.
5811 is passed and the percentage that the MILF will
still retain and even after a plebiscite or an election is
conducted in the proposed Bangsamoro area; and the
danger it creates during the conduct of a plebiscite if
75 percent of the arms are not returned.
Rep. Lobregat then inquired as to when the Bang-
samoro police would be established because he be-
lieved that there should be a definite date so that upon
the enactment of the proposed BBL, the PNP would
become the police units of the Bangsamoro govern-
ment. He then expressed hope that the decommission-
ing would not take 10 years as what happened in Ire-
land.
When Rep. Acop said that he voted for the instant
measure to give peace a chance in Mindanao, Rep.
Lobregat said that the passage of the measure will not
really ensure peace because the MILF is not the only
rebel group in the region. The latter also pointed out
that according to the decommissioning agreement be-
tween the government and the MILF, an exit document
will only be signed when all agreements are imple-
mented; but the Sponsor said that an independent third
party will check on how the two parties will perform
their obligations.
Rep. Lobregat thereafter questioned the so-called
P4 billion normalization fund to be given to the MILF
combatants. Rep. Acop explained that the fund would
also be used for poor communities and internally
displaced persons in the Bangsamoro area.
Thereupon, Reps. Lobregat and Acop delved into
the issue of amnesty requiring congressional action
wherein the former contended that the agreements
between the national government and the MILF as
well as the draft BLBAR are silent on the matter. For
his part, Rep. Acop maintained that when amnesty is
given by the Philippine government, it would need the
concurrence of both Houses of Congress.
Rep. Lobregat then inquired whether he could
address his queries to Rep. Rodriguez (R.) since the
latter was already in the Session Hall. Moreover, he
emphasized that he had made his reservations the
previous week yet.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At this point, the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session at 7:10 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 7:10 p.m.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ACOP
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Acop yielded
the floor to Rep. Rodriguez (R.), Chairperson of the
Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, to sponsor the
measure.
REMARKS OF REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.)
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Rodriguez
congratulated both Reps. Acop and Lobregat for their
discussion and stated that he was ready to sponsor
House Bill No. 5811.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation)
Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez (R.) initially
discussed the historical and religious background of
the Philippines, and the “bangsamoro” concept.
To Rep. Lobregat’s query on the phrase “non-
Moro indigenous people (IP)” as used in the Preamble
of the BLBAR, the Sponsor explained that this is so
worded to make it more inclusive, this as he recalled
that before the conquest, all inhabitants of Mindanao
78 MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2015
and the Sulu archipelago and their adjacent islands
were deemed Bangsamoro people, including the non-
Moro IP who used their freedom of choice to consider
themselves as belonging thereto. He further explained
that unlike the Constitution, the BLBAR is exclusively
for the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
(BAR) so there is a need to clarify who belongs
therein, given the fact that there are other inhabitants
in the Bangsamoro geographical area who should also
be recognized as they would also like to invoke the aid
of the Almighty God.
The Members next discussed the second
paragraph of the Preamble, with the Sponsor
underscoring that despite the separation of Church and
State, the Preamble acknowledges the country’s deep
history of Islamization and the Islam in the BAR, and
agreeing to consider amendments at the appropriate
time with respect to the portion referring to the phrase
“our system of life prescribed by our faith.”
At this point, Rep. Rodriguez (R.) explained that
he was not in the Session Hall last Thursday, June 4,
2015 as well as earlier in the day because he was one
of the House conferees on the proposed Fair
Competition Law. He then agreed to Rep. Lobregat’s
video presentation of the voting process during the Ad
Hoc Committee hearing, which disapproved the
motion for the return of all the SAF firearms by the
MILF and the surrender by the latter of its members
who were involved in the Mamasapano incident as
conditions for the approval of the measure.
Rep. Rodriguez informed Rep. Lobregat of the
Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation of the
Mamasapano incident, which found 90 officials and
members of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) responsible for the crime of
direct assault with murder. He said that warrants of
arrest will be issued at the proper time. As a rejoinder,
Rep. Lobregat lamented how the Ad Hoc Committee
lost a golden opportunity to give justice to the Fallen
SAF 44 and their families when it voted down the
above-mentioned motion.
Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez next delved into the
differences in the titles of House Bill No. 5811 and the
original BBL, House Bill No. 4994, with the latter
stating that the phrase “Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)” was removed because it
would become redundant as it is already contained in
the body of the measure. He also averred that there was
no intention to hide the fact that the passage of the
measure would result in the abolition of the ARMM
and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region.
They subsequently discussed the bases of House
Bill No. 5811 and Republic Act (RA) No. 9054 or the
ARMM Organic Act as well as the differences between
the peace agreements of the Philippine government
with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and
the MILF. Citing, among others, the December 29,
2014 letter of MILF Chairperson Murad Ebrahim to
the Ad Hoc Committee chairperson, Rep. Lobregat
sought clarification on the MILF’s idea that its
negotiated peace agreement with the Executive binds
all three branches of government including the
Judiciary and Congress.
Rep. Rodriguez pointed out that under the political
issue doctrine, Congress cannot intrude whatever
agreement the government peace panel had forged
with the MILF or the MNLF. He opined that the MILF
was probably wrongly advised by their legal counsels
in interpreting the actions of the Executive
Department.
Considering the MILF’s official stand that it
expects Congress to pass the BBL draft without
diminishing, diluting or watering-down its provisions
except for minor changes that will improve or enhance
it, Rep. Lobregat expressed his apprehension as to
what the MILF position would be should Congress
pass a BBL measure with amendment or revision in its
final version.
Rep. Rodriguez replied that the MILF cannot insist
that no changes can happen in the proposed BBL
considering that Congress has made significant
changes from the original House Bill No. 4994 to the
substitute House Bill No. 5811, to make it conform to
the Constitution. He then asked Rep. Lobregat what
provisions in the Bill he considers unconstitutional.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
8:14 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 9:17 p.m., with Rep. Jorge
“Bolet” Banal presiding.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At 9:17 p.m., the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session until 4:00 p.m. of Tuesday, June 9, 2015.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 79
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, June
9, 2015, with Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, the Chair motu proprio suspended the
session at 4:00 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:33 p.m.
CONCURRENCE WITH SENATE
AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN HOUSE BILLS
With the concurrence of the chairpersons of the Committees on Local Government, and Public Works and Highways, as well as the respective authors of the instant measures, on successive motions of Representative Arthur R. Defensor Jr., there being no objection, the Body concurred with the Senate amendments to the following House Bills:
1. House Bill No. 3750, separating the City of Batangas from the Second Legislative District of the Province of Batangas to constitute the Lone Legislative District of the City of Batangas;
2. House Bill No. 4769, converting the Municipality of General Trias in the Province of Cavite into a component city to be known as the City of General Trias; and
3. House Bill No. 4400, naming as the “President Cory C. Aquino Avenue” the circumferential road which commences at the junction of the Iloilo-Dumangas Coastal Road in Balabago, Jaro District, Iloilo City, then follows a general westward direction along the floodway’s south bank towards Buhang, Jaro; Tacas,
Jaro and Ungka II, Pavia, then traverses southwards to the Mandurriao District, Iloilo City – Pavia – San Miguel Tri-Border, and ends at the Iloilo-Antique Road, near the center of Arevalo District, Iloilo City.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Joseph “Ace” H. Durano acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of guests of Reps. Rodolfo T. Albano III, Leah S. Paquiz, Sherwin N. Tugna and Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang.
On motion of Rep. Durano, there being no objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the titles of the following Bill and Resolutions, including the Communications and the Subpoena Duces Tecum, which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
BILL ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5838, entitled:
“AN ACT SEPARATING THE POLO
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – MALANDAY ANNEX, CITY OF VALENZUELA FROM POLO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS MALANDAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Gatchalian (W.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2147, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECION'S ALLEGED BID TO BUY P2.58 BILLION WORTH OF FIRE TRUCKS FROM AN ALLEGEDLY UNQUALIFIED SUPPLIER AND WHICH AMOUNT IS P251 MILLION MORE THAN THE LOWEST BIDDER”
By Representative Castelo TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2148, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE RECENT REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
80 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
(DOH) THE ALARMING RATE OF NEW HIV CASES BRINGING THE NUMBER TO 560 IN APRIL 2015”
By Representative Castelo TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2149, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE UNABATED GOLD MINING OPERA-TIONS IN BARANGAY TAMBIS, MUNICI-PALITY OF BAROBO, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL SUR”
By Representative Garay TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2154, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONFERRING THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF ACHIEVE-MENT TO MR. HENRY SY, SR. FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS AND CONSIDERABLE CON-TRIBUTION TO THE GROWTH OF THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY”
By Representative Olivarez TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following
Members were made coauthors of the Bills hereunder indicated:
Rep. Regina Ongsiako Reyes for House Bill No.
5012; Rep. George P. Arnaiz for House Bills No. 5312
and 5336; Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. for House Bill
No. 5062; Rep. Luzviminda C. Ilagan for House Bill No.
180; Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil for House Bill No. 1101;
Rep. Marcelino "Marcy" R. Teodoro for House Bills No. 5785 and 5791;
Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna for House Bill No. 4333; Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo for House Bills
No. 4751 and 4763; Rep. Nancy A. Catamco for House Bill No. 5589;
and Rep. Scott Davies S. Lanete, M.D. for House Bill
No. 5616.
COMMUNICATIONS
Resolution dated 6 March 2015 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Province of Bohol, expressing grat-itude to Congress for the enactment of Republic Act No. 10653.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS
Letter dated 9 March 2015 of Heidi L. Mendoza, Com-missioner, Officer-in-Charge, Commission of Au-dit, transmitting copies of the 2013 Annual Audit Reports on the national government agencies listed in Annex A: List of CY 2013 Annual Audit Report
1. Department of the Interior and Local Government
2. Philippine National Police
3. Office of the Civil Defense
4. Armed Forces of the Philippines General
Headquarters
5. Philippine Army
6. Philippine Air Force
7. Bureau of Immigration
8. Bureau of Corrections TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 30 March 2015 of Atty. Susan L. Pace-Donalvo, Director IV, Regional Director, Office of the Regional Director, Commission on Audit, Regional Office XII, Cotabato City, transmitting a copy of the 2014 Annual Audit Report on the ac-counts and operations of the Sultan Kudarat State
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 81
University, pursuant to Section 1, Article XI-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Section 43 of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Notice of Resolution dated 6 April 2015 of Joffre Gil C. Zapata, Executive Clerk of Court III, Sandi-ganbayan, Fourth Division, on Case Number SB-11-CRM-0306 (People of the Philippines vs. Paulino Salvador C. Leachon, et. al).
TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE
Letter dated 16 April 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, transmitting two (2) original copies of Republic Act No. 10660 which was signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, entitled:
“AN ACT STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE
FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN, FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE ARCHIVES
Letter dated 22 April 2015 of Vicente S Aquino, Of-ficer-in-Charge, Office of the Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, transmitting their report on the Public Sector/Public-Guaranteed Private Sec-tor Foreign Loans approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in the First Quarter of 2015, pursuant to Section 20, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Letter dated 24 April 2015 of Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, trans-mitting the Second Semester 2014 Status Report of the Philippine Financial System, pursuant to Section 39 (c), Article V of Republic Act No. 7653.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Letter dated 28 April 2015 of Atty. Susan L. Pace-Donalvo, Director IV, Regional Director, Com-mission on Audit, Regional Office XII, Cotabato City, transmitting a copy of the 2014 Annual Audit
Report on the accounts and operations of the Co-tabato City State Polytechnic College, pursuant to Section 2, Article XI-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Section 43 of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 29 April 2015 of Janette Loreto-Garin, MD, MBA-H, Secretary of Health, transmitting the First Annual Consolidated Report on the Im-plementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Letter dated 12 May 2015 of Voltaire T. Gazmin, Sec-retary, Department of National Defense, transmit-ting a copy of the 2014 Year End Report of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modern-ization Program, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7898, as amended.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND SECURITY
Letter dated 13 May 2015 of Atty. Sheila U. Villa, Re-gional Director, Commission on Audit, Regional Office IV-B, transmitting copies of the Annual Audit Reports on the following Water Districts for the year ended 31 December 2013:
1. Naujan Water District, Oriental Mindoro;
2. Pinamalayan Water District, Oriental Mindoro;
3. Pola Water District, Oriental Mindoro;
4. Sablayan Water District, Occidental
Mindoro;
5. Odiongan Water District, Romblon; and
6. Romblon Water District. TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM
Pursuant to Section 151, Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 19 March 2015 of Maria Olivia Elena A. Roxas, Director, General Investigation Bureau-B, Field Investigation Of-fice, (GIB-B, FIO I), Office of the Ombudsman, re: FF-C-14-0098, requesting the submission of
82 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
clear and certified true copies of the latest Personal Data Sheet (preferably with picture), Oath of Of-fice and updated Service Record pertaining to Congressman Francisco T. Matugas of the 1st Dis-trict of Surigao del Norte.
Pursuant to Section 151, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 19 March 2015 of Maria Olivia Elena A. Roxas, Director, General Investigation Bureau-B, Field Investigation Of-fice, (GIB-B, FIO I), Office of the Ombudsman, re: FF-C-14-0403, requesting the submission of clear and certified true copies of the latest Personal Data Sheet (preferably with picture), Oath of Of-fice and updated Service Record pertaining to Congressman Lorenzo R. Tañada, Jr. of the 4th District of Quezon.
Pursuant to Section 151, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 21 April 2015 of Cora J. Marzan, Branch Clerk of Court, Metropol-itan Trial Court Branch 39, on Criminal Case No. 14-07802-CR for Perjury.
Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 28 April 2015 of Joselito P. Fangon, Assistant Ombudsman, FIO II, re: CPL-C-12-0107, requesting the submission of clear and certified true copies of the 6 December 2011 Report of the Committee on Muslim Affairs on the 2011 Hajj Operation in Mecca, Saudi Ara-bia.
Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 5 May 2015 of Cit-adel L. Cosmiano-Trasmontero, Assistant Special Prosecutor I, Office of the Special Prosecutor, Of-fice of the Ombudsman, re: SB-15-CRM-0016 to 0024, requesting the submission on or before 5 May 2015 of a certified true copy of the Oath of Office and Personat Data Sheet of former Con-gressman Constantino G. Jaraula.
Pursuant to Section 151, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 8 May 2015 of Ma-ria Olivia Elena A. Roxas, Supervising Director, Lifestyle Check Panel, Office of the Ombudsman, re: CPL-C-08-1594, requesting the submission of clear and certified true copies of the updated Ser-vice Record, Certificate of Yearly Compensation, Allowances, Remunerations and Bonuses received for CYs 1997-2007, and the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth (SALN) for CYs 1997-
2007 pertaining to Gemma Mojica Dela Rosa, Su-pervising Legislative Staff Officer II.
Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 12 May 2015 of Atty. Alfred Yann G. Oguis, OIC, Field Investiga-tion Office, Office of the Deputy Ombudsman (Vi-sayas), re: OMB-V-C-13-0327, requesting the submission of clear and certified true copies of the following documents of Ms. Aida M. Morsen:
1. Latest personal data sheet;
2. Latest appointment and/or oath of office;
3. Updated service record; and
4. Salary grade certification.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-
mittee Report No. 764), re H. No. 5845, entitled:
“AN ACT REVERTING FISH PONDS WHICH
HAVE BEEN UNUTILIZED OR ABANDONED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS TO FOREST LANDS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 43 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 705 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED FORESTRY REFORM CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5289 Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Villarica TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-
mittee Report No. 765), re H. No. 5846, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF
MARINDUQUE A MINING-FREE ZONE”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5566 Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Reyes TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 83
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-mittee Report No. 766), re H. No. 5847, entitled:
“AN ACT SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURE
IN THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC AGRICULTURAL LANDS, AMENDING SECTION 24 OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 141, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE PUBLIC LAND ACT' ”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 1459
Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and
Romualdo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Commit-
tee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 767), re H. No. 5851, entitled:
“AN ACT UPGRADING THE SOUTHERN
ISABELA GENERAL HOSPITAL IN SANTIAGO CITY, PROVINCE OF ISABELA, INTO A TERTIARY GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE SOUTHERN ISABELA MEDICAL CENTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 3852
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel and Aggabao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Commit-
tee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 768), re H. No. 5852, entitled:
“AN ACT UPGRADING THE WAO DISTRICT
HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF WAO, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3607, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE GENERAL HOSPITAL IN EACH OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BAYANG, TAMPARAN AND WAO, ALL IN THE
PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL SUR, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR' ”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 2282 Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel and Adiong TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-mittee Report No. 769), re H. No. 5853, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING AS AGRICULTURAL
LAND PORTIONS OF FORESTLAND LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MALAY, PROVINCE OF AKLAN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PROCLAMATION NO. 1064”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5232 Sponsors: Representatives Matugas, Haresco and
Aggabao TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Justice, the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means (Committee Report No. 770), re H. No. 5855, entitled:
“AN ACT REORGANIZING AND
MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI), AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 215, 634, 640, 1101, 1146, 2590, 3088, 3271, 3284, 3733, 3946, 4293, 4556 and 5304
Sponsors: Representatives Tupas, Ungab,
Quimbo, Escudero, Nograles, Rodriguez (R.), Hofer and Aumentado
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-ture (Committee Report No. 771), re H. No. 5856, entitled:
“AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE GERMAN
EUROPEAN SCHOOL MANILA, INCORPORATED AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ON INTERNATIONAL
84 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
CHARACTER AND PROVIDING FOR MECHANISMS ON THE GRANT OF CERTAIN PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill Nos. 663 and 3947 Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Sar-
miento (C.) and Dela Cruz TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-ture (Committee Report No. 772), re H. No. 5857, entitled:
“AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE CANADIAN
AMERICAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC. AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER AND PROVIDING FOR MECHANISMS ON THE GRANT OF CERTAIN PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5376 Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.) and
Romulo TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Legislative Franchises (Committee Report No. 773), re H. No. 5859, en-titled:
“AN ACT RENEWING FOR ANOTHER
TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO THE PEOPLE'S BROADCASTING SERVICE, INC. UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7477, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 9213”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5565 Sponsors: Representatives Teodoro and Madrona TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Revision of Laws (Com-mittee Report No. 774), re H. No. 5860, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING MAY 15 OF EVERY
YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF
SURIGAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS 'ADLAW NAN PROBINSYA NAN SURIGAO', REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7553, ENTITLED 'AN ACT DECLARING JUNE NINETEEN OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE, TO BE KNOWN AS ADLAW NAN SURIGAO DEL NORTE' ”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 3762
Sponsors: Representatives Primicias-Agabas and Matugas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended the session at 4:43 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 5:04 p.m., the session resumed with Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao presiding.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
Rep. Defensor acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of the delegation from the Asia Leadership Trek of the Center for Asia Leadership Initiatives, who were guests of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Rep. Dakila Carlo E. Cua, as well as the guests of Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended the session at 5:06 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 5:22 p.m., the session resumed with Deputy Speaker Padilla presiding.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Defensor, there being no objection, the Body proceeded to the Roll Call. Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General called the Roll and the following Members responded to the Roll Call:
Abad Abaya Abayon Abu Abueg Acedillo
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 85
Acharon Acop Acosta-Alba Adiong Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Amatong (R.) Angara-Castillo Apostol Aragones Arbison Arnaiz Arroyo Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Bagatsing Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Belmonte (J.) Belmonte (V.) Biazon Bichara Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Cagas Calixto-Rubiano Caminero Cari Castelo Castro Cayetano Celeste Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna
Cosalan Cua Cueva Dalog De Venecia Defensor Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Durano Dy Echiverri Erice Eriguel Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Ferrer (J.) Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (R.) Gatchalian (S.) Gatchalian (W.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Go (A.C.) Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hataman-Salliman Hernandez Hicap Hofer Ilagan Iway Katoh Kho Khonghun Labadlabad Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leachon Leonen-Pizarro
86 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Mangudadatu Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mendoza (J.) Mendoza (M.) Mercado Mirasol Montejo Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Olivarez Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pancho Panganiban Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Ramirez-Sato Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Roman Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Roque Sacdalan Sakaluran Salimbangon Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.)
Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Singson (R.) Suarez Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teves Tiangco Tieng Ting Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Umali (R.) Unabia Ungab Uy (J.) Uy (R.) Vargas Velarde Velasco Villanueva Villarica Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (M.) Zamora (R.) Zarate With 211 Members responding to the Roll Call, the
Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also Appendix 1)
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Defensor, the Body
proceeded to the consideration of Bills on Third Reading.
APPROVAL ON THIRD READING
OF CERTAIN HOUSE BILLS
On successive motions of Rep. Defensor, there being no objection, the Body approved on Third Reading the following House Bills, printed copies of which were distributed to the Members on the dates specified hereunder, pursuant to Section 58, Rule X of the Rules of the House.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the titles of the following House Bills:
Distributed on June 3, 2015:
1. House Bill No. 5791, entitled: “AN ACT PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC WIRE-LESS INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 87
BUILDINGS, TERMINALS, PARKS AND PLAZAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY’’;
2. House Bill No. 5794, entitled: “AN ACT
MANDATING THE CONSERVATION OF GABALDON AND OTHER HERITAGE SCHOOL BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE, PROVIDING PENAL-TIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR.”;
Distributed on June 4, 2015:
3. House Bill No. 5582, entitled: “AN ACT
RENEWING THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO RADIO VERITAS-GLOBAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INCORPORATED TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN FOR RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SEVENTY-FIVE HUN-DRED AND SEVENTY-NINE TO ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS”;
Distributed on June 3, 2015:
4. House Bill No. 4421, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A LAND TRANS-PORTATION OFFICE IN THE MUNICI-PALITY OF MALITA, PROVINCE OF DAVAO OCCIDENTAL AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
5. House Bill No. 4894, entitled: “AN ACT
CONVERTING THE VILLAFUERTE-PEÑA HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY PONGLON, MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSE, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR INTO A NATIONAL TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS JUAN C. PEÑA NATIONAL TECHNICAL-VOCATIO-NAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
6. House Bill No. 5784, entitled: “AN ACT
RECOGNIZING THE CURRENT
THIRD DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR AS THE SECOND DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
7. House Bill No. 5792, entitled: “AN ACT
CONVERTING THE TALISAY DIS-TRICT HOSPITAL IN TALISAY CITY, PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE TALISAY CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY FROM TWENTY-FIVE (25) TO TWO HUNDRED (200) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”;
8. House Bill No. 5795, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GULOD, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS GULOD NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
9. House Bill No. 5796, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY NAGKA-ISANG NAYON, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS NAGKAISANG NAYON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
10. House Bill No. 5797, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GREATER FAIRVIEW, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS WEST FAIRVIEW NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
11. House Bill No. 5798, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY KALIGA-YAHAN, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS SUSANA D. VARGAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
88 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
Distributed on June 4, 2015:
12. House Bill No. 2814, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A ONE-STOP GO-VERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT SERVICES PROCESSING CENTER IN SAN JOSE CITY, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
13. House Bill No. 5779, entitled: “AN ACT
GRANTING THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION THE AUTHORITY TO MONITOR AND INVESTIGATE NONGOVERNMEN-TAL ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDA-TIONS, AND SIMILAR INSTITU-TIONS”;
14. House Bill No. 5780, entitled: “AN ACT
HONORING FILIPINO CENTENA-RIANS, GRANTING THEM ADDITIO-NAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES, AND DECLARING THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER AS A NATIONAL DAY OF RESPECT FOR CENTENARIANS”;
15. House Bill No. 5790, entitled: “AN ACT
PROMOTING CONSUMER PROTEC-TION ON THE PURCHASE OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVI-CES BY ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO UNLOCK THE MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES PRIOR TO THE EXPIRA-TION OF THE LOCK-IN PERIOD UNDER THE MOBILE COMMUNI-CATION SERVICE CONTRACT”;
16. House Bill No. 5831, entitled: “AN ACT
ENHANCING THE CURRENT TAX SYSTEM BY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES THAT ENSURE TRANS-PARENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING OF TAX INCENTIVES GRANTED TO GO-VERNMENT AND NONGOVERN-MENT ENTITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”;
17. House Bill No. 5842, entitled: “AN ACT
MANDATING A TWO THOUSAND PESO (P2,000) ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY PENSION WITH CORRES-PONDING ADJUSTMENT OF THE MINIMUM MONTHLY PENSION UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1997'”;
18. House Bill No. 5799, entitled: “AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY TAÑONG, CITY OF MARIKINA, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS TAÑONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”; and
19. House Bill No. 5822, entitled: “AN ACT
PREVENTING THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DES-TRUCTION BY REGULATING THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSIS-TANCE, BROKERING, FINANCING, AND TRANSPORTING SERVICES IN RELATION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF TRADE IN STRATEGIC GOODS.”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call
the Roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the House, a second Roll Call was made.
RESULT OF THE VOTING
The result of the voting was as follows: Affirmative: Abad Abaya Abayon Abu Abueg Acedillo Acharon Acop Acosta-Alba Adiong Aggabao Agyao Albano Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amatong (I.) Amatong (R.) Angara-Castillo
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 89
Apostol Aragones Arbison Arnaiz Arroyo Asilo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Bagatsing Balindong Banal Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bello Belmonte (F.) Belmonte (J.) Belmonte (V.) Biazon Bichara Binay Bondoc Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Cagas Calixto-Rubiano Caminero Cari Castelo Castro Cayetano Celeste Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cua Cueva Dalog De Venecia Defensor Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.) Durano Dy Echiverri Erice Eriguel
Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Ferrer (J.) Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (E.) Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (R.) Gatchalian (S.) Gatchalian (W.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Go (A.C.) Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hataman-Salliman Hernandez Hicap Hofer Ilagan Iway Katoh Kho Khonghun Labadlabad Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leachon Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Mangudadatu Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mendoza (J.) Mendoza (M.) Mercado Mirasol Montejo
90 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Olivarez Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pancho Panganiban Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Ramirez-Sato Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Roman Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Roque Sacdalan Sakaluran Salimbangon Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Singson (R.) Suarez Tambunting Tan (A.) Tejada Teves Tiangco Tieng Ting Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna
Umali (R.) Unabia Ungab Uy (J.) Uy (R.) Vargas Velarde Velasco Villanueva Villarica Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (M.) Zamora (R.) Zarate Negative: None
Abstention: None
With 211 affirmative votes, no negative votes and
no abstentions, the Body approved on Third Reading the aforesaid House Bills.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF BILLS UNDER THE BUSINESS
FOR THE DAY
Thereafter, on successive motions of Rep.
Defensor, there being no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading the following House Bills calendared under the Business for the Day, as contained in various Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed
with the reading of the texts of the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory Notes as the
sponsorship remarks on the measures; terminated the
period of sponsorship and debate; terminated the
period of amendments in the absence of Committee and individual amendments; and approved the same on
Second Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5845, as contained in Committee Report No. 764 and submitted by the Committee on Natural Resources, reverting fish ponds which have been unutilized or abandoned for a period of three years to forest lands, amending Section 43 of Presidential Decree No. 705 or “The Revised Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines”;
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 91
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
5:53 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 5:53 p.m.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING OF BILLS
UNDER THE BUSINESS FOR THE DAY
(Continuation)
2. House Bill No. 5847, as contained in Committee Report No. 766 and submitted by the Committee on Natural Resources, simplifying the procedure in the disposition of public agricultural lands, amending Section 24 of Commonwealth Act No. 141 or “The Public Land Act”;
3. House Bill No. 5856, as contained in
Committee Report No. 771 and submitted by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, recognizing the German European School Manila, Incorporated as an educational institution of international character and providing for mechanisms on the grant of certain prerogatives conducive to its growth; and
4. House Bill No. 5857, as contained in
Committee Report No. 772 and submitted by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, recognizing the Canadian American Education Foundation, Inc. as an educational institution of international character and providing for mechanisms on the grant of certain prerogatives conducive to its growth.
OMNIBUS APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF BILLS UNDER THE BUSINESS FOR
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
On an omnibus motion of Rep. Defensor, there
being no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading the following House Bills calendared under the Business for Thursday and Friday, as contained in various Committee Reports submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the
Explanatory Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures; terminated the period of sponsorship and
debate; terminated the period of amendments in the
absence of Committee and individual amendments;
and approved the same on Second Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5846, as contained in
Committee Report No. 765 and submitted by the Committee on Natural Resources, declaring the province of Marinduque a mining-free zone;
2. House Bill No. 5851, as contained in
Committee Report No. 767 and submitted by the Committees on Health, and Appropriations, upgrading the Southern Isabela General Hospital in Santiago City, Isabela, into a tertiary general hospital to be known as the Southern Isabela Medical Center;
3. House Bill No. 5852, as contained in
Committee Report No. 768 and submitted by the Committees on Health, and Appropriations, upgrading the Wao District Hospital in Wao, Lanao del Sur, amending for the purpose RA No. 3607;
4. House Bill No. 5853, as contained in
Committee Report No. 769 and submitted by the Committee on Natural Resources, declaring as agricultural land portions of forestland in Malay, Aklan, amending for the purpose Proclamation No. 1064; and
5. House Bill No. 5860, as contained in
Committee Report No. 774 and submitted by the Committee on Revision of Laws, declaring May 15 of every year as a special nonworking holiday in Surigao del Norte to be known as “Adlaw Nan Probinsya Nan Surigao” and repealing for the purpose RA No. 7553.
