LEADERS. House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (left) and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III meet to discuss pending legislative measures at an undisclosed venue on Tuesday (June 1, 2021). Both chambers vowed to remain productive even during the election season. (Photo courtesy of House Press and Public Affairs Bureau)
MANILA – Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco met on Tuesday to discuss pending legislative measures ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.
The House of Representatives has approved the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan 3) and is working on the passage of the Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, which proposes amendments to restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, on final reading.
For the Senate, priority measures include the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos and amendments to the Public Service Act and Retail Trade Liberalization Act.
"The country’s two highest legislative officials also vow to continue coordinating the respective priority bills of the Senate and the House to ensure that both chambers remain productive even during the upcoming election season," Velasco's office said in a statement but did not disclose the venue of the meeting.
Aside from priority legislation, Sotto and Velasco talked about possible scenarios for Duterte's final SONA.
Malacañang, meanwhile, said it will not be a problem should Congress fail to pass the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill before it adjourns sine die on June 5.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the country’s economic managers, led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, assured the country still has available funds from national budget and the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2).
“Wala naman pong problema kung hindi mapasa during the second regular session ng 18th Congress itong Bayanihan 3 (There is no problem if Bayanihan 3 is not passed during the second regular session of the 18th Congress),” he added.
Duterte has also certified as urgent a proposal on how to better collect taxes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. (PNA)
