bettergovph/raw-philippine-data huggingface dataset:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
^^77
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( fiffir t of fh c <^:,f T rU c[)
*16 
JUL 21 
All :25
R K ( ' i : j . 
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Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
PENALIZING INFLUENCE PEDDLING 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Existing laws seeking to prevent or abate graft and corruption in government 
already penalize persons who receive a present, gift or any material or pecuniary 
advantage as well as those who, without being legally authorized to do so, actually 
intervene, directly or indirectly in any business, transaction, application, request or 
contract with the government.
Prior to the receipt of any gift or present or the actual act of intervening, 
however, is the offer or representation made by a person that he can influence the 
public official or employee required by law to intervene or be able to assist and/or 
facilitate a transaction, contract or request with the government which, up to now, 
remains unabated.
It is this gap which this bill seeks to fill by penalizing influence peddling or the 
mere act of representing oneself to another person having a transaction or request with 
the government thus effectively clipping corruption at its inception even before any gift 
or present is given and even before there has actually been an intervention in 
connection with such request or transaction.
With the enactment into law of this bill, it is believed that an effective deterrent 
will be set up to nip corruption at the bud and prior to any damage being inflicted upon 
goverrunent coffers as well as on our people with legitimate transactions or dealings 
with government.
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
First Regular Session 
}
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2 5 9
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Introduced by SENATOR LACSON
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The improvement of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) regular officer delivery 
system has been an impending need of the military establishment.
The PAF Flying Schools (PAFFS), which is at present the main source of 
regular officers in the PAF, could no longer provide the required number and proper 
training of officer pilots because of inadequate facilities and logistical support.
More so, since a college degree is an academic requirement for entrance into 
the PAFFS, thousands of poor high school graduates with great potentials are denied 
from joining the PAF because they have no financial support for a college education.
The creation of the Philippine Air Force Academy (PAFA) shall address this 
problem in line with the constitutional mandate of guaranteeing equal access of 
opportunity for public service.
Given the inherent political instability of a developing country such as the 
Philippines, we should ensure that our systems do not espouse an unwanted 
relationship among officers often called "regular officer homogeneity". Concerned 
sectors believed that this "officer homogeneity" may endanger a potentially explosive 
political situation where all the branches and levels of the Armed Forces are controlled 
by a regular-officer school. The creation of the PAF will help preclude this situation.
There is also a need to professionalize other officer career areas of the Air 
Force such as the aircraft maintenance, avionics and air logistics to further enhance the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the PAF. These highly specialized career fields could 
not be provided adequately by a traditional military academy such as the Philippine 
Military Academy.
The PAF Academy as conceptualized, is geared towards making available an 
adequate and dedicated corps of professional Air Force officers with the proper 
education, training and orientation to lead and manage the complex technologies 
inherent in the field of aviation.
For these foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
PANFILp M . LACSON 
Senator
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 
314
20JT
DATE
BILLS
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INSTITUTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Some 1.5 million seafarers are said to be at sea daily, spread across the 100,000 or so 
ships that facilitate much of global trade and commerce today. By some estimates, up to 25 
percent of this seaborne labor force is Filipino. In 2014 alone, the country deployed 401,826 
Filipino seafarers according to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration 
(POEA). In 2015, seafarers were reported to have brought in up to US$ 5.8 billion or 22.5 
percent of the total foreign remittances the country received.
Seafarers deal with circumstances very different from mainstream or land-based 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other sectors within the labor force. However, existing 
labor laws and social legislation, particularly the Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers’ Act of 
1996 (RA 8042) do not adequately address the needs of seafarers nor do they adhere to 
internationally recognized instruments, such as those of the International Labor Organization 
(ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
In view of these considerations, it is imperative to enact a Magna Carta for Seafarers 
that promotes the welfare and protect the rights of Filipino seafarers. As a measure that aims to 
comprehensively protect the rights of Filipino seafarers, the foregoing bill aims to fill the gaps in 
legislation. In particular, this draft bill is a consolidation of all pending bills in the past 
Congresses as a result of series of consultations and technical working group sessions with 
various stakeholders and which was finally endorsed by the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council 
(MITC) in March 2015.
This Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers seeks to ensure protection of the rights and 
welfare of Filipino seafarers. Specifically, it seeks to recognize the rights of Filipino seafarers, 
institute mechanisms for the enforcement and protection thereof, provide for compulsory 
benefits, and implement standards set by the Maritime Labour Convention.
Swift approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
)
of th f^rrirtorj.
