Congressional Record 16th CONGRESS, THIRD REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Vol. 1 Monday, August 10, 2015 No. 7
CALL TO ORDER
At 4:00 p.m., Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal called the
session to order.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Banal). The
session is called to order.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Banal).
Everybody will please rise to sing the National
Anthem.
Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National
Anthem.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Banal). For our
Invocation, we recognize the honorable Representative
of Party-List BAYAN MUNA, the Hon. Carlos Isagani
T. Zarate.
Everybody remained standing for the Invocation.
INVOCATION
REP. ZARATE. To know God is to do Justice.
Brothers and sisters, the prophet Jeremiah advises
us what knowing God entails, and he said:
Shame on you who build your house by
unjust means, and complete its roof-chambers
by fraud, making your countrymen and women
work without payment, giving them no wage
for their labor!
Shame on you who say, “I will build a
spacious house with airy roof-chambers, let
windows in it, panel it with cedar, and paint it
with vermilion.” If your cedar is more splendid,
does that prove that you are king?
Where there is justice and righteousness, there is
knowledge of Yahweh; when these are lacking, it is
absent.
Today, in the presence of Yahweh, the Great
Architect of the Universe, let us be guided by these
words as we started our deliberation of our 2016
national budget.
From the Book of Amos, again, we are reminded,
thus, these are the words of the Lord:
For crime after crime of Israel I will grant
them no reprieve, because they sell the innocent
for silver and the destitute for a pair of shoes.
They grind the heads of the poor into the earth
and thrust the humble out of their way.
Brothers and sisters, we meet God in our encounters
with other persons; what is done for others is done unto
the Lord. Thus, today, we pray:
God our Liberator, the bonds of foreign domination
continue to shackle the economic and political lives
of many of our brothers and sisters, of our country.
Enable us to transform them into freedom and self-
determination. God, our Liberator, enable us.
God of Justice, classism keeps workers apart,
separated from the creation of one's labor. Keep our
hearts on fire to work and build together. Our bread
symbolizes the creative act of laborers, farmers, peasants
and the toiling masses. We ask our government to bring
this bread to our tables. God of Justice, empower us.
God of the Poor, give us hearts that see the suffering
and the weak in our society. Help us to honestly look
at ourselves and see where we have contributed to our
country's poverty and desolation, and create in us a
discerning heart to see our greed and selfishness that
brought about injustice and inhumane conditions among
our constituents and to our country in general. God of
the Poor, hear us.
God of Mercy and Compassion, create in us hearts
that are ready for serious commitment to journey with
and listen to the plight of our indigenous peoples,
farmers, OFWs, our Moro brothers and sisters, disaster
victims, victims of repression because of their political
beliefs, and who are in pursuit of justice and reclaiming
their dignity and value.
We pray for the general emancipation of our people
so that together, we can acclaim that we know You,
2 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
our God, because we have extended ourselves to do
justice, work and live justice in our lives, and in the
lives of others.
We will work, O God, and build our union in Jesus’
name.
Amen.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Banal). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
REP. DEFENSOR. I move for the suspension of
the session, Mr. Speaker.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Banal). The
session is suspended.
It was 4:05 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 5:05 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy
Speaker Carlos M. Padilla presiding.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
session of the House is resumed.
The Dep. Majority Leader, the Hon. Joseph “Ace”
H. Durano, is recognized.
ROLL CALL
REP. DURANO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we call
the roll.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The Secretary General will please call the roll.
The Secretary General called the roll, and the result
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.*
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The roll call shows
that 188 Members responded to the call.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With
188 Members present, the Chair declares the presence
of a quorum.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Before we proceed, Mr. Speaker,
I move that we acknowledge the presence of guests in
the gallery. They are the guests of the Gentleman from
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
the First District of Marikina City, the Hon. Marcelino
“Marcy” R. Teodoro. This is a delegation from the
Knights of Columbus Council 15663. They are Bro.
Jun Cayapan, Bro. Oscar Butch Duque, …
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Please
rise, the guests concerned.
REP. DEFENSOR. … Bro. Cristopher Jose
Rodriguez, and Bro. Joey Morilla.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
guests of the Honorable Teodoro are welcome to the
House of Representatives. Maraming salamat po sa
inyong pagdalo. (Applause)
REP. DEFENSOR. Also, Mr. Speaker, we have the
guests of the Gentleman from the OFW Family Party-
List, the Hon. Roy V. Señeres Sr. We have 50 overseas
Filipino workers from Sirte Oil Filipino Community in
Brega, Libya, and from Value Added Oilfield Services
in Tripoli, Libya.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). We
welcome our unsung heroes, our OFWs, guests of the
Honorable Señeres. (Applause)
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, also, let us greet
the guests of the Gentleman from the First District
of Zambales, the Hon. Jeffrey D. Khonghun. This
is a delegation of Municipal Social Welfare and
Development officers and day care workers of Subic,
Zambales. (Applause)
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
guests of the Honorable Khonghun from Zambales are
welcome to the House of Representatives. Maraming
salamat po sa inyong pagpunta rito.
REP. DEFENSOR. Also, Mr. Speaker, the
guests of the Lady from ANG NARS Party-List, the
Hon. Leah S. Paquiz. They are a delegation from
One for Nursing Empowerment (ONE): these are
organizations, Mr. Speaker, ONE University of the
Philippines, ONE Makati Medical Center College,
ONE University of Santo Tomas, ONE Pamantasan ng
Lungsod ng Maynila, and officers of MYKL Trading,
Incorporated.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Please
rise, the guests of the Hon. Leah S. Paquiz, Party-List
Representative.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagpunta rito sa
ating Kapulungan. (Applause)
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 3
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, from the same
group, we also have, likewise, guests of the Honorable
Paquiz, the nursing students from St. Paul University
of Manila.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Mangyari
lamang po, magsitayo, mga student nurses from St.
Paul, also, guests of the Honorable Paquiz. (Applause)
Thank you.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
take up items under our Calendar of Business, Mr.
Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, under this, I move
that we take up Bills on Third Reading.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The House will take up Bills on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5785
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5785 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 9, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5785, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A
COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR REGISTRATION
AND LICENSING OF SOCIAL WELFARE
AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES AND
ACCREDITATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5785
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 188
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5785 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5845
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5845 and direct the
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5845,
entitled: AN ACT REVERTING FISH PONDS WHICH
HAVE BEEN UNUTILIZED OR ABANDONED FOR
A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS TO FORESTLANDS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 43 OF
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 705, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “REVISED FORESTRY CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES.”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5845
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 188
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5845 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
4 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5847
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5847 and direct the
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5847, entitled: AN ACT SIMPLIFYING THE
PROCEDURE IN THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC
AGRICULTURAL LANDS, AMENDING SECTION 24
OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 141, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “THE PUBLIC LAND ACT.”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5847
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 188
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5847 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5855
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5855 and direct the
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5855, entitled: AN ACT REORGANIZING AND
MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION (NBI), AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5855
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 188
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5855 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5856
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5856 and direct the
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5856, entitled: AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE GERMAN
EUROPEAN SCHOOL MANILA, INCORPORATED
AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF
INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER AND PROVIDING
FOR MECHANISMS ON THE GRANT OF CERTAIN
PREROGATIVES CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 5
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5856
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 188
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5856 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5857
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5857 and direct the
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5857, entitled: AN ACT RECOGNIZING
THE CANADIAN AMERICAN EDUCATION
FOUNDATION, INC. AS AN EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTION OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER
AND PROVIDING FOR MECHANISMS ON
THE GRANT OF CERTAIN PREROGATIVES
CONDUCIVE TO ITS GROWTH.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5857
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5857 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5862
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on
Third Reading on House Bill No. 5862 and direct the
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and
call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5862, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE
CITIZENSHIP TO JUVENAL SANSO.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5862
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5862 is approved on Third Reading.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H. JT. RES. NO. 31
ON THIRD READING
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote
on Third Reading on House Joint Resolution No. 31
and direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Joint
Resolution No. 31, entitled: JOINT RESOLUTION
CONSTITUTING A CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE ON SOCIALIZED AND LOW-
COST HOUSING LOAN RESTRUCTURING
6 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
A N D C O N D O N AT I O N TO R E V I E W T H E
IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9507,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “SOCIALIZED AND
LOW-COST HOUSING LOAN RESTRUCTURING
AND CONDONATION ACT OF 2008.”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call
the roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to
the Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.
The result of the voting on Third Reading* on the
aforesaid measure is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated
August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H. JT. RES. NO. 31
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Joint Resolution No. 31 is approved on Third
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader, the Honorable Defensor,
is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 2592
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 2592 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 8, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 2592, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE
LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE SATELLITE
OFFICE AS DISTRICT OFFICE IN DISTRICT 2,
PARAÑAQUE CITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call
the roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to
the Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.
The result of the voting on Third Reading* on the
aforesaid measure is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated
August 10, 2015.
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 2592
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 2592 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 4404
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 4404 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 8, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
4404, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT
OFFICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE
(LTO) IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA,
PROVINCE OF CAVITE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call
the roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to
the Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.
The result of the voting on Third Reading* on the
aforesaid measure is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated
August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 4404
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 4404 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5816
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5816 and
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 7
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 9, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5816, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FINAL
FORESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE PROVINCE
OF SIQUIJOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5816
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5816 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5819
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5819 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 9, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5819, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROAD
STRETCHING FROM BARANGAY ANDUYAN,
MUNICIPALITY OF TUBAO, PROVINCE OF
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
LA UNION TO BARANGAY SAN PASCUA,
MUNICIPALITY OF TUBA, PROVINCE OF
BENGUET INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5819
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5819 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5825
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5825 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on June 9, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5825, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT
OFFICE OF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE IN THE PROVINCE OF SARANGANI AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5825
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With
194 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no
8 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
abstention, House Bill No. 5825 is approved on Third
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5817
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5817 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5817, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FINAL
FORESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE PROVINCE
OF AGUSAN DEL SUR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call
the roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to
the Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.
The result of the voting on Third Reading* on the
aforesaid measure is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated
August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5817
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5817 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5851
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5851 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5851, entitled: AN ACT UPGRADING THE
SOUTHERN ISABELA GENERAL HOSPITAL IN
SANTIAGO CITY, PROVINCE OF ISABELA INTO A
TERTIARY GENERAL HOSPITAL TO BE KNOWN
AS THE SOUTHERN ISABELA MEDICAL CENTER
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5851
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5851 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5852
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5852 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5852, entitled: AN ACT UPGRADING THE WAO
DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF WAO, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL SUR AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3607,
ENTITLED “AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE GENERAL HOSPITAL
IN EACH OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BAYANG,
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 9
TAMPARAN AND WAO, ALL IN THE PROVINCE
OF LANAO DEL SUR, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE
APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR.”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5852
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5852 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5853
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5853 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5853,
entitled: AN ACT DECLARING AS AGRICULTURAL
LAND PORTIONS OF FORESTLAND LOCATED
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MALAY, PROVINCE
OF AKLAN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
PROCLAMATION NO. 1064.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5853
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With
194 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
abstention, House Bill No. 5853 is approved on Third
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5860
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5860 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5860, entitled: AN ACT DECLARING MAY 15
OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF
SURIGAO DEL NORTE TO BE KNOWN AS
“ADLAW NAN PROBINSYA NAN SURIGAO”,
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7553, ENTITLED “AN ACT DECLARING
JUNE NINETEEN OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL
NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE
OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE, TO BE KNOWN AS
‘ADLAW NAN SURIGAO DEL NORTE.’ ”
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5860
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5860 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5868
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5868 and
10 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5868, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FIFTY
(50)-BED CAPACITY DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN
THE CITY OF IMUS, PROVINCE OF CAVITE,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “OSPITAL NG IMUS”
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5868
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,
House Bill No. 5868 is approved on Third Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5870
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5870 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5870, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
FORESTLAND BOUNDARY OF THE PROVINCE
OF LA UNION.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5870
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With
194 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no
abstention, House Bill No. 5870 is approved on Third
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5872
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5872 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section
58, Rule X of the House Rules.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5872, entitled: AN ACT CREATING A NEW
DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE IN THE
FOURTH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF THE
PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR.
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5872
ON THIRD READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With
194 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 11

abstention, House Bill No. 5872 is approved on Third
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5873
ON THIRD READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
vote on Third Reading on House Bill No. 5873 and
direct the Secretary General to read the title of the
measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
proceed to the Reference of Business.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The Secretary General will please read the
Reference of Business.
REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
The Secretary General read the following House
Bill and Resolutions on First Reading, Messages from
the Senate, Communications and Committee Reports,
and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding
references:

Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of House Bill No. 5977, entitled:
the measure, printed copies of which were distributed “AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS
to the Members on July 28, 2015, pursuant to Section OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9547, OTHERWISE
58, Rule X of the House Rules. KNOWN AS AN ACT STRENGTHENING
AND EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYMENT
5873, entitled: AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF STUDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE
OF JUAN LUMOSAD MEMORIAL NATIONAL PURPOSE PROVISIONS OF R.A. 7323,
HIGH SCHOOL – MONTE ALEGRE ANNEX IN OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SPECIAL
BARANGAY MONTE ALEGRE, MUNICIPALITY PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYMENT OF
OF AURORA, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA STUDENTS”
DEL SUR TO MONTE ALEGRE NATIONAL HIGH By Representative Villarica
SCHOOL. TO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT
The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the
roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules RESOLUTIONS
of the House, a second roll call was made. The result of
the voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure House Resolution No. 2243, entitled:
is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015. “RESOLUTION URGING THE JOINT
CONGRESSIONAL POWER COMMISSION
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5873 TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF
ON THIRD READING ENERGY TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY
O F C R E AT I N G T H E M I N D A N A O
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). With 194 POWER CORPORATION THAT WILL
affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, MANAGE THE AGUS-PULANGUI
House Bill No. 5873 is approved on Third Reading. HYDROELECTRIC POWER COMPLEXES,
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized. AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET
AND MANAGEMENT TO ALLOCATE
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE
IN THE PROPOSED 2016 GENERAL
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we APPROPRIATIONS ACT”
approve Journal No. 6 for the session on August 5, By Representatives Dimaporo (I.) and Dimaporo
2015. (A.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; Journal House Resolution No. 2246, entitled:
No. 6 is approved. “A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE

* See ANNEX (printed separately)

12 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT
A N D N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S T O
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION ON
THE COLLAPSE OF THE PANIAN WALL
OF THE COAL MINE PIT IN SEMIRARA,
CALUYA, ANTIQUE OPERATED BY THE
DMCI-OWNED SEMIRARA MINING
AND POWER CORPORATION THAT
RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF NINE
MINE WORKERS”
By Representatives Ilagan and De Jesus
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2247, entitled:
“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
C O M M I T T E E S O N E C O L O G Y,
N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S , L A B O R
AND EMPLOYMENT, AND CLIMATE
CHANGE TO CONDUCT A JOINT
I N V E S T I G AT I O N , I N A I D O F
LEGISLATION, ON THE PANIAN COAL
MINE LANDSLIDE IN THE ISLAND OF
SEMIRARA IN CALUYA, ANTIQUE,
INQUIRING ON THE OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
IMPLEMENTED ON THE MINE SITE,
ON ITS BENEFICIAL AND INIMICAL
EFFECTS ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
A N D T H E E N V I R O N M E N T, W I T H
THE OBJECTIVE OF ARRIVING AT A
CONSENSUS ON WHETHER THE MINE
SHOULD CONTINUE OR IMMEDIATE
CEASE OPERATIONS”
By Representatives Zarate and Colmenares
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2248, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S E X P R E S S I N G
WA R M F E L I C I TAT I O N S A N D
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PHILIPPINE
ARMY DRAGON BOAT TEAM FOR
WINNING THE JAPAN DRAGON BOAT
CHAMPIONSHIPS”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
House Resolution No. 2249, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S E X P R E S S I N G
WA R M F E L I C I TAT I O N S A N D
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTIAN
G. STA. ROMANA AND JOHN PAUL G.
SANTOS FOR PLACING THIRD AT THE
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC'S GO GREEN
IN THE CITY WORLD FINALS AT PARIS
FRANCE”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2250, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSING THE
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE
DEMISE OF FORMER SUPREME COURT
JUSTICE, HONORABLE FLORENZ D.
REGALADO”
By Representative Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2251, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY TO CONDUCT
AN IMMEDIATE INQUIRY, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, ON THE ELECTRIC POWER
SITUATION IN OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
IN ORDER TO DRAW UP APPROPRIATE
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A
PROMPT SOLUTION TO THE REGIME
OF BLACKOUTS THAT IS GRAVELY
AFFECTING THE PEOPLE, BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRIES IN THE PROVINCE”
By Representatives Ilagan and De Jesus
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
House Resolution No. 2252, entitled:
“RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND
CONGRATULATING THE PHILIPPINE
TEAM TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
2015 WORLD GAMES FOR WINNING
65 MEDALS, PROVING THE GLOBAL
COMPETITIVENESS OF FILIPINOS AND
PROVIDING INSPIRATION AND HOPE TO
OUR COUNTRYMENAND BRINGING PRIDE
AND HONOR TO THE PHILIPPINES”
By Representative Revilla
TO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
House Resolution No. 2253, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
COMMITTEE ON TOURISM TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, INTO THE REFUSAL OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM TO
PROVIDE FOR AN ANNUAL DOMESTIC
MARKETING BUDGET FOR THE ANNUAL
INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS IN
SIARGAO ISLAND”
By Representative Matugas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 13
ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS
The list of additional coauthors is reflected in
Journal No. 7, dated August 10, 2015.*
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
Message dated July 27, 2015 informing the House
of Representatives that the Senate on even date
adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8,
entitled:
“CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CREATING
A JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE
AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
PHILIPPINES THAT CONGRESS, NOW
CONVENED FOR ITS THIRD REGULAR
SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
OF THE PHILIPPINES, IS READY TO HEAR
HIS STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS IN
A JOINT SESSION OF BOTH HOUSES”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House
of Representatives that the Senate on even date
designated Senators Sonny Angara, Ralph G. Recto,
Cynthia A. Villar, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino
IV and Joseph Victor G. Ejercito as conferees
to the Bicameral Conference Committee on the
disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2669,
entitled:
“AN ACT INSTITUTING A SYSTEM FOR
TAX INCENTIVES MANAGEMENT AND
TRANSPARENCY, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”
and House Bill No. 5831, entitled:
“AN ACT ENHANCING THE CURRENT TAX
SYSTEM BY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES
THAT ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN THE
MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING
OF TAX INCENTIVES GRANTED TO
GOVERNMENT AND NONGOVERNMENT
ENTITIES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 1980, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE TENTH JUDICIAL REGION
* See ANNEX (printed separately)
TO BE STATIONED AT INITAO, PROVINCE
OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14, PARAGRAPH (K) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2701, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE FIFTH JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED IN SORSOGON CITY,
PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14, PARAGRAPH (F) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2739, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
CITY OF GUIHULNGAN, PROVINCE OF
NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 4494, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BRANCH OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE
P R O V I N C E O F B U L A C A N TO B E
STATIONED IN THE CITY OF SAN JOSE
DEL MONTE, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
14 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2186, entitled:
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE EXISTING 5TH
MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT
OF CARMONA-GENERAL MARIANO
ALVAREZ, CAVITE INTO A MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT WITH SEAT AT THE
MUNICIPALITY OF CARMONA AND
CREATING A SEPARATE MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT FOR THE MUNICIPALITY
OF GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE
K N O W N A S ' T H E J U D I C I A RY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 1771, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT AND TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURT IN CITIES IN THE THIRD
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED
IN SAN JOSE CITY, PROVINCE OF NUEVA
ECIJA, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C)
AND SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 1772, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED IN THE SCIENCE CITY
OF MUÑOZ AND IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF RIZAL, PROVINCE OF NUEVA
ECIJA, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 4491, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE SIXTH JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF
BACOLOD, PROVINCE OF NEGROS
OCCIDENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(G) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2260, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
B R A N C H E S O F T H E M U N I C I PA L
TRIAL COURT IN CITIES AND TWO
(2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FIRST
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED
IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 606, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT AND FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN
TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN
PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING
FORTHEPURPOSESECTION14,PARAGRAPH
(D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980', AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 15
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2409, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES
FOR ANGELES CITY, ONE (1) MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT FOR MAGALANG AND
ONE (1) MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN
CITIES FOR THE CITY OF MABALACAT,
ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA,
THUS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
B ATA S PA M B A N S A B L G . 1 2 9 ,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 4483, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED
IN PARAÑAQUE CITY, METRO MANILA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14, PARAGRAPH (D) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendment House Bill No. 4427, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
L E G I S L AT I V E D I S T R I C T I N T H E
PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN
A S T H E S E V E N T H L E G I S L AT I V E
DISTRICT”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 2094, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH
IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF
MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 159, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE CITIES OF ALAMINOS,
DAGUPAN AND SAN CARLOS AND IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF LINGAYEN,
ALL SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF
PANGASINAN, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(A) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 3396, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING NINETEEN (19)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION TO
BE STATIONED IN QUEZON CITY, METRO
MANILA, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(D) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House
of Representatives that the Senate on even date
passed without amendments House Bill No. 4420,
entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 AS
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
AND MANDATING THE MEANINGFUL
OBSERVANCE THEREOF”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
with amendments House Bill No. 4484, entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR
TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF VIGAN
16 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
AND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO.
