SB: Social, human rights bills nearing enactment

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is confident that several vital social and human rights bills will be enacted before Congress adjourns its 15th regular session.

“I would like to think that even with the very limited time left, the prospects for the enactment of vital measures already in their advanced stages in the legislative process looks promising,” Belmonte said.

The 15th Congress will adjourn sine die in the first week of June.

The House leader said House Bill 4643 and Senate Bill 429 expanding the prohibited acts of discrimination against women on account of sex, amending for the purpose Articles 135 and 137 of the Labor Code of the Philippines; HB 4241 and SB 1198 providing for early voting to qualified members of media; HB 5990/SB 3334 providing compensation to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime are being reconciled in the bicameral conference committee.

“Those bills have been pending since the 9th, 14th and 11th Congress,” Belmonte said.

Also being reconciled in bicameral meetings when Congress adjourned for the Christmas holidays were HB 4807 and SB 2914 prohibiting racial, ethnic and religious discrimination; HB 6686 and SB 2918 strengthening conciliation-mediation as a voluntary mode of dispute settlement for all labor cases; and HB 6685 and SB 2921 strengthening tripartism.

Belmonte said several vital measures were approved on third and final reading and transmitted to the Senate for proper action, including HB 5714 strengthening the witness protection, security and benefit program, amending Republic Act 6981; HB 4484 providing for the Magna Carta for the Poor; HB 6545 or the National Land Use and Management Act; HB 6419 providing for a free and culture-sensitive Indigenous Peoples Civil Registration System Act of 2012; and HB 6474 strengthening the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products.

He said HB 6528 instituting compulsory insurance for members of the Board of Election Inspectors, Special Board of Election Inspectors among others.