■16 
JUL 26 A 9:45
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 891
li''
n y .
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FREE MEDICINE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE 
POOR AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution succinctly provides that "the 
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them." Consonant with this Constitutional provision, it is also 
stipulated under Article XIII, Section 11, mandating the State to take certain steps to 
prioritize the needs of the imderprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children and that the State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.
This proposed measure aims to establish a free medicine assistance program 
in a health district to benefit only the underprivileged, the elderly, the disabled, 
women and children, and the poorest of the poor, which shall be administered by 
the Department of Health in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development.
It is common knowledge that some of our countrymen die not because their 
illness is incurable but due to lack of medicine or proper medical treatment or 
assistance on account of poverty. The Government cannot always remain indifferent 
to this reality; it must offer some direct help somehow for their intended 
beneficiaries to feel its impact. In this context, the biU seeks to answer, starting with 
this approach, the problem of lack of medicine the cost of which is now beyond the 
reach of many Filipinos on account of poverty.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is fervently sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
)
*16 
JU L 21 
All :21
S E N A T E
S. B. No.
RKCi'd V i 
RY: Vl
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
ANACT
PROVIDING FOR TAX RELIEF IN TIMES OF CALAMITY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill, filed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in the 16th Congress, seeks 
to provide tax relief in times of calamity.
It provides that a declaration of a state of calamity by the proper local Sanggunian 
will effect the following tax relief:
(1) Real property tax in the affected area for 2 fiscal years.
(2) Donor's tax on fund donations for victims of calamities. This tax exemption 
shall automatically apply and accreditation requirements shall not be required 
by BIR. Donee organizations, however, shall not use more than 10% of said gifts 
for administration purposes.
Aside from the benefit of being exempted from these taxes, this proposed 
measure would also bring in steady flow of donations during calamities as no red tape 
would hamper these funds from coming in.
Thus, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
m
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OP THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
3 1
u i  
d a t e :
9
BILLS
In tro d u ced  by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND 
THE ARTS, STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT 
FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
Since the passage of Republic Act 7356 in 1992, the National 
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has served as the 
overall policy-making and coordinating body of all programs and 
plans related to the conservation, development, and promotion of 
Philippine arts and culture. This significant function performed by 
the NCCA was affirmed by Executive Order No. 80, Series of 1999 
and further strengthened by RA 9155.
Recognizing the role played by the NCCA in implementing the 
cultural programs of the government despite the limited resources 
and the importance of the culture and the arts in the enrichment of 
the Filipino identity, this bill seeks to reorganize the existing NCCA 
into the Department of Culture and the Arts, thereby ensuring its 
place in the priorities of government. Moreover, it seeks to include 
the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the 
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to 
the agencies attached to it to ensure coordination with the use of 
various media in the promotion of arts and culture.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LORETTEEGAraX
Senator
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session)
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*16 
)'L 26 AlO ••02
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 
904
' i  '
UY;
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE MAGNA CARTA OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The contribution of the Shipping Industry and Seafarers is estranged from 
the knowledge of the majority, worldwide. This is the sad reality that envelopes the 
industry which supports world trade and economy to an extent greater than 
commonly perceived.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognizes that the shipping 
industry has a good story to tell about how it is able to safely, securely, efficiently 
carry more than 90 percent of world trade within countries, and in and out of 
countries, from the bottom to the top of the world, making goods from one area 
available for the everyday survival and life of individuals in another. Trade, whether 
it be interisland, international, or intercontinental, would simply not be possible 
without shipping and the seamen and sea women that make this trade all the more 
possible.
The real picture of the Shipping and Seafaring Industry of the Philippines 
shows that the country has an estimated pool of seafarers of about 700,000. This, 
according to the latest available statistics (2011) by the Philippine Overseas 
Employment Administration (POEA). Less than 400,000 of which are deployed on 
ships of Philippine registry and about 369,104 are deployed on ships of foreign 
registry.
Overseas Filipino Seafarers (OFS) constitute 30% of the world merchant 
marine fleet, contributing almost 5 billion US dollars of foreign exchange earnings 
(based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) statistics through inward dollar 
remittances used for the retail spending by their families, tuition fees paid to local
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
2 3 5
TIME:
BILLS & INDEX
Introduced by Senator GREGORIO B. HONASAN I I
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8485 ENTITLED, AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE 
ANIMAL WELFARE IN  THE PHILIPPINES OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998", AS AMENDED.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Animal cruelty is a repulsive act against some of the most vulnerable members of 
society. During the past years, public interest in animal rights has intensified 
dramatically. Serious efforts by animal welfare advocates to prevent animal cruelty have 
paved the way for the enactment of Republic Act No. 8485 entitled, An Act to Promote 
Animal Welfare in the Philippines, Otherwise Known as "The Animal Welfare Act of 
1998." The purpose of the said law is to protect and promote the welfare of all animals 
in the Philippines.
