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Vol. 2 Tuesday, January 24, 2012 No. 34

CALL TO ORDER

At 4:00 p.m., Deputy Speaker Arnulfo P. Fuentebella

called the session to order.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). The

session is called to order.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Please

rise for the singing of the National Anthem.

Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National Anthem.


remain standing for the Invocation to be led by the Hon.

Evelyn P. Mellana of the Second District of Agusan del Sur.

Everybody remained standing for the Invocation.

INVOCATION

REP. MELLANA. If the foundations be destroyed, what

can the righteous do?Psalm 11:3.

Let us all unite and pray for our nation.

High and mighty, King of kings and God of all nations,

let not our foundations for social order, peace and justice be

shaken. Through Your loving and protective guidance, help

us strengthen and maintain these foundations as we carry out

righteous deeds for our country and our fellowmen.Leader of all leaders, we offer to You the labors of this

day. Thank You for another opportunity to lead Your people

and to participate in the formation of our nation through the

legislative process. May todays assembly yield fruitful and

productive results for the advancement of the welfare of the

Filipinos. May we carry out our roles as legislators and as

integral parts of the system of checks and balances with

prudence, fortitude, integrity, due diligence, faithfulness,

justice and dedication. Please free us all from moral arrogance

and ignorance. Shower us and our respective constituencies

with temporal blessings and spiritual gifts.

As the Senate convenes as an impeachment court, grant

the Senator-judges the gifts of wisdom, equity and

temperance. May the proceedings follow due process; may

their decisions be free from bias and outside pressures; may

their conclusions uphold the rule of law; may the wheels of

justice turn smoothly and promptly; and may the resolution

Congressional Record15th CONGRESS, SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

of this trial result in our oneness as a nation and the start of

governance that is more open to our people.

Lead us into a fair and impartial trial, because only then

can we attain genuine victory for the Filipino people with a

stronger, more mature democracy and renewed trust in our

system of checks and balances.

In these tempestuous times for our country, may we findsolace in Your promise that You will never leave nor forsake

us. Take us under Your most gracious and nurturing care.

Please hear our humble prayers. Amen.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). The Floor

Leader has the floor.

SUSPENSION OF SESSION

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend

the session for a few minutes.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Thesession is suspended.

It was 4:04 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 4:31 p.m., the session was resumed.


session is resumed.

The Sr. Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve

Journal No. 33 of January 18, 2012, consisting of five pages.

I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Is there

any objection, comment or amendment to the proposed

approval of the Journal? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the

motion is approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we proceed

to the Reference of Business.


any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is

approved.

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2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012

The Secretary General will please read the Reference of

Business.

REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

The Secretary General read the following House Bills

and Resolutions on First Reading and Committee Reports,

and the Deputy Speaker made the correspondingreferences:

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 5686, entitled:

AN ACT PENALIZING INDIVIDUALS WHO

SELLS, GIVES OR IN ANY WAY SHARES ANY

TYPE OF FIREWORKS OR FIRECRACKERS TO

MINOR CHILDREN 15 YEARS OLD AND

BELOW

By Representative Mercado-Revilla

TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER ANDSAFETY AND THE COMMITTEE ON

WELFARE OF CHILDREN


AN ACT CREATING THE AKLAN AIRPORT

AUTHORITY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

By Representative Haresco

TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION


AN ACT INCREASING THE ADDITIONAL AD

VALOREM TAX ON IDLE LANDS, AMENDING

FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 236 OF THE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE

By Representative Mercado (R.)

TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS


AN ACT SEPARATING THE HALIAP NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL ANNEX IN BARANGAY

CAMANDAG, MUNICIPALITY OF ASIPULO,

PROVINCE OF IFUGAO FROM HALIAP

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT

INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS NATCAK

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

By Representative Baguilat

TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE


AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 9688

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT

ESTABLISHING THE IFUGAO SECOND

DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE IN THEPROVINCE OF IFUGAO AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR

By Representative Baguilat

TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND

HIGHWAYS


AN ACT ADOPTING THE IFUGAO RICE

TERRACES REHABILITATION AND

PRESERVATION PLAN, CREATING THE

ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOR ITS

IMPLEMENTATION AND ITS SECRETARIAT,

PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSESBy Representative Baguilat

TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES


AN ACT TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVENESS AND

FAIR COMPETITION IN THE PHILIPPINE

MOTOR VEHICLE INDUSTRY THROUGH THE

RATIONALIZATION OF THE GRANTING OF

FISCAL INCENTIVES

By Representative Romualdo

TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY


AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE

CENTRALIZATION OF FILING OF

STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND

NET WORTH (SALN) OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

AND ITS MANDATORY DISCLOSURE TO

PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND

ACCOUNTABILITY IN PUBLIC SERVICE,

AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 8

(A) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713 OTHERWISE

KNOWN AS THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND

ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC

OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES

By Representative Fortuno

TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS


AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL IN BARANGAY SANTIAGO,

GINGOOG CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL TO BE

KNOWN AS THE PUNDASAN NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR

By Representative Unabia

TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATIONAND CULTURE


AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL IN BARANGAY ANAKAN, GINGOOG

CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL TO BE KNOWN AS

ANAKAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

By Representative Unabia

TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE


AN ACT DECLARING EVERY FIRST WEEK OF

FEBRUARY OF EACH YEAR AS WORLD

INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK AND

MANDATING THE OBSERVANCE OF THE

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012 3

SAID EVENT BY THE DIFFERENT

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

By Representative Climaco

TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 2043, entitled:A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND

COMMENDING FATHER AND SON LARRY

AND HIRRYAN MENDIOLA FOR PUTTING

THE PHILIPPINES ON WORLD MAP BY

FINISHING THIRD IN THE RAINFOREST

CHALLENGE (RFC) OF MALAYSIA

By Representative Castelo

TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 2044, entitled:

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE

ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLICACCOUNTABILITY TO CONDUCT AN

INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION,

ANENT THE CAUSES OF REPORTED

IRREGULAR AND QUESTIONABLE

PROCUREMENTS AND DISBURSEMENTS BY

THE SUPREME COURT UPON ITS LOAN

FROM WORLD BANK, AS UNCOVERED BY

THE LATTER, AND TO RECOMMEND

APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION

By Representative Evardone



RESOLUTION COMMENDING SENATOR MIRIAM

DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO FOR BEING

OVERWHELMINGLY ELECTED JUDGE OF THE

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)

By Representative Haresco



RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON

GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC

ACCOUNTABILITY TO CONDUCT AN

INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THEALLEGED IRREGULARITIES INVOLVING

THE JUDICIAL REFORM SUPPORT PROJECT

FUNDED BY THE WORLD BANK AND

IMPLEMENTED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF

THE PHILIPPINES

By Representatives Casio and Colmenares



A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE

ON AGRICULTURE OF THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT ANINVESTIGATION ON IMPORTED CHICKEN

MEAT FOUND CONTAMINATED WITH

SALMONELLA

By Representative Palmones



RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE

COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN

AID TO LEGISLATION, AS TO THE CAUSES

OF SEVERE FLOODING AND DEATHS AT THE

HEIGHT OF TYPHOON SENDONG

By Representatives Emano, Benaldo and Unabia


ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS

Rep. Isidro T. Ungab for House Bills No. 125 and 5380;

Rep. Ma. Amelita A. Calimbas-Villarosa for House Bill

No. 224;

Rep. Maria Isabelle Beng G. Climaco for House Bills

No. 590, 1067, 4162, 4243, 4276 and 4920;

Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado for House Bill No.

