13th Congress of the Philippines

The Thirteenth Congress of the Philippines was the meeting of the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. The convening of the 13th Congress follows the 2004 national elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership, and the entire membership of the House of Representatives.

Events

Arroyo impeachment

Charter Change

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her several State of the Nation Addresses has repeatedly called on Congress to pave the way for the amending of the 1987 Constitution [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/impeachment2006/articles.php?id=11283 Arroyo will push Cha-cha, hit at ‘Imperial Manila’ in SONA] Accessed on July 21, 2006.] to provide for a unicameral-parliamentary-federal form of government. On December 8, 2006, the administration-dominated House of Representatives, bypassing the Senate, passed in haste "House Resolution 1450", which called on Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) to propose amendments to the Constitution. [ [http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=36840 House approves resolution convening constituent assembly] Maila Ager INQ7.net. Accessed on December 7, 2006.] The House move however, was faced with stiff opposition from the outmaneuvered members of the opposition and all but 1 member of the Senate, [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37229 22 senators close ranks, vow to boycott Con-ass] Accessed on December 9, 2006.] which was later bolstered by support from several sectors of the civil society and the influential Roman Catholic Church, [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37127 Arroyo foes gear for ‘serious battle’] Accessed on December 8, 2006.] which threatened to hold nationwide protest rallies to denounce the House move. [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=36920 CBCP planning nationwide protests vs constituent assembly] Accessed on December 8, 2006.] Succumbing to the mounting opposition and the apparent withdrawal of support of the President, [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37307 Palace backtracks, now favors constitutional convention, too] Accessed on December 9, 2006] House Speaker Jose De Venecia later on scrapped the entire resolution and called instead for a constitutional convention, challenging the Senate to concur it in 72 hours. [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37295 De Venecia calls for constitutional convention] Accessed on December 9, 2006.] But this too was rejected by the Senate, [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37313 Senators nix De Venecia’s 72-hour con-con deadline] Accessed on December 9, 2006.] which preferred to hold a constitutional convention after the 2007 elections. [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37946 Senate OKs Con-con but there’s no rush] Accessed on December 13, 2006.] Efforts to amend the constitution during the 13th Congress were eventually shelved. [ [http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/charterchange/view.php?db=1&story_id=37826 Constitutional convention ‘dead,’ says solon] Accessed on December 12, 2006.]

essions

*First Regular Session: July 26, 2004–June 7, 2005
**"First Special Session": January 5–February 10, 2005
**"Second Special Session": March 1–April 1, 2005
*Second Regular Session: July 25, 2005–June 5, 2006
*Third Regular Session: July 24, 2006–June 8, 2007
**"Third Special Session": February 19–February 20, 2007
**"Special Centennial Session": June 7, 2007

Legislation

Laws passed by the 13th Congress: 149 (Republic Act No. 9333 to 9495), as of September 7, 2007 [ [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/03/22/arroyo.signs.p1.126.trillion.budget.html Arroyo signs P1.126-trillion budget] . Accessed on May 26, 2007]

Major legislation

* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209334.pdf Republic Act No. 9334] — "Increase of Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209335.pdf Republic Act No. 9335] — "Attrition Act of 2005"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209337.pdf Republic Act No. 9337] — "Expanded Value-Added Tax Law"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209341.pdf Republic Act No. 9341] — "Rent Control Act of 2005"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209343.pdf Republic Act No. 9343] — "Special Purpose Vehicle Act of 2002 Amendments"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209344.pdf Republic Act No. 9344] — "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209346.pdf Republic Act No. 9346] — "Death Penalty Abolition"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209347.pdf Republic Act No. 9347] — "Rationalizing the Composition and Functions of the National Labor Relations Commission"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209359.pdf Republic Act No. 9359] — "Appropriation of a Standby Fund for the Guimaras Oil Spill Clean Up, Mayon Volcano Relief Operations, OFW Repatriation"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209367.pdf Republic Act No. 9367] — "Biofuels Act of 2006"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209369.pdf Republic Act No. 9369] — "Amending the Election Modernization Act"
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209372.pdf Republic Act No. 9372] — "Human Security Act of 2007"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09379.pdf Republic Act No. 9379] — "Handline Fishing Law"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09396.pdf Republic Act No. 9396] — "Redefining the term "Veteran"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09399.pdf Republic Act No. 9399] — "One-Time Amnesty for Businesses in the Special Economic Zones and Freeports"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09400.pdf Republic Act No. 9400] — "Amending the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09406.pdf Republic Act No. 9406] —"Reorganization and Strengthening of the Public Attorney's Office"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09416.pdf Republic Act No. 9416] — "Unlawful Cheating in the Civil Service Commission Examinations"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09417.pdf Republic Act No. 9417] — "Strengthening the Office of the Solicitor General"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09418.pdf Republic Act No. 9418] —"Institutionalizing Strategy for Rural Development"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09422.pdf Republic Act No. 9422] — "Amending the Migration Workers and Overseas Act of 1995"
* [http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_13/RA09433.pdf Republic Act No. 9433] — "Magna Carta for Public Social Workers"