Consistent with this objective, RA No. 8485 provides penalties for violation of any 
provisions of said law including, among others, torture, neglect and maltreatment of 
animals. However, reports reveal a high incidence of cruelty to animals, including the 
rescue of more than 300 dogs from an online dog-fighting racket run by South Koreans 
in a raid conducted in Calauan and San Pablo City in Laguna. Most of the dogs were 
pitbull mixed breeds. Several dogs were found to be extremely malnourished and badly 
injured.
Under RA No. 8485 as amended, violators of any provisions of said law shall be 
punished by imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to three (3) years or a fine 
ranging from Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Two Hundred Fifty thousand pesos 
(P250,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court. It is submitted that the penalties 
imposed under the present law are not enough to deter the commission of prohibited 
acts.
This bill seeks to put more teeth to RA No. 8485 by imposing stiffer penalties to 
violators especially those who shall subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, 
in which case, violators shall not benefit from Presidential Decree No. 968 or the 
Probation Law, as amended thereby rendering their business venture unprofitable.
sought.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage
f this measure is earnest
lORIO B. HONASAN II
Senator
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENAT 
S. B. No.
I81
iP TIME:
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT INCREASING PENSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS UNDER THE SOCIAL 
SECURITY SYSTEM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 12 OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Numerous Social Security System (SSS) pensioners have experienced difficulties in the 
continuing increase of cost of living in the country. The inconsiderable amount that these 
pensioners receive as their monthly pension is rendered sadly inadequate to meet even their 
daily basic needs.
Under the Social Security Law as amended, SSS members with at least ten (10) credited 
years of service are provided a monthly pension of One Thousand Two Hundred Pesos 
(PI,200.00) while those with twenty (20) credited years are given Two Thousand Four 
Himdred Pesos (P2,400.00). It bears emphasis that employees who retired under the old 
SSS Law, R.A. 1161, are even given lesser monthly pension.
During the 16th Congress, a similar measure of increasing the SSS pension was passed by 
both houses but was unfortunately vetoed. In this congress, this representation supports 
this measure which proposes to increase the SSS pension to Three Thousand Two Hundred 
Pesos (P3,200.00) for those members with at least ten (10) credited years and Four 
Thousand Pesos (P4,000.00) for those members with at least twenty (20) credited years.
It is worthy to note that SSS pensioners who are mostly senior citizen retirees depend only 
on their pension to support their basic needs and this would include medical attention. 
Providing pensioners said increase would ensure the responsiveness of their pensions in 
availing basic necessities in life.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOU
BINAY
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 9  "^4
' Ml! /r 
(fil fite of tl'IP '.’kr'/p',.
•16
-3 P : 18
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE POVERTY REDUCTION THROUGH SOCIAL 
ENTREPRENEURSHIP (PRESENT) PROGRAM AND PROMOTING SOCIAL ENTERPRISES 
WITH THE POOR AS PRIMARY STAKEHOLDERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the first three months of 2015, 26.3 percent of Filipinos were found to be living below 
the poverty line. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), this translates to about 
26.48 million Filipinos, based on the Philippine population in 2015 of 100.7 million.1
In 2012, national poverty incidence stood at 27.9 percent of the population. In 2009, it 
was at 28.6 percent, practically unchanged from the 2006 level of 28.8 percent. The 2015 
survey also found that 12.1 percent of the population—roughly 12.18 million Filipinos—are living 
in subsistence or extreme poverty.
Clearly, there is a need to enhance government strategy in helping our countrymen rise 
from proverty. This bill aims to involve various sectors of the society in the fight against poverty, 
and recognizes social enterprises as key players in poverty reduction. A Social Enterprise, as 
defined in the proposed bill, refers to a social mission-driven organization that conducts 
economic activities directly related to improving the well-being of the poor and marginalized 
sectors. It explicitly declares and pursues poverty reduction as its principal objective.
