MANILA, Philippines — The second regular session of the 17th Congress began on Monday with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez enumerating the chamber's priorities and accomplishments.
Alvarez made a push for some important measures for this session, including a bill that would allow the legal dissolution of marriage, which he is personally fighting for.
"Married persons can agree to separate subject to the ruling of the court," he said, adding that he would also file a measure recognizing civil unions.
"They must be treated equally before the law," he said.
Some groups, however, have criticized Alvarez for this move, saying that this was meant to benefit him as this would allow him to marry his girlfriend.
Alvarez has admitted that he was already separated from his legal wife and sired several children by different women.
The speaker also pitched for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which aims to create an autonomous state in Mindanao for the Moros.
Just days ago, President Rodrigo Duterte received the draft of the bill at the Palace and vowed to push for its passage.
He also vowed to work on the country's shift to a federal form of government, one of the key campaign promises of the president.
Alvarez told representatives that their first regular session produced 210 legislative measures on third reading during their 97 session days.
He said that this was an average of two bills per session day.
"We didn't waver and falter. We did our job," the speaker said.
He said that the first regular session had quorum every meeting day which was due to the efforts of Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas.
He also commended the House for the swift passage of the 2017 budget and the death penalty bill, which is still awaiting the Senate's nod.
"Our collective hard work has paid off," he told lawmakers.
He also heaped praise on members of Congress for extending passport and license validity to at least five years.
Congress was also able to provide free tertiary education and internet access, he said.
However, the speaker cautioned lawmakers for premature celebration, emphasizing that there is a lot of work to be done.
"We have plenty of challenges to finish," he said.