FEDERALISM, the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, and tax reform topped the legislative priorities identified by the two leaders of the 17th Congress at the opening of the Second Regular Session on Monday, July 24.

For his part, House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, in his opening remarks Monday morning, also made a number of unprecedented proposals in the annals of the legislature — including legislation to accommodate the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community, although he did not directly reference this sector.

In his opening remarks on Monday morning, Senate President Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III singled out the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the overall constitutional transition toward federalism as among the priorities of the Second Regular Session.

“We will pursue a path to lasting peace in Mindanao by addressing the valid concerns of our Muslim brothers and sisters through the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Mr. Pimentel said, adding, “Finally, we will empower our regions to determine their development plans, their overall direction, through the shift to Federalism.”

The BBL, on which depends the government’s peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, is deemed priority legislation this year, as also identified by Mr. Duterte in his State of the Nation address.

Mr. Pimentel said the Senate has 1,242 bills and 297 resolutions pending before its committees.

ALVAREZ ON VOID MARRIAGES
Mr. Alvarez in his remarks dwelt on current family and marital concerns that he suggested should be tackled by Congress — an institution long seen to be averse to longstanding initiatives like pushing a divorce law.

“I thank Rep. Pia Cayetano for her commitment to file a bill that will allow for the dissolution of the marriage without the need for an extensively adversarial system. Married persons can mutually agree to end their marriage subject to the approval of the Court. One of the conditions, which must be complied with, is an agreed upon and executable framework to provide for the care and support of their children,” Mr. Alvarez said.

“Moreover, previously married persons can remain friends and better parents, despite their differences, since they no longer have to sling mud at each other in front of a judge just to convince the magistrate that their marriage should be declared void or voided,” added the House Speaker, who is no stranger to controversies in this area.

Mr. Alvarez said further: “We must also be considerate of the fact that marriage may not be for everyone. Presently, it even excludes certain groups of people from its fold. Let us tackle this issue head on. I will file a bill that will legally recognize and protect Civil Partnerships. I thank Rep. Geraldine Roman for her inputs regarding this legislative measure. “

“Our citizens should not be excluded from society just because of the person they love. They must also be treated with equality before the law. I support Rep. Roman’s fight against discrimination in our society,” the Speaker added.

Speaking of government reorganization, Mr. Alvarez tackled the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., as well as the proposed merging of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board into the Land Transportation Authority.

“Moving forward, our railways must be regulated by a new body, the Philippine Railways Authority, which sets the uniform standards and fares for all railways operating here in the Philippines, Mr. Alvarez said, adding, “The same holds true for airports. We must create the Philippine Airports Authority since the different airports act autonomously, without sufficient oversight and agreed upon standards, given that many have their own charters.”

The Speaker also proposed congressional franchises for “casinos, public transportation, as well as mining companies.”

Sought for comment on the President’s legislative priorities, Senator Grace Poe said: “Siyempre malaking bagay kapag sinabi ng Pangulo. ’Yung tax reform hindi ko masasabing buong buo ma-approve ’yun. Pero siguro ’yung deliberation may matapos (Of course, if it came from the President, we will give it importance. I’m not sure if tax reform [now pending in the Senate after the House approval] will be approved in its entirety. But there will be completion to the deliberations).”

Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the committee might come out with its version of the Malacañang-backed tax reform package by September. He was chided by Mr. Duterte during the latter’s State of the Nation Address.

Senator Richard J. Gordon said the BBL is going to be “a tight one because of constitutional restrictions….But we can see our way through.”

Sought for comment about the possibility of BBL and federalism being pushed in the Second Regular Session, opposition Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao said: “It was not clear because what is going to happen next? Are we going to see the draft within the soonest possible?” “It (federalism) was not specified. And since this is a SONA, there should have been a timeline. Within this year, should it be already submitted? Things like that. It was not clear,” Mr. Baguilat also said.

For his part, Mr. Alvarez said in a press briefing before the SONA: “Federalism, it could take a little more time for us. We all know that it is pending in Malacañang as of now, the proposal to create a Constitutional Commission to study and draft a new Constitution.”

Mr. Alvarez added that he will seek a joint convention by both chambers should there be no progress on federalism by the end of the year.

“If by the end of the year, there is still none, I have to talk to the leadership of the Senate. Maybe we can convene and designate a working committee among ourselves to help draft [a new] Constitution,” he said.

As for the BBL, Mr. Alvarez said: “As far as I know, the President might certify that as an urgent bill, so we will really prioritize it. If we can finish it before the end of the year, I will be very happy.”

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