Congressional Record - House of Representatives · 2013-09-09 · high school’ and appropriating funds therefor” by representative teves to the committee on basic education and

Vol. 1 Monday, August 5, 2013 No. 7

CALL TO ORDER

At 4:00 p.m., Deputy Speaker Giorgidi B. Aggabao called the session to order.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is now called to order.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Everybody is requested to rise for the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Everybody rose to sing the Philippine National Anthem.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Please remain standing for the Invocation to be delivered by the Hon. Sol Aragones.

Everybody remained standing for the Invocation.

INVOCATION

REP. ARAGONES. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Let us humbly bow our heads, quiet our hearts and receive the guidance of God in prayer.

O loving God, from whom all blessings flow, we begin the session for this week. Be with us, today and always.

We lift up to You the men and women of the House of Representatives and ask You to bless us with Your divine guidance. May our hearts and minds be open to listen and to understand all those who are before You. May Your supreme wisdom infuse our individual and collective efforts to do what is just and good according to Your will.

May You guide us to be good stewards and faithful servants of Your creation. In humility we offer to You all that we do and say, and glorify You through our service.

We pray for Your blessing on the work that we do, in Your most holy name, today and always.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

Congressional Record16th CONGRESS, FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we defer the roll call.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the roll call is deferred.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we defer the approval of the Journal of the previous session.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the approval of the Journal of the previous session is deferred.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we proceed with the Reference of Business.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

The Secretary General read the following House Bills and Resolutions on First Reading, and Communications, and the Deputy Speaker made the corresponding references:

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 1949, entitled:“AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE CAPITAL AND

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF RIZAL FROM PASIG CITY TO ANTIPOLO CITY, PROVINCE OF RIZAL”

By Representatives Acop, Duavit, Rodriguez (I.) and Puno

TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

House Bill No. 1950, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH

SCHOOL IN BARANGAY PALAVILLA, MUNICIPALITY OF LUTAYAN, PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT TO BE KNOWN AS PALAVILLA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative SakaluranTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

2 MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2013

House Bill No. 1951, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE DATABLAO FALLS

AND ITS PREMISES LOCATED IN BARANGAY DATABLAO, COLUMBIO, SULTAN KUDARAT, AS A TOURIST SPOT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative SakaluranTO THE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM

House Bill No. 1952, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING FISH PROCESSING

PLANTS IN ALL SUITABLE AREAS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LUTAYAN, PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE”

By Representative SakaluranTO THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND

FISHERIES RESOURCES

House Bill No. 1953, entitled:“ A N A C T C R E AT I N G T H E PA L M O I L

R E S E A R C H A N D D E V E L O P M E N T INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE”

By Representative SakaluranTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD

House Bill No. 1954, entitled:“AN ACT DESIGNATING THREE INTEGRATED

AND CENTRALIZED BUS TERMINALS OR TRANSPORT HUBS FOR ALL CITY AND PROVINCIAL BUSES IN METRO MANILA THROUGH INTER-AGENCY APPROACH, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative CasteloTO THE COMMITTEE ON METRO MANILA

DEVELOPMENT

House Bill No. 1955, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A SINGLE

TICKETING SYSTEM IN METROPOLITAN MANILA AS COMPRISED OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS OF CALOOCAN, M A N I L A , M A N D A L U Y O N G , PA S AY, QUEZON, LAS PIÑAS, MAKATI, MALABON, MARIKINA, MUNTINLUPA, NAVOTAS, PARAÑAQUE, PASIG, PATEROS, SAN JUAN, TAGUIG AND VALENZUELA AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative CasteloTO THE COMMITTEE ON METRO MANILA

DEVELOPMENT

House Bill No. 1956, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING CANDUGAY HIGH SCHOOL

IN BARANGAY CANDUGAY, MUNICIPALITY OF SIATON, NEGROS ORIENTAL INTO AN AGRICULTURAL SPECIALTY SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS ‘CANDUGAY AGRICULTURAL

HIGH SCHOOL’ AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative TevesTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1957, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING BASAY NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASAY, NEGROS ORIENTAL INTO A FISHERY SPECIALTY SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS ‘BASAY FISHERY DEVELOPMENT HIGH SCHOOL’ AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1958, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING BALUGO HIGH SCHOOL

IN BARANGAY BALUGO, MUNICIPALITY OF VALENCIA, NEGROS ORIENTAL INTO AN INTEGRATED TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS ‘BALUGO TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL’ AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1959, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE

AND INTEGRATED NATIONAL POLICY AND PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DORMITORIES AND BOARDING-HOUSES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 1960, entitled:“AN ACT PROMOTING THE FULL REALIZATION

OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE RIGHT TO HEALTH, THROUGH THE STRENGTHENING OF A COMPREHENSIVE FREE VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO INFANTS AND CHILDREN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 1961, entitled:“ A N A C T P R O M O T I N G H Y D R O P O N I C S

AGRICULTURE AS AN INSTRUMENT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS OF FOOD SECURITY AND AS A MECHANISM OF WISE USE OF SCARCE LAND RESOURCES”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD

MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2013 3

House Bill No. 1962, entitled:“AN ACT EXPANDING THE CASH AND NON-

MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES OF WINNING FILIPINO OLYMPIAN/S, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 9064, ‘AN ACT GRANTING CASH AND OTHER NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES’ ”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND SPORTS

DEVELOPMENT

House Bill No. 1963, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53 AS

AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR REPORTER OF ANY PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE BY INCLUDING WITHIN ITS COVERAGE JOURNALISTS FROM BROADCAST, NEWS AGENCIES AND INTERNET PUBLICATIONS’ ”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

House Bill No. 1964, entitled:“AN ACT PRESCRIBING REQUIRED MINIMUM

KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES (RMKC) FOR EVERY CURRICULAR SUBJECT IN EVERY GRADE AND YEAR LEVEL IN BASIC EDUCATION IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative AbayonTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1965, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING THE 22ND OF JUNE OF

EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON-WORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SUGBONGCOGON, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL TO BE KNOWN AS THE SUGBONGCOGON CHARTER DAY IN CELEBRATION OF ITS CHARTER DAY”

By Representative UnabiaTO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS

House Bill No. 1966, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT

O F F I C E S / A G E N C I E S , I N C L U D I N G GOVERNMENT OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS (GOCC’S) AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGU) TO SUBMIT THE LIST OF VACANT POSITIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES TO THE NEAREST PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE (PESO)”

By Representative UnabiaTO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

House Bill No. 1967, entitled:“AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SALE AND DISPOSITION

OF CAMP AGUINALDO, CAMP CRAME AND ALL OTHER POLICE CAMPS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE AND MILITARY CAMPS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE

AND SECURITY AND THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY

House Bill No. 1968, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN REAL

PROPERTY VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES, REORGANIZING THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

REORGANIZATION

House Bill No. 1969, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A FREE AND CULTURE-

SENSITIVE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION CONCERNING THE CIVIL STATUS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CULTURAL

COMMUNITIES

House Bill No. 1970, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS TO FURTHER

PROTECT AND DEVELOP THE NURSING PROFESSION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED NINETY-ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE PHILIPPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002’ ”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND


House Bill No. 1971, entitled:“AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM ESTATE TAX THE

UNPAID BALANCE OF JUST COMPENSATION DUE THE DECENDENT OWNER OR HIS/HER LEGAL HEIRS OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF AGRICULTURAL LAND ACQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 27, EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 228, EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 229, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6657 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9700 (COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 87 OF THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS


House Bill No. 1972, entitled:“AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE

OF FORESTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED SIXTY-TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE, KNOWN AS ‘THE FORESTRY PROFESSION LAW’, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”



House Bill No. 1973, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 16 OF EVERY

YEAR AS THE SENDONG MEMORIAL AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DAY IN CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY AND ILIGAN CITY”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF LAWS

House Bill No. 1974, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING QUALITY STANDARDS

FOR MINERAL, CARBONATED AND OTHER BOTTLED WATER”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND

INDUSTRY

House Bill No. 1975, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING SECURITY OF TENURE

U N D E R C E RTA I N C O N D I T I O N S TO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHOSE NATURE OF APPOINTMENT IS EITHER TEMPORARY OR CONTRACTUAL AND WHO HAVE RENDERED A TOTAL OF TEN (10) YEARS OF EFFICIENT SERVICE”



House Bill No. 1976, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION

OF ANY PERSON HOLDING A PUBLIC APPOINTIVE OFFICE WHO FAILS TO VACATE A PUBLIC APPOINTIVE OFFICE ON THE DAY OF FILING OF THE CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY FOR ANY ELECTIVE POSITION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8436, AS AMENDED”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND

ELECTORAL REFORMS

House Bill No. 1977, entitled:“AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF

CRIMINOLOGY PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6506, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘AN ACT CREATING THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES’, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”



House Bill No. 1978, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING OCTOBER 5 OF EVERY

YEAR AS ‘NATIONAL TEACHERS’ DAY’ ”By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND

CULTURE AND THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 1979, entitled:“AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN NATION-BUILDING

THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF A STRATEGIC VOLUNTEERISM BASED MULTI-SECTORAL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION

House Bill No. 1980, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL

BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE TENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT INITAO, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

House Bill No. 1981, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN LAND

ADMINISTRATION”By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

REORGANIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

House Bill No. 1982, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8545,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘EXPANDED GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN PRIVATE EDUCATION ACT’ PROVIDING FOR AN EXPANDED VOUCHER OR COUPON SYSTEM IN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE”

By Representatives Macapagal-Arroyo and ArroyoTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1983, entitled:“AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FILIPINO


IS GRANTED WITH BASIC HEALTHCARE S E RV I C E S , P R O V I D I N G F O R T H E PURPOSE A MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representatives Macapagal-Arroyo and ArroyoTO THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

House Bill No. 1984, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PRESCHOOL

EDUCATION INTO THE BASIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representatives Macapagal-Arroyo and ArroyoTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1985, entitled:“AN ACT CREATING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

IN BARANGAY STO. NIÑO, PARAÑAQUE CITY TO BE KNOWN AS STO. NIÑO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PARAÑAQUE CITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative OlivarezTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION

AND CULTURE

House Bill No. 1986, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE JUNCTION (TER)

GUINDULMAN – ANDA – CANDIJAY ROAD AND CANDIJAY – MABINI – UBAY ROAD FROM PROVINCIAL TO NATIONAL ROADS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representatives Aumentado and Yap (A.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND

HIGHWAYS

House Bill No. 1987, entitled:“AN ACT POSTPONING THE 2013 SYNCHRONIZED

BARANGAY AND SK ELECTIONS TO MAY 2014 TO PREVENT THE HOLDING OF NATIONAL/LOCAL ELECTIONS AND BARANGAY ELECTIONS IN A SINGLE CALENDAR YEAR”

By Representative Mendoza (J.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND

ELECTORAL REFORMS

House Bill No. 1988, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE MOUNTAIN

PROVINCE – MANKAYAN, BENGUET ROAD FROM A PROVINCIAL ROAD TO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representatives Dalog and CosalanTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND

HIGHWAYS

House Bill No. 1989, entitled:“AN ACT RENAMING BARANGAY SAN MARIANO

IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANTAY,

PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, TO ITS ORIGINAL NAME, BARANGAY SALLACONG”

By Representative Singson (R.)T O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N L O C A L

GOVERNMENT

House Bill No. 1990, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CITY PUBLIC COLLEGE

IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO TO BE KNOWN AS THE PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG BAGUIO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative AlipingTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

House Bill No. 1991, entitled:“AN ACT RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND

SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Antonino-NadresTO THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND

ELECTORAL REFORMS

House Bill No. 1992, entitled:“AN ACT REQUIRING THE MANDATORY

INSTALLATION OF CCTV CAMERAS ON ALL PUBLIC UTILITY BUSES NATIONWIDE FOR THE PROTECTION SECURITY AND BENEFIT OF PASSENGERS AND COMMUTERS”

By Representative Go (A.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

House Bill No. 1993, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT

UNITS TO APPROPRIATE IN THEIR ANNUAL BUDGETS AT LEAST 10% OF THEIR ANNUAL INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENTS FOR LOCAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Go (A.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

House Bill No. 1994, entitled:“AN ACT MANDATING INDUSTRIES ENGAGED

IN THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO GIVE PREFERENTIAL EMPLOYMENT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representatives Bravo (A.) and PaezTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT

House Bill No. 1995, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8292 OR

THE HIGHER EDUCATION MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1997”

By Representatives Bravo (A.) and PaezTO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION


House Bill No. 1996, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING PARTICIPATORY

GOVERNANCE BY PROVIDING AN AVENUE FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST IN THE LOCAL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS”

By Representatives Bravo (A.) and PaezT O T H E C O M M I T T E E O N P E O P L E ’ S

PARTICIPATION

House Bill No. 1997, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE JOB

MATCHING ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR”

By Representatives Bravo (A.) and PaezTO THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND

EMPLOYMENT

House Bill No. 1998, entitled:“AN ACT REVITALIZING THE COCONUT

INDUSTRY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative Garin (S.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD

House Bill No. 1999, entitled:“AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE PRODUCTION,

P R O C E S S I N G , M A R K E T I N G A N D DISTRIBUTION OF PHILIPPINE MANGO, M A N D AT I N G T H E C R E AT I O N O F A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


FOOD

House Bill No. 2000, entitled:“AN ACT PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER

CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


FOOD

House Bill No. 2001, entitled:“AN ACT TO PROMOTE AND STRENGTHEN

THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO INDUSTRY, PRESCRIBING ITS SCIENTIFIC PROPAGATION, PROCESSING, UTILIZATION, AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AS A PRIORITY PROGRAM, AND ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


FOOD

House Bill No. 2002, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION

OF THE UNBORN CHILD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative BagatsingTO THE COMMITTEE ON POPULATION AND

FAMILY RELATIONS

House Bill No. 2003, entitled:“AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE RIGHT OF

CITIZENS TO INFORMATION HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT”

By Representatives Gutierrez and Bello (W.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

House Bill No. 2004, entitled:“AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN THE

SUBDIVISION AND CONDOMINIUM BUYERS’ PROTECTIVE DECREE”

By Representative GunigundoTO THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN

DEVELOPMENT

House Bill No. 2005, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DIRECT

REMITTANCE TO THE HOST LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ITS FORTY PERCENT (40%) SHARE OF THE PROCEEDS DERIVED FROM THE UTILIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL WEALTH, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 293 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991’ ”

By Representatives Matugas, Romarate, Pichay and Garay


House Bill No. 2006, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 461, PARAGRAPH

(b) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991”

By Representatives Matugas, Romarate, Pichay and Garay


House Bill No. 2007, entitled:“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE

SEAWEED INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (PSIDA), DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

By Representative Hataman-SallimanTO THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

ENTERPRISES AND PRIVATIZATION AND THE COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES RESOURCES

House Bill No. 2008, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 102 (a)(1), (2), (3),

443(a), 454(a), 463(a) AND 478(a) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8553, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991”


By Representative VelascoTO THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

House Bill No. 2009, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION

O F WAT E R W E L L S , R A I N WAT E R COLLECTORS, DEVELOPMENT OF SPRINGS AND REHABILITATION OF EXISTING WATER WELLS IN ALL BARANGAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES”

By Representative VelascoTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND

HIGHWAYS

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 120, entitled:“RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT

TO IMMEDIATELY IMPOSE A NATIONWIDE MORATORIUM ON FORCED EVICTIONS AND DEMOLITIONS OF URBAN POOR COMMUNITIES, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THOUSANDS OF URBAN POOR FAMILIES FROM VIOLENT ATTACKS PENDING PROVISION OF LIVELIHOOD, ADEQUATE HOUSING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE GOVERNMENT”

By Representative HicapTO THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN

DEVELOPMENT

House Resolution No. 121, entitled:“RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE FILIPINO

YOUTH DELEGATES FOR BEING THE OVERALL CHAMPION IN THE ELEMENTARY C AT E G O RY A M O N G T W E N T Y- N I N E PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND FOR WINNING MAJOR AWARDS IN THE 2013 BULGARIA INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS COMPETITION (BIMC) HELD AT BURGAS CITY, BULGARIA LAST JUNE 30, 2013 TO JULY 5, 2013”

By Representative RidonTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 122, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE

ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ANOMALOUS ALLOCATION AND DISBURSEMENTS OF FUNDS BY THE MUNICIPALITIES OF SAN ANTONIO AND SAN LEONARDO IN THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA TO BOGUS NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) FROM THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND (PDAF) OF CERTAIN SENATORS, AND INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) SHARES AND TO TAKE APPROPRIATE

MEASURES TO CURB THESE CONDEMNABLE CORRUPT PRACTICES”

By Representative Antonino-NadresTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 123, entitled:“A RESOLUTON URGING CONGRESS TO CREATE

A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND MITIGATION”

By Representative GuanlaoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 124, entitled:“A RESOLUTON URGING THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES TO ALLOCATE AN INITIAL FIVE BILLION (P5,000,000,000) PESOS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE CREATION OF THE SMALL FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK QUICK REACTION FUND AS PART OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET FOR FY 2014”

By Representative GuanlaoTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND

FOOD

House Resolution No. 125, entitled:“A RESOLUTON DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE

C O M M I T T E E O F T H E H O U S E O F REPRESENTATIVES TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS) AND ITS CONCESSION AGREEMENTS WITH THE MAYNILAD WATER SERVICES, INC. (MAYNILAD) AND WITH THE MANILA WATER COMPANY, INC. (MANILA WATER)”

By Representative AggabaoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS

The list of additional coauthors is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 5, 2013. *

COMMUNICATIONS

Report of Marilyn B. BaruaI-Yap, Secretary General, House of Representatives, on enrolled bills, submitted to the Office of the President for His Excellency’s consideration and signature, pursuant to the provision of Rule VI, Section 18, paragraph (h) of the Rules of the House of Representatives:1. House Bill No. 3283, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE MARCOS ALVAREZ

PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACOOR, PROVINCE OF CAVITE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”

(Now Republic Act No. 10397)

2. Consolidated Senate Bill No. 2080 and House Bill No. 4434, entitled:

* See ANNEX (printed separately)


“AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY-FIVE OF EVERY YEAR AS ‘NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN’ ”


3. House Bill No. 4012, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE WESTERN LINK

CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD TRAVERSING MARCOS HIGHWAY – BAGUIO BAUANG ROAD AND KENNON ROAD INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”


4. House Bill No. 3297, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE LAPAZ DEEP SEA

WATER PORT ROAD (LOBOC TO PPA) IN ILOILO CITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


5. House Bill No. 4015, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE RIMANDO –

AMBIONG ROAD TRAVERSING ANDRES BONIFACIO JUNCTION IN BAGUIO CITY TO AMBIONG LOCATED IN LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”


6. House Bill No. 2331, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL ROAD

TRAVERSING THE BARANGAYS OF GADU, CALLILAUAN, CARILUCUD, UBONG, PAROG-PAROG, BANTAY, NABBOTUAN AND PALAO, ALL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SOLANA, CAGAYAN GOING TO BARANGAY MACUTAY OF RIZAL, KALINGA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


7. House Bill No. 3213, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE TIMAWA AVENUE IN

MOLO, ILOILO CITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


8. House Bill No. 3488, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE BAYAN-BAYANAN

AVE. TRAVERSING BARANGAY CONCEPCION UNO AND BARANGAY MARIKINA HEIGHTS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, CITY OF MARIKINA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD”


9. House Bill No. 1789, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE PAOAY – BATAC

ROAD, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD”


10. House Bill No. 2738, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE BENGUET

PROVINCIAL ROAD ASIN (KM. 8) – NANGALISAN – SAN PASCUAL, TUBA, BENGUET – LA UNION PROVINCE INTO A NATIONAL SECONDARY ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


11. House Bill No. 2010, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROXAS CITY

– CAGAY – SIBAGUAN – BALIJUAGAN – CUDIAN – IVISAN PROVINCIAL ROAD IN ROXAS CITY AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF IVISAN, PROVINCE OF CAPIZ INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”


12. House Bill No. 5795, entitled: “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONVERSION

OF PASOLO TO RINCON ROAD IN THE CITY OF VALENZUELA, METRO MANILA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


13. Consolidated Senate Bill No. 3252 and House Bill Nos. 3066, 3067, 3068, 3069, 3070 and 3071, entitled:

“AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF BILIRAN AS A TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AREA (TDA) AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”


14. Consolidated House Bill No. 6694 and Senate Bill No. 3206, entitled:

“AN ACT RECOGNIZING THE AGE FROM ZERO (0) TO EIGHT (8) YEARS AS THE FIRST CRUCIAL STAGE OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


15. House Bill No. 2125, entitled: “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONVERSION OF

THE ABUYOG – SILAGO ROAD CONNECTING THE PROVINCES OF LEYTE AND SOUTHERN LEYTE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT THEREON”


16. House Bill No. 2329, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL

ROAD TRAVERSING THE BARANGAYS OF SAMPAGUITA, SOLANA, CAGAYAN; WARAT, PIAT, CAGAYAN; LA SUERTE, CATARAUAN, NANUCCAUAN AND BAYABAT, ALL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF AMULUNG, CAGAYAN,


GOING TO BARANGAY AFUSING, ALCALA, CAGAYAN INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


17. House Bill No. 2404, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE AYAGA – STA.

MARCELA – FLORA – LASAM PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF APAYAO INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


18. House Bill No. 2469, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE TARLAC CITY –

GUIMBA, NUEVA ECIJA ROAD VIA VICTORIA ROAD IN THE CITY OF TARLAC AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF VICTORIA, PROVINCE OF TARLAC INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR”


19. House Bill No. 2767, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING N. ROXAS STREET

IN BARANGAYS KALUMPANG AND SAN ROQUE IN THE CITY OF MARIKINA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


20. House Bill No. 3214, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE JEREOS STREET

IN LA PAZ, ILOILO CITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


21. House Bill No. 3247, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE MOLO BOULEVARD

IN MOLO, ILOILO CITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


22. House Bill No. 3394, entitled: “AN ACT CONVERTING THE KATIPUNAN STREET

TRAVERSING BARANGAY CONCEPCION UNO AND BARANGAY CONCEPCION DOS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, CITY OF MARIKINA INTO A NATIONAL ROAD”


23. House Bill No. 4274, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE TAWANG TO

AMBIONG ROAD IN LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET INTO A NATIONAL SECONDARY ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


24. House Bill No. 5786, entitled:“AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF

SAN PEDRO IN THE PROVINCE OF LAGUNA

INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF SAN PEDRO”

(Now Republic Act No. 10420)TO THE ARCHIVES

Letter dated 15 July 2013 of Marcelo T. Lopez, RN, Ed.D., DPA, SUC President III, Cebu Normal University, furnishing the House of Representatives a copy of the 2012 Annual Report of the Cebu Normal University.TO THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER AND

TECHNICAL EDUCATION


SUSPENSION OF SESSION

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend the session for a few minutes.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The session is suspended.

It was 4:14 p.m.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 4:20 p.m., the session was resumed.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is resumed.

The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, at this juncture, we would like to acknowledge the presence of some guests in the gallery.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Please proceed.

REP. DE VENECIA. Mr. Speaker, allow us to acknowledge the presence of the following guests of Hon. Roy V. Señeres Sr.—Roy Señeres Jr., Hannah Señeres-Francisco, Monique Señeres, Hazel Señeres, Marvin Javier, Rolly Layug, Dundee Tupaz and Alex Marindo.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The guests of the Honorable Señeres will please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. DE VENECIA. Mr. Speaker, allow us also to acknowledge the presence of the guests of Cong. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo, Cong. Jorge “Bolet” Banal and Cong. Kaka J. Bag-ao. We have ASec. Dong Cucio from the Office of Political Affairs, and James Amparo. (Applause)

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The guests of the aforenamed Members of Congress will please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)


REP. DE VENECIA. May we also acknowledge the presence of the guests of Cong. Leah S. Paquiz of Party-List Ang Nars—Annie Geron and Jill Roque, members of Public Services Labor Independent Confederation.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The guests of the Congresswoman from the Party-List Ang Nars will please stand to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker.


PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, today being a Monday, pursuant to tradition and rules of the House, I move that we proceed to the Privilege Hour.

I so move, Mr. Speaker.


The Chair declares a Privilege Hour.The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, first to avail of the Privilege Hour is the honorable Representative of the Second District of Valenzuela City, our Dep. Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the Hon. Magtanggol T. Gunigundo I be recognized.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela City, the Hon. Magtanggol Gunigundo, is recognized for his privilege speech.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. GUNIGUNDO

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Mga ka-kabsat, mga tugang, mga higala, mga kababayan,

bilang paggunita sa Buwan ng Wika, nais ko pong talakayin ang tungkol sa estado ng mga lengguwahe ng ating bansa, at ang tungkol sa ahensyang inatasan upang pangalagaan ang mga ito.

Gusto ko pong magsimula sa mga pangalang Tagalog, Pilipino at Filipino. G. Ispiker, makailang beses na rin nating binagu-bago ang pangalan ng ating pambansang wika ng hindi naman naiiba ang esensya nito. Sa mga paaralan, tinuruan tayo na ang Tagalog o Pilipino ay tumutukoy sa dating pambansang wika, na ang basehan ay Tagalog lamang. Tinuruan din tayo na ang Filipino naman ay ang kasalukuyang wikang pambansa na nakabatay sa lahat ng wika ng Pilipinas.

Parang may mali sa ganitong mga haka-haka, G. Ispiker. Kumbinsido ako, G. Ispiker, na ang Tagalog, Pilipino at Filipino ay iisang lengguwahe lamang. Bakit ko po nasabi ito? Ito ay sapagkat malayang nagkakaintindihan ang mga nagsasalita ng Tagalog o Pilipino at nagsasalita ng Filipino. Sa wikang Ingles, mutually intelligible ang Tagalog, Pilipino

at Filipino. Ito ang pangunahing paraan ng mga linggwista para malaman kung ang dalawa o higit pang pananalita ay nabibilang sa iisang wika o magkakaibang wika.

Ang isa pang panukat para malaman kung nagsasalita ang mga tao ng iisang wika o magkaibang wika ay ang gramatika. Ang mga pananalita ay itinuturing na kabilang sa isang wika kung magkapareho ang kanilang gramatika. Ang tanong: magkaiba ba ang grammar o balarila ng Tagalog, Pilipino at Filipino? Malinaw po na hindi. Kung gayon, ang Tagalog, Pilipino at Filipino ay nabibilang lamang sa iisang wika.

The next question is: are other speech varieties like Binisaya, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, to name a few, languages or dialects? The answer is they are full-fledged languages, Mr. Speaker, since they are not mutually intelligible and they have different grammar. In fact, there are 170 separate Philippine languages. These are not dialects. The term “dialects” is reserved for geographical linguistic variance like Tagalog Bulacan, Tagalog Batangas and Tagalog Quezon or Cebuano Binisaya, Hiligaynon Binisaya or Davao Binisaya.

