PRIORITIZING SOCIAL JUSTICE MEASURES:
Senate expects to pass 14 bills before adjournment - Villar

Senate President Manny Villar said the Senate expects to pass at least 14 priority measures before it adjourns on Oct 13 or for the first time since the opening of the First Regular Session of the 14th Congress.

"We are giving priority to 14 bills in the remaining three weeks before adjournment," Villar, president of the Nacionalista Party, said in a radio interview.

The Senate is giving priority to social justice measures which include: (1) the Cheaper Medicines Act, (2) the expansion of agricultural assistance to farmers and scholarships to their children under the ACEF bill, (3) the Veterans bill, (4) the human rights indemnity for prisoners, (5) the new UP Charter, (6) strengthening the judiciary by giving additional retirement benefits to judges and justices, and the (7) amendment to the Child Pornography Law.

Also in the priority list of the Senate are: (8) the bill fixing the term of the AFP chief of staff to three years, (9) the Tourism Act, (10) the Anti-Cellfone Theft, (11) Creation of the Commission on Missing Persons, and economic bills particularly (12) the Credit Information Bureau Act, (13) the Personal Equity Retirement Act, and (14) the amendment to the Small and Medium Enterprises Law.

"Carrying out our duties according to our mandate under the fundamental law is our commitment to uplift the lives of the underprivileged sector of our society," the Senate President said.

"By focusing on these social justice measures, we seek to buoy the dimming hopes of our people and alleviate their lives." Villar said floor debates start next week, "By Monday, the Senate shall be at the height of its legislative duties, particularly sponsorships and legislative debates on priority measures, and the adoption of committee reports."

"We may have marathon sessions from Monday to Wednesday, and conduct our investigations on Thursdays and Fridays, including parallel hearings on the 2008 national budget which have been going on at full pelt," he said.

"Normally, the Senate, during the First Regular Session, is unable to pass bills, but this time, we expect to pass measures in the list of our priority," said the Senate President.

"Since the organization of the committees, we have been on a hectic 10-hour work daily," stressed Villar, "Lagare po sa trabaho ang Senado."

The Senate shall go on a recess starting Oct. 13 and will resume session on Nov. 5 based on the legislative calendar.