1. V1 3rd ISSUE
The First Regular Session of the 14th Congress:
An Appraisal of its Performance,
A Challenge to Move Forward

2. The First Regular Session of the 14th Congress:
An Appraisal of its Performance,
A Challenge to Move Forward
Congress is now ready to start the second regular session after adjourning last June 13,
acclaiming success, at least in terms of quantity.
On its first year, the 14th Congress enacted seven new laws with three more
awaiting President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s (PGMA) action.A total of 30 and 253 bills
were passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively. Of the reaped
efforts of the 14th Congress, 52 are nationally applicable while 197 are locally applicable. 1
Once Upon A Year Ago
PGMA called on the legislators to refocus their efforts in the successful passage of several
vital measures during her 2007 State of the Nation Address (SONA), signaling the opening
of the first regular session of the 14th Congress.The specific measures GMA cited included
the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to pave the way for
more competition and possibility of open access.
House Bill 3156 which seeks to establish the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in
the country and strengthen its existing institutional framework was also one of the
priority agenda the President mentioned in her last SONA.The President gave
emphasis to the country’s need to set up the CAA in response to the importance
of public safety and the complex challenges faced by the aviation industry.
Other imperative measures underscored by the President in July 2007 include electoral
reforms which take into account the modernization of the means of voting, counting, and
canvassing as well as eradicating election-related violence. GMA also pushed for measures in
behalf of senior citizens, citing the clamor for legislation that would provide long term health
care for the aged. In fighting terrorism, GMA called for the enactment of laws to cultivate
counter-terrorism response. 2
GMA also resurrected the “Cheaper Medicines Bill that was almost enacted during the last
regular session of the 13th Congress, yielding her SONA to hit after hit of
disparagement as critics explicitly contend that almost is never good enough.
Looking back when the President’s 2007 SONA was delivered, detractors and political
analysts alike cite that many other bills were shoved down the peoples’ throats in lieu of
more crucial ones such as the Cheaper Medicines Bill.
2

3. 3List of Priority
Business Groups
Leading domestic and foreign business firms in the country joined
forces in their letter to the President dated July 12, 2007.The
Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) and the Philippine Business Groups
(PBG) expressed their notable advocacy of a priority legisla-
tive reform agenda for the 14th Congress.This legislative agenda
aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness and
increasing economic growth and social development.
According to these blocs, the passage of a number of bills during
the 13th Congress is already commendable. However, legislators
blew the chances of passing a number of bills that would have
improved the business and investment climate of the country.
One of the recommendations made by JFC and PBG through
their letter to the President was the creation of a joint or
separate Ad Hoc Committee on Competitiveness. The
chairpersons of key committees will have the task of advising the
House and Senate leadership on a Legislative Agenda for
Philippine Competitiveness.As mentioned in the letter, JFC and
PBG looked forward to the passage of the agenda early in the
14th Congress. 3
In pursuit of a competitive investment climate, JFC and PBG pro-
posed the following legislations:
•BOT Law Amendments
•Credit Information System Act
•Customs Brokers Act Amendment
•Financial SectorTaxes Rationalization Act
•Fiscal Incentives Rationalization Act
•Foreign Investment Restrictions Rationalization Act
•Freedom of Access to Information Act (especially
contract transparency)
•Land Administration Reform Act
•Local Government Code Amendments (clarify role
re: investment)
•Magna Carta for Small and Medium Enterprises Act
Amendments
•Renewable Energy Act
•Simplified Net IncomeTaxation Act
LEDAC and ECCP
In December 2007, the second Legislative-Executive
Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) convened to
assess what have been passed so far and fast-track pending prior-
ity legislative measures. Eleven pending bills were
targeted as priority.The list was topped by the 2008
National Budget bill. 4
The other priority bills identified in the
meeting were as follows:
1.Amnesty Proclamation
2.Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
(ACEF) Extension
3. Creation of the Civil Aviation Authority
4. Establishment of the Personal Equity
Retirement Account (PERA)
5. Credit Information System
6.Amendments to EPIRA Law
7.Amendments to the Customs Brokers
8. University of the Philippines (UP) Charter
amendments
9. Cheaper Medicines Bill
10.Amendments to the Magna Carta for
Small and Medium Scale Industry
Looking back when the President’s 2007 SONA was
delivered, detractors and political analysts alike cite
that many other bills were shoved down the peoples’
throats in lieu of more crucial ones such as the
Cheaper Medicines Bill.