2127;

Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel for House Bill

No. 3877;Rep. Pedro M. Pancho for House Bill No. 4395;

Reps. Sharon S. Garin and Janette L. Garin for House

Bill No. 5368;

Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr. for House Bill No. 5484;

Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas for House Bill No. 5578;

Rep. Arnel M. Cerafica for House Bills No. 5589 and

5590; and

Rep. Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan-David for House Bill No.

5625.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Committee

Report No. 1691), re H. R. No. 73, entitled:

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR A STOP

TO THE ALARMING ENCROACHMENT OF

MINING COMPANIES INTO THE REMAINING

FRAGILE HABITAT OF THE ENDANGERED

PHILIPPINE EAGLE, OUR NATIONAL BIRD

recommending its adoption with amendment

Sponsors: Representatives Matugas, Casio and

Colmenares


Report by the Committee on Natural Resources (Committee

Report No. 1692), re H. R. No. 1698, entitled:

RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PRIVATE

SECTOR INITIATIVES AND CALLING FOR

INCREASED STATE INVOLVEMENT TO

CONSERVE THE CRITICALLY-ENDANGERED

PHILIPPINE CROCODILE

recommending its adoption with amendments

Sponsors: Representatives Matugas and Casio


Report by the Committee on Justice and the Committee onAppropriations (Committee Report No. 1693), re H. No.

5714, entitled:

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE WITNESS

PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFIT

PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6981 OTHERWISE

KNOWN AS THE WITNESS PROTECTION,

SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT AND

PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDS

THEREFOR

recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill

Nos. 15, 608, 629 and 1979

Sponsors: Representatives Tupas, Abaya, Golez (R.),Angara, Datumanong, Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez

(M.)


Report by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on

Appropriations (Committee Report No. 1694), re H. No.

5715, entitled:

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION,

SECURITY AND BENEFITS OF

WHISTLEBLOWERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

recommending its approval in substitution of House BillNos. 132, 452, 1832, 2110, 2471, 2675 and 2922

Sponsors: Representatives Tupas, Abaya, Casio,

Colmenares, Angara, Teodoro, Rodriguez (R.),

Rodriguez (M.), Arenas, Quisumbing and Escudero


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). The Sr.

Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, allow us to acknowledge

the presence of our guests in the gallery. We have the students

and faculty of ABE International College, Cabanatuan City,

Nueva Ecija. They are the guests of Deputy Speaker Pablo P.

Garcia.


rise. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, we also have with us

this afternoon the UST medical doctors practicing in the

United States of America. They are the guests of the honorable

Speaker, Hon. Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

As head of the delegation, we have Dr. Pura Garin-Vargas,

with the following: Dr. Pablo C. de Ungria, Dr. Estelita Gensoli

de Ungria, Dr. Andres Vargas, Dr. Baltazar Dinulos, Dr. LigorioCalaycay, Dr. Violeta Poblacion-Pineda, Caridad Icasiano-

Santos, Dr. Ramon Santos, Dr. Aisa Guillermo-Santos.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Please rise.

REP. GARIN (J.). Dr. Angelina Puzon-Jaurigue, Dr.

Daniel Santos, Dr. Florliza Juan Garcia, Dr. Zenaida Javier

Theopistos, Cesar Javier, Josefina Javier, Fe del Rosario, Fely

Santos, Laura Bello, and Andrew Vargas. They are the guests

from the University of Santo Tomas working in the United

States of America and doing philanthropic work in the

Philippines. (Applause)

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Welcome

to the House of Representatives! (Applause)

The Gentleman from Albay stood earlier. What is the

pleasure of the Gentleman from Albay?

REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I be allowed to deliver

a speech on a question of personal and collective privilege?


Gentleman will please state the nature of his personal and

collective privilege.

REP. LAGMAN. It would be to protect my integrity anddiscuss salient information regarding the same.


Gentleman has 10 minutes. Please proceed.

QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE OF REP. LAGMAN

REP. LAGMAN. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues:

At 10:43 in the evening of Thursday, January 4, 2012, I received

a text message from a very reliable source which recounted

the A-1 information relayed by one in the small group of about

four who met that night in former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos hospital suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical

Center. The text message reads in full, and I quote:

Kakatapos lang ng meeting with GMA. Suarez

is it. Hes got the numbers. Ten withdrew from Edcel.

A manifesto of support will be signed tomorrow to

be formalized in a Minority caucus on the 15th, with

Edcel manifesting on the floor on the 16th that he is

turning over the power to Suarez. The manifesto

supersedes Edcels reso.

This text message confirms an earlier report that former

President Arroyo was meeting with a few select opposition

members closely allied with her. It also refutes denials that

the former President was not in the conclave. The message

spills the plot and I quote again: Katatapos lang ng meeting

with GMA. Suarez is it.

Other than confirming the role of former President Arroyo

in the enterprise to replace me, the message is a presumptuous

propaganda.

First, while it claims that Rep. Danilo E. Suarez as early

as January 4, 2012 had the numbers the fact is, as of last

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 or two full weeks later, he did

not have the uncontestable absolute majority of the Minority

Members.Second, the following day, January 5, 2012, the group

of Rep. Suarez failed to secure a signed manifesto of support,

contrary to the assertion in the text message.

Third, during the Minoritys regular lunch meeting on

January 16, 2012, the group of Rep. Suarez presented an

alleged manifesto which showed that only five, not 10, of the

15 Minority Members who signed the resolution retaining

me as the Minority Leader also signed for Rep. Suarez. As of

said date, 10 colleagues who signed in December 2011 the

resolution maintaining me as Minority Leader have remained

steadfast.

Fourth, in the caucus hosted by Rep. Suarez on January15, 2012 at the Manila Golf and Country Club, only six to

eight Minority Members attended.

Moreover, it was unabashedly presumed that I would

relinquish the Minority leadership at the mere say-so that the

Suarez camp had the numbers.

