Four Gordon bills approved by Senate

Four national bills authored by Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) were passed on third reading by the Senate on Tuesday, the second day of the third regular session of the Fourteenth Congress.

Senate Bill nos. 3284, Lapu-Lapu Day; 2454, Social Security Condonation Program; 150, Food Donation Act; and 3298, Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Charter were all approved on third reading with 17 affirmative votes and no negative votes and abstentions.

SB 3284 seeks to pay tribute to the courage, bravery and integrity displayed by Lapu-Lapu and his men in the Battle of Mactan by declaring April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.

"Lapu-Lapu was the king of Mactan who refused to submit himself and his people under foreign rule. It is only appropriate that we celebrate April 27, the Battle of Mactan, which is the first victory of our nation against foreign oppressors," Gordon said.

The senator had long advocated for the rightful recognition of Lapu-Lapu's heroism. Gordon fought to place the 40-foot Lapu-Lapu statue, a gift from the Koreans, in Bagumbayan or Luneta to recognize the hero's role as the first Asian to beat the colonial invaders.

In SB 2454, the senator seeks to authorize the condonation of penalties on delinquent contributions to the Social Security System (SSS).

Gordon said the implementation of a one-time condonation program of contribution penalties not only represents an opportunity to expeditiously settle contribution delinquencies, but also paves the way for resumption of members' entitlement to benefits and loan privileges.

Meanwhile, SB 150, aims to help out the sixteen million less fortunate Filipinos who cannot provide for their basic food requirements.

Gordon explained that the Food Donation bill is not intended as a dole out but to address the increasing hunger rate in the country. The idea is to collect excess food, NOT leftovers, from parties, buffets and from restaurants and fast food chains.

"Through this bill, we can teach the poor to create food opportunities for themselves. The object of this bill is to try and breach those gaps, hunger, satisfying hunger. At the same time, satisfying the need for self-capability--capability so they are able to feed themselves and therefore get back their dignity," he said.

On the other hand, SB 3298 aims to preserve the independent nature of the GSP as a private, non-sectarian, non-political entity by exempting it from taxes and tariffs, including income and real property taxes.

Gordon pointed out that the GSP has contributed much to the promotion of positive values, responsible citizenship and volunteerism to young women through its faithful adherence to the fundamental principles of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, an internationally recognized organization.