Congress to prioritize Pagasa modernization, anti-trust bills

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang-certified measure seeking to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as well as the anti-trust bill will be prioritized in the incoming 16th Congress, a leader of the House of Representatives said yesterday.

Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said some of the vetoed bills would be refiled with amendments when the next Congress convenes on July 22, coinciding with President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address.

“Definitely those bills that have been passed on third reading but missed the final approval by the Senate and the House would have quick passage based on our rules,” Gonzales said in a telephone interview.

“Measures that were supposed to be ratified or approved last week would be given priority like the PAGASA bill,” he added.

Earlier, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. vowed to ensure the passage of the proposed Fair Competition Act, an anti-trust bill seeking to level the playing field among firms and to effectively reduce transaction costs and risks for businesses.

The bill, he said, would promote direct investments.

Belmonte also pressed for the passage of amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer law and bills on judicial reform.