DOMINGO, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(A) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Message dated July 28, 2015 informing the House of
Representatives that the Senate on even date passed
Senate Bill No. 2712, entitled:
“AN ACT AMENDING, THEREBY
STRENGTHENING REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED
AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS) ACT OF 1992.
DECLARING AND ESTABLISHING AS
PROTECTED AREAS AND BUFFER ZONES
THE PARCELS OF LAND DESIGNATED
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES PURSUANT TO
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, PROVIDING
FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”
in which it requests the concurrence of the House
of Representatives
TO T H E C O M M I T T E E O N N AT U R A L
RESOURCES
COMMUNICATIONS
Letter dated 15 April 2014 of Ma. Gracia M. Pulido Tan,
Chairperson, Commission on Audit, submitting the
Annual Report on Allotments, Obligations, and
Disbursements of National Government Agencies
(by Department/Office/ Province/City) for Fiscal
Year 2013, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7226 and
to the Special Provision No. 3 of Republic Act No.
10352.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 23 September 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza,
Commissioner, Commission on Audit, transmitting
copies of the 2013 Annual Audit Reports on the
following government agencies, pursuant to Section
4, Article IX-D of the 1987 Constitution of the
Philippines:
Individual Annual Audit Report:
1. House of Representatives-Electoral Tribunal;
2. Senate Electoral Tribunal;
3. Government Procurement Policy Board-
Technical Support Office;
4. Anti-Money Laundering Council;
5. Municipal Development Fund Office;
6. Central Board of Assessment Appeals;
7. Privatization Management Office;
8. Legislative-Executive Development Advisory
Council;
9. Philippine National Volunteer Service
Coordinating Agency;
10. Tariff Commission; and
11. National Tax Research Center.
Consolidated Annual Audit Report:
1. Bureau of Local Government Finance.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Resolution dated 12 March 2015 of Glenda P. Mina,
Secretary of the Sanggunian, Office of the
Sangguniang Bayan, transmitting Resolution
No. 31, S-2015 of the Sangguniang Bayan of
the Municipality of Dupax del Norte, Province
of Nueva Vizcaya expressing gratitude to
Congress for the enactment of Republic Act
No. 10653.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND
MEANS
Letter dated 15 April 2015 of Heidi L. Mendoza,
Commissioner, Officer-in-Charge, Commission on
Audit, transmitting copies of the 2013 Annual Audit
Reports on the following government agencies,
pursuant to Section 4, Article IX-D of the 1987
Philippine Constitution:
1. Bureau of Internal Revenue;
2. Bureau of the Treasury;
3. Bureau of the Treasury-NG;
4. Bureau of Customs;
5. Cooperative Development Authority;
6. Department of Budget and Management;
and
7. National Statistics Office.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 23 March 2015 of Hon. Jamal Eclar
Manabilang, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of
Amai Manabilang, Province of Lanao del Sur,
transmitting a copy of the Muslim Mindanao
Autonomy Act No. 316 entitled, “An Act
Changing the Name of the Municipality of
Bumbaran in the Province of Lanao del Sur into
a Municipality of Amai Manabilang, and for
other purposes”.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
Letter dated 6 May 2015 of Ms. Martha Roxana
C. Sese, Director IV, Cluster 3-Judiciary and
Constitutional Offices, National Government
Sector, Commission on Audit, transmitting copies
of the 2013 Annual Audit Reports on the following
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 17
National Government Agencies, pursuant to
Section 4, Article IX-D of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution:
Individual Audit Reports:
1. Career Executive Service Board;
2. Commission on Human Rights; and
3. Commission on Elections.
Consolidated Annual Audit Reports:
1. Commission on Audit; and
2. Office of the Ombudsman.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 8 May 2015 of Atty. Susan P. Donalvo,
Director IV, Regional Director, Region XII,
Commission on Audit, addressed to Ms. Fideliz
C. Concha, General Manager, Kalamansig Water
District, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, copy
furnished the Office of the Speaker, transmitting
a copy of the 2014 Annual Audit Report on the
Kalamansig Water District, Kalamansig, Province
of Sultan Kudarat, pursuant to Section 2, Article
XI-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and
Section 43 of the Government Auditing Code of
the Philippines.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 22 May 2015 of Ms. Isabel D. Agito,
Assistant Commissioner, Officer-in-Charge,
Commission on Audit, transmitting copies of
the following Annual Audit Reports, pursuant to
Section 2, Article IX-D of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution:
National Capital Region (CY 2014 AAR)
1. Alabang Sto. Tomas Development, Inc.;
2. Batangas Land Company, Inc.;
3. CDCP Farmers Corporation;
4. Disc Contractors Builders and General Services,
Inc.;
5. Kamayan Realty Corporation;
6. GY Realty Estate, Inc.;
7. Inter-Island Gas Services, Inc.;
8. NDC-Philippine Infrastructure Corporation;
9. Pinagkaisa Realty Corporation;
10. Tierra Factors Corporation;
11. Traffic Control Products Corporation; and Pilipinas issuances, to wit:
Region V (CY 2011 AAR)
12. Calabanga Water District, Calabanga,
Camarines Sur.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 28 May 2015 of Mr. Roland A. Rey,
Director IV, Commission on Audit (COA)-Region
V, transmitting a copy of the Annual Audit Report on
the Bato Water District, Bato, Catanduanes, for the
years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 28 May 2015 of Ms. Vivien G. Jumao-
as, Director III, Officer-in-Charge, Office of
the Regional Director, Commission on Audit-
Regional Office No. XIII, transmitting copies
of the 2014 Annual Audit Reports (AAR)/
Consolidated AARs on the following State
Universities and Colleges:
1. Caraga State University;
2. Agusan del Sur State College of Architecture
and Technology;
3. Surigao del Sur State University; and
4. Surigao State College of Technology.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Letter dated 29 May 2015 of Deputy Governor Vicente
S. Aquino, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the
Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, submitting
their report on the implementation of Republic Act
No. 10641.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Letter dated 29 May 2015 of Ms. Marguerite
Therese Lucila-Tesoro, Assistant Secretary, PPP
Implementation, Department of Transportation
and Communications, transmitting a copy of the
Concession Agreement for the Southwest Integrated
Transport System Project, pursuant to Section 14.4
of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations
of Republic Act No. 7718.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Letter dated 19 June 2015 of Amando M. Tetangco Jr.,
Governor, Office of the Governor, Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas, submitting a report on Philippine
External Debt as of 31 March 2015.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Letters dated 25 June 2015 of Vincent Z. Bolivar, Deputy
General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel
and Legal Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,
transmitting to the House of Representatives duly
certified and authenticated Bangko Sentral ng
1. Memorandum No. M-2015-024 dated 27 May
2015;
2. Memorandum No. M-2015-025 dated 22 June
2015;
3. Circular No. 881 dated 9 June 2015;
4. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-032 dated 28 May
2015;
5. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-033 dated 3 June
2015;
6. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-034 dated 11 June
2015; and
18 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015

7. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-035 dated 15 June Reports on the following Water Districts on
2015. Region III:
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND 2012 Annual Audit Reports:
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 1. Bagac Water District;
2. Bocaue Water District;
Letters dated 13 July 2015 of Roger E. Dino, Deputy 3. Calumpit Water District;
Director, Office of the General Counsel and Legal 4. Camiling Water District;
Services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, transmitting 5. Cuyapo Water District;
to the House of Representatives duly certified 6. Mayantoc Water District;
and authenticated Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 7. Moncada Water District;
issuances, to wit: 8. Morong Water District;
1. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-036 dated 26 June 9. Muñoz Water District;
2015; 10. San Jose City Water District (NE);
2. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-037 dated 26 June 11. Talavera Water District; and
2015; 12. San Ildefonso Water District.
3. Circular No. 882 dated 30 June 2015; 2012 and 2013 Annual Audit Reports:
4. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-038 dated 30 June 1. Angat Water District;
2015; 2. Bacolor Water District;
5. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-039 dated 30 June 3. Balagtas Water District;
2015; and 4. Bustos Water District;
6. Circular Letter No. CL-2015-040 dated 3 July 5. Cabiao Water District;
2015. 6. Concepcion Water District;
TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND 7. Gapan City Water District;
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 8. Guimba Water District;
9. Iba Water District;
Letter dated 15 December 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza, 10. Mariveles Water District;
Commissioner, Commission on Audit, transmitting 11. Masinloc Water District;
a copy of the 2013 Annual Audit Report on the 12. Meycauyan City Water District;
House of Representatives, pursuant to Section 13. Norzagaray Water District;
43 of the Government Auditing Code of the 14. Obando Water District;
Philippines. 15. Palauig Water District;
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 16. Pandi Water District;
17. Porac Water District;
Letter dated 18 April 2015 of Adoracion E. 18. San Antonio Water District (NE);
Ignacio, State Auditor IV, Commission on 19. Sasmuan Water District;
Audit, Office of the Audit Team Leader, 20. Subic Water District; and
furnishing a copy of the 2014 Annual Audit 21. Tarlac City Water District.
R e p o r t o n t h e We s t e r n M i n d a n a o S t a t e TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
University, Zamboanga City.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Letter dated 28 May 2015 of Atty. Susan P. Donalvo,
Director IV, Regional Director, Commission on
Letter dated 30 April 2015 of Jesus I. Yabes, Audit Region XII, transmitting a copy of the 2014
Undersecretary, Office of the Undersecretary for Annual Audit Report on the Surallah Water District,
Migrant Workers' Affairs, Department of Foreign Surallah, South Cotabato.
Affairs, transmitting a copy of the 'Report to TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Congress on Assistance to Nationals' for the
period of July to December 2014, in CD digital Letter dated July 28, 2015 of Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Executive
format pursuant to Section 33 of Republic Act Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang,
No. 8042. transmitting the following budget documents:
TO THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS President's Budget Message for FY 2016;
WORKERS AFFAIRS FY 2016 National Expenditure Program with the
Details of the FY 2016 Budget attached as
Letter dated 13 May 2015 of Ma. Corazon S. Gomez, Annex A (Volumes I, II and III);
Regional Director, Commission on Audit Region FY 2016 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of
III, transmitting copies of the Annual Audit Financing; and
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 19
FY 2016 Staffing Summary
TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report by the Committee on Higher and Technical
Education (Committee Report No. 804), re H. No.
5953, entitled:
“AN ACT RENAMING THE PHILIPPINE
PUBLIC SAFETY COLLEGE – REGIONAL
TRAINING SCHOOL 7 (PPSC-RTS 7) IN
CONSOLACION, PROVINCE OF CEBU
INTO THE CAMP JESSIE M. ROBREDO
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER
7 , N AT I O N A L P O L I C E T R A I N I N G
INSTITUTE, PHILIPPINE PUBLIC SAFETY
COLLEGE”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 5661
Sponsors: Representatives Romulo and Quisumbing
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Committee
on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 805), re
H. No. 5954, entitled:
“AN ACT INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY
OF THE DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBOKON
M E M O R I A L H O S P I TA L I N T H E
MUNICIPALITY OF KALIBO, PROVINCE
OF AKLAN, FROM ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-
TWO (162) TO FOUR HUNDRED (400)
BEDS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 114
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel and Haresco
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health and the Committee
on Appropriations (Committee Report No. 806), re
H. No. 5955, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE BASIC
MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN
ALL GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES
NATIONWIDE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bills Numbered 602, 1769, 2306, 2455 and
2789
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel, Tan (A.) and
Rodriguez (M.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health (Committee Report
No. 807), re H. No. 5956, entitled:
“AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION
TO INCREASE THE COVERAGE FOR
DIALYSIS TREATMENT OF MEMBERS
OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM TO NINETY (90) SESSIONS
PER YEAR”
recommending its approval in substitution of
House Bill No. 5403 and House Resolution
No. 1516
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel, Calalay and
Bataoil
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Natural Resources
(Committee Report No. 808), re H. No. 5957,
entitled:
“AN ACT DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY
OF KIBUNGAN, PROVINCE OF BENGUET
A MINING-FREE ZONE AND PROVIDING
P E N A LT I E S F O R V I O L AT I O N S
THEREOF”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 5475
Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Cosalan
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Local Government
(Committee Report No. 809), re H. No. 5959,
entitled:
“AN ACT CREATING A BARANGAY TO BE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY MASAO IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF TUNGAWAN,
PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 4554
Sponsors: Representatives Acharon and Hofer
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and
Culture (Committee Report No. 810), re H. R. No.
2239, entitled:
“RESOLUTION HONORING NATIONAL
ARTIST BENEDICTO REYES CABRERA,
MORE POPULARLY KNOWN AS 'BENCAB',
ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 50TH YEAR
AS A PROFESSIONAL VISUAL ARTIST”
recommending its adoption in substitution of House
Resolution No. 2088
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.) and
Singson (E.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and
Culture and the Committee on Appropriations
(Committee Report No. 811), re H. No. 5960,
entitled:
20 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
“AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAKEVIEW
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE PEDRO
E. DIAZ HIGH SCHOOL – LAKEVIEW
ANNEX IN BARANGAY PUTATAN, CITY
OF MUNTINLUPA, METRO MANILA
INTO AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL TO BE
KNOWN AS LAKEVIEW INTEGRATED
SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 4374
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Biazon
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and
Culture and the Committee on Appropriations
(Committee Report No. 812), re H. No. 5961,
entitled:
“AN ACT SEPARATING THE PADADA
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – MALINAO
EXTENSION IN BARANGAY LOWER
MALINAO, MUNICIPALITY OF PADADA,
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR FROM
THE PADADA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE
KNOWN AS MALINAO NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 3080
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.), Ungab
and Cagas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Health, the Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and
Means (Committee Report No. 813), re H. No.
5973, entitled:
“ A N A C T P R O M U L G AT I N G A
COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON NEEDS
OF PERSONS AFFLICTED WITH RARE
DISORDERS”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bills Numbered 2800, 3258, 3343, 3634, 3896,
4002, 4781, 5082 and 5106
Sponsors: Representatives Eriguel, Aragones and
Arenas
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Information
(Committee Report No. 814), re H. R. No. 2244,
entitled:
“RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING MS. MARIA DIANE
VENTURA FOR WINNING THE BEST
DIRECTOR AWARD FOR HER FIRST
FULL LENGTH FILM 'MULAT' IN THE
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
MANHATTAN (IFFM) 2014 IN NEW YORK
CITY, USA”
recommending its adoption in substitution of House
Resolution No. 1913
Sponsors: Representatives Almonte and Olivarez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Public Information
(Committee Report No. 815), re H. R. No. 2245,
entitled:
“RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND
CONGRATULATING ATTY. FELIPE
L. GOZON, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) OF GMA
NETWORK FOR BEING THE FIRST FILIPINO
TO BE AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR
EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA SECTOR IN
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA”
recommending its adoption in substitution of House
Resolution No. 1993
Sponsors: Representatives Almonte, Acedillo and
Alejano
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Basic Education and
Culture, the Committee on Ways and Means and the
Committee on Appropriations (Committee Report
No. 816), re H. No. 5978, entitled:
“AN ACT DESIGNATING THE PHILIPPINE
N AT I O N A L P E R F O R M I N G A RT S
COMPANIES, DEFINING THEIR ROLES
AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 1876
Sponsors: Representatives Cojuangco (K.),
Quimbo, Ungab and Sarmiento (M.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs
(Committee Report No. 817), re H. No. 4836,
entitled:
“AN ACT REQUIRING THE PARALLEL
TRANSLATION IN FILIPINO OR IN
ANY MAJOR PHILIPPINE REGIONAL
OR INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE OF THE
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF THE
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER”
recommending its approval without amendment
Sponsors: Representatives Briones and Revilla
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 21
Report by the Committee on Public Works and Highways
and the Committee on Appropriations (Committee
Report No. 818), re H. No. 5980, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SECOND
DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF COMPOSTELA,
PROVINCE OF COMPOSTELAVALLEY,AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 574
Sponsors: Representatives Cosalan, Zamora (M.)
and Amatong (R.)
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Legislative Franchises
(Committee Report No. 819), re H. No. 5982,
entitled:
“ANACT RENEWING FORANOTHER TWENTY-
FIVE (25) YEARS AND EXPANDING TO
RADIO/TELEVISION BROADCASTING,
NATIONAL IN SCOPE, THROUGHOUT THE
PHILIPPINES, THE FRANCHISE GRANTED
TO MABUHAY BROADCASTING SYSTEM,
INC. UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7395
ENTITLED 'AN ACT GRANTING THE
MABUHAY BROADCASTING SYSTEM,
INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT,
INSTALL, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN
RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS
IN THE ISLAND OF LUZON' AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 4645
Sponsors: Representatives Teodoro, De Venecia,
Primicias-Agabas and Tambunting
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Good Government and
Public Accountability (Committee Report No. 820),
re H. R. No. 592, entitled:
“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE
COMMITTEES ON GOOD GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID
OF LEGISLATION, ON THE REPORTEDLY
MISSING THIRTY BILLION PESOS FUNDS
HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) FOR
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT AND
DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE NATION ”
informing the House of its findings and
recommendations
Sponsors: Representatives Rodriguez (O.) and
the Members of the Committee on Good
Government and Public Accountability
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs
(Committee Report No. 821), re H. No. 5988,
entitled:
“AN ACT GRANTING THE OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKERS THE RIGHT TO
EQUAL PROTECTION ON MONEY
CLAIMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
THE FIFTH PARAGRAPH OF SECTION
10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO.
10022”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 3971
Sponsor: Representative Briones
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Higher and Technical
Education, the Committee of Appropriations and
the Committee Ways and Means (Committee Report
No. 822), re H. No. 5991, entitled:
“ANACT CONVERTING THE NORTHWESTERN
M I N D A N A O S TAT E C O L L E G E O F
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NMSCST)
IN THE CITY OF TANGUB, PROVINCE
OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL INTO A
STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN
MINDANAO (UNM), INTEGRATING
THEREWITH THE SATELLITE CAMPUSES
OF THE MINDANAO UNIVERSITY OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MUST)
IN THE CITY OF OROQUIETA AND IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF PANAON, BOTH
LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
OCCIDENTAL, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 4939
Sponsors: Representatives Romulo and Oaminal
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Higher and Technical
Education, the Committee of Appropriations and
the Committee Ways and Means (Committee Report
No. 823), re H. No. 5992, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MISAMIS
OCCIDENTAL STATE COLLEGE IN THE
CITY OF OROQUIETA, PROVINCE OF
MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, INTEGRATING
THEREWITH THE OROQUIETA AGRO-
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL (OAIS) IN
BARANGAY VILLAFLOR, OROQUIETA
CITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 1476
22 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
Sponsors: Representatives Romulo and Almonte
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
Report by the Committee on Higher and Technical
Education, the Committee of Appropriations and
the Committee Ways and Means (Committee Report
No. 824), re H. No. 5993, entitled:
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH
C O TA B AT O S TAT E C O L L E G E I N
THE MUNICIPALITY OF SURALLAH,
PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO,
I N T E G R AT I N G T H E RW I T H T H E
SURALLAH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
SCHOOL LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF SURALLAH, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”
recommending its approval in substitution of House
Bill No. 4251
Sponsors: Representatives Romulo and Hernandez
TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
RECONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF
H.B. NO. 5869 ON SECOND READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, with leave of
the House, I move that we reconsider the approval on
Second Reading of House Bill No. 5869, to introduce
some perfecting amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader will now proceed to the
proposed amendments.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, before that, I move
that we open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
amend the title of the measure to read as follows: AN
ACT RECLASSIFYING AS AGRICULTURAL LAND
OPEN TO DISPOSITION UNDER THE PROVISIONS
OF THE PUBLIC LAND ACT, AS AMENDED, THE
LAND EMBRACED IN PROCLAMATION NO. 602,
DATED APRIL 12, 2004, DECLARING AS ECO-
TOURISM PARK AND CAMPSITE PURPOSES A
CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND OF THE PUBLIC
DOMAIN SITUATED IN BARANGAYS LUBIGAN
AND MORIONES, INCLUDING A PARCEL OF
LAND SITUATED IN BARANGAY IBA, ALL IN
THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSE, PROVINCE
OF TARLAC.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
session is suspended for one minute.
It was 6:00 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 6:00 p.m., the session was resumed.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
session is resumed.
Is there any objection to the motion? (Silence) The
Chair hears none; the motion is approved.
The said amendment is carried.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
close the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The period of amendments is closed.
REP. DEFENSOR. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would
like to move for the approval on Second Reading of
House Bill No. 5869, as amended.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
As many as are in favor, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5869, AS AMENDED,
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5869, as amended, is approved on
Second Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 23
RECONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL
OF H.B. NO. 5846
ON SECOND READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Likewise, Mr. Speaker, with
the leave of the House, I move that we reconsider the
approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5846 to
introduce some perfecting amendments thereto.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
Please proceed, Dep. Majority Leader.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved. The period of amendments is
opened.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
amend Section 2 of the measure to read as follows:
SECTION 2. THE PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE IS
HEREBY DECLARED A MINING-FREE ZONE AND
THAT ALL MINING OPERATIONS, AS DEFINED
UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7942, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF
1995,” ARE HEREBY PROHIBITED IN THE ENTIRE
PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE.