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5855
On successive motions of Rep. Defensor, there
being no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading, House Bill No. 5855, as contained in Committee Report No. 770 and submitted by the Committees on Justice, Appropriations, and Ways and Means, reorganizing and modernizing the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); dispensed with the
reading of the text of the measure without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the
Explanatory Note as the sponsorship remarks on the measure; terminated the period of sponsorship and
debate; approved the amendments as presented on the
92 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
floor; terminated the period of amendments; and
approved the same on Second Reading through viva
voce voting.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Defensor, the Chair declared a
recess at 6:08 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 6:10 p.m.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Rep. Defensor, there being no
objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5839, entitled:
“AN ACT AUTHORIZING WIRE TAPPING IN CASES INVOLVING VIOLATIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002 AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4200 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'AN ACT TO PROHIBIT AND PENALIZE WIRE TAPPING AND OTHER RELATED VIOLATIONS OF THE PRIVACY OF COMMUNICATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES' ”
By Representative Belmonte (V.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON DANGEROUS
DRUGS
House Bill No. 5843, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE FISCAL REGIME FOR MINERALS AND MINERAL PRODUCTS AND QUARRY RESOURCES”
By Representative Padilla TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS
House Bill No. 5844, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING THE AVOCADO BROADBAND TELECOMS INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES”
By Representative Madrona
TO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISES
House Bill No. 5848, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING HOT SPRINGS LOCATED IN BARANGAY PILI, MUNICIPALITY OF SAPAD, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE AS A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SITE AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Dimaporo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM
House Bill No. 5849, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY INUDARAN I (ONE), MUNICIPALITY OF SAPAD, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE INUDARAN I (ONE) NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Dimaporo (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE
House Bill No. 5850, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING RAIL REFORMS IN THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF R.A. NO. 4156 ENTITLED 'AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS, PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR ITS OPERATION”
By Representative Sarmiento (C.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 93
House Bill No. 5854, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ARBORETUM IN THE PREMISES OF THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RE-SOURCES OFFICE IN THE MUNI-CIPALITY OF KOLAMBUGAN, LANAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS THE KOLAMBUGAN ARBORETUM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representatives Dimaporo (I.) and Dimaporo
(A.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL
RESOURCES
House Bill No. 5858, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING HILAITAN – MANI-AK – TRINIDAD PROVINCIAL ROAD OF THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN IN THE PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL INTO A NATIONAL ROAD”
By Representative Iway TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS
House Bill No. 5861, entitled:
“AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, BY PROVIDING HIGHER PENALTY WHEN THE OFFENDED PARTY IS RIDING ON AND/OR WITH BICYCLE ALONG BIKE LANE DULY ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND/OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT WHERE SUCH BIKE LANE IS LOCATED”
By Representative Nava (P.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF
LAWS
House Bill No. 5863, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE HULO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY HULO, CITY OF MANDALUYONG INTO AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL TO BE
KNOWN AS HULO INTEGRATED SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Gonzales TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC
EDUCATION AND CULTURE
House Bill No. 5864, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE ENTIRE STRETCH OF LAKAMBINI – PALCA PROVINCIAL ROAD AND THE PALCA – ANGANG – MALUMMIN – SAN LUIS MUNICIPAL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TUAO, CAGAYAN INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Bello (S.) TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
AND HIGHWAYS
House Bill No. 5865, entitled:
“AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Fuentebella TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND SECURITY AND THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
Whereupon, on motion of Rep. Defensor, there
being no objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as contained in Committee Report No. 747 and submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General
read the title of the Bill, to wit: “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW
FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTO-NOMOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED 'AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR
94 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO. '”
Rep. Defensor stated that the Bill was in the period
of sponsorship and debate and on his motion, the Chair recognized Reps. Bai Sandra A. Sema and Luzviminda C. Ilagan for sponsorship and interpellation, respectively.
REMARKS OF REP. LOBREGAT
Before the Body proceeded to Rep. Ilagan’s
interpellation, Rep. Celso L. Lobregat said that he was interpellating the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee before the Body suspended the session the previous day. He asked that he be allowed to continue the same after giving in to his colleague.
The Chair granted the request but subject to the
Rules of the House and recommendation of the Committee on Rules.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ILAGAN
To Rep. Ilagan’s question on whether the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was a failed experiment, Rep. Sema said that it helped establish relative peace but failed to address the basic conditions for a genuine autonomy.
Thereupon, Reps. Ilagan and Sema discussed the
following issues: 1) how the draft Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) would address the root causes of the problems in Mindanao particularly on the issue of injustices to the Bangsamoro identity, political sovereignty, and economic development; and 2) the difference between
the original version of the proposed BBL as against the Ad Hoc Committee version of the draft BLBAR based on the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) particularly in the incorporation of the phrase “autonomous region” to the word “Bangsamoro.”
Thereafter, Rep. Ilagan inquired on the definition
of self-determination as used in the measure.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 6:40 p.m., on
motion of Rep. Sema.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 6:43 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ILAGAN
(Continuation) Pursuing her point, Rep. Ilagan further inquired on
the removal of Article I, Section 3 which deleted the core principle on the right to self-determination.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Padilla
relinquished the Chair to Deputy Speaker Aggabao.
Rep. Sema clarified that the deletion was replaced
by the phrase “….allow for self-meaningful self-governance” in the substitute Bill.
Subsequently, they focused on Rep. Ilagan’s
concern over the injustice that would be committed against the Moro political sovereignty; the reason for
changing the word “territory” to the phrase “geographical areas,” and whether the use thereof would result in the political separation of Bangsamoro from the Philippine state; whether the Constitution would be violated in retaining the word “territory” as agreed upon by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and whether the use of the phrase “geographical areas” would mean that their Muslim brothers do not deserve to have a territory of their own.
At this point, Rep. Ilagan stated for the record the
position of the Makabayan bloc that peace cannot be achieved by enacting an autonomy law loaded with a language that implies the popular prejudices and distrust against Muslim Filipinos. She stressed that the original draft BBL was based on the CAB and the FAB which resulted from the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF and that diluting the proposed law means testing the commitment of the government to deliver its end of the negotiations. It also implies that the government cannot be trusted in peace negotiations as it relies upon Congress to use constitutional fitness to water down any agreement it signs, she added.
Reps. Ilagan and Sema then discussed the issues
on the asymmetrical relationship of the national government with the proposed Bangsamoro government, including, among others, the rationale behind the deletion of the words “parity of esteem” in the preamble; the change of the word “central” to “national” in reference to the Philippine government;
the use of the phrase “within the framework of the Constitution and national sovereignty as well as the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines” to qualify every power or authority devolved to the
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 95
Bangsamoro government; and the broader reserved
powers accorded to the national government under House Bill No. 5811 as compared to those granted to the central government under the ARMM Organic Act.
In tackling the issue of economic injustice
inflicted upon the Moro people, the Members discussed whether the draft BLBAR contains the needed structural reforms to address the root causes of the Moro conflict and for the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region not to become another failed experiment. The Sponsor mentioned the different initiatives under the normalization process aimed at promoting the socioeconomic development of the Bangsamoro people while Rep. Ilagan noted that the necessary provisions, such as those for dismantling warlordism, redistributing political power and economic wealth, and protecting the Bangsamoro from the predatory activities of power generation companies had been voted out during the Committee deliberations.
Rep. Sema underscored that they need to learn
lessons from the experience of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that for the law to succeed, not only two parties are needed to support or comply with any peace agreement but everyone should take part in helping rebuild and recover the region. She said that she wants the BBL to succeed because she wants the war to end.
After stating that there are aspects in the
government’s peace agreements with other armed rebel groups that Party-List Gabriela does not totally agree with, Rep. Ilagan asked the rationale behind the provision of the draft BBL which reverts the regulatory control and supervision of the natural resources within the Bangsamoro area to the national government. She added that this authority is crucial to the full autonomy of the Bangsamoro, to which the Sponsor replied that the Bangsamoro government will spell out the specific programs that will target the protection of their lands and natural resources.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended
the session at 7:31 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 7:34 p.m., the session resumed with Speaker
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. presiding.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Durano acknowledged the
presence in the Session Hall of former Senator Leticia
Ramos-Shahani, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Assistant Secretary Lila Ramos Shahani, former Representative Ranjit Ramos Shahani, Ms. Chanda Ramos Shahani and the other members of Senator Shahani’s family.
REMARKS OF THE SPEAKER
As he acknowledged the presence of former
Senator Ramos-Shahani and former President Ramos, and her family, Speaker Belmonte said that the House had earlier presented the former Senator with Resolution No. 200. He then requested the esteemed guests to approach the Speaker’s rostrum so they could reenact the awarding of the Resolution.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended
the session to allow the Members to meet their guests. It was 7:36 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 7:45 p.m., the session resumed with Deputy
Speaker Aggabao presiding.
DESIGNATION OF HOUSE CONFEREES
TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON
HOUSE BILL NO. 4147 AND
SENATE BILL NO. 2280
On motion of Rep. Durano, there being no
objection, the Body approved to designate the following Members as House conferees to the Conference Committee to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of House Bill No. 4147 and Senate Bill No. 2280 regarding the strengthening of the probation system: Deputy Speaker Aggabao, Evelina G. Escudero, Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Xavier Jesus “XJ” D. Romualdo, Leni Gerona-Robredo, Barry Gutierrez, Silvestro “Bebot” H. Bello III and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales.
RECONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
OF HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1051
On subsequent motion of Rep. Durano, there being
no objection, the Body reconsidered the adoption of House Resolution No. 1051 to introduce perfecting amendments.
AMENDMENTS OF REP. DURANO
As proposed by Rep. Durano, there being no
objection, the Body approved the amendments as presented on the floor.
96 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
ADOPTION OF HOUSE RESOLUTION
NO. 1051, AS AMENDED
On motion of Rep. Durano, there being no
objection, the Body adopted House Resolution No. 1051, as amended.
RESUMPTION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Durano, the Body
resumed consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as contained in Committee Report No. 747 and submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL. The Chair then recognized Rep. Ilagan to resume her interpellation of Rep. Sema.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ILAGAN
(Continuation) Continuing her contentions against the provisions
of the draft BBL pertaining to the authority of the Bangsamoro government to explore, develop and utilize the natural resources within its geographical area, Rep. Ilagan argued on the ambiguity of the government’s approach towards the matter particularly in view of the recent adoption by the House of Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, proposing to amend the Philippine Constitution by opening up the economy to foreign investment. She noted that the instant measure’s aforesaid provisions allegedly delimit the Bangsamoro government from fully exercising full autonomy by merely giving it regulatory powers, and direct control and supervision over the exploration, utilization and development of the natural resources within its territorial boundaries;
thus, replicating the failed scheme provided to the ARMM in pursuing the region’s economic development.
Furthermore, Rep. Ilagan exchanged views with
Rep. Sema on the implications of the proviso allowing the national government to continue levying taxes in the BAR; the appointment of a wali as titular head of the Bangsamoro people consistent with the Bangsamoro political culture; and having only a single
reserved seat for a woman representative to the Bangsamoro parliament contrary to the provisions of the Magna Carta for Women allowing increased women representation in government.
In closing her interpellation, Rep. Ilagan
expressed the belief that the proposed BBL would not be able to address the root causes of poverty, inequitable socioeconomic development, as well as the intents and objectives of genuine self-determination, self-governance, and autonomy that Congress could have otherwise provided in instituting real political
and socioeconomic reforms for the Bangsamoro people. She then stressed the need for a genuine autonomy for the Bangsamoro people to eradicate the injustice that history has caused upon them.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended
the session at 8:01 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 8:12 p.m. Upon resumption of session, on motion of Rep.
Franz E. Alvarez, the Chair recognized Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Lobregat for the sponsorship and interpellation, respectively.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT
(Continuation) Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez (R.) continued their
debate and discussed the Preamble of the draft BLBAR with the former quoting the PHILCONSA position paper on House Bill No. 4994.
At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Aggabao
relinquished the Chair to Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal.
In reply, Rep. Rodriguez cited the decision of the
Supreme Court of Canada In Re Secession of Quebec with regard to external and internal self-determination and reiterated that the phrase “self-determination” is fully constitutional because it is within the framework of the Constitution as well as the national sovereignty and the national territory of the Republic of the Philippines, and that it should not be interpreted as external self-determination.
Rep. Lobregat then proposed to qualify “self-
determination” as internal and to accordingly amend the Preamble, Section 3 of Article I, Section 1 of Article II, and Section 1 of Article IV of House Bill No. 5811 because these could be used as bases to assert the Bangsamoro’s right to external self-determination. However, Rep. Rodriguez stressed that it was unnecessary to do so because the Committee had already amended the original version of the Preamble to reflect Section 15 of the Constitution which provides that an autonomous region in Mindanao shall be within the framework of the Constitution, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Philippines.
Rep. Banal relinquished the Chair to Deputy
Speaker Aggabao.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 97
Rep. Lobregat maintained that unfortunately, the basis for the draft BLBAR was a product of agreements between two parties and as such, makes room for misinterpretation.
Rep. Rodriguez countered that the basis for the
draft BLBAR was the Constitution as it provides for the creation of an autonomous region. He then asked Rep. Lobregat which provisions of House Bill No. 5811 are unconstitutional.
Rep. Lobregat then requested to present a video
presentation of Rep. Rodriguez talking about certain unconstitutional provisions of the measure.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At this point, the Chair motu proprio suspended
the session at 8:44 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION The session resumed at 8:45 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT (Continuation)
After showing an audio-visual presentation, Rep.
Lobregat pointed out the specific powers that were deleted and added to the reserved powers of the national government.
Rep. Rodriguez (R.) explained that he distributed
copies of the Chairperson’s draft to all the members of the Ad Hoc Committee and that he consulted with the Committee vice chairpersons and considered their proposals in order to come up with the provisions on reserved and concurrent powers that conform to the Constitution.
Rep. Lobregat stated however that no one has
authorized Rep. Rodriguez to make a working draft and claimed that nobody has consulted the Committee members on the same. He stressed that the Committee voted down twice the proposal to create a technical working group because they wanted to draft a Bangsamoro organic act as a whole.
At this point, Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez
discussed the former’s concern as to the unconstitutionality of certain provisions of the BLBAR which grant powers to be shared concurrently by the national government and the Bangsamoro government on matters of auditing and civil service, as well as creating Bangsamoro’s own electoral code.
Rep. Rodriguez, in response, explained that 1) the
abolition of the ARMM would cause the abolition of
its internal audit system, which the instant measure aims to address by creating an internal auditing system that will be exclusively for the Bangsamoro region; 2)
any allegation of unconstitutionality should be substantiated by citing a clear and specific violation of any constitutional provision; 3) the proposed Bangsamoro Electoral Code will govern the Bangsamoro regional office but should be designed to fit into a parliamentary system of government and should correlate with the national laws to allow it to adhere to the powers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc; and 4) the proposed BAR Civil
Service Office will be within the absolute power, authority and duty of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
On the deletion of the word “primary” from the
phrase giving “primary disciplinary authority to officials and employees,” Rep. Rodriguez explained that the disciplinary authority of the Bangsamoro over its own personnel is without prejudice to the powers and authority of the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate any public official, employee or agency.
Rep. Lobregat however countered that rewording
the provisions through the substitute bill as recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee vice chairpersons or the Peace Council will not suffice, because the Constitution itself intentionally withheld some of the ARMM’S legislative powers as noted by eminent constitutionalist and former Concom Commissioner Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. in his book. Rep. Lobregat then quoted excerpts from the Bernas book to prove that powers pertaining to auditing, air and sea transportation, tariff and customs, among others, belong to the national government.
In response, Rep. Rodriguez cited the case of IBP
vs. Zamora where the high tribunal ruled that the opinions of members of the Constitutional Convention, such as those previously quoted by Rep. Lobregat, are deemed valuable or persuasive but not binding on the interpretation of constitutional provisions. He said that it is the court which ultimately decides on how to interpret a law. He also stressed that the Administrative Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 292) provides the details for the organization of constitutional commissions and the creation of their regional offices; hence, House Bill No. 5811 may
provide for the creation of regional offices in the proposed Bangsamoro region.
Rep. Lobregat argued that the opinions of former
Concom Commissioners Jose Nolledo and Hilario Davide Jr. who is a former Chief Justice and now, Peace Council Co-Convenor, should be more valuable
98 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015
than the opinions of the Ad Hoc Committee vice chairpersons – the former being the framers of the Constitution.
The Sponsor countered that even the Supreme
Court justices themselves differ in their views in resolving a given case and emphasized that his vice chairpersons also have the right to interpret what they believe should be the proper provisions of the draft BLBAR.
MANIFESTATION OF REP. ATIENZA
At this point, Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. sought
recognition from the Chair.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On motion of Rep. Defensor, as seconded by Rep. Atienza, there being no objection, the Body suspended further consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811 until 10:00 a.m. of the next day.
