20 bills await Noy’s signature

MANILA, Philippines - At least 20 bills of national importance and local scope are awaiting President Aquino’s   signature, according to records at the House of Representatives.

Among these are the bills Strengthening the Animal Welfare Act; Reorganizing the Philippine Statistical System; Expanding the Science and Technology Scholarships; Establishing Rural Farm Schools as Alternative Delivery Mode of Secondary Education; Toy and Game Safety Labeling; Amending Certain Provisions of Republic Act 7581, the Consumer Protection Act; and the Anti-Bullying Act.

The Senate and the House adopted each other’s versions of the bills to dispense with convening a bicameral conference committee.

Also awaiting Aquino’s signature are some 14 local bills, mostly converting local roads into national roads; and converting local colleges into state colleges or state colleges into state universities.

House records showed Aquino vetoed at least 12 bills of national importance since 2011.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said it would be difficult to override a presidential veto as it needs two-thirds of the vote of Congress.

Gonzales and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in previous interviews pushed for closer coordination between Congress and Malacañang to avoid a repeat of the successive vetoes.