Repubiic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

920

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. say ages
te Mie CUTE

Submitted by the Committee on Revision of Laws on

° 4672

Re : House Bill No.

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 355

Sponsors: Representatives Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Susan A. Yap and
Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noe!

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Revision of Laws to which was referred House Bill No. 355,
introduced by Reps. Susan A. Yap, Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel and
Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang, entitled:

“AN ACT DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY IN
THE COUNTRY ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR”

has considered the same and recommends that the attached House Bill No.

4672 entities:

“AN ACT DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MONTH
iN THE COUNTRY ON OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR"

be approved in substitution of House Bill No. 355, with Reps. Susan A. Yap, Josephine
Veronique R.. Lacson-Noel, Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang and Marlyn L. Primicias-

Agabas as authors thereof.
Respectfully a /

MARLYN L. Sh oun

Chairperson


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

‘50 2
HOUSE BRS. 4672
Jn substitution of House Bill No. 355.

Introduced by Representatives Susan A. Yap, Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel,
Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang and Martyn L. Primicias-Agabas

ANACT
DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MONTH IN THE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled.
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Children's Month Act.”

SEC. 2. The month of October of every year shall hereby be known as the
“National Children’s Month" to promote consciousness over the protection of the rights of
Filipino children and the importance of fostering their well-being to secure the growth and

development of society.

SEC. 3, Pursuant to the observance of the National Children’s Month, an annual
program of activities shall be prepared and implemented with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the
Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) as lead agencies.

In support thereof, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) shall facilitate and encourage the commemoration of this day in

all schoots, public and private, nationwide.
The Philippine Information Agency (PtA), in coordination with the DSWD, DepEd,

CHED, NYC and CWC shall ensure the effective information dissemination of this Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,



Republic of the Phiippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS HELD ON 16 MARCH
2011, WEONESDAY, 9:30 A.M. AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM 9 & 10 MITRA BUILDING, HOUSE,
OF REPRESENTATIVES

CALL TO ORDER

The Honorable Mercedes K. Alvarez, Senior Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on
Revision of Laws callec the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. .

ROLL CALL
(On motion duly seconded, the calling of the roll was dispensed with.
READING/APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

©n motion duly seconded, the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting of the
Cornmitiee was dispensed with and subsequently approved.

APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT BILLS CONSIDERED BY CORRESPONDING TECHNICAL
WORKING GROUPS (TWG).

‘On motion duly seconded, the following bills ware approved subject to style;

+ Revised Committee Report on HB No. 800, Rationalizing the penalties for the theft of
coconuts in the premises of plantation;

+ Technica! Working Group Report in substitution of House Bi! Nos. 487, 1496, 2611,
2894, 1027, and 3423: Amending the Juvenile Justice Act, and

» Technical Working Group Report in substitution of House Bilt Nos. 700, 2019, 3344,
2020, 3345, 2433, and 3346: Creating the Code Commission of the Philippines.

The body approved the motion for the co-authorship of the folowing members on
Measures creating the Philippine Code Commission, to wit, Representatives Mercedes K.
Alvarez, Yevgeny: Vincente Emano, Carot Jane B. Lopez, Cesar Sarmiento, and Mylene
Garcia-Albano.

Thereon, the Presiding Officer instructed the Committee Secretariat to Prepare the
corresponding Committee Reports.

INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF HB NOS. 948 {by Reps. Reynaldo V. Umali, Jorge B. Banal
and Tomas V. Apacible), 1647 (by Rufus Rodriguez, Maxime B, Rodriquez, Jr. and
Antonio C. Alvarez), 2553 {by Rep. Joseph Victor G. Ejercito) and 2773 (by Rep.
Emmanuel D. Pacquiao) LIMITING REAPPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES BY_
PASSED BY THE COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS.

At the outset, Rep Rufus Rodriguez cited Article 7, Section 16 of the Constitution
mandating the Commission on Appointments. (CA) either to confinn oF reject presidential
‘@ppointments to certain cabinet, foreign diplomat and military positions. According to him, HB-
1647 which he authored proposes to further clarify the processes of the said appointments. He
Glims that Congress is usually reluctant to reject presidential nominees resulting to bypass or


rejection. This hesitancy to reject outright the nominees of the President had caused problems
more than anyone could imagine. However, despite several bypassis, the president merely
feappoints the same nominee without limitations. This Practice of simply reappointing nominees
‘Subvverts the principle of confirmation mandated to the Commission or Appomiments (CA).

Ho surmised that this actiss affront to the Constitutional princip'e of check and balance,
He elucidated that HB 1647 further addresses the practice of some nominees to detay the
process by simply delaying the submission of raquirements.

