Co-Sponsorship Speech
Committee Report No. 130
Senate Bill 1844 (Authorizing the President to Expedite the
Processing of Permits, Licenses, and Certifications)

Good afternoon, Mr. President and distinguished colleagues.

I want to start with the a quote from Albert Eisntein - "Bureaucracy is the death of all sound work." Mr. President, I stand before this body to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 1844 under Committee Report No. 130. This is an apt and timely measure that could improve the bureaucratic processes of our country, improve the delivery of service, and lessen the burden of our kababayans in dealing with the government during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed measure seeks to give power to the President in times of national emergency, to hasten and streamline government regulatory processes, as well as suspend or waive the requirements in securing permits, licenses, clearances, certifications or authorizations. Mr. President, the complexity of bureaucratic process, "breeds extensive bribery and corruption."

The elimination of corruption remains the "chief priority" of the Duterte administration. President Duterte has always been adamant in his stance against corrupt government officials and employees. There is a relentless effort of the administration to put up the significant mechanisms in order to end corruption in the government, from the national government down to the local government units. The passage of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 and the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018, are some of the remarkable attempts of the state to end bureaucratic red tape and thwart graft and corruption in all facets of government. In line with this, President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 43 which created the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission to assist the President in the investigation and handling of administrative cases involving cases of graft and corruption against presidential appointees.

We are living in difficult times, and I join the frustration of President Duterte - corruption still plagues the country, and we must not stop fighting it.

Huwag na sana nating hayaan na pumila pa ng matagal ang ating mga kababayan para maka-kuha at makompleto ang napakaraming mga requirements upang maramdaman ang serbisyo ng gobyerno. Gawin natin simple at mabilis ang mga proseso. Mr. President.

Mr. President and my dear colleagues, let us complement the efforts of this administration in the efficient delivery of government services and the fight against corruption. Let us all support the passage of this legislative measure.

Maraming Salamat po.