SESSION NO. 63 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION

iSiRvA^A.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Pasay City
Journal
SESSION NO. 63
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SESSION NO. 63
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
At 3:17 p.m., the Senate President, Hon. Aquilino
“Koko” Pimentel III, called the session to order.
PRAYER
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar led the prayer, to wit:
Almighty God, Creator of all, make our
nation rise.
Rise from terror and those who sow it,
for You have not given us a spirit of fear
but of power.
Rise above disunity, dispute, disagree
ment or discord, for You have instructed us
to live in harmony with one another.
Grant us peace and prosperity, let Your
truth prevail in our land with the gifts and
provisions You have given us.
May we always work hand in hand.
We implore You, guide us to do what
You want us to do.
Together, we thank You.
We bring back all glory and praise
to You.
Amen.
ROLL CALL
Upon direction of the Senate President, the
Secretary of the Senate, Atty. Lutgardo B. Barbo,
called the roll, to which the following senators
responded:
Angara, S.
Aquino, P. B. IV B.
Binay, M. L. N. S.
Drilon, F. M.
Ejercito, J. V. G.
Gatchalian, W.
Honasan, G. B.
Hontiveros, R.
Lacson, P. M.
Legarda, L.
Pacquiao, E. M. D.
Pangilinan, F. N.
Pimentel III, A. K.
Poe, G.
Recto, R. G.
Sotto III, V. C.
Trillanes IV, A. F.
Villanueva, J.
Villar, C. A.
Zubiri, J. M. F.
With 20 senators present, the Chair declared
the presence of a quorum.
Senator Gordon was on offieial mission abroad.
Senator Escudero was absent.
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1626 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,2018
Senator De Lima was unable to attend the
session as she was under detention.
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL
Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no
objection, the Body dispensed with the reading of the
Journal of Session No. 62 (February 27, 2018) and
considered it approved.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF THE PRESENCE OF GUESTS
At this juncture, Senator Sotto acknowledged the
presence in the gallery of the following guests:
• Former Senator Bobby Tanada and former
Assemblyman Oscar Santos;
• Bangsamoro Transition Commission Chairman
Ghazali Jaafar and Commissioners Mohagher
Iqbal, Jose I. Lorena, Hussin U. Amin, Sultan
Firdausi Ismail Y. Abbas, Haron M. Abas, Raissa
H. Jajurie, Maisara C. Dandamun-Latiph, Hussein
P. Munoz, Said M. Shiek, Datu Mussolini Sinsuat
Lidasan, Melanio U. Ulama, Romeo C. Saliga,
Ibraliim D. Ali, Ammal D. Solaiman, and Hatimil
E. Hassan.
• The United Youth for Peace and Development
(UNYPAD)—NCR and the Alliance of Bangsa
moro Organizations for Peace and Development
(ABOPAD);
• Usee. Nabil A. Tan and Asec. Acel Papa from
the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process;
• Mayor Celso Olivier Dator of Lueban, Quezon;
• Eduardo “Ka Ed” Mora and Rene Cerilla of
Pam hansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid
sa Pilipinas (PKMP); Mr. Tirso Martines and
Adel Arandela of Nagkakaisang Ugnayan ng
mga M aliliit na M agsasaka at M anggagawa
sa Niugan (NIUGAN); Soc Banzuela of Pam-
bansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Mag-
sasak (PAKISAMA); and members of Kilusan
p ara sa Ugnayan ng Samahang Magniniyog
(KILUS Magniniyog);
• Philippine Sports Commission officials; Chairman
William "Butch” Ramirez, Commissioner Arnold
G. Agustin; Commissioner Ramon S. Fernandez,
Charles Raymond A. Maxley, and Philippine
Sports Institute Director Mark Velasco;
• Vice Mayors Leonila Onia, Leeve Antiporda,
Napoleon Malto, Randy Cambe, Esterlina
Aguinaldo and Gina Tan; and
• Barangay Captain Cristina Medina and Barangay
Councilors of Barangay Sta. Monica, Hagonoy,
Bulacan.
Senate President Pimentel welcomed the guests
to the Senate.
REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
The Secretary of the Senate read the following
matters and the Chair made the corresponding
referrals;
BILLS ON FIRST READING
Senate Bill No. 1711, entitled
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 7 AND
17 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10667,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
PHILIPPINE COMPETITION ACT,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Introduced by Senator Zubiri
To the Committees on Trade, Commerce
and Entrepreneurship; and Economic Affairs
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SARA-
NGANI SPORTS TRAINING CENTER
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
ALABEL, PROVINCE OF SARA-
NGANI AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
Introduced by Senator Emmanuel “Manny”
D. Pacquiao
To the Committees on Sports; and Finance
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A VALUE
FOR MONEY PROCUREMENT,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, OTHER
WISE KNOWN AS “THE GOVERN
MENT PROCUREMENT REFORM
ACT,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018 1627
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko”
Pimentel III
To the Committee on Finance
AN ACT INSTITUTING AND INSTITU
TIONALIZING REFORMS IN THE
HEALTH SECTOR TO ACHIEVE
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR
ALL FILIPINOS
Introduced by Senator Risa Hontiveros
To the Committees on Health and Demo
graphy; Ways and Means; and Finance
RESOLUTIONS
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 664, entitled
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT
CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES AND LABOR,
EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7699 OR THE PORTA
BILITY LAW, WITH THE END IN
VIEW OF ADDRESSING THE
SEEMING NON-COMPLIANCE OF
THE STATE-RUN PENSION FUNDS
AND REVIEWING THE EXISTING
BENEFITS, INCLUDING PENSION,
OF EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SECTORS
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
To the Committees on Government Cor
porations and Public Enterprises; and Labor,
Employment and Human Resources Develop
ment
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 665, entitled
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LATE
NAPOLEON ABUEVA, NATIONAL
ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES, FOR
HIS OUTSTANDING AND HISTORIC
LEGACY EXHIBITED BY HIS
MASTERPIECES THAT SHOWCASE
FILIPINO EXCELLENCE AND
INGENUITY
Introduced by Senator Sonny Angara
To the Committee on Rules
COMMUNICATION
Letter from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, trans
mitting to the Senate copies of the following
certified and authenticated BSP issuances, in
compliance with Section 15(a) of Republic Act
No. 7653 (The New Central Bank Act):
Circular No. 997 dated 15 February 2018;
and
Circular Letter No. CL-2018-011 dated 9
February 2018
To the Committee on Banks, Financial
Institutions and Currencies
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
With the permission of the Body, the Chair
suspended the session.
It was 3:25 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 3:31 p.m., the session was resumed.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
The Secretary of the Senate read the following
committee reports which the Chair assigned to the
Calendar for Ordinary Business:
Committee Report No. 254, prepared and submitted
jointly by the Committees on Sports; Ways and
Means; and Finance, on Senate Bill No. 1716,
with Senators Sonny Angara, Paolo Benigno
“Bam” Aquino IV and Emmanuel “Manny” D.
Pacquiao as authors thereof, entitled
AN ACT CREATING AND ESTABLISH
ING A SPORTS COMPLEX KNOWN
AS THE “PHILIPPINE AMATEUR
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1628 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018
SPORTS TRAINING CENTER,” AND
FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF PROPERTY, CONSTRUCTION
OF FACILITIES, INCLUDING ITS
ADMINISTRATION, MAINTEN
ANCE AND MANAGEMENT, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES,
recommending its approval in substitution of
Senate Bill Nos. 316, 675 and 1517, taking into
consideration House Bill No. 5615.
Sponsors: Senators Emmanuel “Manny” D.
Pacquiao and Sonny Angara
Committee Report No. 255, prepared and submitted
jointly by the Committees on Local Govern
ment; Finance; Constitutional Amendments and
Revision of Codes; and Ways and Means as
recommended by the Subcommittee on the
Bangsamoro Basic Law, on Senate Bill No. 1717,
with Senators Pimentel III, Zubiri, Hontiveros,
Aquino IV, Angara, Legarda and Pangilinan as
authors thereof, entitled
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC
LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO
AND ABOLISHING THE AUTO
NOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9054,
ENTITLED "AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN
AND EXPAND THE ORGANIC ACT
FOR THE AUTONOMOUS REGION
IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,” AND
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6734, ENTHTED
“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTO
MINDANAO,” AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES,
recommending its approval in substitution of
Senate Bill Nos. 1608, 1646, 1652 and 1661.
Sponsor: Senator Zubiri
SPECIAL ORDER
objection, the Body approved the transfer of Com
mittee Report No. 255 on Senate Bill No. 1717 from
the Calendar for Ordinary Business to the Calendar
for Special Orders.
MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR DRILON
At this juncture. Senator Drilon called attention
to a previous agreement he had with Senator Sotto
that the agenda for the week should be known to the
senators in advance or a week before the measures
on that agenda would be taken up. He noted that
Senate Bill No. 1717 was not included in the agenda
for this week for the obvious reason that the committee
report was just signed and filed that day. He clarified
that he was not raising any objection to its consi
deration because it is a very important bill that he
himself supports. However, he hoped that the sudden
inclusion of a measure in the agenda, without an
advance notice to the senators, would not be a
precedent for future actions.
Senator Sotto begged the indulgence of Senator
Drilon and took note of the manifestation.
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 255
ON SENATE BILL NO. 1717
objection, the Body considered, on Second Reading,
Senate Bill No. 1717 (Committee Report No. 255),
entitled
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BASIC
LAW FOR THE BANGSAMORO
AND ABOLISHING THE AUTO
MINDANAO, REPEALING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 9054, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO
STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THE
ORGANIC ACT FOR THE AUTO
MINDANAO,” AND REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 6734, ENTITLED “AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC
ACT FOR THE AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,”
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Pursuant to Section 67, Rule XXIII of the Rules
of the Senate, with the permission of the Body, upon
motion of Senator Sotto, only the title of the bill was
read without prejudice to the insertion of its full text
into the Record of the Senate.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator Zubiri,
sponsor of the measure.
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SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR ZUBIRI
Senator Zubiri presented for the Body’s consi
deration Senate Bill No. 1717 which, he said, is a
landmark bill, with so much promise, with so much
hope for a lasting peace in Mindanao and the rest
of the country. He stated that the bill, jointly sub
mitted by the Subcommittee on the Bangsamoro
Basic Law, the Committees on Local Government,
Ways and Means, and Finance, as well as Constitu
tional Amendments and Revision of Codes, was a
product of 11 public hearings, six whole days of tech
nical working group meetings, and several thousand
man-hours of labor. He thanked the chairman of the
Local Government Committee, the mother committee.
Senator Sonny Angara, for graciously acceding to
the creation of a subcommittee to hear the bill, to the
Senate President for granting many of their requests
and as the principal author of the bill, the other
coauthors, namely. Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino
and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and to the rest of his
colleagues. He said that Senate Bill No. 1717 was a
collective bipartisan effort of the entire Chamber.
The full text o f Senator Zubiri's sponsorship
speech follows:
Nowadays, it is very rare that we see a
measure with such strong bipartisan support,
but fortunately and for good reason, we have a
clear bipartisan support in this bill. And I thank
all my colleagues for such support, especially
those who attended our hearings, both here in
the Senate and out-of-town. In all the provinces
of the current ARMM, we were joined by
Senators Angara, Ejercito, Gatchalian, Aquino,
Hontiveros, Villar and the Senate President.
I was told by my staff that in recent Senate
history, we have created a record of sorts in
terms of out-of-town committee hearings with
the number of senators in attendance. In
Zamboanga alone, we had seven senators. It
shows the importance the Chamber has accorded
to this bill. And the reception of the people we
consulted on the bill was amazing and most had
voiced their strong support for the immediate
passage of this measure.
Allow me also to take this opportunity to
thank the members of the Bangsamoro Transition
Commission headed by no less than its chairman,
the vice chairman of the MILE, Chairman Ghazali
Jaafar, who is here with us .
We would like also to thank the members of
the OPAPP, headed by Secretary Jess Dureza
and Usee. Nabil A. Tan and the other officials of
the said agency.
We would like to also thank the AFP for
providing us the security and the mobility.
We would have never been able to go and do
what we have done in two weekends if it were
not for the help of our friends in the air force,
navy and army of the Armed Forces headed,
of course, by their very own Chief of Staff,
Gea Rey Guerrero, and Western Mindanao Command
(Westmincom) commander Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez
Jr., as well as our Legislative Liaison Officer for
the AFP, Brig. Gen. Jess Estoeta and many other
names that 1 want to thank: Mujiv Hataman, the
governor of ARMM, who was our driver in two
of our visits there who drove for us the senators,
together with no less than Chairman A1 Haj
Murad Ebrahim; and the MILE central committee
members for warmly receiving us in their camp in
Camp Darapanan. And to all the members of the
academe as well as the political leaders of these
areas, the governors and the mayors. There is so
much to mention, 1believe it may take a bit of our
time. So moving forward.
In the course of the hearings, we also made
another record, for having the highest number of
senators simultaneously visiting an MILE camp,
when we visited no less than Chairman A1 Haj
Murad Ebrahim, together with the members of
the MILE, at Camp Darapanan. We were honored
that they accepted us warmly. This has cemented
the mutual trust and confidence with each other.
We also took a side trip in the Marawi City
“ground zero” or ruins which, by the way, is still
closed to the public, and even former residents
of the houses and buildings were not allowed to
enter the site, for us to better assess the damage
and personally see the horrors a war could bring
to a once vibrant and thriving community.
When we saw the destruction of Marawi City,
we could not hold back our emotions. What
once was an imposing, sturdy and colorful
cultural city of Marawi is now reduced to
rubbles. Such a horrific sight and will be forever
tattooed in our minds.
I must say with conviction enough of these
wars! Our Moro brethren and the Filipino people
have suffered long enough and peace should
now be our utmost priority.
Bangsamoro Historical Narrative
The advent of Islam in Southern Philippines
started during the end of the 13'h century and
the beginning of the 14"1 century when Arab
traders arrived in Sulu and performed missionary
activities. This was the phase of the coming of

