Congressional Record - House of · PDF filepause for a moment of reflection. ... RIZAL, SABLAYAN, STA. CRUZ AND SAN ... Letter dated 11 September 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza,

Vol. 2 Tuesday, November 18, 2014 No. 25

Congressional Record16th CONGRESS, SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CALL TO ORDER

At 4:00 p.m., Deputy Speaker Henedina R. Abad called the session to order.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The session is called to order.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Everybody will please rise for the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National Anthem.

PRAYER

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Let us pause for a moment of reflection.

Everybody remained standing for the silent prayer.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Amen.The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BELMONTE (J.). Mme. Speaker, I move that we defer the calling of the roll.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

The calling of the roll is hereby defered.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

REP. BELMONTE (J.). Mme. Speaker, I move that we approve the Journal of our previous session, dated Monday, November 17, 2014.

I so move, Mme. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection to the motion to approve the Journal? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

REP. BELMONTE (J.). Mme. Speaker, I move that we proceed to the Reference of Business.



The Secretary General will please read the Reference of Business.

REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

The Secretary General read the following House Bills and Resolutions on First Reading, Message from the President, Communications and Subpoena Duces Tecum, and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding references:

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 5179, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE

NO. 1464, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, TO DEFINE SMUGGLING AS AN ACT OF ECONOMIC SABOTAGE, TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT AND PENALTIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative SuansingTO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND

MEANS

House Bill No. 5180, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 709 OF

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1464, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED”

By Representative SuansingTO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND

MEANS

House Bill No. 5182, entitled:“AN ACT RENEWING THE FRANCHISE

GRANTED TO FAR EAST BROADCASTING

2 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

C O M PA N Y ( P H I L I P P I N E S ) , I N C . UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8115 OR 'AN ACT GRANTING THE FAR EAST BROADCASTING COMPANY (PHILIPPINES), INC., A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE NON-COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative Cruz-GonzalesTO THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE

FRANCHISES

House Bill No. 5183, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS

OF REPUBLIC ACT 9344, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACT OF 2006', AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative CagasTO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF

LAWS

House Bill No. 5184, entitled:“AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM TERMINAL

FEES ALL SENIOR CITIZENS”By Representative CasteloTO THE COMMITTEE ON POPULATION AND

FAMILY RELATIONS

House Bill No. 5185, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE MT. CALAVITE

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PALUAN, PROVINCE OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO AS A PROTECTED AREA PROVIDING FOR ITS MANAGEMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Ramirez-SatoTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL

RESOURCES

House Bill No. 5186, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING WATERSHED

RESERVATIONS CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND SITUATED IN ABRA DE ILOG, CALINTAAN, MAGSAYSAY, MAMBURAO, PALUAN, RIZAL, SABLAYAN, STA. CRUZ AND SAN JOSE IN THE PROVINCE OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, AND BULALACAO, MANSALAY, PUERTO GALERA, AND SAN TEODORO IN ORIENTAL MINDORO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Ramirez-SatoTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL

RESOURCES

House Bill No. 5188, entitled:“AN ACT INCREASING THE BASIC SALARY

O F P U B L I C S C H O O L T E A C H E R S T O T H I RT Y T H O U S A N D P E S O S (P30,000)”

By Representative CasteloTO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

House Bill No. 5189, entitled:“AN ACT PROMOTING THE WELFARE

OF FARM WORKERS, FARMERS AND SMALL LANDOWNERS IN CONTRACT G R O W I N G A N D F O R O T H E R PURPOSES”

By Representatives Hicap, Ilagan and TinioTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

AND FOOD

House Bill No. 5190, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL

V I S I O N S C R E E N I N G P R O G R A M FOR KINDERGARTEN PUPILS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative Cojuangco (K.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 1631, entitled:“A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING

AND COMMENDING JOSE MARIA GARCHITORENA YLLANA ALSO KNOWN AS 'JOMARI YLLANA' FOR WINNING 2ND RUNNER UP IN 2014 SUPER RACE ECSTA V720 CHAMPIONSHIP”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

House Resolution No. 1632, entitled:“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST

CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEMISE OF FORMER SENATOR AND HEALTH SECRETARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES HONORABLE JUAN MARTIN FLAVIER”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1633, entitled:“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DEEPEST

CONDOLENCE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEMISE OF JORGE ALONSO ARROYO BERNAS,

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 3

GRANDSON OF REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1634, entitled:“ A R E S O L U T I O N D I R E C T I N G T H E

C O M M I T T E E O N L E G I S L AT I V E FRANCHISES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE RECENT PURCHASE OF THE MAJORITY STAKE OF RPN-9 AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT SUCH SALE IS IN VIOLATION OF ITS FRANCHISE GRANTED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9250”

By Representative RidonTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1635, entitled:“A RESOLUTION CONVEYING THE

CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE DR. JUAN M. FLAVIER, FORMER SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND SENATOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative TreñasTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1636, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SPECIAL

COMMITTEE ON REFORESTATION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED I R R E G U L A R I T I E S A N D W R O N G POLICIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM WITH THE VIEW OF ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE PROGRAM”

By Representative YuTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1637, entitled:“A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING WARMEST

FELICITATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO US NAVY ADMIRAL BETTE BOLIVAR FOR BEING THE FIRST WOMAN US NAVAL COMMAND”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE

AND SECURITY

House Resolution No. 1638, entitled:“RESOLUTION TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY,

IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE SLOW REHABILITATION EFFORTS, DISBURSEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL FUND AND DONATIONS, AND ACTUAL DEATH TOLL RELATED TO THE YOLANDA DISASTER”

By Representatives Colmenares and ZarateTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 1639, entitled:“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE

OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN ONSITE INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE RECENT MILITARIZATION, HARASSMENTS AND ATTACK ON SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN TALAINGOD, DAVAO DEL NORTE ALLEGEDLY PERPETRATED BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES”By Representatives De Jesus, Ilagan, Hicap,

Colmenares, Zarate, Ridon and TinioTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS

Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya for House Bill No. 5127;

Rep. Gus S. Tambunting for House Bill No. 4985;

Reps. Jose “Pingping” I. Tejada and Gavini C. Pancho for House Bill No. 5062;

Reps. Deogracias B. Ramos Jr., Maximo B. Dalog, Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and Lilia Macrohon-Nuño for House Bill No. 5062;

Rep. Nancy A. Catamco for House Bill No. 5065;

Rep. Mercedes K. Alvarez for House Bills No. 3745 and 3880;

Rep. Jose “Pingping” I. Tejada for House Bill No. 1154;

Rep. Pryde Henry A. Teves for House Bill No. 4896;

Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. for House Bills No. 151, 4334 and 4392;

Rep. Gwendolyn F. Garcia for House Bills No. 4352 and 4975 and House Resolution No. 1431;

Rep. Benjamin C. Agarao Jr. for House Bills No. 4855, 4865 and 4878;

Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bills No. 5096 and 5107;

Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza for House Bill No. 4778;

Rep. Ronald V. Singson for House Bill No. 5119;Rep. Roy V. Señeres Sr. for House Bill No. 3971;


Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil for House Bill No. 4557;

Rep. Jose “Pingping” I. Tejada for House Bill No. 4477;

Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas for House Bill No. 5023;

Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. for House Bill No. 720; and

Rep. Arcadio H. Gorriceta for House Bill No. 4896.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTMALACAÑAN

MANILA

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 73

REINSTATING THE TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION POLICY GRANTED TO TRAVELLERS FROM MINDANAO AND PALAWAN BOUND FOR COUNTRIES IN THE EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA (EAGA)

For reasons of national interest and in order to sustain and accelerate economic development in Mindanao and Palawan, and as recommended by the House of Representatives pursuant to House Resolution No. 109 dated 11 June 2014, the exemption from payment of travel tax to all travellers by air and/or sea originating from all international airports and/or ports in Mindanao and Palawan to any destination within the BIMP – EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area) is hereby reinstated, and shall also cover passengers from anywhere in the Philippines bound for Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, provided they depart from international ports and airports in Mindanao and Palawan.

The Travel Tax Exemption shall be granted for a period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this order. For purposes of this order, a Travel Tax Exemption Certificate may be secured from the Tourism Infrastructure & Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 24th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Fourteen.

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

TO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM

COMMUNICATIONS

Letter dated 11 September 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza, Commissioner, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives, copies of the 2013 Annual Audit Reports on the following Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), a water district in Region V and a Stand Alone GOCC in Region VII, to wit:1. AFP Retirement and Separation Benefits

System2. Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the

Philippines3. APO Production Unit (APU)4. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)5. Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA)6. Center for International Trade Expositions and

Missions7. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

(CAAP)8. Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI)9. Cottage Industry Technology Center10. Cultural Center of the Philippines11. DBP Data Center, Inc. (DCI)12. DBP Leasing Corporation (DLC)13. DBP Management Corporation (DBPMC)14. Employees Compensation Commission15. Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI)16. Human Settlement Development Corporation

(HSDC)17. Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund18. Inter-Island Gas Services, Inc.19. Land Bank Resources and Development

Corporation (LBRDC)20. LBP Insurance Brokerage, Inc. (LIBI)21. Light Rail Transit Administration (LRTA)22. Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)23. Masaganang Sakahan, Inc. (MSI)24. Manila Gas Corporation25. Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System

(MWSS)26. National Dairy Authority (NDA)27. National Development Company (NDC)28. National Electrification Administration

(NEA)29. N a t i o n a l H o m e M o r t g a g e F i n a n c e

Corporation30. National Kidney and Transplant Institute31. Nayong Pilipino Foundation32. National Power Corporation (NPC)33. National Transmission Commission (NTC)34. NIA Consult, Inc. (NCI)35. Occupational Safety and Health Center36. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration37. Palacio del Gobernador Condominium

Corporation


38. Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp. (PADCC)

39. Philippine Center for Economic Development40. Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation

(PCIC)41. Philippine Fisheries Development Authority

(PFDA)42. Philippine International Trading Corporation43. Philippine Institute for Development Studies44. Philippine Institute for Traditional and

Alternative Health Care45. Philippine National Oil Company46. Philippine National Railways (PNR)47. Philippine Mining Development Corporation

(PMDC)48. Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)49. Philippine Sugar Corporation (PHILSUCOR)50. PITC Pharma, Inc.51. PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-

AFC)52. PNOC-Development & Management

Corporation (PNOC-PDMC)53. PNOC-Exploration Corporation (PNOC EC)54. PNOC-Malampaya Production Corporation

(PNOC-MPC)55. PNOC-Renewable Corporation (PNOC-RC)56. PNOC-Shipping and Transport Corporation

(PNOC-STC)57. Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management

Corporation (PSALM)58. Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation

(ZREC)59. Small Business Corporation60. Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA)61. Tourism Promotions Board62. ZNAC Rubber Estate Corporation63. Sipocot Water District 2010 & 201164. Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority

(MCIAA) CY 2013TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 29 September of Heidi L. Mendoza, Commissioner, Commission on Audit, submitting the 2013 Annual Financial Report of Government-owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) pursuant to Section 4, Article IX-D of the Constitution.TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 8 October 2014 of Cleotilde M. Tuazon, Director IV, Commission on Audit, Regional Office No. IV-A, furnishing the House of Representatives the CY 2013 Annual Audit Report on Southern Luzon State University, Lucban, Quezon pursuant to Section 4, Article IX-D of the Philippine Constitution and Section 43 of Presidential Decree No. 1445.TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Letter of Evelyn P. Reyes, Regional Director, Commission on Audit, Regional Office No. VI, submitting copies of the following 2013 Annual Audit Reports pursuant to Section 2, Article IX-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:1. Lemery Water District, Lemery, Iloilo; and2. Jordan Water District, Jordan, Guimaras.TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Letter date October 15, 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza, Commissioner, Commission on Audit, furnishing the House of Representatives copies of the 2013 Individual Annual Audit Reports (IAARs) on the following government agencies:1. Council for the Welfare of Children2. Inter-Country Adoption Board3. National Council on Disability Affairs4. National Youth Commission5. Advanced Science and Technology Institute6. Food and Nutrition Research Institute7. National Academy of Science and Technology8. National Research Council of the Philippines9. Philippine Council for Health Research and

Development10. Philippine Council for Industry and Energy

Research Development11. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology12. Philippine Nuclear Research Institute13. Science Education Institute14. Science and Technology Information Institute15. Technology Application Promotion InstituteTO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Letter dated 20 October 2014 of Professor Emeritus Leonor Magtolis Briones, Lead Convenor, Social Watch Philippines, transmitting a copy of their statement on the 2015 General Appropriations Bill (HB 4968) TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Annual Audit Reports on the following Water Districts for the Year Ended December 31, 2013:1. Metro Cotabato Water District, Cotabato City2. Pigcawayan Water District, Pigcawayan, Cotabato3. Metro Midsayap Water District, Midsayap,

Cotabato4. Kabacan Water District, Kabacan, Cotabato5. Mlang Water District, Mlang, Cotabato6. Tulunan Water District, Tulunan, Cotabato7. Glan Water District Glan, Sarangani Province8. Malungon Water District, Malungon, Sarangani

Province9. General Santos City Water District, General

Santos City10. Norala Water District, Norala, South Cotabato


11. Surallah Water District, Surallah, South Cotabato

12. Sto. Niño Water District, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato

13. Banga Water District, Banga, South Cotabato14. Kalamansig Water District, Kalamansig, Sultan

Kudarat15. Sultan Kudarat Water District, Tacurong City16. Pikit Water District, Pikit, Cotabato17. Metro Kidapawan Water District, Kidapawan

City18. Antipas Water District, Antipas, Cotabato19. Lebak Water District, Lebak, Sultan KudaratTO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Notice of Atty. Renato T. Bocar, Executive Clerk of Court IV, Sandiganbayan, re Adopted Resolution of the Sandiganbayan, Fourth Division, on Case Nos. SB-11-CRM-0467 - People vs. Ma. Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo, et al and SB-11-CRM-0468-0469 - People vs. Ma. Gloria M. Macapagal-Arroyo.

Memorandum of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte regarding the Subpoena Duces Tecum issued by Atty. Emma B. Suarez, Director, Prosecution and Monitoring Bureau, Office of the Ombudsman addressed to Mr. Romualdo T. Sta. Clara Jr., Committee Secretary, Committee on Public Information, in R-QZN 14-09522-CR and 70802, directing the submission before their office clear and certified true copies of documents pertaining to former Commission on Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano Jr., which has been determined to not be a proper exercise of jurisdiction.

SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM

Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives transmitting the Subpoena Duces Tecum dated 22 October 2014, issued by Silverio T. Manuel Jr., Director, GIB-A, re: CPL-C-10-1740 to Ms. Rosalinda H. Borja, Director II, Human Resource Management Service, House of Representatives, directing the submission before their office clear and certified true copies of the Personal Data Sheet (PDS) of former Congressman Wilfredo L. Enverga, 1st District, Quezon Province.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Gng. Ispiker, sa oras pong ito, gusto nating batiin ang ating mga pinagpipitaganang bisita sa gallery. Sila po ay mga mangingisda sa pangunguna

ng Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA Pilipinas) at Haligi ng Batangueñong Anakdagat (HABAGAT). Sila ang mga bisita ng ating Ka Pandoy. (Applause)

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Magandang hapon po sa ating mga magigiting na mga mangingisdang kalalakihan at kababaihan.

The Asst. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, we would like to recognize the Hon. Fernando “Ka Pando” L. Hicap from the Party-List ANAKPAWIS, who wishes to rise on a personal and collective privilege.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). May I ask Representative Hicap what is the subject of his speech that would be of personal and collective matter?

REP. HICAP. Mme. Speaker, I rise on a personal and collective privilege in accordance with the pandaigdigang pagdiriwang ng World Fisheries Day sa November 21.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Sige po at kayo ay binibigyan ng 15 minuto para maihayag ang inyong talumpati.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. HICAP

REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat, Mme. Speaker.Mme. Speaker, mga kapuwa ko mambabatas,

magandang hapon po. Lubos na nagpapasalamat ang Kinatawang ito na mabigyan ng pagkakataon para sa pahayag na ito na patungkol sa isa sa pinaka-abang sektor sa ating bansa. Para sa inyong kaalaman, ako po mismo ay nagmula rito—ang sektor ng mga mangingisda o mamamalakaya.

Mme. Speaker, kapuwa ko mambabatas, sa darating na November 21, gugunitain ng buong mundo ang World Fisheries Day na ang pangunahing layunin ay patampukin ang preserbasyon at promosyon ng likas na yamang-dagat, kung kaya nararapat lamang na maging ang seksiyon ng lipunang pangunahing may kaugnayan dito o mismong nagpapagod ay natural lamang na bigyan ng proteksiyon at isulong ang kanila o ang aming karapatan sa pangisdaan at kabuhayan.

Mme. Speaker, mga kapwa ko mambabatas, hindi kaila sa atin na bukam-bibig ng bawat Pilipino na ang ating bansa ay binubuo ng libu-libong pulo o 7,107 na isla na napapaligiran ng malalawak na karagatan sa pagitan, kung kaya, natural lamang na napakaraming komunidad ang naninirahan sa mga baybayin at umaasa sa pangingisda sa buong bansa. Sa aking pananaw, Gng. Ispiker, hindi na tayo magdedebate kung gaano


kaganda o kahalaga ang ating likas yamang-dagat. Kaya ba nating isiping ang ating bansa ay walang isda sa palengke o kaya ay bihira sa ating mga hapag-kainan? Ang pinakamalala ay iilang mayayamang pamilya lamang ang may kakayahang makabili at makakain ng isda at anumang pagkaing-dagat.

Sa aking pananaw, Mme. Speaker, kapag nangyari ang ganitong kalagayan ay magkakaisa tayo na may napakalaki tayong problema sa bansa, kung sa gayon, marapat lamang na taun-taon nating isaalang-alang ang kalagayan ng ating pangingisdaan at huwag nating balewalain ang mamamalakaya, bagkus dapat silang proteksiyunan at ang pinakamainam ay ating tulungan sa kanilang pangunahing kabuhayan.

Mme. Speaker, mga kapwa ko mambabatas, ating silipin ang kontribusyon ng pangisdaan sa ating ekonomiya. Ayon sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources o BFAR, aabot sa 1.8 percent ang kontribusyon ng fisheries sa kabuuang gross domestic product noong 2012 na sa current price ay aabot sa P193.65 bilyon o 15.5 percent ng kabuuang gross value-added ng buong agrikultura. Sa agrikultura, pumapangalawa ito sa crop sector, o palay, mais at iba pa para yaong taon ding umabot ng 4.868 milyong metriko tonelada ang produksiyon ng isda na nagkakahalaga naman ng P237.7 bilyon. Sa kada 100 kilo naman, 52 kilo ang mula sa aquaculture, 26 kilo ang mula sa municipal fishing at 21 kilo ang mula sa commercial fishing. Sa kada P100 na halaga naman nito, P38 ang mula sa aquaculture, P34 ang mula sa municipal fishing at P28 naman ang mula sa commercial fishing.

Sa makatuwid, Mme. Speaker, hindi natin maaaring balewalain o maliitin ang kontribusyon ng municipal fishing dahil significant ang bahaging ito sa kabuuan at ito ang pinakamaraming bilang ng mga mamamalakaya o mga mangingisda na nakaasa ang kanilang kabuhayan sa ating pangisdaan.

Ang isang nakapanlulumong kalagayan, Mme. Speaker, at kapwa ko mambabatas, ang datos ng infographic ng GMA News noong 2009, pang-anim ang bansa natin sa pinakamalaking pinagkukunan ng isda at iba pang lamang-dagat na nagkakahalaga ng $1.5 billion. Ngunit ang sektor ng mga mangingisda ay nabibilang sa pinakamahirap sa ating populasyon, kasama ang mga magsasaka na ayon din sa infographic ay kumikita lamang ng P190 kada araw, ang kita ng pangkaraniwang Pilipinong mangingisda. Ayon naman sa National Statistical Coordinating Board, noong 2012, pinakamataas ang poverty incidence sa sektor ng mga mangingisda na umabot ng 39.2 percent.

Mme. Speaker, batay sa mga datos na ito, napakalinaw na ang mamamalakayang Pilipino ay biktima ng kawalang hustisyang panlipunan o social justice, dahil sa kabila ng napakalaking ambag sa ekonomiya ng bansa, nakalugmok naman sa kahirapan ang kani-kanilang pamilya.

Ang mas malala pa rito, Mme. Speaker, naghihirap na nga ang mga mangingisda, wawasakin pa ang kanilang mga abang tirahan sa mga baybaying dagat na dahilan upang sila ay maihiwalay sa kanilang kabuhayan. Paano natin masisiguro ang kanilang kabuhayan kung mismong ang kanilang kabahayan o komunidad ay wawasakin o ide-demolish? Hindi ba at napakahirap isipin na ang ating mamamalakaya ay naninirahan ng malayo sa mga baybayin? Saan naman nila ilalagay ang kanilang mga bangka kung ang mga baybaying dagat ay pag-aari ng pribado? Samakatuwid, Mme. Speaker, sentido kumon lamang na ang mga mamamalakaya ay namumuhay sa tabing dagat kung saan niya kinukuha ang kanyang kabuhayan.

Mme. Speaker, at kapwa ko mambabatas, wala ba tayong magagawa sa ganitong sistema? Aking sasamantalahin ang pagkakataong ito, Mme. Speaker, para muling banggitin ang Republic Act No. 8550 o ang Fisheries Code of 1998 na isinabatas noong Pebrero 24, 1998. Mme. Speaker, sa aking paniwala ay mas malaki pa ang danyos na idinulot nito sa mamamalakayang Pilipino kaysa epekto ng bagyong Yolanda na dumating sa ating bansa nitong nakaraang taon. Bakit? Dahil sa mahigit sa isang dekadang pagpapatupad nito, hindi lamang 6,000 na buhay ng pamilyang Pilipino ang kinitil nito kung hindi mas marami pa dahil ang mismong kabuhayan ng mga mamamalakaya ang sinagasaan ng mga programang nakapailalim dito.

