THE House of Representatives passed 13 bills in just two days time.
Already approved on third and final reading are seven vital measures, which include the two priority bills Cybercrime Act and Free Legal Assistance Act. Community Service Act was also approved.
"We are focused on our priority agenda," House Speaker Prospero Nograles said Thursday.
Congress also approved on second reading six bills that include the strengthening of the National Prosecution Service Act, the Anti-Professional Squatters measure, the Tree for Legacy Act, and the Early Media Voting bill.
The bicameral committee members that will reconcile conflicting provisions of the Senate and House approved Freedom of Information Act and Free Legal Assistance Act.
The much talked about Freedom of Information Act will formally allow the public to view government documents.
Apart from the passing of bills, a committed report on House Bill 5991 which aims to protect Tubbataha Reefs has been approved.
Anticipated to be passed next week are bills on the proposed strengthening of the, Anti-Money Laundering Law; Instituting a Self-Sustaining Forest Management Program; and Instituting Reforms in Land Administration, which are all up for second reading approval.
Nograles assured that the Congress will accomplish the priority agenda despite campaign preparations undertaken by the lawmakers, including himself.
u201cI have to take a break from my consultation activities in Davao City so that I can fulfill my mandate as Speaker. I'm losing precious time because I have a tough opponent but I also have a job to do as leader of the House of Representatives,” Nograles said.
Nograles admitted that he is facing a tough opponent as Davao City Mayor in incumbent Vice Mayor Sarah Duterte, daughter of incumbent Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
A survey from The Center called "Pulso ng Dabaw" showed that 45 percent of respondent or 315 out of 700 would vote for Nograles if elections were conducted now.
He was ahead of closest rival Duterte, who had 40 percent approval or 280 respondents, by five percent, given the margin error of 3.5 - 5 percent.
The survey showed that Duterte's rating decreased by four percent from December.
In the December survey, results showed that 45 percent would vote for Nograles while 44 percent would vote for Duterte.
The recently released The Center survey covers January 5 to 11, 2010. (Angela Casauay/Sunnex)