Moreover, the bill aims to promote people's participation and empowerment: establish 
sustainable programs that reduce inequality in incomes and increase self-reliance among the 
poor; and develop effective mechanisms for the provision of quality and accessible social 
services to the poor, among others.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ONNY ANGARA
https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-among-filipinos-registered-263-first-semester-2015-psa
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
127
S. B. No.
d a t e ™
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
RESTORING AND REHABILITATING THE EXISTING LINES OF THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS, EXTENDING FURTHER THE SOUTHERN 
LINE TO MATNOG, SORSOGON AND ESTABLISHING THE RAILWAY 
EXTENSION LINE FROM CALAMBA CITY TO BATANGAS CITY, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4156 ENTITLED "AN ACT CREATING THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS, PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS 
AND DUTIES, AND PROVIDING FOR THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR ITS 
OPERATION" AS AMENDED BY R. A. NO. 6366, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Bill seeks to modernize the Philippine National Railways system by restoring, 
rehabilitating and extending the existing lines in Luzon.
It is currently ju s t a shadow o f itself. I t  used to have 400 railroad crossings from  
Manila to Legazpi city. A fter years o f decline, the PNR revived its operations and several 
years ago resumed operations consisting o f the Metro South Comm uter (MSC) line 
between Manila and Laguna and the Bicol Comm uter Service (BCS) between Naga City 
and Sipocot. Despite the series o f recent accidents like derailm ents and obsolescence 
due to natural calamities and bureaucratic neglect, the PNR to this day still ferries 
thousands o f com uters daily.
Today, its Manila operation runs from  Tutuban station in Caloocan City to 
Alabang with only 42 railroad crossings and w ith seven trains. It has launched the test- 
run o f its electric hybrid trains in June this year, awaiting the day for it to run wihin a 
modernized railways system .1 "W orn-out railroad tracks" is ju s t one o f the negative 
features o f the PNR railways system in Luzon, but that has engendered a decline in 
trust from  the many provinces it had served before.
The pace, direction and sustainability o f economic developm ent is greatly 
affected by the state o f a country's transportation infrastructure, as elucidated even by 
the United Nations in its Five-Year Action Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals in 
20122. On efficiency, safety, environm ental and trade com petition aspects, the railways 
system is recognized globally as the more preferred mode o f land transportation. A
lillp.//www.phiLstar.coni/headlinc,s/2016/06/26/}596759/dost-p}jr-launch-fivhrid-cIcctrie-train (AccessedJune 29, 2016) 
hltpsiZ/suslawahledevelopmenl.un.org/topics/sustainahleiransport (AccessedJune 29, 2016)
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
'■K ■' ‘ 
tr
i  "J  *1^1 (ire  o f thp, 
I'M I’lM )j
SENATE
SENATE BILL No. 960
'16
PI 55
' V :
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING BLACK SAND MINING IN THE PHILIPPINES 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
rA/rr,IJ,Blac^ sand or magnetite is defined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 
CMGB; as dark, often glossy mixture of sand materials which originates from the 
weathering of dark rocks situated near shore or transported from inland thru natural 
dramage mostiy deposited in beaches and river deltas. It is popularly used as an 
additive m the manufacture of concrete and steel products, magnets, paints, ink 
paper, jeweliy and cosmetics. It is a very lucrative commodity in foreign markets 
such as m China, Taiwan and Korea. On the other hand, black sand is an important 
mineral that keeps sand particles heavier and more compressed, thus serving as a 
Mtural barrier of land surfaces and fresh water deposits from seawater and ensures 
that seawater is at a level lower than land surface area.
Studies made by environmental groups in areas with black sand mining 
activities show that black sand mining operations contribute greatly to the depletion 
of tishety resources, erosion of land and severe flooding. It is even predicted that 
areas mined for magnetite or black sand could sink and be underwater within so to 
70 years as r^ id  subsidence will highly expose said areas to flooding and seasonal 
typhoon. In Cagayan, for example, the effects are now easily seen. Houses are 
cmmblmg because the sand underneath it are getting eroded; rice fields are 
shrining and harvests are becoming less as the fields are inundated by saltwater 
Fisherfolk are reporting reduced catch. It is, therefore, believed that black sand 
mining operations contributed to the depletion of fisheries, saltwater and chemical 
intrusion into freshwater table, and worsened flooding in coastal and riverside 
community due to bank erosion. Moreover, in one of the areas affected by black sand 
mining operations showed a growing number of cases of skin and lung diseases 
attributed to the black sand mining and noted other related diseases such as severe 
eye irritation and hernia.
