House OKs resetting of ARMM plebiscite, polls

The House of Representatives unanimously approved, among other vital measures, House Bill 12961 resetting the plebiscite and elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

"We have served our people with fidelity. We have passed the needed legislation to ensure socio-economic and political reforms to catalyze national development and hasten poverty alleviation amid the political turmoil that recently gripped the country," Belmonte said before he banged the gavel formally ending the regular session of the 11th Congress the other day.

The bigger chamber also unanimously passed House Resolution No. 1938 citing Speaker Belmonte’s "fairness by which he conducted the business and deliberations of the chamber and for his leadership in steering the House of Representatives toward a productive course during the third regular session of the 11th Congress."

HR 1938, authored by Minority Leader Agapito Aquino (LDP-Makati), noted that Belmonte assumed the House speakership amid political crisis brought about by EDSA People Power 2 last January, which resulted in the change in the presidency.

"…With only less than a year remaining of the 11th Congress, the Honorable Speaker (Bel—monte) has successfully reached out to his colleagues to forge consensus on vital concerns and issues by fostering a climate of honest and open legislative debate despite political differences and clash of opinions," the resolution stated.

The chamber’s citation further noted that "under the leadership and direction of Speaker Belmonte, the House of Representatives enacted into law important measures responsive to the interests of the Filipino people."

Under HB 12961, authored, among others, by Belmonte with Reps. Mamintal Adiong, Benasing Macarambon, Nur Jaafar, Hussin Amin, Asani Tammang, Edmundo Reyes Jr., Roseller Barinaga, Herminio Teves and Rodolfo Aguinaldo, resets the ARMM plebiscite for the approval of the amendments under Republic Act 9054, from June to not later than Aug. 15.

The proposed law, which the Senate earlier passed, mandates that the incumbent ARMM governor, vice governor and members of the legislative assembly "will continue in office pursuant to existing laws and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified."

The House also concurred with the Senate amendments on two local bills: HB 12901 converting the Zamboanga City Polytechnic College into a state college to be known as the Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College; and HB 12358 (SB 2283) establishing the Guimaras Polytechnic College in Buenavista town, and the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology-Guimaras Extension in Jordan town.

The last day of the session also saw the adoption of four resolutions and one concurrent resolution on various issues, including HR 1939 commending and congratulating Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas for being elected president of the International Labor Organization; and HR 1940 citing Sen. Loren Legarda for being part of the Global 500 Roll of Honor of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Officially, the term of the 11th Congress will end on June 30 and the incoming 12th Congress’ term begins on July 1. President Arroyo will deliver her first State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress on July 23, the start of the first regular session of the 12th Congress.