Ang batas na ito ang nangako rin ng mga reporma na iaangat ang mamamalakayang Pilipino sa pagkakalugmok sa kahirapan at gawing modern ang pangisdaan at agrikultura tungo sa hustisyang panlipunan. Gayunpaman, Mme. Speaker, mukhang baliktad ang naging bunga nito, dahil mula 1998, ang mga anak ng mga maliliit na mangingisda noong isabatas ito na marahil ngayon ay humalili na sa kanilang mga magulang na ngayon ay humaharap din sa matinding kahirapan. Sa patuloy na pagpapatupad nito, ang mga kasalukuyang anak naman, gayundin ang magiging kinabukasan kung sakali mang hindi mapapalayas o mapanatili man sila sa kanilang mga komunidad sa mga baybaying dagat.

Mme. Speaker, dahil bihira rin ang ganitong pagkakataon, akin ng sasamantalahin na ibahagi sa inyo ang ilang mga kongkretong isyu ng kapwa ko mamamalakaya sa bahagi ng Laguna Lake. Plano ng Laguna Lake Development Authority o LLDA, ang 1.9 milyong pamilyang naninirahan sa paligid ng lawa sa pagpapatupad nito ng “No Build Zone Policy.” Animo ay kumakalinga ito sa mga mahihirap ngunit sa likod nito, ang pagpapapasok naman ng mga dayuhang mamumuhunan para pakinabangan ang 90,000 ektaryang katubigan ng lawa.

Sa bahagi ng Manila Bay naman tinatayang 5,000,000 mangingisda mula sa Cavite hanggang Bataan ang mapapalayas bunga ng reklamasyon at mga


proyektong napapailalim sa Public-Private Partnership ng gobyerno.

Mme. Speaker, marahil may mga ilan sa atin ang nakapunta o nakapasyal na sa tumatanyag na beach resorts sa Laiya sa bayan ng San Juan, Batangas. Sa aming mga mamamalakaya tanyag ito dahil napakaganda ng karagatan at maaari kaming pumunta dahil dati may mga murang matutuluyan. Ngayon po ay wala na dahil na-demolish na at ang nandoon na lamang ay ang mga mamahaling pribadong resort at hotel tulad ng Blue Coral na pag-aari ng isang Koreanong negosyante at Acuatico Resort na pag-aari naman ng mga Sy. Sa tingin ko, Mme. Speaker at mga kapwa ko mambabatas, magugulat ang mga suking taga-Metro Manila sa tag-init o sa summer sa susunod na taon dahil wala na ang kanilang taun-taong murang pinapasyalan sa napakagandang beach resort sa San Juan, Batangas.

Nitong nakaraaang Hulyo 3, ang kabahayan at kabuhayan ng 600 na pamilyang mangingisda at magsasaka sa Sitio Balacbacan, Barangay Laiya, Aplaya ay na-demolish ng halos 1,000 kataong demolition team. Hindi na lamang ito simpleng team dahil may 2,000 pulis at mga element pa ng Special Weapons And Tactics team o SWAT para raw ipatupad ang writ of demolition mula sa RTC sa Rosario, Batangas.

Mme. Speaker, ano ba ito, giyera? Kaya noong October 11 hanggang October 13, kasama ang inyong lingkod sa isinagawang fact-finding mission dito. Isang lumabas na impormasyon doon ay ang mga mangingisda at magsasaka rito ay matagal nang namumuhay at nasa ikatlong henerasyon na mula sa kanilang mga ninuno na mahigit daang taon na nang nagsimulang manirahan dito. Gayunpaman, hindi po ito isolated o maliit na kaso dahil ito pala ay isinusulong mismo ng gobyerno batay sa Proclamation No. 1801 ng diktadurang Marcos o ang baybaying-dagat ng probinsiya ng Batangas ay idineklara para sa ecotourism. Ngayon, malapit na nga ang 2015, ito pa rin ba ang programa rito o baka naman nasa Public-Private Partnership Program na kaya ang mga pribadong kompanya ay malakas ang loob sa pag-demolish ng mga komunidad ng mga mangingisda at mga magsasaka.

Mme. Speaker, mga kapwa ko mambabatas, sana ay huwag tayong magsawa ukol sa isyu ng Yolanda at rehabilitasyon ng Tacloban, iba’t ibang bayan sa Eastern Visayas at mga rehiyong tinamaan ng bagyo. Nitong anibersaryo noong nakaraang Nobyembre 8, nabalitaan natin na libu-libong mamamayan ang nagprotesta sa Tacloban at sinisingil ang gobyerno sa pangako niyang rehabilitasyon. Alam natin nangyari ang nangyari, hindi sila dinalaw ng Pangulo, kasunod pa, pinagbintangan pa ni Secretary Lacson ng Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery na hakot daw ng mga politiko ang mga nagprotesta sa ilalim ng People Surge, ang grupo ng mga biktima ng trahedya.

Ngunit nakikita naman nating malaking bahagi ng mamamayang biktima ng bagyong Yolanda ay mula sa sektor ng mga mamamalakaya na karaniwang mga mamamayan na tinamaan ng storm surge. Kaya nangangailangan na sila ng tulong, “No Build Zone, No Dwelling Zone” naman ang ipapatupad ng gobyerno. Doble o triple ang epekto ng bagyo sa mga mangingisda dahil namatayan na nga sila ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, ngayon naman ay mawawalan pa sila ng kabuhayan. Nauna nang ipinahayag ng gobyerno na pawang mga malalaking pribadong kompanya ang nag-i-interes mag-develop ng mga lugar kung saan palalayasin ang mga mamamalakaya at mga mamamayan na naninirahan sa mga baybaying-dagat.

Kaya, Mme. Speaker, dahil sa napakaraming isyu at sigurado ay mahabang talakayan ang aabutin kung iisa-isahin ko pa. Ang esensiya, Mme. Speaker at mga kapwa ko mambabatas, tayong mga nasa Kongreso ay tinaguriang mga Kinatawan ng mamamayang Pilipino na naatasan sa ating mga isinusulong na batas ay sumasalamin sa interes ng mayorya, sa diwa ng demokrasya, at para sa pambansang interes at hindi para sa dayuhan. Kaya ngayong darating na World Fisheries Day, November 21, atin sanang sariwain ang kahalagahan ng ating pangisdaan at mga maralitang mamamalakaya na malaki ang bahagi sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay.

Bilang mula mismo sa masang mangingisda at mamamalakaya, at Kinatawan ng masang ANAKPAWIS, ipinapanawagan ko po:

Una, ang pagpapawalang-bisa ng Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Pangalawa, ang pagkansela sa mahigit 100 proyekto sa ilalim ng National Reclamation Plan at Public-Private Partnership Program ng gobyerno.

Pangatlo, ang kagyat na pagpapatigil ng “No Build Zone” policy na bumibiktima sa masang mamamalakaya sa buong bansa.

Pang-apat, Mme. Speaker, ang pagsusulong ng tunay na reporma sa lupa at pangisdaan para sa pangkalahatang pagpapaunlad ng pambansang ekonomiya at industriya, at ang mariing pagtutol sa planong Charter change na papabor lamang sa dayuhan at ilalagay sa alanganin ang interes ng mamamayang Pilipino.

Ito lamang po, maraming salamat at magandang hapon sa ating lahat.

REP. ATIENZA. Mme. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we recognize the Hon. Jose L. Atienza Jr. for his chance to interpellate our honorable colleague.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. from BUHAY Party-List is hereby recognized.

REP. ATIENZA. With the kind permission of the Gentleman from ANAKPAWIS, this Representation would like to ask him some questions to further stress his message this afternoon about the sad state of the fisheries sector and our fisherfolk.

REP. HICAP. Mme. Speaker, bukas po ako sa interpelasyon ng ating kaibigan at advocate din sa mga maliliit na mangingisda, sa mga tanong.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Maaari na po kayong magsimula sa inyong pagtatanong.

REP. ATIENZA. Salamat po, G. Hicap.Isa na po ako sa tumatanggap sa inyong hamon na

tingnan natin ang kalagayan ng ating mga mangingisda. Sa ngayon, pinakamahirap na sektor ito—naturan din po ninyo at iyan naman ay alam nating lahat—pinakamahirap na sektor sa isang bansang kapuluan kung saan ang pangingisda ay dapat sanang nangunguna sa ating industriya. Kaya mayroon pong mga kadahilanan dito na kailangan talaga nating pag-aralan, pagtulung-tulungan at mabigyan natin ng katarungan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kapatid na Pilipinong umaasa sa pangingisda.

The Gentleman from ANAKPAWIS mentioned about problems that are now affecting the livelihood of our fisherfolk. It was mentioned too that right now they are not earning enough, in fact, they are in substandard living in many, many areas because of lack of livelihood and income. The Gentleman also mentioned problems that he feels are the ones causing this condition.

Tatanungin ko po kayo, Mme. Speaker, G. Hicap, ilan ba ang bilang ng katubigan na masasabi nating dapat pinangingisdaan ng ating mga kapatid na mangingisda? Mayroon po ba kayong estima na kung ilan ang ating ilog, lawa, karagatan, na masasabi nating dapat ay pinagmumulan ng hanapbuhay ng ating mga kapatid?

REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat, Mme. Speaker. Hindi ko po maibibigay ang buong larawan pero kung sa estimate, batay sa mga datos, kung mayroon tayong 30 milyon ektaryang lupain ang Pilipinas o 30-million square kilometer ang lupa ng Pilipinas, pitong ulit po nito ang lawak ng ating karagatan. Ito ay magmumula sa gilid hanggang doon sa 220 miles na exclusive economic zone. Napakarami po ng malalaking mga lawa, mga reservoir at mga river na dati ay napakayaman na pangisdaan ngunit ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy na nasisira dahil sa iba’t ibang mga proyekto na nagiging dahilan ng pagkasira ng ating pangisdaan.

Halimbawa na lang po, Mme. Speaker, ang isa sa pangunahing problema kung bakit nasira ang ecological balance ng ating bansa ay dahil sa malawakang pagtayo ng mga aquaculture o mga fishpond sa ating bansa mula 1960s to 1970s, kung saan ang dating mga mayayamang bakawanan ng ating bansa ay nagpalit gamit o na-cultivate tungo sa aquaculture. Ang mga ilog naman at mga lawa natin ay tuluyang nasira dahil sa massive na pagtayo ng mga commercial aquaculture structures tulad ng fish pens at fish cages na malaunan para mapabilis ang kanilang pagpapalaki ng kanilang mga inaalagaang mga isda ay gumagamit ng mga artificial feeding na nagiging dahilan ng pagiging polluted ng ating mga lawa at mga ilog na contributory river ng mga mayayamang pangisdaan. Kasabay pa po niyan ng mga panahong iyon, isa pa na nag-contribute ng halos pagliit at pagkasira ay dahil sa pag-introduce mismo ng ating gobyerno sa ating mga magsasaka ng paggamit ng mga pesticide sa kanilang mga pananim na palayan. Sa kalaunan ay hindi na lamang ginamit ito para sa pesticide kundi ginamit din ng mga may-ari ng malalawak na mga fishpond para patayin ang kanilang mga isda na hindi nila kailangan o iba pang mga species na nabubuhay sa kanilang mga fishpond na hindi nila kailangan. Ito po ang isa sa mga problema na naging dahilan ng pagkitid at actually, ang sabi namin diyan sa PAMAMALAKAYA, ang termino namin diyan, ang dating komunal na pangisdaan ay nagiging pribado dahil mayroong batas na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga pribadong lokal at dayuhang kapital sa pamamagitan ng fishpond disagreement. Kasabay pa niyan ang tuluy-tuloy na pagtatambak sa mga baybaying–dagat gaya ng reclamation.