RATIFICATION OF THE CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE BILL
NO. 5610 AND SENATE BILL NO. 2486 On motion of Rep. Defensor, there being no
objection, the Body ratified the Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill No. 5610 and Senate Bill No. 2486, allowing foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On a subsequent motion of Rep. Defensor, there being no objection, the Chair suspended the session until ten o’clock in the morning of Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
It was 9:35 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2015.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 99
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015, the session resumed with Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On motion of Representative Joseph “Ace” H.
Durano, there being no objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business and thereafter, the Chair directed the Secretary General to read on First Reading the titles of the following Bills and Resolutions, including the Communication and Committee Reports, which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
BILLS ON FIRST READING
House Bill No. 5866, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL TEXTBOOK REVIEW BOARD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE
House Bill No. 5867, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING EVACUATION CENTERS IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY AND CITY, PROVIDING FOR THE NECESSARY FACILITIES, ENSURING THEIR STRUCTURAL CAPACITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
By Representative Gatchalian (S.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2155, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED MALPRACTICES AND VIOLATION OF EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS OF THE ENTIRE MANAGEMENT TEAM BELOW THE RANK OF PRESIDENT OF HIMLAYANG PILIPINO, INC. (HPI) AND
HIMLAYANG PILIPINO PLANS, INC. (HPPI)”
By Representative Vargas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2156, entitled:
"RESOLUTIONS CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION ON THE POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS OF THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND DEPORTATION IN THE ISSUANCE OF AN ORDER RELEASING FROM THEIR DETENTION SUSPECTED CHINESE CRIMINAL SYNDICATE LEADER WANG BO”
By Representatives Atienza, Dela Cruz, Ortega (V.), Pichay, Suarez and Mercado-Revilla
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2157, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY'S MUSIC ENSEMBLE FOR GETTING TO THE GOLD DIPLOMA LEVEL IN THE RECENT 4TH VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETI-TION”
By Representative Cojuangco (K.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2158, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT A JOINT INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE PLIGHT OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED ('BAKWIT') B'LAAN COMMUNITIES IN SARANGANI PROVINCE, CAUSED BY THE INTENSIFIED COUNTER-INSURGENCY OPERATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY IN THE AREA”
By Representatives Zarate and Colmenares
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
100 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
House Resolution No. 2159, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (CAAP) AND THE LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO GIVE INCENTIVES OF UP TO 100 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON LANDING AND PARKING FEES TO INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES TO ATTRACT MORE FLIGHTS TO AND FROM CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, ILIGAN CITY AND REGION 10”
By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
House Resolution No. 2160, entitled:
“RESOLUTION TASKING THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) TO CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INSPECTION OF THE EXISTING CONDITIONS OF ALL PROVINCIAL AND CITY JAILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EFFECT THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED”
By Representative Atienza
TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY
House Resolution No. 2161, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE PRACTICE OF CONTRACTUALIZATION AND THE PENDING LABOR DISPUTE IN TANDUAY DISTILLERS INC. IN CABUYAO, LAGUNA THAT HAVE LED TO ILLEGAL DISMISSALS, VIOLENT DISPERSALS AND VARIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS”
By Representatives De Jesus and Ilagan
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2162, entitled:
“HOUSE RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE REPORTED ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES OF GEOGEN CORPORATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DINAPIGUE, PROVINCE OF ISABELA, INQUIRING INTO ITS OVER-ALL IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS, ENSURING THAT THESE ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES ARE PUT TO A STOP AND THAT GEOGEN CORPORATION BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS DESTRUCTIVE MINING ACTIVITIES, AND THAT THE NECESSARY REHABILITATION OF THE AFFECTED SITES ARE IMMEDIATELY UNDERTAKEN, AND COMPENSATION FOR THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ARE PROVIDED ”
By Representative Aggabao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2163, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION COMMENDING LEONARD MANGALINDAN, FILIPINO, FOR HIS INNOVATIVE POWER PRESS PUSH UP INVENTION, WHICH WON FOR HIM 2011 INVENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD BY THE ELECTRONIC RETAILING ASSOCIATION (ERA) AT THE INVENT-HELP-INPEX NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE AT WYNN RESORT, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA”
By Representative Castelo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2164, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON ECOLOGY, NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE TO CONDUCT A JOINT INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE APPROVAL OF A STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN CLEARANCE TO THE (DMCI) COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT PROJECT OF DMCI POWER CORPORATION IN NARRA, PALAWAN, INQUIRING INTO THE HASTY APPROVAL DESPITE THE LACK OF SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY, THE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS PRESENTED TO
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 101
PALAWAN'S COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS, THE QUESTION OF ACTUAL EXCESS POWER SUPPLY IN THE PROVINCE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF COMPETITIVE CLEAN POWER ALTERNATIVES, AND THE PALAWAN COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT'S CORE MANDATE TO PROTECT PALAWAN'S ENVIRONMENT, TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEASURES FOR REGULATING POLLUTIVE INDUSTRIES TO ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE”
By Representatives Zarate, Colmenares and Ilagan
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2165, entitled:
“RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EFFECT A MORATORIUM FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 2012-0012 ON THE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE NEW CLASSIFICATION OF HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES WITH THE END IN VIEW OF PROVIDING HOSPITALS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ADEQUATE TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER”
By Representative Tan (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
House Resolution No. 2167, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DECLARING THE JOURNAL OF THE SESSION FROM MAY 25 TO JUNE 10, 2015, AS HAVING BEEN READ AND APPROVED”
By Representatives Gonzales and Zamora (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2168, entitled:
“RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HONORABLE SPEAKER FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR. FOR HIS DEDICATED AND ABLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DURING THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS”
By Representatives Gonzales, Zamora (R.) and Gerona-Robredo
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Concurrent Resolution No. 11, entitled:
“CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES NOT LATER THAN TWELVE O'CLOCK, MIDNIGHT TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015”
By Representatives Gonzales and Zamora (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
With the permission of the Body, the following Members were made coauthors of the Bills and Resolutions hereunder indicated:
Rep. Raul V. Del Mar for House Bill No. 5842 and
House Resolution No. 2154; Rep. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay for House
Bill No. 5735; Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bills No. 100,
3107 and 3195; Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bills
No. 5813 and 5785; Rep. Romero "Miro" S. Quimbo for House Bill
No. 5791; Rep. Susan A. Yap for House Bill No. 5833; Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe for House Bill No. 5468; Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil for House Resolution
No. 2134; Rep. Eric L. Olivarez for House Bills No. 5468
and 5791; Reps. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay and Gerald
Anthony V. Gullas Jr. for House Bill No. 5526; Reps. Harlin C. Abayon and Anthony G. Del
102 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
Rosario for House Bill No. 1550; Rep. Juliet R. Cortuna for House Bill No. 5661; Rep. Angelina "Helen" D.L. Tan, M.D. for House
Bill No. 5403; and Rep. Harlin C. Abayon for House Bill No. 3411.
COMMUNICATION
Letter dated June 4, 2015 of Robert G. Vergara, President and General Manager, Government Service Insurance System, submitting the Report on the GSIS Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2014.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Justice (Committee Report No. 775), re House Bill No. 5862, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO JUVENAL SANSO”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill Nos. 5047 and 5059
Sponsors: Representatives Tupas, Gonzales and Lacson-Noel
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Social Services (Committee Report No. 776), re H. R. No. 2166, entitled:
“RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) TO INCLUDE ALL FAMILIES WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND WITH SEVERE OR MULTIPLE DISABILITIES, AS AUTOMATIC BENEFICIARIES OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) AND TO PROVIDE FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR THESE FAMILIES BY MODIFYING THE CONDITIONALITIES OF THE 4Ps PROGRAM TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE AND REASONABLE COMPLIANCE TO THE PROGRAM”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Resolution No. 1575
Sponsor: Representative Robes
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 777), re House Bill No. 5868, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FIFTY (50) BED CAPACITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF IMUS, PROVINCE OF CAVITE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'OSPITAL NG IMUS' AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 3182
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel and Advincula
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Durano, the Chair suspended the session at 10:04 a.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 11:15 a.m., the session resumed.
PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
OF REP. ATIENZA
To Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr.’s query, Rep. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. said that the Body was about to resume the period of sponsorship and debate on House Bill No. 5811 with Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman sponsoring it and Rep. Carlos Isagani A. Zarate interpellating thereon. He added that when the session was suspended the previous night, Rep. Celso L. Lobregat had reserved his right to resume his interpellation when Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez would be available.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Atienza, the Chair declared a recess at 11:19 a.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 11:20 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 103
REMARKS OF REP. ATIENZA
Upon recognition by the Chair, Rep. Atienza took note of the assurance given by Rep. Defensor that the debate between Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez (R.) would continue later that afternoon.
The Chair noted Rep. Atienza’s remarks.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 747
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Defensor, there
being no objection, the Body resumed consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811, as contained in Committee Report No. 747 and submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General read the title of the Bill, to wit:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONO-MOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, EN-TITLED 'AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,' AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTITLED 'AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AU-TONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MIN-DANAO.'”
Rep. Defensor stated that the Bill was in the period
of sponsorship and debate and on his motion, the Chair recognized Reps. Hataman-Salliman and Zarate for sponsorship and interpellation, respectively.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ZARATE
Rep. Zarate initially read to the Body the statement of the Makabayan bloc on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) pointing out that House Bill No. 5811 or the draft Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) grants only limited autonomy and does not address the social and economic roots of poverty and injustice in Mindanao, among others. He then debated with Rep. Hataman-Salliman on the usage of the terminology “geographical areas” instead of “territory” in the draft BLBAR, noting that the latter word is provided for in Republic Act No. 9054 or the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC).
Thereafter, with the Sponsor’s commitment to consider Rep. Zarate’s proposed amendment on the above matter, the Members next focused on several issues pertaining to the provisions of the original draft BBL which have been revised or amended under the proposed BLBAR including, among others: 1) the replacement of the words “central government” with the words “national government” throughout the measure; 2) the deletion of the provision “civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military” as contained in Article IV, Section 4; 3) the deletion of the exclusive right of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR) to explore, develop and utilize its territorial resources; 4) the removal of the powers of the Bangsamoro Parliament to create, divide, merge, abolish or substantially alter boundaries of provinces and cities within its geographical jurisdiction; and 5) the deletion of the provision creating a titular head or wali of the Bangsamoro government and in lieu thereof, the inclusion of a provision designating the President of the Philippines to perform the functions which should have been assigned to the wali.
Rep. Zarate stated that he would propose the deletion of said provision during the period of amendments. He thereafter asked the principle behind the additional provision on Section 5, Article VI on the creation of an Assistant Solicitor General. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Hataman-Salliman, the Chair
suspended the session at 12:23 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 12:24 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ZARATE (Continuation)
In response, Rep. Hataman-Salliman explained that the function of the Assistant Solicitor General for the Bangsamoro would be similar to an Assistant Solicitor General of the national government who will handle all legal matters pertaining to the Bangsamoro affairs.
With regard to Rep. Zarate’s apprehension that even without the additional provision, the Solicitor General can create an office or an assistant to look into the affairs of the Bangsamoro, Rep. Hataman-Salliman replied that the Ad Hoc Committee deemed it necessary to create the position of Assistant Solicitor
104 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
General because it would help effectively in the operation of the Bangsamoro government.
Reps. Zarate and Hataman-Salliman next discussed the reasons why the general welfare powers of the Bangsamoro government had been reduced by adding a provision on Article V, Section 1 (k) providing for the residual powers of the national government.
In conclusion, Rep. Zarate expressed hope that at the proper time, the Sponsor will support amendments that will enhance and give true meaning to the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
12:40 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 12:41 p.m., the session resumed with Rep.
Jorge “Bolet” Banal presiding. On motion of Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna, the Chair
recognized Rep. Romeo M. Acop to resume sponsorship of House Bill No. 5811.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS With the permission of the Chair, Rep. Tugna
acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of guests of Deputy Speaker Padilla.
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Tugna, the Chair
recognized Rep. Gary C. Alejano for his interpellation.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO
Rep. Alejano framed his interpellation on issues
brought about by his experiences as Representative of Party-List Magdalo; as a former member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who had served as a captain of the Philippine Marines in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan and Sulu and had fought against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Bangsamoro areas; and as a witness to the events prior to and after the signing of the peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Muslim rebel group, the AFP’s overrun of the MILF in Camp Abubakr, and the reintegration of MNLF fighters into the AFP. He claimed to have been a first-hand witness to the real political, socio-economic, and cultural conditions of the Bangsamoro people, which he opined do not even approximate the so-called historical injustices, poverty and economic underdevelopment being suffered by the Bangsamoro
people. He then expressed reservation on the government’s current policymaking efforts to promote the national interest in the Bangsamoro areas specifically in the drafting of the proposed BLBAR. This, in view of his personal knowledge that the Bangsamoro people are averse to war, do not want an independent state or to secede from the Philippines, and only want peace and order, education, basic services, and food for their families.
Rep. Alejano thereafter cited the following
concerns which he said underlie the draft BBL: 1) the compelling reasons for the abolition of the ARMM; 2)
the questionable role of the Malaysian government as mediator in the GPH-MILF peace agreement; 3) the
trustworthiness of the MILF; 4) the circumstances
surrounding the negotiations prior to the signing of the peace agreements with the MILF; and 5) the post-approval situation once House Bill No. 5811 becomes a law.
At this point, Rep. Alejano exchanged views with Rep. Acop on the validity of the President’s statement that the “ARMM is a failed experiment” with the Sponsor, citing portions of a 2013 study conducted by the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy relative to the comprehensive assessment and review of the ARMM and its efficacy as a regional institution. They also delved into the manner on how the ARMM used the funding allocations it received from the national government and whether a comprehensive audit thereof was ever conducted.
At this juncture, Rep. Banal relinquished the Chair
to Rep. Durano.
Rep. Alejano further asked on the questionable role of Malaysia as a peace facilitator given that it was the MILF itself, and not former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as claimed by the Sponsor, that insisted for the participation of Malaysia in the peace process. He mentioned several criticisms hurled against Malaysia for its participation in the GPH’s peace efforts in Mindanao, highlighting among others its shifting support from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to the MILF after the former allegedly supported the Sultanate of Sulu on its claim to Sabah which was in favor of the position of the Philippine government.
After questioning Malaysia’s intentions, Rep. Alejano asked on the alleged promise of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the MILF in an August 2011 meeting to fast-track the peace negotiations and
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 105
implement a peace agreement during the former’s term. Rep. Acop said that priorities could change in a new administration. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair declared a recess at 1:29 p.m., upon
Rep. Acop’s motion.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 1:33 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO
(Continuation) Rep. Alejano also asked on the Philippine
government panel’s alleged request in the same meeting for the surrender of several terrorists including Basit Usman; and on the MNLF’s
participation in the peace negotiations. The Sponsor clarified that the transformation of MILF camps into civilian communities was what was included in the official document on confidence-building measures;
and that only the Misuari faction was not consulted among the three factions of the MILF.
Thereupon, Rep. Alejano inquired on the status of the GPH-OIC-MNLF Tripartite Implementation Review of the GPH-MNLF 1996 Final Peace Agreement.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 1:42 p.m., upon motion of Rep. Acop.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 1:47 p.m.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO
(Continuation)
To the Sponsor’s reply that the so-called 42 consensus points that had been reached during the tripartite review were integrated into House Bill No. 5811, Rep. Alejano pointed out that in spite of the review, the ARMM will be abolished once the draft BLBAR is passed into law. He stated that the government, in its ongoing peace negotiation and political arrangements with the MILF, has to also consider the achievements, gains and sensitivity of the MNLF group and that the draft BLBAR should include all stakeholders especially the MNLF.