, ‘would already be
Considered as @ rejection. In such a situation, the presidents’ action after rejection or by-pass
Would therefore be classified @s re-appointment outside of constitutional realm providing

Rep, Sarmiento reminded the Body that the Constitution never considered a by-pass as
rejection. It only mentions of rejection. So if'a nominee had been by the CA,
technically or legitimately his term as public official still holds. He added, , that since
the matter is a legtimate concern. he is certain the Supreme Court would find a way to interpret
the said provision to the favor of the common good.

As a follow-up, Rep. Batocabe adde that the measures at hand coukd still be
harmonized and the power of the President to appoint is absolute and could only be restricted
bythe CA and not by passage of a special law; because, otherwise, it woukl be susceptible to
‘constitutional attack.

Rep. Ejercito, author of HB 2553 stated that his proposal reinforces the powers of the
CA Moreover, it curbs the practice of appoiating officials in an acting capacity in order to
‘eschew the process of confirmation in the CA.

Mr. Ronald Geron, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Office of the President
disclosed that the President while serving 3s Senator in the (ast Congress sponsored Senate
Bit 1719 with similar import as HB 2553 of Rep. Ejercito. However, he also put forward 2
thought that CA had a mandate to set its own ‘rues and procedure to ensure the check and
balance between the executive and tha legistature are in place.

Rep. Fua adverted to Aricle VI Section 18 of the Constitution stating that the
Commission on Appointments shat act on all the appointments within 30 session days of
Congress from thelr submission, if CA failed to act within the stipulated time (30 session days),
the appointment is therefore estopped preventing CA to further process the nomination and the


and collection of testimonies and evidences and ther measures to «ffectively carry out their
mandate.

” accordance with the suggestions or provisions inculcated in the measi res being considered by
the Committee. Such action according to him would save time, effort, and nonay.

Rep. Sarmiento suggested that there is a need for the committee to. clarify the
distinction among the terms by-pass, rejection, disapproval, appointments or even re.
appointments. He explained unless clearly defined the terms mentioned could be
interchangeably interpreted that could be subjected to several it:empretations and court
Procedures. Likewise, be is aiso of the opinian that the Commission cn Appointments may be
ersuaded to amend its rules of procedure to properly address concerns of the bits at hand

The Committe approved the requests of Reps. Mercedes K. Alvarez. Al Francis C.
Bichara, Yevgeny Emano, Ortando A. Fua, Me. Theresa B. Bonoan David, and Carol Jane
Lopez to be co-authors of the measures limiting reappointment of presidential nominees by-
passed by the Commission on Appointments,

On motion duly seconded, a technical working group to harmonize the above-stated
bis was created with Rep. Joseph Victor E. Ejercito as Chairman.

INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF HB NO, 131 (by Reps. Al Francis C. Bichara, Christopher 8.
Co, Rodel M. Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr.) AND HB NO. 241 (by Reps. Pedro P.
Romuakio and Amolita C. Villarosa) ESTABLISHING INFORMATION CARD SYSTEM AND
FALIPINO IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

“He added that to make « more accurate it would now be called Voluntary Information
Personal Card (VIP Card). This is aimed t facditate governmental transactions, out red tape.
and increase productivity. He expounded that several personal information such as blood fype,
tax identification number, or even contact numbers could be incorporated to the ID in ordar te
maximize its usefulness.

Further, he said that as of now financial institutions, schools even govemment
institutons do not honor ID's issued by local government units, postal services or even within

Statistics Office, being the repositary of af our civil documents must be tasked to «plement the
‘national ID system,

Moreover, Rep. Romuaido explained that there is no need for a penal provision on his
bill even it requires compulsory compliance for every Filipinos 18 years old and above. The
Penaity would be incorporated to the implementation of the Act as the people who failed to


vi.

‘secure @ nitiona! ID would have a hard time in transacting with government agenczes and
financial institutions.

Ms. Jessica GambolSchuck and Mr. Adonis Sullt Legal Officers of the Commission on
Human Rights and the Department of Justice, respectively, indorsed the proposed measures
and volunterred to render their services in the harmonization of both bil.

‘Thereon, the Committee approved the motion of Rep. Rodriguez to create a technical
working group to harmonize the provisions of HB Nos. 131 and 241 with Rep. Bichara as its.
(Chairman and all the authors as members. The'Chair invited all the resource prsons to join the
TWs.

INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF H& NOS. 3058 (by Rep. Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan-David),
3391 (By Rep. Carol Jane Lopez, Cesar V. Sarmiento, Saivador H. Escudero Ml, ot al)
AMENDING THE SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT

Rep. Bonoan-D_vid, author of HB 3391 enlightened the Committee that her proposat
seeks to expand the benefits provided by of RA 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Parents
Welfare Act of 2000. She said that additions! benefits such as tax exemptions for business
Providing basic goods and services would certainly alleviate the plight of solo parents.

