Senate Delays Stall Vital Reforms
The Senate has yet to act on 739 measures, a significant number of which represent missed opportunities to improve lives across the Philippines. This critical update came from the House of Representatives Spokesperson Princess Abante on June 10, with only one full session day left in the 19th Congress.
“For the 19th Congress under Speaker Martin Romualdez’s leadership, I’m pleased to report that the House is among the most productive in history,” Abante shared during a press briefing. “We filed 11,506 House bills and 2,361 resolutions. From these, 347 resolutions were adopted, and 1,493 measures were approved, with 280 signed into law.”
Pending Measures Await Senate Approval
Despite this progress, Abante lamented that 739 measures remain pending before the Senate for third reading approval. She emphasized that these are not ordinary bills but urgent reforms demanded by various sectors nationwide.
“These pending bills are potentially life-changing,” she said. “They address critical challenges faced by Filipino families, workers, students, seniors, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).”
The Congress, comprising both the House and Senate, is set to adjourn sine die on June 11. With the House having passed 1,493 measures, nearly half are still waiting Senate action.
“These aren’t just bills,” Abante stressed. “They cover pensions, internet access, jobs, housing, and protection for every Filipino. The people cannot afford further delays.”
Key Bills Pending Senate Action
Among the pending legislation are essential reforms such as the Universal Social Pension for All Senior Citizens, Expanded Employment Opportunities for Seniors, and Cheaper and More Accessible Internet for All. Other important measures include the Public Telecom Refund Act, Magna Carta for Freelancers, and a Voucher System for poor but deserving students in private colleges.
Additional bills awaiting Senate deliberation involve the establishment of the Philippine Center for Disease Control (CDC), Mental Health Services in State Universities and Colleges, OFW Remittance Protection Law, and the OFW Hospital Institutionalization Act.
Abante also highlighted the National Land Use Act, Balanced Housing Reform Law, Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers and Operators, Free Freight of Relief Goods Act, and initiatives for Rightsizing the Bureaucracy as part of the pending legislative package.
The Call for Swift Senate Action
Local leaders and lawmakers have voiced concern over the stalled progress, urging the Senate to prioritize these vital measures before Congress adjourns. The delays threaten to hinder opportunities that would significantly improve the welfare of many Filipino communities.
“These bills are urgent solutions to pressing problems,” a local leader noted. “Their approval can bring tangible benefits to millions of Filipinos.”
As the clock ticks toward the end of the 19th Congress session, the fate of these 739 measures hangs in the balance. Swift action from the Senate could transform these pending proposals into laws that uplift lives nationwide.
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