KIKO: SENATE TO PRIORITIZE BILLS ALLEVIATING FOOD,
OIL CRISIS AS SESSION RESUMES

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today stressed the Senate's resolve to pass landmark measures focusing on poverty alleviation, energy and human rights as the 2nd Regular Session of the 14th Congress resumes on Monday.

"The Senate is ready to hit the ground running and ratify bills that will introduce more means for us to address the worsening crisis on energy and cost of living. Among the bills pending in the Senate are the Renewable Energy Bill, which harnesses renewable energy sources so that we can meet the country's energy requirements and not have to suffer the brunt of the oil crisis like we do today, and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act," Kiko said.

Also up for discussion on the floor are bills pending on third reading such as the bill setting the minimum salary grade of teachers, and the creation of NCR Metropolitan Courts, which Kiko says, "will speed up the resolution of cases, punish the guilty swiftly and instill respect and fear of the rule of law."

Other measures pending are the bill fixing the term for the AFP Chief of Staff, the Anti-Torture Bill, the Magna Carta of Women, the Anti-Child Pornography Bill, and the Socialized Housing Program.

"We recognize the urgency to pass these bills to address the pressing concerns of our citizens. In the face of the worsening crisis on oil and food, we at the Senate are adamant in exploring more ways to improve the lives of our citizens. We will continue to respond to the challenge through a proactive and relevant legislative agenda," Kiko ended.