Senate passes Malacanang-certified bill, other measures

The Senate passed on third and final reading a Malacanang-certified bill reorganizing the Philippine statistical system and other national and local measures before the third and final regular session of the 15th Congress adjourned sine die Thursday night.

While the Senate approved the bill, it failed to pass another Malacanang-sponsored bill which aims to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical And Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) due to lack of quorum.

The Senate also failed to ratify three extradition treaties with Spain, India and United Kingdom due also to lack of quorum.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the Senate needs the presence of 11 senators to approve a bill and resolution while at least 16 senators to ratify a treaty.

"There are only 15 senators present when we made a roll call but only 10 senators when we were about to approve the last Malacanang-certified bill," Sotto said.

Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada was still present when the Senate approved the Philippine statistical system reorganization bill but have to leave early to catch up a flight.

Sotto, however, said the Senate legislative division would still try to consider the PAGASA modernization bill as enrolled bill in Malacanang after outgoing Sen. Edgardo Angara moved to adopt a House version of the same measure.

"Technically, there is some hope that the Pagasa modernization bill might be sent as enrolled bill to Malacanang. We will check it out with legislative division if we can do that," Sotto said.

Aside from weather bureau modernization bill, the Senate also adopted the House version of the bills on anti-bulling act and protection of student rights.

The Senate also approved on third and final reading the measures amending anti-grave robbers act; bills constructing fish ports and cold storage facilities in Camarines Sur, Northern Samar, Cebu, Pangasinan, Surigao del Norte, Sulu and Pampanga; and, bill creating new barangay in Occidental Mindoro.

The Senate also approved on third and final reading bill strengthening the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC); bill imposing higher penalty on persons found guilty of animal cruelty; bill seeking to provide additional incentives to science and math scholars; and, bill upgrading the Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office into the Cotabato City District Engineering Office.

Sotto said the bills with no disagreeing provisions will be considered enrolled and will be sent to Malacanang for signature of President Benigno Aquino III. (PNA)