Sad to say, notwithstanding the alarming adverse effect of exploration and 
extraction of black sand or magnetite on the environment and human life and 
despite government efforts to curb illegal activities relative thereto, black’sand 
mining operations has been proliferating in different parts of the county. There are
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
)
SENATE
\v ^ T H P  
/
luJ
'"received'^ '
DATE^^UM 
TIME:
OV THE
ULrfll
BY:
C-j
.BILLS & INDEX
SENATE BILL NO.
151
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 24 & 35 OF NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE 
CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
that:
The 1987 Philippine Constitution Article VI, Section 28 (1) provides
"The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The 
Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation."
This provision sets out a policy that a sound tax system must be based 
on the taxpayer's ability to pay.
This proposed amendment to the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code 
highlights the above-mentioned principle of a sound tax system. The bill 
targets to benefit the marginal income earners by adjusting the rates of tax on 
personal income. This will amend current schedule of individual income tax 
that ceased to be reasonable because of the incomparable prices of basic 
commodities when the law was enacted.
A bigger chunk of personal exemption from Php 50,000 to Php 70,000 is 
also proposed in the measure. This amendment is seen to be suitable to the 
personal and family expenses as well as to cope with the surge of basic 
commodity prices. Considering the value of Consumer Price Index (CPI), it 
evidently shows a wide disparity in value when the NIRC was enacted. The 
Php62 in 1997 cost Phi 00 in 2006 and in August 2014 was pegged to have cost
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 9 4
dateJUM
t
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
GRANTING MATERNITY LEAVE BENEFITS EQUIVALENT TO 
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) DAYS OR SIX (6) MONTHS 
TO ALL WOMEN WORKERS IN THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTORS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 14, Article II (Declaration of Principles and State Policies) of the 1987 
Constitution states:
SEC. 14. The State recognizes the roles of women in nation-building, and shall 
ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. ”
Similarly, Section 14, Article XIII (Women) of the Constitution further ensures 
the protection of women, to wit:
SEC. 14. The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful 
working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and 
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full 
potential in the service of the nation.
Based on these constitutional provisions, this bill seeks to provide maternity leave 
benefits to all working women in government and private sectors for a period of one 
hundred eighty (180) days or six (6) months. The proposed measure aims to allow 
mothers who are working in both government and private sectors a longer period of time 
to take care of their babies, bond with them and give these working mothers a chance to 
complete exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Maternity leave benefits are provided under Article 133 of the Labor Code and 
Section 14-A of Republic Act No. 1161, otherwise known as the “Social Security Law,” 
as amended by RA No. 7322 {An Act Increasing Maternity Benefits In Favor Of Women 
Workers In The Private Sector, Amending For The Purpose Section 14-A Of Republic Act 
No. 1161, As Amended, And For Other Purposes) and RA No. 8282, otherwise known as 
the “Social Security Act of 1997.” Under the Labor Code, a qualified pregnant woman 
employee shall be entitled to a paid maternity leave of at least two weeks prior to 
expected date of delivery and another four weeks after normal delivery or abortion. 
Hence, a total of six weeks maternity leave. Under the Social Security Law, a working 
mother is given a paid maternity leave of sixty (60) days or 8.5 weeks for those who gave
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
<fllf»re of t f l f i> r r  rl irjj
■16 JUL21 P2:08
SENATE
796
S. No,
Kl
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
GRANTING MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO ALL PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH 
DISABILITY”, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
The Philippines is known as a nation that holds in high regard the promotion of social 
justice and values the dignity of every human person. In line with this, Congress has enacted 
laws that promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of basic human rights by all human 
beings, including persons with disability (PWDs).
The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines 
PWDs as those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which 
may hinder their full and effective participation in the society on an equal basis with others. The 
same convention called on all UN member-states to ensure that PWDs enjoy their rights, 
freedom and dignity.
In the Philippines, the rights of PWDs, particularly in the fields of employment, 
education, health, auxiliary services and telecommunications are enshrined in Republic Act No. 
7227 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability”. This law also prohibits any and all 
discriminatory acts against PWDs. Subsequently, R.A. No. 9442 and R.A. No. 10754 which 
amended the said Magna Carta extended to PWDs the privileges and incentives being enjoyed by 
senior citizens such as discounts on purchases of select goods and services.
The 2010 Census showed that there are approximately 1,442,586 PWDs in the country 
representing 1.53% of the entire Filipino population. The same people are said to belong to the 
poorest segments of the Filipino population1. Thus, they are the ones who are greatly challenged 
to provide for their basic needs, specifically those that are health and medical in nature.