Leadership

enate

*President of the Senate::Franklin M. Drilon (Liberal) ::Manuel Villar (Nacionalista), "elected on July 24, 2006"
*Senate President Pro-Tempore::Juan M. Flavier (Lakas-CMD)
*Majority Floor Leader::Francis N. Pangilinan (Liberal)
*Minority Floor Leader::Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban)

House of Representatives

*Speaker of the House of Representatives::Jose C. de Venecia, Jr. (Lakas-CMD, 4th District Pangasinan)
*Deputy Speakers :"Luzon":::Emilio R. Espinosa (NPC, 2nd District Masbate):"Visayas":::Raul V. del Mar (Lakas-CMD, 1st District Cebu City):"Mindanao":::Abdulgani A. Salapuddin (Lakas-CMD, Lone District Basilan):"Central Luzon":::Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III (Liberal, 2nd District Tarlac)::Eric D. Singson (Liberal, 2nd District Ilocos Sur), "elected February 21, 2006." [ [http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/print.php?pressid=1149 Singson is new Deputy Speaker] . Accessed on March 22, 2007.]
*Majority Floor Leader::Prospero C. Nograles (Lakas-CMD, 1st District Davao City)
*Minority Floor Leader::Francis Joseph G. Escudero (NPC, 1st District Sorsogon)

Members

enate

:mnb|abra|1 Luis Bersamin, Jr. was assassinated on December 16, 2006. [ [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/dec/17/yehey/metro/20061217met1.html Abra lawmaker murdered] . Accessed on December 17, 2006.] :mnb|antipolo1|2 Ronaldo Puno, Jr. was appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary on February 5, 2006.:mnb|camarinessur1|3 Ronaldo G. Andaya was appointed Budget and Management Secretary on February 5, 2006.:mnb|cebu5b|4 Assumed office on June 9, 2005. Elected in a special election on May 30, 2005 to complete the unexpired term of Joseph "Ace" H. Durano (Lakas-CMD) who was appointed Tourism Secretary on August 19, 2004.:mnb|northernsamar2|5 Romualdo T. Vicencio died on July 26, 2006.:mnb|tarlac3|6 Jesli A. Lapus, Jr. was appointed Education Secretary on July 24, 2006.:mnb|tawi-tawi|7 Replaced Anuar J. Abubakar (Lakas-CMD) as per House Electoral Tribunal decision on June 30, 2006. [ [http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=1045 Jaafar wins protest vs Tawi-Tawi Rep. Abubakar] Accessed on July 6, 2006.] :mnb|pl-vfp|8 Assumed office on January 31, 2007 [ [http://www.congress.gov.ph//photojournal/zoom.php?photoid=176 A Lady Takes Over] Accessed on February 1, 2007.] after Ernesto S. Gidaya died on January 29, 2007. [ [http://uw1.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=58363 Party-list Rep. Ernesto Gidaya passes away] Accessed on February 1, 2007.] :mnb|valenzuela2|9 Antonio M. Serapio died on February 19, 2007. [ [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/feb/20/yehey/top_stories/20070220top7.html Rep. Serapio dies in vehicular accident] Accessed on February 20, 2007.] :mnb|albay3|10 Joey S. Salceda was appointed Presidential Chief of Staff on February 10, 2007.:mnb|esamar|11 Marcelino C. Libanan was appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration on April 18, 2007 [ [http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=61137 Arroyo names lawmaker new immigration commissioner] . "Accessed on April 18, 2007."] :mnb|cebu5a|12 Joseph "Ace" H. Durano was appointed as Tourism Secretary on August 19, 2004.

References

External links

*cite web
url = http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/senlist.htm
title = List of Senators
accessdate = 2006-09-16
accessmonthday =
accessyear =
author =
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
date =
year =
month =
format =
work =
publisher = Senate of the Philippines
pages =
language =
archiveurl =
archivedate =
*cite web
url = http://www.lawphil.net
title = The LAWPH"i'L Project - Philippine Laws and Jurispudance Databank
accessdate = 2006-09-16
accessmonthday =
accessyear =
author =
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
date =
year =
month =
format =
work =
publisher = Arellano Law Foundation
pages =
language =
archiveurl =
archivedate =

Further reading

*Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library
*cite book
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
editor =
others =
title = The Presidents of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines
origdate =
origyear =
origmonth =
url =
format =
accessdate =
accessyear =
accessmonth =
edition =
date =
year =
month =
publisher =
location =
language =
id = ISBN 971-8832-24-6
doi =
pages =
chapter =
chapterurl =
quote =
*cite book
last = Pobre
first = Cesar P.
authorlink =
coauthors =
editor =
others =
title = Philippine Legislature 100 Years
origdate =
origyear =
origmonth =
url =
format =
accessdate =
accessyear =
accessmonth =
edition =
date =
year =
month =
publisher =
location =
language =
id = ISBN 971-92245-0-9
doi =
pages =
chapter =
chapterurl =
quote =

ee also

*Congress of the Philippines
*Senate of the Philippines
*House of Representatives of the Philippines
*Philippine general election, 2004