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But what is important to underscore is that the text

message never mentioned a term-sharing agreement for the

Minority leadership, which bogus arrangement was pursued

to deodorize the plot to oust me. The term sharing being

claimed by the Suarez camp is baseless and non-existent. The

agreement was limited to a splitting of the term of the Speaker

had I won as then Lakas-Kampi candidate. Representative

Suarez offered the term-sharing agreement as a condition forwithdrawing his bid to contest my candidacy for Speaker

within the then Lakas-Kampi group.

We were fighting for the Speakership. To forge a splitting

agreement on the Minority leadership would have been

foolhardy and would have sent defeatist signals. Remember,

dear colleagues, that this was in early June 2010, when Lakas-

Kampi still held the numerical superiority. The meeting at

Club Filipino to formalize the choice of then Lakas-Kampi

candidate for Speaker was covered by tri-media. The news

accounts on the event unmistakably document that the splitting

of term was limited to the Speakership.

Inquirer.net posted on June 4, 2010 a report entitledLakas-Kampi leaders agree to term-sharingfor Speakership.

The news report stated:

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman and

Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez have agreed

to a term-sharing scheme if the administration party

Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats would

bag the speakership in the House of Representatives.

The report further stated:

Emerging from the meeting of Lakas-Kampi

congressmen Friday, Suarez said the party agreed

to field Lagman for the top post of the chamber in

the 15th Congress x x x If Lagman gets the

speakership, he will serve for the first 18 months,

then Suarez will sit in the second half of the term.

Similarly, Manila Standard Today in a news account

entitled Lakas-Kampi taps Lagman in speakership race

reported:

The administration Lakas-Kampi CMD party

has agreed to a term-sharing formula between Albay

Rep. Edcel Lagman and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarezif it bags the speakership in the House of

Representatives.

The report further recounted:

Lagman said he agreed to the term-sharing

proposal to avoid division within the ranks of the

ruling party. They made the proposal and I accepted

it and I will take the first 18 months, said Lagman,

adding that he expected to win a majority. Suarez

said a coalition with other parties was in the works

to get some 20 party-list lawmakers to their side.

No mention whatsoever was made about an alleged term-

sharing for the Minority leadership.

Distinguished colleagues, I am not a stranger to term-

sharing agreements. Before I assumed the chairmanship of

the powerful Committee on Appropriations, Speaker Jose De

Venecia brokered a term-sharing agreement between me and

Representative Junie Cua. When the time came, I voluntarily

relinquished the chairmanship to Representative Cua despite

the fact that Speaker De Venecia had been replaced by then

Speaker Nograles, who was not privy to the arrangement.

I always honor a commitment or agreement. But I should

not be forced to comply with an imagined or contrivedarrangement.

The repeated incantation of the Suarez camp about a

term-sharing agreement has become a repulsive refrain even

as its creeping signature campaign demeans Minority

members who are relentlessly pressured to renege on their

commitment and abandon their support for me.

Under the circumstances, the only principled action to

take is to resign as Minority Leader so that former President

Arroyos anointed one can take over despite his failure to

obtain an incontestable absolute majority of the Minority

Members.

Those who affixed dual signatures for me and forRepresentative Suarez cancelled out their preferences and

nullified their contradictory choices. By parity of reasoning,

the rule provided for in the Omnibus Election Code is

instructive and applicable. It provides that:

Where there are two or more candidates voted

for in an office for which the law authorizes the

election of only one, the vote shall not be counted

in favor of any of them.

Moreover, two signatories to the Suarez manifesto have

already left Lakas and joined the Nacionalista Party, a member

of the Majority coalition. Consequently, they are disqualified

from participating in Minority decisions unless they are able

to show, which they failed to do, concrete proof that they

have been authorized by the leadership of the Nacionalista

Party to remain with the opposition.

What the Suarez manifesto achieved was to indelibly show

the hand of the former President. Her two sons signed the

manifesto despite earlier protestations that the Arroyos would

remain neutral. All of the former Arroyo appointees now in the

Minority, except for two, sided with Representative Suarez.

In order to foreclose further skirmishes within the ranks

of the small Minority and render my association with some

colleagues irreparably damaged, I resign irrevocably asMinority Leader. I have also communicated with Senator

Bong Revilla, Jr., President of Lakas-CMD, my resignation

as Chairman and member of Lakas-CMD and Vice President

of the Centrist Democrat International, a worldwide

organization of Christian and Muslim parties, of which Lakas-

CMD is a member.

Mr. Speaker, honorable colleagues, I cannot continue to

serve and lead a political aggrupation whose core ignores

independent, committed, competent and responsible

leadership.

I cannot respect a group that demeans colleagues by

relentlessly pressuring them to withdraw their signatures in aresolution retaining me as Minority Leader.

I cannot continue to associate politically with some

opposition members who are closely linked and beholden to

the former President so much so that they succumb to the

importuning of a patron.

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I cannot allow the Minority to lose its credibility and

independence by becoming a mere mouthpiece of the former

President.

When I interposed the petition challenging the

constitutionality of the Philippine Truth Commission, I did

not file it for former President Arroyo and her officials. I did

not even consult her nor ask the help of her lawyers. She

learned about it when it was already filed and her office evenhad to ask for a copy of the petition.

I filed the petition on my own to confront the Aquino

administration for committing an affront against the

Constitution, more particularly the equal protection clause. I

was sustained by the Supreme Court.

Likewise, when I questioned the constitutionality of the

cancellation of the ARMM elections and the granting of

authority to President Aquino to appoint OICs, as well as when

I challenged the validity of the GOCC Governance Act for

derogating the security of tenure of government personnel and

arrogating in favor of a super administrative body the powers

of the constitutionally independent Civil Service Commission,

I did these again without consulting the former President.

I wanted to deliver the strong message to the Aquino

administration to uphold at all times the supremacy of the

Constitution and the ascendancy of the rule of law.

My only respectable alternative now is to become an

independent. I cannot join the Majority party or coalition because

I have serious policy differences with the Aquino administration,

like my pending petitions before the Supreme Court and my

criticism of the blitzkrieg impeachment of the Chief Justice. I

cannot forsake my convictions for partisan concessions.

I wish to thank the House leadership for recognizing the

importance of the Minority in a democratic system,

particularly in a deliberative assembly.I salute the Members of the opposition who have

remained steadfast in supporting my leadership and refusing

to yield to tremendous pressure.

I would like to thank the congressional media for a fair

coverage of Minority concerns, except that a very few during

the Minority intramurals were writing news accounts as if

they were opinion columns.

I will continue to fiscalize the Aquino administration and

pursue to the hilt my progressive and alternative agenda,

including the Reproductive Health Bill.