I have filed this bill to provide all PWDs with automatic health insurance coverage under 
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth). Once enacted into law, all PWDs shall 
be able to enjoy the benefits of Philhealth. By doing so, they will be freed, to some extent, from 
the financial burden of availing health care services. To support their enrollment to Philhealth, 
the national government shall pay for their premium payments to be sourced from the sin tax 
collections in accordance with Republic Act No. 10351 otherwise known as “An Act 
Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products”.
It is in this regard that the passage of this bill is earnestly s<
1 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ES(rAP).
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B.No. 190
V THE
f  RECEIVEO^^
‘dateJun 3 0 ?nira!
jtO  
TIM E:
4
B ILLS  &
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS PROGRAM IN 
ALL STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish the Wireless Internet Access Program in all state 
universities and colleges in the country and appropriating funds therefor.
Section 1, Articles XIV of the 1987 Constitution states: “The State shall protect and 
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate 
steps to make such education accessible to all.”
Filipinos have always placed a high value on quality education. However, “high 
quality education” usually refers to better learning facilities and expensive tuition fees. Being 
so, high quality education is deemed accessible only to those with financial means and who 
are enrolled mostly in private learning institutions. Public schools, including state universities 
and colleges (SUCs) where poor but deserving Filipino students go, often lag behind private 
counterparts in providing their students and teachers technology driven equipment that could 
increase their capacity to achieve quality education. Hence, students in SUCs who are 
competitive intellectually become disadvantaged when it comes to access to relevant 
information due to lack of facilities, one of which is wireless internet connection within the 
campus. Students who cannot afford to subscribe to internet plans resort to spending time in 
places that offer free wireless internet such as coffee shops, restaurants and internet cafes 
instead of staying in school.
This student behavior is understandable given the hunger for knowledge that 
permeates our society nowadays. The emergence of information technology and globalization 
has dramatically changed human behavior. This has led to an information revolution that 
exposed people to tremendous amounts of sophisticated knowledge. Compared to a few 
decades ago, the world now runs via information highways and access to this network of 
information has never been as important. All sectors demand higher levels of skills in all 
aspects of life, such as in the school, the workplace and business. The old methods that 
guided education in previous decades have become obsolete. To excel, an individual now has 
to be properly abreast of the advanced and complex methods of data gathering, processing 
and reporting offered by the World Wide Web.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SE N  AT 
S. B. NO
T E
. 367
D A T E :.
,t/>  
T IM E :
b
i l l s  &  II
Introdueed by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT PENALIZING INDIVIDUALS WHO SELL, GIVE OR IN ANY 
WAY SHARE ANY TYPE OF FIREWORKS OR FIRECRACKERS TO 
MINOR CHILDREN 15 YEARS OLD AND BELOW
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Celebrating events through the use of fireworks and firecrackers has long been a customary 
practice in the Philippines.
Considering the risk involved, the proposed bill seeks to reduce the number of accidents and 
injuries due to firecrackers, majority of which are sustained by children, by prohibiting the 
selling, giving, or in any way sharing of firecrackers.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY
. r.'.i
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of 
p i ' l l  ^
■16 
J U L 2 1  
A i m 6
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
V69
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
INCREASING THE ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTION 84, CHAPTER 1, ESTATE TAX, TITLE HI OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It submitted that there is a need to inerease the estate tax exemption provided for by law, 
speeifically Seetion 84 of Republie Act No. 8424, as amended, or the National Internal Revenue 
Code of 1997.
Factoring in, among others, CPI inflation, the purchasing power parity of the Philippine 
peso and exchange rate fluctuations, it becomes apparent that the estate tax exemption of 
Php200,000.00 is no longer of the same value today compared in 1997. Thirteen years has passed 
since the said figure was adopted as a taxation policy for estates.
Moreover, increasing the estate tax exemption to Php400,000.00 is a justified tax relief, 
especially to middle class Filipino families who are mostly wage earners, salaried employees or 
overseas Filipino workers.
In view of the foregoing, this bill is being advanced for study and deliberation, and 
approval.
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
1 ... i
-■ (t:)Hnc 
I Ilf '" ’ TT pf.'irij
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
F irst R egular Session 
]
i6 JUN 30 ri2 -44
; ; ; I I 
. i . ^ v .
