A LAWMAKER said on Thursday that the lower chamber would require the attendance of legislators starting June to approve important pending measures, including the proposed Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region as well as the economic Charter-change measure.
Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe of AKO Bicol, who sponsored Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 1, or the economic Charter-change measure, said that a quorum is needed to pass important measures pending at the Lower House.
He said after the approval at the House Committees on Appropriations and on Ways and Means, the basic law will be submitted to House in plenary session on Tuesday or Wednesday next week for second reading and third reading, as it was certified as urgent by President Aquino.
On Wednesday the House Ad Hoc Committee on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) approved the proposed Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region at the panel level.
The basic law aims to create the new Bangsamoro juridical entity replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Moreover, Batocabe also said the lower chamber is eyeing to approve the measure amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution next week.
“The lower chamber is set to approve on final reading two important measures—the BBL and the economic Cha-cha—before the sine die adjournment on June 12 so the attendance of lawmakers are important,” Batocabe said.
The lower chamber uses viva voce voting for second reading, while it applies nominal voting for final reading.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. admitted that “big effort” is needed to pass his economic Cha-cha in the House of Representatives.
Belmonte said at least 197 votes are needed for RBH 1 to pass the final reading.
The resolution, filed by Belmonte and Sen. Ralph Recto, is eyeing to amend economic provisions on the 60-40 rule that limits foreign ownership of certain activities in the Philippines.
The resolution will include the phrase “unless provided by law” in the foreign-ownership provision of the Constitution, particularly land ownership, public utilities, natural resources, media and advertising industries. Under Article XII of the Constitution, which was ratified during the term of the President’s mother, then-President Corazon Aquino, foreign investors are prohibited to own more than 40 percent of real properties and businesses, while they are totally restricted to exploit natural resources and own any company in the media industry.
Besides the peace measure and the economic Cha-cha, the chamber is also eyeing to pass on second reading the controversial Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (Timta) before the Congress’s sine die adjournment.
The Timta, which is one of the priority bills of the 16th Congress, seeks to promote transparency and accountability in the grant and administration of tax incentives.