SESSION NO. 32 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION

CfAU
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Pasay City
Journal
S E S S IO N NO. 3 2
Tiesday, November 21, 2017
S E V E N T E E N T H C O N G R E S S
SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SKSSION NO. 32
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
CAI.L TO ORDKR
At 3:21 p.m., the Senate President, Hon. Aquilino
“Koko” Pimentel III, called the session to order.
PRAYER
Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao led the
prayer, to wit:
Our gracious and loving Father, Creator
of heaven and earth, in Jesus’ Name.
Lord, we come before Your presence.
Thank You so much for the gift of life.
Teach us to number our days that we may
gain a heart of wisdom. Guide us along the
path of righteousness for Your Name’s sake.
Lord, enable us to fix our eyes to what
ever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure. We recognize that
apart from You, Lord, we are nothing, but
when we abide in You, we can make a
difference.
Lord, we pray for all of us that You will
give us wisdom and understanding as we
do our work today.
Lord, guide us, teach us, and lead us
into all that is true.
in Jesus’ Mighty Name, we pray.
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.
Gordon, R. J.
Honasan, G. B.
Hontiveros, R.
Lacson, P. M.
Pacquiao, E. M. D.
Pimentel 111, A. K.
Poe, G.
Recto, R. G.
Sotto III, V. C.
Villanueva, J.
Villar, C. A.
Zubiri, J. M. F.
With 18 senators present, the Chair declared the
presence of a quorum.
Senator Legarda and Trillanes arrived after the
roll call.
Senators Escudero and Pangilinan were on official
mission as indicated in the letters of their respective
chiefs of staff both dated November 21, 2017.
Senator Dc 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
/

892 TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 2!, 2017
Journal of Session No. 31 (November 20, 2017) and
considered it approved.
ACKNOWLEDCMENT
OF THE PRESENCE OF GUESTS
At this juncture, Senator Sotto acknowledged the
presence in the gallery of the following guests:
• Mr. John Christopher, Capacity Development
Director, Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia;
• Mr. Sothoni Kem, Senior Instructor from the
Parliamentary Institute of Cambodia;
• Mr. Ricardo Mira, Congressional Policy Budget
and Research Development of the House of
Representatives;
• Guests of Senator Zubiri from Timex Credit
Cooperative and VictoNational Cooperative
Federation and Development Center;
• National Anti-Poverty Commission-Senior
Citizens; and Federation of Senior Citizens’
Association of the Philippines led by former
Councilor Jeorge Banal Sr. of Quezon City;
• JCI San Juan Pinaglabanan Board of Directors;
• Ms. Krizziah Tabora, 53rd Bowling World Cup
Champion; Ms. Bong Coo, 1979 Bowling World
Cup Champion and Asia's Bowling Queen; Mr.
Paeng Nepomuceno, legendary Guinness Book
World record holder and 6-time Bowling World
Cup Champion;
• Mr. Alex Lim, Ms. Gina Avecilla, Mr. Tabora,
and Mr. Steve Robles, President of the Philippine
Bowling Federation; and
• Mr. Jerwin Ancajas, International Boxing Feder
ation (IBF) Super Flyweight World Champion;
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;
BIIJ.S ON FIRST READING
Senate Bill No. 1614, entitled
AN ACT INCREASING THE SERVICE
INCENTIVE LF-AVE OF EMPLOYEES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
ARTICLE 95 OF PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED,
o t h f ;r w is e k n o w n a s t h e
LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Introduced by Senator Joel Villanueva
To the Committee on Labor, Employment
and Human Resources Development
AN ACT INSTfLUTIONALIZING SPORTS
VARSITY TEAMS IN ELEMENTARY
AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
To the Committees on Education, Arts and
Culture; Sports; and Finance
RESOLUTION
Senate Joint Resolution No. 9, entitled
JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
THE INCREASE IN BASE PAY OF
MILITARY AND UNIFORMED PER
SONNEL IN THE GOVERNMENT.
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Introduced by Senator Aquilino
Pimentel III
‘Koko’
To the Committees on National Defense and
Security; Public O rder and Dangerous Drugs;
and Finance
C O M M iriE E REPORT
Committee Report No. 169, submitted by the Com
mittee on Accountability of Public Officers and
Investigations, on Proposed Senate Resolution
No. 113, introduced by Senator Richard J.
Gordon, entitled
RESOLUTION DIRECTlNCi THE COM-
MTITEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY OF
PUBLIC OFFICERS AND INVESTIGA
TIONS (BLUE RIBBON) TO CON-
f

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21.2017 893
DUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF
I HG1SI.AT10N, INTO THK POSSIBLE
MALFEASANCE. MISFEASANCE,
AND NONFEASANCE OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS IN THE IMPLEMENTA
TION OF REPUBLIC ACT 9593
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
TOURISM ACT OF 2009,
recommending the approval of the Committee
Report and the attached bill. Senate Bill No.
1616, introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon
and the Members of the Committee on
Accountability of Public Officers and
Investigations, entitled
AN ACT AMF;NDING CHAPTER V,
SECTION 85 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9593, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
TOURISM ACT OF 2009
Sponsor: Senator Gordon
To the Calendar for Ordinary Business
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
BILL ON FIRST READING
AN ACT CONVERTING THE DAVAO
ORIENTAL STATE COLLEGE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN
THE CITY OF MATI AND ALL ITS
SATELLITE CAMPUSES LOCATED
IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO
ORIENTAL INTO A STAl E UNIVER
SITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE
DAVAO ORIEN l AL STATE UNIVER
SITY. INTEGRATING THEREWITH
THE GOVERNOR GENEROSO
COLLEGE OF ARTS. SCIENCE AND
TEX'HNOLOGY IN THE MUNICI-
PALHY OF G0VF:RN0R (iENIiROSO,
PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
To the Committees on Education, Arts
and Culture; Ways and Means; and Finance
RESOLUTIONS
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 541, entitled
RESCJLUnON CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING KRIZZIAH LYN
TABORA FOR WINNING THE
WOMEN'S TITLE IN THE 53RD
QUBICAAMF BOWLING WORLD
CUP CHAMPIONS HELD IN
HERMOSILLO. MEXICO ON
NOVEMBER 4-12, 2017
Introduced by Senator Sotto III
To the Committee on Rules
RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND
COMMENDING KRIZZIAH LYN
TABORA FOR WINNING THE 53RD
QUBICAAMF BOWLING WORLD
CUP
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy
S. Binay
Proposed SeniUe Resolution No. 543. entitled
RF:S0LUT10N CONCjRA'IULAIING a n d
COMMENDING MARIA TERIiSITA
SSEN L. MARQUEZ FOR HONORING
THE COUNTRY WITH THE REINA
HISPANOAMERICANA 2017 TITLE
ON 4 N0VF:MBER 2017 AT SANTA
CRUZ, BOLIVIA MAKING HER
THE FIRST FILIPINO AND ASIAN
BEAUTY QUEEN TO WIN THE
CROWN
Introduced by Senator Zubiri
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND
COMMENDING KAREN IBASCO
FOR BEING CROWNED AS MISS
EARTH 2017 ^

