15th Congress ends with 477 laws passed

MANILA -- The House leadership of the 15th Congress claimed to have accomplished its mission after it adjourned sine die Thursday night with 477 bills enacted into laws.

“We end this Congress confident in the truth that we have, by our unity in purpose, sheer hard work and dedication to duty, won back a good measure of our people’s faith in our ability to give them a House they can trust, in a government that unconditionally honors their trust,” House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., a close ally of the President, said in his closing speech.

“We put in place, through responsive legislation, the key policy pillars for good governance to achieve inclusive economic growth, people-centered political and administrative reform, and social equity anchored on the imperative of securing the welfare of the poorest of the poor,” he added.

For working on legislation promoting good governance, Belmonte said the House of Representatives scored the highest ever public approval ratings since the restoration of the Philippine legislature in 1987.

Among the key measures approved under Belmonte’s leadership are the 2011, 2012, and 2013 General Appropriations Act; Further Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act; Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products; Rationalizing the Taxes on International Air Carriers in the Philippines; and the Extension of the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Also enacted are the Reproductive Health Law, the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, Amendments to the AFP Modernization Act; and the Strengthening of the National Electrification Administration.

Belmonte, representative of the fourth district of Quezon City, is most likely to get reelected as House Speaker in the incoming 16th Congress considering that close to half of the district representatives belong to the ruling Liberal Party.

Belmonte said “much more needs to be done” as the next Congress convenes next month.

“Indeed, the 16th Congress will have its hands full. I am confident that as we did in the 15th Congress, through unity of purpose and disciplined work ethic as legislators, we shall, once again, overcome all challenges with flying colors,” he told his colleagues.

“Together, let us face the future with the confidence that we shall, as we did in the 15th Congress, continue to serve with dignity, honor, competence and commitment to the welfare of our people and the highest interests of our nation,” Belmonte added. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

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