4. 4The European Chamber of Commerce of the
Philippines (ECCP), on the other hand, joined forces with
other local and foreign business organizations in discussing
the LEDAC priority bills.The Council has identified a
total of five bills lined up for approval. Priority bills
specified at the LEDAC meeting were the amendments
to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, Civil
Aviation Authority bill, amendments to the University of
the Philippines Charter, and the Credit Information
System. On the basis of best efforts, the General
Amnesty Bill was considered for approval.The group
opted to propose to LEDAC that the Customs Brokers
Act be included in the list. ECCP also re-echoed the
stance of JFC that the EPIRA amendment demanding only
50% National Power Corporation (NPC) privatization
should not be passed. Other bills identified as priority and
were lined up for session and approvals are enumerated
below according to their intended schedule. 5
In Crunch Mode
After a month-long break, Congress reconvened last April
2008 seeking to approve more of the priority measures
agreed upon by the LEDAC. However, with the 14th
Congress’ first regular session ended, legislators then only
anticipated the approval of two more and cited the earlier
passage of five out of eleven.
Of the LEDAC bills, lawmakers delivered on their com-
mitment to pass before their June 13 adjournment the
Cheaper Medicines.They, however, failed to deliver on the
amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act
of 2001 (EPIRA).The EPIRA amendments were scheduled
for second reading approval in both chambers.
Prior to
Christmas Recess
•2008 Budget
•Cheaper Medicines
•EPIRA Amendments
•Agricultural
Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund
(ACEF)
Prior to
Holy Week Recess
•Credit Info Systems Act
•Civil Aviation Authority
•Magna Carta for SMEs
•NationalTourism Policy
•UP Charter
After the
Holy Week
•Renewable Energy Bill
•PERA Bill
Both Houses also planned to pass a law extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program as well as measures
that would define the country’s territory, address the rice crisis and an income tax exemption measures for minimum
wage earners.The last three bills that were prompted by current concerns were not in the list of priority. Only the
income tax exemption measures for minimum wage earners were signed into law by President Arroyo. Congress ran
out of time on the first three urgent bills.
Further exhibiting their multi-tasking ability, the Senate also conducted another round of hearings on the defunct but
still controversial National Broadband Network project. Malacañang did not look at this kindly, deeming this as
detrimental to its priority legislative measures.
Before finally adjourning its first regular session, lawmakers rushed the passage of more bills.After shelving debates on
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the House opted to move on to other measures and successfully
approved tax perks for renewable energy projects and a centralized credit information system.
The Senate has postponed discussions on the Renewable Energy Bill, which is a priority measure. Senators approved on
third reading the NationalTourism Policy Act, granting tax perks for tourism projects.This tourism measure however is
yet to be cleared at the House committee level.
The credit information bill is now ready for the Bicameral Committee as the Senate version was approved way back in
December 2007 and the House version was approved was approved in March 2008.
The other priority bill passed was the Personal Equity Retirement Account or PERA, which would enable banks and
other financial firms to offer tax-free pension funds. Both Houses have approved the version of the bill crafted by a
bicameral committee, now pending for the President’s signature.

5. Opposition to the JPEPA, on the other hand, raised the possibility of Japanese
toxic waste dumping into the Philippine and exploitation of Filipino labor going
to Japan.
It Started with a Note
In the controversial letter addressed to the President, the Joint Foreign
Chambers (JFC) advised the government not to push through with the reversal
of the policies in deregulation and privatization in the power sector, claiming that
these will help promote the country’s competitiveness.
The joint chamber also put forward their concerns regarding “unwarranted
accusations” of lawmakers and officials of government corporations that may
result to the reversals of reforms in the power industry.The Senate had invited
JFC to a hearing to discuss which particular provisions of the Electric Power
Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) the joint chamber wants retained.
The hearing unfortunately turned into a tongue-lashing as fuming senators
castigated for undue interference the near speechless panel of business leaders,
representing the chambers of commerce of countries like the US,Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Europe, and Korea.