PROVIDED, THAT MINE REHABILITATION,
R E M E D I AT I O N A N D O T H E R C L E A N - U P
ACTIVITIES ON MINE SPILLS AND ABANDONED
MINES, INCLUDING THE UTILIZATION AND
PROCESSING OF ABANDONED ORES, MINE
WASTES OR TAILINGS TAKEN FROM THE SAME,
ARE LIKEWISE EXEMPT FROM THE COVERAGE
OF THIS ACT. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE
QUARRYING OF SAND, GRAVEL, AND OTHER
QUARRY RESOURCES, AS DEFINED UNDER THE
SAME LAW, IS LIKEWISE EXEMPT FROM THE
COVERAGE OF THIS ACT.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the proposed amendment?
REP. DEFENSOR. Further, Mr. Speaker, with that,
I move that we close the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). First, we
ask the Body if there is any objection to the proposed
amendment.
Is there any objection to the proposed amendment?
(Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.
Therefore, the said Bill is amended.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would
like to reiterate the motion that we close the period of
amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The period of amendments is therefore closed.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5846, as
amended.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). We are
now ready to approve House Bill No. 5846 on Second
Reading.
As many as are in favor of the House Bill, as
amended, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5846, AS AMENDED,
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5846, as amended, is approved on
Second Reading,
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REFERRAL OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
ON INQUIRIES IN AID OF LEGISLATION
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with
our Rules Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation,
I move that we refer House Resolutions No. 1079,
1639, 1688, 1775, 2024 and 2197 to the Committee on
Human Rights.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The said House resolutions are hereby referred to
the Committee on Human Rights.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, we are in receipt
of a message from the Senate informing the House
24 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
that it passed with amendments House Bill No. 4427,
entitled: AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT IN THE PROVINCE
OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS THE SEVENTH
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.
We have been advised that the Committee on Local
Government, Sponsor of House Bill No. 4427, as
well as the author of this Bill, has no objections to the
amendments introduced by the Senate to this measure.
In accordance with our Rules, I move that we concur
with the Senate amendments to House Bill No. 4427.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
The House concurs to the said House Bill as
approved by the Senate.
REP. DEFENSOR. The House and the Senate
have approved on Third Reading House Bill No. 5014
and Senate Bill No. 2103, respectively, which seek to
regulate the practice of Metallurgical Engineering in
the Philippines.
We have been informed that the Committee on Civil
Service and Professional Regulation and Sponsor of
House Bill No. 5014, as well as the authors thereof, is in
concurrence with the provisions of Senate Bill No. 2103.
So, in accordance with our Rules, I move that we
adopt Senate Bill No. 2103 as an amendment to House
Bill No. 5014.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved. The Chair, therefore,
declares the concurrence of the House to Senate Bill
No. 2103, as amended.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
take up bills on Second Reading.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5895
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider
House Bill No. 5895, contained in Committee Report No.
790, as reported out by the Committee on Basic Education
and Culture and the Committee on Appropriations.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies of
the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary
General read only the title thereof without prejudice to
inserting its text in the Congressional Record.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5895, entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE
NATIONAL CAREER ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION
TO PROVIDE A CAREER DIRECTION PROGRAM
F O R S E C O N D A RY S C H O O L S T U D E N T S ,
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate, I
move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 25
REP. DEFENSOR. There being no Committee
or individual amendments, I move that we close the
same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5895.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). There
is a motion to approve House Bill No. 5895 on Second
Reading. As many as are in favor of House Bill No.
5895, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5895
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5895 is approved on Second
Reading.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5902
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 5902, contained in Committee
Report No. 793, as reported out by the Committee on
Higher and Technical Education and the Committee on
Ways and Means.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies
of the measure have been previously distributed, the
Secretary General read only the title thereof without
prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional
Record.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5902, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING DISCOUNTS
ON BASIC AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO
UNDERPRIVILEGED HIGHER AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION STUDENTS.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate,
I move that we close the period of sponsorship and
debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. There being no Committee or
individual amendments, I move that we close the same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5902.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). There is a
motion to approve House Bill No. 5902 on Second Reading.
As many as are in favor of the Bill, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
26 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5902
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5902 is approved on Second Reading.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5906
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 5906, contained in Committee
Report No. 794, as reported out by the Committee on
Revision of Laws.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5906, entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PERIODS
OF PRESCRIPTION FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES
PUNISHABLE BY SPECIALACTS AND VIOLATIONS
OF LOCAL ORDINANCES, AND FURTHER
PROVIDING THE PERIOD WHEN PRESCRIPTION
SHALL BEGIN TO RUN, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE ACT NO. 3326, AS AMENDED.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate,
I move that we close the period of sponsorship and
debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. There being no Committee
or individual amendments, I move that we close the
same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5906.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). We shall
now vote on Second Reading on House Bill No. 5906.
As many as are in favor, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5906
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5906 is approved on Second
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5907
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 5907, contained in Committee
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 27
Report No. 795, as reported out by the Committee on
Revision of Laws.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies of
the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary
General read only the title thereof without prejudice to
inserting its text in the Congressional Record.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5907,
entitled: AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE CAPACITY
OF THE FILIPINO SPOUSE TO REMARRY WHEN
THE ALIEN SPOUSE HAS OBTAINED A FOREIGN
JUDICIAL DECREE OF ABSOLUTE DIVORCE,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE EXECUTIVE
ORDER NO. 209, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate,
I move that we close the period of sponsorship and
debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. There being no Committee
or individual amendments, I move that we close the
same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5907.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). We shall
now approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5907.
As many as are in favor of the Bill, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5907
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5907 is approved on Second
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5911
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 5911, contained in Committee
Report No. 799, as reported out by the Committee on
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies
of the measure have been previously distributed, the
28 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
Secretary General read only the title thereof without
prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional
Record.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5911, entitled: AN ACT REQUIRING THE
MANDATORY INSTALLATION OF SPEED LIMITER
IN PUBLIC UTILITY AND CERTAIN TYPES OF
VEHICLES.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate,
I move that we close the period of sponsorship and
debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. There being no Committee
or individual amendments, I move that we close the
same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5911.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
House will now vote on House Bill No. 5911 on Second
Reading. As many as are in favor of House Bill No.
5911, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). As many
as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5911
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The ayes
have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5911 is approved on Second
Reading.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 2185
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 2185, contained in Committee
Report No. 605, as reported out by the Committee on
Legislative Franchises.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies of
the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary
General read only the title thereof without prejudice to
inserting its text in the Congressional Record.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
2185, entitled: AN ACT GRANTING THE FIRST
BAY POWER (FBPC) CORP. A FRANCHISE TO
CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE
AND MAINTAIN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF ELECTRIC POWER
TO THE END-USERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BAUAN, PROVINCE OF BATANGAS.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The Dep.
Majority Leader is recognized.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 29
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the
Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the
sponsorship speech on the measure
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the
motion is approved.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Member who has signified his intention to interpellate, I
move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
motion is approved.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
Gentleman from BUHAY Party-List, the Honorable
Atienza, is recognized.
REP. ATIENZA. Before we proceed tackling this—
this is a franchise we are discussing? Ito po ba ay prankisa?
May we hear the Sponsor explain why we would want to
extend this particular franchise before we even continue.
REP. DEFENSOR. With that, Mr. Speaker, I am
constrained to move for a brief suspension of the
proceedings, Mr. Speaker.
I so move.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). There
is a motion to suspend the consideration of House Bill
No. 5912. Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair
hears none; the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, the motion was to
suspend the session, Mr. Speaker.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Padilla). The
session is suspended.
The Chair stands corrected.
It was 6:16 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 6:19 p.m., the session was resumed with Deputy
Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao presiding.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
session is resumed.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF H.B. NO. 2185
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, our parliamentary
status is that we are taking up House Bill No. 2185, and
we are in the period of sponsorship and debate. The
Honorable Atienza manifested his intention to interpellate,
Mr. Speaker. However, the Chairman of the Committee
who is supposed to sponsor the Bill is not available this
afternoon, Mr. Speaker. That is why I am constrained to
defer the consideration of House Bill No. 2185.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). There
is a motion to defer the consideration of House Bill No.
2185. Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5912
ON SECOND READING
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Bill No. 5912, contained in Committee
Report No. 800, as reported out by the Committees on
Youth and Sports Development, Appropriations, and
Ways and Means.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies
of the measure have been previously distributed, the
30 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
Secretary General read only the title thereof without
prejudice to inserting its text in the Congressional
Record.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5912, entitled: AN ACT EXPANDING THE
COVERAGE OF INCENTIVES GRANTED TO
NATIONAL ATHLETES AND COACHES AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, REPEALING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9064,
ALSO KNOWN AS “NATIONAL ATHLETES,
COACHES AND TRAINERS BENEFITS AND
INCENTIVES ACT OF 2001.”
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, for this measure,
I move that the Explanatory Note of the Bill
be considered as the sponsorship speech on the
measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao).
Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the period of sponsorship and debate is
opened.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being
no Member who registered to interpellate, I
move that we close the period of sponsorship
and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, there being no
Committee or individual amendments, I move that we
close the same.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5912.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). There
is a motion to approve on Second Reading House Bill
No. 5912. As many as are in favor, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). As
many as are against, please say nay.
FEW MEMBERS. Nay.
APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5912
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
ayes have it; the motion is approved.
House Bill No. 5912 is approved on Second
Reading.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. NO. 2171
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
consider House Resolution No. 2171, contained in
Committee Report No. 785, as reported out by the
Committee on People’s Participation.
May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to
read only the title of the measure.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.*
The Secretary General is directed to read only the
title of the measure.
With the permission of the Body, and since copies of
the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary
General read only the title thereof without prejudice to
inserting its text in the Congressional Record.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 31
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Resolution
No. 2171, entitled: RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING
THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS IN DEVELOPMENT
THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF
THE LOCAL OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS
AWARD (LOVA) PROGRAM.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move for the
adoption of House Resolution No. 2171.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). As
many as are in favor of House Resolution No. 2171,
please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). As
many as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
ADOPTION OF H. RES. NO. 2171
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
ayes have it; the motion is approved.
House Resolution No. 2171 is adopted.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
take up the Business for Thursday and Friday, local
bills, Mr. Speaker, on Second Reading.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
OMNIBUS CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL BILLS
ON SECOND READING
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move for the omnibus
consideration of the following measures, namely:
1. House Bill No. 5885, contained in Committee
Report No. 787;
2. House Bill No. 5900, contained in Committee
Report No. 791;
3. House Bill No. 5901, contained in Committee
Report No. 792;
4. House Bill No. 4784, contained in Committee
Report No. 796;
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
5. House Bill No. 2716, contained in Committee
Report No. 797; and
6. House Bill No. 5910, contained in Committee
Report No. 798.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. For these measures, Mr. Speaker,
I move that we consider the respective Explanatory
Notes as the sponsorship speeches thereon.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, with that, I move
that we close the period of sponsorship and debate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
open the period of amendments.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. I move, Mr. Speaker, that we
approve the Committee amendments as contained in
their respective committee reports, if any.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, with that, I move
that we approve on Second Reading—this is an omnibus
approval, Mr. Speaker—House Bills No. 5885, 5900,
5901, 4784, 2716 and 5910.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
REP. ATIENZA. Mr. Speaker, may we ask that an
explanation of each item be done by the Secretariat because
we are approving bills on Second Reading wholesale. I do
not think the Members know what they are acting on, so
32 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
we request the Chair to require the reading of each and
every bill that is being proposed for approval.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader will please respond.
REP. DEFENSOR. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Under
our Rules, the procedure we are following is for the
omnibus approval of local bills. But to address the
concern of the Gentleman from BUHAY, Mr. Speaker,
may we request the Secretary General to read clearly
the respective titles of these measures. May we know,
Mr. Speaker, if that would satisfy the concern of the
Gentleman?
REP. ATIENZA. Well, we would like to at least
know what we are talking about. We cannot identify
bills by the number. We would like to hear the title, at
least, and the intention and the nature of the bill, whether
it is on Second Reading or Third Reading.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Secretary General then is directed to read the titles
of all the relevant local House Bills, actually. Please
proceed.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.
5885, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE CEBU
NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MEDELLIN SATELLITE
CAMPUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MEDELLIN,
PROVINCE OF CEBU INTO A REGULAR CAMPUS
OF THE CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY TO BE
KNOWN AS THE CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY-
MEDELLIN CAMPUS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR;
House Bill No. 5900, entitled: AN ACT CHANGING
THE NAME OF SAINT LORENZO RUIZ HOSPITAL
IN MALABON CITY, TO SAN LORENZO RUIZ
HOSPITAL, INCREASING ITS BED CAPACITY
FROM TEN (10) TO FIFTY (50) BEDS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;
House Bill No. 5901, entitled: AN ACT
INCREASING THE BED CAPACITY OF GOVERNOR
CELESTINO GALLARES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
(GCGMH) IN TAGBILARAN CITY, PROVINCE OF
BOHOL, FROM TWO HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE
(225) TO FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX (526) BEDS
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;
House Bill No. 4784, entitled: AN ACT
CONVERTING THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICE LOCATED
IN THE CITY OF TAGAYTAY, PROVINCE OF
CAVITE, INTO A REGULAR DISTRICT OFFICE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;
* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)
House Bill No. 2716, entitled: AN ACT
CONVERTING THE LAND TRANSPORTATION
OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICE LOCATED
IN THE CITY OF CABADBARAN, AGUSAN DEL
NORTE INTO A REGULAR LTO DISTRICT OFFICE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR;
House Bill No. 5910, entitled: AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SEAPORT IN BARANGAY MABINI, HIGATANGAN
ISLAND, NAVAL, PROVINCE OF BILIRAN,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would
like to reiterate my motion for the omnibus approval of
the subject measures.
VIVA VOCE VOTING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). There
is a motion to approve on Second Reading the local
bills, House Bills No. 5885, 5900, 5901, 4784, 2716
and 5910, inclusive.
As many as are in favor of the approval of the bills
enumerated in the omnibus motion, please say aye.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). As
many as are against, please say nay. (Silence)
OMNIBUS APPROVAL OF LOCAL BILLS
ON SECOND READING
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
ayes have it; the motion is approved.
The bills enumerated in the omnibus motion are
hereby approved on Second Reading.*
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO THE
BICAM. CONF. CTTEE.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
nominate the following House Members as conferees
to the House panel of the Bicameral Conference
Committee on the disagreeing provisions of House
Bill No. 5831, entitled: AN ACT ENHANCING THE
CURRENT TAX SYSTEM BY IMPLEMENTING
MEASURES THAT ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN
THE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING OF TAX
INCENTIVES GRANTED TO GOVERNMENT AND
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 33
NONGOVERNMENT ENTITIES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES; and
Senate Bill No. 2669, entitled: AN ACT
INSTITUTING A SYSTEM FOR TAX INCENTIVES
MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
The Members are as follows, Mr. Speaker: Reps.
Romero “Miro” S. Quimbo, Sharon S. Garin, Leni
Gerona-Robredo, Dakila Carlo E. Cua and Victoria
Isabel G. Noel.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Members nominated are so designated.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to our
Rules, I move that we recognize the Gentleman from
BAYAN MUNA, the Hon. Neri J. Colmenares, for his
contra-SONA.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao).
Without objection, the Gentleman from the Party-List
BAYAN MUNA, the Hon. Neri J. Colmenares, is
recognized to deliver his contra-SONA.
You have the floor, Your Honor. Please proceed.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. COLMENARES
REP. COLMENARES. Thank you. Maraming
salamat, Mr. Speaker. Kay Speaker Sonny Belmonte,
mga kapwa Mambabatas, mga kawani ng Kamara de
Representantes, mga bisita at kaibigan, magandang
hapon sa inyo.
Ginoong Ispiker, may kasabihan tayo, “Ang
kasinungalingan, kapag paulit-ulit mong sinasabi, ay
nagmimistulang totoo.” Paulit-ulit na sinasabi sa atin
ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III ang pinakamalaking
kasinungalingan sa kanyang administrasyon, ang Daang
Matuwid. Ngunit paulit-ulit man itong banggitin at
gamitin ng Pangulo, paulit-ulit din itong pahihindian
ng mamamayan.
Ang ilalahad ko po ngayon ay ang contra-SONA
ng mamamayan na inihanda ng blokeng Makabayan.
Pinasisinungalingan ng contra-SONA ng mamamayan
ang mahabang listahan ng diumano ay mga tagumpay
o accomplishments ng administrasyon ni Aquino na
kanyang inilahad sa kanyang pang-anim at panghuling
State of the Nation Address.
Ikumpara po natin ang mga pangako at diumano
ay tagumpay ni Pangulong Aquino at ang aktuwal na
nagaganap at nararanasan ng mamamayan.
Ano po ang ipinangako niya ng 2010 SONA? Ang
sabi po sa 2010 SONA, i-introduce natin ang zero-based
approach in budgeting. Ibig sabihin ng zero-based
approach, zero ang budget. Dadagdag nang dadagdag
ng mga items diyan depende sa pangangailagan ng ating
mga LGUs o mga barangay. Kaya ibig sabihin niyan,
mula sa baba, tinanong ang budget, ano ang kailangan
ninyo, at unti-unting nabubuo iyong national budget.
Pero ano po ang katotohanan, may zero-based approach
ba? Napakaraming lump sums sa appropriations at
budget ni President Aquino mula pa noong 2010. Ang
lump sum po, hindi po iyan zero-based budget approach.
Ibig sabihin, mayroon ka lang general na pondo na hindi
mo nasasabi kung anong items ang nandidiyan. Tingnan
po natin iyong DAP, P143 billion, at sa pinakahuling
mga datos, lampas na ito sa P143 billion. Ano ang
sabi ng DBM mismo? In 2015, negative list—P495.75
billion ang lump sum noong 2015, at billions din po
ang lump sum sa 2016.
Sunod po, ano ang sabi? Parusahan ang perpetrators
ng extrajudicial killings, 2010 SONA po iyon. Pero
mula 2010 hanggang 2015, 262 victims na po ang ang
extrajudicial killings sa buong bansa. Ano ang nangyari?
May naparusahan ba? Na-promote si Maj. Gen. Eduardo
Año at Lt. Gen. Iriberri na tsina-charge na mga human
rights violators. Ano po ba ang record ng prosecution
at conviction rate? Wala po kaming naririnig na mga
conviction and even prosecution dito sa administrasyon
ni President Aquino.
2011 SONA, ano ang pangako? Expand PhilHealth.
Dumami ang PhilHealth members. Ang pinakahuling
sinabi ni President Aquino, halos nobenta porsiyento na
ng mamamayang Pilipino ang miyembro ng PhilHealth.
Marami sigurong kababayan natin ang hindi alam na
miyembro na sila ng PhilHealth ngayon. Pero kahit pa
man sila ay miyembro, 68 percent ng personal spending
ng ating mga kababayan sa PhilHealth, out of pocket nila.
Ibig sabihin, kung P10,000 ang bill mo sa ospital, ang
P6,800 galing sa iyo. Kaya ba ng ordinaryong magsasaka
iyan? Kaya ba ng ordinaryong manggagawa iyan? Hindi
po. Hungkag ang PhilHealth na pangako ni President
Aquino at tayo ang may pinakamataas na out-of-pocket
expense sa buong ASEAN countries, Mr. Speaker.
Ano pa ang pangako? Cheaper, more reliable
sources of energy by 2014. Katatapos lang po, gumigiit
ang Malacañang, emergency power dito sa Luzon
dahil kulang, ang sabi ng Malacañang, ang koryente
dito. Rotating brownouts sa Mindanao, 32 percent ng
households doon, rotating brownouts po as of July 2015.
Saan po ang pangako ng cheaper, reliable energy sources
na 2011 pa ipinangako? Kailangan pa nating pumunta sa
Korte Suprema para magkaroon ng TRO sa pinakamataas
na dagdag-taas singil sa koryente sa MERALCO noong
Malampaya shutdown noong 2013, Mr. Speaker.
2012 SONA po, reduced crime rates. Recent
lang ang data, 2015, 885,445 cases po sa unang
kalahati ng taon ng 2015. Sino ba ang magsasabi
na bumaba ang crime rates at araw-araw na lang na
34 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
ginawa na ating naririnig sa media ay napakarami ng
krimeng nangyayari? Ito po ang pangakong hindi rin
natupad.
2014 SONA, pursue rehabilitation and recovery
efforts doon sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo. Ano ang
nagawa ng present na administrasyon ni President
Aquino? Nag-approve na po tayo ng P200 billion for
Yolanda rehabilitation, P168 billion sa GAA, P24 billion
sa supplemental budget for 2013, P7.23 billion na-
transfer mula sa MPBF, at mula sa Pension and Gratuity
Fund papuntang DSWD at NDRRMC, and even the
Contingency Fund. Ano ang nangyari? Dalawang libo
of the targeted 120,000 permanent housing ang na-
construct sa Eastern Visayas, amin po ito ng NHA, P8
bilyon ang ibinigay sa NHA, 2,000 bahay ang iyong
nagawa. Amin din ng DSWD, as of 2014, 2,000 families
pa rin ang nakatira sa bunkhouse long after Yolanda.