S E N A T E  
S.W. N o . ___ 9_
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH, PROMULGATING A NATIONAL MENTAL 
HEALTH POLICY TOWARDS THE ENHANCEMENT OF INTEGRATED 
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF 
PERSONS UTILIZING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF A PHILIPPINE MENTAL HEALTH COUNCIL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The right of all Filipinos to have a healthy life is protected under 
Article 2, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution which states that: "the 
State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them." An important dimension of this right to 
health is mental health because "health," as defined in the World Health 
organization Constitution, is "a state of complete physical, mental, and 
social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." 
Physical health and mental health are Inseparable in terms of achieving a 
more complete state of wellness.
However, as an aspect of health, mental health has not been given 
much priority. The resources that have been provided to tackle the huge 
burden of mental disorders are insufficient, inequitably distributed, and 
inefficiently used. Studies show that the proportion of persons with mental 
Illness who do not receive any treatment for at least one year in low and 
middle income countries range between 75% to 85%.
SEVENTEETH CONGRESS OF THE} 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
F irst R egular Session 
}
S E N  A T ] 
S.B. No. 
2! 0
\ j r
INDEX
BILLS
In tro d u ced  by SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A SCHOOL NOURISHMENT AND DIETARY PROGRAM TO 
ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Problem of malnourishment in the country particularly among 
children has been prevalent for decades. This is evidenced by the number of 
impoverished families comprising almost 70% of the population. In the 
Nutritional Status Report by the Department of Education disclosed that a 
total of 562.262 students enrolled in the primaiy level in public schools in 
2012 have been considered "severely wasted" or suffering from severe 
malnutrition.
It has been said that malnutrition among students, based on several 
studies, reveals the effect of such condition to the learning capacity of 
pupils. Poorly nourished students have a short attention span making them 
focus less on their lessons. There is a high probability that this unfortunate 
situation is the major cause of habitual absenteeism and dropping out of 
schools.
The Department of Education in its effort to combat the problem, has 
been initiating feeding program through its Health and Nutrition Center 
(HNC) as well as partnerships with private companies and community-based 
volunteers. However, such endeavors are not enough to cover and 
continuously sustain to combat the problem of nutrition amongst the poor 
students.
It is through this situation that lead to the introduction of this 
proposed measure, which intends to address the problem by mandating the 
institutionalization of a nourishment program that will provide the supply of 
full rice meal to all public elementary students in the country.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
3 0 5
XP TIME:
In tro d u ce d  by Sen. Juan M iguel F. Zubiri
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Cooperatives serve as the fundamental driving force in stirring national development. 
They are autonomous associations of people that help improve the lives of their members 
who mostly come from rural areas. These cooperatives help fill the gap between local 
governments and grassroot communities by providing basic services or products to its 
members and the public in general.
Section 15, Article XII of the Constitution asserts that it is the policy of the State to 
promote the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice and 
economic development and that an agency shall be created to fulfill this mandate.
The dynamic nature of the cooperative sector calls for a government bureau that shall 
serve as a highly operative avenue in addressing its evolving requirements. This proposed 
measure, therefore, seeks to upgrade the capabilities of the Cooperative Development 
Authority (CDA) by updating its charter and giving it a more active and responsive mandate. 
It further allows the CDA to have a stronger and better-trained workforce that will be 
competent to address and serve the diverse needs of the cooperatives nationwide.
In 2009, after almost 2 decades since 1990, the old Cooperative Code of the 
Philippines under RA 6938, the twin law of RA 6939 - the CDA Charter, was overhauled into a 
more progressive Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 under RA 9520 in order to effect a 
national policy that is more attuned with the needs of the entire cooperative sector. It is, 
therefore, imperative that the more than 25 year-old CDA Charter must also undergo the 
necessary process of change to make it a more relevant arm of the government and partner 
of its people in development.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JUAN
EL F. ZU BIR I
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
-2vrn:« s r
< 0 (fii r <1? tijk' ^ 'r r ir t . - ir y
:4B
SENATE
s. No. 
499
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF DISEASES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the World Health Organization, diseases were detennined as major cause of 
morbidity. Few years ago, it has been reported that sixty percent (60%) of all deaths in the 
Philippines are due to chronic diseases.
However, studies show that the burden of diseases as major cause of death has diminished 
due to improved health technology and health care delivery systems. But then again, much 
still needs to be done to better reduce the occurrence of illnesses through the application of 
health measures which could prevent widespread diseases.1 In this light, an effective and 
feasible intervention from the government that aims to address health problems in the country 
is auspiciously significant.