The President of the European Chamber of Commerce, Hubert Díaboville, was
not even able finish the statement he had prepared for the hearing.The Joint
Foreign Chambers tried to put across the intentions behind the letter they sent
to President Arroyo, being the issue raised is not limited to EPIRA. Díaboville
reiterated that their group, which has 2,000 members and employs about a
million, is only in pursuit of a more competitive and stable
business environment. 8
Going Downhill,Time Ran Out
Included in the Palace’s “wish list” are the
successful passage of the Japan-Philippines
Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA),
Optional Protocol againstTorture, United
Nations Convention on Disability, Philippines-
AustraliaVisiting Forces Agreement and a
treaty with New Zealand restraining double
taxation that gathered dust in the Senate for
some reasons. 6
Towards the end of May 2008, the Senate has
deferred voting for JPEPA, awaiting yet another
exchange of notes between the Japanese and
Philippine governments.Trade insiders had
anticipated the nod senators would have given
after the rigorous legal debate on the
constitutionality of JPEPA.The projected
economic costs and benefits of the agreement
were also tackled in the chamber. In any event,
expectants of the JPEPA ratification have no
other choice but to shift their optimism to a
wait-and-see perspective. One big would-have,
could-have been is the promising business
environment assuming the passage of JPEPA,
providing benefits and opportunities to
Philippine and Japanese firms.
Some of the opportunities stalled by the failure
of legislators to ratify the agreement within
the period of the 14th Congress include the
policy directing the elimination of tariffs on 95
percent of agricultural and industrial products
exported by the Philippines to Japan. 7
The
reductions relating to exports from the
Philippines into Japan may be delineated as
follows:
•Tariffs on automobiles, auto parts, and
electronic products, will be eliminated within
a 10-year timeframe.
•Several varieties of fruit (e.g. avocadoes,
mangoes) and vegetable exports (e.g.
asparagus, cabbages, carrots, cucumbers,
lettuce) from the Philippines will be granted
duty free treatment upon implementation
of the JPEPA, while tariffs on others will be
phased out in five and seven year
installments (e.g. onions, sweet corn,
tomatoes).
•Poultry exports to Japan will be granted
a tariff rate quota of 3,000 MT for the first
year, which will grow to 7,000 MT by the
5th year of implementation.A preferential 8.5
percent in-quota rate will also be provided.
•Indigenous wines and liquor from the
Philippines will be allowed to enter Japan
tariff free upon the implementation of the
Agreement.
•Japanese tariffs on textile products from the
Philippines would likewise be immediately
eliminated once the Agreement takes effect.
5

6. Looking At the Highs and Lows
The passage of long overdue bills resulted to the crafting
of seven new laws, as follow:
1. Republic Act 09496:An act to extend the
utilization period of the agricultural competitiveness
enhancement fund.
2. Republic Act 09497:An act creating the civil
aviation authority of the Philippines
3. Republic Act 09498:The General Appropriations
Act of 2008
4. Republic Act 09499:An act allowing Filipino World
War IIVeterans to continue receiving Philippine
government pensions and benefits provided by the
US government
5. Republic Act 09500:An act to strengthen the
University of the Philippines as the national university
6. Republic Act 09501:The Magna Carta for Small
Enterprises
7. Republic Act 09502:Act providing for cheaper
and quality medicines
After several tedious years of working on a re-enacted
budget, the Congress successfully passed a new
appropriations act.Although some of its provisions
spurred yet again another round of questions and
criticisms, what was commendable in the new
appropriations act is the allocation of a budget to update
the population census.The country has long been
Possibilities concerning the future of CARP remain
ambiguous until Congress resumes.At this point, would-
be beneficiaries of CARP’s extension, including 4.2 million
farmers, could only hope that land redistribution would
still push through.As feared, there may be other factors
that could further stall its implementation and this
includes the failure to allocate funds.
The 10-year extension of the program was deemed
necessary to complete the acquisition and distribution
of 1.3 million hectares of land that remain undistributed.
Congress’ failure to finalize the CARP’s extension further
raised questions on whether CARP had always been a
low priority of the government.A study by the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the German
Technical Assistance (GTZ) on CARP’s performance
showed that from a financial perspective, all branches
of government have approached the program without
urgency.
Specific figures from the GTZ report affirm that twenty
years of CARP has land distribution yield of 7 million
hectares out of the actual target of 8.2 million hectares.