the Makhdumin led by Sheikh U1 Makhdum and
the first seeds of Islam were sowed by them.
The arrival of the Sumatran Islamic
influences and political institutions followed at
the end of the 14,h century. This phase is
represented in the Sulu tarsilas by the coming of
Rajah Baguinda Ali who arrived in Sulu with
ministers and soldiers who established a
principality.
This was followed by the establishment of
the sultanate of Sulu in the middle of the 15th
century under Sherif Abu Bakr, an Arab who had
travelled extensively in Malaysia. The establish
ment of the sultanate assumes that a large number
of coastal inhabitants had become Moslems and
responsive to such Islamic institution.
Islam then spread to the Cotabato basin and
subsequently spread to the Lanao area during
the end of the 15lh century. This is signified in
the Mindanao tarsilas by the coming of Sherif
Muhammed Kabungsuan.
Islamic influences in Sulu and Mindanao
increased through greater maritime contacts with
Malacca, Java and Borneo, and the occasional
visits of Moslem traders and missionaries from
Arab and Indian lands.
By the second half of the 16lh century,
Manila was already ruled by the members of the
Bornean aristocracy and signified the Islamiza-
tion of the area around Manila Bay. We know
the name of Rajah Sulayman and when the
Spaniards came to Manila in the last quarter of
the lb"1century started the fall of Manila as a
Moslem principality.
Despite attempts by the Spaniards to
colonize Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao areas
during their more than 300 years of presence in
the Philippines, the Spaniards were not success
ful to convert the Moslems in the area to
Christianity and maintained their Islamic way of
life and political institutions.
Then came the Americans and the short
lived Japanese government in the country who
were not successful as well in colonizing the
Muslim Mindanao.
Bangsamoro, loosely translated to English,
means Moro nation or Moro land. The term came
into being when the Spanish colonizers arrived
in Manila in the mid-1500s and saw a strong
Muslim settlement in the area. They had expelled
the Moors from Spain after nearly 800 years of
conflict. The Spaniards nicknamed the Philip
pines Muslim inhabitants as Moros, a corruption
of the word Moors.
The Bangsamoro people take pride for not
having been colonized by these foreign powers.
And I say, we too, Christians, should be proud
of that. It is their sense that they were able to
preserve their cultural, religious and historical
identity. But despite such triumphs, biases and
prejudices by the Filipino Christians toward the
Bangsamoro people exist.
It is in that context that the Bangsamoro
people aspire to correct such historical injustice
through self-determination.
The Muslim Secessionist Movement
This aspiration for self-determination can
be regarded to have started or resurfaced during
the 1970 when the Moro National Liberation
Front (MNLF), a splinter group of the Muslim
Independence Movement formed by Nur
Misuari, sought an independent Islamic state or
autonomous region for the Filipino Muslim
minority. From then on, the MNLF had metamor
phosed into several organizations and groups,
including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) founded by Flashim Salamat, principally
seeking an independent Islamic state in Muslim
Mindanao. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Muslim secessionist movement is now
regarded as the second oldest internal conflict
in the world.
The Costs o f Internal Conflict
What are the costs of this internal conflict?
Since the fighting between the Philippine
government and Moro rebels started in 1970s,
a World Bank study had roughly estimated
the direct economic costs of the conflict from
1970 - 2001 to be at $2 billion to $3 billion.
Aside from the direct economic costs are the
heavy human and social toll of the conflict. The
same study estimated that the death toll since
1970 is at 120,000 people—all Filipino—and
unaccounted numbers of wounded and disabled.
Internally displaced people at two million, of
whom one million in 2000 alone during the “all-
out-war,” not to mention the displaced families
now in Marawi City.
The ARMM Organic Law
We have attempted twice as legislators,
through the enactment of RA 6734 or the Act
Providing for an Organic Act for the Autono
mous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the
subsequent amendatory law, RA 9054 or an Act
to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Unfortunately, according to at least two
administrations, and a former president, “it was