894 TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21. 2017
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND
COMMENDING TERESITA SSEN
“WINWYN” MARQUEZ FOR BEING
CROWNED AS THE REINA
HISPANOAMERICANA 2017
RESOLUTION URGING THE SENATE
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION,
AR'I'S AND CULTURE. TO CONDUCT
AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGIS
LATION. ON THE DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION’S DIRECTIVE
ALLOWING LOAN PAYMENTS TO
BE DEDUCIFT) FROM SALARIES
OF TEACHERS. EFFECTIVELY
SHRINKING THE NET TAKE IIOMIi
PAY OF THE LATEER, WITH THE
END GOALS OF FINDING SOLU
TIONS TO THE IMPASSE, DETER
MINING lONG-STANDING PROBLEMS
PLACiUING THEIR SECTOR AND
pRo n -n iN G teaciif:rs an d o n ier
PERSONNEL FROM ARBITRARY
IMPOSITIONS
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
To the Committee on Education, Arts and
C'ulture
RESOLUTION DIRI-CTING THE PROPER
senate: co m m titee t o c o n d u c t
AN INQUIRY. IN AID OF LEGIS
LATION, ON the; c o m m is s io n o n
AUDIT REPORT THAT GOVERN
MENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED
CORK)RA 'n O N S (CiOCCs) GRAN'THJ
e x c e s s iv e BONUSES AND PERKS
TO THEIR OFFICIALS AND EMP
LOYEES WITHOUT SUFFICIENT
LEGAL BASIS AMOUNTING TO
PHP 620 MILLION IN 2016, WITH
THE END IN VIEW OF INITIATING
A MAJOR REVIEW OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 10149 OR THE GOCC
GOVERNANCE ACT OE 2011 AND
PLUGGING LOOPHOLES IN THE
LAW
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
To the C’omniittec on E'inance; and (iovern-
nient ('orporation and Public enterprises
PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 541
objection, the Body considered Proposed Senate
Resolution No, 541, taking into consideration Proposed
Senate Resolution No. 542 , entitled
RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING
AND COMMENDING KRIZZIAH
LYN TABORA FOR WINNING THE
WOMEN'S TITLE IN THE 53R,,
QUBIC'AAMF BOWLING WORLD
CUP CHAMPIONS HELD IN
HERMOSILLO, MEXICO ON
NOVEMBER 4-12, 2017.
Secretary Barbo read only the title of the
resolution without prejudice to the insertion of its full
text into the Record of the Senate.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator Sotto
for the sponsorship speech.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR SOITO
In sponsoring Proposed Senate Resolution
No. 541, Senator Sotto delivered the following speech:
Unknown to many Filipinos, especially the
young ones — the millenials. other than being a
public servant, lawmaker, actor or artist, I also
wear a different hat when outside the hails of the
Senate or the studio of our noontime show that
I am hosting, and that is as a sportsman.
Before 1 started playing golf, my first love
was really tenpin bowling. When I was still in
college playing in Colcgio de San Juan de Letran,

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21.2017 895
I came lo appreciate the sports belter. 1pursued
bowling and won gold medals in several
international bowling competitions as part of the
bowling team together with my contemporaries,
the legendary Paeng Nepomuccno. and Asia's
bowling queen Bong Coo who were my
teammates in most of these competitions,
In 1978, I won the national championships
and represented the Philippines in the Bowling
World Cup in Bogota. Colombia and again in
1984 in Sydney, Australia. Hence, this
recognition that we will be giving now is really
something that is close to my heart.
The Qubica AMD Bowling World Cup is an
annual tenpin bowling championship held in a
different country around the world each year.
For this year, the 53,<! Bowling World
Championships was held in Hermosillo, Mexico
on November 4, 2017 to November 12, 2017
participated in by 68 countries. There were two
Filipinos who represented our country, one for
the men's division and the other for the
women's: Jomar Jumapao for the male category,
and Krizziah Lyn Tabora for the female division.
Out of the 54 women participants. Krizziah
Tabora entered the qualifying round ranked No.
8, but rose to the third place to advance to the
semi-final round with the total of 6,897 pinfalls
after 40 games. In the semi-finals, Krizziah
defeated Colombian Rocio Reslrepo in a 249-222
score that led her to the final march to compete
with Abdul Raman Siti Safiyah Amirah of
Malaysia, who was a semi-pro and also competes
in the United States, where Krizziah carded a 236
pinfalls against Siti's 191. Thus, making her the
53"1 Bowling World Cup Champion in the
women’s division. She is the fifth Filipino to win
a bowling world cup title. She now ranks among
the Filipino greats, like the legendary Paeng
Nepomuccno, six-time world champion, Asia’s
Bowling Queen, 1970 World Bowling Champion
Olivia "Bong” Coo Garcia, and Christian Suarez,
2003 World Cup Bowling Champion. And. also,
of course, Lita dcia Rosa who was the Bowling
World Cup Champion in 1978,
1 know how it feels carrying the Philippine
flag on the back of your shirt competing in a
world championship. It is the heaviest load an
athlete can carry. So 1know what Krizziah went
through.
Krizziah Tabora’s win has, again, brought
honor, pride and recognition not only to herself
but also to the Filipinos after 14 years of aspiring
to bring back the title to us from our last win in
2003, 38 years in the female division, and that her
recognition serves as an inspiration to the other
Filipino bowlers who will soon be competing in
the World Bowling Championship on November
24, 2017 and in such other future international
competitions. They will be leaving tomorrow for
Las Vegas, and I was just informed that Sen.
Manny Pacquiao is giving Krizziah an incentive
or a bonus for her win. Therefore, this
recognition being given to her now, this 2 1Mday
of November 2017, by the Senate of the
Philippines, is truly warranted.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSED
SENATE RKSOl.iniON NO, 541
Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being
no objection. Proposed Senate Resolution No. 541,
taking into consideration Proposed Senate Resolution
No. 542, was adopted by the Body.
SUSPENSION OF SESSION
Upon motion of Senator Sotto. the session was
suspended.
It M'tj.v 3:39 p.m.
RESUMPTION OF SESSION
At 3:50 p.m., the session was resumed with
Senator I-jercito presiding.
PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF SENATOR POE
In commemorating National Children’s Month,
Senator Poe delivered the following speech:
1rise to speak lo commemorate (he National
Children's Month also, like what Sen. Risa
Hontiveros did yesterday, for the children who,
regardless of their circumstances, are our future.
We have lo make sure that they arc provided
with an environment where they can thrive,
explore, achieve their full potential all while
enjoying the entire process. To achieve this, we
need to address squarely the legal, social' and
cultural impediments. Among the many issues 1
am passionate about pursuing is the severe
issues and abuses being faced by Filipino
children today - the most defenceless in our
society.
Feeding Program and First 1,000 Days
In the course of last year’s campaign, I met
many people in poverty-stricken areas and
although they managed to greet me with eager
r