Saan po ang pangako ng rehabilitasyon at recovery sa
mga nasalanta ng Pablo, Sendong, at lahat? Napakarami
po ng mga nasalanta ng bagyo.
Ano pa po ang pangako ni President Aquino?
Bawasan ang subsidy sa MRT at LRT. Ito po ba ay
natupad? Opo, natupad po iyan; bumawas po ng
subsidy sa MRT at LRT, pero nagdagdag ng pamasahe,
walo hanggang 10 piso ang na-increase sa pamasahe
ng MRT at LRT. Pero, ang masakit po rito, hindi man
lang umunlad ang performance at serbisyo ng MRT/
LRT. Totoo po bang sina-subsidize ng gobyerno ang
mamamayan sa MRT/LRT? Tingnan po natin iyong
data noong 2012. Ano po ang farebox income ng
MRT? Ibig sabihin, iyong binayad ng mga ordinaryong
consumers na bumibili ng token araw-araw. Sa 2012
data, P2.1 billion ang kinita ng MRT. Magkano ang
operating expenditures nila? P1.88 billion lang ang
operating expense. So, ang ibig sabihin, ang MRT
po pala, may net income na halos P300 million. So,
hindi lugi ang MRT. So, bakit kailangang i-subsidize
ng gobyerno ang sumasakay sa MRT? A, ayun pala,
may sweetheart deals tayo. Iyong income tax pala
diyan, iyong mga taxes, binabayaran pa pala natin,
P2.08 billion; mayroon pa palang BLT expense
doon sa concession agreement, P5.5 billion; kaya
kinapos tuloy ang kita ng MRT. So, sino ang sina-
subsidize ng gobyerno, ang taumbayan o iyong mga
concessionaires? Sa totoo lang po, kung hindi pala
na-privatize ang MRT, kumikita ito ng P300 million
kada taon. Pero dahil na-privatize, ngayon, pati ang
mga concessionaires, mga taxes at iba pang return on
investment ay ating binabayaran.
Sunod po na pangako, iyon na, 2012 na pangako
ng ating Presidente ay natupad pero dagdag pahirap
sa taumbayan. Kapag pinakinggan mo ang SONA
ni Pangulong Aquino, para bang nabawasan na
ang kahirapan sa bansa at tila umaasenso na ang
mamamayan. Pero kabaligtaran nito ang totoong
nangyayari.
Ayon sa NSCB, halos hindi natinag ang 20 percent
na dami ng mahihirap sa bansa ngunit konserbatibo pa
nga ito dahil nakabatay ito sa pinakamababang official
poverty threshold na 8,778 kada buwan para sa isang
pamilya. Katumbas lang ito ng P58. Ang threshold
ng gobyerno, uulitin ko, ay P58 kada tao araw-araw.
Mayroon kayang kahit isang tao sa Kapulungang ito
na mabubuhay ng disente sa P58 kada araw? Kasya
ba ito sa pambili ng pagkain, pambayad sa bahay,
tubig, kuryente, pamasahe, pag-aaral ng mga anak
at maintenance medicines natin na mga kapwa ko
Kongresista? Hindi po kasya ito.
Sa pagsisisiyasat ng Ibon Foundation, kung itaas
sa P125 kada tao, kada araw ang poverty threshold
at hindi P58, aabot sa 66 milyong Pilipino pa rin ang
mahihirap. Pero ang tanong dito, kasya ba ang P125
kada araw? Ayon sa Ibon, ang kailangang kita kada
araw ng bawat pamilya ay P1,088 kada tao, kada
pamilya. Pangulong Aquino, mukhang ibang bansa ang
nilalarawan mo sa iyong SONA dahil sa bansa natin,
ang katotohanan ay higit 70 percent ang mahihirap na
pamilyang Pilipino. Kaya, G. Ispiker, ano ang limang-
taong “daang matuwid?” Ito ay daang diretso sa bangin
ng mas malubhang kahirapan. Paulit-ulit si Pangulong
Aquino sa paalala: “Ituloy ang Daang Matuwid. Huwag
tayong bumalik sa daang baluktot”.
Pangulong Aquino, kung wala kayo sa daang
baluktot, bakit pinalabnaw ninyo ang Freedom of
Information o FOI Bill? Pero ayaw ninyo pa ring
i-certify na urgent ito. Kung hindi kayo baluktot, bakit
pinalaki ninyo ang inyong pork barrel?
Pangulong Aquino, kung hindi kayo baluktot,
bakit pinagtatakpan ninyo ang katiwalian sa MRT,
NFA, Customs? Kung hindi kayo baluktot, bakit
pinoprotektahan pa ninyo ang inyong mga tiwaling
opisyal at kaalyado? Bakit tanging mga kalaban
ninyo ang pinupuruhan ng pag-uusig ng DOJ? Kaya,
G. Ispiker, ano ang limang-taong “daang matuwid”
ng rehimeng Aquino? Ito ay daang diretso sa bangin
ng talamak na katiwalaan ng nasa administrasyon.
Ngunit, ano po ba ang pangunahing dahilan na
laganap ang kahirapan? Korapsyon po ba? Hindi
po. Hindi po korapsyon ang pangunahing dahilan.
Ang korapsyon ay dagdag na pahirap ngunit hindi
ito ang pangunahing dahilan ng kahirapan. Marami
ring corrupt sa Tsina, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia
ngunit maalwang hindi hamak ang buhay ng mga tao
sa kanila,kumpara sa Pilipinas. Ang kaibahan dito, ang
mga bansang ito ay nag-industriyalisa. They launched
an industrialization program. Nagpatupad ng reporma sa
lupa at nagmodernisa ng agrikultura. Tayo po, hindi.
Sa aming pagsusuri, nag-uugat ang laganap na
kahirapan sa limang kawalan. Una, kawalan ng tunay
ng reporma sa lupa. Ikalawa, kawalan ng pambansang
industrialization. Ikatlo, kawalan ng makatarungang
pamamahagi ng yaman. Ang tatlong ito ay nangyayari
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 35
dulot ng ika-apat at ika-limang kawalan: ang kawalan
ng tunay na kasarinlan at ang kawalan ng tunay na
demokrasya.
Naghihirap ang mayorya ng magsasaka dahil sa
kawalan ng tunay na reporma sa lupa at sapat na suporta
mula sa gobyerno. Pekeng reporma sa lupa ang CARP.
Matagal na naming sinasabi ito. It is so full of loopholes.
Hindi magtatagumpay iyan pero pinalawig pa ito ng
CARPER. Peke dahil napakaraming probisyon nito ay
para sa exclusion, exemption at conversion ng lupang
agrikultural. Peke dahil hindi libreng ipinamahagi ang
lupa sa mga magsasaka. May 75 percent ng beneficiaries
ang hindi nakakabayad ng amortisasyon dahil kulang
pa ang ani nila sa kanilang pangangailangan. Ngayon,
nakakonsentra ang 2.8 milyong ektaryang lupa sa
kamay ng mga asyendero at mga bagong tipong landlord
kabilang na ang mga tinatawag na land developers.
Aabot sa 70 percent ng magsasaka ang walang lupa
o kulang ang lupang binubungkal. Pinapahirapan
sila ng mataas na upa sa lupa, mataas na interes sa
usura at pambabarat sa presyo ng kanilang produkto.
Pangulong Aquino, bakit hanggang ngayon walang
hustisya sa Hacienda Luisita? Pinagkaitan pa ng
gobyernong Aquino ng sapat na suporta at subsidiyo
ang mga magsasaka. Pangulong Aquino, bakit wala pa
ring irigasyon ang 1.3 milyong ektarya mula sa tatlong
milyong ektaryang irrigable lands? Bakit ipinagkait mo
ang suporta at subsidiyo sa irigasyon? Bakit pinayagan
mo ang garapalang importasyon at smuggling?
Nagigipit din ang maliliit na mangingisda dahil sa
pang-aagaw ng malalaking lokal at dayuhang fishing
companies. Nagdurusa ang mga mamamayang Moro,
Cordillera at katutubo dahil sa pang-aagaw sa ancestral
lands at mapangwasak na pagmimina, pagtotroso
at quarrying ng malalaking dayuhang korporasyon.
G. Ispiker, ang limang-taong “daang matuwid” ay
daang diretso sa bangin ng pagsasamantala ng iilang
asyendero, foreign mining companies, mga importers
at smugglers.
Hindi makapagbigay ng sapat na trabaho ang
ekonomiya natin sa ating mamamayan dahil sa kawalan
ng programa para sa industrialization ng bansa. Bulag
na sinsusunod ni Pangulong Aquino ang dikta ng US,
IMF, World Bank at WTO—liberalization, privatization
and deregulation or globalization. Ito ang policy ng
gobyerno. Ito ang magic words ni Pangulong Aquino.
Ito rin ang sumpa at salot sa industriya at agrikulturang
Pilipino.
Nagtuon ang gobyerno sa pagpalaki ng labor export;
pag-export ng ating OFWs; real estate; business process
outsourcing; import-dependent, semi-manufacturing for
exports; at tourism. Paano tayo magkaka-industrialize,
G. Ispiker, kung ganoon ang tuon ng ating ekonomiya?
Ang resulta ng globalisasyon, mula 30 percent noong
1971, bumagsak ang bahagi ng manufacturing sa GDP
sa 22 percent na lang. Ibig sabihin, noong 1971, ang
share ng industry, ng manufacturing sa GDP ay 30
percent; ngayon, 22 percent na lang po.
Mas malala ang pagbagsak ng agrikultura. Mula
higit 40 percent noong 1940, lumagpak sa 11 percent
na lang ang bahagi nito sa GDP kaya malala ang
disempleyo—30 percent ang walang trabaho o kulang
ng trabaho at 12 milyon ang nangingibang bansa para
magtrabaho, Mr. Speaker.
Dagdag pa rito, pinayagan ng pamahalaan ang
malaganap na kontraktuwalisasyon ng paggawa.
Ipinagkait sa mga contractual ang seguridad sa trabaho,
karapatang mag-unyon at maging ang napakababang
minimum na sahod. Bago matapos ang anim na buwan,
end of contract na po, “endo” na po sila. Sa rehimen
ni Pangulong Aquino, umabot sa 44 percent ng mga
manggagawa ang hindi regular at agency-hired po. Sa
ating bansa, walang nakasulat na kontrata ang 63 percent
ng nagtatrabaho. G. Ispiker, ang limang-taong “daang
matuwid” ay daang diretso pala sa bangin ng lalong
pagbagsak ng industriya at malalang disempleyo.
Ipinagyayabang ng gobyerno ang six to seven
percent paglago ng GDP. Ang tanong, sino ang
nakinabang sa six to seven percent GDP? Ayon sa
Forbes mismo, mula P738 bilyon noong 2009, lumaki
ng 337 percent sa loob ng limang taon under President
Aquino o P3.2 trillion ang pinagsama-samang yaman ng
40 na pinakamayamang pamilya sa Pilipinas. Wow, Mr.
Speaker, 337 percent ang yaman ng top 40 wealthiest
families. Wow, P3.2 trillion, Mr. Speaker. Mas malaki
pa ito sa panukalang Pambansang Badyet noong 2016
pero ang malupit, barya-barya lang ang umento sa
sahod ang ibinigay sa ating mga manggagawa at kawani
sa gobyerno. Sa NCR, tumaas lamang ang arawang
sahod ng P77 o 19 percent, Mr. Speaker. Inuulit ko
po, 19 percent ang itinaas ng arawang sahod sa loob
ng limang taon ni President Aquino: mula P404 ay
nagiging P481 ngayong 2015. Kung hirap ang regular
na mga manggagawa, lalong hikahos ang napakaraming
kontrakutwal at walang trabaho.
Pangulong Aquino, may magagawa ka para
mabawasan ang hindi makatarungang agwat ng kita
ng mayayaman at mahihirap at para madagdagan ang
kita ng mahihirap? Pero bakit hindi mo ipinapasa ang
makatao at makatarungang dagdag ng sahod? Bakit
hindi mo ipinasa ang P125 na dagdag sa arawang
sahod para sa pribadong sektor at P6,000 na dagdag sa
buwanang sahod ng mga government employees, Mr.
Speaker? Bakit ipinagpatuloy mo, President Aquino,
ang hindi tuwiran at regresibong sistema ng pagbuwis
na mas mabigat na pinapasan ng mahihirap?
Pangulong Aquino, bakit sa halip na palawakin mo
ang serbisyo publiko ng gobyerno, pina-privatize mo
ang mga ospital at mga paaralan? Bakit pinagpatuloy mo
ang mga patakaran ng privatization at deregulation na
nagreresulta sa labis na pagtaas ng presyo ng kuryente,
tubig at langis at toll fees, kabilang rin ang hindi maabot
36 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
at hindi makatarungang singil sa MRT at LRT sa gitna
ng bulok at palpak nitong serbisyo.
G. Ispiker, ang limang-taong “daang matuwid”
ay daang diretso pala sa bangin ng higit na paglaki ng
agwat ng kita ng iilang mayayaman at napakaraming
mahihirap at pagkakait ng saligan or basic services at
ng mas mataas na presyo ng bilihin.
Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Pangulong Aquino, “Kayo
ang boss ko.” Aba, sino-sino ba iyong mga “kayo” na
iyan po, President Aquino? Kaninong interes ba ang
nasunod sa patuloy na pagkakait sa reporma sa lupa at
ng redistribution ng yaman? Ang malinaw pa sa malinaw
ay ang interes ng iilang asyendero, land developers
at malalaking kapitalista ang pinoproteksiyonan ng
Pangulo. Sila ang tunay na boss ni Pangulong Aquino at
hindi ang mga magsasaka, manggagawa, mangingisda,
katutubo. Hindi ito ang tunay na demokrasya, hindi
ang demokrasya ng mayorya ang nasusunod kundi
diktadurya ng iilan.
Ang malupit pa nito, nagpapatuloy ang mga
paglabag sa karapatang- pantao. Batay sa March 2015 na
update ng Karapatan, may 238 cases na ng extrajudicial
killings, 100 cases ng torture, 26 cases ng enforced
disappearance at higit 1,025 kaso ng harassment, threats
at intimidations sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa hanay
ng mga progresibo at aktibista.
Hari ng trahedya si Pangulong Aquino at isang
malaking disaster ang kanyang administrasyon.
Kapahamakan at kamatayan ang idinulot ni Pangulong
Aquino sa Mamasapano fiasco. Dahil naman sa palpak
na pagtugon ni Pangulong Aquino, mas lumala ang
trahedyang ibinunga ng mga kalamidad gaya ng
mga bagyong Yolanda, Pablo at Ondoy. Manloloko
rin ang gobyernong Aquino. Niloloko ng gobyerno
ang MILF, ang diumano ay Bangsamoro Basic Law
o BBL na naging “bigay-bawi law.” Tinalikuran
naman ni Pangulong Aquino ang kasunduan sa NDF.
Sa katunayan, ikinulong ng gobyernong Aquino ang
15 JASIG-protected peace consultants at itinigil ang
usaping pangkapayapaan.
G. Ispiker, sa pagtatapos po, ang limang-taong
“daang matuwid” ay daang diretso sa bangin ng
pagkakait ng tunay na demokrasya at ng paglabag sa
karapatang-pantao. Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Pangulong
Aquino, “kayo ang boss ko.” Kaninong interes ang
nanaig nang sundin ni Pangulong Aquino ang dikta
ng gobyerno ng Amerika, IMF, World Bank at WTO
sa neoliberal na globalization at hindi tahakin ang
makabayang industriyalisasyon? Kaninong interes ang
nasunod ng pirmahan ng gobyerno ang EDCA para
makabalik ang base military at pasilidad militar ng US
sa Pilipinas? Unli or unlimited pa ang pagbabalik ng
mga mananakop na ito. Hindi lang base at pasilidad
ang pinahintulutan kundi maging unlimited activities,
unlimited duration, unlimited location and unlimited
number of troops; rent-free at tax-free pa ang mga
ito. Nagkamali lang siguro si Pangulong Aquino sa
pagbigkas ng mga katagang “Kayo ang boss ko.”Ang
tamang bigkas pala ay “Kano ang boss ko.”
Sabi ni Pangulong Aquino, ipinagtanggol ng US
ang Pilipinas laban sa pang-aagaw ng Tsina sa West
Philippine Sea. Niloloko lang tayo ng US, niloloko
tayo ni Pangulong Aquino. Hindi pinigilan ng US ang
pang-aagaw ng Tsina sa Panatag Shoal at ngayon,
nagre-reclaim ng pitong isla o bato sa Spratlys. Dapat
na tayong matauhan, mga kasama. Tayong mga Pilipino
ang magtatanggol sa Pilipinas laban sa pang-aapi ng
China, laban sa pang-aapi ng dayuhan, US man o
Tsina.
G. Ispiker, ang limang-taong “daang matuwid” ay
daang diretso pala sa mas matinding paglapastangan
ng ating pambansang interes at kasarinlan. Tama na,
tapusin na natin ang kasinungalingan at panlilinlang ng
“daang matuwid.” Ang kailangan ay tahakin ang bagong
daan, ang daan para sa industriyalisado at progresibong
Pilipinas.
Nananawagan ang mamamayan, kami sa bloke ng
Makabayan, na isulong ang laban sa bagong daan ng
pag-unlad ng mamamayan. Tandaan natin, walang mali
sa paglaban. May mali kaya lumalaban. Ipinaglalaban
natin at magpapanday tayo ng bagong lipunan kung
kaya makatarungan lamang ang ating panawagan.
Bilang panghuli, Mr. Speaker, ito po ang panawagan
natin. Una, ipasa ang Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill at
bigyan ng sapat na suporta ang magsasaka at sektor ng
agrikultura. Pangalawa, itaguyod ang reporma para sa
industriyalisasyon ng bansa. Pangatlo, palawakin ang
pondo at serbisyo publiko para sa kalusugan, edukasyon,
pabahay, patubig, suweldo at pension. Pang-apat, itaas
ang sahod, ibaba ang presyo ng mga bilihin at gawing
progresibo ang sistema ng pagbubuwis o pagta-tax.
Panlima, igalang ang mga karapatang- pantao, palayain
ang lahat ng bilanggong politikal, isulong po ang peace
talks dito sa bansa natin. Pang-anim, isulong ang
mga repormang politikal at elektoral para lumaki ang
representasyon at boses ng mayoryang mahihirap sa
pamahalaan. Pampito at pang-huli, igiit at panaigin ang
pambansang sobereniya at interes laban sa imposisyon
ng US, China at iba pang makapangyarihang bansa.
Ito po ang aming alternatibo, ito po ang nasasabi
naming solusyon at ito po ang daan para sa kaligtasan
natin.
Maraming salamat po. Magandang hapon sa inyong
lahat.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Thank
you, Gentleman.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
refer the speech of the Honorable Colmenares to the
Committee on Rules.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 37
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
eminent Minority Leader, the Honorable Zamora (R.)
is recognized.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I
wonder if my distinguished colleague from the Minority
will entertain a number of questions?
REP. COLMENARES. With pleasure, Mr. Speaker,
from the distinguished Minority Leader.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
two Gentlemen have the floor. You may now proceed,
Your Honors.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Kaibigan at kasama, medyo nagulat ako noong
narinig ko iyong halagang ibinigay ninyo na iyon daw
ay ang poverty level sa Pilipinas, P53 a day for each
person, tama ba iyon?
REP. COLMENARES. P58 po.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). P58?
REP. COLMENARES. Yes.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Anong ibig sabihin noon,
kaibigan at kasama? Ibig bang sabihin, kung ikaw ay
mababa sa P58 per person…
REP. COLMENARES. Mahirap kayo.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). …ibig sabihin, mahirap
kayo.
REP. COLMENARES. Yes po.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Kaya lang kung kayo ay may
P59, hindi na kayo mahirap.
REP. COLMENARES. Wala na kayo sa poverty
threshold.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Ano kaya ang nabibili ng P59
o P58, sa palagay ninyo?
REP. COLMENARES. Chewing gum po ang isang
naisip ko ngayon.
Tubig siguro po bagamat mahal na rin ang tubig
po ngayon pero definitely po, ang P59 ay hindi sapat
sa isang tao. Maski isang Kongresista dito siguro, Mr.
Speaker, magsasabing hirap na hirap na mabuhay sa
P58 kada araw.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Kaya ako nagugulat, kaibigan
at kasama, sapagkat iyong binabanggit ng pamahalaan
na tunay at taal na sagot sa poverty, ano iyan, iyong
CCT, iyong conditional cash transfer, inaamin naman
nila na iyan ay isang temporary solution lamang. Kaya
lang nagtataka ako na kung iyan ang talagang solusyon,
bakit hindi naman gumagalaw iyong poverty levels
natin? Bakit hindi naman nababawasan iyong mga
taong, sa bilang, hindi talaga nakakaangat sa buhay, sa
antas ng kanilang pamumuhay? Hindi ba nakakapagtaka
na baka iyong CCT ay hindi solusyon, maski palliative
solution? Kaya ko nabanggit iyan, sapagkat ako na
nakapag-aral naman gaya ninyo, hindi ba ang talagang
solusyon ay hindi iyong bibigyan ninyo ng pera ang
isang pamilya? Nakakagulat nga iyong ibinibigay nila
for each family, puwedeng makakuha ang isang pamilya
ng up to P1,400 a month, hindi ba po?