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,2018 1631
a failed experiment.” I believe that, if we consider
those two laws a failure, they failed because
there was really no full autonomy given to our
Muslim brothers in Mindanao, especially on the
fiscal aspect. If our Muslim brothers and sisters
have had an annual pilgrimage to Mecca and
Medina for their hajj to purify their souls, so too
the ARMM leaders for their annual pilgrimage
to Malacanang and Congress to beg for funds
from the so-called imperial Manila, funds that
would otherwise accrue to them automatically
that they can allocate based on the needs and
development plans for their people. That and the
other important aspects heavily contributed to
the failure of the previous autonomous
government in Muslim Mindanao.
The new Bangsamoro Basic Law
Which brings me to the proposed measure
on the floor. This new Bangsamoro Basic Law
gives greatest latitude, if not full autonomy,
to the Bangsamoro government which will be
established, to assert their political and economic
self-determination and pursue development
programs for their people according to their
peculiar historical, cultural, religious and national
identities.
Salient Features
Here are some of the salient features of the
proposed law:
I. Territory
On territory, the bill proposes to cover what
remains of the traditional homeland of the
Bangsamoro, which overtime has lost much of
their territory due to colonization and some
policies that have deprived them of their lands
and marginalized them. This is part of the
historical injustice that the bill proposes to
address.
The core territory includes the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao, six municipalities
of Lanao del Norte, the cities of Cotabato and
Isabela, 39 barangays of North Cotabato, and
contiguous areas that may petition to join the
Bangsamoro. Note that the six municipalities of
Lanao del Norte and the 39 barangays in North
Cotabato already voted yes in the 2001 plebiscite
for inclusion in the ARMM. However, due to a
technical issue in the manner by which the
plebiscite question was designed and the marmer
of appreciation of the majority of votes, they
were not included to be part of ARMM, and
thus, excluded from its geographical entity.
The bill proposes to address this challenge
by constituting them into a geographic area
allowed by the 1987 Constitution on autonomy
that allows municipalities and geographic areas
to join the autonomous region. This too will give
life not only with the peace agreement we signed
with the MILF but also to the MNLF.
2 Powers of Government
With powers of government, we will discuss
in the committee report the reserved powers,
concurrent powers and exclusive powers, of
both national government and the Bangsamoro
government.
Reserved powers are matters over which
authority and jurisdiction are retained by the
Central Government. The list of reserved powers
would pertain to powers that are the attribute
of a sovereign country and are important in
maintaining its independence and ability to relate
to other countries such as foreign policy,
defense, citizenship and others.
On the other hand, exclusive powers that
are granted the Bangsamoro Government are
essential to deliver basic services to its people
and enable them to develop as communities such
as agriculture, public administration, waste
management, etc.
3. Intergovernmental Relations
Mechanism/Bodies
These bodies are provided to ensure
coordination and cooperation between the
Central Government and the Bangsamoro
Government on matters such as environment,
energy, fiscal autonomy, etc. These bodies are
created as mechanisms to allow a degree of
synchronization while allowing a reasonable
latitude of discretion for the sub-national entity
to exercise its powers in the spirit of autonomy
granted to them.
4. Bangsamoro Government
The other feature is the Bangsamoro Govern
ment. 1am quite excited by this particular feature
in the BBL. We will create a parliament. After
hearings with the constitutionalists and members
of the Supreme Court, they said that it is not
unconstitutional to do so because these are a
geographic area allowed by the Constitution.
The parliament will be composed of 50%
party representatives, 40% directly elected
members of parliament, and 10% sectoral
representatives for an inclusive governance
system for the Bangsamoro people.
The Bangsamoro Government will allow
them self-governance that will put an end to their
feeling of alienation which for decades has
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fiielled their rebellion. This will be a government
of their own, a parliamentary government with
the chief minister as head of government and
supported by a Cabinet. The parliamentary
system of government is closer to their tradition
as the parliament mirrors their traditional
leadership such as the Ruma Bichara (Council)
of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Atas Bichara
of the Sultanate of Maguindanao. As 1 have
mentioned earlier, the representation by district
and by reserved seats and party representation
ensure that no one is left behind.
The beauty of this is that candidates for the
50% seats now will be voted on the basis of
party platforms and programs and no longer
based on popular personalities or trapo
politicos. We are envisioning that the best and
the brightest in the academe, the professionals,
and the women’s sector should be part of the
party system of elections and that they would be
elected to the parliament which, in any other
circumstance, they will have a difficult time lalo
na kung wala po silang guns, goons and gold.
The reserved seats and sectoral representation
will ensure that marginalized sectors such as the
IPs and the women sector, the youth and other
identities will have a voice in the parliament.
An innovation in this bill is a provision that
penalizes the unprincipled transfer from one
party to another which is a problem in this
country we are facing right now, as a matter of
fact. This bill proposes that if a member of the
parliament, after having been elected under the
proportional representation system, transfers to
another during his incumbency, he will forfeit his
seat. This is under Section 18, Article VII.
We also placed — I would say, a humble
contribution — the anti-dynasty provision under
Section 15, Article VII which provides that no
party representative should be related within the
second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
to a district representative or another party
representative in the same parliament. That way,
there will be no backdoor entry for families to
control the parliament of the Bangsamoro. We
did not put an anti-dynasty provision for the
members who run for mayor or governor because
we are still awaiting the national anti-dynasty
measure that, hopefully, one day, we would see
as a republic act.
5. Bang.samoro Justice System
The Bangsamoro Justice System allows
them to implement the civil and commercial and
minor criminal aspects of the Shariah law if the
parties are Muslim or where parties have
voluntarily submitted to the jurisdiction of the
Shariah court. Also, regular courts will continue
to function and allow for the other indigenous
peoples and Christians living in the region to
continue to practice their customary laws. The
justice system allows them to practice their
religions and recognizes the uniqueness of their
culture and identity. I think Senators Villanueva
and Pacquiao would like to hear this. And let me
repeat, the justice system allows the people
to practice their religions and recognizes the
uniqueness of their culture and identity - in
other words, religious freedom, while maintain
ing the control and jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court 0%'er the Shariah Court system.
6. Public Order and Safety
On public order and security, the Bangsa
moro police will still remain part of the PNP chain
of command. The bill orperationalizes Section 21,
Article X of the Constitution that gives local
authorities the ability to manage peace and
order. All the members of the Bangsamoro police
will have to go through training and the recruit
ment will be provided for by the Philippine
National Police.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
will still be in full control over the area.
7. Fiscal Autonomy
On fiscal autonomy, the bill gives meaning
to the concept of true fiscal autonomy by
providing them sufficient freedom to determine
their priorities and how to best spend their
money with the least intervention from the
Central Government.
We are providing them with the block grant.
The block grant will be six percent (6%) of the
net collections of both the BIR and the Bureau
of Customs. This will automatically be appro
priated and regularly released to the Bangsamoro
akin to the system adopted for the IRA of the
LGUs. This measure addresses the gap in the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) Autonomy Law that treated ARMM
only as a national government agency and even
less autonomy than an ordinary LGU.
To be clear about it, during the hearings
with the DBM, I asked what they were getting
compared with other regions. In Region X alone,
the developmental funds for this year will be
P82 billion; other neighbors in the ARMM,
P78 billion in Region IX; Region XI is getting
P79 billion; and ARMM, under the leadership
of Gov. Mujiv Hataman achieved P33 billion, the
highest ever.
Under the block grant, it would grant the
region about P72 billion, which is within the
rf

realm of all the other regions. It is not something
that is unfair to other regions.
8. Special Development Fund
The other feature is the Special Development
Fund. We all know that the ARMM has to play
catch-up in terms of development. Because of all
the strife and conflict, many of these war-tom areas
need to jumpstart their projects and programs.
And so, we are granting a special development
fund of PI00 billion to be released within 10
equal installments for a period of 10 years based
on the development plan crafted by them. This
fund will allow them also to catch up with the
rest of the country, as earlier mentioned.
9. Plebiscite
Because we feel that this would be a demo
cratic process, the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro
Basic Law will happen within 150 days upon
the approval of the Act; after which, by 2022,
we will have the elections for the first set
of officials of the Bangsamoro government.
The transition team will be the Bangsamoro
Transition Authority.
In the succeeding plebiscites, we also put
safeguards because our brothers in Mindanao
fear that there might be a “creeping invasion” of
properties. 1 say to them: This will not happen
because through democratic process, the LGUs,
through a resolution filed with the Comelec,
may join the succeeding plebiscites. There will
be three more plebiscites, within 15 years, one
for every five years.
At the same time, provinces that are beside
the Bangsamoro region that want to join would
need the people’s initiative of 20% of the
registered voters to be able to join the plebiscite
of the succeeding year.
10. Bangsamoro Transition Authority
With the new features in the Senate version
of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, we would have
improved governance and accountability,
increased developmental funding and streng
thened fiscal autonomy, institutionalized the
Bang.samoro justice system, and many others
that 1 had previously mentioned.
Concluding Statem ent
In the course of the Bangsamoro struggle for
political and economic self-determination, so
much blood had been shed, so many lives have
been lost, and so much hope had gone.
The Senate, through this bill, now has a
rare chance to give justice to what our very
own president. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,
always says as the historical injustice done to
the Bangsamoro. We can correct the mistakes of
the past. Let us seize this opportunity. Let us not
be bystanders in the passing of history, let us
make this spot in our history a meaningful one
for the Bangsamoro, let us not be cowed from
our responsibilities, let us stand up like the rich
tradition of the Senate.
1 do not want to .sound like a warmonger,
but if we do not heed this clamor for change in
the Bangsamoro, God forbid, restlessness among
the armed groups and recruitment among
extremist groups could spiral out of control. The
possibility of another Marawi siege would not be
far from the horizon. The country can no longer
afford more bloodshed. Our generation has
suffered long enough from the clutches of
poverty and the evils of war. Let not our children
and our future children and granchildren suffer
more. Let us end this war.
There is so much at stake and so much
weight upon our shoulders. Let us thrust
ourselves on the right side of history, and
certainly passing the BBL is now on the right
side of history. This is our road to a just and
dignified peace not only in Mindanao, but in the
whole Philippines. No one loses in this final
peace agreement. We all win in the signing of
this agreement. We will all be winners.
In closing, the BBL is an instrument of
peace so that we can achieve this long lasting
dream of peace for our country.
COSPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OE SENATOR ANGARA
As cosponsor of Senate Bill No. 1717, the Basic
Law for the Bangsamoro, Senator Angara delivered
the following speech:
Because of the violent conflict in Mindanao,
too many lives have been lost, too many homes
have been destroyed, too many opportunities
missed, too many dreams unrealized.
If the conflict is allowed to continue, who
knows how much more damage Mindanao will
have to sustain? That is why the urgency and
level of effort that were invested into crafting of
the Bangsamoro Basic Law or the BBL is not
only necessary, it is also life-saving and
hopefully, life-changing.
The measure we are sponsoring went
through a rigorous process that involved at least
five public hearings, at least six public con
sultations, well-attended public consultations in