I have been telling the public and media that although

the former President and I were both in the opposition, I was

never a GMA minion. Now, everybody knows that I am not.I am not the anointed one. I did not seek anointment. I

treasure my principles and independence.

Thank you so much, distinguished colleagues and Mr.

Speaker.


Leader is recognized.

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we

recognize the Hon. Ma. Amelita Girlie A. Calimbas-

Villarosa for a brief manifestation.


distinguished Lady from Occidental Mindoro is recognized.

REP. CALIMBAS-VILLAROSA. Just a short

manifestation, Mr. Speaker.


proceed.

REP. CALIMBAS-VILLAROSA. In view of the

resignation of Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman as Minority

Leader, the Minority is nominating Danilo E. Suarez to be

the new Minority Leader to respect the term-sharing

agreement agreed upon.Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Is it a

manifestation or a motion?

REP. CALIMBAS-VILLAROSA. Manifestation, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Majority

Leader, please

REP. CALIMBAS-VILLAROSA. Motion na rin.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). please

respond. I think we need a motion here to formalize

everything.

REP. GONZALES (N.) Insofar as recognizing the

Minority Leader, now Congressman Suarez, we have no

problem with that, Mr. Speaker, but we will await the

reorganization of the membership of the Minority in the

Committee on Rules because as soon as they organize the

membership of the Committee on Rules representing the

Minority coalition, of course, the number one in their list

will become the Minority Leader.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). So, is it

the understanding of the Chair that with the resignation of the

distinguished Gentleman from Albay, plus the manifestation

made by this Lady from Occidental Mindoro nominating

Honorable Suarez as the new Minority Leader

REP. GONZALES (N.). That is correct.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). he is

now recognized by the Majority for purposes of record?

REP. GONZALES (N.). It is not that we are secondguessing the Minority members of the House, but may we

suggest that they re-organize their membership in the

Committee on Rules, so that we can act on it immediately,

Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). But we

have to act first on the Minority Leaders position.

REP. GONZALES (N.). As the number one Member of

the Minority in the Committee on Rules, we can approve the

said manifestation of Congresswoman Villarosa by way of a

motion, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). All right.

So it is now of record that the new Minority Leader, as

manifested by the distinguished Lady from Occidental

Mindoro and likewise manifested through a motion of the

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Majority Leader, the Honorable Suarez is now recognized

officially, for record purposes, as the new Minority Leader

of the House.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). The Sr.

Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. GARIN (J.). I move that we recognize the Hon.

Danilo Suarez for a manifestation.


distinguished Gentleman from Quezon is recognized.

REP. SUAREZ. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I just have a short response to the speech

of Congressman Lagman.

I had hoped to accept the post of Minority Leader under

different and better circumstances. For my part, a gentlemensagreement to the term sharing exists and I merely expected

and insisted on its implementation. Clearly, Congressman

Lagman and I should agree to disagree regarding how this

event played out.

Moving on, the Minority bloc will continue its role as a

constructive opposition, as exemplified by the excellent work

of Congressman Lagman in being a vigilant fiscalizer of the

present administration. We hope that Congressman Lagman

will accept our continuing invitation for him to remain as

part of the Minority bloc. We all know that his rich political

experience and legal expertise will be much needed especially

in these challenging times.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.



PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we open

the Privilege Hour.


any objection? (Silence)

The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.The Chair declares a Privilege Hour.


recognize the Gentleman from the Party-List Butil, the Hon.

Agapito H. Guanlao, for his privilege speech.


Gentleman may now take the floor for the Privilege Hour.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. GUANLAO

REP. GUANLAO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.

Today I rise on a matter of personal and collective

privilege on an issue that all of us may be equally

responsible for, and thus must be afforded our utmost

collective concern.

On December 16 and 17, 2011, a few days before

Christmas, typhoon Sendong, now believed to be the most

fatal tropical storm in the last 12 years, crossed the country.

It may be superfluous to belabor into exact estimates of the

magnitude, damage and effects of typhoon Sendong. Suffice

it to say, by now typhoon Sendong confirms that the

Philippines is a disaster-prone country and that manmade

conditions have also caused its propensity for disasters, simplybecause its fragile ecological character has reached high levels

of degradation and destruction. It is, in fact, sufficient for

now to say that the countrys propensity for the occurrence

of natural disasters is reinforced by yet another worldwide

phenomenon, which is climate change.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, I am certain that by

now, all of us are convinced that the climate has changed. We

can no longer anticipate that Decembers will bring cool and

generally breezy weather. But to me, climate change is the

global and cumulative result of mans indiscriminate

economic activities on earth; to put it simply, the loss of forest

cover due to relentless logging activities, the loss of naturalwaterfalls as it desertified rivers due to quarrying and mining,

and the unabated conversion of land to other uses.

While scientists offered the explanations on the natural

occurrence of fish kills, there is no denying that most cases

are due to overstocking and are thus manmade. And while

pollution predisposes the natural disturbance of the lakes and

other bodies of water, soil deposits that flow to these marine

ecosystems due to soil erosion aggravate their degradation,

eventually destroying the habitats and natures life support

systems. Here lies the intricate connection of water and land

bodies.

Mans indiscriminate activities that destroy our

environment and natural resources are prompted by the

worlds increasing human population, to which our country

is not exempt. Al Gore puts it clearly in his Inconvenient

Truth, a part of which I would like you to see.

(Video presentation)

Anyway, I think everybody has already seen this video.

It is about land use conversion versus land reclassification

policy.

Allow me to share to you some data to provide a brief

background on the situation of land use conversion in our

country.

As of 2000, areas devoted to rice production here in our

country decreased by 289,000 hectares. This information tookinto cognizance legal and illegal shifts in land use. By 2005,

there were already approved applications for land use

conversions totaling to at least 43,141 hectares. Of these

approved applications, most were for residential purposes,

followed by mixed use with residential purposes and others.

I am not really sure if the data I have cited increased or

decreased, Mr. Speaker, considering that in 2008, the

Department of Agrarian Reform already issued a directive to

suspend and impose a moratorium on land use conversions.

If this has been sustained, then I guess, no agricultural lands

have been converted to other uses since then. Tama po ba

ako? I ask the Department of Agrarian Reform, has thesuspension resulted in the disapproval of the applications or

is it just simply suspended?

I asked this because when I filed House Resolution No.

1501, entitled A RESOLUTION URGING THE OFFICE OF

THE PRESIDENT TO ISSUE AN ADMINISTRATIVE

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ORDER IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON THE

APPROVAL OF LAND CONVERSION APPLICATIONS

FOR FIVE (5) YEARS COVERING THE PERIODS 2011

TO 2016, I found out that in Pulilan and Bocaue, Bulacan

alone, there were cases of reclassification of at least 300 hectares

of prime agricultural lands planted to palay to other uses.