Sa aming mga taga-Bulacan, ang tawag namin sa pagbubukas ng pinto ay “buksan ang pinto,” pero para sa mga taga-Quezon na Tagalog din naman ang salita, ang sinasabi nila ay “buksi ang pintuan.” Kapag umuulan, ang mga Tagalog Bulacan, ang sinasabi ay “umaangge ang ulan kaya kami nababasa dito sa aming sinisilungan.” Pero para sa mga taga-Quezon, lalung-lalo na iyong mga taga-Lucena, ang sasabihin nila ay “umaampiyas ang ulan.” Para sa mga taga-Lucena, kapag sila ay naglalaro ng basketball at kanilang natapal ang bola noong kanilang katunggali, ang sasabihin nila ay “burat ka.” Subalit para sa aming mga Tagalog Bulakenyo ay iba ang ibig sabihin ng salitang “burat.”

When answering “yes” for instance, there are Ilocanos who say either “wen” or “wun.” Some have the “e” sound while others have the “u” sound, “wen” “wun.” I am sure, Mr. Speaker, in Ilocos, the traffic there is not “bumper to bumper.”

Despite the variation in pronunciation, intonation and vocabulary, these Ilocano speakers can understand each other and, therefore, it is correct to say that they speak different dialects of the same language.

The discussion, Mr. Speaker, takes us to Filipino which is the name chosen for our national language under the l987 Constitution. As I have said, language is supposed to be based not only on Tagalog but also on other Philippine languages. But I must admit, Mr. Speaker, that Filipino is still evolving into its ideal multilingual character. At present, it is still predominantly Tagalog or Pilipino and, probably, it will stay that way for several generations. I do not find anything fundamentally wrong with that as long as this language is accepted by our people. After all, it is the people who use and sustain languages and not those who study them. But a quarter of a century after the national language was renamed “Filipino,” most people still refer to it as Tagalog except in school where it is called “Filipino” in reference to the subject. They call it Tagalog because they recognize it to be the same language they have come to know a long time ago, and because they refuse to kowtow to the arbitrary wishes of those who want to police the expressions of our national and collective life.

Mr. Speaker, the designation of Tagalog, then Pilipino and afterwards Filipino as wikang pambansa has led to a


dangerous misconception that our pambansang panitikan or national literature should be written in the national language. Thus, any work written in a language other than in the wikang pambansa is not considered part of the national literature but of the regional literature, though over-focusing and over-privileging of one region’s language and literary imagination have a parallel development in the writing of our nation’s history. The struggle for freedom and democracy in various regions have been ignored in favor of the political center’s narrative of the making of the nation. Hence, the pantheon of heroism in the national struggle marginalizes the roles of Dagohoy of Bohol, Leon Quilat of Cebu, and Sultan Kudarat of Mindanao, among many others, in successive generations of Philippine heroes.

In order to correct these historical and cultural inequities, Mr. Speaker, a “kambyo sa pananaw”—as some Visayan friends call it—is very much in order, especially on how we value our linguistic and cultural diversity. It is this diversity that we must recognize as our social and cultural resource, and our intellectual capital. By this diversity, we shall be able to evolve a truly liberating education—an education that teaches our people the collective virtue of a Philippine nation, built upon the variety of memories, experiences, dreams, aspirations and ambitions of our different ethno-linguistic communities. Our people know we are many, and out of this “many-ness,” we are committed to be one national community. This, Mr. Speaker, is our guiding light in nurturing our cultural pluralism.

It must be pointed out that while the people have embraced Filipino as our common language, they have done so without repudiating their own native languages. According to the latest census of 2010, the number of speakers of large-sized languages such as Tagalog, Binisaya, Iloko, Bicol, Waray, Kapampangan and Maguindanao; and medium-sized languages such as Kankanaey, Ibanag, Manobo, Ifugao and Masbateño, continues to grow. It is the small languages such as the Aeta languages that appear to be threatened with extinction.

The country’s native languages, including the Filipino sign language of our deaf population, have been given official status through the institutionalization of mother tongue-based multilingual instruction in our education system. Republic Act No. 10533, signed by President Aquino last May 15, 2013, provides that basic education shall be conducted in the learner’s native languages throughout kindergarten and the elementary grades. English and Filipino shall be gradually introduced beginning Grade IV until such time that these can become the primary languages of instructions at the secondary level.

The multilingual provisions in R.A. No. 10533, also known as the K to 12 Law, are incontrovertible evidence that our country has shifted from a one-nation, one-language mindset to one that recognizes our linguistic and cultural pluralism. We are witnesses to the steady realization of President Aquino’s vision of using English to connect with the world, the national language to connect with our countrymen, and the native languages to connect with our heritage. In short, Mr. Speaker, that “kambyo sa pananaw” that I am talking about has already happened among our people.

However, these goals have been muddled by the very institution we have entrusted to take care of our languages so that they may survive and thrive. Recently, the Komisyon

sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) announced that it is changing the official name of our country from “Pilipinas” with a letter “P” to “Filipinas” with a letter “F.”

Is KWF not aware of Section 2, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution that gives Congress the constitutional mandate or authority to change the name of our country? Is KWF not aware that if Congress passes a law changing the name of our country, it still needs to be ratified in a national referendum? Is KWF not aware of Republic Act No. 8491, Sections 41 and 42, that provides that the coat of arms and seal of our country must contain the words Republika ng Pilipinas with a “P” and not with an “F”? Is KWF not aware that the President uses Pilipinas to refer to our country as he did in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22, 2013? If no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines uses Pilipinas in his SONA, then I am certain, without fear of being validly contradicted, that this is the official spelling of Republika ng Pilipinas.

In other countries, the responsibility of establishing principles, policies and procedures for the naming of places and other geographical sites rests on a geographical names board and not on a language agency. In the Philippines, changing the name of our country is the constitutional mandate of Congress.

Republic Act No. 7104, which was enacted in 1991, created the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, our national language agency. Section 6 of this law explicitly states:

No one shall be appointed as commissioner unless he/she is a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least thirty (30) years old, morally upright and noted for his/her expertise in linguistics, the culture and language of the ethnolinguistic region and the discipline he/she represents.

It is clear from the wordings of the original law that the KWF Commissioner must be noted for his or her expertise in linguistics. The original Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 7104, that came out last April 15, 1992, accurately reflects the text of Republic Act No. 7104, pertaining to this particular qualification on linguistics expertise.

Curiously, when the proponents of “Filipinas” took over the language agency, one of the first things that they did, Mr. Speaker, was to promulgate the new Implementing Rules and Regulations dated February 13, 2013 that deleted this particular qualifications. Instead of “kadalubhasaan sa linggwistika,” we now find “kadalubhasaan sa wika, panitikan, kultura, at disiplinang kinakatawan,” in the 2013 IRR.

“Kadalubhasaan sa wika at panitikan,” translates to “expertise in language and literature,” Mr. Speaker, which is not the same as “expertise in linguistics.” The former refers to the use of language, whereas the latter to the scientific study on the nature of languages. One may be good at using a language in writing and in speech but completely ignorant of how languages are described in scientific terms, and hence, on how a language works.

Many are asking, Mr. Speaker: is the new set of KWF officials not experts in linguistics? Were the new IRR of 2013 written to justify their appointment? I call on my colleagues in the Commission on Appointments headed by


our esteemed friend, Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, to scrutinize the qualifications of these KWF officials on the basis of the original wordings, spirit and intent of Republic Act No. 7104. It is an accepted legal principle that the law is superior to any implementing rules and regulations.

Mr. Speaker, let me be straightforward about all these. I think it is time that we reinvent the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and discard the one-nation, one-language concept under which it was built.

In its ashes, let us establish a Komisyon ng mga Wika sa Pilipinas or Commission on Philippine Languages. Let us inscribe in its banner “one nation, many languages,” as its official motto, and declare “respect for all Philippine languages and cultures as its guiding principle.

The new Commission shall undertake, coordinate and promote research for the development, propagation and preservation of Philippine languages, including the national language without valorizing one or two languages and marginalizing others.

The new Commission shall have regional subcommissions composed of representatives and staff from the various languages and cultures in the regions who will carry out most of the Commission’s study, research, development and publication functions.

The new Commission shall be governed by a board consisting of the heads of these subcommissions, democratically chosen by their constituents and whose appointments are affirmed by the President of the Republic.

Bilang pangwakas, nais ko pong isalaysay sa inyo ang isang katutubong paniniwala sa pagpapalit ng pangalan ng isang bata. Kapag ang bata ay nagkaroon ng malubhang sakit, nakasanayan nang palitan ang pangalan ng bata. Ginagawa raw ito upang iligaw ang masasamang espiritu at hindi sila makapagdulot ng sakit sa bata.

Magandang kuwento ito, G. Ispiker, sapagkat walang iniba ito sa ginagawa nating pagpapalit ng pangalan ng ating mga may sakit na institusyon na hindi naman ginagamot ang karamdaman ng mga ito. Walang katuturan ang pagpapalit ng pangalan kung hindi natin matutukoy ang sakit at mahahanapan ito ng mabisang lunas.