Marawi, Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu and
Zambaonga City, and at least six technical
working group meetings. This would not have
been possible without the very able leadership
of Sen. Migz Zubiri, the chair of the Sub
committee on the BBL who did a splendid job.
We thank him, we thank our colleagues who
journeyed to the ends of the archipelago.
Pinakinggan po natin ang saloobin, hinaing at
pangarap ng mga taong maapektuhan ng batas
na ito. Sinigurado po namin na malawak,
malaya at inklusibo ang anting konsuhasyon.
At every step of the way, the majority and
the minority joined hands in the spirit of
bipartisanship to ensure that this measure fulfills
the ultimate objective of achieving long-lasting
peace and prosperity in Mindanao through a
long-term political solution that resonates and is
consistent with our Constitution.
Such work has built upon the countless
hours devoted by many and all sides in finalizing
the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the
Bangsamoro (CAB), as well as the work of the
local government committee under then Senator
Marcos. Masasabing tinuloy lamang natin ang
trabahong nasimulan nila.
We hope this measure improves upon
1) the Tripoli Agreement of 1976, 2) Republic Act
No. 6734 or the Organic Act of the ARMM, and
3) Republic Act No. 9054, which amends it.
Many skeptics have said that the BBL will just
give rise to other breakaway groups and will not
lead to peace. Their position is understandable
for one only needs to look at the past for proof
of this. But to them 1 say, let us look to the
future with hope and with optimism. 1 say, we
should not stop trying to find the solution for
peace and prosperity in Muslim Mindanao.
A well-known Turkish proverb states:
“Patience [and perseverance] is the key to
paradise.” In Verse 49 of Chapter 11, the Koran
states: “Be patient; indeed the best outcome is
for the righteous.” In Romans 2:6-7, “He will
render to each one according to his works; to
those who by patience in well-doing seek for
glory and honor and immortality, he will give
eternal life.”
Kaya pa tayo tumatayo ngayon, bilang
chairman ng Committee on Local Government,
para suportahan ang agarang pagsasabatas
nitong BBL.
Deka-dekada na tayong nakaranas ng
dahas at nabingi sa putok ng AK-47 at ng
Barrett. Pero sa lahat ng sandatang pinasabog
sa bakbakan na ito, isa sa hindi pa nakakasa
at nagagamit maigi ay ang sandata ng batas.
The BBL comprises the greatest legal arsenal
for achieving peace which will ultimately help
unleash the other positives of the peace process.
Nangako na ang mga armadong grupo katulad
ng MILF na ibababa na nila ng kanilang armas
bilang bahagi ng decommissioning process.
Napapanahon na suklian ang “disarmament "na
ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad sa
pangako na paiigtingin ang kanilang otono-
miya (autonomy) at ang suporta ng pam-
bansang gobyerno para sa kanila.
Sa ganitong paraan, masisigurado na imbis
na baril at granada ang itataas, libro at lapis,
araro at binhi (plow and seeds), pala at
semento (shovels and cement) na lang ang mga
hahawakan nila. As the saying goes, we hope
“they shall beat their swords into plowshares.”
Where our Armed Forces laid seige on
Marawi City to stop terrorist-rebels in their
tracks, we need to enact this law so that no other
armed group could recruit and amass critical
support. Never again should any of our beautiful
communities, especially those in Mindanao, ever
be at risk of being leveled or destroyed by
human hands.
The BBL’s political prescriptions ensure
that the covered areas will become fertile ground,
no longer for violence or for terrorism, but
instead for opportunity and active civic engage
ment. The BBL could very well be our most
effective means of keeping religious extremism
and secessionist tendencies at bay—and hence,
of achieving long-lasting peace.
Pero ang kapayapaan ay nakakamit hindi
sa pagtigil ng putukan lamang. Umuusbong ang
totoong kapayapaan kapag ito ay nakapulupot
sa kaunlaran. H'alang saysay ang katahimikan
sa Mindanao, kung hindi ito hahantong sa mas
magandang buhay para .sa lahat.
Bagama 7 sagana sa likas-yaman ang
Mindanao, karamihan po ng pinakamahirap na
probinsiya ng bansa ay nandito. One-third na
mga mahihirap na probinsiya ng bansa ay
nandirito. One-third na mga mahihirap na
Pilipino ayon sa isang pag-aaral ay taga-
Mindanao.
Digmaan raw ang isa sa pinakamalaking
dahilan kung bakit mahirap ang Mindanao
ngayon. Kaya ano mang hakhang para sa
kapayapaan ay isang hakbang patungo sa
kasaganahan, papunta sa pag-ahon. Let the
sounds of war be replaced by the laughter of
active school children, the murmurs of loving

families, and the buzz of investment and of
industry.
Nagsisimula na marahil ang pag-ahon na
ito. Ayon sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas o BSP,
noong 2016, halos sampung porsyenlo, 9.4%
to be exact, ang paglaki ng ekonomiya ng
Davao Region (Region XI)—ang pangatlong
pinakamabilis na pag-arangkada sa buong
bansa. Halos 7.6% naman daw ang paglaki ng
Region X or Northern Mindanao, the region
of the Senate President and of Senator Zubiri
noong 2016. Di hamak na mas mabilis pa sa
national average of 6.9%.
This is happening because so many Mindanao
voices are now speaking on the national stage
on Mindanao’s behalf From the President, the
Senate President, Senators Zubiri and Pacquiao,
the Speaker of the House, several cabinet mem
bers, many in government today have Mindanao
in their hearts. All the more should a long-lasting
solution for peace be enacted during this
singular window of opportunity.
That solution should ultimately rest on
giving the Bangsamoro people the freedom to
make their own choices—the political and fiscal
autonomy to no longer consult with imperial
Manila or the central government on matters that
are essentially Bangsamoro matters.
With the BBL, the Filipino people will be
giving an unprecedented level of tmst to the
Bangsamoro. In return, we respectfully ask for
good governance on their part.
As 1986 Constitutional Commissioner
Ahmad Domocao Alonto said in a speech; “...In
order to have real freedom, real justice and real
democracy, each section of our society must be
given the chance and freedom to develop the
ideals they prize so much in life.”
Hence, where the Bangsamoro cry out for
autonomy and self-rule, so should they be given
the opportunity to develop what that autonomy
and self-rule ultimately entails. We only ask that
they wield such autonomy and self-rule wisely,
and ensure that more from Muslim Mindanao
actually benefit and lead better lives.
Such freedom of choice is, in fact, enshrined
in the Constitution, and underlines how seem
ingly separate identities can coexist under the
same state—similar to the Scots and the Welsh
in Britain; or the Muslims, the Chinese and the
Malays in Malaysia.
This is how the BBL will correct historical
injustices and usher in Mindanao renaissance—
para magkaroon na ng totoong kapatiran sa
pagitan ng bawat Filipino. This is how the
measure will pave the way to what Constitutional
Commissioner Ponciano L. Bennagen called
“a future of prosperity based on the equality of
all people.”
The BBL should be seen as a restorative
measure in its recognition of the long and proud
history and heritage of the Bangsamoro people.
As often mentioned, Mindanao is one of the few
places in the country that has successfully
withstood foreign conquerors. The Sultanates
of Sulu, Maguindanao and Buayan or General
Santos and the pangampongs or principalities of
the Lanao region already achieved an advanced
level of political organization and bureaucracy,
while the rest of the country was still organized
into separate barangays.
Bago pa man itinayo ng mga Kastila ang
Manila at Cebu bilang sentro ng kanilang
kapangyarihan sa Asya, nakikipagkalakalan
na ang Mindanao sa Java at Moluccas sa
kanluran, at .sa Tsina sa pamamagitan ng
Manila at Mindoro sa hilaga.
Marahil, sa paglipas ng mga sigh,
nakalimutan ang makulay na kasaysayan na
ito. At imbis na paghanga ang ibinigay ng
bansa para sa mga kapatid nating Muslim, pag-
aalinlangan at takot na lamang ang hinayaang
mamayani.
Kapag naisabatas ang BBL, iwinawasto po
natin ang deka-dekadang paghihirap na nara-
nasan ng ating mga kapatid na Bangsamoro.
Ibinabalik po natin ang kasaysayan sa mga
pamayanan nila na matagal nang lugmok sa
kawalan ng katarungan. At high sa lahat,
ibinabahagi natin sa kanila ang kakayanan
para maabot ang kani-kanilang mga pangarap,
bilang mga kapwa natin Pilipino.
This is the not the first time the country has
embarked on asking the difficult “Bangsamoro
question or questions.” But after years of asking
the right questions, perhaps now is the time for
us to finally provide some answers.
We have attempted to build on the founda
tions which our predecessors have laid in place.
So many people have helped in the process. Not
only have we spent days ensuring the
constitutionality of this measure, we have also
tried to make it more representative of the
colorful fabric that weaves the different
Bangsamoro peoples together.
And after all the consultations, public
hearings and technical working groups, we have
determined that the answer to the “Bangsamoro
Question” should be true autonomy and self-
f f

determination. It should be founded on clearly
delineated reserved, concurrent and exclusive
powers between the central and Bangsamoro
governments. It should be fiscal empowerment
and comprehensive representation. Ultimately,
it should be brotherhood. It should be shared
nationhood.
Siguradong marami pa pong pagsubok at
hamon ang kanilang haharapin para totoong
makamit ang kapayapaan at kasaganaan sa
Mindanao. But we do hope history will look back
on us as a generation who took on the challenge
of crafting a lasting and valuable legal solution to
the long-festering problem in Mindanao so that,
ultimately, peace and prosperity can flourish.
Panahon na para sila mismong mga taga-
Bangsamoro ang magsusula! sa mga susunod
na kahanata ng kanilang kasaysayan.
Mahuhay po ang Bangsamoro! Mabuhay
po ang Pilipinas!
At this juncture. Senate President Pimentel
relinquished the Chair to Senator Pacquiao.
COSPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR HONTIVEROS
Senator Hontiveros delivered her cosponsorship
speech, as follows:
The conflict in Mindanao has been a demo
cratic and developmental struggle that has spun
decades, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives,
uprooted millions, and resulted in inhumane
levels of poverty, lawlessness and uncertainty. It
has changed the historical landscape of the
southern part of our country: from the brave
kingdom of our anti-colonial resistance to the
situs of decades-long insurgencies and count
less rebellions: the Jabidah Massacre, the burn
ing of Jolo, the Zamboanga Siege, the Marawi
Crisis and countless more. It has written the
continuing story of Mindanao filled with narra
tives of violence, oppression and marginalization.
This afternoon, we change that narrative.
With the Bangsamoro Basic Law, a bill I
proudly cosponsor, with our subcommittee chair.
Senator Zubiri, our committee chair. Sen. Sonny
Angara; and all the other authors, we renew our
commitment to democracy. The persistent strife
and poverty in the region took its damaging toll
to our democratization project. Providing a
measure of politico-economic and socio-cultural
autonomy of people belonging to the Moros,
with assurance of political participation and
representation of indigenous peoples, does not
only make Bangsamoro a compliance with an
unflinching mandate from our Constitution. It
furthers a democratic society that does not
succumb to the tyranny of the majority but one
that protects the vulnerable, the disenfranchised
and the historically disempowered.
The Bangsamoro Basic Law establishes the
political and economic infrastructure that will
facilitate fixed capital formation, increase govern
ment funding, and international development aid
infusion into the region. A legitimate share in the
resources and their management will translate
into growth, productivity, security and ulti
mately, empowerment. It will equip the regional
government with the crucial resources that can
address socioeconomic needs of our Bangsa
moro people. It is our answer to the question
that is the disproportionate utilization and distri
bution of wealth in this country. Bangsamoro is
our commitment to equitable development.
Furthermore, the establishment of a
Bangsamoro autonomous government will be an
institutional recognition of the jusmess and
legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro
people. It is the fulfillment of our promise to put
up front and center of their political future their
needs, their aspirations, and their dreams.
Finally, the Bangsamoro Basic Law is our
commitment to peace: a peace that is built on and
strengthened by democratic ideals, empower
ment, progress and justice, a peace that has long
been awaited by a nation that is trying to heal
from its fractured history.
Maraming martir at bayani na ang ating
nailibing. Marami ang nawalan ng bahay, lupa
at ari-arian. M arami ang nawalan ng
oportunidad at pag-asa.
Sa pagpunta naming mga senador sa
Mindanao para sa pagdinig sa BBL, kasabay
nito Sana ang pagsasara ng yugtong ito ng
kasaysayan ng Mindanao. Tumatak sa akin ang
mga placard na "No Peace Without Women " na
panawagan ng mga kababaihan na nagpalaki
na ng mga anak nila sa evacuation center.
“Pass BBL Now, " ng kabalaang sumalubong sa
amin, nagpa-selfie, nagpahayag ng suporta.
Mga kuwento ng mga MILF na first time
nakasakay ng C l30 ng AFP na hindi sa gitna
ng engkwentro. Mga kuwento ng pag-asa.
At this Juncture, Senator Pacquiao relin
quished the Chair to Senate President Pimentel.
At this point, I would like to thank the men
and women of the Bangsamoro Transition
r/