Napakami pa po ng mga dahilan lalu’t lalo na ang mga pagiging polluted ng ating mga karagatan dahil din sa pagtapon ng mga waste material ng mga pabrika at mga industriya na mga itinayo sa palibot ng lawa, halimbawa na lang diyan sa Lawa ng Laguna at ganoon din sa mga gilid ng mga rivers natin na itinatapon sa ating pangisdaan. Iyan po ang pinakamalala at mas lalong malala ngayon at matindi, Mme. Speaker, ang ganitong mga sitwasyon na nagreresulta sa malawakang pagpapalayas at pagde-demolish sa mga mangingisda at mga mamamayan natin na nasa may baybaying-dagat. Ito po ang mga pagtatayo ng mga ecotourism projects sa mga baybaying-dagat. Kaalinsabay pa niyan, Mme. Speaker, ang mapanirang mga magnetized mining sa mga baybaying-dagat. Ito ay malala sa bahagi ng Norte at sa bahagi ng Samar and Leyte at ganoon din sa bahagi ng Negros. Mayroon ding mga petition pa ng mga magnetized mining sa iba’t ibang rehiyon tulad ng Bicol at iba pa.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, talagaang todo-todo na ito ang dahilan ng pagkasira ng ating pangisdaan na dati ay mayaman. Isa pang problema naming mga maliliit na mangingisda ay ang tuloy-tuloy na pagpasok ng


mga malalaking palakaya sa ating mga pangisdaan dahil mismo sa Fisheries Code kung saan pinapayagan pumasok ang small and medium scale commercial fishing. Kapag ito ay dumating, kahit wala pa o hindi pa lumalagpas sa 15 kilometers na itinakda bilang municipal fishing ground, pero lumagpas na sa pitong fathom ang lalim, puwede nang pumasok ang mga commercial fishing vessels sa ating mga municipal na pangisdaan.

Ito po ang mga problema ng mga maliliit na mangingisda sa iba’t ibang rehiyon lalu’t lalo na doon sa mga kantilado o malalim na mga lugar na wala pang isang kilometro ay napakalalim na. Hindi lamang ito, Mme. Speaker, problema pa ng panukalang ito ang epekto ng Republic Act No. 8550, ang multiple taxation na sinisingil na nga sa napakaliit nang kita ng mga maliliit na mangingisda mayroon pang napakaraming bayaran.

Halimbawa na lang diyan ang pagpapatupad ng ilang mga local government ng mga zoning ordinance na ipinagbabawal o hindi ka puwedeng mangisda sa isang munisipyo kung hindi ka kumuha ng permit to operate at iba’t iba pang mga bayarin.

Kaya ito po ang kalagayan at maliban pa po dito, Mme. Speaker, ang tuluy-tuloy na pagtaas ng gastos sa produksiyon. Ang mga kagamitan sa produksiyon, ang tuluy-tuloy na pagtaas ng gasolina at ngayon, Mme. Speaker, ang sa mga mamamalakaya na gumagamit ng bangkang de motor, dahil sa napakataas na ng gasolina ngayon ay umaabot halos sa 70 percent ng kanilang kita sa isang araw ay napupunta lamang sa gastos sa gasolina. Ito ang kalagayan ng ating pangisdaan at ng ating mangingisda sa ngayon sa ating bansa, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ATIENZA. Mme. Speaker, the Gentleman from ANAKPAWIS is very accurate in his appreciation of the potentials of the fishing industry that should really be benefitting our people now. Dapat marahil ay maaari nating matawag na pinakamayaman sa ating bansa, kung talagang tunay na nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating mga mangingisda, ay ang hanay ng mga mangingisda. Subalit hindi po ito nangyayari sapagkat gaya ng kanyang sinabi sa atin, ang pinakamahirap na sektor ay ang mangingisda at hindi umaangat sa kanilang kalagayan sa ekonomiya bagkus patuloy na pinaghihirap ng mga problemang nagpapabigat sa kanilang hanapbuhay.

Maraming binanggit si G. Hicap, Mme. Speaker. Maaari po bang tanungin natin siya sa kanyang pananaw, sa maraming problemang nagpapabigat sa kalagayan ng ating mga mangingisda? Maaari po ba niya tayong bigyan ng isa sa pinakamalaking kapabayaan o kakulangan ng lipunan, ng ating pamahalaan at ng ating panahon na nagbibigay ng problema sa hanay ng mga mangingisda? Bilang isang nagmula sa hanay

ng mangingisda ang ating Kagalang-galang Hicap, hinihingan ko siya ng isa sa pinakamalaking problema na maaari na nating tumbukin at pagtulung-tulungan upang matulungan natin ang ating mga kapatid na mangingisda, Mme. Speaker?

Dahil sa totoo lang, marami talagang problema ang nagbibigay ng pabigat sa kanilang kalagayan, subalit napakarami nito ay hindi siguro makukuha ng isang talumpati o ng isang resolusyon o ng isang batas na masasabi natin, kung hindi natin haharapin ang pinakamalaking problema na nagpalala sa kalagayan ng ating mga mangingisda.

REP. HICAP. Maraming salamat, Mme. Speaker. Kung susumahin natin ang nabanggit ko kanina

na mga problema at suliranin ng mga mangingisda at pangisdaan sa ating bansa, ganito lang ang suma nito--ang malaganap na kumbersyon at pribatisasyon ng pangisdaan ng ating bansa ang dahilan kung bakit patuloy ang kahirapan ng mga maliliit na mangingisda; kung bakit 39.2 percent ang sinasabi ng NSCB na ang pinakamahirap na sektor ay ang mga mangingisda. Para sa akin po, Mme. Speaker, ang datos na ito, ang numerong 39.2 percent na pinakamahirap sa 100 porsiyentong mga maliliit na mangingisda ay konserbatibo pa. Sa katunayan, kung titingnan natin ay halos aabot siguro sa mga 70 percent ng mga mangingisda ang masasabi nating pinakamahirap na mangingisda at hindi natin puwedeng—kung ilan lang, mga ilan lang ang masasabi nating mayaman.

Ito ang pinakabuod, ang kumbersyon at privatization sa tatlong porma at dahilan: Una, ang aquaculture. Dahil walang tigil ang massive na mapanira at malawakang aquaculture, hindi na tinitingnan ang magiging epekto sa ecological balance ng isang pangisdaan. Alam po ninyo, Mme. Speaker, kung saan nandoon ang pinakamarami na mga fish cages at mga fish pens, sa bawat taon ay nandoon ang isyu ng mga fish kill. Pangalawa, ang reklamasyon sa mga baybaying-dagat. Sinisira nito hindi lamang ang ecological balance ng ating pangisdaan, kung hindi ang mga pangisdaan natin, ang pagkipot nito at ganoon din ang mapanirang mga pagmimina ng black sand sa ating mga baybaying-dagat. Kung ito po ay mahihinto o maitigil ang ganitong uri ng mga programa, proyekto at polisiya, tiyak na maibabalik natin ang mayamang pangisdaan.

Mme. Speaker, ang pangisdaan mabilis po ang recovery. Sa katunayan kung ang mga fishponds na mga abandonado ay ibabalik natin bilang mangroves area, taniman natin, sa sampung taon ay napakalalaki na ng ating mga bakawanan. Basta itigil natin ang nabanggit ko na dahilan ng kumbersyon at privatization ng pangisdaan. Kung hindi ito matitigil, kung ngayon ay problema na natin ang pinakamatinding dumadaming mahihirap na mga maliliit na mangingisda, at kahit ngayon sinasabi na malaki pa ang ambag ng produksyon


sa agrikultura mula sa ating pangisdaan, ay tuluyan ng masisira.

Dagdag ko na rin, Mme. Speaker, ang patuloy na pagpasok ng liberalisasyon ng mga imported na isda sa ating bansa ay nagko-contribute sa pagpatay o pagkasira ng ating maliliit na mangingisda. Nakakaambag pa ito doon sa imbak ng kahirapan ng maliliit na mangingisda.

Halimbawa po niyan, Mme. Speaker, ang imported na isda ay dumating sa market kasabay ng produkto ng mga maliliit na mangingisda, tiyak na mas mababa ang imported kaya bababa rin ang presyo ng huli ng maliliit na mangingisda. Kaya kung 70 percent ang estimate, ang average na gastos sa produksyon ay sa gasoline pa lamang, kaya mapupunta na sa pagkalugi ang ating maliliit na mangingisda na gumagamit ng mga bangkang de motor, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ATIENZA. Mme. Speaker, we would like to invite the Gentleman from ANAKPAWIS to join us in our being prepared resolution and at the same time a republic act that would overhaul the total fishing industry’s supervision, because we accept the fact that one of the main problems that he has enumerated before us is caused by the inability of the agencies concerned to address the problem of our fisherfolk. Nabanggit po niya ang reklamasyon, ang conversion at ang pagtatayo ng mga negosyo sa tabingdagat na bilang mga dahilan ng pagkawala ng hanapbuhay ng ating mga mangingisda. Sa atin pananaw, tama po iyon. Subalit isa sa pinakamalaking problema natin, my dear colleague, Mme. Speaker, is the lack of action or inability of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources today, as we know in our continuing exchanges with them, that they do not seem to realize the problems that the Gentleman is enumerating before us this afternoon. Sa totoo lang, parang dine-deny pa nila na mayroong problema. They continue to heap praises on our fisherfolk but at the same time, they are not doing anything to lift the problems that are burdening our brother Filipinos relying on fishing. Ang tinutukoy ko po ay ang kawalan ng aksyon, control at proteksyon upang ang ating mga maliliit na mangingisda ay mabigyan muli ng kanilang pangingisdaan.

Binanggit ninyo ang marami sa mga kadahilanan dito. Sa amin pong pananaw, isa sa pinakamalaking kadahilanan ay ang pagkawala ng patubigan sa kapangyarihan ng ating mga mangingisda. Marahil tayo lang ang iisang bansa sa buong mundo na hindi natin tinatamasa ang bunga ng ating katubigan, samantalang binayayaan tayo ng Panginoong Diyos na bigyan ng kapaligirang punong-puno ng lamang-dagat.

According to studies of the World Food Organization, in the Philippines, if we just put our fish production in order, we should be able to feed the whole world with all the riches of our seas and waters. The best lobsters in the world come from the Philippine waters.

The best fish, the lapu-lapu, is being enjoyed by the wealthy nations coming from our waters. Ito po ang mga sinasabi ninyong malalaking namumuhunan na siyang nakikinabang sa ating katubigan. Ang masakit, ang pangkaraniwang mangingisda, ewan ko kung napapansin po ninyo ito, pero ito ay talagang nakasasakit ng damdamin kapagka nakikita natin ang laki ng lawang Laguna de Bay, for instance. Iyan ay kulang-kulang sa 90 mil ektaryas, no, let me correct myself, it is 900,000 hectares of fresh water. Hindi na po ito napapangisdaan ngayon. Iyan ay isang katotohanan na nangyari sapagkat ang buong Laguna de Bay ay halos nasasakop na ng mga dambuhalang fishpens, primarily fishpens ranging from five, 15 to 5,000 hectares of one lucky businessman.

Hindi po mahirap iyon. Natitiyak nating hindi ito galing sa hanay ng mga mangingisda. Ang balita namin ay may mga banyaga pang namumuhunan diyan na walang puhunan kung hindi bakuran ang ating katubigan. Binabakuran na lang at lalagyan ng security guard, wala na pong mangingisda roon na galing sa hanay ng mga namamalakaya sapagkat kanila na ang katubigan na iyon.

Kung titingnan po ninyo ang Laguna de Bay and I invite you to join me one of these days, let us inspect Laguna de Bay waters and settle it, once and for all, because the Bureau of Fisheries keep on denying it and I am insisting wala na po sa kamay ng mga mamamayang Pilipino ang katubigang iyan. It is now in the hands of big businessmen and many of them are foreigners even, enjoying the fruits of our natural wealth simply because we are allowing it.

Napakasakit po ng katotohanan. Hindi na kayo kailangang lumayo. Pumunta kayo sa Manila Bay. Ang Manila Bay puro fish pens, fish ponds and fish cages. Wala nang namumuhunan ngayon sa lupa para bumili ng fish pond area sapagkat nakukuha na nila ang dagat at mga lawa sa kanilang negosyo.

To me, and this humble Representation presents the problem, together with the Gentleman’s message to all of us, the problem that has to be attended to now, because otherwise, tayo po ay marahil pagtawanan na lamang ng buong mundo. Ang katangi-tanging bansa binigyan ng biyaya ng mayamang katubigan kung saan maaari tayong kumuha ng laman-dagat para sa buong mundo ay pinakikinabangan lamang ng ilan at wala nang pakinabang ang pangkaraniwang Pilipino.

Sa kapahintulutan po ng ating kagalang-galang na Kinatawang Hicap, I ask him to join me in this crusade, and I am almost sure he would accept the invitation that together, let us try and do something about this sad state of our fisherfolk. It is not so much as development that deprives our fisherfolk the ability to fish, it is really the abuse, misuse of power and greed—unmitigated greed on the part of some people to just monopolize the wealth of our nation.


I cited two examples because we are here surrounded by waters—Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay, but we are not benefitting from these waters. Only the few who are able to pay-off—nagbabayad sila, hindi po libre iyan. Nagbabayad sila sa mga baluktot at mga korap na mga opisyales ng mga ahensiyang dapat nangangalaga diyan. Kung hindi iyan matitigil, walang pupuntahan itong ating pinag-uusapan at ang inyong napakagandang hangarin para sa hanay ng ating mga mangingisda.

Labanan po natin ito sapagkat to me, to us, this should be the worst kind of corruption because it destroys not only this present generation, it destroys the future generation of Filipinos to come, and deprives our poor fishermen, the fisherfolk, who are suffering from deprivation.

Nawala na po ang maliputo; nawala na po ang tawilis; pati po ang protected landscape ng Taal. Hindi lamang protected area ito but a protected landscape. Tingnan po ninyo itsura ngayon puro baklad, at papaano nangyayari ito? Kung hindi pinapabayaan at tumatanggap ang mga kinauukulan ng lagay upang makapaglagay ng mga baklad na katulad nito, na bukod sa iligal ito, hindi dapat nakikita ninuman sa ating karagatan at katubigan. This is the only place in the world, probably, where our beautiful landscape, our waters full of fish and fish products are fast disappearing in our land.

Nabanggit ko po ang bilang ng katubigan sapagkat sa buong Pilipinas, sa buong kapuluan, tanungin natin sinuman sa ating mga kasamang Kinatawan dito kung ang kanilang mga lawa at bahagi ng katubigan ay hindi napupuno na rin ng fish pen at fish pond. Kung hindi po mapipigil ito, ito lang ang katangi-tanging bansang marahil na tatawaging bansa ng mga fish pond, fish pen and fish cages, depriving our poor people of the opportunity to enjoy an economic well-being.

Siguro, kung pagtutulung-tulungan natin ito, Mme. Speaker, G. Hicap, makikinig sa atin ang Pangulong Aquino. Manawagan tayo. Kumatok tayo sa kanyang damdamin. Asikasuhin natin ang ating mga katubigan sapagkat ito ay nawawala na sa benepisyo ng Pilipino. Marahil, tutugon ang ating Pangulo at bibigyan ng kaukulang pansin ang kalagayan ng ating katubigan. But again, I reiterate my invitation to you, Mme. Speaker, maaari naman po siguro nating i-check ang Laguna de Bay para mawala na ang kanilang dahilan na sinasabing hindi totoo ang ating isinisigaw dito. Magsama tayo ng mga mediamen, magsama tayo ng mga eksperto para maipakita natin na ito lang ang katangi-tanging bansa na pinapayagan ang ganitong uri ng abuso.

Alam po ba ninyo na sa Laguna de Bay pati ang mga itik wala nang makaing suso kaya wala na ring balut doon kundi nanggagaling pa sa Pampanga o Bataan ang balut nila sapagkat sa Laguna de Bay wala nang makaing suso ang mga itik. Nawala na rin ang mga itik diyan sapagkat wala na rin makain pati doon

sa pampang ng Laguna de Bay. Ngayon mayroon pa tayong nababalitaang proyekto diyan na tatabunan ang malaking bahagi ng Laguna de Bay. Kaawaan tayo ng kalikasan, kaawaan tayo ng Panginoong Diyos kung hindi natin bibigyan ng proteksyon ang ating yamang dagat at yaman ng ating kalikasan.

So I urge you and encourage you, Mme. Speaker, to continue your crusade, but let me join you as the Representative from the BUHAY Party-List. We are committed to promote a better life, a culture of life for our nation, a culture of life that will provide opportunities for a better life for every Filipino. Mayroon po tayo niyan, Mme. Speaker. Binigyan tayo ng Panginoong Diyos ng bansang puspos ng yaman sa kalikasan, kasama na diyan ang ating katubigan, subalit sa kapabayaan, abuso, korapsyon, nawawala ito sa pakinabang ng pangkaraniwang Filipino. Ang nakikinabang lamang ay ang mga bumibili ng kanilang benepisyo, sa mga tumatanggap na mga taong gobyerno.

Let us fight this, Gentleman from ANAKPAWIS, and I will join you all the way so that we will be able to liberate our poor fisherfolk from this burden of wanton abandon of their plight.

I congratulate you for this continuing effort. The BUHAY Party-List joins you all the way.

Maraming maraming salamat po, Mme. Speaker.

REP. HICAP. Mme. Speaker, maraming salamat, distinguished colleague, Congressman Atienza, sa appreciation and support sa sentimyento, kalagayan at panawagan ng mga mangingisda sa ating bansa.

Tama po si Congressman Atienza. Hanggang ang mga polisiya at ang mga programa ng ating gobyerno ay hindi para sa interes at pakinabang ng mga mangingisdang Filipino, at bagkus ay binibigyan ng higit na pakinabang at kontrol ang iilang mga kapital sa pangisdaan at ganoon din ng mga dayuhan, patuloy pong sisirain nito ang ating pangisdaan; patuloy ang kawalan ng seguridad sa supply ng pagkain sa ating bansa at ganoon din, hindi maso-solusyunan ang kahirapan ng mga maliliit na mangingisda.

Gusto ko lang sabihin na tama po iyon. Ngayon nandito ang aking bisita mula sa Barangay Laiya Aplaya, sa Sitio Balakbakan, Laiya Aplaya, Batangas, para sa pagpapatunay na nitong nakaraang July 3 ngayong taon, na-demolish sila gaya ng nabanggit ko kanina. Anim na raang pamilya, 600 pamilya sila na pinalayas doon sa kanilang paninirahan at kabuhayan para lang bigyang laya ang eco-tourism project ni Mr. Federico Campos. Kaya ganito pa lamang, Mme. Speaker, sa kapwa ko mambabatas, makikita natin ang 600 pamilya, i-times three na lang natin iyan, mag-asawa plus isang anak, libu-libo na habang ang makikinabang lamang ay iisang pamilya. Kaya ang isyu na ito ay iisa lamang sa napakaraming problemang nabanggit ko na kanina.


Kaya ang panawagan natin ay dapat ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at pangisdaan; ibasura ang Fisheries Code; tutulan at labanan ang iba pang programa at patakaran sa ilalim ng Public-Private Partnership Program, lalo na ang reklamasyon sa mga baybaying dagat at ganoon din sa pagtatayo ng mga panirang mga private resorts at mga malawakang aquaculture sa ating pangisdaan.

Kaya umaasa ako sa hapon na ito sa mga kapwa ko mambabatas na maging bahagi at makasama ko sa laban ng mga mangingisda at mga mamamayan para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa, para sa kinabukasan ng mamamayang Pilipino.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay po ang mamamayang Pilipino.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, as none of my colleagues has risen to interpellate the Honorable Hicap, I move that the speech of the Hon. Fernando “Ka Pando” L. Hicap from the Party-List ANAKPAWIS and the interpellation attached to it be referred to the Committee on Rules.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, we would like to take the opportunity to greet the guests that we have in our gallery. We have guests from the Municipality of Lopez, Province of Quezon, District Mahogany and District Molave. They are led by their honorable Mayor Isaias Ubana II, PhD, with 27 barangay captains, Councilors Erwin Olanda and Castor Alano. They are guests of the Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D., our Representative from the Fourth District of Quezon.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. (Applause)

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, we would like to greet guests from the Save Our Schools Network, the students of Salagpungan Ta Tano Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Talaingod, Davao del Norte., They are guests of the Hon. Luzviminda C. Ilagan of the Party-List GABRIELA and the Hon. Fernando “Ka Pando” L. Hicap of the Party-List ANAKPAWIS.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Magandang hapon po sa ating mga mag-aaral. (Applause)

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, we would like to greet our guests, Dr. Junjie Zaznula and Nurse Aurora Mansilla, guests of the Hon. Leah S. Paquiz from the Party-List, Ang NARS.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. (Applause)

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the recognition of the Hon. Jose L. Atienza Jr. from the Party-List BUHAY who wishes to rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Rep. Jose L. Atienza Jr. from the BUHAY Party-List is hereby recognized.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. ATIENZA

REP. ATIENZA. Salamat po, Mme. Speaker.With the kind indulgence of my colleagues, hindi

na po sana ako magsasalita ngayon sapagkat nag-interpellate na ako kanina pero napakahalaga po nitong isyung ito para hindi po natin pag-usapan, at mayroon po akong personal na karanasan na maaaring magdagdag sa inyong kaalaman. So I take this opportunity, Mme. Speaker, to bring to the attention of the Body some of our experiences on the issue of the Smartmatic and the PCOS machines in the City of Manila.

In 2010, during the local elections in Manila, we experienced a very, very peculiar, strange and at the same time questionable occurrence. Iyon amin pong mga election returns na lumabas sa mga PCOS machines sa Maynila ay nagdadala, ay nagtataglay ng iba’t ibang petsa ng election. Mayroong nagsimula noong Disyembre 2009, mayroon pong mga returns na ang petsa ay Abril 29, mayroon pong mga returns na ang petsa ng election sa Maynila ay naganap noong April 30, May 1, May 4, May 5 at May 9. Samantala, ang election noong taong iyon ay May 10, 2010. So, we questioned this, and in the congressional hearing conducted by the Committee of Congressman Teddy Locsin, napalabas po ng kanilang lupon na ang sinabi ng Smartmatic representative na si Mr. Flores ay hindi dapat ganoon ang mga markings sa election returns. Noong una, sinabi po niya na hindi raw importante iyon sapagkat iyon ay maaaring mga computer glitches lamang, pero noong nakita po niya nang inilahad namin sa lupon, iyong extent of the abnormality of the dates of elections that were contained in our election returns, aba e, ang sabi po niya ay wala po raw halaga iyon. Iyon po raw ay talagang pagkukulang lang ng mga makina. Hindi po namin maaaring tanggapin iyon sapagkat nakita po namin sa unang-unang binuksang random manual audit na iba po ang resulta noong binuksan noong gabi


ng eleksyon doon sa resulta noong presintong iyon sa election return na lumabas sa makina. Itinigil pong bigla ang random manual audit noong nakita po ang malaking deperensiya. Doon po nagkaroon ng hinala ang marami sa aming hanay na hindi po maaasahan ang mga makinang ito, na ang mga ito ay maaaring mamaniobra katulad ng pangyayari sa amin noong 2010 na naglagay sa ating halalan sa isang kaduda-dudang pananaw ng mga manghahalal.

Mme. Speaker, dear colleagues, elections are the basic foundation of any democracy. If we do not trust our electoral process, we will never prosper as a democratic society. Our nation will suffer the consequences of the people’s inability to accept the integrity of any election. In our experience, we have realized that it is very difficult to accept this kind of an occurrence where the elections had all the markings of a manipulated election on that fateful day.

Again, uulitin ko po: with the growing clamor of our enlightened citizenry, especially the IT experts of the nation now, they are calling for a manual election, a manual count in the precinct level while using an electronic transmission to hasten the finalization of results in Manila. For us to continue this semblance of an election wherein Smartmatic plays the major role and the Venezuelan technology prevails, and the Venezuelans run the elections of the country, baka hindi po tayo magkaroon ng credible election sa 2016. Nangangamba po ang marami na maaaring ito na ang paraan upang ang eleksyon at halalan sa 2016 ay hindi maging salamin ng damdamin ng mga Pilipino.

I would like to show the Body some samples that we got in our sad, traumatic experience in Manila. Ang mga returns na ito ay iba-iba ang petsa at iba-iba ang oras ng halalan. Kung pagmamasdan po ninyo ang election return, nakalagay po roon, “Date of Election.” Sa amin po sa Maynila, iba-iba ang petsa doon. The time when the polls opened, sa ibang election returns, ang nakalagay po roon, “seven o’clock.” The time polls closed, malamang sa buong bansa, maaaring nakalagay ala-singko o alas-tres ng hapon, pero sa Maynila po, iba-iba ang oras na nagsara ang mga presinto. Ang isa lamang consistent marking ay ang difference between the opening of the polls and the closing of the polls which lasted only for six seconds at talagang kaduda-duda po na para bagang ang halalan sa Maynila ay six seconds lamang ang haba ng pangyayari. Anim na segundo ang halalang naganap sa Maynila noong 2010.

Ito po ay aking paalala sa lahat ng ating mga kasamahan. Tayong lahat ay benepisyaryo ng halalan. Tayo ay nandito ngayon dahil nabigyan tayo ng biyaya ng halalan. Tayong lahat ay tumatayo sa pagtatanggol ng ating demokrasya dahil sa halalan. Subalit kapag tayo ay nabiktima bilang isang bansa, na ang ating mahahalal na mga pinunong bansa sa darating na halalan sa 2016 ay

bunga pa rin nitong kaduda-dudang sistemang ito, wala na po tayo ibang sisisihin kundi ang ating sarili.

A moment ago, I was talking to our Chairman on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and I inquired from him how he looks at this issue, and I am glad kasi ang sabi po niya sa akin, basta’t may duda sa sistema, hindi natin dapat ituloy. Ang akin pong panawagan sa lahat ng ating mga kasamahan, pag-usapan po natin ito, pag-aralan natin ngayon dahil may panahon pa upang baguhin natin ang nabibingit na panganib sa ating demokrasya—ang magkaroon tayo ng halalan sa 2016 na hindi magiging katanggap-tanggap sa mga Pilipino. Ito po ay magbubunga ng napakalaking gulo sa ating minamahal na bansa at maaaring magdala sa atin sa mas malaking problema.

I have these samples of what we had experienced in Manila, and I would like to show these to anybody interested in this Body. If you will ask, “what did we do when we discovered this?” We filed a protest. The number one protest filed to complain about the electoral fraud in an automated election was filed by yours truly. Kami po ay nagprotesta at hindi po kami nakontento sa ginawa ng Commission on Elections doon sa protestang iyon.

Una, hindi po binuksan ang mga urna na sinasabi naming buksan na agad upang makita natin ang diperensya. It took them almost one year before the boxes were opened. We were limited to 200 boxes kaya maaari pong totoo ang sapantaha ng marami na sa loob ng kulang-kulang na isang taon na kung saan ang mga resulta ng halalang iyon ay hawak ng nakapaghaharing administrasyon, ay napalitan na ang laman kaya’t noong binuksan namin ay pareho ang bilang sa loob ng boto doon sa resulta ng election returns. Ang hindi po nila maipaliwanag ay ang aming katanungan. Pareho ang score doon sa elections returns pero iba ang bilang ng balota doon sa record ng COMELEC na kanilang inilagay sa Internet noong halalang iyon. In the evening of May 10, they posted in the Internet the election records. Precinct No. 1, 1000 voted; Precinct No. 2, 900 voted. When we opened up Precinct No. 1, there were 1,100; and in Precinct No. 2, there were 800 only. Hindi mag-tally ang bilang ng balota sa loob doon sa election returns na aming nakuha, kaya iyon po ay palatandaan na hindi naging accurate ang halalan sa Maynila noong 2010. Ang sagot po sa amin noong kinukwestyon naming iyon, ang sabi sa amin: “Mag-file kayo ng iba pang protesta sapagkat iyong protesta ninyo ay doon sa resulta. Kung gusto ninyong suriin natin ngayon iyong comparative analysis ninyo ay mag-file kayo ng panibagong protesta.”

Mme. Speaker, when you pose that challenge to any candidate, believe me, it is almost an impossible imposition. Ang mag-file tayo ng protesta ay napakalaking gastusin. Hihingan tayo ng depositong P10 milyon na kapagka hindi ninyo nailagak ay


hindi sila mag-e-entertain ng protesta natin. Iyan po ay nagawa naming sa pagtulong-tulong ng lahat na sumuporta sa inyong lingkod subalit hindi na namin matanggap ang pangalawang hamon na magprotesta uli kami ng panibago para i-compare nila ang bilang ng balota sa bilang ng elections returns at bilang ng nakita namin sa loob.

So, I am registering my strong objection to the continuation of the use of the PCOS machines and allowing the Venezuelan authorities who are experts in this because we do not accept the fact that we, Filipinos, cannot run our own elections. Hinihingan po natin ng kapahintulutan ang lahat at hinihingan natin ng suporta ang lahat ng Miyembro ng Kongreso. Do not wait for you to be victimized by electoral machinated fraud. Kaawa-awa po naman ang mga distrito ninyo kung kayo ay mabibiktima. United, we can now formulate a law that will give way to an election in our country where the people will be participating in the counting of votes at the precinct level. Hindi po naman problema ang magbilangan sa bawat presinto. Iyan po naman ay magagawa sa isang madaling panahon at iyon po namang pagta-transmit lamang ng resulta ang gamitan natin ng electronic technology. In that manner, we will be assured of the people’s participation in our electoral process. Otherwise, kapagka nakita ninyo iyong mga resulta sa makina na lumabas kayo ay natalo ng pagkalaki-laking boto, wala na kayong magagawa sapagkat ang resultang iyon ay pinal at ang sasabihin sa inyo ay magprotesta na lang kayo. Kung kayo naman ay magpo-protesta, masusubukan po ninyo ang dinaanan ng inyong lingkod na hindi po kami humantong sa isang katanggap-tanggap na resulta.

So, as time went by, we elected our President in 2010 and local officials in 2013. Before we face 2016 to elect our next President, Mme. Speaker, collectively, let us review this automated election process where we are being stampeded and herded to accept as valid this form of allowing our people their free choice of their leaders. Nakasalalay po sa ating gagawing aksyon dito sa ating Kongreso ang kinabukasan ng ating demokrasya,

Maraming-maraming salamat po sa pagkakataon na naibigay namin ang aming maliit na tinig na sana ay kumatok sa inyong mga puso at damdamin na tayong lahat ay magkaisa. Salamat po.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we refer the speech of the Honorable Atienza from the Party-List BUHAY to the Committee on Rules.



REP. ALBANO. Mme. Speaker, point of information only.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). What is the point of information that the distinguished Gentleman Albano would like to ask?

REP. ALBANO. Mme. Speaker, can I be provided by the Secretariat relevant information on RA 5059 and EO 145 in relation to the pension of ex-Presidents and why this amounted to P331 million, Mme. Speaker? It is in the budget automatic appropriations.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Would the Dep. Majority Leader like to address the question?

REP. BONDOC. Yes, Mme. Speaker. Could we direct the Secretary General to please provide the Honorable Albano all the relevant information regarding Republic Act No. 5059 and Executive Order No. 145 in aid of his legislation and for his research?

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The Secretary General is hereby directed to provide the distinguished Gentleman copies of the information being requested.

REP. ALBANO. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker.


SUSPENSION OF SESSION

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I ask for a few minutes suspension of the session.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The session is suspended.

It was 5:17 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 5:18 p.m., the session was resumed.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The session is resumed.

CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 3587Continuation

PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we resume the consideration of House Bill No. 3587


contained under Committee Report No. 19. For this purpose, I move that we ask the Secretary General to read the title of the measure.



The Secretary General is hereby directed to read the title of the measure.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3587, entitled: AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, the parliamentary status of the bill is that it is in the period of interpellation.

I move that we open the period of interpellation on House Bill No. 3587 contained under Committee Report No. 19.

I so move, Mme. Speaker, Your Honor.


REP. BONDOC. To defend the measure, I move that we recognize the honorable Sponsor, Rep. Fredenil “Fred” H. Castro.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The Hon. Fredenil “Fred” H. Castro is hereby recognized.

REP. BONDOC. For his interpellation on House Bill No. 3587, I move that we recognize the Hon. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr. from the Lone District of Baguio City who wishes to propound questions to our honorable Chairman and Sponsor.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The Honorable Aliping is hereby recognized for his interpellation.

REP. ALIPING. Thank you, Mme. Speaker. Thank you, Dep. Majority Leader.

REP. ALIPING. Thank you, Mme. Speaker. Thank you, Dep. Majority Leader.

May we know from the distinguished Sponsor if he will entertain an interpellation from this humble Representation?

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, it is my honor to be interpellated by my esteemed colleague from the city of Baguio, Congressman Aliping.

REP. ALIPING. Thank you, distinguished Sponsor. Thank you, Mme. Speaker.

In the 2009 case of Palatino vs. Comelec, the Supreme Court stated:

The right of suffrage lies at the heart of our constitutional democracy. The right of every Filipino to choose the leaders who will lead the country and participate, to the fullest extent possible, in every national and local election is so zealously guarded by the fundamental law that it devoted an entire article solely therefore.