Mr. Speaker, land use conversion speaks of threats in

food and agricultural production, as much as change in landutilization, as in mining and quarrying activities that

ultimately change the countrys natural landscape.

Incontestably, this has given rise to ecological problems and

natural disasters.

Let us consider some cases where typhoons also worsen

the already deteriorating quality of natural resources. Eroded

slopes of topsoil from mountains are deposited to our dams and

bodies of waters such as lakes, thus already aggravating cases of

fish kill in Taal and Laguna. The flooding of the province of

Bulacan and the past typhoons such as Pedring and Quiel and,

of course, the landslide in the mining communities of Davao,

and lately, by typhoon Sendong these recent past typhoons werenot really pointed to cite specific environmental disorders but

we are truly faced with the reality of a non-unified management

of lakes and other bodies of water. All these could only be natures

reactions to no less than our indiscriminate activities that we

ourselves condone and allow under a regime of inconsistent and

conflicting laws or legislations.

Under the present realities, Mr. Speaker, land use

conversion becomes synonymous with allowing competing

uses for land. The traditional uses of land for purposes of

food production and ensuring food security are now pitted

against the need for providing housing, and the

establishment of industrial and commercial locations and

the most recent, allowed mixed use, which is actually a

combination of one or more uses. But with the current

practice of converting agricultural lands to other uses as

well as forests into mining purposes, how are these

situations managed or regulated?

Mr. Speaker, allow me to indulge into current measures

that govern land use change and conversion issues by posing

a number of questions: Are they consistent, meaning, are

national and local measures in harmony with each other? To

me, the policy climate could only be described as confused

policy climate.

Let us look into the following policy measures:

Administrative Order No. 363, issued by the Office ofthe President in 1997, entitled: Prescribing Guidelines for

the Protection of Areas Non-negotiable for Conversion and

Monitoring Compliance with Section 20 of the Local

Government Code, provides for areas not subject to or non-

negotiable for conversion (Section B, Governing

Principles).

In the said issuance, agencies such as the Departments

of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, and Environment and

Natural Resources, among others, identified the following as

non-negotiable for conversion:

a) Protected areas designated under the National

Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS), includingwatershed and recharge areas of aquifers. This is

pursued by the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, pursuant to Republic Act No.

7586 of 1992 or the National Integrated Protected

Areas Act;

b) Areas identified as environmentally critical as

determined by the DENR, pursuant to PD 1586 of

1978, entitled: Establishing an Environmental

Impact Statement System Including Other

Environmental Management Related Measures and

for Other Purposes;

Lands classified as highly restricted from conversion

may be converted only upon compliance with existing laws,rules and regulations. An additional requirement of the social

benefit cost analysis approved by the Department of

Agriculture shall also be required before these lands may

be approved for conversion. Applications for conversion

covering areas under the above shall be subject to the

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and/or

Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC of the

DENR.

This only means, Mr. Speaker, that land use conversions

and reclassifications also strictly require that the

environmental and ecological character of lands being

converted to other purposes must be reviewed thoroughly soas not to compromise the fragile state of our ecosystems.

There are, however, provisions of the Local Government

Code that may run counter with the above-mentioned national

measures, such as Section 199 of the Local Government Code

defines agricultural land as that devoted principally to the

planting of trees, raising of crops, livestock and poultry,

dairying, salt making; inland fishing and similar aquacultural

activities, and other agricultural activities, and is not classified

as mineral, timber, residential, commercial or industrial land.

Under Section 20, reclassification of lands, however, a

city or a municipality may, through an ordinance passed by

the sanggunian after conducting public hearings, authorize

the reclassification of agricultural lands. Nandirito po ang

problema.

The above provisions of the Local Government Code,

if pursued alone, will provide a powerful mandate for the

local government units to decide on how they intend to utilize

the land and water resources within their jurisdictions. But

how about land conversion of agricultural lands which,

according to the Department of Agrarian Reform is an

exclusive power or mandate of the agency?

In my opinion, there now exists a dichotomy of the land

use conversion and land use reclassification the first being

the turf of the DAR and the second reserved solely for the

local government units. Are we talking of different bananashere when we speak of reclassification and conversion?

In my opinion, land reclassification may not be limited

to agricultural lands as local governments under RA 7076

are also empowered to issue mining licenses and permits for

small-scale or village-level mining activities and impose upon

them its regulatory powers. The utilization of land as mining

areas logically precedes the act of land reclassification. Being

so, these powers, in my opinion, also impinge upon laws and

mandates of the DENR, under RA 7942 that institutes a new

system of mineral resources exploration, development,

utilization and conservation. Strange bedfellows as it may

seem! But who decides over what?An unhappy mix-up is further stirred by moves to urge

governors to activate their respective Provincial Mining

Regulatory Boards (PMRBs). Also drawing mandate under

RA 7076, the boards can issue policies and recommend

measures to regulate the operations of small-scale mining in

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their areas. Under the same law, the board is chaired by the

regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of

the DENR, with the governor, a representative from the small-

scale miners, town mayor and a non-governmental

organization as their members.

It may be helpful to enumerate other legislations and

issuances that may add up to the confusion:

1) Memorandum Circular No. 54, entitled: Prescribingthe guidelines governing Section 20 of RA 7160 otherwise

known as the Local Government Code of 1991 authorizing

cities and municipalities to reclassify agricultural lands into

non-agricultural uses. This was issued in 1993 by the Office

of the President and it requires local government units to

coordinate with the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and

Industry, Tourism and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory

Board (HLURB) on matters of land reclassification.

2) Executive Order No. 124 Establishing priorities and

procedures in evaluating areas proposed for land conversion

in regional agri-industrial centers/regional industrial centers,

tourism development areas and sites for socialized housing.This measure issued on September 8, 1993 tasked the

local government units through the Local Development

Council Technical Secretariat to coordinate with the Housing

and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC),

National Housing Authority (NHA), Housing and Land Use

Regulatory Board (HLURB), National Mapping and

Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and DENR, for

the development of socialized housing.

3) Executive Order No. 72, entitled: Providing for the

preparation and implementation of the comprehensive land

use plans of local government units. This measure was issued

on March 25, 1993 and it created a Provincial Land Use

Committee headed by the Provincial Planning and

Development Coordinator.

4) Administrative Order No. 2, issued on March 21, 2002

by the Department of Agrarian Reform entitled:

Institutionalization of the Center for Land Use Policy,

Planning and Implementation, mandating a process for

evaluating and prioritizing current uses of land.

It would be unnecessary for now, for this Representation

to delve deeply into the intricacies of these laws, mandates

and powers for whom and what, for as of the moment, I am

equally confused as our laws are; suffice it to say, that these

inconsistencies deserve our undivided attention.