Commission for their hard work and unwavering
zeal in coming up with this revolutionary piece of
legislation.
Ngayon sa plenatyo, babaguhin natin ang
kasaysayan ng lupang uhaw sa kapayapaan.
Nawa ay maipagpaluloy natin ang momentum
na ito para sa kapayapaan.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERAHON
OF SENATE BILL NO. 1717
objection, the Body suspended consideration of
the bill.
SPECIAL ORDER
objection, the Body approved the transfer of
Committee Report No. 254 on Senate Bill No. 1716
from the Calendar for Ordinary Business to the
Calendar for Special Orders.
MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR DRILON
At this juncture, Senator Drilon invoked his
agreement with Senator Sotto that the Members of
the Body should be informed a week ahead of the
measures to be included in the agenda in order to
give them time to study said measures. However,
he pointed out that Senate Bill No. 1716 was only
routed the other day, and he noted that the agenda
did not even contain the assigned bill number. He
said that earlier he conceded to the request of
Senator Sotto to consider the Bangsamoro Basic
Law because it was really a critical measure, but he
believed that there was no need to hasten consideration
of Senate Bill No. 1716. He then moved that the bill
be taken up the following week.
Concurring with Senator Drilon, Senator Sotto
said that he had abide with the agreement. However,
he said that the proposed measure would be merely
considered for sponsorship.
Upon motion of Senator Sotto, the session was
suspended.
It was 4:26 p.m.
WITHDRAWAL OF OBJECTION
Senator Drilon withdrew his earlier objection to
consider Senate Bill No. 1716.
COMMITTEE
ON SENATE
REPORT NO. 254
BILL NO. 1716
Upon motion of Senator Sotto , there being no
objection, the Body considered, on Second Reading,
Senate Bill No. 1716 (Committee Report No. 254),
entitled
AN ACT CREATING AND ESTABLISH
ING A SPORT COMPLEX KNOWN
AS THE “PHILIPPINE AMATEUR
SPORTS TRAINING CENTER,” AND
FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF PROPERTY, CONSTRUCTION
OF FACILITIES, INCLUDING ITS
ADMINISTRATION, MAINTENANCE
AND MANAGEMENT, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
Pursuant to Section 67, Rule XXIII of the Rules
of the Senate, with the permission of the Body, upon
motion of Senator Sotto, only the title of the bill was
read without prejudice to the insertion of its full text
into the Record of the Senate.
The Chair recognized Senator Pacquiao for the
sponsorship.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR PACQUIAO
Senator Pacquiao, on behalf of the Committee on
Sports, submitted for plenary consideration Senate
Bill No. 1716. entitled “An Act Creating and Establish
ing a Sports Complex Known as the Philippine
Amateur Sports Training Center, and Funding for the
Acquisition of Property, Construction of Facilities,
Including its Administration, Maintenance and
Management, and for Other Purposes,” under
Committee Report No. 254.
Thefull text of Senator Pacquiao's sponsorship
speech follows:
Our world-class athletes have been giving
their best to shine in the global platform.
With discipline, determination, and dedica
tion, they achieve their goals regardless of the
r

circumstances. With resilience, they maximize the
opportunities. They shine despite the setbacks
and limitations.
However, our committed athletes have yet
to show their fullest potentials. They have yet to
unleash their maximum capabilities. They have
yet to become the ultimate version of themselves.
The Philippine government has so much to
give in exchange of their relentless efforts. For
one, we can provide a training center where they
can develop their skills and their abilities.
We envision this training center to be a
state-of-the-art and highly scientific sports
complex. It will include facilities and amenities
composed of different equipment and courts
necessary for bringing out the best in our
athletes.
Research states that “a viable environment
and standard sports facilities” have a positive
effect on the development of the performance of
athletes and promotion of sports.”
It is undeniable that the Rizal Memorial
Sports Ccomplex and the PhilSports Arena are
completely out of date. When 1 did an ocular
inspection of the Philippine Sports Commission
compound, 1 have seen for myself the sad
condition of the facility.
It is disorganized.
It is dilapidated.
Our athletes deserve better. They deserve
our best efforts.
Our Constitution states that “the State shall
promote physical education and encourage sports
programs, league competitions, and amateur
sports, including training for international com
petitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and
excellence for the development of a healthy and
alert citizenty .”
With this, I filed Senate Bill No. 1517, “The
Philippine Amateur Sports Training Center Act,”
alongside Sen. Sonny Angara’s Senate Bill No. 316
and Sen. Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 675,
taking into consideration House Bill No. 5615.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on
Sports, I have the honor to respectfully desig
nate the responsibility of presenting Senate Bill
No. 1716 under Committee Report No. 254 to the
vice chairman of the Committee on Sports and
the chairman of the Committee on Ways and
Means, Sen. Sonny Angara.
We believe that it is high time that our
athletes be given the state-of-the-art facilities
needed for the nourishment of their talents. Now
is the best opportunity for us to give the best
support to our athletes.
With this, our country’s dream of obtaining
the dominance in the South East Asian Games
and bagging the gold medals in the Olympics
would be a great leap closer to possibility. And
in the process of doing so, we build our athletes’
competence and character.
1 would like to thank the efforts of Senator
Angara and Senator Aquino, as well as the
support of our fellow senators, in helping our
athletes achieve their dreams, our dreams,
through the passage of this bill.
COSPON.SORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR ANGARA
Senator Angara delivered the following cosponsor
ship speech on Senate Bill No. 1716, as follows:
There have been many initiatives by both
the private and public sector aimed at improving
our performance in sports. But clearly, a lot more
can be done.
H'a/a po tayong duda sa puso at galing ng
atletang Filipino—la h na kung ang pangalan
niya ay Manny Pacquiao. Ngunit paano sila
magtatagumpay kung ang kanilang kagamitan
sa pagsasanay ay kulang o kaya naluluma na?
Kaya po layo ay lumalayo ngayon para i-
sponsor ang Committee Report No. 254 tungkol
sa Senate Bill No. 1716, ukol sa pagtatag ng
isang Philippine Amateur Sports Training Center
para lalong gumaling ang aling mga atlelang
Filipino.
Lack of Sports Facilities
During the committee’s deliberations on this
measure, it was pointed out that the Rizal
Memorial Sports Complex used to be a state-of-
the art complex but now serves as a center of
obsolescence. This was the main stomping
ground of our athletes, the same venue that
hosted the early form of the Asian Games four
times in the pre-war period and the grandstand
where the Philippines won its championship in
the 2005 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Many of our training centers are left
neglected or, worse, in decay. Ito po ang tinitiis
ng aling mga atleta kapag sila ay naghahanda
para sa kanilang mga laban. Sadly, these
venues are a constant reminder of heartbreak
and frustration, not only for our athletes, but
also for our countrymen.
r f