896 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21.2017
smiles and hugs, most of them would tell me
about the problems they faced. Many were
about the cost of living, the lack of food and
absence of decent job opportunities. Tama'
yung sinabi nila, “Sa sine long masaya ang
mahihirap."
In the SWS survey conducted during the
fourth quarter of 2015, it was found that 2.6
million families experience involuntary hunger at
least once in the past three months, in this day
and age. That is about 12 million Filipinos, or
around 12% of our population still experiencing
hunger.
The daily struggle to find a decent meal is
real, and children, of course, arc the most
vulnerable in this situation. In April 2013, the
UNICEF reported that we have 3.6 million
stunted children which made the Philippines rank
O-1 in the list of countries with the highest
incidence of stunting. Nakiia naman naiin
kanina. binigyan natin ng parangal si Paeng
Nepomuceno at si Ms. Bong Coo. Nakiia
naman natin ang kanilang sukat, sila ay
matangkad, kaya malaking tulong iyan sa
kanilang naging karera. Pero marami sa ating
mga kabataan ay kasing tangkad ko lamang o
mas maliil pa.
Paliit nang paliit ang mga hatang Pinoy.
Filipinos are in fact the second shortest race in
Southeast Asia today.
In the same year, we ranked 10ll> among
countries with the highest incidence of wasting.
Hindi iio “wa.sted” na lasing kundi wasted na
buto at baht. It was reported that we had about
769,000 children suffering from either moderate
or severe wasting.
As they say, “It takes a village to raise a
child." That just means that each one of us has
in some way the power and capacity to affect the
lives of others and make it a little better. The first
is Senate Bill No. 160, or the Libreng Panang-
halian sa Pampublikong Paaralan Act, and the
second is Senate Bill No. 161, otherwise known
as the First 1,000 Days Act.
The first bill seeks to institutionalize the
school-based feeding programs. 1 am confident
that with the help of Senators Recto and
Escudero, we will be able to pass this soon
especially with the support of our colleagues.
But DepEd's feeding program is limited only to
wa.sted and severely-wasted students. We need
to expand the school feeding program to include
not only severely-malnourished students but
all students.
One of our colleagues. Senator Gatchalian,
has already tested this in Valeruuela, to great
success. So. we already have a model city that
has done this. There is nothing that should slop
us or probably make us apprehensive from
taking a risk to do this.
Further, we need to enact the Libreng
Pananghalian bill into law so that it will not to
be subject to the whims of whoever is in power.
It has been found that these feeding
programs help students perform better in school.
Narinig natin ang isang i.syu tungkol doon sa
frat na kunwari daw ay pinulol nila ang
bangkay sa Balut, Tondo. So, Balut, Tondo is
prominent for that. But actually, Balut, Tondo is
prominent for a school with a feeding program
funded by the UK where students arc excelling.
We should focus our attention to those types of
schools. Marami din sa kanila mga dancers na
sa CCP ngayon dahil mayroong after-school
programs.
My other measure, also with Senator
Angara, is Senate Bill No. 161, or the First 1,000
Days Act of 2016 which shall ensure the
nutritional well-being of pregnant women and
toddlers, kasi ang utak ng mga bata ay
nahuhuo .sa tiyan pa lamang ng nanay. And the
Province of Quezon, with the initiative of
Governor Suarez, has successfully implemented
this and a lot of their children now are healthier
because of their 1,000 Days Program.
Government should therefore allocate more funds
for program that promote nutritional well-being.
Abused and Trafficked Children
Now. going to another issue. 1 am sure that
you have also heard news regarding the many
cases of minors being sexually exploited in
exchange for money. Eight in 10 victims rescued
from online sexual exploitation are minors, with
some of them as young as two (2) months old.
Imagine, not even a year old! And just this
November, Happier reported that a woman in
Leyte was arrested for allegedly abusing nine
children, including her eight-year old daughter.
The woman asked for PI.500 from her online
clients in exchange for a ".show," even telling her
online customeni that she could sexually abu.se
children of any age. and that the children could
do whatever sex act the cu.stomer wanted <luntil
the children cried in pain."
It is disturbing that such grave violation of
human and child rights is happening in our
country and is fast becoming such a pervasive
and extensive problem. This needs to be
addressed now.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21.2017 897
As a sender and receiver of iraffickcd
persons, our country ranks fourth among the
nations with the most number of prostituted
children. We have become one of the top ten
countries producing child pornographic materials
and we are included in the top five countries
where the persons being trafficked are children.
With the advent of technology and the
accessibility of people to the internet, and with
easier, multi-strategy avenues to child sexual
exploitation, we must be even more vigilant. In
2016, the Philippines had at least 50 million
internet users and more than 100 million mobile
subscribers. Sa hagai ng internet natin, ganyan
tayo A:u-active sa social media.
Findings from a 2017 study by Plan
International, titled “Sex Trade in the Digital
Age," indicated that children are not only being
pul up for sale in web sites. They are being
engaged through social media sites like
Facebook, dating apps like Tinder and Grindr,
messaging apps such as Viber and WhaLsapp, as
well as c-commerce platforms like Craigslist. This
makes cyberspace an increasingly dangerous
place for children and young people as it is now
being used to facilitate their exploitation.
Sex offenders are not only able to contact
children online but the abuse itself can happen
via live streaming in the internet with the use of
laptops and webcams. In effect, accessing
technology has significantly increased the risk
of children and youth being sexually exploited.
At the same time, it has also made detection,
prevention, and response an ail the more complex
matter as physical and geographic boundaries
are tom down.
It is critical to note that a child’s first line of
defense against abuse and exploitation is his or
her family. This is why it is so disheartening to
receive reports that family members are not only
standing idly by, allowing their children to be
subjected to sexual exploitation. Ang iba ngang
mga nanay sinasabi. "okay tang yan kasi online
lang naman. hindi naman nila nahahawakan. "
There is no financial gain large enough to
warrant the exploitation of our children. I have
previously filed Proposed Senate Resolution
No. 237 that aims to push for the investigation
toward crafting remedial measures, amending
existing laws and capacitating implementing
agencies to make them more responsive in
deterring and penalizing child pornography and
prostitution. Ang ulat na nangunguna ang
Pilipinas sa child pornography lulagang
nakabahahala. nakalulungkof. Higit dapal
higyan ng proleksyon ng pamahalaan ang mga
balang napupuwersang m agtrabaho sa
ganilong kalakaran. Ang puna'/ dulo ng aling
problema ay kahirapan pa rin. I thus urge the
Senate to conduct an investigation on the
proliferation of pornography involving children
in the country amid measures already in place to
punish perpetrators and criminalize unlawful acts.
To add more funding also for cyber security with
the NBI. The dignity of a child cannot be bought;
it must never be compromised. We need to show
our countrymen and women, as well as the rest
of the world, that a Filipino child is not for sale.
Ang isang bansa ay kasing lakas lamang
ng pinakam ahinang mamamayan nito.
Kaitangan noting halansehin ang disiribusyon
ng yaman at kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan
ng pagpapalakas sa mga mahihina. Tungkulin
ng pamahalaan na palakasin sila at itaguyod
ang kanilang mga karapatan.
Layunin natin rilo ay palakasin ang isang
sektor na nangangailangan ng ating tulong
dahil napakalapit nila sa pang-aabuso: ang
aling kabataan-
RKFKRRAI, OF SPEECH
TO COMMITTEE
objection, the Chair referred the privilege speech of
Senator Poc to the Committee on Wonten, Children,
Family Relations and Gender Equality.
UpK)n motion of Senator Sotto, the session was
suspended.
It was 4:01 p.m.
At 4:12 p.m., the session was resumed.
SECOND ADDITIONAI,
REFERENCE OF BUSINESS
llie Deputy Secretary for Legislation, Atty. I^dwin
B. Bellen, read the following matters and the Chair
made the corresponding referrals:
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND
CONGRATULATING JERWIN

