House to discuss Bangsamoro, Cha-cha as session resumes

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will have its plate full in tackling major legislation, including the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and Charter change, as it resumes session today.

Apart from the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, also expected to be discussed in plenary are Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, which seeks to ease the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution, the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, as well as other urgent measures the chamber has agreed to prioritize with the Senate.

House leaders said Malacañang should submit as soon as possible the proposed law that would create a new autonomous region in Mindanao to allow lawmakers to scrutinize the document and pass it in time for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in January 2015.

This is assuming the proposed law is approved in the plebiscite, and is not derailed by petitions expected to be filed with the Supreme Court.

Election of officials of the new Bangsamoro autonomous government will be held to coincide with the national and local polls in 2016.

“We will do our best to scrutinize the provisions,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Belmonte and other House leaders will meet with their counterparts today to discuss how to speed up the passage of some 30 to 40 bills they have agreed to prioritize.

Among the measures previously agreed upon by both chambers to be prioritized are the amendments to the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act, Fiscal Incentives Act, Cabotage, Freedom of Information Bill, Whistle-blowers Act, Witness Protection Act, Land Use Act, Built Operate and Transfer Law amendments, Regulation of Water Utilities, Land Reform, Philippine Ports Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Maritime Industry Authority charter amendments, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Mining Tax Increase, Anti-Trust, Promotion to Micro Enterprise, National Student Loan Program, Children in Conflict, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, Consumer Protection, Open High School System for out-of-school youth, Ladderized Education, Emergency Management Response Agency, Barangay Officials Welfare Act and the 13th Month Pay Tax Exemption Increase.