Mismong si Hidilyn Diaz ay hindi maitago
ang pagka-dismaya sa kasalukuyang lagay ng
ating mga pasilidad.
Through her social media account, the
Olympic champion lamented how nothing has
changed with her weightligting gym after more
than 20 years while, at the same time, showing
cycling equipment with the seats tom apart in
another of her post.
In the 2013 Southeast Asian Games, Filipino
divers John Davit Pahoyo and John Elmerson
Fabrigas did not score a single point in the 3-
meter springboard diving event, where their
infamous dives went viral and received bouts of
bashing from social media. It was not widely
known that the two divers had to contend with
but a single springboard and a “dry gym” for
their training here in the country and, worse, the
two only managed to practice their synchronized
dive only four (4) days before the tournament
having found the proper equipment in the host
venue.
These are the sad realities our athletes face,
but the fact that they succeeded despite the lack
of support speaks volume about their strength of
spirit. Ang sabi nga, ‘‘partida pa iyan, paano pa
kaya kung may gamit na pong-training?” Imagine
if we are more supportive of our athletes. How
many more Hidilyn Diazes or Philippine Dragon
Boat teams or successful boxers would there be?
The Importance of Adequate Facilities
Training centers reflect the state of sports in
a given country and, particularly, the support
being given by the state. A 2015 study on sport
policies of top Olympic countries reported a
significant relationship between success and
training centers. These facilities, coupled with
top-level coaching, as well as access to inter
national competitions, are the key drivers of an
effective sports system as these directly affect
our athletes.
For instance, Australia’s National Training
Centre was the centerpiece of its sports policy
overhaul in the early 1980s after taking home
only five medals from the 1976 Montreal
Olympics. Fast forward to the year 2000, Sydney
hosted the Summer Olympics and the country
bagged 58 medals, finishing 4lh place overall.
Kung iisipin, napag-iwanan na po tayo ng
mga karalig-hansa dito sa Timog Silangang
Asya.
Myanmar created a 30,000-capacity sports
stadium in Naypyitaw purposely built for the
2013 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which
includes an aquatic center, a space for indoor
sports, and separate fields for equestrian and
archery.
On the other hand, Cambodia is already on
its second phase of construction of its National
Sports Complex for the 2023 Southeast Asian
Games. The nine-hectare Olympic-standard
facility is capable of housing over 1,500 athletes
and 100,000 spectators at one time.
An important piece of the puzzle is a
functional and well-equipped training hub that
equates to higher changes of wiiming podium
positions in tournaments.
A World-Class Training for World-Class
Philippine Athletes
There is simply no silver bullet for this
malady and our rankings will not catapult
overnight. Therefore, the Senate Committee on
Sports chaired by our colleague. Sen. Maimy
Pacquiao, supported by the vice chair, myself
and Sen. Joel Villanueva are taking initiatives to
step forward by sponsoring this measure.
This Sports Training Center shall adopt a
scientific approach in training our athletes using
modem equipment. Two billion pesos shall be
appropriated from the savings of the National
Treasury for its construction, while there shall be
an annual appropriation for the Center’s
maintenance and operation.
In addition to being a specialized training
venue, the Center shall house our athletes to
allow unhampered and immersive training for
major tournaments including facilities for expert
coaching and referee development.
The Center is among the primary facilities
that would also serve as a venue for major
international sports events.
The Continuing Quest fo r Philippine Sports
Our victories in sports uplift the spirit of
the nation. The nation, in turn, has
responded—although in very limited fashion.
For one, the Committee pu.shed to enact
Republic Act 10699, as authored by Senators
Sotto, Recto, Villar, among other colleagues, to
provide decent and unselfish incentives for
winning athletes and coaches, as well as laws
that mandate the creation of various sport
academies in Talisay City, Cebu; Alfonso,
Cavite; Surigao del Norte; Misamis Occidental;
and Davao del Norte with the help of their
Representatives.
We are glad that our current committee
chair. Senator Pacquiao, being an athlete himself.

is attuned to the countless difficulties of our
athletes. Experiencing these troubles first hand,
siguradong may hugot po ang kanyang mga
panukala para pabutihin ang sports ng
Pilipinas.
Things are already being done to uplift
the state of Philippine sports, and the Philippine
Amateur Sports Center would definitely be a
milestone in this effort. This is commitment of
support to our athletes on- and off-season. And
with the renewed hope brought by this legis
lation, a reinvigorated culture of sports should
permeate throughout the country. I have been
told and 1 regret to report that we have the
dubious distinction of being the country that
has participated the longest in the Olympic
Games without winning a single gold medal.
The time is up for dreaming and depending
on chances and luck. This legislation can and
should move us forward in sports. The Philippine
Amateur Sports Center will hopefully create new
Olympians, produce new hall-of-famers and, most
importantly, empower the Filipino athlete to win.
Mahuhay po ang atlelang Filipino!
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
the bill.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
OF THE PRESENCE OF GUESTS
At this juncture. Senator Honasan acknowledged
the presence in the gallery of the Board of Directors
of the Food Terminal Incorporated, namely, Ariel
Buenaventura, Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, Col. Mariano
Versoza, Atty. Theresa Teves-Castanos, Richard de
Jesus, Mark Spencer Sy, Lara Bobis, Julian Musico
and Atty. Ryan Martinez.
Senate President Pimentel welcomed the guests
to the Senate.
(Continuation)
Upon motion of Senator Honasan, there being no
objection, the Body resumed consideration, on Second
Reading, of Senate Bill No. 1233 (Committee Reptort
No. 8), entitled
AN ACT CREATING THE COCONUT
FARMERS AND INDUSTRY TRUST
FUND, PROVIDING FOR ITS
MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZA
TION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Senator Honasan stated that the parliamentary
status was the period of individual amendments.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator
Pangilinan, sponsor of the measure, and Senator
Recto for his individual amendments.
MANIFESTATION
OF SENATOR PANGILINAN
Senator Pangilinan stated that the period of
individual amendments was suspended in last
Monday’s session as he asked for clarification
regarding the proposal of Senator Recto to delete
subsection “h” which seeks to create an 11-member
Trust Fund Committee tasked to manage the funds
of the coconut farmers. He said that former Senator
Bobby Tanada and Rep. Oca Santos, who have been
championing the cause of the coconut farmers and
the coco levy fund retrieval since the time of Marcos
more than 40 years ago, believed that the proposal
was fundamentally changing the measure. He also
believed that before Congress could act on the very
sensitive issue on whether or not to delete the Trust
Fund Committee and put in place the Department of
Finance and the Bureau of Treasury, there was a need
to consult a number of stakeholders who have been
struggling even during the time of the Marcos regime.
Senator Pangilinan stated that according to
Sen. Bobby Tanada, the farmers’ representation in
the Trust Fund Committee was actually the soul of
the measure. He said that the tragedy of the coco
levy fund was that it came from the farmers and yet
because of their non-involvement in the decision
making process despite collecting billions, they have
remained impoverished - the poorest among the
country’s farmers.
To the proposal that the DOF and the Bureau of
Treasury be left to decide on the investments. Senator
Pangilinan pointed out that deciding on the investments
is just one of the many powers of the committee. He
said that the decision to privatize, for instance the oil
mills, as well as the disbursement of funds or the sale
and disposition of other assets, are lodged with the
committee. Thus, he maintained that there is a need
r

WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 28, 2018 1641
for the farmers to be represented in the committee
and that such decision-making powers should not be
left to the government, in this case, the Department
of Finance and the Bureau of Treasury.
Senator Pangilinan said that he could not accept
the proposed amendment to delete subparagraph “h.”
MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR RECTO
Senator Recto stated that he shared Senator
Pangilinan’ diagnosis as regards the ills of the coconut
industry, that nine out of 10 Filipinos live below the
poverty line. He lamented the irony of the farmers’
penury that is best captured by the observation: liKung
sino p a ang nagniniyog ay siya pa ang minsan ay
Hindi makabili ng kahit isang kutsara ng mantika."
He said that the coconut farmers are not the only ones
in financial ICU but also the coconut trees which are
in the throes of extinction since many are withering,
shrivelling and wilting. He pointed out that in about
44 million trees, one in seven is past its productive
age and as a result, the yield per tree has plummeted
to 40 nuts a year from the ideal 70 nuts.
Senator Recto stated that it was in prescribing
the solution to what ills the coconut industry that he
differed with Senator Pangilinan, as he maintained
that if the industry is in crisis, efforts to revive it must
be quick and massive and not too bureaucratic; and
most especially, that the trust funds should not be
perpetual. Comparing the industry to a patient in an
ICU who must be treated immediately and with
adequate dosage so that the recovery would be fast,
he opined that if Congress would opt for intervention
that is perpetual, then it is like putting up a deadline
on when to cure the sick.
Senator Recto questioned why only a drip of 3%
- 5% a year in interest income is prescribed from the
coco levy fund when the dying coconut industry
clearly needs so much more. He noted that there are
3.5 million coconut farmers while rice farmers come
only second to the constituency of the DA, and he
pointed out that a P5 billion yield per year would only
produce a meager income of PI ,428.00 every family,
that what government spends for the coconut farmers
is merely 11.6 hours, or 29.4%, of what government
spends for travel. Since the measure is supposed to
be a rescue fund to an industry in distress, he said
that a deadline of 10 years should be set as a fighting
target on when farmers’ misery would end, instead
of “perpetual,” or 50 years, which is equivalent to
two generations.
He explained that his proposal is a kind of cure
to what is equivalent to a protracted people’s war
that had no end. Throughout history, he said that the
country has been through great disasters and up
heavals, but in rising from the ashes, a short recon
struction time was prescribed since a quick turnaround
is the best measure of success. He said that, in fact,
after World War II, not even the first senators of the
First Congress meant reparations to be perpetual.
After the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, he said that
there was no perpetual fund for those affected by
lahar; instead, assistance was quick and massive.
Conversely, he said that starving a troubled
industry of funds is not the way to save it but would
just otherwise spread its way out of the doldrums.
He said that Congress should not legislate out of fear
nor out of hurts inflicted by the past; rather. Congress
should be motivated by the good it and the future
could deliver.
Senator Recto stated that he has been consistent
in all the debates on the floor when it comes to
bigger government. He said that the bigger the
government, the longer the processes and red tape.
He said that bureaucracy is so huge that for every
peso of government expenditure, P0.65 goes to
administrative expenses.
Senator Recto posited that the committee report
proposes the creation of two new bodies, one of
which is the coconut investment trust fund committee
which is not only a committee but a new government
agency to be lodged under the Office of the President
with nine members, an executive director and their
staff, which would determine how to invest the coco
levy assets and if some of it should be privatized,
only adding up to the already immense bureaucracy.
As the DOF is currently in charge of people’s
money, he asked why a new agency should be
created to serve the same purpose and why levied
funds should be invested in government treasury bills
when they are already handled by the Bureau of
Treasury.
He said that while he supports the proposal of
Senator Pangilinan for government to retain certain
assets of the coco levy fund, if he had it his way, all
coco levy assets should be sold, put in the fund, and
distributed immediately to the farmers. He believed
that it was the government’s involvement in the
coconut industry that has caused its downfall. Since