898 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21,2017
ANCAJAS FOR RETAINING THE
IBF JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
Intrixluced by Sen. Emmanuel "Manny” D.
Pacquiao
COMMITTEE REPORT
Committee Report No. 170, submitted by the
Committee on Accounts on Proposed Senate
Resolution No. 293, introduced by Sen. Win
Gatchalian, entitled
RESOLUTION CREATING AN AD HOC
COMMITTEE TASKED TO CON-
DUCr A FIASIBILITY STUDY ON HIE
CONSIRUCTION OF A NEW SliNATE
BUILDING AND THE RELOCAT ION
OF THE SENATE THERETO,
recommending its approval.
Sponsor: Senator Lacson
To the Calendar for Ordinary Business
SPECIAL ORDER
Upon motion of Senator Sotlo, there being no
objection, the Body approved the transfer of
Committee Report No. 170 on Proposed Senate
Resolution No. 293 from the Calendar for Ordinary
Business to the Calendar for Special Orders.
PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 293
objection, the Body considered Proposed Senate
Resolution No. 293, entitled
RESOLUTION CREATING AN AD HCX1
COMMn'FEE TASKED TO CONDUCT
A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SENATE
BUILDING AND THE: RELOCATION
OF THE SliNATE THERETO.
With the permission of the Body, only the title of
the resolution was read without prejudice to the
insertion of its full text into the Record of the Senate.
SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
OF SENATOR LACSON
Senator Lacson submitted for plenary
consideration Proposed Senate Resolution No. 293,
entitled "RESOLUTION CRIiATING AN AD HOC
COMMITTEE TASKED TO CONDUCT A
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE CONSTRUC
TION OF A NEW SENATE BUILDING AND
THE RELOCATION OF THE SENATE THERETO”
filed by Senator Gatchalian.
Following is the full text of the sponsorship
speech of Senator Lacson:
Since the as.sumption of this Repre.sentation
as the Chairman of the Committee on Accounts
in this present Congress, one of the very first
things that struck me was the staggering costs
of lease being paid by the government over the
years in renting the Senate building and its
parking lot. Truth be told, this was our top
agenda when I calendared the first organizational
meeting of the Committee on Accounts on 6
September 2016.
As a quick background and for the
information of everybody in this hall, the Senate
has been renting the use of its building from the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
and the use of parking lot from the Social Security
System (SSS) here in Pasay City since 1996.
Upon checking the figures, we found out
that from May 1, 1996 to December 31,2017, the
total amount of office rental fees paid to GSIS
and SSS have reached P2.24 billion. Suffice it to
say that for over 20 years, the cost of our lea.se
payments have probably become enough to
construct an iconic, permanent Senate building.
Mo.st of us in this Chamber, at one time or
another, have been eyewitnesses to the historic
and impressive parliament buildings of our
foreign counterparts every time we arc invited to
make goodwill visits and attend conferences in
their jurisdictions. Such structures, needless to
say. live up to the words of a Chinese-American
architect I.M. Pei, when he slated that buildings
are the true “reflection of society,” that you
have to cast your eyes on those structures in
order to feel the presence of the past and the
spirit of a place.
With the indulgence of our colleagues,
allow me to show some of the most stunning and
well-known parliament buildings around the
world.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 2017 899
First, the US Capitol Building in Washington
D.C. is an architectural art piece completed in
1800 that was inspired by the louvre and the
Paris Parthenon, This building, which houses the
United States Congress, is known as one of the
most magnificent parliament buildings in the
world since the time it was erected.
The Palace of Westminster is an iconic
landmark of London. More popularly known as
the Houses of Parliament, it is now one of the
most popular tourist attractions in the city, not
only because of its architectural beauty but also
of its rich history.
The Hungarian Parliament Building in
Budapest, which was completed in 1904. is one
of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings. This
structure was a result of the architectural design
competition which they conducted in order
to build a monument that symbolizes the
independence of Hungary from Austria.
The Reichstag Building in Berlin is one of
the most famous tourist attractions in Germany.
It is a legislative building known for its glass
dome which gives one a spectacular view of
the city.
These buildings are known globally not
only for their architectural brilliance, but also for
their just representation of the dignity of the
parliaments that they house - something, which
all of us in this august Chamber will surely agree,
is also fitting for the Senate of the Republic of
Philippines,
In addition. 1 think it is worth mentioning
here that no less than our own Supreme Court
has taken a leap forward in the groundbreaking
of its new home - a sprawling architecture with
its Philippine flag-in.spired design, solar-powered
and earthquake-proof structure. By 2019, our
High Tribunal will already find its home at the
Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
This representation wants to emphasize that
talks of finding a new home for the Senate is
actually a 17-year-old idea. Our hardworking
Senate Secretary himself, Atty. Lutgardo Barbo,
is our living attestant to the plan of relocating
and constructing a permanent Senate building
way back in year 2000 during the Senate
presidency of Sen. Aquilino “Nene" Pimentel Jr.,
the beloved father of our present Senate
President. Lots of proposals were conceptualized
since then, but unfortunately, none of such has
materialized to this day.
Marahil. panahon na upang isakatuparan
ang pangarap at lagyan na ng kulay ang draw
ing.” This time around, two potential relocation
sites are being eyed to be the permanent home of
the country’s Upper Chamber: in Antipolo City,
Rizal province; or in Fori Bonifacio, Taguig City.
First, the City of Antipolo in the province
of Rizal. TTirough its mayor, the Honorable
Casimiro A. Ynares III, the local government of
Antipolo City has expressed its willingness to
donate to the Senate of the Philippines 25
hectares of land located along the Marikina
Infanta Road, Barangay San Josc/Inarawan as a
possible site of the new Senate complex.
Since Antipolo City is offering 25 hectares
of land for free, this means that there will be no
land acquisition cost on the pari of the Senate.
Selecting Antipolo City shall however consider
the cost of land development estimated at P4.000
per square meter on a flat clear terrain.
The City of Antipolo is eyeing a four-year
timeline before the Senate can fully occupy the
proposed Senate Building: six months for design
development phase, one year for land
development phase, two-and-a-half years for the
construction phase.
The second option for possible relocation
site is in Taguig City, NCR.
It is situated in a 20,000-squarc-meter or
two-hectare parcel of land owned by the Bases
Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)
located at the former Navy Village, Fort Bonifacio,
Taguig City. The agreement being proposed by
the BCDA is in the nature of an Option Contract.
The consideration for the Option to
Purchase is PI00,000, and the period within
which to exercise such option would be one year
from the execution of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU). We will work out that
this requirement be waived to avoid a possible
issue with the COA rules and regulations as well
as the Government Procurement Act.
With the property being valued at P90.000
per square meter, the total cost of acquiring the
20.000-square-meter property being offered by
the BCDA will be PI.8 billion, which would be
payable in 10, possibly more years.
In one of the public hearings conducted by
your Committee on Accounts, the BCDA
expressed that they target the execution of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Senate anytime between October to November
2017. Based on their proposed timeline, the
construction of the Senate building can start on
the third quarter of 2018 and be finished by the
third quarter of 2020. ^