As a conclusion, Mr. Speaker, may I strongly suggestthat the policy environment on the utilization of our land and

water resources, for that matter our natural resources, allow

unhampered land use conversion that forces our country to

produce sufficient food for a rapidly increasing population.

The confusion permits the unimpeded and widespread

extractive economic activities on our forests and water

resources that could only result in the erosion of our frontiers

and basis for food production.

Moreover, and may I underscore, Mr. Speaker, that our

confused policy environment could only allow greater

vulnerability to climate change.

Today, Mr. Speaker, this confusion has led to irresponsiveclimate mitigation measures. Sadly, the government had

acquired the irresponsible habit of initiating action only when

hysteria is looming in the horizon. As with Ormoc, Ondoy,

Pedring and Sendong, government inaction is becoming more

obvious even as it confusingly scrambles to plug stop-gap

measures instead of instituting long-lasting solutions based

on firm policies and laws and implementation and regulatory

measures. Our disaster management track record is, time and

again, bruited as reactive instead of pro-active.

Mr. Speaker, matagal na po nating alam na taun-taon,

dinadaanan tayo ng malalakas na bagyo at matitinding

pagbaha. Subalit tuwi na lang pong may bagyo at pagbaha,

napakaraming nasasawi, nawawala, nawawalan ng bahay odi kaya ay natabunan ng putik mula sa bundok, at higit sa

lahat, naaapektuhan ang pananim na siyang ikinabubuhay ng

mga magsasaka at ng buong sambayanan, saka lamang tayo

kikilos.

Sa isa pong banda, ang nakalilitong mga batas na pilit

ipinatutupad ang siyang sanhi ng ating pagsisisihan tuwi na

lamang sasapit sa bansa ang mga sakuna at bagyo, habang

ang mamamayan ay nananatiling mga biktima sa hagupit

nito.

In the face of realities, it has become incumbent upon us

to act with urgency as it remains our obligation to do so. This

Representation thereby issues the followingrecommendations:

1. Create the House of Representatives Special

Committee on Climate Change and Mitigation, to be tasked

with reviewing, integrating, and harmonizing relevant laws

and legislative measures of concern. We must immediately

pass legislative measures that will eventually put in place a

National Land Use Policy that is ecologically and

environmentally sensitive as much as it pursues the

preservation or expansion of our food base towards food

security.

Let us urge the President to issue an executive order that

shall enforce a moratorium in the application for land use

conversions that covers not only agricultural lands but lands

where there will be possible extractive activities or potential

mining sites until all policies on land use conversion are

harmonized.

2. The review of the Local Government Code is in order.

Inasmuch as local governments play significant roles and

functions in determining land use or classification, this would

only mean reviewing the policies of the Department of

Agrarian Reform, the local government units, the Housing

and Land Use Regulatory Board, and the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources, and all government

policies towards consistent and harmonious policy

environment.3. Related to this previous recommendation, there is a

need to further clarify and settle local responsibility over

local mining operations. This is to prevent finger-pointing

every time a disaster strikes and claims more lives and

properties.

4. Finally, I am strongly suggesting that the Department

of Agriculture increase its quick response fund (QRF)

allocation to five billion pesos (P5,000,000,000) that small

farmers and fisherfolk can access in times of calamities and

natural disasters. The fund shall cover farmers who are

calamity victims of El Nio and La Nia.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I have shown some portions ofAl Gores lecture in the film The Inconvenient Truth. While

I am not an avowed fan of Mr. Gore, what strikes me most is

the fact that he, being a private citizen, has suddenly come

out and encouraged everyone to respond to the ill-effects of

climate change.

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He is not a public servant anymore, Mr. Speaker, but we

are all. We have been elected by our constituents to make a

difference. Let us make a difference now.

Maraming salamat po.



REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer

the speech of the Honorable Guanlao to the appropriate

committee.



approved.

REP. PALMONES. Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Yes, what

is the pleasure of the Gentleman?

REP. PALMONES. Will the Gentleman from Butil Party-

List allow some clarificatory questions or questions, Mr.

Speaker?


Gentleman may yield if he so desires.

REP. GUANLAO. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

REP. PALMONES. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to add a little more confusion to the confused

understanding of our confusing laws, as cited by the

Honorable Guanlao, may I add to your litany of confusing

laws Republic Act No. 8550, Mr. Speaker. Republic Act No.

8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines was passed in

1998. In Section 45, it clearly indicates that two years after

the enactment of the law, there should be no fish cages or fish

pens allowed to exist in all lakes of the Philippines.

You have mentioned Taal Lake and the destruction caused

by fish kills in the recent years, Mr. Speaker. How come,

until now, most of our lakes still have fish pens and fish cages

when in fact, under Republic Act No. 8550, all those fish

cages should have been removed in the year 2000? I hope

that the Honorable Guanlao can include this in his list of lawsthat need clarification.

Just for the information of the Honorable Guanlao, I just

came from Supreme Court today because I filed a Writ of

Kalikasan, asking also the Supreme Court to determine the

legality of the existence of those fish cages that have been

there for more than a decade now despite the existence of

Republic Act No. 8550, more particularly, Section 45 of that

law.

That is all, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Honorable Guanlao.

REP. GUANLAO. Thank you, my dear colleagues.

Tama po, marami pa yata iyong mga batas na atingipinasa, na tayo mismo ang gumawa, na mukhang may

conflicting. Iyan po ay resulta ng mga, I think, batas ng Local

Government Code at saka mga national agencies na iba-ibang

ahensiya ang nagpapatupad. Kaya po, ako, ipinapanukala ko

na magkaroon tayo ng isang Special Committee on Climate

Change and Mitigation upang rebisuhin at i-harmonize lahat

ng batas na ito para sa ganoon, iyon pong finger pointing o

iyong turuan ay mawala na at maisakatuparan natin ang

tamang policy environment at nang maiwasan natin itong mga

nararanasan nating mga disaster katulad po noong ating mga

landslide, ng mga pagbaha at iba pang natural calamities. At

marami pa po sigurong mga batas na kailangan nating

repasuhin upang sa ganoon ay talagang maisakatuparan iyongclimate change mitigation.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). What is

the pleasure of the Gentleman from Sorsogon?

REP. ESCUDERO. May I make a manifestation

regarding the speech of the Gentleman from Butil.


proceed.

REP. ESCUDERO. Mr. Speaker, there is no way wecan solve the ill-effects of climate change for as long as we

continue to have a galloping increase in population. Truth

to tell, in a 1998 Cabinet meeting, I made it of record that I

will never have a sleepless night because of land conversion.