Rep. Lopez, author of HB 3058 said that she finds it necessary to provide penalties for
business person and business establishments who refuse to comply with the provisions of RA
8972,

Meanwhile, Rep. Bonoan-David agreed to do away with her proposal for additional
Seduction of 50,000 pesos @s solo parents. The National intemal Revenue Code
categorized solo parents as heads of the family. Such classification according te the Presiding
Officer includes personal exemption of 25,000 pesos and additional 8,000 pesos for each child
of a solo parent She conveyed that the exemption is sufficient to help the solo parent.

On motion duly seconded, the Committee approved the consoldation of House Bil Nos.
3058 and 3391 with Congressman Emano as @ co-author.

Thereon the Presiding Officer instructed the Committee Secretariat to prepare the
necessary committee report.

INTIAL CONSIDERATION OF HB NO. {by Rep. Mylene J. Garcta-Albano)
DECLARING WALING-WALING AS THE NA FLOWER OF THE PHILIPPINES:

Rep. Garcia —Albano, the author of HB No. 4073 explained that the proposal seeks to
replace sampaguita as the national fiower for the following reasons:

1. Sampaguita is not endemic to the Philippines and in fact also the national flower
of Indonesia;

2. Wating-waling is recognized the world over as the queen of orchids and
‘endemic in the Philippines;

3. Waling-waiing truly signifies the traits of Filipinos being world-ciess in
‘appearance and resilient; and

4. Waling-waling had been a subject of hybrid development that evolved into many
different species and a source of national pride.

The presiding officer informed the body that the National Historical institute (NHI)
opposes HB 4073. According to NHI. the dectaration of sampaguita as national flower had
‘made its mark culturally and traditionally overtime. NHI suggested that the National Museum be


likewise consulted because the said agency has the jurisdiction on matters of ..ational
significance such as declaration of national symbols.

Rep: Garcia-Albano agreed to the suggestion of the Presiding Officer, Rep. Alvarez to
‘explore the possibility of declaring both the samp-aguita and waling-waling as national Sowers of
the Phitippines similar to that of Indonesia, which had declared three species of flowers as their
national flowers.

In deference to the suggestions made by the NH! and the Presiding Officer, the Body
deferred consideration of HB 4073.

INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL HOLIDAY BILLS:

HB No. 355 DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILOREN'S DAY IN THE
COUNTRY ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY TEAR {by Rep. Susan A.
‘Yap, Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel and Eleanor C. Bulut-Bogtang}

The Body agreed to the suggestion of Mr. Tristan Flores, Representative of the Counci!
for Welfare of Children to deciare the National Chikiren’s Month every Ootober of each year
instead of just focusing the celebration only every Second Sunday of October. Mr. Flores
‘contended the whole month celebration is parallel to the United Nation Children’s Month
festivity.

On motion, duly seconded HB No. 355 was approved subject to style.

The Committee Secretariat was instructed by the Presiding Officer to prepare the
necessary Committee Report

WNITIAL CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAY BILLS:

Rep. Emano accepted the suggestion of Rep. Romualdo to change the word “raw”
into “Adlaw” in all his local bills deciaring nonworking holidays in various municipalities of the
Province of Misamis Oriental

On motion duly seconded the following bits dectaring holidays in various localities were
approved subject to style:

@) HBNo.1144 DECLARING NOVEMBER 22 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL
NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT (by
Rep, Raden C. Sakaturan)

b)  -HBNo. 1808 DECLARING JULY 29 OF EACH YEAR AS "ARAW NG VILLANUEVA"
AND SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN ORDER
TO COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAID.
MUNICIPALITY (by Rep. Yevgeny Vincente 8. Emano)

©) HBNo.1909 — DECLARING SEPTEMBER 1 OF EACH YEAR A“ARAW NG JASAAN”
AND SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN ORDER
TO COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAID
MUNICIPALITY (by Rep. Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano}

@) HBNo.1810 DECLARING JULY 22 OF EACH YEAR AS “ARAW NG CLAVERIA’
AND SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN ORDER
TO COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAID
MUNICIPALITY (by Rep. Yevgeny Vincente 8. Emano}

#) HBNo.1812 DECLARING JULY 12 OF EACH YEAR “ARAW NG LIBERTAD" AND.
‘SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN ORDER TO


COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAID
MUNICIPALITY (by Rep. Yevgeny Vincente B. Emana)

| WBNo. 1916 DECLARING AUGUST! 18 OF EACH YEAR ‘ARAW KG ALUBIJID
AND SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICI?ALITY IN ORDER
TO COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAID
MUNICIPALITY (by Rep. Yevgeny Vincents B. Emano}