900 TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21, 2017
In this regard, part of my submitted indivi
dual amendments to the General Appropriations
Bill now pending before this body is a PI.5-
billion realignment as initial appropriation for a
multi-year budget for the Senate relocation. 1
hope that the chair of the Finance Committee, the
very gorgeous Sen. Lx)rcn Lcgarda, will accept
my proposed amendment in this regard.
I am sure as we are all concerned with the
plight of the more than 1,700-strong employees
and staff of the Senate. I would like to think this
as an opportune time to present the key results
of the survey conducted by the Office of the
Deputy Secretary for Administrative and
Financial Services, which was aimed at gathering
data on the views of the Senate employees and
slafT on the possibility of the Senate transfer.
Out of the 1,714 Senate employees and the
Senate secretariat, 1,032 or 60.21 % responded to
the survey that was administered on September
19,2017.
From the said survey, the daily trans
portation expense of the respondents was
categorized in six ranges. The results revealed
that out of 1,032 respondents, 352 (34.1%) spend
from PIOl to P200; 203 employees (19.6%) spend
P201 to P300; 146 employees .spend PO to PI00;
77 employees spend P40I to P500 while 74 emp
loyees spend P501 and more on a daily basis.
Out of the total respondents, 93 employees did
not indicate their daily traasportation expense.
When it comes to the top places of
residence of our Senate employees and staff,
data gathered in the aforementioned survey
revealed that 154 of our personnel live in Quezon
City, while 130 reside in Cavite. The next top
places of residence are: Manila with 106
employees; Makati with 73 employees; Pasay
with 69 employees; and Paraftaque with 65
employees.
Most importantly, the survey results
provided that 691 respondents (66.96%) preferred
that the Senate be relocated to Fort Bonifacio.
Taguig City, while 191 respondents (18.5%)
favored Antipolo City. Further. 11.72% of
respondents answered they are amenable to
either Antipolo City or Taguig City. Finally, 21
did not indicate their preferred location for the
Senate transfer.
It is about time that we turn this long
standing dream into reality. If we do not take
action now, I am afraid that there will only be
talks and talks, again and again, about this
matter in the future till kingdom come. And I tell
you. it will be a never-ending comic cycle.
It is therefore the recommendation of this
Committee to bestow the task of pursuing the
relocation and overseeing the eventual
construction of a new house for the Senate be
given to an ad hoc Senate committee to be
decided and created by this august body. Your
Committee on Accounts will be mo.st willing to
assume this responsibility if tasked to do so.
After presenting all the facts and
circumstances, this Committee will humbly leave
to the entire body the decision to determine the
relocation site - whether to move to Antipolo
City, Rizal province; or to the Navy Village, Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City.
As so many Congresses that came before us
have had before, we gather in this plenary hall to
realize a long-standing dream. I urge you to
support our goal of finally building a home for
the Senate, whose members’ voices represent
the greater interests of the people, whose great
minds crafr meaningful legislations, and whose
humble service build the arsenals of democracy.
Together, we can give the Philippine Senate
a dignified home rightful of its honor and legacy.
1 therefore move - after entertaining some
clarificalory questions, if any - that our
colleagues may wish to propound, to divide the
house to decide: first, if we will act here and now
to relocate the Upper House of the Congress of
the Republic of the Philippines from this present
self-degrading site founded on a pathetic
“landlord-tenant” relationship to a more
dignified, iconic edifice that we can truly call our
own that this present 17th Congress can leave as
a proud legacy to the future generations of
legislators; and second, on the relocation site -
cither in the City of Antipolo, or in Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City.
1 so move.
INTERPELLATION
OF SENATOR DRILON
At the outset, Senator Drilon stated that Senator
Lacson presented a very detailed study on the need
to relocate the Senate of the Philippines. He then
noted that Senator Lacson raised a motion to divide
the C'hamber to decide whether the Senate should
relocate, and assuming that everybody is of the
view that the Senate should relocate, then where.
The Body, however, is still waiting for the
recommendation of the committee itself, he said. He
also asked whether the committee has considered
if the relocation of the Senate would provideid pr

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21,2017 901
convenience to the working relationship of the
Upper House with the Lower House considering
the distance between the two Houses, since the
Lower House is situated in Batasan, Quezon City.
He noted that it has been extremely difficult for
both the Senate and the House of Representatives
to coordinate with each other, especially during
bicameral conference committee meetings, or to hold
Commission on Appointments hearings and sessions
because of the distance.
Asked whether the committee considered Quezon
City as a possible relocation site of the Senate
because it is near Batasan, Senator Lacson said the
committee did not consider Quezon City anymore
because he was told by Rep. LRay Villafuerte that
he was also tasked by the Speaker of the House to
likewise negotiate with the BCDA for a possible
relocation of the House of Representatives to Taguig.
In fact, he said that the same relocation site at the
Navy Village was being eyed to co-locate with the
proposed relocation site of the Senate.
Senator Drilon called the proposed relocation
plan of the Senate as a very sensible setup knowing
that the House of Representatives is also planning to
move there.
Senator Drilon also asked whether the committee
is inclined to support the proposition for the Senate to
be located at BGC to get physically closer to the
House of Representatives, as the latter also plans to
transfer to BGC. He surmised that if the Senate
transfers to Antipolo City, it would be back in the
same quandary as far as the need for closer working
proximity with the House is concerned.
Asked whether the issue on proximity would
swing the balance in favor of BGC, Senator Lacson
admitted that he purposely did not make a definite
recommendation as to where the Senate would
relocate. He said that he has his own reasons; thus
his motion to divide the House regarding the matter.
He said that he would leave it to the members of the
Senate of the I?11' Congress to decide as a collegial
body as to where to relocate.
Senator Drilon stated that the information about
the House of Representatives’ intent to move to
BGC' is an important consideration on the decision of
the Senate, saying there is no sense for the Senate
to move to Antipolo while the House is located
somewhere far.
As a matter of fact, Senator Lacson said, the
House of Representatives would copy whatever
documents the Senate would be presenting to the
BCDA, when it starts operationalizing, on the
assumption that the proposed resolution would be
voted upon at the current hour.
Senator Drilon expressed hope that the Senate
would be benefited by the recommendation of the
committee even though the Chair has already stated
his preference. Senator Lacson admitted that he
indeed has picked a location but preferred to
participate in the voting.
INTERPELLATION OF SENATOR POE
Primarily, Senator Poe acknowledged the hard
work of Senator lacson for coming up with a very
detailed analysis of the options to be taken by the
Senate for its relocation plans. She opined that for
most of the personnel of the Senate, BGC would be
more convenient. However, she pointed out two
things to be considered: firstly, the outward develop
ment that the Senate might push if it relocates
outside of Metropolitan areas; and secondly, the
already crowded financial district because BGC is
already an established area where business is thriving.
She asked whether there is a parallel plan, for
instance, from the DOTr and the DPWH, so that the
accessibility of the thousands of people working in
the area would not be disrupted or caused more
problems to the trafTic situation if the Senate and the
House relocates in the area.
In reply. Senator Lacson divulged a plan of
extending the road all the way to Pasong Tamo
Extension to McKinley to a six-lane road, which is
called Grand Boulevard, to add more exit from Fort
Bonifacio towards Pasong Tamo that would also
serve as an alternative route to I^wton Drive, which
is always congested. He said that there is also a plan
to acquire a right of way on the portion of the
property in BGC owned by the Department of
Education, in order for the six-lane route exit to be
extended to the South Luzon Expressway. In addition,
he stated that the BCDA and the DPWH have
already started the widening of the Lawton Drive,
adding two more lanes to make it six. Also, he
informed the Body that the construction of the
Ayala-Unilab subway is underway.
Senator Poe lauded Senator Lacson for taking
into consideration the possible problem on traffic.