REP. COLMENARES. Tama po.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Kaya ako nagtataka sapagkat
kung ang P1,400—sa palagay ninyo, magkano ba iyong
P58 per month?
REP. COLMENARES. Ang poverty threshold po
ay P8,778 per month na, more or less, iyong P58 kada
tao po. So, definitely, kapos na kapos po iyong P1,400
per month.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Hindi ba mas mabuti na
ang sagot ay hindi iyong inaabutan ninyo ang bawat
pamilya.? Ano ang ginagawa ninyo? Binibigyan ninyo
ng tunay na trabaho, tunay na hanapbuhay ang bawat
pamilya. Hindi ba iyon ang talagang solusyon para sa
poverty alleviation?
REP. COLMENARES. Tama po. In fact, if I may
add a little, sa isang hearing namin dito, isa iyan sa
binanggit namin. Bakit hindi tayo mag-industrialize,
bakit hindi natin gawin?
Dati-rati, may naalala ako, may mga industrial
projects tayo dito, may copper smelting plant sa
Leyte, may national steel tayo. Bakit hindi bumuhos
ang gobyerno sa industrialization? Paano tayo uunlad,
Mr. Speaker, ni pako lang ay hindi natin ma-produce?
Hindi nga magde-develop talaga iyan—wala kang
steel industry, wala kang manufacturing industry. Kung
ibuhos mo iyong pera sa pagpapalago ng industriya,
lokal na negosyo, magsusulputan ang mga factories all
over the country, may empleyo—iyan ang tunay na pag-
unlad, iyan ang ginawa sa lahat ng industriyalisadong
bansa. Bago sila yumaman, nag-industrialize sila pero
ang sagot ng gobyerno, “E, wala tayong pera.”
Ngayon, nakapagtataka, Mr. Speaker, mayroon silang
bilyon-bilyong piso para doon sa CCT pero wala silang
bilyon-bilyon para doon sa tunay na industrialization.
38 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Kaya ako nagtataka, kaibigan
at kasama, sapagkat napakalaki ang inilalagay natin para
sa CCT. Last year ang ibinigay natin P63 billion. Alam
po ninyo, gaano karaming steel mills, gaano karaming
mga industrial projects ang kaya nating pondohan
with P63 billion? Iyan ay tandaan natin—taun-taon
ibinibigay iyan ng gobyerno. This year, baka mas malaki
pa ang ibibigay natin. Hindi ba dapat ang ginawa natin
right from the beginning, hindi ba dapat pinag-isipan
natin kung paano natin mabibigyan ang taumbayan
ng trabaho dito sa Pilipinas at hindi doon sa labas ng
Pilipinas? Hindi ba iyon ang dapat nating gawin?
REP. COLMENARES. Tama po.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Hindi ba ang tamang gawin
natin ay ipunin natin iyong perang, sa palagay ko,
ay nalulustay lamang sa bigay. Ipunin natin iyan
at diyan tayo maglagay ng isang tunay na national
industrialization na kailangang-kailangan ng ating
bayan. Hindi po ba tama iyan?
REP. COLMENARES. Tama po iyan.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Hindi ba po iyan ang kulang
na kulang sa ating State of the Nation Address?
REP. COLMENARES. Iyan po ang hindi natin
narinig at alam natin na ang policy kasi ni President
Aquino ay tourism or foreign-led. Basta, sa tingin
namin, Mr. Speaker, wala kaming sinasabing purely
internal iyong pagtingin natin pero ang economic
strategy natin must not be purely foreign investor-driven
economic strategy. Ang main policy natin ay dapat
ibuhos ang kapital sa lokal na industriya. Kung may
mag-invest, at least, mayroon na tayong industriya na
puwedeng mag-compete o puwedeng lumaban sa mga
foreign investors o foreign companies. So, para sa amin,
Mr. Speaker, industrialization is the road, Mr. Speaker,
to economic development but unfortunately, kasi sabi
ng World Bank, sabi ng IMF, “Huwag na lang kayong
gumawa ng steel industry. Hayaan ninyo na iyong ibang
mayayamang bansa ang gumawa ng kotse. Bumili na
lang kayo ng kotse. Kaya iyong asukal ninyo na galing
sa Negros ay i-export ninyo na lang iyan, gagawin
naming sangkap sa tsokolate, ibebenta namin sa inyo
ang tsokolate na mas mahal. Ganoon na lang.”
Condemned po tayo to being the provider of raw
materials. We are not being made by this government
to industrialize and build for ourselves the industries
that the Filipino people need not only to produce the
commodities but also to produce employment. We will
never have full employment, Mr. Speaker, hanggang
hindi tayo nag-i-industrialize. Even if ituloy nila
ang pagtawid sa CCT ng 10, 20 taon, hindi po tayo
uunlad.
Mahaba na po ang pagtawid natin. Kailan pa tayo
tumatawid? Napakahaba namang tulay ang tinatawid
natin at hanggang ngayon, pantawid pamilya pa rin ang
binubuhusan ng bilyun-bilyon.
I agree with you, Mr. Speaker, na iyong generation
ng employment ang dapat pagtuunan ng kapital at ng
budget ng gobyernong ito.
REP. ZAMORA (R.). Kaya ako nagtataka, kaibigan
at kasama, sapagkat—tanggapin natin, lumalago ang
ating ekonomiya, tumataas ang ating tax income. Kaya
lang, kung hindi naman natin inilalagay sa tamang
paglalagyan ang perang nakukuha natin; kung ang
naiisip natin ay, unang-una, foreign adventurism; kung
ang iniisip natin ay rearming our Armed Forces; kung
naiisip natin ay iyong mga daan na hindi talaga patungo
doon sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa, iyong pag-unlad ng
bawat pamilya sa Pilipinas, baka nasayang lang iyong
mga taon na nabigay natin sa ating Pangulo.
Matatapos na ang kanyang termino pero nasaan
po tayo? Baka nandoon pa rin tayo right back where
we started from, which is square one. Iyan ang
nakakalungkot. Sayang na hindi ganoong karami ang
mga taong nakikinig sa atin, kaibigan at kasama. Hindi
para sa akin, Mr. Speaker, na humingi kung mayroon
tayong quorum. Hindi para sa amin iyan. Ang mahalaga
ay sana, napag-usapan natin ito sa harap ng marami para
maintindihan ng tao. Hindi ito sapagkat ang Minority ay
gusto lamang mag-object. Napakahalaga na malaman
nila na mayroon din tayong naiisip atiyong mga naiisip
natin, baka naman iyan ay makakatulong sa ating lahat.
Iyon ang mahalaga.
Pagdating ng panahon, siyempre, lalung-lalo na sa
oras na ito na lumalapit na naman ang ating pulitika,
marami tayong mapag-uusapan. Ang nakakalungkot ay
iyong mga mahahalagang pinag-uusapan natin, baka
ang mga iyon ay makalimutan. I join my distinguished
colleague, Mr. Speaker, in his call for a reordering of
our priorities. I join him when he asks for a national
industrialization program. I join him when he says
that what we need are real jobs in a real economy that
benefit the whole masses of people rather than the
very few, the one percent at the top of our economic
ladder. That is what is important, that is what I had
gained from the short speech of my distinguished
colleague.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, we will be
raising these points. I am uncertain whether I should
raise these points. Now or maybe sometime in the
future, I am minded, as a matter of fact, as Minority
Leader, to submit to the House a written document
containing these many points. I will add the points raised
by my distinguished colleague, my Sr. Dep. Minority
Leader, to the points that I have already gathered and at
the appropriate time, I will be willing to face up to any
questions from my distinguished colleague.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 39
In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I am certain that there
are others who wish to interpellate and there are, at least,
two more of my colleagues in the Minority who will
take their turns expressing their turno en contra.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, distinguished
colleague.
REP. COLMENARES. Maraming salamat din
po.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Minority Leader has yielded.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
refer the speech of the ...
REP. DELA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Gentleman from the Party-List ABAKADA, the Hon.
Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, may we know the pleasure of
the Gentleman?
REP. DELA CRUZ. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Before the
speech of the distinguished Sr. Dep. Minority Leader is
passed on to the Committee, may I be allowed to ask a
few questions if it is possible, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Will
the Gentleman from BAYAN MUNA accede to the
interpellation?
REP. COLMENARES. It is an honor, Mr. Speaker,
to answer queries from my colleague from ABAKADA,
Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
two Gentlemen have the floor. You may proceed, Your
Honor.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, let me congratulate the distinguished
Sr. Dep. Minority Leader for coming out with what we
might call the true State of the Nation, part two.
I understand that this has been a work in progress
and there are a number of other issues that I am sure the
distinguished Sr. Dep. Minority Leader will come out
with at some point in time. There are certain issues, Mr.
Speaker, that I had wanted to ask, if it is possible, and
one of these is the manner by which the administration
has been pursuing what we might call an inclusive
arrangement not only for purposes of development, but
insofar as the basic services are concerned, and I am
particularly interested, Mr. Speaker, in the summation
of the Sr. Dep. Minority Leader as far as education
and health are concerned. Is it proper to ask, at some
point, Mr. Speaker, the distinguished Sr. Dep. Minority
Leader if he has already taken a look at the budget as
far as the basic services are concerned in education
and health? Is there any distinguishing mark as far
as the administration is concerned? Can we say that
the administration has actually undertaken its proper
role as the provider, the government as the provider of
such basic services in education and health, and is this
reflected in the budgets that had been approved over
the past five years?
REP. COLMENARES. Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have
scanned the new budget being presented to us. We have
looked at the previous budget, Mr. Speaker, and I am
sure my distinguished colleague from ABAKADA,
Congressman Dela Cruz, would have a few points of his
own in this analysis pero pare-pareho po ang nakikita namin
na paglulugmok sa atin sa kahirapan in terms of basic
social services. Privatization po ang gusto ng gobyerno
sa basic social services. Ang masama pa, deregulation po
ang kanyang sagot dito. So, whether it is in health or mass
transportation or kuryente or tubig, bagsak na bagsak po
ang grado ng ating gobyerno sa basic services.
In fact, sa dami ng kanilang binebenta at pina-
privatize sa buong bansa, at ang narinig namin na
kahit National Orthopedic Hospital ay ipa-privatize na
po, ospital po iyan pero ipa-privatize na—so, ang sabi
namin sa gobyerno, kung gusto ninyong ibenta at ayaw
ninyo nang gawin ang trabaho ng gobyerno at gusto
ninyo na mga private corporations ang gumawa ng
trabaho ng gobyerno, bakit pa kayo tumakbo sa puwesto
sa gobyerno? Huwag na kayong tumakbo kung ayaw
ninyo palang gawin ang trabaho nito.
Sa kalusugan po, sabi nga kanina, may
pinangalandakang PhilHealth pero 68 percent, sabi
nga, ay out-of-pocket expense. Mabuti kung P10,000
lang ang bill mo sa ospital e kung P20,000 po iyan
at 68 percent po, that is almost P14,000. Ang isang
ordinaryong informal settler po ay hindi kayang bayaran
iyan. So, in terms of health, kahit ano pa man ang
sabihin ni President Aquino sa SONA niya, ramdam
ng taong-bayan na mahirap ang buhay, mahirap ang
walang income na kinikita, mahirap ang pagkain, ang
kalusugan, ang mass transportation. Napakadilim po
ng ating buhay sa ngayon, especially sa social services
at iyong badyet na sina-submit ng gobyerno ay hindi
nakatuon sa pagbigay ng karampatang serbisyo sa ating
mamamayan, Mr. Speaker.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Maraming salamat po, Mr.
Speaker, Your Honor.
Kaya ko po naitatanong iyan sapagkat dito
po nasusubukan ang isang pamahalaan, ang isang
40 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
administrasyon kung paano ang pagkalinga at
pagtingin nito sa kanyang mga sinasakupan at
pinamamahalaan. Nakakalungkot nga po, at nabanggit
nga ninyo, na pagdating po dito sa pagbibigay ng social
services: education, health, transportation at iba pang
pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan, ay para
bang, kumbaga, sina-subcontract na po nila ang mga
ito sa private sector.
Nabanggit nga po ninyo ang tungkol doon sa mass
transportation. Mayroon pong panukala sa ngayon,
nakita ko po kanina, tungkol po dito sa pagbibigay na
naman ng bilyun-bilyong piso para daw ayusin ang
ating mass transport system, lalung-lalo na po iyong
MRT 3 at saka iyong LRT 1 extension. Mayroon po ba
kayong maibibigay sa ating mga kababayan tungkol
po sa mga ginagawa nila dito? Sapagkat sa pagtaya po
namin, iyong mga kontrata na inilalabas ng pamahalaan
para magbigay nga ng kaukulang serbisyo sa ating
mga mamamayan ay parang doble-dobleng dagok
po ito sa ating mga mamamayan. Hindi na po nila
naibibigay iyong serbisyo, pagbigay pa nila sa private
sector at iyong private sector, maski wala pa po silang
ginagawa ay sumisingil na po sila ng mga hindi pa
nila naibibigay na serbisyo. Iyon po ba ay naaayon,
sa pagtaya din po ninyo, pagdating dito sa mass
transportation, halimbawa, specifically in the case of
mass transportation sapagkat lumalabas po dito sa mga
kontrata na kanilang ibinibigay ngayon sa private sector
ay talagang dalawang beses na nadadagukan ang taong-
bayan. Tama po ba ang pagtaya namin na iyon?
REP. COLMENARES. Tama po iyon. In fact,
nakikita dito iyong attitude ng gobyerno sa public
service. Ang LRT 1 halimbawa, Mr. Speaker, saan ka
nakakita na nakalagay sa concession agreement na
tataas ang pamasahe every two years or actually five
percent for every year or 10.5 percent for every two
years? Saan ka po nakakita nang ganoon? Alam po
ninyo, kung may concession po kayo at gusto ninyong
taasan ang pamasahe ay dapat i-justify mo kung saan.
Halimbawa, kung nasa kuryente ka, pumunta ka sa
ERC, sabihin mo sa ERC “itaas ko iyong aking rate
sa kuryente kasi tumaas ang gasolina, tumaas ang
production cost o iyong foreign exchange nag-fluctuate”
or kung ano pa mang kadahilanan. Ang punto ay mag-
justify ka ng rate increase mo.
Dito po sa LRT 1, tingnan natin ang polisiya ng
gobyernong ito. Nakalagay sa kontrata na every two
years, tataas ang pamasahe. Ibig sabihin, kahit pala
bumaba ang presyo ng gasolina, kahit pala kumita at
tumubo ang concessionaire sa foreign exchange, kahit
pala bumaba ang production cost niya ay itataas niya
pa rin ang pamasahe. Anong klaseng gobyerno ka that
you contracted away the people’s right to oppose a fare
hike. Ngayon pala, pag tataas ang pamasahe sa LRT,
o-oppose-oppose tayo lahat pero iyon pala, nakakontrata
na and the government is saying, “no, actually there
may be some instances na hindi kami mag-a-allow ng
pagtaas ng pamasahe sa LRT.”
That is not true. May kontrata iyan e. Ano ang
sinasabi ni Secretary Purisima kanina sa budget? We
have to maintain our credibility. Iyon ang nakalagay sa
concession agreement. Sundin natin iyan sa issue ng
Maynilad at sa issue ng Manila Water. So, hindi totoo
iyong sinasabi ng gobyerno. Nagkontrata ka ng rate
increase sa LRT—iyan ay isang napakasamang policy
at iyan ay idinudulot ng privatization ng gobyerno.
Walang pakialam ang gobyerno sa hirap na daranasin
ng taumbayan at dahil sa mga kontratang ito, hindi po
ako magtataka kung lalo pang dadami ang mahihirap
sa Metro Manila dahil sa pagtaas ng pamasahe po dito
sa LRT-1 na sinasabi.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Maraming salamat po,
distinguished Sr. Dep. Minority Leader. Talaga pong
nakakaiyak at nakakalungkot ang mga nangyayaring
ganito, iyong pagbibigay ng serbisyo para sa ating mga
mamamayan pero sa halip na serbisyo ay lalong pahirap
ang naibibigay nito.
Ang isa pa hong final na tanong, kung maaari pong
mabigyan ninyo kami ng inyong pagtaya tungkol po
dito sa isang nakalimutan, sa tingin ko, ng Pangulong
Aquino sa kanyang pagtataya ng mga nagawa ng
administrasyon, the accomplishments or even the
initiatives of the administration over the past five
years. Mukhang nakalimutan, at dito po ay talagang
malapit-lapit na pong magalit ang ating mga 10
milyong overseas Filipinos sapagkat nakalimutan ito.
Ni walang isang nabanggit na talata tungkol po sa mga
overseas Filipinos at ang mga kontribusyon ng ating
mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho, nagpapakahirap at
nagpupunyagi overseas. Wala man lang nabanggit si
Pangulong Aquino; at parang wala rin siyang nabanggit
doon sa SAF po. Itong sa overseas workers, wala po
siyang nabanggit at hanggang ngayon hinahanap po ng
ating mga kababayan kung ano po ang maaari nating
gawin para sa ating mga overseas workers. Iyan po ba
ay nakita rin po ninyo at mayroon po bang pagkakataon
na iyong pong hindi pagtingin o pagkalinga sa ating mga
overseas Filipinos ay mabibigyan pa ng kaparaanan na
maayos po ito?
REP. COLMENARES. Salamat po. Actually,
nagbanggit siya minsan, ang mga OFWs. Alam po
ninyo ang sinabi niya? Ang sinabi niya, kumonti ang
OFW na pinapadala natin sa ibang bansa. As if ang
ibig sabihin, dumami ang trabaho dito kaya kuntento
na ang mga OFW natin kaya hindi na lumalabas. Hindi
niya nabanggit na sa Saudi ay may ”Saudization,”
iyong pinapalayas ang ibang hindi taga-Saudi at hindi
pinagtatrabaho doon. Hindi niya sinabi na may mga
giyera na nangyayari sa iba-ibang bansa at pinapauwi
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 41
iyong mga OFWs natin. Hindi totoo po na dumami
ang trabaho kaya kumonti ang OFWs pero tama po
kayo. May nabanggit ba siyang pagkalinga sa mga
OFWs? Magkano po ang ipinadala ng mga OFWs na
remittances sa bansang ito noong 2013? A total po
of $23 billion ang pinadala ng mga OFWs sa buong
mundo. Top five po: ang una, US; ang pangalawa,
Saudi Arabia; ang pangatlo, United Arab Emirates; at
iyong United Kingdom, nagpadala—total $23 bilion.
Sa 2014 po, ang naipadala dito ay $26 bilyon na po.
Kalaki pala ng inilalagay ng mga OFWs dito sa atin
kaya dapat lang tawagin silang mga bagong bayani
pero kapag may problema na, kapag nalagay na po sa
alanganin ang OFWs, ano ang sinasabi ng gobyerno?
Walang budget, walang pondo. Legal Assistance Fund
lang. Nag-contest dito si Secretary Butch Abad. Sabi
namin, ang Legal Assistance Fund na P100 million na
kakarampot for 2014, nag-veto si President Aquino.
Ang sabi ni Secretary Butch Abad, “Hindi totoo iyan.”
Klarong-klaro sa veto message ng Presidente dito sa
House of Representatives at sa Senate na bini-veto niya
ang Overseas Filipinos Legal Assistance Fund. Bilyon
ang pinapadala po nila pero P100 milyon lang para
matulungan ang katulad nila Mary Jane Veloso at kapag
may kaso sila, ayaw mong payagan. Anong klaseng
Presidente ka matapos mong sabihing bagong bayani
sila pero kapag nalagay na sila sa alanganin, ang una
mong sasabihin, ano ba iyan, accredited ba iyan, ligal
ba iyan. Baka TNT iyan pero kung hindi, baka naman
hindi nag-register sa POEA. Bakit?
Kapag tumatanggap ba tayo ng $26 billion, pinipili
ba natin kung galing iyan sa iligal, sa TNT o sa ligal na
mga OFW? Hindi naman ah. Bakit kapag tulong ang
ating ibubuhos, ng pera, pumipili na ang gobyerno?
Napakatumpak po ang sinabi ng ating kasamahan dito
sa Kongreso na si Congressman Dela Cruz na hindi
nagpakita ng pagkalinga at pag-aruga ang Presidente
ng Pilipinas sa OFW. Bagkus, parang sinasabi pa niya
pa na huwag na kayong umalis dito sa bansa, may
trabaho dito pero ilusyon po—ilusyon ang trabahong
sinasabi ni President Aquino kaya napipilitan pa rin
ang marami nating kababayan na lumabas ng bansa,
Mr. Speaker.
REP. DELA CRUZ. Maraming salamat po. Marami
pa ho sana akong tatanungin kaya lang sa tingin ko
ay ang ating mga iba pang kaibigan at kasama sa
Minority ay magsasalita. Pagkatapos na lang po ni
Congresswoman Paquiz ako magtatanong tungkol
naman sa health services at social services.
So, maraming-maraming salamat, distinguished
Sr. Dep. Minority Leader. Maraming salamat po, Mr.
Speaker.