Four million of the seven million were distributed by DAR;
three million by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).These figures however failed
to show that land distribution has been applicable mainly
in public lands rather than in the more critical private
lands. 9
Another substantial measure did not make it by the
adjournment of the Congress is the Archipelagic Baselines
bill.The Philippine baselines bill is deemed to be a critical
evidence for the country’s claim over the Kalayaan Group
of Islands in the hotly-contested Spratlys.The United
Nations Convention designated for the Laws of the Sea
dependent on the outdated 2000 population statistics.
The Cheaper Medicines Bill was finally enacted into law
after failed attempts in the previous Congresses.After a
long standoff on the House-supported generic-only
provision, which was opposed by the Senate, the
congressmen finally conceded.The law’s effect on the
prices of drugs, however, is yet to be seen and felt by the
common man as its Implementing Rules and Regulation
(IRR) is still in the process of being crafted by the
Technical Working Group led by the
Department of Health.
The low end of the 14th Congress score card however
was earmarked by the failure of the House to pass two
other key measures. One of which is the extension of
the demised Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP).The House of Representatives instead approved
a joint resolution retaining the land acquisition and distri-
bution component of CARP until December 2008.The
Upper Chamber however failed to pass a similar resolu-
tion.The backlash of the Congress’ failure to pass CARP’s
extension already looms as a probable ground to oppose
land acquisition and distribution in courts in the future.
“The Cheaper Medicines Bill was
finally enacted into law after
failed attempts in the previous
Congresses. After a long
standoff on the
House-supported generic-only
provision, which was opposed by
the Senate, the congressmen
finally conceded...”
6

7. has set the deadline in May 2009 for all the
claimant countries to submit pertinent evidences.
What Was In the Bag
Independent senator and Majority Leader Francis
“Kiko” Pangilinan cited the Senate’s feats and again
affirmed the Upper House’s commitment to enact
imperative measures for the people.Almost all
priority bills noted by the LEDAC according to
Pangilinan were passed by the Senate. By the end
of the session, thirty national bills have been ratified,
translating to an average of three bills in a month
or at least one bill per week.These bills are deemed
to directly affect the lives of the masses. Pangilinan
took pride in the Senate’s unwavering efforts in
the passage of measures for the development of
important areas like education, tourism, as well as
The Senate was vilified by more critics after the previous Congress
failed to enact certain bills ratified by the House.The Senate
committees were then focused on scrutinizing the high-profile
anomalies involving the Palace.The Senate, however, continued to be
steadfast on this. Since July 2007, 342 public hearings were conducted
by the Upper House including a handful of the most controversial: the
failed national broadband deal, the Glorietta 2 bombing, and
irregularities involving escalading power rates of the Manila
Electric Company (MERALCO).
Other Highlights
A Change of Leadership in the Lower House
While the Senate was in hot pursuit of the NBN fiasco, with star
witness Jun Lozada returning from Hong Kong to testify, a change of
leadership in the House of Representatives was hatched.This scheme
ultimately led to the axing as Speaker of Jose deVenecia by his
colleagues and party mates. His successor, Congressman Prospero
Nograles of Davao faced the pressure of proving himself as the better
Speaker and not a mere stooge of the Palace.
The Lower Chamber, known for enacting congressional district
concerns, passed a total of 253 bills on third reading.Again,
comparing to the House’s performance during the first regular session
of the 13th Congress, only five bills were passed on third reading.
Over all during the 13th Congress, only 38 bills were passed on third
reading. Nograles, assuming his post only in February, unfortunately
cannot take full credit for this seeming improvement. Be that as it may,
Nograles acclaims with pride in the fact that he and his colleagues
were able to pass ‘quality, responsive and timely’ national
and local bills. 12
the pre-need sector, to name a few. Pangilinan adds
that this signifies also the Senate’s responsiveness
with the nation in the on-going battle against the
food and oil crisis. 10
Senate President ManuelVillar, on the other hand,
acclaims the Senate’s distinctive accomplishments.
11
Villar cites that bills were rarely approved in the
first regular session and that during the 12th and
the 13th Congresses, the Senate was able to pass
only on third and second reading a total of sixteen
and eight bills respectively. Given this breaking
record,Villar expects redemption from the
criticisms that the Senate has reneged its
lawmaking functions to give way to oversight
congressional investigations on alleged fraud and
corruption in government. Not that this is not
important in the check and balance
in governance.
