House: Only 4 Marcos priority bills left to pass

The Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez said Sunday the House of Representatives had approved almost all of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s priority measures, with only four bills yet to pass.

“We are almost done with the priority bills agreed upon by Congress and the executive branch. We have approved on final reading all but four of the 57 measures in the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) list,” Romualdez said in a statement.

Of the four remaining measures, the Speaker said House Bill No. 9713 or “An Act institutionalizing a Philippine self-reliant defense posture program and promoting the development of a national defense industry pursuant thereto” is set to be passed on third and final reading soon.

Romualdez said the Philippines should have a credible defense program and industry so it would not be totally dependent on foreign allies and suppliers for its defense requirements.

The three other LEDAC measures awaiting final approval were: amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, which is under finalization of a technical working group; and the Budget Modernization Bill and National Defense Act, which are both under committee consideration.

“We have accomplished our mission as lawmakers by acting promptly on the legislative agenda of President Marcos, which is focused on sustaining economic growth, helping the poor and vulnerable sectors, creating jobs and income opportunities, and in general, making life better for every Filipino,” Romualdez said.

A House priority - HB No. 9571 or “An Act prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, providing for their destruction, and imposing penalties for violations thereof” - was also scheduled to be approved by the lower chamber.

Meanwhile, 11 other bills that the House considered among its priorities were in various stages of plenary and committee deliberation.

“We will await Senate action on proposed laws that we have approved on third and final reading, and we will be ready to sit with senators in bicameral conferences to come up with the final versions,” Romualdez said. — DVM, GMA Integrated News