Will the distinguished Sponsor, Mme. Speaker, agree with the statement that the right of suffrage, indeed, lies at the heart of our constitutional democracy?

REP. CASTRO. This Representation, Mme. Speaker, interposes not even a scintilla of opposition or objection to the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and thus, I affirm and confirm the statement of the Gentleman from Baguio.

REP. ALIPING. Having said that, distinguished Sponsor, Mme. Speaker, will the distinguished Sponsor likewise agree that the exercise of the right of suffrage includes the right to vote and to be voted for?

REP. CASTRO. I agree and I subscribe, Mme. Speaker, to the issue interposed by the Gentleman from Baguio.

REP. ALIPING. Thank you, distinguished Sponsor.

Section 26, Article II, Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the 1987 Constitution provides,

The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

The framers of the Constitution left it to Congress to define what political dynasty means and this time, will the distinguished Sponsor agree that the previous Congresses, starting from the Eighth Congress, have not come out with a definition of what a political dynasty is.

REP. CASTRO. Political dynasty has not been defined in previous Congresses because no one pursued


straight from the shoulder the prosecution of a proposed legislation insofar as prohibiting political dynasties in this country is concerned. It is only now that the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has actively and aggressively, straight from the shoulder, prosecuted the bill against political dynasties. The Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms thus came out with the definition of a political dynasty, as proposed and defined in the bill under consideration.

REP. ALIPING. Mme. Speaker, I am glad to hear that. So, Section 1 of Article V of the Constitution confers a fundamental right in our democracy, and it provides:

Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election.

The second paragraph is important, Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, it provides:

No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.

Now, Mme. Speaker, under House Bill No. 3587, which is under consideration of the Sixteenth Congress, the definition of a political dynasty under Section 3 of House Bill No. 3587 refers to the concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another. A political dynasty exists when two or more individuals who are related “within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity” hold or run for national or local office in successive, simultaneous or overlapping terms.

Will the distinguished Sponsor agree with this humble Representation that that is providing a substantial requirement to the fundamental right of suffrage as enshrined under Article V of the 1987 Constitution?

REP. CASTRO. It does not require additional requirement for any qualified person to vote or be voted into public office. It is not an additional burden to prove that someone is qualified to run and be elected to any public office. On the other hand, what the proposed bill espouses is regulation—not curtailment, not prohibition, not disqualification, but simply regulation. It is a law regulating the election en masse of people belonging to the same political clan, belonging to the same political

dynasty at one time, to the dislocation or, what is this, to the prejudice of all those who may also want to serve our country through public office, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ALIPING. Thank you, Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor.

In this particular case, we are defining political dynasty and it prohibits the fundamental right of every person to vote and to be voted for. Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, between the prohibition under Section 26, Article II and the fundamental right under Article V of the 1987 Constitution, which one prevails?

REP. CASTRO. Neither prevails. Both will prevail because the rule in any constitutional construction is that both provisions will have to be reconciled. Thus, not any of this constitutional provision will prevail over the other but both shall have to be reconciled. That is why, Mme. Speaker, the proposed bill is attempting and as a matter of fact trying to reconcile what the Gentleman from Baguio is proposing: an advocacy and recognition of the vested right of every person to be voted to public office so long as he has the qualifications and the regulation provided for under the provision of the Constitution on political dynasty. Therefore, not one provision prevails but they will have to be reconciled. What is the reconciliation? The reconciliation is that the proposed bill does not prohibit, it only regulates so that not so many, not en masse, members of the same family or political clan can, at the same time, within the same period, and the same election, be voted to public office in such a way that if everybody wins, they control everything in public office. That is regulation, not prohibition.

REP. ALIPING. Having said that, Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, in this particular case, reconciliation of this provision of the Constitution would now be tantamount to an amendment of Section 1, Article V, I should say, of the 1987 Constitution?

REP. CASTRO. It is not an amendment because a law cannot amend the provisions of the Constitution, and there are only three ways wherein the Constitution can be amended. When this Representation, Mme. Speaker, speaks of reconciliation, that means to say that voting and being voted for as a fundamental right, and the prohibition in the Constitution against political dynasties will have to be reconciled. Meaning, both provisions will have to be given effect. Nothing, not one, neither one should be set aside but both should be given effect. The prohibition against political dynasties, through a law passed by Congress, could give effect to the provision of the Constitution against political dynasties and the fundamental right to be voted for


could also be given effect, notwithstanding the proposed Bill against political dynasties.

REP. ALIPING. Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, while we agree to that statement, the fact remains that the definition of a political dynasty under House Bill No. 3587 is actually a substantive requirement imposed against Article V, second paragraph of the 1987 Constitution.

REP. CASTRO. I may or I may not agree with the Gentleman from Baguio City, Mme. Speaker, but nonetheless, unless and until the Supreme Court declares it as an additional requirement, an additional burden or qualification for someone to be voted into public office, this Representation will maintain that there is no requirement being added to make the qualification of someone running for public office more onerous and burdensome.

REP. ALIPING. With that enlightenment, Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, I will be guided accordingly during the voting of this House Bill under consideration.

Thank you, Mme. Speaker. Thank you, distinguished Sponsor.

Good afternoon.

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, I urge the Gentleman from Baguio City, my esteemed colleague, Congressman Aliping, to support this Bill and I also challenge him, Mme. Speaker, when the period of amendments come, we will most welcome his propositions. We will most welcome any suggestion or amendment that he may propose to make this Bill generally acceptable to everybody.

Thank you, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ALIPING. Such a challenge is humbly accepted.

Thank you, distinguished Sponsor. Thank you, Mme. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Thank you.

The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we recognize the Hon. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz from the Party-List ABAKADA for his interpellation of our honorable Chairman- Sponsor.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz of the Party-List ABAKADA is hereby recognized.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker.

Will the distinguished Sponsor, our most eminent colleague from Capiz, yield to a few questions?

REP. CASTRO. I will not tire, Mme. Speaker, of saying that it is always an honor to be interpellated by Cong. Jonathan Dela Cruz of the Party-List ABAKADA.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Your Honor. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker.

I will have to start from the statement earlier of our distinguished colleague from Baguio City, Congressman Aliping, regarding the reconciliation of the two Articles in the Constitution, Mme. Speaker, regarding the right to suffrage as well as the anti-dynasty provision. The Gentleman is of the belief, Mme. Speaker, that this is not going to require any constitutional amendment because as he mentioned, and if I heard it right, that these things can be reconciled and besides, the anti-dynasty provision is not going to be a requirement to be elected into office. Is that correct?

REP. CASTRO. Yes, Mme. Speaker.

REP. DELA CRUZ. If that is so, then is it possible, Mme. Speaker, that by having this kind of reconciliation, by way of regulation or curtailment as the Gentleman mentioned, we are actually, in effect, putting into question the entire requirement of the right to suffrage. Is that not a prohibition that actually negates the absolute right under Article V of the Constitution?

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, it neither negates nor curtails the right to be voted into public office but the proposed law is simply an exercise of police power to regulate the menace of political dynasties in our political system.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Mme. Speaker, earlier in our discussions, the Gentleman mentioned certain formulas that can be looked into for purposes of implementing this in a kind of hypothetical arrangement. For example, if the Gentleman will entertain this, there is an incumbent Member of Congress in a particular district and this incumbent Member of Congress has a relative to the second degree of consanguinity. What will prevent this particular relative from running for office, for example, in another province contiguous to that particular province where the district is located, where the influence of that particular family also extends? Is there any prohibition for that particular relative to run in another province outside of the district of an incumbent Member of Congress under the proposed House Bill No. 3587, Mme. Speaker?


REP. CASTRO. The wisdom, Mme. Speaker, of the observation transformed into a hypothetical situation by my distinguished colleague from ABAKADA is something worth considering during the period of amendments because the purpose of a law against political dynasties is to prevent the concentration and monopoly of power within a particular jurisdiction where the influence of a political clan is virulently unstoppable. Therefore, if this is achieved by someone belonging to the clan with a second degree of consanguinity running not in the same jurisdiction, not in the same province but in another province or another region, well, this Representation believes, Mme. Speaker, that the observation of the Gentleman from ABAKADA could be considered during the period of amendments.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker.

I am asking this because, as Your Honor may have noticed or observed over the past four or five elections, the influence of many of our political leaders has extended beyond their original territories. This influences the activities, the political arrangements in other jurisdictions outside of their original territories precisely because the extension provides for a platform for the members of the family who may not be accommodated as a result of House Bill No. 3587 to go beyond their original jurisdiction and therefore, may not be covered under the contemplation of House Bill No. 3587. Will this still be, in a sense, considered to be a political dynasty, this time extending beyond the original territory or jurisdiction of the incumbent for example?

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, the hypothetical situation presented by the Gentleman from ABAKADA, by analogy, could be considered like a restraint, a law on a restraint of trade or a provision in a contract in restraint of trade. Meaning to say, the prohibition under the Anti-Political Dynasty Law may be considered simply in a particular jurisdiction and the moment that a second degree relative shall have gone out of the territory where the influence of a political clan has weakened or, in fact, has ceased its existence, then I do not see any reason the effect of an Anti-Political Dynasty Law should be given effect in jurisdiction as contemplated by this Representation.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker. That can be a more pernicious way of dominating politics and therefore, will be negating, in effect, the prohibition under the constitutional provision precisely because not only will this particular political clan, for example, now extend its influence beyond the original jurisdiction and the original territory, they will actually be, in effect, be a dynasty in other jurisdictions.

In effect, by having this kind of prohibition only in a particular jurisdiction, you are actually providing a window for these particular dynasties to go beyond their original territories and therefore, to be influencing the activities, both political and economic, and even social activities in other jurisdictions which may be negating in effect the original intent of an anti-political dynasty prohibition.

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, this Representation has taken the position that the wisdom of the hypothetical situation presented by the Gentleman from ABAKADA is, maybe, worth considering when a member of a political clan within the prohibited second degree consanguinity or affinity will run not in the same province or but perhaps in another region. The possibility of concentration of power, if one has to run and become an elective official in a different region may not be the same if the same members of political clan within the prohibitive degree run and hold office, en masse, in the same political jurisdiction.

REP. DELA CRUZ. I am asking this, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, because even in the United States as we may have observed, they just had their mid-term elections. In the United States, many of the political families, the “dynast” as we call them, had relatives and members of their clan running in different jurisdictions and therefore, may not—are not actually considered as dynast, as a matter of fact, precisely because they are now growing up. They are now trying to put up their own networks in jurisdictions outside of the original areas where their influence may be considered monopolistic or dynastic.

Therefore, this may happen and this is actually happening right now, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, in the case of Philippine politics precisely because there are possibilities of political families engaging in political activities outside their original territories. This is one area that I would like the honorable Sponsor, Mme. Speaker, to consider in case this particular House Bill No. 3587 goes to the period of amendments precisely because we are looking at a political concentration or a political monopoly not in the context of just one territory but in the context of a total participation of one clan or one family in the activities or in the political arena in this country, which maybe negating the actual intent of the framers of the Constitution in putting together this particular provision on anti-dynasty.

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, this Representation takes note of the proposition raised by the Gentleman from the Party-List ABAKADA but I would also like to stress that insofar as the proposed legislation is concerned, it makes no exception whether it is the same jurisdiction or different regions or jurisdictions


so long as the members of the same family by affinity or consanguinity within the second degree, half or full blood, are disqualified from running within the provision of the proposed legislation.