902 TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21. 2017
She suggested that the committee coordinate with
the DPWH and other related agencies as the Body
continues to discuss the architectural design and
deliberations for the planning of the structure to
ensure llie proper traffic How in the area.
MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR ZUBIRl
Senator Zubiri stated that the price of the land
given by the BCDA at P90.000 per square meter is
a wonderful investment to the Philippine Senate
considering that the properties at B(iC would reach
up to a million pesos per square meter.
For his part, Senator l.acson revealed that the
BCDA originally offered the Senate 1.2 hectares but
increased it to two hectares.
At tliis juncture. Senator Sotto asked the Body to
approve first the motion of Senator Lacson for the
Senate to decide to relocate.
REMARK OF SENATOR RECTO
Based on the infomiation that the House would
also be moving to BGC, Senator Recto said that
there is all the more reason for the Senate to do
the same.
MOTION OF SENATOR GORDON
Senator Ciordon lauded Senator Lacson for his
hard work for the relocation of the Senate.
Thereupon, he moved that the Senate be
transferred to Bonifacio Global City.
OBJECTION OF SENATOR IIONTIVEROS
Senator Ilonlivcros placed on record that as she
did in caucus, she would vote for the alternative
location which is Anti]X)lo.
Submitted to a vole, with majority of the senators
voting in favor, the motion of Senator Gordon for the
Senate to relocate to the Bonifacio Global City was
approved.
MOTION OF SENATOR ZUBIRI
Upon motion of Senator Zubiri, at the instance of
Senator Lacson, there being no objection, the Body
approved to allow the Committee on Accounts to
handle the smooth transfer of the Senate facility
from GSIS to BGC,
CO M M IU EE REPORT NO. 60
ON SENATE BILE NO. 1439
{Confinitafion)
objection, the Body resumed consideration, on Second
Reading, of Senate Bill No. 1439 (Committee Report
No. 60), entitled
AN ACT ESTABLISHING 1 HE E;NE:RGY
VIRTUAL ONE STOP SHOP FOR
the: PURPOSE OF STREAMLINING
THE PERMITTING PROCESS OF
ENE:RGY GENERATION PROJECTS.
Senator Sotto stated that the parliamentary status
was the period of individual amendments.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator
Gatchalian, sponsor of the measure.
Upon motion of Senator Sotto, the session was
suspended.
It ivii.v 4:45 p.m.
GATCHALIAN AMENDMENTS
As proposed by Senator Ciatchalian, there being
no objection, the Body approved the following
amendments, one after the other:
1. On page 1, line 2, after the word “Act,” insert
the acronym EVOSS in parenthesis (EVOSS);
2. On page 4. line 13, before the acronym “DOE,”
insert the words DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY;
3. On page 12, line 27e, after the word
“APPLICATION,” replace the period (.) with
a colon and insert the following proviso:
PROVIDED, THAT THIS SHALL NOT
APPLY TO ACTIONS BY THE DENR AND
ERC ON APPLICATIONS BY FOSSIL FUEU
BASED TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS COAL,
NATURAL GAS, AND OIL;

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 1.2017 903
4. On page 13, line )2a, replace (he word and
figure “forty-five (45)" with NINETY (90);
5. On (he same page, line 34, after the word
"shall," replace the phrase “result to a
provisional" with the words BR DEEMED;
and
6. On page 14, line 1, after (he word "project.”
replace the colon (:) with a period (.) and
delete the succeeding proviso starting with
the word "Provided" on line 1 until the word
“approval" on line 8.
TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF INDIVIDLIAE AMENDMENTS
objection, the Body closed the period of individual
amendments.
APPROVAL OF SENATE BILL NO.
ON SECOND READING
1439
Submitted to a vote, there being no objection.
Senate Bill No, 1439 was approved on Second
Reading.
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 143
ON SENATE BILL NO. 1533
{Conlinualittn)
objection, the Body resumed consideration, on Second
Reading, of Senate Bill No. 1533 (Committee Report
No. 143), entitled
AN ACT INSHTUTIONAI.I/lNCi THE
BALIK SCIENTIST PRO(iR AM,
AI>I>ROPRLA'nNG ITJNDS HERITOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Senator Sotto stated that the parliamentary status
was the period of individual amendments considering
that the measure is a substitute bill.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator Aquino,
sponsor of the measure.
INQUIRY OF SENATOR RECTO
Senator Recto said that the purpose of his
intervention was to clarify certain issues in the bill,
certain sections, and certain objectives of the measure.
Although expressing support for the Balik Scientist
Program, he stated that he has a few concerns
which he would like to include in the bill.
Asked by Senator Recto on the objective of the
program. Senator Aquino explained that the country
sorely lacks Science and Technology (S & T)
professionals. He said that the Balik Scientist
Program was established in 1975 to entice S & T
professionals who are working abroad to return to
the Philippines, whether on short, medium or long
term basis, to share with local S & T groups their
experiences abroad through educational activities or
through working on particular projects in the country.
As to whether incentives are being offered to be
able to achieve the said purpose of the program.
Senator Aquino answered in the afTirmative.
On what the program has done since 1975,
Senator Aquino said that in its more than 40 years,
there were about 543 scientists that the government
had invited and supported from 1975 up to 2016. He
added that a number of (hem come on a short-tenn
basis to provide seminars to S & T professionals in
the country, while a few of them stay for a long-term
basis usually for specific projects at the DOST or
related agencies.
Asked for a few success stories of the program
or a specific activity or invention work that was
accomplished through the program. Senator Aquino
answered that he is still asking the DOST to provide
the information. However, he said that in general,
they have had a number of scientists who have come
back and worked on zoology, physics, technology,
microbiology, environment and computer science,
among other scientific fields.
Saying that it is easy to have something read in
a very generic language. Senator Recto asked Senator
Aquino if they could provide information that is more
specific. He said that although he agrees with the
purpose of the bill which is to invite scientists to
come back by providing them incentives, they also
must work on solicited projects needed by the
government, such as increasing the yield in agriculture
or addressing trafilc congestion.
On the issue of traffic congestion. Senator Recto
further suggested that scientists could invent artificial
intelligence for traffic such as trafilc lights talking to
each other which Senator Aquino earlier revealed as
already being done in Japan where the streets and