Marami pong salamat, G. Ispiker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao.). The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. PADILLA. Mr. Speaker, may the Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela yield to a few questions.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). He may, if the Gentleman from Valenzuela accedes.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Isang malaking karangalan na matanong po ako ng isa sa principal authors ng R.A. No. 7104, ang ating Deputy Speaker Carlos M. Padilla.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Please proceed, Deputy Speaker Padilla.

REP. PADILLA. Maraming salamat po, G. Ispiker. Maraming salamat sa ating Mambabatas mula sa Pangalawang Distrito ng Valenzuela.

Una, ako po ay bumabati sa inyo. May I congratulate the distinguished Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela for his very brilliant peroration on issues affecting Filipino, affecting the national language, Mr. Speaker.

My first question is, if I may bring the attention of our distinguished colleague from Valenzuela to Section 6, Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution. I hope he has a copy of the Constitution.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. We do, Mr. Speaker.

REP. PADILLA. The particular section is on the language issue. It says, “The national language of the Philippines is Filipino.” So, if we rely on the provision of the Constitution, it is Filipino. However, in spite of this provision in the Constitution, there are two schools of thought emerging even in the House: One is, indeed, the national language, ang atin pong wikang Filipino, with “F”; at ang pangalawa, ang sabi nila, oo nga Filipino, but they will bring us to another provision of the Constitution and it is actually Section 6 also, the second paragraph of the said section, which says:

Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.

So, ang sinasabi po nila, G. Ispiker, ay Filipino ang isinasaad ng ating Saligang Batas, pero wala pa ‘ika iyong Filipino dahil dito sa susunod na paragraph.

Gusto ko pong malaman kung ano po ang interpretasyon ng ating kaibigan mula sa Valenzuela, lalung-lalo na po at siya ay isang abogado, at alam kong pinag-aralan niya ito sapagkat ang atin pong Mambabatas mula sa naturang distrito ay isa sa mga advocates natin ng Filipino language as well as other languages, kaya pwede po bang malaman kung ano ang pananaw ng ating kasamahan mula sa lungsod ng Valenzuela?

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Well, Mr. Speaker, katulad nga po ng aking naturan kanina, ang Tagalog, Pilipino at Filipino ay mutually intelligible at iisa lang ang grammar. Dahil mutually intelligible sila at parehas ang grammar, iisang wika lang ang ating pinag-uusapan dito. Kung inyong babalik-tanawin ang sinabi ni Commissioner Blas Ople noong interpellation sa session na ito, doon sa Constitutional Commission ng 1986, sinasabi niya na ang Filipino ay patois ng Metro Manila, at ang patois ng Metro Manila ay nakabase sa wikang Tagalog o Pilipino.

REP. PADILLA. So, …

REP. GUNIGUNDO. At ang Filipino language with a letter “F” ay sinasabi nila e mas universalistic, ibig sabihin, nag-aampon ng iba’t ibang mga salita at wika mula sa iba pang mga wika at ito ang nagpapaganda sa salitang Filipino.

REP. PADILLA. Maraming salamat po riyan sa pagpapaliwanag na iyan at hindi ko po sinasalungat. Kaya lang, ang akin pong tanong ay, ang sabi ng iba, hindi pa pwedeng sabihin nating andiyan na ang Filipino dahil nga


iyong pangalawang talata ng probisyon na nabanggit ko kanina. Kailangan pa raw magkaroon ng isang pagpapatibay na gagawin ang Kongreso para sa ganoon maging opisyal na ang Filipino ay siya ang wikang pambansa. So, ewan ko po kung naniniwala ang ating kaibigan mula sa Segundo Distrito ng Valenzuela diyan sa pananaw na iyan, bagama’t nasabi ko kanina na malinaw na isinasaad ng ating Konstitusyon, “the national language of the Philippines is Filipino.” Kaya ang kailangan ko lang muna, G. Ispiker, ay paglilinaw…

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Opo.

REP. PADILLA. … kung alin sa dalawa ang pinapanigan ng ating kasamahan mula sa Ikalawang Distrito ng Valenzuela.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Kami po ay naniniwala na ang salitang “Filipino” ay parehas lamang ng Tagalog at Pilipino. Ngayon, kung inyong titingnan, iyong ikalawang talata ng Section 6, lumalabas dito na ang salitang “Filipino” continues to evolve; ibig sabihin, nagbabago iyan through time. At naniniwala rin po tayo na sa pagtakbo ng panahon ay madaragdagan ang bokabularyo ng ating mga kababayan sa wikang Filipino, at hindi ito masyadong purong-purong Tagalog. May halo na itong mga salita mula sa Ingles, pati nga ho sa German, meron e, dahil iyong salitang “kindergarten,” German word ho iyan e, kasama na ho iyan sa bokabularyo ng Filipino.

REP. PADILLA. G. Ispiker, hindi ko po sinasalungat iyon. Pero may I ask point-blank: do you therefore agree, for the record, that right now Filipino is the national language, even if we have not gone to the next paragraph of this provision of the Constitution?

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Pwede naman po nating ikasal iyong dalawang paragraph na iyan, hindi naman ho sila dichotomous na separate sila or exclusive from one another. Naniniwala po kami na sa ngayon, meron nang wikang “Filipino” at ito po ay nakabatay sa Tagalog at Pilipino sa grammar at sa kanyang bokabularyo, at ito ay patuloy na yumayabong at lumalakas sapagkat ang ating mass media ay patuloy na ginagamit ang wikang “Filipino” sa paghahatid ng balita sa gabi, gayundin naman ang ating Pangulong Noynoy Aquino, kapag siya ay naghahatid ng State of the Nation Address sa atin dito sa Kongreso, ay wikang Filipino ang kanyang ginagamit.

REP. PADILLA. Maraming salamat, G. Ispiker. Ako naman po, katulad ng nabanggit ko kanina, hindi naman po ako sumasalungat sa lahat ng sinabi ninyo. Kaya lang po ako napilitang tumayo at magtanong sapagkat gusto ko lang po na maging malinaw ang ating pananaw lalung-lalo na at bagong bukas ang Kongresong ito at kung minsan kasi, G. Ispiker, ewan ko po kung may tatayo mamaya, but this was already decided long time ago by the House through various rulings of the Chair, may tumatayo na nagsasabi, “Point of order, Mr. Speaker, because the language spoken by the Gentleman on the floor is not Filipino but Tagalog.” So, I agree with you, that is why I just want to get a declaration that, indeed, it is your belief that notwithstanding the second paragraph of Section 6, indeed, what we have now or Filipino is now in place. Iyan

lang po ang unang gusto kong maibigay nating categorical answer para maging klaro po ang ating records.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Opo, it is now in place.

REP. PADILLA. Okay. Ngayon po, sinusubaybayan ko po iyong inyong mga paliwanag at ako po ay kumukumporme sa inyo na ang pambansang wika ay Filipino, but we can say that the starting point, ang basehan po ay Tagalog, at ito naman po ay naging klaro noong aming debate noong Eighth Congress, sapagkat, G. Ispiker, hindi naman po kaila, based on our records, ang isyung ito ay tinalakay namin noong Eighth Congress, lalung-lalo na po noong aming inihain ang isang panukalang batas na siyang naging batas ngayon tungkol sa Section 9 ng Article XIV, kung saan nasasaad: “The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed of representatives of various regions and disciplines,” et cetera. So, samakatuwid, G. Ispiker, doon po sa aming palitan ng tanong at sagot noong panahong iyon, it was clarified that while Tagalog is the starting point, the basis of the national language, but as it evolves, as already pointed out by the Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela, ito po ay mapapayabong natin sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng iba’t ibang salita na galing sa mga ibang wika, wikang Pilipino or katutubong wika katulad ng Cebuano, Ilokano at Bikolano.

Iyan po eventually ang tinatawag nating Filipino na siyang nagsasabing bagama’t ang Filipino ay nag-umpisa sa Tagalog, pero ang patutunguhan dahil sa pagyabong ay tunay na ngang Filipino embracing all those words, including foreign words or words coming from foreign languages like what you have pointed out, that German word for kindergarten,or even words from Spanish—mesa, ventana—at saka iba’t iba pang mga salita na galing sa naturang lengguwahe, G. Ispiker. So, iyan po ang paniwala rin ng inyong lingkod mula sa Lone District ng Nueva Vizcaya, at siguro naman ito ay nagkakatugma doon sa pananaw ng ating kaibigan mula sa Pangalawang Distrito ng Valenzuela.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Opo, G. Ispiker, tugmang-tugma po ang ating pananaw. Bagama’t hindi tayo nag-usap bago ako tumindig dito para mag-deliver ng privilege speech tungkol sa wikang pambansa, parehas po tayo ng tingin sa ating Saligang Batas tungkol sa wikang pambansa. Sa katunayan, naniniwala nga po kami rito sa ating kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan na mas maganda kung mag-Filipino na lang tayo imbes na palaging Ingles nang Ingles para naiintindihan ng ating mga kababayan sa labas kung ano ang ating pinagdedebatehan at ating pinag-uusapan, para ma-avoid na ho natin iyong mga mispronunciations ng English words tulad noong witness nagiging wetness, iyong Speaker, nagiging Speker. So, mas maganda ho siguro kung ganoon ang ating talakayang wika na gagamitin dito.