When there is a conflict between the need of man and the

need of agriculture, fisheries, et cetera, you will have to

decide in favor of the homo sapiens. Patawarin po ng mga

taong hindi masyadong naiintindihan ito. Pupuntahan ka ng

magsasaka, mayroong dalawang ektaryang patubig, hindi

pa kumikita nang sapat, binibili na ng SM. Ano ang sasabihin

mo? So, this is the reality, Mr. Speaker. For as long as we

do not solve the galloping population increase in the

Philippines, we will have all of these calamities because all

of these are manmade.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.


manifestation of the Gentleman is well taken.

The Floor Leader is recognized.

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, it was moved earlier

and duly approved that the speech of the Honorable Guanlao

be referred to the appropriate committee.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). That is

what we approved.

REP. ORTEGA (F.). I further move, Mr. Speaker, that

the interpellation of the Hon. Angelo B. Palmones, as well as

the manifestation of the Hon. Salvador H. Escudero III

thereon, be referred to the appropriate committee.



approved.


suspend

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Mr. Speaker.

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THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). The Hon.

Nasser C. Pangandaman has the floor.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.


the pleasure of the Gentleman?

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Would the good

Gentleman from Butil yield to some questions, Mr. Speaker?


Gentleman already sat down. Unless he is still willing to

REP. GUANLAO. It is a pleasure, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). There

were already intervening motions.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Just a short manifestation,Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Will the

Floor Leader please clarify the parliamentary situation

because the motion came after interventions were made.

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, we already made a

motion that the speech, as well as the interpellation and

the manifestation thereon, be referred to the proper

committee.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). So, how

would you take

REP. ORTEGA (F.). I was about to move for the

suspension of the Privilege Hour and proceed to the roll call

if the Gentleman would be

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). If the

Gentleman would be kind enough, we beg his indulgence

because there was already an intervening motion or

intervening motions.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). I would just yield to the

Floor Leader.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). We can

no longer ask the Gentleman to come back on the floor to

answer to interpellations.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Well, just a short

manifestation, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). You can

just make a manifestation later on if you want. To drive home

your point, the Chair will recognize the Gentleman for a

manifestation as a substitute.

REP. PANGANDAMAN (N.). Thank you. I will just

yield to the Floor Leader, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). All right.

The Floor Leader is recognized.

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the Privilege Hour.


any objection? (Silence) The Chair hearsnone; the motion isapproved.

ROLL CALL

REP. ORTEGA (F.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we call

the roll.



approved.

The Secretary General will please call the roll.

The Secretary General called the roll, and the result is

as follows, per Journal No. 34: *

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The roll call shows that

181 Members responded to the call.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). With 181

Members present, the Chair declares the presence of a

quorum.

The Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, allow me at this

point to temporarily suspend the Privilege Hour so that we

can take up Bills on Second Reading. I so move.


any objection? (Silence) The Chair hearsnone; the motion is

approved.

CONSIDERATION OF H. B. NO. 709

Continuation

PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE

REP. GONZALES (N.). From the Calendar of UnfinishedBusiness, I move that we take up Committee Report No. 209

on House Bill No. 709, and request the Secretary General to

read only the title of the measure.



approved.

The Secretary General is directed to read the title of the

bill.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 709,

entitled: AN ACT PROHIBITING AND PENALIZING THEPILFERAGE AND THEFT, UNAUTHORIZED USE,

INTER-CONNECTION OR RECEPTION OF ANY

SIGNAL OR SERVICE OFFERED OVER A CABLE

* See ANNEX (printed separately)

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TELEVISION (CATV) OR CABLE INTERNET SYSTEM

AND/OR NETWORK OR THROUGH ANY

UNAUTHORIZED INSTALLATION, ACCESS OR

CONNECTION THERETO THROUGH THE USE OF

CABLE OR OTHER EQUIPMENT AND PRESCRIBING

PENALTIES THEREFOR.

REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, the parliamentarystatus of the bill is that we are still in the period of

interpellation. Considering that no Member has registered to

interpellate the Sponsor, I move that we terminate the period

of sponsorship and debate.

I so move.



approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). There being no committee or

individual amendments, I move that we close the period ofamendments.




approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we

approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 709.

I so move.

VIVA VOCEVOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). As many

as are in favor of House Bill No. 709, please say aye.

SEVERAL MEMBERS.Aye.


as are against, please say nay. (Silence)

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 709

ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Theayeshave it; the motion is approved.

House Bill No. 709 is approved.


CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO. 5620

ON SECOND READING


REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we

consider House Bill No. 5620, under Committee Report No.

1594, as reported out by the Committee on LocalGovernment.

May I ask that the Secretary General be directed to read

only the title of the measure.



approved. *

The Secretary General is directed to read only the title

of the measure.

With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the

measure have been previously distributed, the SecretaryGeneral read only the title thereof without prejudice to

inserting its text in the Congressional Record.


entitled: AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM THE

POPULATION AND LAND AREA REQUIREMENTS THE

CONVERSION OF A MUNICIPALITY INTO A

COMPONENT CITY IF IT HAS A LOCALLY

GENERATED AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME OF AT

LEAST TWO HUNDRED MILLION PESOS

(P200,000,000.00), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

SECTION 450 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, ASAMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL

GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991.

REP. GONZALES (N.) Mr. Speaker, I move that the

Explanatory Note be considered as the sponsorship remarks

on the measure.




approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). There being no Member who

wishes to interpellate the Sponsor, I move that we close the

period of sponsorship and debate.

I so move.



approved.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Mr. Speaker.

REP. GONZALES (N.). There are no committee

amendments but I understand that the Hon. Rufus B.Rodriguez has individual amendments that he would like to

propose.

May I move for his recognition, Mr. Speaker.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.


REP. RODRIGUEZ (R.). We move for the amendment of

the title to acould we have a minute of recess, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Thesession is suspended.

It was 5:37 p.m.

* See MEASURES CONSIDERED (printed separately)

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session is resumed.


COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, I am sorry. There

are committee amendments and I move that we consider the

following committee amendments:

On page 2, line 7, between the words hundred and

million insert the word TWENTY and substitute the

figure P200,000,000 with the figure P220,000,000.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Is there any

objection? (Silence)The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). And correspondingly, we move

to amend title of the bill to insert the word TWENTY and

substitute the figure P200,000,000 with the figure

P220,000,000 so that the title of the measure will be: AN

ACT EXEMPTING FROM THE POPULATION AND THE

LAND AREA REQUIREMENTS THE CONVERSION OF

A MUNICIPALITY INTO A COMPONENT CITY IF IT

HAS A LOCALLY GENERATED AVERAGE ANNUAL

INCOME OF AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED TWENTY

MILLION PESOS (P220,000,000), AMENDING FOR THE

PURPOSE SECTION 450 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160,

AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL

GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991.


the pleasure of the Gentleman from Cagayan de Oro City?


REP. GONZALES (N.). May I ask for a suspension of

the session.


session is suspended.