Rep. Acop stated that many significant provisions of RA No. 9054 have already been incorporated into House Bill No. 5811 and that the issue of the non-participation of the MNLF in the present peace negotiation is already being settled by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in the Bangsamoro Coordination Forum.
Rep. Alejano next inquired whether the government peace panel undertook a comprehensive consultation with all the stakeholders before the draft BBL was crafted and submitted to Malacañang. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The session was suspended at 2:00 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 2:02 p.m., with Deputy Speaker Sergio A.F. Apostol presiding. INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO (Continuation)
In response, the Sponsor said that the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC), with the help of the national government panel, drafted the proposed BBL after consulting with the areas concerned as represented by the different Muslim and ethnic groups. He stressed that the inclusion went beyond the process of consulting and soliciting inputs as these found their way into substantial provisions of the proposed BBL, more so with respect to the protection of the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples (IPs).
With regard to the MILF’s renouncement of terrorism and severing of ties with terrorist groups, Rep. Acop maintained that the international community does not consider the former as a terrorist group.
Rep. Alejano detailed the strong links of the MILF
with confirmed terrorist organizations and their operations while negotiating a peace agreement with the government.
At this point, Deputy Speaker Apostol relinquished
the Chair to Rep. Tugna.
Rep. Alejano mentioned the Mamasapano incident
and the findings of the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation thereon and stressed that the incident happened while Congress was in the midst of enacting the BBL.
At this point, Rep. Tugna relinquished the Chair to
Rep. Defensor.
106 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
The Sponsor agreed that the Mamasapano incident had a profound effect on the deliberations of the draft BBL but expressed hope that it would be treated differently and separately from the BBL issue.
At this juncture, Rep. Defensor relinquished the
Chair to Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao.
Rep. Alejano then discussed with Rep. Acop some
of the issues as well as his apprehensions on the passage of House Bill No. 5811, to wit: 1) the Members’ and Filipino people’s distrust of the Bangsamoro people citing as an example the Mamasapano incident; 2) the MILF central
committee’s positive control over their subordinates which affects its capability to govern particularly in controlling the problem of rido and loyalties; 3) the
allegations that the MILF has been operating alongside the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) despite the former’s ceasefire agreement with the military while negotiating peace agreement with the government; 4) the MILF’s violation of the ceasefire agreement with the government; and 5) the MILF’s continuing recruitment and military training of its members while peace negotiations are ongoing.
He thereafter underscored the dearth of intelligence briefings given or sought by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and inquired on the number of times that the members of the government’s peace panel had sought a comprehensive intelligence update from the AFP on the Bangsamoro situation.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, on motion of Rep. Acop, the Chair suspended the session at 3:05 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 3:09 p.m., the session resumed.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO (Continuation)
In reply to the previous query of Rep. Alejano, Rep. Acop explained that the OPAPP is part of the Cabinet security cluster which is also comprised of the AFP, the Department of National Defense, and the National Security Administration and whose members are all cognizant of government actions relating to the peace process.
Thereupon, Deputy Speaker Aggabao relinquished
the Chair to Deputy Speaker Padilla.
The Members then continued their discussion on the consultations made by the government peace negotiators with the government agencies under said security cluster, with Rep. Alejano airing his concern over the importance of getting the honest views of these government offices on the provisions of the draft BBL so as to intelligently guide the lawmakers.
They also delved into the provisions of House Bill
No. 5811 regarding the creation of the proposed Bangsamoro police vis-à-vis the constitutional mandate for the State to establish and maintain one police force that shall be national in scope. In explaining the phrase “national in scope,” Rep. Acop said that the provisions of the Bill do not violate the Constitution because the phrase means that while the police force in the different regions are called regional police force, they are national in scope because they could be assigned outside of their region.
As to the composition of the Bangsamoro police, Rep. Alejano averred that at the proper time, he would propose an amendment to insert a provision that the Bangsamoro police shall be composed of the members of the existing Philippine National Police (PNP) ARMM regional office and residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region who may later on be recruited into the Bangsamoro police.
Thereafter, Reps. Alejano and Acop discussed about the functions of the Bangsamoro Police Board which shall be part of the National Police Commission (Napolcom), whether it will follow Napolcom policies, programs and administrative orders, and who the ultimate disciplining authority of the Bangsamoro Police Board will be, given that it is the Bangsamoro chief minister who will appoint its members. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Upon request of Rep. Acop, the Chair suspended
the session at 3:39 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 3:43 p.m. INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO
(Continuation)
Rep. Alejano’s next query was on the proposed block grant for the Bangsamoro government based on the allegedly low allocations of the ARMM. He disagreed that the latter lagged behind other regions as he cited the total regional allocations; allocations for
Executive departments and offices; and budgetary
support to government-owned and-controlled corporations, allocations to local government units
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 107
(LGUs), and other special purpose funds it had received in the last five years.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Rep. Acop, the Chair suspended the
session at 3:45 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 3:45 p.m., the session resumed.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO (Continuation)
For his part, Rep. Acop stressed that the criterion on the amount of allocations for the Bangsamoro entity should be rehabilitation, development, capacity-building, and peace and order. He said that at the proper time, he would propose for the creation of an Oversight Committee of Congress to oversee the use of the P322.4 billion that the Bangsamoro government would receive from 2016 to 2020.
Reps. Acop and Alejano then delved into the basis
and formula of the four percent annual block grant allocated to the Bangsamoro government. Rep. Acop expressed belief that the government should allocate more funds to the Bangsamoro government for an effective and successful implementation of attaining peace in the region considering that the proposed joint congressional oversight committee could oversee the proper use of the funds.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alejano raised his concern
regarding the annual block grant allocated to the Bangsamoro government considering the sad state of the military as the AFP Modernization Fund still awaits the approval of the President. He found it ironic that they are fast-tracking the approval of a measure that would provide billions of pesos to an entity led by the MILF.
REMARKS OF REP. DURANO
At this point, with the permission of the Chair and the indulgence of Rep. Alejano, Rep. Durano requested the latter to suspend, in the meantime, his interpellation in order to give other Members a chance to interpellate on House Bill No. 5811.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at
4:14 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:15 p.m.
REMINDER FROM THE CHAIR
The Chair requested Rep. Alejano to wind up his interpellation.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. ALEJANO (Continuation)
Rep. Alejano then brought to the attention of the Body the sad plight of military veterans who until now have not been paid their pension differentials that could have easily been paid out of the funds to be allotted for the Bangsamoro annual block grant. He then reserved his right to continue with his interpellation later on, which reservation the Chair noted.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS
At this point, Rep. Victoria G. Noel acknowledged the presence in the Session Hall of guests of Deputy Speaker Apostol, and Reps. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz and Jeffrey D. Khonghun.
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Tugna, the Chair recognized Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, and Rep. Celso L. Lobregat to sponsor and continue the interpellation thereon, respectively.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT (Continuation)
To the queries of Rep. Lobregat, Rep. Rodriguez (R.) clarified that the Ad Hoc Committee has nothing to do with the Executive agreements entered into by the Philippine government during the peace talks conducted with the MILF in Malaysia, and therefore has no knowledge of the secretariat who took the stenographic notes of the proceedings.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at 4:27 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 4:28 p.m.
108 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT (Continuation)
Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez (R.) next focused on the Bangsamoro police, with the latter clarifying that as an integral part of the PNP, any member thereof can be assigned in other jurisdictions. They also discussed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), its four Annexes and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which the Sponsor confirmed were not read by the majority of those who participated in the hearings and consultations. He said the public hearings were conducted for the crafting of House Bill No. 5811 based on the Constitution and not on the FAB and CAB because the two documents were only secondary sources of information.
To recap the closing points of his interpellation the previous day, Rep. Lobregat said they had discussed the governmental powers that the Constitution does not allow to be given to the autonomous region. He had also quoted from the proceedings of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (Concom) to support his position while Rep. Rodriguez cited a case where the Supreme Court ruled that the opinions or statements of Concom commissioners about constitutional provisions, while very valuable, are not binding.
At this point, Deputy Speaker Padilla relinquished
the Chair to Rep. Durano.
The two Members then debated on how the instant
measure differs from the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) as far as their nature, bases, and constitutionality are concerned.
Rep. Durano relinquished the Chair to Deputy
Speaker Padilla.
Rep. Lobregat stated that he wanted a BBL that
conforms to the Constitution and national laws. He then expressed his reservation on the provisions of the MOA-AD which he claimed are found in House Bill No. 5811, specifically expounding on the provisions of the MOA-AD on the Bangsamoro people’s vested property rights and the obligation of the GPH to provide adequate reparation to them for “unjust dispossession of their territorial and proprietary rights, customary land tenures, or their marginalization.” He emphasized how the Supreme Court had ruled that said Executive agreement was unconstitutional and that the cost of reparation would bankrupt the government.
Rep. Rodriguez explained that said provisions were declared unconstitutional because the entire MOA-AD was declared unconstitutional and illegal.
He however pointed out that the draft BLBAR or BBL will be passed under the plenary powers of Congress and will therefore become a legislation and not simply an Executive agreement like the MOA-AD. With regard to the payment for reparation, he explained that it is only Congress that can pass and authorize appropriations on the matter.
Rep. Lobregat further argued on the provisions of the MOA-AD pertaining to the concept, territory, resources, and government of the Bangsamoro juridical entity (BJE) as proposed under the agreement. He noted the provisions are specifically delineated and even enhanced in the proposed BBL, stating that the concept of “self-governance” under MOA-AD has become “self-determination” while the idea of “internal and territorial waters” has changed to “Bangsamoro waters and zones of joint cooperation.”
Rep. Rodriguez however reiterated that any point of comparison between the MOA-AD and the draft BBL could not be applicable considering that the MOA-AD constitutes a mere executive action that cannot be made subservient to national laws and the 1987 Constitution. He underscored that the BBL requires the enactment of a law while the MOA-AD does not and that the latter was declared unconstitutional because its provisions encroach upon legislative power.
On another point, Rep. Lobregat noted the importance of arguing and debating on the provisions of House Bill No. 5811 similar to the deliberations of the Concom members on the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, which should not only be for the sake of posterity but for records’ purposes of what had exactly transpired during the debates. He cited specifically the exchange of words, debates, and arguments that would have a persuasive effect on the courts and to the people interested in such proceedings. He explained that former Concom commissioners had been invited to the congressional hearings on the draft BBL to ascertain – not their present opinions on the issue of the BBL – but what had actually transpired in the Concom debates on the pertinent constitutional provisions related to the inherent powers of the national government.
Rep. Rodriguez however pointed out that there were no deliberations yet on the Bangsamoro measure at that time of the 1986 Concom thus, the opinions of its commissioners then, which could not be considered as constitutional doctrines, would not be applicable to the instant measure. He however pointed out that the Concom commissioners were supportive of House Bill No. 4994 or the original draft BBL.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 109
As regards the inclusion and conformity of other stakeholders in Mindanao, Rep. Rodriguez (R.) explained that upon the organization of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, announcements were immediately made that they will invite the MNLF headed by Nur Misuari, as well as the BIFF. However, efforts to include them in the negotiating panel because OPAPP wanted to have an inclusive consultation of all stakeholders, had failed because the MNLF and BIFF themselves refused to join the panel and opposed the BBL.
To Rep. Lobregat’s concern that the people of Zamboanga City already rejected twice in two plebiscites the proposal to include the area in the ARMM, Rep. Rodriguez underscored that when he met with Mayor Beng Climaco, the latter said that their people are troubled that some provisions in the draft BBL as is may not pass judicial scrutiny. Nevertheless, Rep. Rodriguez said that Mayor Climaco expected Congress to pass the BBL which, she opined, is consistent and harmonious with and not contrary to the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Rep. Lobregat explained that in order to understand Mr. Misuari’s position, the Body had to appreciate the importance of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement which was participated in and recognized by the OIC, the Philippine government, and the MNLF represented by Mr. Misuari himself. Requested by the Chair to state his question, he asked how Mr. Misuari could support a bill that would repeal the amendatory law to RA No. 6734 which did not reflect the Tripoli Agreement.
At this point, Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez debated on the abolition of the ARMM and repeal of RA No. 9054. The former cited an OPAPP document which stated that the proposed entity would replace the ARMM in accordance with the MILF’s wishes. The Sponsor cited the need for enacting a new Bangsamoro autonomous region with more autonomous powers and wider fiscal economy and for correcting structural flaws in the national-regional and regional-local government relationships in Mindanao.
REMARKS OF THE CHAIR
The Chair requested Rep. Lobregat to relate his
questions regarding the provisions of House Bill No. 5811.
INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT (Continuation)
Rep. Lobregat thereafter asked why RA No. 9054 has to be repealed considering that the negotiations
with the MILF did not ensue from the Tripoli and 1996 Final Peace Agreements.
In response, Rep. Rodriguez asked what is unconstitutional about the repeal of RA No. 9054. SUSPENSION OF SESSION
At this juncture, the Chair motu proprio suspended the session at 6:22 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
The session resumed at 6:33 p.m. INTERPELLATION OF REP. LOBREGAT (Continuation)
If the GPH-MILF peace negotiations did not discuss the Tripoli and 1996 Final Peace Agreements, Rep. Lobregat reiterated his query on why RA No. 9054 has to be repealed considering that it was a result of said agreements.
Rep. Rodriguez countered that what they were discussing were the provisions of House Bill No. 5811 and not the FAB and the CAB and requested Rep. Lobregat to direct his questions on the constitutional violations of the measure.
Rep. Lobregat reiterated that the issue is not only about constitutionality, and that if it was, he could no longer ask questions regarding the provisions of the measure which are not unconstitutional.
With respect to the insertion of the provision of the Tripoli Agreement in the opt-in provision of the instant measure to exclude Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, Rep. Rodriguez explained that the insertion is based on historical fact that all peace efforts emanated therefrom, and that said provinces and city were excluded from the coverage because they are not contiguous to any Bangsamoro area.
Rep. Lobregat next referred to a slide presentation wherein Rep. Rodriguez, in an interview by Mr. Ted Failon of ABS-CBN, stated that the Ad Hoc Committee wants to delete six provisions, including the opt-in provision because it will allow territorial expansion by a mere 10 percent vote of the population through a plebiscite. He also pointed to the Committee hearing with the Peace Council wherein Rep. Rodriguez affirmed the deletion of the opt-in provision.
Rep. Rodriguez (R.) underscored that the instant BLBAR measure follows the constitutional provision under Article X, Section 10 which provides that any increase of area and creation of local government units
110 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
shall be voted upon by the entire political unit affected, and which he pointed out is totally different from the original proposed BBL.
Whereupon, Reps. Lobregat and Rodriguez debated on the definition of the word “contiguity” by referring to various dictionaries, wherein the former argued that contiguity does not always mean contiguous by land while the latter emphasized that the measure envisions land contiguity because interpreting the word to include contiguous by sea or ocean would imply that all LGUs in the country may avail themselves of the opt-in provision.
At this point Deputy Speaker Padilla relinquished
the Chair to Deputy Speaker Aggabao.
Rep. Lobregat then aired his concern over the ambiguity of the phrase “any local government unit or geographic area” as used in Article III, Section 3 and Article XIV, Section 4 of the draft BLBAR, in determining the areas to be covered by the opt-in provision. He maintained that said provisions of House Bill No. 5811 contradict Article X, Sections 10 and 18 of the Constitution which, quoting excerpts from the proceedings of the 1986 Concom, provide that only provinces and cities shall participate in the plebiscite to be conducted for purposes of determining the geographical area of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.
As an answer, Rep. Rodriguez cited the following provisions which would be considered: RA No. 9054 or the ARMM Organic Act; Article X, Section 10 of
RA No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991;
and Article III, Section 2 and Article XIV, Sections 1 (b) and (c) of House Bill No. 5811. He pointed out that the specific provisions of the law will always prevail over the general provisions in case conflict arises.
Rep. Rodriguez further refuted Rep. Lobregat’s contention regarding the probable geographical expansion and creeping overreach of the Bangsamoro autonomous region into contiguous territories under the opt-in proviso that, in Rep. Lobregat’s opinion, favors the proposed region. He underscored that the proposed deletion of two opt-in provisions of the Bill, specifically Section 2(d) and Section 3 of Article III, would ensure that the disputed barangays, municipalities, and provinces would never be prejudiced and marginalized in the inclusion to the proposed Bangsamoro geographical area.
The two Members then discussed the extent of the geographical area of the Bangsamoro waters reaching up to 22.224 kilometers from the low-water mark of the coasts of the Bangsamoro area as provided for under the Bill. Rep. Lobregat maintained that this is
incorrect and is a geographical waters boundary overlap because 1) it runs counter to the provisions of the Local Government Code and the Fisheries Code which provide that the jurisdiction of LGUs on the municipal waters would only be up to 15 kilometers;
and 2) it is not measured from the low-water mark of the coastline of the main municipality but from each and every islet and island as shown in the presentation map of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL.
Rep. Rodriguez however explained that the 22.224-kilometer provision is a prerogative of the Ad Hoc Committee and of Congress to provide a policy definition of what constitutes the geographical extent of the “Bangsamoro waters.” This, he stated, is to flesh out the right of the Bangsamoro people to develop, exploit, and use the aquatic resources in the Bangsamoro territorial waters over which they have historic rights since time immemorial. He added that as the Bangsamoro autonomous region is part of the State, giving its people jurisdiction or delegated powers over their territorial waters is not unconstitutional.
On Rep. Lobregat’s next point regarding the Bangsamoro waters and the zones of joint cooperation, Rep. Rodriguez explained that the zone of joint cooperation in the Moro Gulf and the Sulu Sea is not exclusive to the Bangsamoro community. However, since there is a preferential right, even as everyone can go there, they have to get a permit from the Bangsamoro government because said areas are the traditional fishing grounds of the Bangsamoro people especially by the Muslims.
The Sponsor also said that Article XII, Section 8 was amended to exclude strategic minerals and all sources of potential energy from the Bangsamoro government’s authority, power and right over the region’s natural resources; and to merely give it a share in income derived therefrom. Rep. Lobregat however stressed that the issue was the vastness of the living and nonliving resources involved; the fairness of such
a sharing scheme to other LGUs; and the national
government’s position that a province’s jurisdiction should only be living and nonliving land-based natural resources and only living sea-based natural resources.
Thereafter, Rep. Lobregat asked on the deletion of the national government’s reserved power to regulate the generation, transmission and distribution of power. Also with respect to the use of inland water resources located in the Bangsamoro area, Rep. Rodriguez explained that the law is very clear that the powers granted to the Bangsamoro government to regulate power generation, transmission and distribution facilities connected to the Mindanao grid as well as their preservation and management will be subject to
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 111
intergovernmental mechanisms with the central government to protect the interest of the people within and outside the Bangsamoro territory. He said that Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Lualhati Antonino’s position that no two bodies should have jurisdiction over Lake Lanao would mean ousting the Bangsamoro government from regulation power when the particular electricity resource is situated in its area.
To a related concern, Rep. Rodriguez (R.) explained that the bill creating the Mindanao Power Corporation (MinPow), of which he is a coauthor, will disallow the privatization of the Agus and Polangui hydropower plants and instead provides for an intergovernmental regulation aside from the regulatory powers that will be given to the Energy Regulatory Commission. He further clarified that the draft BBL will allow the Bangsamoro region to share regulatory powers with the national government insofar as power generation, transmission and distribution facilities that are connected to the Mindanao grid are concerned once these are used outside their area because the water resources are located within the Bangsamoro area.
Next focusing on the huge amount of money owed to the National Power Corporation (NPC) by electric cooperatives situated in the Bangsamoro provinces that are not connected to the Mindanao grid, Rep. Rodriguez clarified that the NPC and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) operate all over the country and that there is no exclusive regulation thereof. He underscored that the Bangsamoro government should use its persuasive power to collect from concerned cooperatives under the NGCP regulation, this as he stressed that the instant measure would not allow loan condonation. REMARKS OF REP. BANAL
At this point, Rep. Banal noted that Rep. Lobregat
has been interpellating for almost five hours. SUSPENSION OF PERIOD OF
SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
ON HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
For the benefit of other Members, Rep. Banal moved for the suspension of the period of sponsorship and debate on House Bill No. 5811. There being no objection, the motion was carried. SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF HOUSE BILL NO. 5811
On further motion of Rep. Banal, there being no
objection, the Body suspended further consideration on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5811.
QUERY OF REP. LOBREGAT To a query of Rep. Lobregat, the Chair affirmed
that the consideration of House Bill No. 5811 was merely suspended and not terminated.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
On another motion of Rep. Banal, there being no
objection, the Body proceeded to the Additional Reference of Business.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General read on First Reading the titles of the following Resolutions, including Messages from the Senate, which were referred to the appropriate Committees as hereunder indicated:
RESOLUTIONS
House Resolution No. 2169, entitled: “RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE
ON HEALTH TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE REPORTED ABANDONMENT OF HANSEN PATIENTS, CHARGING FEES AND ILLEGAL DETENTION OF OTHER INDIGENT PATIENTS IN DR. JOSE N. RODRIGUEZ MEMORIAL HOSPITAL”
By Representatives Colmenars, Zarate, Ilagan and
De Jesus
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2170, entitled:
“RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE
INSTITUTIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE HOUSE SECRETARIAT TO BE KNOWN AS THE INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATIVE GOVERNANCE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
By Representatives Belmonte (F.), Gonzales,
Madrona, Ungab, Quimbo, Albano, Fariñas and Zamora (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
112 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 4605, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ALFONSO
SPORTS ACADEMY AND TRAINING CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ALFONSO, SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, PROVINCE OF CAVITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 4461, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE TALISAY
SPORTS ACADEMY AND TRAINING CENTER IN THE CITY OF TALISAY, PROVINCE OF CEBU AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 4292, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MISAMIS
OCCIDENTAL SPORTS ACADEMY IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF OROQUIETA, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 586, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THE REGISTRY OF
DEEDS FOR THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY TO BE SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF IPIL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed with amendments House Bill No. 4307, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SIARGAO
ISLAND SPORTS ACADEMY AND TRAINING CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed with amendments House Bill No. 4308, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DAVAO
SPORTS ACADEMY IN THE CITY OF TAGUM, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE TO BE LOCATED IN THE DAVAO DEL NORTE SPORTS AND CULTURAL CENTER AND ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed Senate Bill No. 2669, entitled:
“AN ACT INSTITUTING A SYSTEM FOR TAX INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES Message dated June 8, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed Senate Bill No. 2789, entitled:
“AN ACT INCLUDING RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED AND SERVICE-CENTERED YOUTH IN THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN ALL LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 113
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Com-mittee Report No. 778), re House Bill No. 5869, entitled:
“AN ACT RECLASSIFYING AS AGRICUL-TURAL LAND OPEN TO DISPOSITION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUB-LIC LAND ACT, AS AMENDED, THE LAND EMBRACED IN PROCLAMATION NO. 602, DATED APRIL 12, 2004, DE-CLARING AS ECO-TOURISM PARK AND CAMPSITE PURPOSES A CERTAIN PAR-CEL OF LAND OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN SITUATED IN BARANGAYS LUBIGAN, MORIONES AND IBA IN THE MUNICI-PALITY OF SAN JOSE, PROVINCE OF TARLAC”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4578
Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Yap (S.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee Re-port No. 779), re House Bill No. 5870, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FOR-ESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE PROV-INCE OF LA UNION”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4658
Sponsors: Representatives Ortega (V.), Matugas and Ungab
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Justice (Committee Re-port No. 780), re House Bill No. 5871, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZEN-SHIP TO HE YINGYU ZENG, ALSO KNOWN AS WILLY HO”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 5025
Sponsors: Representatives Tupas and Pagdilao
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Works and High-ways and the Committee on Appropriations (Com-mittee Report No. 781), re House Bill No. 5872, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A NEW DISTRICT ENGI-NEERING OFFICE IN THE FOURTH LEG-ISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 1906
Sponsors: Representatives Cosalan and Roque
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Housing and Urban De-velopment (Committee Report No. 782), re H. J. R. No. 31, entitled:
“JOINT RESOLUTION CONSTITUTING A CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COM-MITTEE ON SOCIALIZED AND LOW-COST HOUSING LOAN RESTRUCTUR-ING AND CONDONATION TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9507. OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'SOCIALIZED AND LOW-COST HOUSING LOAN RESTRUCTURING AND CONDONATION ACT OF 2008' ”
recommending its adoption without amendment
Sponsor: Representative Benitez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and Cul-ture (Committee Report No. 783), re House Bill No. 5873, entitled:
“AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF JUAN LUMOSAD MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – MONTE ALEGRE AN-NEX IN BARANGAY MONTE ALEGRE, MUNICIPALITY OF AURORA, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR TO MONTE ALEGRE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL”
recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 2222
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.) and Yu
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
114 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
APPROVAL ON SECOND READING OF
CERTAIN MEASURES UNDER THE BUSINESS FOR THE DAY
On successive motions of Rep. Banal, there being
no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading the following House Bill/Joint Resolution calendared under the Business for the Day, as contained in various Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of
the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory
Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures;
terminated the period of sponsorship and debate;
terminated the period of amendments in the absence of Committee and individual amendments; and approved the same on Second Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5862, as contained in
Committee Report No. 775 and submitted by the Committee on Justice, granting Philippine citizenship to Juvenal Sanso; and
2. House Joint Resolution No. 31, as contained
in Committee Report No. 782 and submitted by the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, constituting a Congressional Oversight Committee on Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring and Condonation to review the implementation of RA No. 9507 or the “Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring and Condonation Act of 2008.”
ADOPTION OF CERTAIN HOUSE
RESOLUTIONS
On further successive motions of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body considered the following House Resolutions; dispensed with the reading of the
texts thereof without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; and unanimously adopted the
same through viva voce voting:
1. House Resolution No. 2166, strongly urging the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to include all families with family members who have disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy and with severe or multiple disabilities, as automatic beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and to provide for reasonable accommodation for these families by modifying the conditionalities of the 4Ps Program to ensure effective and reasonable compliance to the program; and
2. House Resolution No. 2170, establishing the institutional continuing education and training program of the House of Representatives and the House Secretariat to be known as the Institute for Legislation and Legislative Governance of the House of Representatives and for other purposes.
OMNIBUS APPROVAL ON SECOND
READING OF HOUSE BILLS UNDER
THE BUSINESS FOR THURSDAY
AND FRIDAY
On an omnibus motion of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body considered on Second Reading the following Bills calendared under the Business for Thursday and Friday, as contained in various Committee Reports and submitted by the Committees concerned; dispensed with the reading of the texts of
the measures without prejudice to their insertion into the Record of the House; adopted the Explanatory
Notes as the sponsorship remarks on the measures;
terminated the period of sponsorship and debate;
approved the amendments as contained in the Committee Reports, if any; terminated the period of amendments; and approved the same on Second
Reading through viva voce voting:
1. House Bill No. 5868, as contained in Committee Report No. 777 and submitted by the Committees on Health and Appropriations, establishing a 50-bed capacity Ospital ng Imus District Hospital in Imus, Cavite;
2. House Bill No. 5869, as contained in Committee Report No. 778 and submitted by the Committee on Natural Resources, reclassifying as agricultural land open to disposition under the provisions of the Public Land Act, as amended, the land embraced in Proclamation No. 602, dated April 12, 2004, declaring as eco-tourism park and campsite purposes a certain parcel of land of the public domain situated in Lubigan, Moriones and Iba, San Jose, Tarlac;
3. House Bill No. 5870, as contained in Committee Report No. 779, and submitted by the Committees on Natural Resources and Appropriations, establishing the forestland boundary of La Union;
4. House Bill No. 5872, as contained in Committee Report No. 781, and submitted by the Committees on Public Works and
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 115
Highways and Appropriations, creating a new district engineering office in the Fourth Legislative District of Bukidnon; and
5. House Bill No. 5873, as contained in
Committee Report No. 783, and submitted by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture, changing the name of Juan Lumosad Memorial National High School – Monte Alegre Annex in Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur to Monte Alegre National High School.
RATIFICATION OF CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE REPORTS ON CERTAIN
HOUSE BILLS AND SENATE BILLS
On successive motions of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body considered and subsequently ratified the following Conference Committee Reports to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the House and Senate Bills hereunder indicated:
1. House Bill No. 5286 and Senate Bill No. 2282, providing for a national competition policy prohibiting anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions; and
2. House Bill No. 5115 and Senate Bill No. 2226, protecting the amateur nature of student athletes in the Philippines by regulating the residency requirement and prohibiting the commercialization of student-athletes.
CONCURRENCE WITH SENATE
AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN
HOUSE BILLS
With the concurrence of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development and its chairperson Rep. Anthony A. Del Rosario as well as the respective authors of the following measures, on successive motions of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body concurred with the Senate amendments to:
1. House Bill No. 4307, establishing the Siargao Islands Sports Academy and Training Center in Dapa, Surigao del Norte;
2. House Bill No. 4308, establishing the Davao del Norte Regional Sports Academy to be located in the Davao del Norte Sports and Cultural Center;
3. House Bill No. 4461, establishing the Talisay Sports Academy and Training Center in Talisay City, Cebu;
4. House Bill No. 4605, establishing the Alfonso Sports Academy and Training Center in Alfonso, Cavite; and
5. House Bill No. 4292, establishing the Misamis Occidental Sports Academy in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.
REFERRAL OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
On motion of Rep. Banal, there being no
objection, the Body referred the following House Resolutions on inquiries in aid of legislation to the appropriate Committees hereunder indicated:
1. House Resolution No.1786, on the exercise of Congress’ oversight function in the implementation of RA No. 9173 - to the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation; and
2. House Resolution No. 1902, on the release of funds intended to ensure public safety, promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires and promote the professionalization of the fire service as mandated by RA No. 9514 - to the Committee on Local Government.
ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL
COMMITTEE COMMISSION MEMBERS
Thereafter, on motion of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body elected the following as additional Committee Commission Members:
1. Commission on Appointments - Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao vice Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, effective July 1, 2015; and
2. Special Committee on Food Security – Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza vice Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao, effective July 1, 2015
AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT
COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Pursuant to the Rules of the House, on motion of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Body authorized all Committees to conduct meetings or
116 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
public hearings, if deemed necessary, during the sine
die adjournment of the House scheduled from June 11, 2015 until July 26, 2015.
ROLL CALL
On motion of Rep. Banal, there being no objection, the Chair directed the Secretary General to call the Roll and the following Members were present: Abad Abaya Abayon Abellanosa Abu Abueg Acedillo Acharon Acop Acosta-Alba Adiong Advincula Agarao Aggabao Aglipay-Villar Agyao Albano Alcala Alejano Aliping Almario Almonte Alvarez (F.) Alvarez (M.) Amante Amatong (I.) Amatong (R.) Andaya Angara-Castillo Angping Antonino Apostol Aragones Arbison Arenas Arnaiz Arroyo Atienza Aumentado Bag-ao Bagatsing Baguilat Balindong Banal
Barcelona-Reyes Barzaga Bataoil Batocabe Bautista Bello Belmonte (F.) Belmonte (J.) Belmonte (V.) Benitez Bernos Biazon Bichara Binay Biron Bondoc Bonoan Bravo (A.) Bravo (M.) Briones Bulut-Begtang Cabilao Cagas Calalay Calixto-Rubiano Caminero Cari Castelo Castro Catamco Cayetano Celeste Cerafica Cerilles Chipeco Co Collantes Colmenares Cortuna Cosalan Cua Cueva Dalog Dayanghirang De Jesus De Venecia Defensor Del Mar Del Rosario (A.G.) Del Rosario (A.A.) Dela Cruz Deloso-Montalla Dimaporo (I.)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 117
Durano Dy Echiverri Enverga Erice Eriguel Ermita-Buhain Escudero Espina Estrella Evardone Fariñas Fernandez Ferrer (J.) Ferrer (L.) Ferriol Flores Fortun Fortuno Garay Garcia (G.) Garcia-Albano Garin (R.) Garin (S.) Gatchalian (S.) Gatchalian (W.) Geron Gerona-Robredo Go (A.C.) Go (A.F.) Gomez Gonzales Gonzalez Gorriceta Guanlao Guiao Gullas Gunigundo Gutierrez Hagedorn Haresco Hataman-Salliman Hernandez Hicap Hofer Ilagan Iway Jalosjos Javier Katoh Kho Khonghun Labadlabad
Lacson-Noel Lagdameo (A.) Lagdameo (M.) Lanete Leachon Ledesma Lee Leonardia Leonen-Pizarro Lobregat Loong Lopez (C.) Lopez (C.J.) Loyola Macrohon-Nuño Madrona Magsaysay Manalo Mangudadatu Marcos Masongsong Matugas Mellana Mendoza (J.) Mendoza (M.) Mendoza (R.) Mercado Mercado-Revilla Mirasol Montejo Nava (J.) Nava (P.) Noel Oaminal Olivarez Ong Ortega (F.) Ortega (V.) Padilla Paduano Paez Pancho Panganiban Panotes Paquiz Pernes Piamonte Pichay Plaza Primicias-Agabas Puno Quimbo Quisumbing
118 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
Ramirez-Sato Ramos Relampagos Revilla Reyes Ridon Rivera Robes Rodriguez (I.) Rodriguez (M.) Rodriguez (O.) Rodriguez (R.) Roman Romarate Romualdez Romualdo Romulo Roque Sacdalan Sahali Sakaluran Salimbangon Salvacion Santiago Sarmiento (C.) Sarmiento (M.) Sema Señeres Singson (E.) Suarez Tambunting Tan (A.) Tan (M.) Tejada Teodoro Teves Tiangco Tieng Ting Tinio Tolentino Treñas Tugna Tupas Turabin-Hataman Ty Umali (R.) Unabia Ungab Uy (J.) Uy (R.) Vargas Vargas-Alfonso
Velarde Velasco Villanueva Villar Villarica Yap (S.) Yu Zamora (M.) Zamora (R.) Zarate Zubiri
With 267 Members responding to the Call, the
Chair declared the presence of a quorum. (See also Appendix 1)
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On motion of Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II, the Chair suspended the session at 9:48 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 9:54 p.m., the session resumed with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. presiding.
ADOPTION OF HOUSE
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11
On successive motions of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body considered House Concurrent Resolution No. 11, entitled: “CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES NOT LATER THAN TWELVE O’CLOCK, MIDNIGHT TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015”; dispensed with the reading of the text thereof without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House; and unanimously adopted the same.
DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO THE
JOINT COMMITTEE ON NOTIFICATION
With the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution No. 11, on motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body designated Deputy Speakers Henedina R. Abad, Giorgidi B. Aggabao, Sergio A.F. Apostol, Pangalian M. Balindong, Carlos M. Padilla and Roberto V. Puno as members of the Joint Committee to immediately inform the President of the Philippines of the adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the Sixteenth Congress.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 119
ADOPTION OF HOUSE
RESOLUTION NO. 2167
On successive motions of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body considered House Resolution No. 2167, entitled: “RESOLUTION DECLARING THE JOURNAL OF THE SESSION FROM MAY 25 TO JUNE 10, 2015, AS HAVING BEEN READ AND APPROVED”;
dispensed with the reading of the text thereof without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House;
and unanimously adopted the same.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
On another motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, the Chair suspended the session to enable the Secretariat to transmit immediately the Resolutions which the Body had just adopted.
It was 9:58 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 9:59 p.m., the session resumed.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
In order to give the Members of the Joint Committee time to perform their assigned task, on motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, the Chair suspended the session at 10:00 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 10:01 p.m., the session resumed.
MANIFESTATION OF
MAJORITY LEADER GONZALES
Majority Leader Gonzales manifested that a report from the Joint Committee had already been received by the Body regarding the President as already informed of the adjournment of the session that night of the Second Regular Session of the 16th Congress.
The Chair noted the manifestation.
With the commencement of the consideration of a resolution concerning the person of Speaker Belmonte, Majority Leader Gonzales moved that the Chair request Minority Leader Ronaldo B. Zamora to
ascend the rostrum and preside over the plenary proceedings, in accordance with parliamentary practice.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Thereupon, the Chair motu proprio suspended the session at 10:02 p.m., to allow Minority Leader Zamora (R.) to ascend the rostrum.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 10:03 p.m., the session resumed with Minority Leader Zamora (R.) presiding.
REMARKS OF
MINORITY LEADER ZAMORA (R.)
Minority Leader Zamora commended the outstanding leadership and skillful guidance of the House of Representatives by Speaker Belmonte that was made evident by the latter’s effective, humane, and democratic overseeing of deliberations, controversial issues, congressional investigations, and interests of the House Members regardless of their political affiliations.
With the House of Representatives being served by an exemplary leader who can direct the course of legislation beneficial to the country and provide creative solutions to the country’s problems, the Minority Leader enjoined the Members to gather their collective efforts to provide the best public service to the country and to the Filipino people and realize the pressing Filipino aspirations at present -- a country with a strong economy and a respectable military power.
He thereafter reiterated his commendations of the outstanding leadership of Speaker Belmonte during the Second Regular Session of the 16th Congress.
CONSIDERATION OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2168
On motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body considered House Resolution No. 2168.
Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary General read the title of the Resolution, to wit:
“RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HONORABLE SPEAKER FELICIANO
120 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
BELMONTE, JR. FOR HIS DEDICATED AND ABLE STEWARDSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DURING THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS.”
As copies of the Resolution had been previously distributed to the Members, on motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body dispensed with the reading of the full text of the measure without prejudice to its insertion into the Record of the House.
Upon the Majority Leader’s subsequent motion, the Chair recognized Rep. Leni Gerona-Robredo for her sponsorship remarks on House Resolution No. 2168. SPONSORSHIP REMARKS OF
REP. GERONA-ROBREDO
In her commendation of Speaker Belmonte, Rep. Gerona-Robredo spoke of the Speaker’s able leadership, guidance, and dedicated service in the House of Representatives during the Second Regular Session that has allowed the Members to weather the hardships and rigors of legislation and collectively push and better themselves at their jobs, addressing the needs of the country. Alongside with Speaker Belmonte, she also commended the House leadership for their collective efforts to ensure the enactment into law of vital measures for the economic development of the country and provide redress to the country’s adverse political, economic, and socio-cultural conditions. She enumerated the most prominent of these measures that had been enacted into laws: RA No. 10648 or the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014; RA
No. 10650, expanding access to educational services by institutionalizing open distance learning in higher education; Joint Resolution No. 3, extending the
period for the filing of reparations claims of human rights victims; and Joint Resolution No. 5, increasing
the salaries of uniformed military and law enforcement personnel, to include the personnel of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. She similarly cited in her commendations the Conference Committee Reports on the important measures that had also been approved under the leadership of Speaker Belmonte.
Rep. Gerona-Robredo thereafter stated that these vital measures are testament to the leadership of Speaker Belmonte, the collective hard work of the Members and of the House leadership and their contributions to nation-building, economic development, and inclusive growth. She appealed to the Members to continue the best they can in working
on the tasks ahead, specifically in enacting important legislations for the benefit of the Filipino people. ADOPTION OF
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2168
Thereupon, on motion of Majority Leader Gonzales, there being no objection, the Body unanimously adopted House Resolution No. 2168.
REMARKS OF THE CHAIR
At this point, the Chair requested the Lady Legislators to escort Speaker Belmonte to the rostrum to preside over the plenary proceedings.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
The Chair motu proprio suspended the session at 10:15 p.m. RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 10:19 p.m., the session resumed with Speaker Belmonte presiding. REMARKS OF SPEAKER BELMONTE
Speaker Belmonte delivered the following remarks to close the Second Regular Session of the 16th Congress:
My dear colleagues, in the wake of the dramatic
gains of this administration, old obstacles to building
a decent society continue to remain as hurdles, and
new ones have emerged.
During this Second Regular Session, two domestic
events brought up issues which we, as the people’s
Representatives, will have to resolve.
On January 25, 2015, a misencounter now known
as the Mamasapano incident, took the lives of 44 SAF
troopers. MILF members and several civilians once
more raised the stakes for peace in Mindanao. On
May 13, 2015, 72 workers perished in the Kentex
factory fire in Valenzuela.
Both events were part and parcel of long histories
of marginalization and exclusion: one characterized
by a long standing secessionist struggle and the other
by a culture of corporate impunity. Both events sprung
out of the conditions of the underclass, of the Minority
Muslim population and the other, from the situation of
cheap labor. Both tragedies raised fundamental
questions of how, through what means, and what
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 121
political will Congress needs to bring to bear to settle
the fundamental issues of what kind of nation we are,
what kind of political and economic inclusiveness can
we give our people, how fair and equitable can we
make our institutions, how do we bring justice to all
and how do we build a durable social contract for
meaningful peace and development.
Amidst the rising political noise anticipating 2016
and its attendant distractions, we did not succumb to
empty grandstanding, opportunistic photo-ops and
cheap sloganeering. The House of Representatives
showed that it would not play politics-as-usual with
the public interest. We remained galvanized with the
purpose to raise our vision of a decent Philippine
society to a higher and more inclusive stage.
Let me therefore thank and commend you for
staying the course and rising above the political noise.
Let us all give ourselves a big hand.
As we end the Second Regular Session, we have a
golden harvest of legislation – 35 Republic Acts, 541
measures approved on Third Reading, 24 measures
approved on Second Reading, and 215 adopted
resolutions.
Our efforts to lay down policies and laws that will
promote an environment conducive to growth and the
creation of decent jobs must continue. We can ill
afford to be complacent as our neighbors in the region
and the rest of the world intensify their own efforts to
strengthen their economies and make themselves more
competitive. Also, our growth must translate into real
employment to increase the quality of life of the poor
in our country.
Continuing ASEAN economic integration leading
to the establishment of the ASEAN Community this
year should spur us to further action and preparation.
The Philippines should not miss out on the greater flow
of investments, goods, services and capital across the
region.
Yes, there will be greater cooperation among the
countries in the region but that will not preclude
intensified competition. This should be clear to
everyone, especially policy makers and those in the
business sector. But that competition must not mean a
race to the bottom in terms of lowering labor
standards, or of lowering safety and environmental
yardsticks.
Our country must therefore continue to pursue the
development of a globally competitive economy to
uplift the living condition of every Filipino. As we
maintain macroeconomic stability, raise infrastructure
support, reduce the cost of doing business, improve
governance, and promote peace and order to attain
real and lasting progress, we must also equip our
people with necessary competencies, partner labor
with better applied research, provide workers with
productivity incentives, a safe and decent workplace,
and the chance of one owning a home.
If we partnered the Filipino worker with
affordable housing and a reformed public healthcare
system, the education of his children and the proper
respect and protection of his rights, he will produce
world-class products and provide world-class
services.
Toward improving the competencies and
productivity of our human resources, we have enacted
into laws the following during the Second Regular
Session: Ladderized Education Program, Iskolar ng
Bayan Act, and the Open Learning through Distance
Education-in Post-Secondary and Tertiary Levels Act.
Soon, we will also have a law providing for open
high school system for out-of-school youth and adults.
We have also passed on Third Reading the bill on the
promotion of positive and nonviolent discipline of
children. We have also approved on Third Reading the
following: strengthening of the CAP Insurance System,
promotion of microenterprise development insti-
tutions, amendments to RA No. 8974 to facilitate the
acquisition of right-of-way, and the Tax Incentives
Management and Transparency Act.
Under consideration of its respective conference
committees are the bills providing unified student
financial assistance for high and technical education
and strengthening the probation system. Meanwhile,
the proposed law amending the Cabotage Law will be
sent to the President for his signature in the coming
days.
But let me highlight two other measures which we
have just passed as historic facts. More than the
historical significance, these initiatives pose
tremendous impact to our economy. First, we have
approved on Second Reading the Resolution of Both
Houses amending the restrictive economic provisions
of the Constitution. No other similar measure in the
past has reached the stage of it being passed on Second
Reading. Second, we have ratified the Conference
Committee Report on the Fair Competition Act or
Anti-Trust Act, a measure that has been pending in this
Chamber since 1989, a clear 26 years between its
inception and its approval by all of us during this
Second Regular Session.
122 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
These measures, when passed, would transform
the economic landscape of the country into a modern,
outward-looking economy that benefits and provides
opportunities for the vast majority of our people.
To further ensure that every Filipino benefits from
the economic growth, we have passed on Third
Reading the Magna Carta of the Poor and the Internal
Displacement Act.
We have also approved on Third and final
Reading, measures on the proper utilization and
protection of our natural resources and environment,
and the protection of our territory. These measures
include the proposed laws on the prevention of marine
pollution, delineation of the maritime zones of the
Philippines, and establishment of the archipelagic sea
lanes in the Philippine waters.
To sustain and institutionalize our fight against
corruption and the promotion of good governance, we
have amended the Sandiganbayan Law to enhance its
organizational and operational efficiency in
discharging its functions.
Notably, on Second Reading is the Bangsamoro
Basic Law as we have sought to ensure a more
meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro and move
closer towards enhancing its institutions and pave the
way towards more effective provision of vital services
to our people in this region. It is being fine-tuned to
ensure greater inclusiveness and greater efficiency in
practice. We want the best law possible because we
know that there is no such thing as a good war or a
bad peace.
We have made huge strides. But of course, we
have a long way to go. Perhaps the most severe of all
our problems is the great economic divide that is
condemning too many of our minority population and
majority of our youth to either exclusion or
hopelessness. We hope that as a necessary first step,
the economic reform measures we have passed today
will end both the exclusion and hopelessness.
Let us therefore look forward to the challenges of
the Third Regular Session, confident that we have
remained true to our people but ever conscious of and
committed to what remains to be done.
Thank you to our Deputy Speakers. Thank you to
our Majority Leaders, to our Minority Leaders, to the
Chairpersons of the different committees and to all of
you my colleagues for your ardent and enthusiastic
participation. Thank you to the members of the
Secretariat for your support. Thank you everyone and
I wish you all a restful, restorative, but still productive
break.
I now declare this Second Regular Session of the
16th Congress adjourned sine die.
ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE
The Chair motu proprio adjourned the session sine
die. It was 10:31 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2015. ________________________________________ I hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing.
ATTY. MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP, DPA Secretary General Approved: HON. FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker House of Representatives
DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED
Printed copies of the following measures were
distributed to the Members during the session on the specified dates hereunder indicated:
Distributed on May 25, 2015:
1. House Bill No. 5592, entitled:
“AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 1 AND RE-NEWING THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO FAR EAST BROADCASTING COM-PANY (PHILIPPINES), INC. UNDER RE-PUBLIC ACT NO. 8115, ENTITLED 'AN ACT GRANTING THE FAR EAST BROAD-CASTING COMPANY (PHILIPPINES), INC., A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE NON-COM-MERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING STA-TIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES' ”
2. House Bill No. 5760, entitled:
“AN ACT PROHIBITING HAZING AND REG-ULATING OTHER FORMS OF INITIA-TION RITES OF FRATERNITIES, SOROR-ITIES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 123
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIO-LATION THEREOF, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8049”
3. House Bill No. 5767, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY DON ALBINO T. TARUC IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SO-CORRO, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE”
4. House Bill No. 5768, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REAPPOR-TIONMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF AK-LAN INTO TWO (2) LEGISLATIVE DIS-TRICTS”
5. House Bill No. 5769, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY PUDO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NATONIN, MOUN-TAIN PROVINCE”
6. House Bill No. 5770, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY SAN ISIDRO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TITAY, PROV-INCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY”
7. House Bill No. 5775, entitled:
“AN ACT PROHIBITING MINING OPERA-TIONS WITHIN THE CARIGARA BAY AREA, LOCATED BETWEEN THE NORTHERN PORTION OF LEYTE PROV-INCE AND BILIRAN PROVINCE”
Distributed on May 26, 2015:
8. House Bill No. 5677, entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY 23 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE DECLARATION OF THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC”
9. House Bill No. 1462, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY POBLACION 2 IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF VIL-LANUEVA, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL”
10. House Bill No. 4954, entitled:
“AN ACT RENAMING THE WAWA ROAD AT BARANGAY SAN RAFAEL, MUNICIPAL-ITY OF RODRIGUEZ, PROVINCE OF RI-ZAL AS GENERAL LICERIO I. GERON-IMO HIGHWAY”
11. House Bill No. 5478, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY STA. CRUZ IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAMPAKAN, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO”
12. House Bill No. 5678, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY NINETY-FOUR (94) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF VIRAC, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
13. House Bill No. 5679, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY EIGHTY-FIVE (85) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF VIGA, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
14. House Bill No. 5680, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO (362) HECTARES OF MAN-GROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ANDRES, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
15. House Bill No. 5681, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY NINE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (913) HECTARES OF MAN-GROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PAN-GANIBAN, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
124 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
16. House Bill No. 5682, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE (233) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PANDAN, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
17. House Bill No. 5683, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED (200) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF BATO, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
18. House Bill No. 5684, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY TWENTY-TWO (22) HECTARES OF MANGROVE IN THE MU-NICIPALITY OF BARAS, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
19. House Bill No. 5685, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REFOR-ESTATION AND REHABILITATION OF APPROXIMATELY TWO HUNDRED SEV-ENTY-FOUR (274) HECTARES OF MAN-GROVE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAGAMANOC, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
20. House Bill No. 5692, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY LIWON IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ASIPULO, PROV-INCE OF IFUGAO”
21. House Bill No. 5693, entitled:
“AN ACT DIVIDING THE ONE-BARANGAY MUNICIPALITY OF DUMALNEG IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE INTO THREE (3) SEPARATE AND INDEPEND-ENT BARANGAYS TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY KALAW, BARANGAY CAB-ARITAN AND BARANGAY QUIBEL”
22. House Bill No. 5694, entitled:
“AN ACT SEPARATING THE SITIOS OF GUINA-ANG, MADOPDOP, MALLANGO, LANLANA AND SAN PABLO FROM BA-RANGAY LACNOG, CITY OF TABUK, PROVINCE OF KALINGA AND CONSTI-TUTING THEM INTO A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY LACNOG WEST”
23. House Bill No. 5695, entitled:
“AN ACT SEPARATING THE SITIOS OF ILEB, NEW COLAYO VILLAGE, KINAMA AND NAMBARAN DAYA FROM BARANGAY NAMBARAN, CITY OF TABUK, PROV-INCE OF KALINGA AND CONSTITUT-ING THEM INTO A SEPARATE AND IN-DEPENDENT BARANGAY TO BE KNOWN AS BARANGAY NAMBARAN EAST”
Distributed on June 01, 2015:
24. Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, entitled:
“RESOLUTION OF BOTH HOUSES PROPOS-ING AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN ECO-NOMIC PROVISIONS OF THE 1987 CON-STITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PARTICULARLY ON ARTI-CLES XII, XIV AND XVI”;
Distributed on June 03, 2015:
25. House Bill No. 5791, entitled:
“AN ACT PROVIDING FREE PUBLIC WIRE-LESS INTERNET ACCESS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS, TERMINALS, PARKS AND PLAZAS THROUGHOUT THE COUN-TRY”;
26. House Bill No. 4421, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LAND TRANS-PORTATION OFFICE IN THE MUNICI-PALITY OF MALITA, PROVINCE OF DAVAO OCCIDENTAL AND APPRO-PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
27. House Bill No. 4894, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE VILLAFUERTE-PEÑA HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY PONGLON, MUNICIPALITY OF SAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 125
JOSE, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR INTO A NATIONAL TECHNICAL-VOCA-TIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS JUAN C. PEÑA NATIONAL TECH-NICAL-VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”;
28. House Bill No. 5784, entitled:
“AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE CURRENT THIRD DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR AS THE SEC-OND DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
29. House Bill No. 5792, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE TALISAY DIS-TRICT HOSPITAL IN TALISAY CITY, PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO A GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE TALI-SAY CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, IN-CREASING ITS BED CAPACITY FROM TWENTY- FIVE (25) TO TWO HUNDRED (200) BEDS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
30. House Bill No. 5794, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING THE CONSERVA-TION OF GABALDON AND OTHER HER-ITAGE SCHOOL BUILDINGS NATION-WIDE, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VI-OLATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
31. House Bill No. 5795, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GULOD, QUE-ZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS GULOD NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
32. House Bill No. 5796, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY NAGKAISANG NAYON, QUEZON CITY, METRO MA-NILA TO BE KNOWN AS NAGKAISANG NAYON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
33. House Bill No. 5797, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY GREATER FAIR-VIEW, QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS WEST FAIRVIEW NA-TIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRI-ATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
34. House Bill No. 5798, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BARANGAY KALIGA-YAHAN, QUEZON CITY, METRO MA-NILA TO BE KNOWN AS SUSANA D. VARGAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
Distributed on June 4, 2015:
35. House Bill No. 2814, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A ONE-STOP GOV-ERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT SER-VICES PROCESSING CENTER IN SAN JOSE CITY, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE-FOR”;
36. House Bill No. 5582, entitled:
“AN ACT RENEWING THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO RADIO VERITAS-GLOBAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM, INCORPO-RATED TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OP-ERATE AND MAINTAIN FOR RELI-GIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, UNDER REPUB-LIC ACT NUMBERED SEVENTY-FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINE TO AN-OTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS”;
37. House Bill No. 5779, entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION THE AU-THORITY TO MONITOR AND INVESTI-GATE NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANI-ZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, AND SIMI-LAR INSTITUTIONS”;
38. House Bill No. 5780, entitled:
“AN ACT HONORING FILIPINO CENTENAR-IANS, GRANTING THEM ADDITIONAL
126 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES, AND DE-CLARING THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER AS A NATIONAL DAY OF RESPECT FOR CENTENARIANS”;
39. House Bill No. 5790, entitled:
“AN ACT PROMOTING CONSUMER PRO-TECTION ON THE PURCHASE OF MO-BILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES BY ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO UNLOCK THE MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE LOCK-IN PERIOD UNDER THE MOBILE COMMUNICATION SERVICE CON-TRACT”;
40. House Bill No. 5831, entitled:
“AN ACT ENHANCING THE CURRENT TAX SYSTEM BY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES THAT ENSURE TRANSPAR-ENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT AND AC-COUNTING OF TAX INCENTIVES GRANTED TO GOVERNMENT AND NONGOVERNMENT ENTITIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”;
41. House Bill No. 5842, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING A TWO THOUSAND PESO (P2,000.00) ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY PENSION WITH CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENT OF THE MINIMUM MONTHLY PENSION UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYS-TEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'SOCIAL SECURITY ACT OF 1997'”;
42. House Bill No. 5799, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN BARANGAY TAÑONG, CITY OF MARIKINA, METRO MANILA TO BE KNOWN AS TAÑONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
43. House Bill No. 5822, entitled:
“AN ACT PREVENTING THE PROLIFERA-TION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUC-TION BY REGULATING THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, BROKER-ING, FINANCING, AND TRANSPORTING
SERVICES IN RELATION TO THE MAN-AGEMENT OF TRADE IN STRATEGIC GOODS”;
Distributed on June 08, 2015:
44. House Bill No. 2592, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAND TRANS-PORTATION OFFICE SATELLITE OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2, PA-RAÑAQUE CITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
45. House Bill No. 4404, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT OF-FICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA, PROVINCE OF CAVITE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
Distributed on June 9, 2014:
46. House Bill No. 5785, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHEN-SIVE SYSTEM FOR REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND AC-CREDITATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;
47. House Bill No. 5816, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FINAL FOR-ESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE PROV-INCE OF SIQUIJOR”;
48. House Bill No. 5819, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROAD STRETCHING FROM BARANGAY ANDUYAN, MUNICIPALITY OF TUBAO, PROVINCE OF LA UNION TO BARAN-GAY SAN PASCUA, MUNICIPALITY OF TUBA, PROVINCE OF BENGUET INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”; and
49. House Bill No. 5825, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT OF-FICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE IN THE PROVINCE OF SARAN-GANI AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”.
* ABAD BARZAGA * DEFENSOR* ABAYA BATAOIL DEL MAR* ABAYON BATOCABE DEL ROSARIO (A.G.)* ABELLANOSA * BAUTISTA DEL ROSARIO (A.A.)
ABU BELLO DELA CRUZABUEG BELMONTE (F.) DELOSO-MONTALLAACEDILLO * BELMONTE (J.) **** DIMAPORO (A.)
* ACHARON * BELMONTE (V.) DIMAPORO (I.)* ACOP * BENITEZ * DUAVIT
ACOSTA-ALBA * BERNOS * DURANOADIONG * BIAZON * DY
* ADVINCULA * BICHARA * ECHIVERRIAGARAO BINAY ENVERGAAGGABAO * BIRON ERICE
* AGLIPAY-VILLAR BONDOC ERIGUELAGYAO * BONOAN ERMITA-BUHAINALBANO BRAVO (A.) ESCUDERO
* ALCALA BRAVO (M.) ESPINAALEJANO BRIONES ESTRELLAALIPING BULUT-BEGTANG EVARDONEALMARIO CABILAO FARIÑASALMONTE * CAGAS FERNANDEZALVAREZ (F.) CALALAY * FERRER (J.)ALVAREZ (M.) CALIXTO-RUBIANO * FERRER (L.)
* AMANTE * CAMINERO FERRIOLAMATONG (I.) CARI FLORES
* AMATONG (R.) CASTELO FORTUN* ANDAYA CASTRO FORTUNO
ANGARA-CASTILLO CATAMCO ***** FUENTEBELLA* ANGPING * CAYETANO GARAY* ANTONINO * CELESTE GARCIA (E.)
ANTONIO CERAFICA GARCIA (G.)APOSTOL CERILLES GARCIA-ALBANO
* ARAGONES CHIPECO * GARIN (R.)* ARBISON CO GARIN (S.)
ARENAS * COJUANGCO * GATCHALIAN (S.)ARNAIZ COLLANTES * GATCHALIAN (W.)
* ARROYO COLMENARES GERONASILO CORTUNA GERONA-ROBREDOATIENZA COSALAN * GO (A.C.)AUMENTADO CRUZ-GONZALES * GO (A.F.)BAG-AO CUA GOMEZ
* BAGATSING CUEVA GONZALES* BAGUILAT DALOG GONZALEZ
BALINDONG * DAYANGHIRANG GORRICETABANAL DE JESUS GUANLAOBARCELONA-REYES DE VENECIA GUIAO
MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE
Date: May 25 to June 10, 2015
(Appendix I)Congress of the PhilippinesHouse of RepresentativesQuezon City, Philippines
GULLAS NAVA (P.) * SALVACIONGUNIGUNDO NOEL SANTIAGOGUTIERREZ ** NOGRALES SARMIENTO (C.)
* HAGEDORN OAMINAL SARMIENTO (M.)* HARESCO OCAMPO SEMA* HATAMAN-SALLIMAN OLIVAREZ SEÑERES* HERNANDEZ ONG SINGSON (E.)
HICAP ORTEGA (F.) * SINGSON (R.)HOFER ORTEGA (V.) SUANSING
* ILAGAN **** PACQUIAO SUAREZIWAY PADILLA SY-ALVARADO
* JALOSJOS PADUANO TAMBUNTINGJAVIER PAEZ TAN (A.)KATOH PAGDILAO * TAN (M.)KHO PANCHO TEJADAKHONGHUN * PANGANIBAN TEODORO
* LABADLABAD PANOTES TEVESLACSON-NOEL PAQUIZ TIANGCOLAGDAMEO (A.) PERNES TIENGLAGDAMEO (M.) PIAMONTE * TING
* LAGMAN PICHAY TINIOLANETE * PLAZA TOLENTINO
* LEACHON * PONCE ENRILE TREÑAS* LEDESMA PRIMICIAS-AGABAS TUGNA* LEE PUNO TUPAS
LEONARDIA QUIMBO * TURABIN-HATAMANLEONEN-PIZARRO QUISUMBING * TYLOBREGAT * RADAZA * UMALI (C.)LOONG * RAMIREZ-SATO * UMALI (R.)LOPEZ (C.) RAMOS UNABIALOPEZ (C.J.) RELAMPAGOS * UNGAB
* LOYOLA REVILLA * UY (J.)**** MACAPAGAL-ARROYO REYES UY (R.)
MACROHON-NUÑO RIDON VARGASMADRONA RIVERA * VARGAS-ALFONSOMAGSAYSAY ROBES * VELARDEMANALO RODRIGUEZ (I.) VELASCOMANGUDADATU RODRIGUEZ (M.) VILLANUEVAMARCOS RODRIGUEZ (O.) * VILLARMASONGSONG RODRIGUEZ (R.) VILLARICAMATUGAS * ROMAN VIOLAGOMELLANA ROMARATE YAP (A.)
* MENDOZA (J.) ROMUALDEZ YAP (S.)* MENDOZA (M.) ROMUALDO YU* MENDOZA (R.) ROMULO * ZAMORA (M.)
MERCADO * ROQUE ZAMORA (R.)MERCADO-REVILLA SACDALAN ZARATE
* MIRASOL * SAHALI ZUBIRIMONTEJO * SAKALURANNAVA (J.) * SALIMBANGON
* Appeared before/after Roll Call
** On official mission
*** Attended meetings of CA/HRET/Conference Committee/Committee meetings authorized by Committee on Rules
**** Officially notified the House, through the Secretariat, of their absence
***** Absent without notice
(Subject to correction/s that may appear in the Annual Journal)