House Speaker Prospero Nograles Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia
7

8. Attendance Is a Must in the Upper Chamber
In the Senate, where the number is small and the concerns are national in
nature, the matter of attendance, tardiness, and travel are sensitive issues and
barometers for performance.
Based on the latest journal of attendance of the Senate, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon
emerged as the leading absentee, being absent for nine session days; Sen. Jamby
Madrigal is the tardiest and Sen. Edgardo Angara is the most traveled among
the twenty-three members of the Upper Chamber. Sen. Madrigal tardy
record accounts for nearly a third of all the sessions or twenty-four session
days, closely followed by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri with twenty-two.
Only four senators managed to maintain perfect attendance since the start of
the 14th Congress last year.They are Senate President MannyVillar, Senators
Benigno Aquino III, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile had proposed to conduct an examination of how
absenteeism and tardiness in the chamber were tallied. Sen. Enrile expressed
concern over the fact that senators given permission to go on ‘official missions’
are not listed as absent, and as such, is unfair to legislators who are physically
present in the session hall. 13
How the Business Sector Rated Congress
As the first regular session of the 14th Congress adjourned sine die,
Mr.Alberto Lim, Executive Director of the Makati Business Club (MBC), has
rated the overall performance of Congress as “commendable.” Mr. Lim however
followed up with an afterthought that there were indeed measures the
lawmakers reneged and left behind.
His colleague, Mr. Sammie Lim of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PCCI), had called on the lawmakers to approve all the bills
specified in the LEDAC list. Foreseeing the impossibility of successfully doing
and fees by telecommunication service
companies on mobile “text” messaging; the
proposed Cyber Crime Act; the proposed
Department of Information Communications
Technology; proposed registration subscriber
identification modules; establishing an ICT Hub
in every province; amending the Postal Services
Act of 1992; Cable/TV SignalsTheft bill; and
increasing penalties on erring public
telecommunication firms. 15
Senate President MannyVillar foresees a very
“productive” Senate in the second regular
session.Villar confidently avows that the Upper
Chamber’s passage of the pending urgent
measures will be accomplished before the
Lower House hands over the 2009 proposed
national budget.
Bills on renewable energy and amendment of
the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA),
demarcation of the Philippine baselines, JPEPA,
environmental concerns including global
warming and policies toward food
self-sufficiency will be the foci of
Senate’s law making efforts. 16
so, Lim urged the lawmakers to at least tag the
pending measures with the greatest priority in
the next regular session. 14
Promises for the Second Regular Session
It seems the wishes of the business sector and
other groups of society have not fallen on deaf
ears.This early or late, depending on one’s point
of view, Speaker Nograles has disclosed the
legislative fiats the House will focus on come
July 28.Topping the list is the proposed Credit
Information System under House Bill 4260,
which is now pending in the bicameral
conference panel and could be enacted into law
“very soon.” Others include the amendments to
theTariff and Customs Code that would
increase the penalties for smuggling. In the
Committee on Banks and Financial
Intermediaries, there are HBs 159 and 295,
establishing the Pre-Need Code; HB 294,
establishing pre-need insurance; HB 38827,
suspending the required capital adequacy ratio
prescribed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
for all rural banks for a period of two years. In
the Information & CommunicationsTechnology
Committee, there are the regulation of charges
“ The Congress’ shortcomings can be gleaned
in terms of its disassociation
from the public’s needs and its
inability to fulfill its
intrinsic duties...”
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9. A Turnaround to Move Forward
It is a distressing diagnosis to say that the first regular session of
the 14th Congress might have ended where it had begun.The
beginning of the 14th Congress started with the battle in the
House over something as basic as congregating a quorum. Before
it can go on with full throttle, it was pre-occupied with ridding
itself of Malacañang’s old and reliable ally-- then House Speaker
Jose deVenecia Jr.
Despite the considerably commendable passage by Congress of
essential legislations including the lowering of taxes for employees
and making cheaper drugs available, the House failed to exude
dynamism in reviewing the now demised Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law.The Congress’ shortcomings can be gleaned in terms
of its disassociation from the public’s needs and its inability to fulfill
its intrinsic duties.These include the House’s failure to mature and
grow out of ad hoc approach in investigations and in being more
interested in wresting ‘acts of kindness’ from the executive instead
of maximizing the jurisdiction of its power to deter and veto
deplorable decisions e.g. unacceptable presidential appointments.