REP. COLMENARES. Maraming salamat din
po.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Salamat
din po.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
refer the speech of the Honorable Colmenares, together
with the interpellations thereon, to the Committee on
Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The contra-SONA of the Honorable Colmenares, to
include the interpellations thereon, are referred to the
Committee on Rules.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, may we recognize
the Lady from the Party-List ANG NARS, the Hon.
Leah S. Paquiz, on a matter of personal and collective
privilege.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Lady from the Party-List ANG NARS, the Hon. Leah
Paquiz, is recognized to deliver a speech on a matter
of personal and collective privilege. You may proceed,
Your Honor.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. PAQUIZ
REP. PAQUIZ. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it is a matter of great urgency that
I stand before you now, my esteemed colleagues and
honorable co-Members in this Congress, in the interest
of our nation’s health. I would like to put forward to
us all that health is the be-all and end-all of our lives.
Health is everywhere. Health is in the air we breathe, in
the water we drink, in the environment we live in. That
is why it is imperative to look at our present healthcare
system.
Deeply rooted in the World Health Organization is
the principle that health is not just the absence of disease
or infirmity, but it is the state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being. While more and more
discoveries and inventions in modern technology and
medicine try to make people live longer, our young
people have become the most vulnerable to diseases
or life-threatening conditions primarily due to the lack
of health promotion programs and their unhealthy
lifestyles. Recent untoward health-related events
showed that despite the programs and activities of
the government, life-threatening incidents haunt our
nation vis-à-vis the standards of our healthcare delivery
system.
Allow me to cite some concrete examples, Mr.
Speaker. Just this July, the country celebrated Nutrition
42 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
Month. Ironically, during the past months, our country
was plagued with several food poisoning-like cases,
affecting an estimated 1,500 people in just a span of
two weeks and this increased into or around 2,000
people from various areas in the region. Worse, the
victims are mostly schoolchildren: milk tea killed two
in Manila in three minutes; more than 1,300 people
in the Caraga Region experienced vomiting and
abdominal cramps a few hours after consuming durian
and mangosteen-flavored candies; 57 students fell ill
after eating okoy or squash fritters in Sultan Kudarat;
15 kids suffered acute gastritis after eating siopao in
North Cotabato; Maguindanaoan delicacy pastil downed
15 people in Sultan Kudarat; a mother and seven kids
were hospitalized after eating ube cake in Iloilo; 100
students in Pangasinan were taken to the hospital due to
possible poisoning from chewing gum; 400 elementary
students experienced vomiting, dizziness and abdominal
pains after eating ice candies and cupcakes distributed
during a program marking Nutrition Month in Calamba
City, Laguna; “shock” secondary to ingestion of toxic
substance was allegedly the cause of death of a couple
found in a parking area in Las Piñas after taking meals
in a mall; macapuno candies downed nine students in
Juan Sumulong High School in Quezon City.
Allow me to give you a glimpse of the extent of
food poisoning. In recent years, Filipinos have suffered
from various food and water-borne illnesses which were
generalized simply as “food poisoning.” Those who
were not lucky enough to survive had been reduced to
mortality statistics. Mr. Speaker, according to the World
Health Organization-Western Pacific Region Office,
globally, food and water-borne diarrheal diseases, where
food poisoning is usually categorized, are responsible
for 2.2 million deaths annually, 1.9 million of whom
are children. In a general indicatory statistics of food
poisoning diagnosis per country, the Philippines has
24,096,945 incidents of food poisoning, using an
estimated population of 86,241,697.
These, honorable Members, are the challenges we
face on the issue of food safety concerns and we have
not yet even touched the issue of nutritional content in
our food supply.
To make the health situation worse, there is a new
and emerging generation of food safety issues too,
according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute,
such as new foods or ingredients; genetically-modified
foods; fortified and bio-fortified foods; new food
preparation/preservation and packaging technologies;
and the evolution of organisms added to foods.
As district and party-list Representatives, we must
ask, “What happened to my constituents?” While
majority of the victims were schoolchildren, child
protection inside and outside the school premises
must be under the mandate of the Department of
Education. Food safety is within the responsibility of the
Department of Health, tasked with ensuring the safety
of all food processing and product packaging activities
as mandated in Section 18 of Republic No. 10611 and,
of course, the exercise of police power of each local
government unit to safeguard hygiene and sanitation.
Are we just going to take this matter sitting down in
this hall and accepting the recent pronouncement of
Secretary Janette Garin? She called the issues of hygiene
and sanitation standards as the culprits of the recent
food poisoning-like cases. As legislators, we have the
responsibility to protect our people by ensuring that the
yearly expenditure for health, food safety, procurement
of medicines, health facility enhancements and human
resource are utilized according to the mandate of the
law that we passed.
Mr. Speaker, hayaan po ninyong dagdagan ko ang
talamak na food poisoning na umatake sa mga mag-aaral
sa loob ng halos dalawang buwan mula Hunyo hanggang
Hulyo ng taong kasalukuyan: ginimbal ang bayan natin ng
sunod-sunod na ulat ng mga nakapasok at ibinebenta sa
murang-murang halaga na pekeng bigas, kung saan ito ay
hindi napapanis kahit walong araw na itong nailuto. Mayroon
din naman pong bigas na nakapasok na may halong plastik.
Ito pong mga kaganapang ito sa ating pagkain ay lubos na
nakakabahala sapagkat ang ating kinakain ang sumasalamin
sa ating buhay at pangangatawan. Marami pa pong pekeng
pagkain galing Tsina tulad ng pekeng itlog, noodles, asukal
at kung ano-ano pa.
Bakit po nangyayari ang mga kaganapang ito, Mr.
Speaker? Nasaan ang mga ahensiya ng Ehekutibo na
may mga mandato at responsibilidad upang siguruhin
ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino, ng ating
mga pamilihan at ng uri at kalidad ng mga produktong
pumapasok sa bansa? Nais kong malaman kung ano
ang mga hakbang at programa ng Food and Drug
Administration, Bureau of Customs, Kagawaran ng
Kalakalan at Industriya, Kagawaran ng Kalusugan,
ang mga lokal na pamahalaan partikular ang nasa
Departamento ng Kalusugan, at mga alagad ng batas sa
harap ng sunod-sunod na pangyayaring nabanggit ko.
Hayaan ninyo naman pong magtungo ako sa usapin
ng primary health care. Noong pong taong 2013, ang
inyong lingkod ay nagpunta sa Iloilo City at bilang
kumakatawan sa adbokasiyang “Kalusugan para sa
Bayan,” isa sa mga eskuwelahang aking binisita ay
ang Nabitasan Elementary School. Iniwan po ng DOH
at DepEd sa paaralan ang pampurga at anti-filariasis
na gamot. Akin pong tinanong ang OIC ng paaralan
kung bakit po nandoon sa shelf niya ang mga gamot.
Ang sabi po niya ay, “Hindi pa ako nakakapagpapirma
ng waiver sa mga magulang.” Bakit nagpapa-waiver?
Ito ay just in case na mapainom ang mga bata, walang
pananagutan ang school. Paano kung may lagnat ang
bata? “Nasa magulang na po iyon, ” ang sagot sa akin.
Ang sunod kong tanong, “May kaso ba ng filariasis
dito?” Ang sagot, “Wala po.”
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 43
Mukhang wala pong pagbabago sa DOH Nationwide
Deworming Program. Sa katunayan po, nito lamang
July 31, 2015 o nitong nakaraang Biyernes, ang inyo
pong lingkod ay nagtungo sa Olongapo City at binista
ko po ang isang paaralan. Nakalulungkot, mahal kong
mga kapwa Mambabatas, ang aking personal na napag-
alaman na ang mga guro ang nagpapainom sa mga
mag-aaral ng pampurga. Alam po ninyo, ang utos po sa
amin, at ito po ang rule namin sa pagbibigay ng gamot,
ay hindi po kami nagpapainom ng gamot na hindi kami
ang naghanda. Iyan po ang batas sa amin sa pagbibigay
ng gamot. E, ito po ay iniwan ng DepEd at ng DOH
sa mga guro at ang pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit
hindi maisagawa ang pagpurga ay dahil walang health
worker o walang nars sa bawat eskuwelahan. Tinanggal
ang mga nars sa eskuwelahan dahil sa Rationalization
Plan. Sa devolution po, nawala ang accountability at
responsibility sa healthcare delivery system.
Nakakagimbal po, Mr. Speaker, sapagkat ang
Nationwide Deworming Program ng DOH ay nagdulot
ng pagsusuka, pagkahilo, pananakit ng tiyan at pagka-
ospital ng mga mag-aaral. Sa katotohanan po, anim
na elementary students ang na-confine sa ospital ng
Olongapo City dahil sa adverse effects ng deworming
program. Isinugod sa ospital ang nasa 300 estudyante
sa elementarya sa Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga
del Norte at Misamis Occidental dahil sa pananakit
ng tiyan at pagsusuka matapos painumin ng pampurga
ng Department of Health, at 5,500 na mag-aaral mula
naman sa Western Mindanao ang naospital din dulot
nito kung saan, ayon kay Dr. Marcos Redoble, 688 ang
na-confine dahil sa malalang kondisyon. Hindi ko po
lubos na maisip kung nasaan ang problema. Ito ba ay
kuwestiyon o problema na hindi alam ang mandato ng
bawat ahensiya o simpleng kawalan ng koordinasyon?
Kawalan ba ng pondo? Kawalan ba ng tamang bilang at
kwalipikadong mga kawani? O talagang naghihintay na
lamang ng mga sitwasyon at saka pa lamang may aksyon
ang mga ahensiya ng gobyernong may responsibilidad
sa mga bagay na ito?
Hayaan po ninyong pagtuunan ko ngayon ang
kawalan ng mga manggagawang pangkalusugan.
Napakarami pong procured medicines ang DOH
ngunit hindi maipaabot at mai-administer sa mga tao
sa komunidad dahil sa kawalan ng mga nars, midwives
at duktor sa lokal na pamahalaan. Ang kawalan po ng
kaukulang bilang ng mga health workers ang isa sa
mga hadlang sa hindi natin pag-abot ng Millennium
Development Goals dahil hindi naman po lingid
sa ating lahat na ang delivery of health services ay
nagagampanan lamang ng mga tao—mga taong
kompetente sa larangang pangkalusugan.
Kaya po nag-e-expire lamang ang bulto-bultong
gamot sa mga bodega. Ang nakakalungkot, pagdating
sa reporting, the Major Final Output, procurement ang
nagiging basehan at hindi ang aktuwal na bilang ng mga
beneficiary at kung gaano ito nakatulong maprotektahan
ang kanilang kalusugan.
Nito lang pong nakaraang SONA ng ating Pangulo,
ang nabanggit niya patungkol sa kalusugan ay ang
“equitable access to health care through the massive
enrollment of PhilHealth benefits.” Ibinida pa nga po ng
Pangulo na umabot ng halos 89.4 milyon ang PhilHealth
members. Mr. Speaker, ang malaking isyu ay kung
sinu-sinong mga manggagawang pangkalusugan ang
magbibigay ng serbisyo sa 89.4 milyong miyembro ng
PhilHealth?
Ang nais ko lamang ipunto dito ay “health
insurance per se does not mean access to health care
services.” Ano po ba ang ibig kong sabihin dito? Hindi
po masosolusyunan ng massive health insurance ang
inequity in the healthcare system hanggang walang
sapat na bilang ng mga manggagawang pangkalusugan
na tutugon sa health demands ng 89.4 milyong
Filipinos. Tandaan po ninyo: walang pangkalusugang
pangkalahatan kung walang mangangalaga sa
sambayanan.
Napakalaking halaga po ang iginugugol sa
pantaunang budget ng DOH sa larangan ng health.
Nito pong 2015, Mr. Speaker, P26.5 bilyon o higit 31.4
percent ng kabuuang budget ng DOH ang ginugol sa
pag-upgrade ng mga health facilities. Kasama po dito
ang ilang libong barangay health stations na hanggang
ngayon ay non-operative or nonfunctional dahil walang
karampatang health workers na employed dito. Sa
kabilang banda, mga deployed ang mga health workers
dito kung saan ang mga doctors, nurses at midwives ay
kinukuha ng DOH bilang mga job orders o contracts
of service alinsunod sa programa nitong Doctors to
the Barrios na ginugugulan ng DOH ng P62.73 bilyon,
kung saan ang budget na ito ay consistently kinukuha sa
Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
Sa kasamaang-palad, hindi na nga nagdagdag ng
plantilla positions noong 2015 ang DOH, hindi pa nila
pinunuan ang 35,189 authorized and funded positions.
Sa halip, 24,023 positions lang po ang pinunuan ng
DOH.
Kaya nga po hindi natin mapipigilang magtanong,
episyente ba ang mga programang nilalaanan ng budget
ng kapita-pitagang Kapulungang ito? Nagbubunga ba
ang ating ipinapasang pantaunang budget ng sustainable
human development through the generation of regular
and permanent employment? Hindi po. Sa katunayan,
Mr. Speaker, ang kakulangan at kawalan ng disenteng
trabaho ay unti-unting pinapatay ang pag-asa ng mga
kawaning mga Pilipino. Pinapatay nito ang magandang
kinabukasan ng kanilang pamilya; pinapatay nito ang
kanilang motibasyon, inisyatibo at pagkamalikhain;
pinapatay nito ang pagkamasipag, ang pagiging tapat
sa gawain at sinumpaang tungkulin; at pinapatay ng
kulang na sahod ang paniniwalang “walang maiiwan
sa tuwid at umuunlad na bayan.”
44 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
Dahil po ang ANG NARS Party-List ay naninindigan
para sa kalusugan para sa bayan, nais ko po na ulitin ang
aking panawagan upang makatulong sa primary health
care programs tulad ng pagtatalaga ng manggagawang
pangkalusugan ayon sa ratio na itinakda ng batas
sa mga establishments, paaralan, barangay, lokal na
pamahalaan at iba pa tulad ng mga nars, nutritionists,
dentista, doktor, sanitation at safety engineers at
sanitation inspectors.
Mr. Speaker, didinggin na naman natin ang
panukalang 2016 Pambansang Badyet ng Pilipinas
at mainam na pagkakataon ito upang ilagay ang
pondo ng bayan sa mga importanteng programa at sa
pagpapatupad ng mga batas lalo na sa pangkalusugan.
Kailangan na pong maipatupad ang Salary Grade 15
ng mga nars at hinog na hinog na ang panahon upang
palitan ang mapang-abusong Doctors to the Barrios
Program ng DOH at palitan ito ng mga permanenteng
trabaho. Ang budget na ginugugol para sa Doctors to
the Barrios Program ay pareho lamang kung ang mga
nars, midwives at doktor dito ay mga permanente pero
sila po ay mga contractual lamang.
Mga kasama, kailangan nating tuparin ang ating
sinumpaan noong tayo ay itinalaga sa katungkulang
ito at ito ay ang proteksiyunan ang ating estado at
pangalagaan ang ating mga mamamayan. Bakit
kailangang magdikta ang DBM, halimbawa, na hindi
tumakbo sa proseso ang panukalang House Bill No. 151
kung hindi tatanggalin ang Salary Grade 15? Nais ko
nang maniwala na independent ang Kapulungang ito
mula sa sangay na Ehekutibo sa pag-ukit o pagbalangkas
ng batas.
Napapanahon na po na paigtingin natin ang ating
oversight powers upang masuri kung sumusunod ba ang
mga ahensiya ng gobyerno sang-ayon sa intensiyon ng
mga batas na binalangkas ng Plenaryong ito. Isulong
po natin ang pag-fill-up ng funded plantilla positions
sa nalalapit na budget hearing. Magpasa naman tayo ng
pantaunang badyet kung saan ang ating isinusulong ay
ang isang matatag at sustainable na human development
at tumutugon na inclusive growth sa pamamagitan
ng paggawa ng plantilla positions sa ating mga
manggagawang pangkalusugan.
Nais ko pong ulitin ang panawagan na panahon
na upang itaas ang sahod at benepisyo ng 1.5 milyong
kawani ng pamahalaan na napako sa loob ng pitong
taon. Permanente po at seguridad sa karapatang
paggawa, disenteng suweldo at benepisyo para sa
mga kawani ng pamahalaan ang ipasa natin sa 2016
Pambansang Badyet ng Pilipinas para sa bawat Juan at
Juana ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Mr. Speaker, aking mga kapwa Mambabatas,
atin sanang mapagtanto at ating tandaan na walang
kalusugang pangkalahatan kung walang mangangalaga
sa kalusugan ng bayan.
Maraming salamat po.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep.Aggabao). Maraming
salamat din po.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that
we refer the speech of the Honorable Paquiz to the
Committee on Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The speech of the Lady from the Party-List ANG
NARS, the Hon. Leah S. Paquiz, is referred to the
Committee on Rules.
DESIGNATION OF REP. BELLO TO THE
BICAM. CONF. CTTEE. ON
H.B. No. 5831 AND S.B. NO. 2669
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, earlier, we
constituted and elected members to the House panel for
the Bicameral Conference Committee on the provisions
of House Bill No. 5831 and Senate Bill No. 2669.
I move for the designation of Rep. Silvestre “Bebot”
H. Bello III as additional member of the Bicameral
Conference Committee on House Bill No. 5831 and
Senate Bill No. 2669.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
Representative Bello is so designated.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5811
Continuation
PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
resume the consideration of House Bill No. 5811 and
that we direct the Secretary General to read the title of
the Bill.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The consideration of House Bill No. 5811 is in
order. The Secretary General is directed to read only
the title of said House Bill.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill
No. 5811, entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
THE BASIC LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO
AUTONOMOUS REGION, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054, ENTITLED
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 45
“AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION
IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,” AND REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 6734, ENTITLED “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
AN ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO.”
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary
status is that we are in the period of sponsorship and
debate. For this, Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize
the distinguished Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee,
the Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez, for the sponsorship.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
distinguished Gentleman from Cagayan de Oro, the
Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez, is recognized to continue
sponsoring House Bill No. 5811.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
Dep. Majority Leader, distinguished colleagues.
As Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the
Bangsamoro Basic Law, this Representation together
with the Vice Chairmen, including our great assistants
from the Secretariat and the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process and the office of the
government panel to the peace talks, we are ready to
answer any and all questions in the interpellation on the
substitute House Bill No. 5811, an Act that would have
the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
We are ready for the interpellation, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Do we
have any interpellator, Dep. Majority Leader?
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, upon inquiry, it
appears that our colleagues who have listed themselves
to interpellate the Hon. Rufus B. Rodriguez on this Bill
are not available tonight. So, with that, I am constrained
to move that we suspend the consideration of House
Bill No. 5811.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). There
is a motion to suspend the consideration of House Bill
No. 5811.
The distinguished Sponsor may respond.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, let me just
manifest that this Representation, together with the
eight Vice Chairmen of the Ad Hoc Committee on the
Bangsamoro Basic Law, have been very, very ready
since last week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
However, there had been no quorum last Tuesday and
Wednesday and now that we have a quorum, those who
have listed themselves to interpellate are nowhere to be
found. So, how can we proceed with one of the foremost
legislation requested by His Excellency President
Benigno Aquino III who said that the first bill that he
would like to ask of this Congress on this Third and last
Regular Session is the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
In fact, let me just state now, Mr. Speaker, that in
the newspapers that will come out tomorrow, Senator
Bongbong Marcos has already filed a substitute Bill
on the Bangsamoro Basic Law which follows the title
of our substitute Bill which is the Basic Law for the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; and on Wednesday,
they are going to already deliberate in the plenary. Can
you imagine, we might be overtaken by the Senate,
wherein we have been very much ready for the past eight
months? Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to
manifest that we hope that our Secretariat would be able
to inform our distinguished Members and colleagues
who have listed themselves with the Majority Leader’s
list and the Committee on Rules that by tomorrow,
they should be present so that we can finish all their
interpellations tomorrow up to midnight or even early
morning of Wednesday.
So, with that manifestation, Mr. Speaker, I have no
objection to the fact that if we are going to have—we
will be able to postpone today’s interpellation— and I
see a distinguished colleague who will interpellate so
we can proceed, Mr. Speaker.
REP. HICAP. Yes.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, may we know
what is the pleasure of the Honorable Hicap.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
distinguished Sponsor made a manifestation.
REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat po.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Yes,
may we know the pleasure of the Gentleman.
REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat, Mr. Speaker, sa
Committee Chair ng Bangsamoro Basic Law. Kaugnay
po sa inyong manifestation, ako po ay nagpapahayag na
willing at handa ako na mag-interpellate. Ang ano ko
lang, sa panahon ngayon, Mr. Speaker, ay magde-deliver
ako ng contra-SONA dahil halos dalawang linggo na
rin ang nakakaraan na natapos ang State of the Nation
Address ng Presidente Noynoy Aquino ay hindi natin
nade-deliver ito dahil walang quorum. Kaya ngayon,
Mr. Speaker, I manifest na uunahin ko po na basahin
ang aking contra-SONA at bukas po ay handa ako para
sa interpellation sa BBL.
46 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Okay.
The manifestation of the distinguished Sponsor, the Hon.
Rufus Rodriguez, is noted. The counter- manifestation
of the Gentleman from the Party-List ANAKPAWIS is
likewise noted.
