Senate to prioritize passage of 4 key bills

MANILA, Philippines — Senators will prioritize the passage of four key bills as the Senate is set to resume the third and last regular session, although deliberations will commence tomorrow to give way to the Iglesia ni Cristo’s rally today.

The four key proposed measures include Senate Bill 2816 postponing the barangay elections to 2029, the modernization of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the amendment to the Baguio City Charter and the pension differentials for Department of Foreign Affairs employees.

Congress will resume session today and adjourn from Feb. 8 to June 1 to accommodate the 2025 midterm election period, which commenced Jan. 12 and will end on June 11.

Senate President Francis Escudero said the proposal on the rightsizing of the national government will be also prioritized by the Senate to ensure its passage before the 19th Congress adjourns in June.

Escudero, author and sponsor of SB 890 or the proposed Rightsizing National Government Act, led a consultative meeting to tackle the measure to hear the input of agencies that will be covered by the proposal, as well as harmonize the different versions being taken up by the chamber.

The Senate president said one particular concern being raised on the rightsizing bill is the possible downsizing of the bureaucracy, which he described as a misconception.

“Rightsizing is about streamlining the bureaucracy. It also means the possible creation of new positions, new offices, upgrading and upscaling personnel to help them fill much needed positions and put them on the path toward career advancement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe vowed to work hard for the passage of the animal welfare bill, stating that animal abuse remains rampant and is on the rise.

The senator had filed SB 2458, which aims to amend the 26-year-old Animal Welfare Law by introducing tighter standards, tougher penalties and the creation of a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force.