the COCO levy fund has been increased, he said that
it should be returned to the farmers.
As regards the creation of a second body. Senator
Recto commented that there are just two many
agencies — NEDA. DA. DAR. DILG, DPWH,
DSWD, DTI, DOST, DOE, PCA, CHED, TESDA,
NAPC and three other coconut representatives,
and moreover, it replicates the planning work of the
DA and PCA. He maintained that the participation
of all other agencies was no longer necessary as
there must be only one accountable agency in order
to avoid reproach.
Senator Recto disclosed that in his conversation
with Sen. Bobby Tanada, a close family friend, he
told the Senator that he also believes in a smaller
government and that creating a new agency is only
a waste of people’s money. He said that his proposal
would speed up the process, the reason he only
wanted 10 years instead of perpetual funding,
subject to the planning by the DA and PCA in
coordination with the coconut farmers. He stressed
the need for the bureaucracy to be simplified as
he reiterated that a bigger bureaucracy entails
higher expenditures and red tape. By simplifying,
he said that an immediate solution for the coconut
industry is feasible; if 10 years is not enough, it may
be extended up to 20 years but not perpetually.
Moreover, he said that the farmers should not only
receive interest income.
In reply, Senator Pangilinan pointed out that on
the matter of handling government funds which
Senator Recto mentioned as being handled by the
DOF and the Bureau of Treasury, the coco levy fund
is an extraordinary government fund because they
are taxes levied from coconut farmers from decades
ago. He emphasized that the farmers deserve a
greater voice because (1) the coconut levy fund
came from them; (2) they have been fighting for the
return of the said fund for so long; and (3) they seek
an extensive participation as coconut farmers.
Senator Recto stated that his family also has
stakes in the coconut levy fund because they were
also into coconut farming. He recalled that during the
Marcos regime, the coconut farmers were taxed, an
agency was created to represent them and whose
members were chosen by themselves, and they were
authorized to decide on how or where the fund would
be invested. But he pointed out that nothing much
has changed and there was not much of a difference
as far as the structure is concerned since the farmers
did not benefit from the fund.
He gave assurance that his proposed amend
ments would provide transparency by, among others,
ensuring that the trust fund would be monitored
by the representatives elected by the people through
the General Appropriations bill.
Senator Recto also noted that of the current
DA budget of over PI00 billion, which includes the
budgets for NIA, PCA and NFA, more than 50% is
allocated to rice farmers and only PI.4 billion to
coconut farmers. With the passage of the measure,
he said that P5 billion would be added to the PCA
and P2 billion to P3 billion to the trust fund. However,
he said that based on an inflation rate of 4%, one-
third of the entire fund would be lost in 10 years,
thereby losing its value since the percentile is lower
than the inflation rate.
Upon motion of Senator Villar, the session was
suspended.
It was 5:16 p.m.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
Since the coconut industry is in distress. Senator
Recto maintained the need for faster solutions instead
of creating a nine-man committee which entails further
administrative expenses. Thereupon, he reiterated
the need for government to do away with running
business in the coconut industry which belongs to the
private sector and should go back to its main task of
helping the farmers specifically by first returning
their money.
the bill.
{Continuation)
Upon motion of Senator Honasan, there being
Y

no objection, the Body resumed consideration, on
Second Reading, of Senate Bill No. 1537 (Committee
Report No. 145), entitled
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SCALING
UP OF NUTRITION FOR THE FIRST
1,000 DAYS OF LIFE THROUGH A
STRENGTHENED INTEGRATED
STRATEGY FOR MATERNAL, NEO
NATAL, CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRI
TION, RECONSTITUTING FOR THE
PURPOSE THE NATIONAL NUTRI
TION COUNCIL (NNC), APPRO
PRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Senator Honasan stated that the parliamentary
status was the period of individual amendments.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator
Hontiveros, sponsor of the measure.
Upon motion of Senator Recto, the session was
suspended.
It was 5:58 p.m.
Senator Recto informed the Body that he was
one of the principal authors of the measure and
would mostly be proposing editorial amendments.
He thanked Senator Hontiveros for accepting all of
his amendments.
RECTO AMENDMENTS
As proposed by Senator Recto and accepted by
the Sponsor, there being no objection, the Body
approved the following amendments, one after
the other:
Page I
1. On line 1, after the word “as,” delete the
word “the”;
2 On line 9, after the word “zero,” insert the
figure (0), and after the word “two,” insert
the figure “(2)”;
Page 2
3. On line 1, replace the word “pre-pregnant”
with ADOLESCENT FEMALES;
4. On line 4, after the word “sector,” delete the
comma (,) and the phrase “using the whole-
of-society approach”;
5. On line 6, insert the phrase ONE THOUSAND
and enclosed in parentheses the figure
“ 1000” ;
6. On line 8, after the word “zero,” insert the
figure in parentheses “(0)” and after the
word “two,” replace the hyphen (-) with the
figure in parentheses “(2)”;
7. On line 9, delete the extra period (.) after the
word “children”;
8. On line 18, insert the words ONE THOUS
AND and enclose in parentheses the figure
“1,000”;
9. An omnibus amendment for all other figures
“1,000” appearing in the succeeding section
of the bill to follow the same format;
10. On line 23, after the word “Nutrition,” insert
the acronym PPAN enclosed in parentheses;
11. On line 26, capitalize each starting letter in
the phrase “local government units” and
insert the acronym LGUs in parentheses.
Page 3
12. On line 3, delete the words “Local Government
Units” and the parentheses of the acronym
LGUs;
13. On line 6, capitalize each starting letter of
the phrase “geographically, isolated and dis
advantaged areas”;
14. On the same line, as amended by Senator
Hontiveros and accepted by the Sponsor,
enclose the acronym “GIDA” in parentheses;
15. On line 13, change “Helath” to HEALTH;
16. On line 19, insert the article THE before the
word “mother”;
17. On line 25, insert the word THREE and enclose
in parentheses the figure “3” ;
Page 4
18. On line 8, after the word “social,” insert the
word ABILITIES;
19. On line 9, after the word “nine,” insert the
figure “9” in parentheses;
21. On line 10, insert the words TWENTY-FOUR
before the figure “24” and enclose the same
in parentheses; P
rf

22. On line 10, delete the words “his/her”;
23. On line 13, capitalize each starting letter of
the phrase “geographically isolated and
disadvantaged areas”;
24. On line 19, insert the words TWO THOUS
AND FIVE HUNDRED before the figure
“2500” which shall then be enclosed in
parentheses;
25. On the same line, replace “2500” with 2,500;
26. On line 26, replace the figures “2” and “3”
with the words TWO and THREE”;
27. On the same line, insert the phrase
STANDARD DEVIATION before the
acronym “SD” which shall then be enclosed
in parentheses;
28. An omnibus amendment to replace the words
“standard deviation” appearing in certain
sections of the bill with the acronym SD;
29. On line 27, insert the phrase MID-UPPER
ARM CIRCUMFERENCE before the acronym
“MUAC”;
30. On the same line, enclose “MUAC” in
parentheses;
31. On the same line, after the word “of,” insert
the phrase LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY-FIVE MILLIMETERS”;
32. On the same line, enclose the figure
“<125mm” in parentheses;
33. On the same line, after the word “and,”
insert the phrase GREATER THAN OR
EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN
MILLIMETERS;
34. On the same line, enclose the figure “>” 115
mm” in parentheses; and
35. Delete the remainder of subparagraph (h);
Page 5
36. On line 12, delete the words “to the “ before
the word “child’s”;
37. On line 17, delete the phrase “Mid-Upper
Arm Circumference” as well as the paren
theses in the acronym “MUAC”;
38. On line 18, replace the figure “<115” with the
phrase LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED
FIFTEEN;
39. On line 25, replace “0to59” with ZERO (0)
TO FIFTY-NINE (59);
Page 6
40. On line 12, transpose the phrase “and
adolescent girls” after the word “children”
and the comma (,);
41. On line 13, delete the phrase “Philippine Plan
of Action for Nutrition” and the parentheses
in the acronym “PPAN”;
42 On line 15, insert the word SEVENTEEN
before the figure “ 17” which shall then be
enclosed in parentheses;
43. On lines 18 and 19, delete the phrase
“geographically isolated and disadvantaged
areas and the parentheses in the acronym
“GIDA”;
44. On lines 21 and 22, delete the phrase
“presence of priority populations which shall
be the focus of budgetary support from the
NGAs” and replace it with PRIORITIZATION
CRITERIA;
45. On line 22, after the word “provided,” insert
the word FOR;
46. On the same line, replace the figure “15” with
the figure 10;
47. Replace Section 6 starting fi-om lines 24 to 29
on page 6 up to lines 1 to 14 on page 7, with
the following:
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATJON. - THE
DOH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE NNC,
THE LGUs AND OTHER NGAs CON
CERNED, SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE WITH
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT.
IT SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE
BARANGAY LEVELTHROUGH THE RURAL
HEALTH UNITS AND/OR BARANGAY
HEALTH CENTERS, IN COORDINATION
WITH THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY,
WITH THE MOBILIZATION OF THE
BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS (BNS)
AND BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
(BHWs) WHO SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH
RESOURCES AND BENEFITS TO CARRY
OUT THEIR TASKS.
THE LGUs ARE ENCOURAGED TO
INTEGRATE MATERNAL, NEONATAL,
CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION
PROGRAMS IN THE LOCAL NUTRITION
ACTION PLANS AND INVESTMENT
PLANS FOR HEALTH.
THE NNC AND OTHER NGAs
CONCERNED SHALL PROVIDE APPRO
PRIATE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO
RESPECTIVE LGUCOUNTERPARTS INTHE
DEVELOPMENT, FORMULATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT;
Page 7
48. On line 17, replace the phrase “(Municipal,