The consideration of House Bill No. 5811, there
being no objection—is the Gentleman from Zamboanga
objecting?
REP. LOBREGAT. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I was
here and I asked the Dep. Majority Leader what would
be the agenda for today. The Dep. Majority Leader said
that definitely, we will take up the contra-SONA. The
Minority had only one contra-SONA which was delivered
by Congressman Colmenares, and he was interpellated
by Congressman Zamora (R.) and also Congressman
Dela Cruz. Congressman Zamora (R.) said that there are
two others that will deliver the contra-SONA and so, I
was intently listening to the contra-SONA in my office
but Congressman Rodriguez (R.) said, “Where are the
interpellators?” I had to rush down because it is not true
that the interpellators are not ready to face the Sponsor. We
have been ready to face the Sponsor. In fact, many times in
the past, the Sponsor was not here and we were waiting.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). All
right.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). We are ready for the
interpellation, Mr. Speaker, of the Gentleman from
Zamboanga City.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). All
right. Dep. Majority Leader, there is an interpellator.
Well, the Dep. Majority Leader will …
REP. LOBREGAT. Yes, Mr. Speaker, but again,
how can I, how can we interpellate—when you say
there is a quorum and we can only count one, two,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, including me, 15.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker.
REP. LOBREGAT. So, I thought that we were going
to finish the contra-SONA first.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Let us
have a little civility here.
REP. LOBREGAT. No, no, no, we are very civil.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Yes.
All right.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). We
recognize the Dep. Majority Leader.
REP. DEFENSOR. The parliamentary status is that
we have a pending motion to suspend …
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). That
is correct.
REP. DEFENSOR. … the consideration of House
Bill No. 5811.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). That
is right.
REP. DEFENSOR. I just like to manifest, Mr.
Speaker, that just because we are not going to conduct
interpellations this evening, Mr. Speaker, we have
forfeited the rights of our other colleagues to interpellate.
We can do the interpellations some other time but in
the meantime, we are set to hear the contra-SONA of
the Honorable Hicap.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). So,
for consideration is the motion of the Dep. Majority
Leader to suspend the consideration of House Bill No.
5811. That is due for consideration. Would there be
any objection?
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, just a short
manifestation.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Very
short manifestation by the Chairman.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Right now, again, the
statement of the Gentleman from Zamboanga, again,
mentions a quorum. This has been—the quorum has
always been the refuge of those who do not wish to
continue with the deliberation of this particular measure,
to delay it so that we will not be able to finish it, Mr.
Speaker. So, since he is already around, we should not
hide behind the cloak or under the microphone on the
quorum issue because there was a quorum established
earlier, and it has been agreed that when there is a
quorum established earlier we proceed because this
has been delayed very, very much already. Can we ask
therefore for the interpellation to proceed?
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). All
right, the Chair motu proprio suspends the session
momentarily.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 47
It was 7:58 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 7:59 p.m., the session was resumed.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
session is resumed.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker, inquiry.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Dep. Majority Leader is recognized first.
REP. DEFENSOR. With the indulgence of the
Gentlemen, I would like to reiterate my motion for
the suspension of the consideration of House Bill No.
5811.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). All
right. There is a motion to approve, actually this is a
reiteration of the motion to suspend the consideration
of House Bill No. 5811.
Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears
none;…
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Parliamentary inquiry,
Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). You
reiterate the …
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Parliamentary inquiry.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Before
we rule on the motion, may we hear the parliamentary
inquiry.
REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Yes. The parliamentary
inquiry is simple. After the counter-SONA of the
Honorable Hicap, will there be an interpellation because
I am ready to wait here until all the counter-SONAs are
finished so that we can proceed with the interpellation.
That is my parliamentary inquiry.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Will
the Dep. Majority Leader be in a position to respond
to that?
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the session.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
session is suspended.
It was 8:00 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 8:02 p.m., the session was resumed.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
session is resumed.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF H.B. NO. 5811
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like
to reiterate my motion that we suspend consideration
of House Bill No. 5811.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there
any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears
none; the motion is approved.
The consideration of House Bill No. 5811 is
suspended.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, the matter on
the consideration of House Bill No. 5811 is in our
Calendar and as a matter, of course, the interpellation
and consideration may continue tomorrow and the
succeeding sessions, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Yes,
that is duly noted, Your Honor.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that we
recognize the Gentleman, the Hon. Fernando “Ka
Pando” L. Hicap, for his contra-SONA.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Gentleman from the Party-List ANAKPAWIS, the
Hon. Fernando “Ka Pando” L. Hicap, is recognized
to deliver his contra-SONA. You have the floor,
Gentleman.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. HICAP
REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat, G. Ispiker.
G. Ispiker, kapwa ko Mambabatas:
Magandang gabi po.
Tungkulin ng Kinatawang ito, lalo na sa
nakararaming Pilipinong anakpawis, ang ilahad ang
totoong kalagayan ng bansa—ang totoong kalagayang
tuwi-tuwina ay pinagsisikapang itampok ng Kinatawang
ito sa loob at labas ng Kamara, ang totoong kalagayang
48 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
kamakailan lamang ay sinadyang pagtakpan ng Pangulo
sa kanyang huling State of the Nation Address.
G. Ispiker, mga kapwa Mambabatas, hayaan
ninyong tumutok ako sa kalagayan ng masang
anakpawis, ng Pilipinong manggagawa at magsasaka
na sa kalakhan ay dukha na nga at pinagsasamantalahan
ay lalo pang hinamak ng mga baluktot na pahayag sa
nakaraang State of the Nation Address.
Isang malakas na sampal sa mukha ng manggagawa
ang sinambit ng Pangulo na ang mababang tantos daw
ng sahod ay isang “bentahe” para sa bansa. G. Ispiker,
bentahe ito, tama, sa dayuhang monopolyo. Bentahe
ito sa tuloy-tuloy na pagpiga ng higanteng tubo ng mga
kapitalista. Bentahe ito sa patakarang neoliberalismo
pero kalbaryo ito para sa manggagawa.
Kalbaryo ang napakababang sahod na ipinatutupad
ng mga Regional Wage Boards. Four hundred sixty-six
pesos (P466) ito kada araw sa National Capital Region.
Pinakamababa ito sa MIMAROPA na umaabot lamang
ng P205. Sa ARMM, matagal na itong nakapako sa
P250. Samantala, walang tigil ang pagtaas ng presyo ng
bilihin. Ngayong Hulyo, tumaas ang presyo ng P6.50 o
21 percent. Ang pamasahe sa MRT 3 ay tumaas ng 30
percent (P10 hanggang P13) hanggang sa 87 porsiyento
(P15 hanggang P28) ang pamasahe. Ang halaga ng mga
batayang pangangailangan tulad ng kuryente, tubig,
upa sa bahay, medikal, edukasyon at iba pa ay pawang
nagtaasan. Kalbaryo para sa uring manggagawa ang
napakababang sahod gaya na mismo ng malawakang
kawalan ng trabaho na tahasang pinasinungalingan
ng Pangulo sa kanyang SONA. Insulto sa Pilipinong
obrero ang sinabi ng Pangulo na bumaba na raw ang
bilang ng walang trabaho dahil marami raw karatula o
advertisement na nagsasabing “immediate hiring” na
dati raw ay “no vacancy.” Ito ay panlilinlang dahil alam
ng masang manggagawa, maging ng mga kapitalistang
naghahanap ng mga manggagawa, na ang mga trabahong
ito ay may katangiang kontraktuwal, temporaryo, may
mababang sahod at kawalan ng benepisyo.
Ipinagmamayabang ni Aquino na mababa na ang
bilang ng strike o welga ng mga manggagawa. Gusto
niyang palabasing kuntento na ang mga manggagawa
sa antas ng kanilang sahod at sa kalagayang paggawa.
Isa itong malaking panlilinlang. Habang ang mga
manggagawa ay nag-oorganisa sa kanilang hanay
para ipaglaban ang kanilang kagalingan at karapatan,
todo larga naman ang mga kapitalista, kasapakat ang
pamahalaan, sila ay todo-largang nagpapatupad ng
union busting. Karaniwan ay otomatikong itinuturing ng
administrasyon na iligal ang welga, protesta o anumang
pagkilos ng mga manggagawa.
Sa kabila nito, patuloy pa ring naninindigan
ang manggagawa kaya hindi totoong wala nang
welga. Napakaraming welga ang inilunsad ng mga
manggagawa tulad ng mga manggagawa sa planta
ng Tanduay at Coke sa Laguna, Golden Fortune sa
Maynila, Stronghold Steel sa Pampanga, Pentagon Steel
sa Quezon City, Janrey sa Pasig at iba pa. Nagwelga
ang mga manggagawang agrikultural sa Sumifru sa
Mindanao at nagprotesta rin ang mga manggagawa ng
LBC sa Mindanao. Karaniwang ipinaglalaban ng mga
welgista at pagkilos ang security of tenure, laban sa
retrenchment, union busting, contractualization at iba
pang mga kontra-manggagawang patakaran ng mga
kapitalistang umiiral sa paggawa sa ating bansa.
Sadyang kalbaryo sa mga manggagawa ang
napakababang sahod, ang kontraktuwalisasyon, ang
kawalan ng trabaho, ang panunupil sa unyon. Kalbaryo
para sa mga manggagawa ng Kentex, hindi lamang
kalbaryo ang anti-manggagawang mga patakaran ng
administrasyon kundi impiyerno. Impiyerno. Walang
pagbabanggit ang Pangulo sa kanyang SONA tungkol
sa napakalagim na trahedyang ito. Bagkus, pinapurihan
pa ng Pangulo ang DOJ at DOLE—ang mga ahensiyang
patuloy nagkakait ng hustisya sa 73 manggagawang
natupok sa Kentex.
G. Ispiker, kapwa ko Mambabatas, ano naman ang
kalagayan ng pinakamalawak na sektor, ang magsasaka,
sa ilalim ng administrasyon ng asenderong Pangulo na
hindi natin narinig sa kanyang SONA?
Naglaho nang tuluyan ang adyendang repormang
agraryo na karaniwang tinatalakay sa mga nakaraang
State of the Nation Address at napalitan ng electrification
ang interes ng mga magsasaka tulad ng paghalimbawa
ni Aquino sa mga magsasaka sa bayan ng Bauko sa
Mountain Province. Nananatiling walang lupa ang
mga magsasaka sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Aquino.
Hindi na kailangang lumayo pa sa mismong bakuran
niya—ang Hacienda Luisita. Sa kabila ng desisyon ng
Korte Suprema na ipamahagi ito, pawang panlilinlang
ng Department of Agrarian Reform o DAR gaya ng na-
raffle na CLOA, land grabbing ng TADECO sa lupa at
pagtatambak ng sangkaterbang militar ang naranasan
ng mga magsasaka. Kamakailan lamang, pinaplano
pang gawing solar park ang lupa na may nakabinbing
Petition for Revocation of Conversion Order sa DAR.
Sa isyu ng Hacienda Luisita, malinaw na walang isang
salita si Aquino nang ipangako niyang ipamamahagi ito
noong nangangampanya pa lamang siya. Sinamantala
rin niya ang rekurso at makinarya ng gobyerno para sa
pansariling interes ng kanyang pamilya. Dagdag dito,
isang milagro lamang ang makapagtutulak kay Aquino
para bigyang hustisya ang mga biktima ng Hacienda
Luisita massacre at ang mga extrajudicial killings na
nakaugnay rito.
Ang asyenderong gobyerno ni Aquino ay nagpalala
sa kawalang-lupa. Sa kasalukuyan, anim sa kada 10
magsasaka ang walang lupa. Ito ay bunga ng kanyang
mga programa at patakaran tulad ng pagpapatupad
nito ng Republic Act No. 9700 o CARP Extension
with Reforms, gayundin ng kanyang Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) Program na libu-libo hanggang
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 49
sampu-sampung libong magsasaka ang papalayasin
ng kada proyekto tulad ng Clark Green City sa Tarlac
na sumasaklaw sa 36,000 ektarya at ang kumbersiyon
sa 40,000-ektaryang Yulo King Ranch sa Palawan.
Pinalayas at pinapalayas din ang mga magsasaka mula
sa 2,000-ektaryang Hacienda Dolores sa Pampanga, sa
8,650-ektaryang Hacienda Looc sa Batangas, 7,100-
ektaryang Hacienda Yulo sa Laguna at iba pang mga
asyenda at sakahan sa ating bansa.
Ang Republic Act No. 6657 o CARP na na-extend
ng administrasyong Aquino ay lumustay ng mahigit sa
P241 bilyon mula Hulyo 1987 hanggang Disyembre
2013, samantalang halos one-fourth nito o P63 bilyon ay
napunta lamang sa kompensasyon sa mga panginoong
maylupa. Sa kabila ng daan-daang bilyong pisong
budget, nananatiling walang lupa ang mga magsasaka
bunsod pa ng malawakang kanselasyon ng CLOA, CLT
at EP. Ang datos ukol sa kanselasyon ay hinihingi natin
sa DAR mula pa sa budget hearing noong nakaraang
taon ngunit hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi pa ibinibigay,
kung kaya ay sadyang itinatago ito ng administrasyong
Aquino.
Ang pagtutulak din niya ng pagmimina at pagpasok
ng mga korporasyong agro-korporasyon ang umookupa
sa daan-daan libong ektarya tulad sa Mindanao na
nagpapalayas sa mga katutubong Lumad at mga
magsasaka. Ang pinagmamayabang ni Aquino na
Laguna Lake Dike Expressway Project o LLDEP
ay magpapalayas din sa mahigit sa isang milyong
mamamayan mula sa Metro Manila hanggang sa
Laguna. Itinutulak din ng administrasyong Aquino ang
pagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng
land use at crop conversion ng kanyang Public-Private
Partnership Program at pagpapapasok ng mga malalaking
dayuhang negosyante. Ipinatutupad nito ang “no build,
no-dwell” zone policy na nagpapanggap na para umano
sa kaligtasan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at iba
pang sektor sa kanayunan. Sa Mindanao, nananatiling
pinagsasamantalahan ang mga magsasaka dahil ang
daan-daan libong sakahan ay okupado ng mga malalaking
dayuhan at lokal na agro-korporasyon tulad ng Dole
Philippines, Del Monte at mga subsidiary nito. Dahil sa
kawalan ng lupa, dahil sa kawalan ng tunay na repormang
agraryo, ang mga magsasaka ay nananatiling biktima ng
pyudal at mala-pyudal na pagsasamantala tulad ng mataas
na upa sa lupa, mababang presyo ng produkto, mataas
na upa sa kagamitan, usura, kawalang irigasyon at mga
serbisyo at iba pa.
G. Ispiker, mga kapwa ko Mambabatas, ilan lamang
ang mga talang ito sa tunay na kalagayan ng masang
anakpawis sa bansa. Sa pangkalahatan, hindi tinutugunan
ng administrasyong Aquino ang kanilang mga interes sa
lupa, sahod, trabaho at mga karapatan. Bumabaha ang
kongkretong batayang bigo ang gobyernong Aquino
upang iangat sa kahirapan at kagutuman ang masang
Pilipino. Pinakamalala rin na ang mga programa nito ay
pabor sa dayuhan at niyuyurakan ang karapatan ng mga
Pilipino, kung kaya sa napakaraming mga pundamental
na batayan, hindi grado sa epektibong pamamahala
ang ibinibigay ng ANAKPAWIS Party-List kundi
isang mariing hatol na “guilty.” Guilty sa pagsagasa
sa karapatan ng masang magsasaka, manggagawa at
urban poor. Guilty sa pagkontra sa tunay na reporma,
pambansang industriyalisasyon at pagpapababa sa sahod
ng mga manggagawa, sa pagsusulong ng malawakang
demolisyon at pagkasira ng kabuhayan ng masa.
G. Ispiker, mga kapwa ko Mambabatas, nawa
ay ang mga inilahad ng Kinatawang ito sa gabing ito
ay magsilbing hamon sa ating lahat para ituon ang
ating mga gawain sa pagtunggali sa nabanggit na mga
anti-mamamayang programa at patakaran sa diwa ng
tunay na paglilingkod sa sambayanan at lalo na sa
nakararaming masang anakpawis.
Magandang gabi po sa ating lahat.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Thank
you. Salamat po.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, before we proceed,
I would like to move that we direct the Secretary
General to transmit to the Senate the bills that we have
approved on Third Reading.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Secretary General is so directed.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that
we refer the speech of the Honorable Hicap to the
Committee on Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The contra-SONA speech of the Hon. Fernando L.
Hicap is referred to the Committee on Rules.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
PRIVILEGE HOUR
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, today being a
Monday, I move that we hold a Privilege Hour.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence)The Chair hears none;
the motion is approved.
The Privilege Hour is opened.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
50 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, the first in our list
is the Gentleman from Party-List OFW, the Hon. Roy
V. Señeres Sr.
I move that he be recognized for his privilege
speech.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Hon. Roy V. Señeres Sr. of the Party-List OFW is
recognized to deliver his privilege speech.
You may proceed, Your Honor.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. SEÑERES
REP. SEÑERES. Maraming salamat po, Dep.
Majority Leader. Maraming salamat po, kagalang-
galang na G. Ispiker.
Before I proceed, Mr. Speaker, please allow me to
acknowledge the presence of my guests in the gallery.
“Give me five, men.” Kindly give the Speaker “a five”
and likewise, the Majority Leader.
Mr. Speaker, the title of this privilege speech is as
follows: “Let the Stranded OFWs here in the Philippines
who are bound for Libya go immediately.”
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues:
A little over a year ago, on May 29, 2014,
pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042,
otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas
Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act
No. 10022, the Department of Foreign Affairs raised
the Security Alert Level in Libya from Level 2 to
Level 3, voluntary repatriation, due to what they then
perceived as unstable security and political situation
in the country. According to DFA rules, Alert Level 3
calls for the voluntary repatriation of existing OFWs
while suspending the deployment of new workers in
the country. Subsequently, the DFA then recommended
five exemptions to the Security Alert Level 3 to include
those working for multinational companies.
Not long thereafter, on July 18, 2014, the DFA
again raised the Alert Level in Libya from Level
3, voluntary repatriation, to Level 4, mandatory
repatriation, thereby imposing forced repatriation and
total travel ban for Filipinos in the entire country. For
most of our Filipino workers, particularly for those
working in multinational companies, this presented a
very big dilemma. I specially mentioned these OFWs
working for multinational companies because they
bore the brunt of this irresponsible move on the part
of our government. These people are true heroes of the
Republic, having already sacrificed the best years of
their lives working in Libya away from their families
to provide them with decent lives. Instead of getting the
proper support from the government, they have now put
these new heroes in a very difficult situation. Most of
these OFWs have been working in Libya for the past 25
years and now, just when they are about to harvest the
fruits of their labor with the retirement money they are
going to receive from their companies, the DFA makes
an irresponsible move by not allowing them to return
to their jobsites.
Given their advanced ages, does the DFA really
believe that they can still find another job which will
provide them with free food and accommodation, and
salaries of P100,000 upward a month? For some of them,
roughly around a thousand of them, the option was very
clear—forego the rotational vacation which they usually
enjoy every three months and hold it out in Libya until
the ban is lifted. They have been overworked and have
already missed out on at least three vacation entitlements,
but at least their families back home continue to receive
their paychecks. Unfortunately, there were around 600
of them who were vacationing in the Philippines when
the travel ban was imposed by the DFA and they are
now being prevented by the government to return to their
work, depriving them of their livelihood and their medical
support, and putting their retirement benefits in serious
jeopardy of being forfeited by their foreign employers.
When the DFA made the declaration of Alert Level
4 or mandatory repatriation of OFWs in Libya, did it
put into consideration the situation of these people?
Did it even bother to verify first the actual conditions
of our OFWs on the ground, given that they are the
ones who will likely be the most adversely affected by
the said move? Now, one year into the travel ban, does
the DFA even care what has been happening to these
people? Was the hasty declaration of Alert Level 4 in
Libya even warranted to begin with?
It should be duly noted that Libya is made up of
almost 2,000 kilometers of coastal towns and at the
time of the declaration, civil unrests were prevalent
only in the two major cities of Tripoli and Benghazi.
It should also be noted that there are more than 1,000
kilometers of coastal settlements and at least three
major oil terminals between Tripoli and Benghazi where
most of our OFWs working for multinational and oil
companies are located.
Last October 13, 2014, a group of OFWs working
for Sirte Oil Company and LIFECO filed a petition for
exemption from the travel ban with the POEA and on
November 13, 2014, they filed the same with the DFA.
There were almost 150 of them caught by the travel ban
here in the Philippines while another 100 are still holding
up in Libya waiting for the exemption to be granted.
Their companies are located in Marsa El Brega which
is a clear 300 kilometers away from the nearest danger
area, Sirte to the West and Benghazi to the East, which
the DFA had used to justify the continuous imposition
of the Alert Level 4 or the mandatory repatriation phase.
Did the DFA bother to lift their finger to appreciate the
merits of the said petition? The answer is “no.” They
did not even think it warrants a simple “yes” or “no”
reply from them.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 51
Section 27 of Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 states:
xxx. Priority Concerns of Philippine
Foreign Service Posts. – The protection of the
Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of
their welfare, in particular, and the protection
of the dignity and fundamental rights and
freedoms of the Filipino citizens abroad, in
general, shall be the highest…
let me underscore that—“shall be the highest—
…priority concerns of the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Foreign
Service Posts.