9) HBNo. 2436 DECLARING AUGUST 115 AS “ARAW NG BULACAN” AND A SPECIAL
NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SLLACAN IN
COMMEMORATION OF ITS FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY (by Rep. Joselta
Andrew R. Mendoza)

h) HBNo. 2336 | DECLARING EVERY FOURTH DAY OF NOVEMBER AS A SPECIAL
NON WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEZON (by Rep. Wilfido
M. Enverga)

) HBNo. 2617 DECLARING SEPTEMBER 7 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-
WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF CAVITE, PROVINCE OF CAVITE To.
COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF
CAVITE (Rep. Joseph Emitio A.'Abaya)

3 -HBNo.2912 DECLARING OCTOBER 16 OF EVERY YEAR AS CALBAYOG CITY

CHARTER DAY AND A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CITY (oy
Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento)

ADJOURNMENT
‘There being no other matters to be discussed the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 P.M.

‘hereby certity to the comectness of the foregoing.

Prepared by:

—fi STA. CLARA

SLSOn

ioted by.

AV Ga
\VID CLARENCE M. COSALAN
Committee Secretary


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 399.
ee
Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“Article XV, Section’ 3(2) of the Constitution asserts that the State must defend the right
of children co assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from ail
forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation aod other conditions prejudicial to their
development. The Philippines, as party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must
guarantee the protection and preservation of children's rights and welfare through vasious
programs that are concrete and accessible.

Unfortunately, there is still a prevalence of cases where children fall prey to
exploitation and abuse in different aspects. More than 200,000 Filipino children, according to
2 2001-2006 report from the Children's Rehabilitation Center (CRC), have been victimized as
laborers, prostitutes, and soldiers. Aside from this, children all over the country have been
exposed to poverty, extreme hunger, and che lack of educarion, thereby endangering their
well-being as future productive citizens of the country

In order to respond to this dilemma, one step that needs to be undertaken is to raise
the awareness and concera of Filipinos of all ages regarding the rights and welfare of children.
Thus, this bill seeks to mark every second Sunday of Ocrober as Nationa] Children’s Dar. It is
through heightening the level of consciousness that further successful efforts on uplifting che
conditions of the Filipino child can be achieved. This, in tara, would aid in securing
generations of Filipinos who would then ensure the growth and development of the ation

In view of the foregoing, the immediace passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

‘SUSAI

Representative, SeconMaturitt of Tarlac


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

eguiler Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No, 899 _

Introduced by Representative Susan A. Yap

AN ACT
DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY IN THE
GOUNTRY ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR
Bs it enacted 3y the Senate and Efouse of Representative: o; 2b Philippines in Congress assembled:

ICTION 1, ‘This Act shall be knowa es the “Naonal Children’s Day Act”.

SEC. 2. The second Sunday of October of everv “ear shati hereby be known ay rhe “Nauonal
Children’s Day" 10 promote consciousness aver the protection of she rights of Filipino children and
the unportance of fostering their well-being to secute the growth and development of sociery.

SEC 3, Pursuant co the observance of the Narional Children’s Day, an annual program of activiues
shall be prepared and implemented with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSW'D;. the National Youth Commission (NYC; and the Council for the Welfare of Children

{CWC ws lead agencies.

ducation DepEd) and the Commission on Higher

Iu support thereof, the Department of
¢ the commemoration of this day in alf schools,

Edvcauon (CHED) shall facilitate and enco
public and private, nationwide.

wration with the DSWD, Depkd, CHED, NYC
pation of “ins Act,

The Philippine Information Agency (PLA), in co:
and CAVC shall ensure the effective information disse!

frer irs pubktcanon in the Offiaa! €

SHC. 4, thus Act shall take etfeet fifteen (13) day:

Approved,


House of Representatives
Committee Affairs Department

FACT SHEET
House Bite, 4672

In substitution of House Bill No. 355

AN ACT DECLARING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL CHILDREN'S
MONTH IN THE COUNTRY ON OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN A. YAP, JOSEPHINE VERONIQUE R. LACSON-
NOEL AND ELEANOR C. BULUT-BEGTANG

Committee Referral: COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS

Committee Chairperson: REP. MARLYN L. PREMICIAS-AGABAS

OBJECTIVES:

* To raise awareness of Filipinos of all ages regarding the fundamental rights and
welfare of children in accordance with national and international laws.

To highlight the protection of the youth from ali forms of neglect, abuse cruelty,
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

KEY PROVISIONS:

Declares the whole month of October as the “National Children's Month,” in which
annual programs and activities shall be prepared and implemented by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Youth
Commission (NYC), and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)