904 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21.2017
the traffic lights talk to each other, or to make an
application similar to Waze.
Senator Recto said that the bill is not clear to
him. particularly on what type of work the scientists
would undertake. He stressed the need for taxpayers
to get back something because it is their money
that is being spent. Senator Aquino replied that
before they are awarded the grant, the Balik Scientist
nominees go through a process by which the DOS T
decides on who could avail of the grant. He said that
along the process, the scientists would state the
reason for their coming back. He said that the
provision could be made more specific in the bill.
Senator Recto said that he would like to see
the success story of the DOST and how much the
program has cost the government since 1975. Senator
Aquino replied that it cost the government almost
1*36 million in 2017 and almost P37 million in 2016.
He said that in previous years, the budget was
much less.
Citing one success story, Senator Aquino
mentioned that a certain Dr. Arquiza returned from
the US in 2015 to work on a system for stabilizing
brown rice at the food processing center in Leyte,
UPLB and Xavier University, and participated in the
DOST national scholars’ conference as resource
speaker. Asked what was regained or learned from
the said “Balik scientist," Senator Aquino said that
since Dr. Arquiza is a biological and environmental
engineer-scientist, he was able to discuss brown
rice varieties and how it could obtain stability in
the market.
Senator Recto disclosed that when he was DOST
chairperson, PI 5 billion per year was spent for
Grants-in-Aid (GIA) and other research and
development studies which was farmed out to various
institutions; however, its benefits remain unclear to
him. Notwithstanding the few success stories of the
program, he believed that it should be quantified as it
utilizes taxpayers* money which involves numerous
competing interests. For instance, in the NKDA,
similar to DOT, he said there are solicited infra
structure projects which address the need for a
particular road, subway or airport in a certain area.
He believed that research and development programs
should be tied to the Philippine Development Plan;
however, there is much to be seen with DOST. He
said that although he saw a lot of wasted money to
be spent on the type of research projects undertaken
by DOST during the budget hearing, he no longer
asked questions then.
To Senator Recto’s suggestion to put a provision
in the bill regarding solicitation for necessary projects
or programs. Senator Aquino agreed, noting that one
possible compromise is to indicate the projects/
procedures and allow the panel to decide the amount
of grants to be provided.
Asked on the allocation for the administrative
expenses of the DOST in 2018, Senator Aquino
staled that PI28.888,235.29 would be utilized to
monitor project research and proposals. Senator Recto
remarked that the amount of P19 million for
administrative cost seems loo high considering
that it is already two-thirds of the administrative
expenses of DOST.
Asked how much would be spent for scientists
on a short-lenn engagement (15 days to 180 days),
Senator Aquino replied that Pl.l million to PI.8
million per awardee would be spent for a short-term
engagement, while P2.6 million per awardee would
be spent for a long-term engagement. He said that
the amount mostly covers the airfare and honorarium
of the “Balik scientist"
Asked if the program could also be ofiered to a
local scientist. Senator Aquino said that the DOST
would only engage the service of a Balik scientist
whose expertise is not available locally. Senator
Recto suggested indicating such notion in the bill.
Thereafter, he expressed his desire to propose
amendments to the bill at the proper time.
SUSPKNSION OF SFSSION
With the pennission of the Body, the session was
suspended.
It uw.v 5:09 p.m.
KKSUMPTION OF SFSSION
INQUIRIES OF SENATOR GORDON
Asked by Senator Ciordon regarding Presidential
Decree 618 issued by President Marcos on the
Balik Scientist Program, Senator Aquino slated that
the program has been ongoing for the past 42 y e ^
r

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 2017 905
wherein scientists as well as S & T professionals
abroad were enticed to return to the Philippines so
that they could share their knowledge on their
respective fields of research from other countries by
means of speaking in educational settings or S & T
gatherings for short, medium or long-term engage
ments, to work in specific projects of the DOST, or
to be assigned in other government agencies to
share their expertise with local scientists and
technology professionals.
Senator Gordon said that the DOST could instead
invite learned professionals to discuss their expertise
with more depth if the intention of the program is
merely for speeches or for teaching a curricula.
Furthermore, he suggested that a better monetary
investment would be to subsidize students to learn
the technology of countries like US, Germany or
Great Britain.
Recalling a program he had in Subic, Senator
Gordon said that a space called “incubator” is
provided for people to do their research and incubate
ideas. Accordingly, he stated that a percentage of
the DOST budget must be reserved for human
intelligence like the Manhattan Project of the US
wherein scientists like Enrico Fermi, J. Robert
Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein were pirated so
they could produce end-products that created not
only atomic and nuclear bombs but also nuclear
energy, nuclear submarines and nuclear power plants.
He said that, in fact, even NASA hires a lot of
scientists to improve the airline industry.
Senator Gordon added that he is trying to find
the maximization to the limited resources of the Balik
Scientist Program by generating more professors
who could teach in state colleges and universities, or
Filipino and foreign scientists who would conduct
research in universities.
Asked on the yardstick regarding the usage of
the budget. Senator Aquino clarified that the Balik
Scientist program, being the only R&D allocation in
the DOST budget, is a relatively small program
compared to the bigger funds which are lodged in
academic institutions. While the Balik Scientist
Program is not the be-all and end-all of DOST’s
R&D budget, he asserted that it should not be
considered to be the only research and development
effort of the government because compared to the
R&D funding in other countries, the ratio of allocation
and output for the program is rather small. Still, he
believed that along the way, materials and innovations
would be created springing forth from the main
platform of research and development undertaken by
scientists as well as of S & T professionals.
Senator Gordon explained that he just wants to
ensure that the budget would be utilized considering
that the program has not been palpably felt in the
last 40 years.
Noting that the TOST has a program for scholars
in local schools. Senator Gordon suggested that the
budget for the measure would be better used if
Filipino scholars are sent abroad. He pointed out that
between 2013 and 2016, Taiwan invested US$5
million for 116 scholars at the world's top 30
universities renowned for international research
innovations. He said that he wanted to understand
how the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) would reap
good dividends by producing more scientists. He
clarified that he was not against the bill; rather he
wanted to be sure that Senate Bill No. 1533 is
different and would be an improvement over a
previous presidential decree of the late President
Marcos on a similar program. Senator Aquino said
that in recent years, local scientists have produced
usable technologies such as sensors for bridges
during earthquakes. He offered to provide Senator
Gordon with a document on the output of the 543
scientists who returned to the country as a result of
the program.
I'or his part. Senator Gordon noted that other
countries like India have come up with productive
solutions for utilizing their budget for the scientific
community which allowed India to copy medicines
manufactured from other countries. He lamented that
Philippines is paying dearly for its total dependence
on the science of other countries. He believed that
the country must be enriched by increasing its wealth
through human resources. This, he said, was also the
reason why he was pushing for the modernization of
the Anned Forces. He reiterated the position that
the Balik Scientist program is not the way to go
unless it is better than the program that had been
implemented during the Marcos administration.
Senator Aquino believed it was too early to
discount the work that the program had done for the
Philippines. He said that he would provide Senator
Gordon with the list of the 2015 Balik Scientist Program
awardees, who had made significant achievements in
the country. He believed that the Balik Scientist
/

