Press Release
March 8, 2009

SENATE MAKES THE GRADE AGAIN
First Quarter Achievement Report passes with flying colors

The Senate dashed through the First Quarter with three major legislative measures before it adjourned for its month-long break including the Lenten season foremost of which is the proposed P11.3 billion supplemental budget for poll automation, siaid Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

"The approval of the poll automation supplemental budget was the most important piece of legislation during the first quarter of the year."

"It will pave the way for a faster, cleaner, and more orderly elections next year, which is very important especially since we will be electing a new president," he said.

The other major legislations approved by the Senate were the Cooperative Code, which was signed into law by President Arroyo last February 17 and which is now the Republic Act 9520, and theArchipelagic Baselines Act approved on February 25. The Baselines Act is now awaiting the approval and signature of the president.

Senators stayed late for the marathon discussion and approval of the supplemental budget during its last day of session last March 6.

Also approved during the last session day were the bicameral reports on the Special Program for Employment of Students, the Pag-Ibig fund Charter amendment, the PDIC Charter amendment, Magna Carta of Women and the Tourism Act.

Other measures approved by the Senate from January to March were the National Book Development Trust Fund, approved on January 13, and the Domestic Adoption Act, approved on March 2.

"Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was a task master who got support of both Majority and Minority blocs resulting to the approval of these major pieces of legislation."

Bills such as the proposed Mts. Banahaw and San Cristobal Protected Landscape; Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Devices Administration; and the Real Estate Service Act are now undergoing bicameral conference committee discussions.

The Senate has also approved and sent to the Lower House for action the proposed National Cultural Heritage Act, amendments to the PNP Act and the Real Estate Investment Company Act.

Senators will resume deliberations on various pending measures after their break, among them the proposed amendments to the Electric Power Reform Industry Act, the BFP/BJMP Professionalization Act, the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Act, the creation of a National Disaster Risk Management framework and the extension of the CARP law.

Other measures pending on second reading are the proposed bills formulating a National Climate Change policy, the proposed act defining and penalizing crimes against International and Humanitarian law and the proposal for a Picture- Based Warning on Tobacco Products.

"Those who had undergone First Reading can be set for hearings by the Committees even during the break as has been the practice by the Senate," Zubiri said.

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