Does the DFA truly consider the plight of the 600
OFWs who have been stranded in the Philippines for
more than a year now as its priority? The answer to the
question is an unequivocal “no.” It is obvious that the
highest priority concern of the DFA is the DFA itself and
not the stranded OFWs. Kung papayagan nga naman
nilang bumalik na sa Libya ang 600 stranded OFWs,
baka ang DFA ang sisihin kapag may nangyaring hindi
maganda sa kanila sa Libya. In the meantime, while the
DFA is overly protecting itself from being blamed just in
case, instead of protecting the OFWs from being stranded
here in the home front and shielding their families from
hunger and penury, it has not even bothered to make
representations with the Office of the President for the
latter to instruct the relevant agencies to provide the
stranded OFWs with financial assistance to tide them over
and their families while they are waiting for the DFA’s
nod to let them finally return to Libya.
Realizing this lack of concern, the same group
decided to obtain the assistance of the OFW Family
Club in pushing for the exemption. On December 3,
2014, we had an initial dialogue with Undersecretary
Rafael E. Seguis where representatives from the group
and the DFA agreed that the most reasonable course
of action was to conduct an ocular inspection in the
worksite to verify the exact situation on the ground even
as the workers maintain that in the name of justice and
fairness, such a move should have been conducted prior
to the imposition of any travel ban. This agreement was
later confirmed and reiterated in four separate occasions
by the DFA—first in a letter from Undersecretary Jesus
Yabes addressed to this Representation dated December
19, 2014; then in two separate dialogues between
the group and representatives of the DFA headed by
Ambassador Rene Villa and Director Leilani Feliciano
on February 12, 2015 and March 4, 2015; and lastly, in
a meeting between OFW Family Club President, my son
Roy Señeres Jr., and Ambassador Reynaldo Catapang
last May 18, 2015. In every instance, the group has
maintained their patience even as they consider that it
has been five and-a-half months since the agreement
was arrived at until the last meeting. They have been
for more than seven months anyway, so what is another
month more of waiting for the sweet nod of the DFA,
Mr. Speaker?
What the DFA does not realize, though, is that every
month of their inaction means unpaid monthly bills and
unsettled housing mortgages. What they do not realize
is that every day of their inaction means missed school
days for these OFWs’ children and skipped maintenance
medicines for many of them. The DFA Charge d’Affaires
in Libya, Adelio Cruz, would always say that he will not
be able to forgive himself if any OFW in Libya would
perish under his watch. Perhaps it would grieve him
to know then that someone already did. Last March 4,
2015, Mr. Leonardo Felismino, one of the members of
the group, succumbed to his illness due to his inability
to continuously support his maintenance medicines.
Mr. Felismino is but one of the 150 members of this
group that relies on the maintenance medicines being
provided by their company for free as recognition of
their valuable contributions. Whether they deny it or
not, the demise of this poor OFW is completely on the
DFA’s hand and conscience, if they still have one. The
DFA officials in the meantime are sitting pretty on their
office chairs, indifferent to the plight of these OFWs.
The DFA seems to have been failing to realize and
appreciate a lot of things lately. Just consider this one
proposal from the DFA during their meeting with OFW
Family Club President Roy Señeres Jr. last May 18,
2015. In the said meeting, these DFA officials had the
audacity and/or the temerity to suggest Iraq as a possible
alternative destination for all the displaced engineers
from Libya. Iraq? Are they serious? Somebody might
have forgotten to tell our DFA officials that they have
also imposed Alert Level 4 in Iraq and Alert Level 3
in Iraqi Kurdistan. Do these officials even realize that
ISIS is just at the doorsteps of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan’s
capitals? How could you refuse to grant one moral
request and then recommend an even worse situation?
Just this May 25, 2015, OFW Family Club President
Roy Señeres Jr., received a correspondence from the
DFA reiterating its stand of keeping the status quo in
Libya. They even mentioned the abductions of the three
OFWs in Al-Mabrouk Field last February 3, 2015 and
the OFWs in Al-Ghani Field last March 6, 2015 as
justifications for their decisions not to proceed with
the ocular inspection in Marsa El Brega, which is not
confirmed. The abductions have not been confirmed
as true until now. This was after the group had shown
in their petition the relative distance of these incidents
from Marsa El Brega, which is at least 300 kilometers.
This was after the group had shown that the mentioned
areas are outside the security blanket of Marsa El
Brega. This was after the group waited for more than
52 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
five months, lifting their expectations and pinning their
hopes on the result of the ocular inspection, only to be
reneged on. This was after the members of the group
had executed individual waivers. Let me repeat that,
Mr. Speaker—the individual members of the group had
executed individual waivers absolving in advance the
government of any responsibility for their decision to
allow the stranded OFWs to go back to their worksite.
This waiver was also signed by my son, Roy Señeres Jr.
of the OFW Family Club or Party-List. This was after
we had rebuked them for offering Iraq as an alternative
destination to the affected OFWs.
Is the DFA really concerned about the security
and safety of the stranded OFWs just like what they
mentioned in their letter, or are they just concerned
about their not going to be blamed in case something bad
happens to the OFWs which was already shown as being
remote? As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, the following
countries have already allowed their expatriate workers
to return to Libya, namely: the Czech Republic, Serbia,
Ukraine, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Austria, Canada,
America, India and England.
Now, one year after the forced repatriation, has the
DFA made any analysis on the success and effectiveness
of their strategy, aside from boasting about their 30
percent repatriation rate so far? Remember that during
the Libyan Civil War of 2011, they achieved a 90 percent
repatriation rate but how many of the 4,000 repatriated
so far volunteered for the program because they felt
that the situation was deteriorating? How many of them
were legitimate OFWs who felt that their lives were
already in imminent danger? How many of them were
disgruntled with their employers and took repatriation
as an opportunity to escape? How many were actually
undocumented? The DFA would argue that their primary
concern was to move the distressed OFWs as fast as
they could without any regard to their status, but how
are they going to justify their hasty decision which has
been starving their families in the home front? In the
end, the DFA will have to be held accountable for all
actions and/or misactions as the case may be.
As for the remaining 4,000 who continue to hold
up in Libya, what does the DFA plan to do with them?
It is quite obvious by this time that they would continue
to hold up there until the travel ban is lifted. Declaring
Alert Level 4 impacted adversely on them because now,
they refuse to come home because of it. Judging by the
demographics of those who availed of the repatriation,
it is clear to me that staying with Alert Level 3 instead
of Alert Level 4 would have been more beneficial to the
OFWs and their families.
Mr. Speaker, considering the urgency of the
situation of the stranded OFWs and their families in the
Philippines, some of whom are here now in the gallery
of this august Body, and considering the urgency of
the situation of hundreds of OFWs still in Libya who
refuse to be repatriated for fear that they too might be
stranded here in the Philippines due to DFA’s adamance
to not downgrade Level 4 to Level 3, I strongly move
that the DFA be prevailed upon to allow the departure of
the stranded OFWs immediately to stem the starvation
of their families and so that their employment and/or
retirement benefits with their foreign employers may
not be lost or forfeited.
In the meantime, I move that this matter be referred
immediately, Mr. Speaker, to the appropriate committee
for investigation in aid of legislation.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Thank
you, Your Honor.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that
we refer the speech of the Honorable Señeres to the
Committee on Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the speech of the Honorable Señeres is referred to the
Committee on Rules.
The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. DEFENSOR. Next to speak, Mr. Speaker, I
move that we recognize the Gentleman from BAYAN
MUNA, the Hon. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
Gentleman from BAYAN MUNA, the Hon. Carlos
Isagani T. Zarate, is recognized to deliver his privilege
speech.
You may proceed, Your Honor.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ZARATE.
REP. ZARATE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to bring to
the attention of this august Chamber some events that
transpired the previous week that, to the belief of this
Representation, can be a source of hard lessons on
how government officials and employees, including
us Members of this House, are supposed to conduct
ourselves with prudence, respect and courtesy,
especially when dealing with vulnerable sectors of our
society which this institution is mandated to guide and
protect.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, August 9, was the
International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Thus, the subject of this privilege speech today is about
indigenous peoples.
Last July 13 to15, I, together with GABRIELA
Women’s Party-List Representative Luzviminda C.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 53
Ilagan, Kabataan Party-List Representative Terry l.
Ridon, and North Cotabato Representative Nancy A.
Catamco were invited to a fact-finding mission to look
into the plight of the Lumad or indigenous peoples’
schools in Southern Mindanao. Part of the program of
the said mission was a meeting with Lumad evacuees
or bakwits from the provinces of Bukidnon and Davao
del Norte who sought sanctuary at the Haran compound
of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines or
UCCP in Davao City. These bakwits, around 700 of
them, are mostly members of the Ata-Manobo tribe
from Talaingod and Kapalong towns in Davao Del
Norte and San Fernando town in Bukidnon who fled
their homes due to the increased militarization of
their communities done under the auspices of Oplan
Bayanihan, the current administration’s counter-
insurgency campaign.
On July 14, we visited the Lumad evacuees at
UCCP Haran with no other objective but to check
on their situation, to listen to their supplications and
investigate the circumstances that led to their eventual
displacement from their homes. While our visit was not
part of any House committee investigation, nonetheless,
the Lumads gave us a very warm reception. We were
quite positive that our mission was going to be very
fruitful and that we can use the information they will
share to deliberate on a proper course of action for
them as soon as our session resumes. However, things
began to take a turn for the worse when one of our
colleagues began to impose her will on the Lumads.
It all started when Representative Catamco brokered
a possible dialogue between the Lumad tribal leaders
and representatives of the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, a move which was met with a
positive response by the evacuees.
However, on July 15, the following morning,
Congresswoman Catamco was accompanied, not only
by the NCIP staff as she has initially promised, but
also by ranking army officers, two generals in fact, and
soldiers belonging to the 10th Infantry Division of the
Philippine Army, with a different objective than what
was initially agreed upon: they are going to “rescue”
the bakwits who are allegedly being kept “hostage”
by the UCCP and their support groups. The supposed
dialogue became a furious and one-sided demand from
our Chairperson of the Committee on National Cultural
Communities for the Lumads to come with her and
return to their homes in the hinterlands, but the mere
sight of military men was more than enough to scare
the evacuees. The supposed dialogue ended on a sour
note, to say the least, and not a single one of the Lumads
wanted to go with their supposed rescuer.
The tensions at UCCP Haran did not stop after
that failed July 15 dialogue. In the days that followed,
Representative Catamco announced in a press
conference and media interviews that she will again
attempt to rescue the Lumads from their UCCP Haran
sanctuary which she described as a “concentration
camp” and true enough, last July 23, she crossed the
proverbial line and facilitated the Davao Philippine
National Police’s attempt to break open the gates of
the UCCP compound. There were 500 of them, 500
policemen, and they tried to forcibly evict the Lumad
bakwits out of the UCCP Haran premises.
This is, Mr. Speaker, what the Philippine Daily
Inquirer narrated in its report of that violent July 23
incident:
Screams broke the silence along Father
Selga Street as women, carrying children and
belongings, ran as policemen, wearing anti-riot
gear and wielding shields, on July 23 stormed
Haran House, operated by the United Church
of Christ of the Philippines.
The policemen raided Haran to force some
700 Manobo Lumad from Talaingod in Davao
Del Norte province and Bukidnon province,
who have been seeking refuge there since May
due to alleged military abuses in their villages,
to return home.
The Inquirer then stated:
Datu Doloman Dawsay, leader of the tribal
group Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, held
on to a pole of one of the tents and shook his
head as he said that they have nowhere to go if
they are forced to leave the compound, which
serves as the Lumads’ evacuation center.
Datu Dawsay said: “They are really evil. How can
they do this to their fellow human beings?”
The commotion started after several government
agents wearing civilian clothes and masks cut the
chain that bound UCCP Haran’s gate with a bolt cutter
while the anti-riot police assembled nearby. At least 18
Manobo Lumads who tried to prevent the policemen
from entering the UCCP compound were injured during
the raid carried out upon the request of North Cotabato
Rep. Nancy Catamco. Datu Benito, a 50-year old
Manobo leader was among the injured. He said, “We
thought we were safe from the abuses here, but then the
police came and beat us up. They are no different from
the military attacking our communities,” as quoted by
the Inquirer.
Mr. Speaker, the violent attempted eviction did not
only injure the Lumads but also left hundreds more
visibly distressed and traumatized. Fortunately enough,
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was able to
intervene before anyone got seriously hurt. Lawyer
Caesar Europa, the Governor for Eastern Mindanao of
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who was at the
54 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015
UCCP Compound during that fateful day, had this to
say on that sordid “rescue incident”:
Apparently, the police and the DSWD were under
the impression that they were “rescuing” the Lumads
who were there because they were made to believe that
the evacuees were being held against their will in some
kind of “concentration camp” when the truth was that
the UCCP pastors were, in fact, giving sanctuary to
the Lumad bakwits who were compelled to leave their
homes in Talaingod and parts of Bukidnon due to the
alleged occupation by the military and elements of the
Alamara of their communities.
The fact that the evacuees were not being held
against their will became visibly evident when Vice
Mayor Paulo Duterte caused the gate to be left open for
one hour and announced that those who wanted to go
home can go out and go to the buses that were outside
so they could be taken home, while those that wanted to
stay would not be forced to leave. After the appointed
hour, the buses remained empty.
The sad thing was that several people, including
evacuees, UCCP pastors and some policemen
were hurt in the process all because Rep. Catamco
apparently did not take the time or effort to verify her
facts, or refused to believe what she had been told by
the datus themselves, before compelling the DSWD
and especially the police forces to act on an erroneous
premise.
The stories that we heard while we were there
struck a chord because it was reminiscent of the
“zonas” and “hamletting” in the 80s, during the violent
times in Davao City’s Nicaragdao. It was as if it was
suddenly forgotten that one of the most sacred of the
rights guaranteed by the Constitution is “The right
of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall
be inviolable.”
It was clear to me that the pastors who represented
the owner of the compound, the UCCP church, had
been demanding the legal basis for their intrusion. It
may be high time to remind ourselves that misguided
righteousness, similar to what was apparently the
cause of this sordid affair, was also the root of so
many of the great tragedies in history, from the
Spanish Inquisition to the genocidal Holocaust during
World War II. It has been proven time and again that
it is easy to forget basic human rights in the guise
of forcing upon others what one blindly believes to
be right.
Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this Chamber,
I cannot just simply let slide the cavalier attitude
displayed by Congresswoman Catamco, the police,
the military and the paramilitary group Alamara
towards the Lumad people, whom we are supposed to
protect. The objective of the fact-finding mission is to
better gauge the situation of the internally-displaced
indigenous peoples and come up with a definitive
policy for the matter at hand, not to force them to act
against their will just because the option we proposed
is considered to be the best for them. As legislators, Mr.
Speaker, our job is to craft laws and pass resolutions
and not to enforce the laws. In fact, even executive
officials are only accorded powers as the law allows,
and those powers do not include imposing your will
towards other people. Doing so, Mr. Speaker, is
basically infringing on their rights.
Congresswoman Catamco may be emotionally
moved by the conditions of the evacuees, but
overwhelming emotions can sometimes cloud
our good judgment or betray our true motives.
Continuously parroting the line that the “bakwits”
are being held hostage at the UCCP Haran compound
and they are forced to languish in cramped living
space and unsanitary conditions and are kept under
lock and key at all times, akin to a concentration
camp, is not only base but a grave insult of the
Lumads themselves, a further mockery of their
already sorry situation. Indeed, how can around 700
Lumad “bakwits,” confined in church property no
less, outnumbering their custodians who do not even
carry arms, be hostages, and not refugees? I can only
stare in awkward disbelief.
Mr. Speaker, inasmuch as we want the internally
displaced Ata Manobos to return to their homes, we
should also take into consideration the reasons they
fled their ancestral lands in the first place. Surely,
they would not have wound up in the evacuation
center just because, and there would be no reason
for a religious group like the UCCP to allow them
temporary asylum if they were indeed not in distress.
I have said this before, and I will reiterate it here
again: the Lumads of Bukidnon and Davao del Norte
fled and sought refuge at UCCP Haran compound
after their communities and schools were militarized.
Day and night they see men in uniform roaming their
surroundings. Their quiet afternoons are punctuated
by the sound of gunshots. They are forced to join
the paramilitary force Alarma. They are continually
harassed by soldiers demanding that they point the
location of the rebels. Given that militarization is the
problem here, surely it would be very unwise to try
and convince the bakwits to return to their homes by
refusing to listen to them and instead, inviting their
very tormentors in the only place they consider a
safe haven. It is not just asinine, Mr. Speaker, it is
outright rude and contemptible, especially coming
from government officials whose mandate comes
from the people.
Mr. Speaker, the lives of our Lumad brothers and
sisters are tied to the land. It is the land bequeathed
to them by their ancestors, and it is the land they are
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015 55
going to pass on to their own children. It is the land
that provides them food to eat and water to drink.
Along with their indigenous culture and austere way of
life, they form a vital part of our national identity. Yet
they want nothing from us other than to leave them in
peace, free from fear and harm, free to carry on their
rich tradition and culture for the future generations to
see and experience. However, we have failed. Instead
of according them protection from all threats to their
lives and way of living, their vulnerabilities have been
exploited. They have been subjected to intimidation and
threats, and they have been uprooted from their homes
just to satisfy the political and economic interests of
some.
The Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and
Article 10 of the said Declaration explicitly states,
“Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed
from their lands or territories.” Eight years since its
adoption, I think it is about time we walk the talk. It
is about time our government stand true to its word
and stop the militarization of the ancestral lands
of the Lumads. All they ask, Mr. Speaker, from us
is a peaceful and quiet life, one in which they can
be one with nature. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the plight
of the Lumads who sought sanctuary at the UCCP
Haran compound in Davao City was among the cases
recently looked into by Dr. Chaloka Beyani, the UN
Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally
Displaced Persons.
In his exit statement, Dr. Beyani categorically
expressed his concerns on the plight of the Lumads now
encamped at UCCP Haran. Dr. Beyani said:
I heard from the AFP its assertion that
it is seeking to protect the communities and
provide services to them in conflict regions;
however the displaced IPs made it clear that
it is their presence, the military and that of
the paramilitary groups in their communities
that continue to create anxiety amongst the
indigenous communities. The community
wishes to return to its lands but stressed to
me that they will only feel safe to do so if the
long-term militarization of their region comes
to an end and they can return with guarantees
of safety, dignity and protection. They
described to me their concerns including their
alleged forced recruitment into paramilitary
groups, known as Alamara, under the auspices
of the AFP and harassment in the context
of the ongoing conflict between the AFP
and the NPA. Schools have reportedly
been closed and/or occupied by the AFP or
Alamara, hampering the access to education
of indigenous children.
On the other hand, on the false allegations
that the bakwits were detained in a concentration
camp at Haran, Dr. Beyani also clearly stated in
his report:
While tribal leaders informed me that
they are not being detained against their will
at the UCCP center in Davao, as is evident
by reports of their periodic return to their
communities, their current situation is neither
acceptable nor sustainable. It is essential to
find a rapid and peaceful solution to their
situation in full consultation with their
legitimate leaders, with their voluntary and
secure return to their ancestral lands being a
high priority.
Dr. Beyani then said:
I urge the government, in consultation
with indigenous peoples themselves, to
give greater attention to addressing the
causes of displacement, whether it be due
to the militarization of their areas or due to
development projects.
The needs of these vulnerable people must
be assessed, with their full participation, so
as to provide essential assistance for them,
including durable solutions which are culturally
sensitive and appropriate, when displacement
has taken place. The displacement of such
communities whose very lives and cultures are
intimately entwined with their ancestral lands
and environments must only be a matter of last
resort.
Mr. Speaker, as a result of the illegal assault of the
Lumads at the UCCP Haran, Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan
Bigkay, the only Lumad female chieftain in Mindanao,
had this to say to our colleague, Congresswoman
Catamco, more in anger rather than in frustration
during that failed dialogue. “Do not talk to us ever
again because no matter what you say, it will not help
us. Instead of respecting us, you do not even help
us.”
Mr. Speaker, as we work to uphold the welfare
of the indigenous peoples, the Lumads of Mindanao
especially, we should not forget to also uphold their
basic human rights, most especially their right to
free will and self-determination guided by their own
reasons and conscience, unhindered and unimpeded
by others who seem to forget that it is innate in
our humanity and capability to think and speak for
ourselves.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good evening to all
of us.
56 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Thank
you, Gentleman.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, we move to refer the
speech of the Honorable Zarate to the Committee on
Rules.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the speech of the Gentleman from BAYAN MUNA, the
Hon. Carlos Isagani Zarate, is referred to the Committee
on Rules.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, we move to terminate
the Privilege Hour.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is
there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;
the Privilege Hour is terminated.
The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.
ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION
REP. NOEL. Mr. Speaker, we move to adjourn
the proceedings until four o’clock tomorrow, August
11, 2015.
I so move, Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The
session is adjourned until four o’ clock in the afternoon
of August 11, 2015.
It was 8:59 p.m.

Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, Plenary Affairs Bureau

The Congressional Record can be accessed through the Downloads Center of the official website
of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph
ddc/08172015/1728