It was 5:39 p.m.




session is resumed.


REP. GONZALES (N.). Mr. Speaker, I move for theprevious question, which is now approved, the amendment

of the title of the bill.

I so move.



approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). I now move that we close the

period of amendments.

I so move.



approved.

REP. GONZALES (N.). I now move, Mr. Speaker, that

we approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5620.

I so move.

VIVA VOCEVOTING





as are against, please say nay.

FEW MEMBERS.Nay.

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 5620, AS AMENDED,

ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Theayeshave it; the motion is approved.

House Bill No. 5620, as amended, is approved.


ON SECOND READING


REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider

House Bill No. 5640, as contained in Committee Report No.

1642, as reported out by the Committee on Civil Service and

Professional Regulation and the Committee onAppropriations.





approved.*

The Secretary General is directed to read only the title

of the measure.

With the permission of the Body, and since copies of

the measure have been previously distributed, the

Secretary General read only the title thereof without

prejudice to in sert ing it s text in the Congress ional

Record.


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entitled: AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF

GEOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR

THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED FOUR

THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINE (R.A. NO. 4209),

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS GEOLOGY PROFESSION

LAW OF THE PHILIPPINES.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory

Note be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure.



REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I now move that we open

the period of sponsorship and debate, however, there being

no Member who signified his intention to ask questions, I

move that we close the same.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Is thereany objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is

approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we open the

period of amendments; however, there being no committee and

individual amendments, I now move that we close the same.



approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I now move that we approve on Second Reading House

Bill No. 5640.

VIVA VOCEVOTING






FEW MEMBERS.Nay.


ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Theayes

have it; the motion is approved.



ON SECOND READING


REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we consider

House Bill No. 5655, as contained in Committee Report No.

1651, as reported out by the Committee on Revision of Laws.





approved.*The Secretary General is directed to read only the title

of the measure.

With the permission of the Body, and since copies of the

measure have been previously distributed, the Secretary

General read only the title thereof without prejudice to

inserting its text in the Congressional Record.


entitled: AN ACT DECLARING THE WALING-WALING

ORCHID AS NATIONAL FLOWER OF THE PHILIPPINES

IN ADDITION TO SAMPAGUITA AS DECLARED INPROCLAMATION NO. 652, DATED 01 FEBRUARY 1934

BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL FRANK MURPHY.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that the Explanatory

Note be considered as the sponsorship speech on the measure.



approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I now move

that we open the period of sponsorship and debate; however,

there being no Member who has signified his intention to ask

questions, I move that we close the same.



approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I now move

that we open the period of amendments; however, there being

no committee nor individual amendments, I move that we

close the same.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Is thereany objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is

approved.

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I now move that we

approve on Second Reading House Bill No. 5655.

VIVA VOCEVOTING







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FEW MEMBERS.Nay.


ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). Theayes

have it; the motion is approved.


REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I now move that we take

up items for approval on Third Reading.



NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 592

ON THIRD READING

REP. GARIN (J.). Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on

Third Reading on House Bill No. 592 and direct the SecretaryGeneral to read the title of the measure, and call the roll for

nominal voting.

I so move.



approved.

Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of the

measure, printed copies of which were distributed to the

Members on January 16, 2012, pursuant to Section 58, Rule

X of the House Rules.


entitled: AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR A NATIONAL FOLIC

ACID EDUCATION PROGRAM TO PREVENT BIRTH

DEFECTS.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the roll

for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the

House, a second roll call was made. The nominal voting on

Third Reading on the aforesaid measure appears in Journal

No. 34 dated January 24, 2012. *

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 592ON THIRD READING


affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, House

Bill No. 592 is approved on Third Reading.



ON THIRD READING


Third Reading on House Bill No. 4153 and direct theSecretary General to read the title of the measure, and call

the roll for nominal voting.

I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE ARCHIPELAGIC

SEA LANES IN THE PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGIC

WATERS, PRESCRIBING THE RIGHTS AND

OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT

EXERCISING THE RIGHT OF ARCHIPELAGIC SEA

LANES PASSAGE THROUGH THE ESTABLISHED

ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES AND PROVIDING FOR

THE ASSOCIATED PROTECTIVE MEASURES THEREIN.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the rollfor nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the





ON THIRD READING






ON THIRD READING


Third Reading on House Bill No. 5484 and direct the

Secretary General to read the title of the measure, and call


I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE

REGULATION OF FIREARMS, LIGHT WEAPONS AND

AMMUNITION, PENALIZING VIOLATIONS THEREOF

AND REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL

DECREE NUMBERED EIGHTEEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX.




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ON THIRD READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). With 189affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, House



ON THIRD READING





I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION

AND UTILIZATION OF THE INCOME DERIVED BY THE

NATIONAL MUSEUM, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8492, OTHERWISE

KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL MUSEUM ACT OF 1998.







ON THIRD READING





ON THIRD READING





I so move.








entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CAREER

EXECUTIVE SYSTEM.







ON THIRD READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). With

190 affirmative votes , no negative vote and noabstention, House Bill No. 5624 is approved on Third

Reading.


ON THIRD READING





I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS, PROVIDING

PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOROTHER PURPOSES.







ON THIRD READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Fuentebella). With190 affirmative votes , no negative vote and no

abstention, House Bill No. 5627 is approved on Third

Reading.


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ON THIRD READING





I so move.



approved.





THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No.

4195, enti t led: AN ACT EXTENDING THECOVERAGE OF THE REDUCED RETIREMENT AGE

FOR UNDERGROUND MINE WORKERS TO

INCLUDE MILL PLANT WORKERS AND SUPPORT

SERVICES PERSONNEL SUCH AS MECHANICAL,

ELECTRICAL AND TAILINGS POND PERSONNEL,

AMENDING FURTHER ARTICLE 287 OF

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, OTHERWISE

KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE

PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED.







ON THIRD READING





ON THIRD READING





I so move.



approved.

Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of themeasure, printed copies of which were distributed to the




entitled: AN ACT GRANTING THE RELIANCE

BROADCASTING UNLIMITED, INC. A FRANCHISE TO

CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND

MAINTAIN RADIO AND TELEVISION

BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the rollfor nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of the





ON THIRD READING





ON THIRD READING





I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 9 OF EVERY

YEAR AS THE NATIONAL DAY OF INDIGENOUS

PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES.


for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of theHouse, a second roll call was made. The nominal voting on




ON THIRD READING




NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 5574ON THIRD READING



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I so move.



approved.






entitled: AN ACT GRANTING THE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

SOLUTIONS, INC. A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT,

INSTALL, ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS THROUGHOUTTHE PHILIPPINES.







ON THIRD READING





ON THIRD READING

REP. GARIN

Documents

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