It has still to carve an image of an independent, credible,
non-parochial co-equal branch of government.
The adjournment of the 14th Congress has elicited a variety of
performance assessment. It generally generated a passing mark.
It has also been ascertained that both Houses have the ability to
‘multi-task.’ However, both Chambers remain oblivious to the fact
that the Congressional probes they conducted, e.g. the Upper
Chamber’s investigation of controversial deals made by the
President or the House’s query regarding the executive’s
diplomatic record on Spratlys, resulted to more heat than actual
light.A bravura fit for a telenovela. Perhaps, if they are serious
about prosecuting scoundrels and scalawags in the bureaucracy,
they can strengthen the office of the Ombudsman and tighten
the government procurement system for starters.
Nonetheless, the public has learned to intuitively understand the
importance of an oversight in a democratic system.The
ordinary citizens appreciated this role of Congress but at the same
time they are frustrated that Congress failed to break out of the
executive’s canny ability to maneuver over its investigations. More
than ad hoc, a constant, secured focus is called for.
The “happy ending” that is yet to be fulfilled by Congress is a
legislative evolution; one that will provide a lucid transition beyond
the vision and failures of the Arroyo administration.A fool-proof
basis of a commendable performance in terms of investigation
ought to be the assurance of our legislators that the ghosts of past
issues will no longer haunt us, putting an end to abuses and
corruption in the bureaucracy; and doing what it really means to
hold paramount the concept of common good.
The Congress will reconvene for its second session with the
President’s State of the Nation Address on July 28.Yet this early,
only shortly after the 14th Congress went into recess after its
First Regular Session, many are already keenly awaiting the second
session as a possible second chance for our legislators to take the
challenge of not only changing for the better but also moving
forward to bring hope.After all, the problems facing the nation are
as real as the grumblings of the stomachs of the common people
on the streets.And these very same people will render
their assessment and judgment of the 14th
Congress come May 2010.
Endnotes:
1 Fonbuena, Carmela.“Report Card: Senate passes 30 bills: House, 253,”
News Break, June 15, 2008.
2 President Gloria Arroyo’s 2007 State of the Nation Address, July 23,
2007
.
3 Foreign Chambers and Philippine Business Groups Letter to PGMA re
14th Congress Legislative Agenda, July 12, 2007.
4 Gov.Ph News,“PGMA Seeks Approval Of 11 Urgent Bills Before
CongressTakes Christmas Recess,” December 11, 2007.
5 ECCP Website,“LEDAC Priority Bills,” December 13, 2007.
6 Marcelo, E. and Allauigan, B.“Legislators LikelyTo OK JustTwo More
Priority Bills,” Business World, June 10, 2008.
7 Gatdula, Jeremy.“Awaiting the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership
Agreement,” Philippine Star, May 27, 2008.
8 Calica,Aurea,“EPIRAThe Senate:‘Investors’ Grilling An Overkill,” Philip-
pine Star, June 8, 2008.
9 De Castro, Isagani.“Arroyo’s Lack of Political Will Blamed for Non-
Extension of CARP,”ABS-CBN Special Reports, July 5, 2008.
10 Senate of the Philippines 14th Congress Press Release,“Senate Passes
Priority Bills;Adjourns 1st Regular Session,” June 12, 2008.
11 Uy,Veronica.”1ST REGULAR SESSION, Senate Passes Over 30 Bills,”
INQUIRER.net, First Posted 00:58:00 06/12/2008.
12 Ager, Maila.“House Adjourns; 398 Bills Approved,” INQUIRER.net, First
Posted 18:09:00 06/12/2008.
13 Cabacungan, Gil,“Biazon Is Most Absent, Madrigal MostTardy,” Philip-
pine Daily Inquirer, July 10, 2008.
14 Marcelo, E. and Allauigan, B.“Legislators LikelyTo OK JustTwo More
Priority Bills,” Business World, June 10, 2008.
15 Business World,“House Identifies Priority Bills For Upcoming Regular
Session,” July 21, 2008.
16 Danao, Efren,“Renewable Energy, EPIRA top Senate Agenda,” Manila
Times, July 23, 2008.
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