906 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21,2017
program is only one of many programs that would
benefit from Senator Gordon’s proposal for the
government to increase efforts in research and
development.
Moreover, Senator Aquino said that in the same
way that China would have likely utilized a program
to entice their young scientists to return to their
homeland, the BSP bill also aims to persuade Filipino
scientists working overseas to return to the Philippines.
He said that Congress could support such efforts by
funding programs which require DOST scholars to
serve the government. He clarified that the BSP bill
aims to institutionalize and increase the budget for
the program. He added that the measure seeks to
provide annual support for the BSP so that there
could be a more robust program of bringing scientists
to work in the Philippines and share their learnings in
the process. He said that the Philippines could follow
scientific innovations of other countries like India and
Japan by further supporting efforts like the BSP and
R&D programs.
In a related matter, Senator Gordon expressed
concern over the negative aspect of the BSI* wherein
local scientists end up competing or even challenged
by achievements of those who had been brought
back to work in the Philippines. He underscored the
need to provide a premium for creativity since
scientists, being creative individuals, ought to be
provided with all the necessary research materials
and equipment. For instance, he asked whether any
of the Balik Scientist Program beneficiaries are
studying how to fight the dengue disease. He recalled
that the government had spent about P3 billion to
immunize only one region, but the disease has not
been eliminated. This, he said, is why he wanted to
know how the government's R&D program could be
strengthened and what could be done to foster creat
ivity in the scientific community. Senator Aquino said
that Senator Gordon's suggestions were timely consi
dering that amendments could be introduced into the
2018 national budget which is still being done.
INQUIkIKS OF SKNATOR RKCTO
Advening to page 4, line 1 of the bill. Senator
Recto asked whether it was possible to actually
guarantee admission to the preferred schools of
minor children of the Balik Scientist since this meant
lifting the admission requirements, entrance
examinations and grade requirements of the preferred
schools. Senator Aquino clarified that the provision
seeks to guarantee assistance for the payment of the
schools and the admission to them. He said that the
wording on Section 6(0 can be corrected.
On whether Section 6(g) which guarantees job
opportunities for the spouse of the Balik Scientist
could be realized. Senator Aquino said that the
provision could be deleted.
For his part, Senator Recto said that he merely
sought to clarify the intent of the two provisions and
suggested that improvements be made on the language
at the appropriate time.
AQUINO AMENDMENTS
As proposed by Senator Aquino, there being no
objection, the Body approved the following
amendments, one afier the other:
1. On page 4. line 1. delete the phrase
‘‘Guaranteed admission," and in lieu thereof,
insert ADMISSION ASSISTANCE; and
2. On the same page, line 3, replace the word
"Guaranteed” with the phrase ASSISTANCE
IN SECURING
MANIFESl ATION OF SENATOR AQUINO
Senator Aquino infomicd the Body that he had
an agreement with Senators Recto and Gordon to
improve some of the language in the bill during the
bicameral eonference.
TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD
OF INDIVIDUAL AMENDMENTS
There being no other individual amendment, upon
motion of Senator Cialchalian, there being no objection,
the Body closed the period of individual amendments.
APPROVAL OF SENATE BILL NO. 1533
ON SECOND READING
Submitted to a vote, there being no objection,
Senate Bill No. 1533 was approved on Second
Reading.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERAHON
OF SENATE BILL NO. 1533
Upon motion of Senator Gatchalian, there being
no objection, the Body suspended consideration
of the bill.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21.2017 907
COM M IITEE REPORT NO. 144
ON SENATE BIIX NO. 1534
i C o n l i n u a i i o n )
no objection, the Body resumed consideration, on
Second Reading, of Senate Bill No. 1534 (Committee
Report No. 144), entitled
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8439, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE ‘'MAGNA CARTA
FOR SCIENTISTS. ENGINEERS,
RESEARCHERS AND OTHER S&T
PERSONNEL IN THE GOVERN
MENT."
Senator Gatchalian stated that the parliamentary
status was the period of individual amendments.
Thereupon, the Chair recognized Senator Aquino
for his individual amendments.
AQUINO AMENDMENTS
As proposed by Senator Aquino, there being no
objection, the Body approved the following
amendments, one after the other:
Page 1
1. Delete lines 1 to 3;
Renumber the
accordingly;
subsequent sections
4.
On line 4, after the figure “6," insert the
phra.se OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8439;
On line 15, after the figure *'8," insert the
phrase OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8439;
On line 19, replace the period (.) with a colon
(;) and insert a proviso, to wit:
PROVIDED. THAT THE HEADS OF
AGENCIES SHALL ABIDE BY THE
GUIDELINES PROMULGATED BY DOST
FOR THE CER HFICAl ION OF NON-IX)ST
PERSONNEL DOING STA AND THEIR
ENTU EEMENT TO BENEFITS PROVIDED
IN THIS ACT;
On line 20, after the figure “ 16,” insert the
phrase OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8439; and
Page 2
7. On line 43, delete the sentence “Republic
Act No. 8439 is hereby amended.”
INQUIRY OF SENATOR RECTO
In rq)ly to Senator Recto’s query, Senator Aquino
said that Republic Act No. 8439 was passed in 1997.
He affirmed that the purpose of the law was to give
additional salaries to Science & I'echnology personnel
considering that the country had a large debt at that
time and government employees had low salaries.
Senator Recto asked if it would still be necessary
to have a different salary schedule for the scientists,
engineers and researchers considering that there is
already SSL 4 and recent talks about reducing taxes.
Senator Aquino replied in the affirmative. Senator
Recto explained that with SSL 4, which was
implemented through an EO, the compensation had
been readjusted, thereby improving the salary grade
of government employees, including scientists and
engineers. He then asked if the DOS'I' ever had a
different salary scale for S & T personnel prior to
SSL 4. Senator Aquino replied that their salaries
were higher prior to the SSL, but were later rational
ized because of the SSL. He afTirmed that all
engineers are within a certain salary grade and that
R.A. 8439 wanted to give scientists, researchers and
other S & T personnel a higher salary.
Senator Recto reiterated his question on the
necessity of the measure considering that SSL 4 has
made the government competitive with the private
sector. In fact, he pointed out that teachers are now
being paid more in public schools than in private
schools. Senator Aquino explained that S &
personnel can have an augmentation of 25% of their
salary based on Republic Act No. 8439. Senator
Recto agreed, but pointed out that the law was
passed in a different time period when there was a
different SSL.
Asked on the number of government personnel
expected to be covered by the measure. Senator
Aquino stated that 1,275 personnel from SUCs,
DENR and DA would benefit from the measure.
Senator Recto pointed out that there arc thousands
of engineers in DPWH as well. Senator Aquino said
that they have not availed, but it is possible that they
could. Senator Recto cautioned that it would create
a distortion in the salary structure.
Senator Recto also asked to be clarified on line
9, page 1of the bill, to wit: “In addition, there will be
no set limit to the amount of additional salary or
honoraria that scientists can receive as compensation

908
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 21,2017
from internally or externally funded granls-in-aid,
provided this is part of a previously approved budget
from the funding agency and does not entail additional
usual expense to the government.” He asked if the
intent is really to set no limit on salary or honoraria.
Senator Aquino answered in the afTiimative, explaining
that it would not be taken from taxpayers’ money.
He noted that the first part of Section 6 pertains to
a new salary scale that would be developed by the
department in consultation with the DBM and the
CSC, subject to the approval of the President, while
the second part pertains to additional salaries or
honoraria.
To Senator Recto's remark that most of the
DOST's fund are in the form of grants in aid,
Senator Aquino explained that the amount of additional
salaries or honoraria would not be based on the
whims of the scientists as it has to be approved by
the DOST Secretary. Senator Recto cautioned that
additional compensation subject to the agency head’s
approval could be abused. He reminded that the S &
T personnel are government employees, yet they
would be paid over and above the SSL and would
receive additional salaries and honoraria without
limit. Senator Aquino affirmed that the S & T
personnel would be exempt from the current salary
schedule, as slated in the first part of Section 6.
Regarding additional salary or honoraria. Senator
Aquino said that it would refer to compensation that
the scientists in project teams do with those in the
private sector, or funded by grants from abroad. Due
to the restrictions, he lamented that government
scientists receive much lower salaries than their
counterparts from the private institutions. Thus, he
said that the intent of the provision is to lift the
limitation so that government scientists can receive
the same salaries as their counterparts in the private
sector. He pointed out, however, that the provision
also provides for a colatilla that such additional
compensation would not entail additional expense
from the government. Senator Recto suggested that
the provision be revised to reflect tlie intent of the
sponsor. Senator Aquino agreed, and staled that the
intent was that taxpayers’ money would not be used
for the purpose.
Upon motion of Senator Aquino, the session was
suspended.
It was 5:51 p.m.
SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION
OF SENATE BILL NO. 1534
Upon motion of Senator Galchalian, there being
no objection, the Body suspended consideration of
the bill.
With the permission of the Body, the session was
suspended.
It was 5:57 p.m.
At 5:58 p.m,, the session was resumed.
ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION
no objection, the Chair declared the session adjourned
until ten o’clock in the morning of the following day.
It was 5:58 p.m.
I hereby certify to the correctness of the
foregoing.
. LUTGARDO B. BARBO
Approved on November 22, 2017

SESSION NO. 32 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION

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SESSION NO. 32 SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND REGULAR SESSION