REP. PADILLA. Maraming salamat uli, G. Ispiker. Bibigyan ko po ng konting diin iyan sa isang puntos pa na aking ilalabas after this, Mr. Speaker.

Now, another point is, doon po sa ating Konstitusyon, the same article, …


REP. PADILLA. … Article XIV, doon po sa Section 9, ang nakalagay po rito ay: “The Congress shall establish a


national language commission composed”—I am sorry. My next point is not Section 9 but Section 8, “This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English and shall be translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.”

Sa inyo pong pagsasaliksik, sa tingin po ba ninyo, itong Section 8 ay nasunod, lalung-lalo na po noong ang ating Saligang Batas was promulgated sometime in 1987, I think 1987?


REP. PADILLA. Nagkaroon po tayo ng plebisito o ratification. So, may we know from the distinguished Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela City if he is aware that such a thing was properly observed by the ConCom and the COMELEC when the 1987 Constitution was ratified, na they complied with the provision, that it must be “promulgated in Filipino and English.”

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Ang alam ko po sa English isinulat ang ating 1987 Constitution, at meron na rin po akong nakitang mga salin sa wikang Filipino ng ating Saligang Batas. Hindi pa lang po ako nakatatagpo ng salin sa regional languages natin, pati na rin po sa Arabic at Spanish.


REP. PADILLA. Mr. Speaker, meron po akong isang sipi rito at, before I continue with my interpellation on this particular item, may I ask for a one-minute suspension of the session, so that I can bring the copy to the Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela City.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Chair declares a one-minute suspension of the session.

It was 4:57 p.m.




The Deputy Speaker may please proceed with his interpellation.

REP. PADILLA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.So, during the brief lull, Mr. Speaker, the Gentleman from

the Second District of Valenzuela and this Representation did huddle and we were given the opportunity to examine this document in the possession of this Representation, which is the translation made by the Constitutional Commission, in compliance with the provision which says that “This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino.”

This is, therefore, the official text of the Filipino version of the Constitution. And I was able to show to the Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela that this text is in Filipino, but clearly, the basis is Tagalog. In fact, the title is, “Ang Konstitusyon ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Artikulo I. Ang Pambansang Teritoryo,” et cetera, Mr. Speaker.

I just want to place it on record that while, today, there could be some disagreements on which one is Filipino, whether Tagalog or Filipino could be interchanged, based on the explanation of the distinguished Gentleman from Valenzuela. The ConCom itself has resolved this issue by making an official translation from English to Filipino, and this document, although this is just a copy, was signed by all Members of the Constitutional Commission, Mr. Speaker. So, I am submitting this so that, first, it will be placed on record that, indeed, there was that serious effort to resolve this issue, that Filipino is the national language as mandated by Sec. 9 of Article XIV; and second, indeed, it was officially translated; the Constitution was officially translated from English to Filipino and the basis was Tagalog.

May I know, Mr. Speaker, if the distinguished Gentleman from the Second District of Valenzuela will agree with this humble Representation?

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, we agree absolutely with the statement of our distinguished Deputy Speaker that, indeed, the Commissioners of the 1986 Constitutional Commission were faithful in observing Sec. 8, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution by coming out with the Filipino text of the 1987 Constitution, duly signed by all Constitutional Commissioners. This was the very text that was presented to our countrymen in the plebiscite or referendum that was conducted in order to ratify and accept the 1987 Constitution. Had it not been for the Filipino text, probably, our countrymen would not have understood every provision, every section, and every article of the 1987 Constitution.

REP. PADILLA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for that clarification. So this, therefore, would be the explanation as to why in previous Congresses the Speaker, in many rulings of the Chair, upheld the use of Filipino which is Tagalog-based in the deliberations of the House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker. Wala na pong kaduda-duda na talaga iyong ruling ng Chair ay hindi lamang naaayon sa ating practice but it has some constitutional basis.

Now, another point, Mr. Speaker, but I sympathize with the Members of the House who are not at home with Filipino that is Tagalog-based. Ang inyo pong lingkod, maaaring a little bit fortunate sapagkat ako po ay galing sa isang distrito na katulad ng ating Presiding Officer, Representative Aggabao, na distrito ng mga Ilokano at mga IPs. Ngunit mapalad kami sapagkat kahit paano, kami po ay nakapagsasalita ng Filipino, which is Tagalog-based. Pero may mga kasamahan tayo sa Kongreso, at naiintindihan naman natin kung bakit sila ay palaging tumatayo, na “Pwede po ba kung maaari huwag Filipino sapagkat hindi namin naiintindihan at hindi po kami makapagsalita.”

Ngayon, mayroon po akong isang panukala, at ito ay naging panukala na rin kahit noong nakaraang Kongreso, na dito sa ating hapag kapulungan at nakalagay po sa Rules natin, except that while the rules would allow the position that will be explained by this Representation, subsequently, perhaps at that point in time the House did not have enough money to implement the proposal of this Representation.

Ano po ang aking panukala? Ang panukala ko po sa atin mga deliberasyon dito ay, siguro katulad po sa UN or sa ibang mga international conferences, sapagkat tayo po ay multilingual, at sinasabi naman ng ating Constitution na


bagamat Filipino ang ating national language, but we have to develop the regional languages, as it was mentioned by the distinguished Gentleman from Valenzuela earlier, and this is also in consonance with Sec. 9, Article XIV of the Constitution na dito po sa atin, magkaroon po ng simultaneous translation. Halimbawa, ang inyong lingkod, pwede pong magsalita, tumayo at ang gagamitin ko po ay Ilokano, at hindi po pwedeng mag-complain si Cebuano sapagkat automatic lalabas sa translation iyong aking sinabi in Cebuano. At ang mga Cebuano naman or ang mga Waray ay libre ring magsalita ng kanilang mga lengguwahe, wika, at wala pong magiging language barrier dito sa ating Kongreso. In that way, makatutulong pa po tayong payabungin, hindi lamang ang wikang pambansa kundi ang mga regional languages, sapagkat dito po sa Kongreso maririnig nila ang isang Kongresista from Cebu na magtatalumpati in Cebuano or from Samar, Waray or from Albay, Bicol or from the North, Ilokano, Mr. Speaker.

Pwede po kayang iyan ay muli nating buksan sa Kongresong ito para sa ganoon magkaroon po ng katuparan iyang panukalang iyan at, hopefully, it will be appreciated and supported by the Members of the House, because our intention here is not only to promote Filipino, but to promote the regional languages. Gusto po namin, lahat. Kaya, gusto ko pong tanungin kung ano ang pananaw ng ating kaibigan.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, pinapangalawahan ko po ang mungkahi ng magiting na Deputy Speaker mula sa Nueva Vizcaya na magkaroon tayo ng ganyang serbisyo dito sa ating kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan upang lahat tayo ay malayang magamit ang ating taal na wika para makapaghatid ng ating mga saloobin, iniisip at mga talakayan sa wikang alam natin. Kung sa eleksyon nga po ay hindi naman tayo nag-i-Ingles kapag tayo ay nangangampanya. Kapag nangangampanya tayo, kung ano ang wika ng ating mga botante, iyon po rin ang ating ginagamit na wika para makumbinsi sila na pagtiwalaan tayo na makapaglingkod bilang Miyembro o kasapi ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan.

REP. PADILLA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sana maisakatuparan iyan kasi ganadong-ganado na po akong mag-interpellate sa Ilokano. Pero kung gagawin ko ngayon, baka hindi po masagot ng ating kaibigan mula sa Pangalawang Distrito ng Valenzuela. So, hopefully, Mr. Speaker, the leadership of the House will take cognizance of this proposal.

Huling puntos na lang po, Mr. Speaker. Nabanggit po ninyo na kailangang palakasin natin ang Commission on the Filipino Language.


REP. PADILLA. Ako po ay sumusuporta diyan, at gusto ko pong malaman ng ating mga kasamahan, doon po sa huling budget na pinagtibay natin para sa Commission, mas malaki pa iyong budget na ibinigay natin para sa kabayo, iyong sa Philippine Racing Commission. So, parang masama ang aking loob na mas mahalaga pa ang mga kabayo kaysa ang ating wikang pambansa. Iyon lang po ang panghuli.

Maraming salamat po, G. Ispiker, at maraming salamat sa ating kasamahang galing sa Valenzuela.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Marami pong salamat sa ating Deputy Speaker.


REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, sa oras pong ito ay hinihingi po natin ang pahintulot ng ating Diputado sa Ikalawang Distrito ng Valenzuela nang sa ganoon mabati po natin ang pinagpipitaganang bisita ng ating Kamara.


REP. DE VENECIA. Mr. Speaker, allow us to acknowledge the presence of the following guests of Cong. Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo from the Lone District of Aurora: Board Member Francis Peña, Councilor Mark Valencia, Ms. Lycia Marzan and Ms. Ellesse Marzan.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Will the guests of the Honorable Angara-Castillo please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. DE VENECIA. We also have the guests of Cong. Gary C. Alejano of Magdalo Party-List—Giovanni Valiente and Reynaldo Cajolo from Sipalay City.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Will the guests of the Honorable Alejano please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. DE VENECIA. Mr. Speaker, we also have the guests of the Abakada Party-List—Mr. Rolando Ocampo, and the members of the PrudentiaLife Warriors Pilipinas (PPI).