City, and provincial), appropriate” with a
comma (,);
49. On the same line, insert the word
CONCERNED after the acronym “NGAs”;
50. On line 25, delete the phrase “for the
prevention of neonatal tetanus”;
Page 8
51. On line, 2 delete the phrase beginning from
“(e.g., exclusive breastfeeding” up to the
word “practices” on line 4;
52. Delete the words “as appropriate” starting
from line 7 up to line 8;
53. Delete the phrase beginning from the words
“in areas” on line 10 up to the word
“disorders” on line 11;
54. Delete line 12;
55. Reword lines 13 to 15 of subparagraph (h )
to read as:
h) PROMOTION OF THE CONSUMPTION
OF IODIZED SALT AND FOODS
FORTIFIED WITH MICRONUTRIENTS
DEEMED NECCESSARY;
56. On line 21, after the word “utilization,” insert
OF;
Page 9
57. On line 5, replace the phrase “highly at-risk”
with HIGH RISK;
58. On line 14, replace the word “to” with WITH;
59. On line 19, after the word “delivered,” replace
the comma (,) with a semicolon (;);
60. On line 20, after the word “infants,” replace
the comma (,) with a semicolon (;)
61. On line 26, replace “discharge” with
DISCHARGED;
Page 10
62. On line 7, delete the dash (-) between the
words “friendly” and “spaces”;
63. On the same line, insert a dash between
“child” and “friendly”;
64. On line 8, after the word “emergencies,”
delete the phrase starting with the word
“where” up to the word “protocol” on line
10;
65. On line 12, before the word “child,” insert the
article THE;
66. On line 21, after the word “birth,” replace the
colon (:) with a semicolon (;);
Page 11
67. On line 3, delete the phrase “ready-to-use
supplementary food” and the parentheses in
the acronym “RUSF”;
68. On line 11, after the word “private” insert IN
THE;
69. On line 19, delete the phrase “based on
recent evidence”;
70. On line 21, delete the phrase “including folic
acid, iron. Vitamin A, and other
micronutrients”;
71. On line 22, delete the phrase “based on
recent evidence”;
Page 12
72. On line 6, delete the phrase “parenting support
preventions” as well as the parentheses in
the acronym “PSI”;
73. On line 15, change the preposition “to” with
WITH;
74. On the same line, delete the words “Mother
and Baby-Friendly Health Initiative” and the
parentheses in the acronym “MBFHFUI”;
75. On line 16, replace the words “Department of
Health” with the acronym DOH;
Page 13
76. On line 27, delete the less than symbol (<)
and insert he phrase LESS THAN SIX before
the figure “6” which shall then be enclosed
in parentheses;
77. On the same line, after the word “months,”
insert OLD;
Page 14
78. On line 6, after the word “than,” insert the
word SIX and enclose the figure “6” in
parentheses;
79. On line 15, delete the phrase “positive
parenting support interventions” as well as
the parentheses in the acronym “PSI”;
80. On line 21, insert the words SIX and TWO
before the figure “6” and “2,” which shall
then be enclosed in parentheses;
81. On line 25, insert the figure (6) after the word
“six” and the word TWO before the figure
(2) which shall then be enclosed in
parenthesis;
Page 15
92. On lines 4 to 5, after the word “supplements,”
delete the phrase “including vitamin A, iron,
iodine, and other micronutrients”;
rr

83. On line 10, after the word “complications,”
insert a semicolon (;);
84. On line 13, replace the dash (-) between the
figures “1” and “2” with the word TO and
enclose each figure in parentheses and insert
the words ONE and TWO before the figures;
Page 16
85. On line 5, after the conjunction “and,” delete
the comma (,)
86. On line 10, insert the words TEN and
EIGHTEEN before the figures “10” and “18”;
87. On line 22 to 23, after the word “supplements,”
delete the phrase “including iron, folic acid,
iodine, and other micronutrients”;
88. On line 26, after the word “micronutrients,”
delete the phrase “such as iron, folic acid,
vitamin A, and other micronutrients”;
89. On line 27, after the word “necessary,” delete
the phrase “based on recent evidence”;
Page 17
90. On lines 5 to 6, after the acronym “LGUs,”
delete “(Municipal, City and Provincial)”;
91. On line 6, before the acronym “NGAs,” delete
the word “appropriate”;
92. On the same line, after the acronym “NGAs,”
insert the word CONCERNED;
93. On line 15, after the word “evaluation,” replace
the semicolon “(;)” with a PERIOD (.);
94. Between lines 15 and 16, insert a new Section
10 to read as follows:
SEC. 10. PRIORITIZATION IN THE
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION. - THE
NGAs CONCERNED SHALL PRIORITIZE
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PROGRAM IN THE LGUs THAT MEET ANY
OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A) WfTH THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF
UNDERNUTRITION AND NUTRIENT-
DEFICIENCY AMONG PREGNANT
AND LACTATING WOMEN AND
CHILDREN AGED ZERO (0) TO TWO
(2) YEARS;
B) WITH AVAILABLE FACILITIES OR
CAPABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE
PROGRAM; AND
Q WHICH PRIORITIZE SUCH PROGRAM
IN THEIR LOCALITY AND ARE
WILLING TO PROVIDE COUNTER
PART RESOURCES FOR ITS IMPLE
MENTATION.
95. Renumber the succeeding sections
accordingly;
%. On line 19, after the word “other,” replace the
phrase “appropriate human resources” with
the phra.se PERSONNEL CONCERNED;
97. On line 22, delete the entire Section 11 and
renumber the succeeding sections
accordingly;
Page 19
98. On line 11, after the colon “(:),” italicize the
word “Provided” and capitalize the letter “t”
of the word “that”;
99. On line 14, after the word “projects,” replace
100. On line 15, after the word “projects,” replace
101. On line 24, after the word “programs,” delete
the phrase “as a continuing involvement of
the national government to local programs”;
102. On line 29, after the word “national,” delete
the comma “(,)”;
Page 20
103. On line 3, after the word “zero,” insert the
figure ZERO (0);
104. On line 20, after the word “mothers,” delete
the word “stated”;
105. Between lines 22 and 23, insert a new Section
15 to read as follows:
SEC. 15. PROCUREMENT OF GOODS
AND SERVICES. - THE PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184 NOTWITH
STANDING, THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
CONCERNED ARE HEREBY MANDATED
TO ESTABLISH A LIBERALIZED MODE
OF PROCUREMENT FOR THIS PROGRAM,
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT POLICY
BOARD.
THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT FOR
THIS PROGRAM SHALL PRIORITIZE THE
PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND
COMMUNITY-BASED PRODUCERS,
SUPPLIERS AND/OR SERVICE CONTRAC
TORS.
106. After the new Section 15, insert a new section,
to wit:
SEC. 16. MONITORING, REVIEWAND
ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAM. - THE
NGAs AND LGUs CONCERNED SHALIIHALL
r r

REGULARLY MONITOR, REVIEW AND
ASSESS THE IMPACT AND EFFECTIVITY
OF THE PROGRAM IN CONSULTATION
WITH THEIR STAKEHOLDERS.;
107. Renumber the succeeding sections
accordingly;
Page 21
108. On line 2, after the word “appropriations,”
replace the word “for” with the word OF;
109. Delete lines 8 to 9;
110. On line 11, before the acronym “NGAs,”
delete the word “appropriate”;
111. On the same line, after the acronym “NGAs,”
insert the word CONCERNED; and Title
112. Reword the title of the bill to read as follows:
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE SCALING
UP OF NUTRITION FOR THE FIRST
ONE THOUSAND (1,000) DAYS OF LIFE
THROUGH A STRENGTHENED
INTEGRATED STRATEGY FOR
MATERNAL, NEONATAL, CHILD
HEALTH AND NUTRITION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Senator Recto thanked Senator Hontiveros for
sponsoring an important and milestone bill, for all the
work she has put into it, and for accepting his
amendments.
TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF INDIVIDUAL AMENDMENTS
There being no other individual amendment,
upon motion of Senator Honasan, there being no
objection, the Body closed the period of individual
amendments.
no objection, the Body suspended consideration of
the bill.
MANIFESTATION OF SUPPORT
Senator Honasan read the Manifestation of
Support for the Senate Defenders, to wit:
In behalf of the whole Senate, we would like
to express our congratulations to our basketball
team to the UNTV Cup, known as the “Senate
Defenders,” for earning a final slot for the very
first time in its five seasons of participation in
the UNTV Cup.
Our team, led by co-captains Sen. Soimy
Angara and Sen. Joel Villanueva, will battle the
Malacanang PSG Kamao in the best of
three championship series starting on Sunday,
March 4.
By being a finalist, the beneficiaries of the
Senate Defenders, namely: Kythe Foundation,
Inc., for cancer-stricken children; Pangarap
Foundation, Inc., helping the street children to
have a decent place and education; Tahanang
M apagpala ng Immaculada Concepcion
Foundation, Inc., home for the elderly, are
assured of P667,000 each, or a total of P2 million,
but can go higher to P4 million if our team will
bag the championship trophy.
Please support our team and watch the
championship games on Sunday, March 4, 2018,
at the Pasig Sports Center; Monday, March 12,
2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; and
Monday, March 19, 2018, if necessary, also at
Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Good luck. Senate Defenders!
MANIFESTATION OF THE CHAIR
Senate President Pimentel likewise expressed his
support for the Senate Defenders, and sent prayers
and best wishes for the team.
APPROVAL OF SENATE BILL NO. 1537
ON SECOND READING
Submitted to a vote, there being no objection.
Senate Bill No. 1537 was approved on Second
Reading.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION OF
SENATE BILL NO. 1537
Upon motion of Senator Honasan, there being
SENATE CONFEREES
Pursuant to paragraph 2 of Section 35, Rule XII
of the Rules of the Senate, Senate President Pimentel
designated the following to constitute the Senate
panel in the Bicameral Conference Committee on the
disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1461
(Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency
Fund Act of 2017) and its counterpart House Bill
No. 7054: Senator Gatchalian as chair, and Senators
Legarda, Ejercito, Zubiri and Drilon, as members.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28,2018
I hereby certify to the correctness of the
foregoing.
ATTY. LUTGARDO B. BARBO
Secretary o f the S e n a te ^ ^
{Approved on March 5, 2018
1648
ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION
objection, the Chair declared the session adjourned
until three o’clock in the afternoon of Monday,
March 5, 2018.
It was 6:24 p.m.

SESSION NO. 63 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION

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SESSION NO. 63 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION