MANILA -- With six remaining days left before session closes for the election, the House of Representatives passed on third reading 20 bills this week.

Topping the approved bills is House Bill 6928, which allows members of the media to vote a week before May 10, the actual elections.

The bill is authored by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin.

Locsin earlier said he pushed for the bill because the media will be too busy covering events on election day that they may not have enough time to stand in line in polling precints.

The House also ratified the bicam-endorsed Value Added Tax exemption for senior citizens all over the country. It recovers discount rate of citizens 60 and above to 20 percent, which was reduced to 8 percent before due to the 12 percent Extended Value Added Tax.

“These are our advance Valentine’s gift to our people,” said House Speaker Prospero Nogales.

Some of the noteworthy bills approved on third reading are:

* HB 7074, the "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act of 2010"

* HB 6995, which furthers strengthen the anti-smuggling mechanism of the country

* HB 7086, "An Act institutionalizing an Emergency Medical Service System"

* HB 7083, "An Act penalizing persons driving under the influence of alcohol"

* HB 7082, "An Act regulating the use of hand-held mobile communication device while driving and for other purposes"

* HB 7081, "An Act granting additional powers to the Philippine Health

Insurance Corporation"

Last Monday, the House had to adjourn for failure to meet a quorum. (Angela Casauay/Sunnex)