This bill proposes for the establishment of the National Registry of Diseases which will 
provide a compilation of information on the incidence of certain diseases. This compilation 
will serve as a basis for the direction of programs for disease prevention and control.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
ANTONI^^^^IONnV  F. tI iL I J ^ S  IV
Senator
1 Elio-Villa, Luningning. 2006. Exploring Fresh Collaborative Initiatives for Combating Infectious Disease in 
the Philippines. Tropical Medicine and Health. The Japanese Society of Tropical Medicine. Vol. 34, No.4. Data 
retrieved at http://www.istage.ist.go.ip/article/tmh/34/4/l 53/ ndf on July 7, 2008
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 
4 8 1
Senate
’■■M ?  
o« tlje
'16 JUL 19 All -.32
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV
AN ACT
PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE WEBSITE
BY ESTABLISHING A
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 28 of the 1987 Constitution declares that subject to reasonable conditions 
prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full disclosure of all its 
transactions involving public interest. In response to this, this bill seeks to provide for the 
creation of a single, searchable Internet website that retains and displays data and information 
on the local government units' annual revenues, expenditures, and total bonded indebtedness. 
With the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the assistance 
of the Department of Infomiation and Communications Technology, the Municipal or City 
Treasurer shall design and develop a local government public finance website, and to 
maintain and operate the site, without charge, every fiscal year.
The bill, establishes an accessible, user-friendly source of information to track local revenues 
and expenditures and to gauge the local government units' past and present levels of bonded 
indebtedness. Furthermore, this legislation helps facilitate transparency and accountability in 
governance and in the bureaucracy, identifying waste, and eliminating abuse at the local 
level. It is hoped that this bill will empower local residents by reinforcing their right to follow 
the allocation and spending of their hard-earned taxes, and hold their local leaders responsible 
for every fiscal transaction in their behalf.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
A N T O N IO '^N N W  F. TRILLANES IV
Senmor
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 
4 5 9
i i . ’ . 
.. f 
.! r  :
ji!i IV m-u
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillancs IV
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS BY 
MANDATING THE VIDEO RECORDING OF ALL PROCUREMENT-RELATED 
CONFERENCES, THEREBY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 9184, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REFORM 
ACT OF 2003", PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND 
FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Refomi Act, was 
hailed as a landmark pieee of legislation. Its enactment in 2003 was envisaged to employ the 
much needed refonns in the country's procurement system. A decade since its enactment, 
however, the procurement system is still plagued with collusion, abuse of discretionary 
criteria, malfeasance, misfeasance, and other forms of corruption.
On a lighter note, the Philippines has improved in the 2012 global survey, ranking countries 
in ternis of perceived corruption up 24 places from 2011 to 105th, among 180 countries 
surveyed by Transpareney International. Much of the corruption suggests itself in 
government procurement, or its aequisition of goods and services.
To further improve and address transparency of the country's procurement system, or its lack 
thereof, it is imperative to strengthen public monitoring of the procurement process. The 
public deserves nothing less but the highest standards of transparency and honesty in the 
execution of government policies. This is consistent with Article II, Section 28 of the 1987 
Constitution which declares that subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State 
adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving 
public interest.
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S.B.___342
BILLS & II
Introduced by Senator Poe
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
ASSISTANCE 
TO 
FARMERS, 
FISHERFOLK, 
AND 
AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES BY INSTITUTIONALIZING DIRECT 
CREDIT SUPPORT TO SAID SECTORS, AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3844 
OR THE AGRICULTURAL LAND REFORM CODE
Explanatory Note
Agricultural sector in other countries are successful and sustainable due to substantial 
state subsidy. In the Philippines, however, the agricultural sector has been considered the 
poor man’s sector” as workers in said sector are considered the most marginalized and 
neglected in the past years. According to the Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics 
Office, about 1.15 million Filipinos are employed in the agricultural sector as of January 
2013, the second largest group making up 30.4% of the total employed work force.
In 1995, the agriculture sector shares a relatively high value of 14.8% of the country’s 
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, it is now one of the smallest contributor 
amounting to only 10% of the GDP.1 To further sustain the declining share of state 
investments in agriculture, the sector must be transformed into a sustainable and competitive 
one with proper management and government support, and with indispensable and wide- 
ranging reform. It is high time that the government strengthen assistance and institutionalize 
support services to the agricultural sector such as electric irrigation pumps “electrigation” 
with the renewable energy to provide power for production and processing, tractor pools.
1 h ttp ://w w w .n s c b .g o v .p h /b e y o n d th e n u m b e r s /2 0 1 3 /0 4 1 2 2 0 1 3 jr g a _ a g r i.a s p