Zubiri: Senate passes P 11.3 Billion poll automation budget,
seven major measures before Lenten break
One law enacted, five for President's signing, one with approved Bicam reports, and 116 local & 5 national bills passed on 3rd Reading

The Senate dashed through the First Quarter with six major legislative measures before it adjourned for its month-long break foremost of which are the P1.4 trillion national budget and the proposed P11.3 billion supplemental budget for poll automation, said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Awaiting the President's signature are the bills on the 2009 national budget, the poll automation supplemental budget, the bill adjusting the reglementary period for complying with the educational requirement in the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and on the Archipelagic Baselines.

"The approval of the 2009 national budget and the poll automation supplemental budget were the most important pieces of legislation during the first quarter of the year. A major stumbling block in the passage of the latter was erased when the House adopted the Senate version last Thursday."

"It will pave the way for a faster, cleaner and more orderly elections next year, which is very important especially since we will be electing a new president," he said. "The 2009 national budget is embedded with a P50 billion economic stimulus package, will go to infra projects, school buildings, food program/subsidy for the poor, and create the much needed employment for our people (estimate placed that for every P100,000 public works investment, one job is created), Zubiri added.

The other major legislations approved by the Senate were the Cooperative Code, which was signed into law by President Arroyo last February 17 and which is now the Republic Act 9520.

With approved Bicameral Conference Committee Reports are: Archipelagic Baselines Bill by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, awaiting the approval and signature of the President;

Adjusting the Reglementary Period for Complying with the Educational Requirement in the Bureau of Fire protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology by Sen. Honasan wherein the House adopted the Senate version last Thursday;

Magna Carta of Women sponsored by Sen. Jamby AS Madrigal; Amendments to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Charter by Sen. Angara; Tourism Development Act by Sen. Gordon; and Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Senators stayed late for the marathon discussion and approval of the supplemental budget during its March 4 session which ended at 1:30 a.m. the following morning March 5, Thursday.

In addition, the Senate was able to approve on Third Reading the following:

112 Local Bills on Conversion/Creation of Schools by Sen. Roxas; 3 Local Bills - Declaring Public Holidays in the Province of Romblon, Cagayan de Oro City and Victorias City in Negros Occidental by Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III; HB 3693 - New Legislative District for the City of Malolos (Sen. Aquino); SB 2971 - Amendment to the Pag-IBIG Fund Charter (Sen. Angara), the Bicam Report is being finalized yet; SB 3014 - Cultural Heritage Bill (Sen. Angara); SB 2963 - Real Estate Service Act (RESA Bill) - Sen. Lacson; SB 3015 - Adjusting the Educational Requirements for Promotion in the PNP by Sen. Honasan; and SB 2639 - Real Estate Investment Companies Act by Sen. Angara.

"Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was a task master who got support of both Majority and Minority blocs resulting to the approval of these major pieces of legislation."

Senators will resume debates on various measures upon resumption on April 13 such as the amendments to the Electric Power Reform Industry Act, the extension of the CARP law, National Climate Change policy, International and Humanitarian law and the proposal for a Picture- Based Warning on Tobacco Products, the Rent Control Law, Agricultural and Fisheries Extension System; and Magna Carta for Homeowners.

The Bicam reports on the protected areas of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal are for Senate and House ratification.

"Bills that had undergone First Reading can be set for hearings by the Committees even during the break as has been the practice by the Senate," Zubiri said.