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Will the guests of the Abakada Party-List please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representative. (Applause)

REP. DE VENECIA. We likewise have the guests of CIBAC Party-List Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna—the CIBAC coordinators from Bulacan and Cavite, namely: Kagawad Rey Samaniego, Narcing Gongon, Jerry dela Cruz, Romano Galvez, Josie Revilla and Connie Lomboy.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The guests of the Honorable Tugna will please rise to be acknowledged. Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)


REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, at this juncture, I move that we recognize the honorable Representative from the Party-List Buhay Hayaan Yumabong, the Hon. Jose L. Atienza Jr., for his interpellation of our colleague.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Honorable Atienza from the BUHAY Party-List is recognized.


REP. ATIENZA. G. Tagapangulo, sa kapahintulutan po ng ating Kagalang-galang na Diputado, Kinatawan ng Bulacan.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Valenzuela.

REP. ATIENZA. Nais ko lamang magbigay ng kaunting mungkahi sa ganda ng kaniyang ipinapanukala.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Marami pong salamat at isa pong karangalan na matanong ng magiting na Kinatawan mula sa BUHAY Party-List.

REP. ATIENZA. Ngayon po ay Buwan ng ating Pambansang Wika na isinasaad ng proklamasyon ng Pangulo ng bansa na tuwing buwan ng Agosto, mula sa Agosto 1 hanggang 31 na tayo ay magsalita at gumamit ng wikang pambansa.


REP. ATIENZA. Sa ganda ng inyong panukala, bakit hindi natin subukan ngayon na sundin natin iyong layunin nitong proklamasyon na ito at dito sa ating Kongreso ang gamitin natin ay wikang pambansa sa loob ng isang buwan. Magkakaintindihan po ba tayo? Tayo po ba ay masasanay sa layunin ng pagkakaisa? O, ito po ba ay mabibigyan natin ng buong kahulugan ang magandang intensyon at layunin ng ating dating Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos?

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Wala naman pong masama na tumalima sa isang proklamasyon ng dating Pangulo na hindi naman ho binabaliktad ng ating kasalukuyang Pangulo Benigno S . “Noynoy” Aquino I I I ang proklamasyon na gamitin ang wikang pambansa sa buwan ng Agosto.

REP. ATIENZA. Maaari po ba tayong magkaisa rito sa panukalang ito na ibigay natin sa ating hapag ngayon na ang ating gagamitin sa buwan ng Agosto ay ang wikang pambansa na isinasaad ng Saligang Batas at iminumungkahi na ibinibigay ng proklamasyon ng Pangulo ng bansa?

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Hinihikayat po natin ang lahat na magsalita sa wikang pambansa, subalit mayroon din po tayong kalayaan na magsalita sa wikang Ingles dahil kasama ho iyan sa freedom of speech ng bawat Pilipino.

REP. ATIENZA. Doon po sa puntong iyon, G. Tagapangulo, ay iminumungkahi ng inyong lingkod na hikayatin at kumbinsihin ang lahat na magsalita sa ating wikang pambansa sa buwan ng Agosto at malaman natin kung ito ay magsisilbing tulay sa pagbibigay ng tunay na pagkakaisa sa ating mga layunin, adhikain at ating mga kagustuhan bilang nagkakahiwa-hiwalay na kapuluan sa ating bansa sa kasalukuyan.


REP. ATIENZA. So, with that, G. Tagapangulo, iyon po ay aking panukala na inihihingi ko ng tugon sa ating tagapamanihala.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Dep.Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, there being no further interpellants to our honorable colleague, I move that we refer the speech of the Honorable Gunigundo to the Committee on Basic Education and Culture. I so move, Mr. Speaker.

REP. ATIENZA. Salamat po.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion to refer the speech of the Honorable Gunigundo to the appropriate committee is approved. The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, at this juncture, I move that we recognize the honorable Representative of the Party-List Magdalo, the Hon. Gary C. Alejano, for the opportunity to take advantage of the Privilege Hour. I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Representative from the Party-List Magdalo, the Hon. Gary C. Alejano, is recognized.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. ALEJANO

REP. ALEJANO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.To our Magdalo supporters present in this hall of

Congress, my friends, distinguished guests, my esteemed colleagues, Mr. Speaker.

Ten years ago or exactly July 27, 2003, a group of more than 300 military junior officers and enlisted personnel, now known as the Magdalo, went to the heart of Makati City to air their grievances and expose the anomalies and corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines which have crippled its performance as defenders of this country. These revelations were coupled with an exposé of numerous irregularities in the government at that time. The systemic corruption then, punctuated by tolerance and worse, orchestration, stunted our country’s growth and stemmed our people’s potential.

The Magdalo members risked their personal comfort, career and, most of all, their lives to awaken our countrymen’s consciousness of the bottomless pit of corruption the former administration was taking our country into.

I, together with my other colleague in the Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List, Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, am part of this group. As soldiers deployed in the field and, in my case, as a former member of the Philippine Marines, we saw the pitiful situation of our fellow soldiers and the poor condition of our kababayans while some of our leaders lavishly spend our people’s money for their own personal comfort and gains. We knew we have to end this and something must be done. For fighting for our convictions, we were incarcerated for a substantial number of years and some of us served more than seven years in jail. We missed significant family events, we lost some of our loved ones, and some families were broken while detained. We missed the bright future that would have been ahead of us in the military. We endured a lot and we are willing to sacrifice more for this country. Nevertheless, looking back, we take comfort in the


fact that all our sacrifices paid off. The so-called Oakwood Mutiny became an eye-opener to the public. It paved the way for more calls to reform the government.

Subsequent events after the Oakwood incident justified our cause.

Allow me, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Magdalo, to thank the President, His Excellency, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, for granting us the amnesty which allowed us to be released from detention and be back to our normal lives.

We also extend our gratitude to the Members of the Fifteenth Congress for supporting the amnesty. Special mention goes to our leader in the House of Representatives, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. Maraming salamat po. Aside from bringing us back to our normal lives, the amnesty gave us the opportunity to serve our country again. It paved the way for us to join and be victorious in the recently concluded 2013 elections. Had it not been for the amnesty, we would not be here in this august Chamber.

We also thank, most of all, the Filipino people for believing in our cause and thus, installing us to elective positions.

In 2007, they installed Sen. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV in the Senate and now, aside from re-electing him, they gave Magdalo two seats—this Representation’s and a colleague’s, Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo, to represent former and retired members of the armed forces and the police, the youth and the urban poor.

We thank you for trusting us to serve you and this government. We assure you more than ever before that we are committed to honest and sincere service.

Recently, we commemorated the Tenth Year Anniversary of Magdalo, that was July 27, 2013, a decade since we exposed irregularities in the government. Although, I still firmly believe in the fundamental values like integrity and uprightness in public service that led us to our march in Oakwood a decade ago, I sincerely hope that another Oakwood incident would not anymore be necessary. First, our road was not an easy one to take. Willing and concerned public servants like our soldiers do not deserve any such sufferings. Second, I know that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), just like any other institution, is not a perfect organization. It has its share of problems and controversies, but thankfully, we live under changed circumstances. Led by its Chief of Staff, Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, and the Aquino administration’s tuwid na daan. We now have an armed forces and a government that is, more than any administration before, committed to change the “business as usual” attitude of plunderers and crooks in the government.

To our soldiers who have grievances, the Magdalo is willing to listen and become part of the solution to the organization’s problems, unlike before when our grievances fell on deaf ears. We will listen. We know your pain. We feel your strains. I, myself, nearly died in the battlefield in service to our country. I bear that mark in my body that will forever remind me of the dangers and hardships that our soldiers are facing everyday in the field. Together, we deserve to relish the gains of honest and committed service.

In our desire to serve the people, we also desire to benefit from their increased participation and know that we can gain from our collective efforts. Hence, Magdalo opened its ranks

to individuals who also desire change because we believe that it is the duty of every Filipino, not only the Magdalo nor us here in this Chamber, to become part of our country’s nation-building. We started this while we were in detention and now, the Samahang Magdalo, as we call the socio-civic organization which we established, is accounted to have more than 300,000 card-bearing members all over the country and even abroad. It is not just for military and police personnel but for everyone.

Volunteerism marks the central value espoused by Magdalo. It encourages and promotes the desire of citizens to help the government without expecting any personal material benefit in return. A true Magdalo who wishes to build a better Philippines, contributes to the welfare of the nation rather than seeks opportunity for his personal welfare. To all Magdalo members, we thank you for trusting and becoming part of the solution.

Mr. Speaker, we are now in a new battlefield in this Congress. Magdalo is expected to push for measures relevant not only for the sectors that we represent but also for the general public as well. Aside from this, although we are firmly committed to support the administration’s effort to benefit the common good, we will not abdicate our duty to act as fiscalizers and perform our oversight function as part of the legislature.

