12 key measures passed by Senate since May

THE Senate has passed 12 key measures in a little over 30 session days since Sen. Francis Escudero was elected Senate President last May 20.

Nine of the 12 bills are up for the signature of President Marcos Jr. while three are awaiting action in the bicameral conference committee. One is up for approval by the House of Representatives.

“During this period, we even had to deal with work stoppages due to weather disturbances, as well as national holidays. Nevertheless, we made sure that we were able to dispose of the matters before us, with the support of all our members,” Escudero said.

A total of 106 bills, including those local in scope, were also approved on third reading, with 25 having been enacted into law.

“We acted with urgency on the priority measures of the President, which were also part of the common legislative agenda of both chambers of Congress. Again, this is more about the quality of laws rather than quantity. These are high-impact laws that Malacañang and Congress agreed upon to prioritize,” Escudero said.

The priority bills up for signing by the President are (Senate Bill No.) SBN 1604 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) Act that addresses the learning deficiencies of learners by assigning qualified tutors, SBN 2221 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers that strengthens the protection and promotion of the welfare of close to half a million seafarers on board ships globally, SBN 2432 or Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Economic Sabotage Act that imposes heavy fines against smugglers and hoarders of agricultural products, and SBN 2455 or the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act that seeks to revitalize and strengthen the defense posture of the country while promoting the development of the national defense industry.

SBN 2492 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act delineates the maritime domain of the Philippines and declares the rights and entitlements of the country over its maritime zones, including the underwater features for the enjoyment and cultivation by Filipinos in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;

SBN 2528 or the VAT on Digital Transactions imposes a value-added tax