REP. DELA CRUZ. If that will happen, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, for example, in an election period, let us say, in 2016, and this particular Bill becomes a law, are you trying to tell us, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker—is the distinguished Sponsor telling us right now that the prohibition will not be territorial, but it will actually happen and it will encompass an entire family who may not be running in the same original territory where their influence is really monopolistic, but in another area where their influence may not even be there? That is actually prohibiting somebody from exercising his own right under the Constitution, if that is the case.

REP. CASTRO. As worded in the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the proposed legislation does not make any condition or is not making any qualification. The prohibition is absolute that henceforth, if the proposed legislation is approved by Congress, then it will have to be applied regardless of the geographical location or the political jurisdiction wherein a member of a political clan may run and be voted into public office.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker.

May I now go to another area of concern because, as the distinguished Sponsor, Mme. Speaker, may have observed, political influences have actually waned in the wake of the various reforms that have happened in our country. As a matter of fact, the concentration right now, and I think the honorable Sponsor will agree with me, is not so much as far as political power is concerned but on economic power. The economic power is now the one determining what happens in each and every election, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker.

As a matter of fact, we are aware of certain political families who have lost their own influence precisely because a new kind of power clan or a new kind of power has entered into the political fray. We are talking about economic power. Many of these emerging or have-emerged economic barons, the “monopolists” as we may call them, have financed political undertakings to the detriment of what we might call “political dynast.” So we now have a situation where the economic dynast, who can be more pernicious precisely because they may be using the cover of an election, of a democratic exercise, in influencing the very activities in a particular jurisdiction or in other sectors or even the entire country. Is this not a more pernicious way of undermining our democracy rather than have a balancing power which is the political power, which may be able to balance the economic power of the emerging economic clans

who are now dictating the tempo as well as the results of our political exercises?

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, Your Honor, my distinguished colleague might be correct in his observation that economic power has, in our present regime and in our times, tilted the balance of power in favor of the economy. This Representation would say that it is either political or economic tilting power to either side. What this Representation means, Mme. Speaker, Your Honor, is that there is truth to the observation that with economic power, the one who is in possession or is possessed of economic power may influence the outcome of a political situation in any political or geographical jurisdiction. On the other hand, political power without economic power may also control the situation in any geographical location because he who possess political power has the economic power and vice versa. He who has the economic power has also political power and therefore, in either case, political dynasty in terms of political situation and economic dynasty in terms of political situation would not be differentiated from each other because either could organize, either could form, and either could support a political dynasty in this country.

REP. DELA CRUZ. I brought this up, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, in this discussion precisely because it might be opportune for us to have a parallel bill to coincide with this, or a coordinative bill that will now limit contributions in elections. I am looking at electoral financing, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker. I am looking at the possibility of adopting what they have in the US as limits to electoral spending, which we already have, but we would like to have a situation whereby political contributions can also be monitored and can also be looked into properly so that the economic interest will not unduly result in a concentration of political power not by way of members of families, but by way of economic interests intervening in the result of an election, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, which may be a companion piece to this particular House Bill No. 3587. We have an Anti- Political Dynasty Law for purposes of curtailing or regulating, as the distinguished Sponsor mentioned, political power. There must also be a companion piece in order that we will be able to monitor and regulate the entry of economic interest unduly supporting the political leaders who may not belong to the same political clan but are actually the fronts, in effect, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker, of economic interest whose particular activities may be more pernicious to our democracy than the political concentration that this particular House Bill No. 3587 is contemplating.

REP. CASTRO. Mme. Speaker, the observation of the Gentleman from ABAKADA is logical, practical,


intelligent, doable and practicable and therefore, it is worth considering the same observation in future legislations in this House, Mme. Speaker, Your Honor.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker. I have five other questions but I will have to leave them for another time, Your Honor, Mme. Speaker. I request that I be given another time to interpellate the distinguished Sponsor if that is possible.

REP. CASTRO. The same comment, Mme. Speaker. It will always be an honor to be interpellated by the Gentleman from ABAKADA, Mme. Speaker.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker, Your Honor.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Thank you.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, Your Honor, at this juncture, I move that we suspend the period of interpellation and debate on House Bill No. 3587 as contained under Committee Report No. 19 .



SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATIONOF H.B. NO. 3587

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we suspend the consideration of House Bill No. 3587 as contained under Committee Report No. 19.



The consideration of House Bill No. 3587 is hereby suspended.


CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5175ON SECOND READING


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 5175, contained in Committee

Report No. 475, as reported out by the Committee on Cooperatives Development,

May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved. *

The Secretary General is directed to read only the title of the measure.

With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary General read only the title thereof without prejudice to inserting its text into the Congressional Record.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5175, entitled: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE RIGHT OF COOPERATIVES TO DEVELOP INTO VIABLE AND RESPONSIVE ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 9 ON COOPERATIVE POWERS AND CAPACITIES OF REPUBLIC ACT 9520, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE PHILIPPINE COOPERATIVE CODE OF 2008”.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence)The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, there being no Member who registered to interpellate, I move that we terminate the period of sponsorship and debate.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee or individual amendments, I move that we close the same.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5175 as contained in Committee Report No. 475.

* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)


VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). There is a motion to approve House Bill No. 5175 on Second Reading.

As many as are in favor, please say aye.

SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). As many as are against, please say nay. (Silence)

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5175ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The ayes have it; the motion is approved.

House Bill No. 5175 is hereby approved on Second Reading.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 1039, contained in Committee Report No. 476, as reported out by the Committee on Ways and Means.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.*



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1039, entitled: AN ACT EXEMPTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITY FROM THE VALUE-ADDED TAX ON CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that the

Explanatory Note of the Bill be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, there being no Member who registered to interpellate, I move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate.




REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 1039 as contained under Committee Report No. 476.


VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). There is a motion for the approval of House Bill No. 1039 on Second Reading.




APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 1039

ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). The ayes have it; the motion is approved. House Bill No. 1039 is hereby approved on Second Reading.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we



consider House Bill No. 5187, contained in Committee Report No. 481, as reported out by the Committee on Basic Education and Culture.





THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5187, entitled: AN ACT ENHANCING THE ROLE OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE AND PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND THE YOUTH, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 77 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 603, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE”.







REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5187.

VIVA VOCE VOTING







House Bill No. 5187 is hereby approved on Second Reading.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I now move that we consider House Bill No. 4833, contained in Committee Report No. 479, as reported out by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read only the title of the measure, Mme. Speaker.




THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4833, entitled: AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10598 ENTITLED “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF COMPOSTELA, PROVINCE OF COMPOSTELA VALLEY TO BE KNOWN AS COMPOSTELA VALLEY STATE COLLEGE, INTEGRATING THEREWITH AS REGULAR BRANCHES THE BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL STUDIES CENTERS



IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MONKAYO, MARAGUSAN, MONTEVISTA, AND NEW BATAAN, ALL LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE OF COMPOSTELA VALLEY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.”





REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments. However, there being no committee or individual amendments, I move that we close the same.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 4833, as contained in Committee Report No. 479.

VIVA VOCE VOTING







House Bill No. 4833 is approved on Second Reading.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 5181, contained in Committee Report No. 480, as reported out by the Committee on Higher and Technical Education.





THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5181, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE GUIMARAS STATE COLLEGE IN THE PROVINCE OF GUIMARAS INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.



REP. BONDOC Mme. Speaker, there being no Member who registered to interpellate, I move that we close the period of sponsorship and debate.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there

any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.



REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the approval of House Bill No. 5181, as contained in Committee Report No. 480, on Second Reading.

VIVA VOCE VOTING




THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). As many as are against, say nay. (Silence)



House Bill No. 5181 is approved on Second Reading.

OMNIBUS CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL BILLSON SECOND READING

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the omnibus consideration of the following local bills, namely:

1. House Bill No. 5177, contained in Committee Report No. 477;

2. House Bill No. 4400, contained in Committee Report No. 482;

3. House Bill No. 5191, contained in Committee Report No. 483; and

4. House Bill No. 5198, contained in Committee Report No. 485.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we consider the respective Explanatory Notes of the Bills as the sponsorship speeches thereon; to close the period of sponsorship and debate, there being no Member who wishes to speak against the measures; to open the period of amendments and approve the committee amendments, if any; and to close the period of amendments.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we approve the aforesaid measures on Second Reading.

VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). As many as are in favor of the approval of the bills enumerated in the omnibus motion, please say aye.



OMNIBUS APPROVAL OF LOCAL BILLS ON SECOND READING


The Bills enumerated in the omnibus motion are hereby approved on Second Reading.*

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for a

change of referral of the following measures: House Bill No. 3431, from the Committee on Basic Education and Culture to the Committee on Revision of Laws.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of House Bill No. 3483, from the Committee on Basic Education and Culture to the Committee on Revision of Laws.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of House Bill No. 4755, from the Committee on Basic Education and Culture to the Committees on Basic Education and Culture, and Higher and Technical Education.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of House Bill No. 4669, from the Committee on Basic Education and Culture to the



Committees on Basic Education and Culture, and Higher and Technical Education.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion for a change of referral is hereby approved.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of House Bill No. 3336, from the Committee on Trade and Industry to the Committees on Trade and Industry, and Energy.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the change of referral of House Bill No. 4294, from the Special Committee on Bases Conversion, to the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization, and the Special Committee on Bases Conversion.




REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we consider House Bill No. 5178, contained in Committee Report No. 478, as reported out by the Committee on Health.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence)The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.*



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5178, entitled: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) PREVENTION, TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT, AND ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL HIV AND AIDS PLAN, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8504, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PHILIPPINE AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998,” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory Note of the measure be considered as its sponsorship speech. There being no Member who wishes to interpellate, I move that close the period of sponsorship and debate.


COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we open the period of amendments and accept the committee amendment proposed by the Chairman, the Hon. Eufranio “Franny” C. Eriguel, M.D.: On page 6, Section 6 of the Bill, delete lines two to 19 so that Section 6 shall read as follows: “Membership, Composition, Appointment, Quorum and Term of Office. – The following Member Agencies and CSOs shall be represented in the Council, numbers one to 11 as a committee amendment of this measure.”

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the amendment is approved.

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, there being no other committee or individual amendment, I move that we close the period of amendments.


REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move for the approval on Second Reading of House Bill No. 5178, as amended.

VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTYSPEAKER (Rep. Abad). As many as are in favor of House Bill No. 5178, as amended, please say aye.



Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, Plenary Affairs BureauThe Congressional Record can be accessed through the Downloads Center of the official website

of the House of Representatives at www.congress.gov.ph ddc/11242014/1521



APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5178, AS AMENDED,ON SECOND READING


House Bill No. 5178, as amended, is approved on Second Reading.

ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION

REP. BONDOC. Mme. Speaker, I move that we adjourn the session until Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at four o’clock in the afternoon.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Abad). Is there any objection? (Silence) The session is adjourned until tomorrow, November 19, at four o’clock in the afternoon.

It was 6:03 p.m.

Documents

Congressional Record - House of · PDF filepause for a moment of reflection. ... RIZAL, SABLAYAN, STA. CRUZ AND SAN ... Letter dated 11 September 2014 of Heidi L. Mendoza,