We acknowledge and accept the challenges brought by this new battleground. Furthermore, we assure that nothing has changed in our desire to push this country for the better, to fight corruption and promote the welfare of our people because we believe that Filipinos deserve nothing less from their government.

We also face the perceived misdeeds committed by this institution. During our executive course on legislation, our colleague, Representative Acedillo, mentioned the perceived sources of distrust of the people in this institution. One of these is the misuse of the priority development assistance fund or PDAF which is among the hottest issues of today. We are also hounded by issues on political dynasty, absenteeism and padrino system.

Be that as it may, Mr. Speaker, I want to defend the honor of this Chamber, starting with our Representation’s personal commitment to promote public good and enhance public trust. I believe that this hall is filled with honorable men and women who have all the honest intentions to serve the country and our people. However, much more to be done to enhance our collective reputation as an honorable institution.

I am honored, Mr. Speaker, to be a part of this august Chamber and together, we can bring our country to greatness and march our way towards “matuwid na daan.” We can learn the process, the ins and outs in this Chamber from our seasoned colleagues and get fresh ideas from our fellow neophyte colleagues.

I am praying to Almighty God that I be given the wisdom, strength and courage to pursue the change we have advocated and the principles we stood for.

I wish everyone a meaningful and fruitful Sixteenth Congress in our days ahead.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.




REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, may we ask for a one-minute suspension of the session.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is suspended for one minute.

It was 5:28 p.m.




The Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. GONZALES. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend in the meantime the Privilege Hour.


The Privilege Hour is suspended.

ROLL CALL

REP. GONZALES. Mr. Speaker, I move that we call the roll.


The Secretary General will please call the roll.

The Secretary General called the roll, and the result is reflected in Journal No. 7, dated August 5, 2013.*

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The Speaker is present.The roll call shows that 256 Members responded to the

call.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao.). With 256 Members present, the Chair declares the presence of a quorum.




THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is suspended for a few minutes.

It was 5:45 p.m.





ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES

REP. GONZALES. Mr. Speaker, continuing with the organization of the House, may I move for the election of the following Members to various committees representing the Majority Coalition, to wit:

The Majority Leader read the names of the House Members elected to the various committees, per Journal No. 7, dated August 5, 2013.

COMMITTEE ON AGRARIAN REFORM

2. Rep. Noel L. Villanueva 3. Rep. Magnolia Rosa C. Antonino-Nadres 4. Rep. Erlpe John “Ping” M. Amante 5. Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman 6. Rep. Hernan G. Biron Jr. 7. 8. Rep. Manuel S. Agyao 9. Rep. Franklin P. Bautista10. Rep. Fernando V. Gonzalez11. Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica12. Rep. Ansaruddin A.M. A. Adiong13. Rep. Edcel “Grex” B. Lagman14. Rep. Victor J. Yu15. Rep. Kimi S. Cojuangco16. Rep. Julio A. Ledesma IV17. Rep. Pedro B. Acharon Jr.18. Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr.19. Rep. Sharon S. Garin20. Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr.21. Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

2. Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan 3. Rep. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D. 4. Rep. Ronald V. Singson 7. Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo 8. Rep. Sonny P. Collantes 9. Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya10. Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla11. Rep. Edcel “Grex” B. Lagman12. Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales13. Rep. Michael Angelo C. Rivera14. Rep. Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr.15. Rep. Julio A. Ledesma IV16. Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun17. Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr.18. Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado19. Rep. Mark A. Villar20. Rep. Gustavo S. Tambunting21. Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao22. Rep. Walden F. Bello23. Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay24. Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla

* See ANNEX (printed separately)


SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LAND USE

2. Rep. Nancy A. Catamco 4. Rep. Victoria G. Noel 6. Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo 7. Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr. 8. Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang 9. Rep. Napoleon S. Dy10. Rep. Jeffrey P. Ferrer11. Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales12. Rep. Walden F. Bello13. Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez14. Rep. Sharon S. Garin15. Rep. Anthony M. Bravo16. Rep. Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman

COMMITTEE ON METRO MANILA DEVELOPMENT

2. Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian 3. Rep. Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan 4. Rep. Eric L. Olivarez 5. Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla 6. Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo 7. Rep. Rodolfo G. Biazon 8. Rep. Emi G. Calixto-Rubiano 9. Rep. Carlo V. Lopez10. Rep. Arnel M. Cerafica11. Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo12. Rep. Enrico “Recom” Echiverri13. Rep. Edgar R. Erice14. Rep. Francisco A. Calalay Jr.15. Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte16. Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III17. Rep. Maria Zenaida B. Angping18. Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel19. Rep. Mark A. Villar20. Rep. Gustavo S. Tambunting and all Members from

Metro Manila.

COMMITTEE ON CIVIL SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

2. Rep. Eleonor C. Bulut-Begtang 3. Rep. Maria Valentina G. Plaza 4. Rep. Harlin C. Abayon 5. Rep. Juliet R. Cortuna 6. Rep. Ruby M. Sahali 7. Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa 8. Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas 9. Rep. Victor J. Yu10. Rep. Joel Roy R. Duavit11. Rep. Jesus “Boying” F. Celeste12. Rep. Frederick F. Abueg13. Rep. Gustavo S. Tambunting14. Rep. Catalina Leonen-Pizarro15. Rep. Christopher S. Co16. Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION

2. Rep. Pryde Henry A. Teves

3. Rep. Cathy Barcelona-Reyes 5. Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. 6. Rep. Ann K. Hofer 7. Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa 8. Rep. Felix William B. Fuentebella 9. Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun10. Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo11. Rep. Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman

COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

2. Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun 3. Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. 5. Rep. Doy C. Leachon 6. Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales 8. Rep. Niel C. Tupas Jr. 9. Rep. Andres D. Salvacion Jr.10. Rep. Isidro T. Ungab11. Rep. Herminia B. Roman12. Rep. JC Rahman A. Nava, M.D.13. Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao14. Rep. Ben P. Evardone15. Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez16. Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali17. Rep. Nancy A. Catamco18. Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo19. Rep. Enrico “Recom” Echiverri20. Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil21. Rep. Napoleon S. Dy22. Rep. Eufranio “Franny” C. Eriguel, M.D.23. Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr.24. Rep. Frederick F. Abueg25. Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado26. Rep. Hernan G. Biron Jr.27. Rep. Cresente C. Paez28. Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay29. Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FOOD SECURITY

2. Rep. Nicanor M. Briones 3. Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro 6. Rep. Czarina D. Umali 7. Rep. Alejandro Y. Mirasol 8. Rep. Rodolfo G. Biazon 9. Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla10. Rep. Noel L. Villanueva11. Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado12. Rep. Frederick F. Abueg13. Rep. Erlpe John “Ping” M. Amante14. Rep. Delph Gan Lee15. Rep. Rico B. Geron16. Rep. Gary C. Alejano

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

2. Rep. Rodolfo G. Biazon 3. Rep. Susan A. Yap 4. Rep. Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso 5. Rep. Roy V. Señeres Sr. 6. Rep. Jose F. Zubiri III


7. Rep. Maximo B. Dalog 8. Rep. Niel C. Tupas Jr. 9. Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo10. Rep. Herminia B. Roman11. Rep. Ben P. Evardone12. Rep. Paolo S. Javier13. Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing14. Rep. Maria Carmen S. Zamora15. Rep. Ann K. Hofer16. Rep. Oscar S. Rodriguez17. Rep. Wilfredo S. Caminero18. Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla19. Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa20. Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba 21. Rep. George P. Arnaiz22. Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil23. Rep. Salvacion “Sally” S. Ponce Enrile24. Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel25. Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas26. Rep. Maria Zenaida B. Angping27. Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr.28. Rep. Raden C. Sakaluran29. Rep. Lilia Macrohon-Nuño30. Rep. Ronald V. Singson31. Rep. Hernan G. Biron Jr.32. Rep. Walden F. Bello33. Rep. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo34. Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo

COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

2. Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian 3. Rep. Benhur L. Salimbangon 5. Rep. Irwin C. Tieng 6. Rep. Benjamin D. Asilo 7. Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo 8. Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing 9. Rep. Arturo B. Robes10. Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo11. Rep. Enrico “Recom” Echiverri12. Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr.13. Rep. Edgar R. Erice14. Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya15. Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte16. Rep. Alex L. Advincula17. Rep. Francisco A. Calalay Jr.18. Rep. Doy C. Leachon19. Rep. Eric L. Olivarez20. Rep. Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr.21. Rep. Joel Roy R. Duavit22. Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza23. Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas24. Rep. Pryde Henry A. Teves25. Rep. Felix William B. Fuentebella26. Rep. Evelio “Bing” Leonardia27. Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado28. Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles29. Rep. Lilia Macrohon-Nuño30. Rep. Frederick F. Abueg31. Rep. Aileen C. Radaza32. Rep. Cresente C. Paez33. Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe

34. Rep. Juliet R. Cortuna35. Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla36. Rep. Barry Gutierrez37. Rep. Gary C. Alejano

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS 2. Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas 3. Rep. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles 5. Rep. Barry Gutierrez 6. Rep. Rosendo S. Labadlabad 7. Rep. Rene L. Relampagos 8. Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte 9. Rep. Evelio “Bing” Leonardia10. Rep. Douglas S. Hagedorn11. Rep. Jose T. Panganiban Jr.12. