Ninth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines Administrative/Biographical History The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that the

Regular Sessions of Congress shall begin on the fourth Monday of July of every year. With 216 Members appeared in the official rota of the House of Representatives in the Ninth Congress - 16 of whom represented the so-called marginalized sector of the society ranging from youth to women, peasant to labor and urban poor sectors convened at the sacred halls of the House of Representatives. The Plenary, on the 27th day of July 1992, after the Secretary-General, the Honorable Camilo L. Sabio, acting as Presiding Officer, called the House to order and subsequently went over to the observance of parliamentary traditions of the House elected the Honorable Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. of the fourth District of the Province of Pangasinan Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 9th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. With the Speaker, the men to serve as the stanchion of his legislative agenda were Representatives Raul A. Daza of the First District of Northern Samar, Ronaldo B. Zamora of the Lone District of San Juan and Hernando B. Perez of the Second District of Batangas as Speaker Pro-Tempore, Majority and Minority Leaders, respectively. Retired Brigadier General Bayani N. Fabic was then elected as the House Sergeant-At-Arms which then, as customary, followed by the organization of the various committees and other administrative apparatus to heighten the overall function of the lower House. Enthused by its commitment for social justice, political and economic reform itinerary, the House of Representatives initiated a total of 14,632 bills with 535 proposed measures made it to the final stage of enactment. Among its valued policy initiatives are as follows: The organization of the Banko

Sentral ng Pilipinas (RA 6738). The Electric Power Crises Act of 1993 (RA 7648). The setting of date of the regular elections of the ARMM (RA 7647). Retirement pay for the employees in the private sector (RA 7641). The RP-US Military Bases Agreement of 1947 is formally achieved (Res. No.15). The restoration of the Death Penalty Law (RA 7659).

In its attempt to crystallize the legislative machinery, some efforts to put the house in order have to take place vis--vis, the transfer of power from Hon. Zamora to Hon. Albano as Majority Floor Leader and the leadership of the minority from Hon. Perez to Hon. Zamora. Among the basic necessities that have not given much attention during this period was education and health services both at the national and sub-national level; agriculture, electrification and irrigation at the rural areas. Selective provisions of basic services were seen during this period of budgetary constraints. Reflective of this seemingly minimal expression of the state will are the records of legislative performance which are kept at the Archives and Museum Management Service to step up safekeeping, preservation and conservation measures. Significant achievements of the Congressional Library Bureau paralleled the vigor spirit of the House leadership during this period of perplexing change. In collaboration with the Bills and Index Service and the Electronic Data Processing, now Information and Communication Technology Service, the Congressional Library Bureau inducted an all-new data based technology for easy access to bills and resolutions and legislative performance. This ingenuity which will soon to flourish according to the pastphasing electronically fueled technology which will be the basis of a renewed serviceoriented facility responsive to the research

requirements of the House Members, congressional staffs, the house officials and secretariat, other clients outside the House and the general public.

Tenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines It was at the dawn of Hon. Jose De Venecias final term as representative of the 4th District of Pangasinan when he snatched for the second time the most exalted position in the legislature. As a sophomore Speaker, but nevertheless senior public servant, he bequeathed the 10th Congress with 10,552 House Bills, 572 of which became law addressing the exorbitant socio-economic problems, dysfunctional fiscal management, extreme poverty, agrarian reform, agriculture and other cross-sectoral complications that have exacerbated the difficult steps toward national economic recovery. Toward this end, the House leadership made an unprecedented reinvention of its institutional structure. Three deputy speakers have been elected for the first time to delegate among them the internal and operational framework of the two-tiered (committee and plenary) processes of its policy-making function Representatives Raul A. Daza (1st District, Northern Samar), Hernando B. Perez (2nd District, Batangas), and Simeon A. DAtumanong (2nd District, Maguindanao). Representatives Albano and Zamora retained their respective positions along with the Sergeant-At-Arms. Bilateral cooperation between and among countries that have opened up new opportunities for development in various fields are:

Agreement on development cooperation with Australia. Canadian agreement on social security. Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation and agriculture with Israel. Treaty on extradition with Switzerland Treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition with the USA. Agreement concerning economic and technical cooperation with Venezuela. The 1992 International Sugar Agreement. The 1994 International Coffee Agreement. Colombia Agreement on Cultural Cooperation. General Agreement on Trade and Services. Hongkong Agreement for the Surrender of Accused and Convicted persons. Implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Romania Agreement for the avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion.

While the effect of these diplomatic cooperation does not trickle down directly to household level, some imperative steps have been accelerated: Strengthening the Social Security System (RA 8282). Expanding and increasing the coverage and benefits of GSIS (RA 8291). Appropriating P27B to fund the fourth year implementation of salary increases (RAA 8244). Penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer initial medical treatment in emergency cases (RA 8344). Also, Congress made some bold steps toward the participation of the business sector in

contributing to the growth of the economy through the deregulation of the oil industry (RA 8479). And the creation of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (RA 7227) to intensify economic growth and AFP modernization program.

Eleventh Congress of the Republic of the Philippines The House of Representatives of the Eleventh Congress is composed of 206 Members elected from the different legislative districts and 14 Sectoral Representatives from the various registered national, regional and sectoral parties. The local and national elections in 1998 made a significant change in the House leadership. The Hon. Manuel B. Villar, Jr. of the Lone District of Las Pinas City was elected Speaker. Underpinning force to speed up the mandate of the legislature was the election of three Deputy Speakers, one each for the major islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The positions were fixed, through the same process of election among the Members. Representatives Alfredo Amor Abueg, Eduardo R. Gullas and Daisy Avance

Fuentes as Deputy Speakers. Rep. Manual A. Roxas was elected Majority Leader with Rep. Neptali M. Gonzales as Deputy Majority Leader. As a tradition, the losing candidate for the speakership becomes the Minority Leader, in this case The Hon. Feliciano Belmonte Led the minority bloc of the 11th Congress with the Hon. Sergio Apostol as Deputy Minority Leader. With fresh mandate, the House initially organized 48 Committees and 8 Special Committees; introduced12,960 bills, 414 of which became law of national and local importance; It hosted 1,936 House Resolutions with 192 reached to its adoption. The first major piece of legislation enacted by Congress was the Appropriations Act of 1999 (RA 8745). The Eleventh Congress faced unyielding challenges which tested its political temper marked with incomparable chronicles that altered the course of the nations political destiny. For the first time, the House, on its unprecedented effort, impeached President Joseph Ejercito Estrada almost half way into his term. Relative alteration to the House leadership has to take place as a result of this obstinate episode of legislative saga. Speaker Villar stepped down as head of the legislature; Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella ascended to the rostrum whose term was shortly challenged by Speaker Belmonte when President Etrada was escorted out of his position. Twelfth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines The 12th Congress marked a reentry to the speakership by Hon. Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. after he was shaken off to the presidency in the 1998 Presidential election. At this, the advent of the 12th Congress was endowed with a renewed course of vitality fully aware that the road to economic recovery is still far from realization and no other imperative way

to get it started but to plunge into the impetus of full package of reform agenda. Under the 747 Economic Action Plan presented by the Speaker to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001, the following laws are unveiled: Amendment to the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA). Magna Carta for Micro-Enterprises Domestic Shipping ModernizationAct Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act The Absentee Voting Act The National Government Center Housing and Land Utilization Act of 2003 Amendment to the National Health Insurance Program The New Free Patent Law The Act Prohibiting the Employmment of Children in Hazardous Areas Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 Magna Carta for Older Persons Increasing the Base Pay Rate of Officers and Personnel of the AFP. Amendment to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) Law. The Amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 Increasing Penalties for Illegal Gambling Some key policy actions that have been introduced to boost the judicial system are: Rationalizing the Compensation of Justice, judges and Lawyer Position in the Judiciary Upgrading the Position of Court of Tax Appeal Justices The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act The fight for financial, electoral judicial and political reform took center stage when the House, by two-thirds vote, adopted a Joint Resolution convening the House and the Senate as a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution but failed to get the Senates concurrence.

After almost five decades as a free and sovereign nation, an American President, stood ones again at the plenary of the Philippine Congress to address a Joint Session, but this time no longer a master but an ally for development specially for the people of Mindanao. Similar agenda advanced by President George W. Bush was to commend the Philippine government for its stand as a major non-NATO ally of the US in its fight against terrorism. Behind the immense works are the stalwart of the House whose election equaled their sterling track record of achievements. Three Deputy Speakers Representatives. Emilio R. Espinosa, Jr., Raul M. Gonzales and Gerry A. Salapuddin for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao respectively held the pillar positions under the Speaker. The Hon. Neptali M. Gonzales II was elected Majority Leader while the minority post was given to the Hon. Carlos M. Padilla. Hon. Roberto P. Nazareno, on the other hand was elected Secretary-General for the fourth time, the Longest ever to hold the highest post in the secretariat since the dawn of the legislature. The highest achievement of the 12th Congress having the most number of bills filed and laws passed surpasses that of any congress in history. A total of 1,168 bills were set off and resulted to the passage of 139 laws of national and local importance. These huge legislative accomplishment addresses the following sectors: Economic Development (16) Social Welfare and Public Health Services (14) Peace and Order (4) Good Governance and Electoral Reform (10) Environmental Protection (2) Judicial Reform (4) Manpower Development and Professional Regulation (11) Education, Arts and Culture (5) Muslim Affairs (1) Legislative Franchises (17)

Local laws (55)

Thirteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines The 13th Congress braved its birth in the face of political, economic and fiscal quandary. The 236-member legislature led by Speaker Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. a fourth-term Speaker boost the lower House in a bold attempt to avert the fiscal and huge budget deficit of the country. Revenue generation is seen to be the primordial initiative to propel government expenditure and delivery of the most needed social services. On Economic Reform Among its policy program on economic reform that would trim down targeted budget deficit is the Rationalization of the Excise Taxes for Alcohol and Tobacco Products (RA 9334) alongside the multipartisan support for improved tax collection; the Expanded Value-Added Tax (RA9337) takes center stage on the taxes on corporations, banks and non-banks financial intermediaries, electric utility franchises, petroleum products, mineral products and domestic airlines; The Special Purpose Vehicle Act (SPAV) or RA 9343 on the other hand seeks to extend the period for setting up SPVs and availing of incentives for nonperforming assets; RA 9399 seeks to grant amnesty to deficiency taxes, among others. On Public Sector Reform Intensified revenue collection through the Lateral Attrition Act (RA 9335) which aims at providing for a system of rewards and penalties for personnel of the BIR and BOC to encourage them to be more efficient in collecting taxes. Also, the 2005 national budget (RA 9336) was engineered to set the tone for equilibrium financial management in government expenditures and be able to bring about public sector reforms.

Congress redirect some P2.5B in election related expenses to more meaningful service delivery functions by resetting the barangay and SK elections to May of 2008 (RA 9340). RA 9369 amends the Automated Elections Act for the national and local elections (RA8436). Among its priced features have to be seen through the lens of automation, it provides, among others, the security of election procedures from unauthorized access; produce accurate recording and reading of votes, results tabulation, canvassing and transmission, error recovery system in case of device failure, paper audit trail, electronic display immediately showing results, data retention, and more importantly, it provides greater opportunity for differently-abled people and illiterate voters as well. RA 9400 amended the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992 which seeks to provide for a uniform set of fiscal incentives to Subic Bay Special Economic Zone, Clark Special Economic Zone and to other ecozones created and to be created under RA 7227. For the first time, the national budget (RA 9401) spiraled to a trillion pesos in 2007. Congress deemed it imperative to reorganize and strengthen the Public Attorneys Office (PAO), Transforming the agency to a more independent and autonomous office attached to the Department of Justice. To fortify professionalism in civil service, RA 9416 carried out a more stringent penalty for those who will be caught cheating in the Civil Service Examinations. Hence, Cheating is declared unlawful. On Energy Development The Bioethanol Act of 2005 (RA 9367) grants incentives to explore, use and develop

alternative fuels from plants thereby reduces the countrys dependence on imported petroleum products and lessens environmental contamination.

On Social Reform RA 9396 redefined the term veteran to cover those who rendered military service during the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, World War II, the Korean Campaign, the Vietnam Campaign, and the AFP retirees as well as those sooner separated due to death or disability arising from injuries or sickness incurred in the line of duty while in active service. RA 9397 amends the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 by allowing direct negotiated purchase of government-owned property by the occupants for socialized housing. The Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System Act of 2005 (RA 9344) provides special protection to children in conflict with the law (CICL). The imposition of the Death Penalty (RA 9346) was prohibited in the Philippines. RA 9359 provides P50M standby fund for repatriation of OFWs in Lebanon and other war-affected areas in the Middle East to be augmented by P350M to be appropriated by the OWWA; also provides for P400M livelihood and assistance for the clean-up of the Guimaras oil spill and P50M relief operations for the victims of eruption of the Mayon Volcano. Handline Fishing Law (RA 9379) fires up the tuna export industry by providing livelihood programs to more than 150,000 Filipino

fioshermen. Voluntarism Act of 2005 (RA 9418) on the other hand, further stimulates the participation of volunteer and nongovernmental organizations in civic and public affairs. Other marginalized sector of the society like the handicapped were given preference in the promulgation of RA 9442 or the Granting of Other Privileges and Incentives to Persons with Disability.

On Environment The Oil Pollution Compensation Act (RA 9483) provides passable compensation for losses to victims of oil pollution damage and establishes institutional framework to process such claims. On Public Order and Security and National Defense The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2005 (RA 9372) defines acts of terror and stipulates the conditions by which a warrantless arrest and detention can be exercised. On Labor and Human Rights RA 9422 seeks to strengthen the regulatory function of the POEA by repealing certain sections of RA 8042 which deregulate recruitment activities and gradually phases out the regulatory function of the POEA. In effect, the law deter the exploitation of overseas performing artists under the current scheme. The Magna Carta for Social Workers and Social Welfare and Development Workers (RA 9433) seeks to provide due incentives not only for social workers but also for social development workers and its aligned

occupation and ensures protection in terms of employment. RA 9439 makes it unlawful for any hospital or medical clinic in the country to detain, directly or indirectly, a patient who have fully or partially recovered or died, for reasons of non-payment of hospital bills and medical expenses. The record of the House of Representatives in the 13th Congress bear witness to 6,116 bills, 1,554 resolutions, 37 concurrent resolutions and 21 joint resolutions filed and kept at Legislative Archives Service which would evolved to be the Archives and Museum Management Service under the Legislative Information Resources Management Department as the entire leadership would fine-tune its overall structure in response to the growing institutional reformations necessary for effective and efficient service. Above all of these, 157 laws were enacted to address various cross-sectoral and multifaceted interests. Behind the curtain of legislative leadership indispensably crucial to the attainment of legislative agenda are the men of great courage and tough sense of governance: Hon. Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. Speaker Hon. Emilio R. Espinosa, Jr. Deputy Speaker for Luzon Hon. Raul V. Del Mar Deputy Speaker for Visayas Hon. Gerry A. Salapuddin Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Hon. Benigno S. Aquino III Deputy Speaker for Central Luzon Hon. Prospero C. Nograles Majority Leader Hon. Francis G. Escudero Minority Leader The Fourteenth Congress Republic of the Philippines of the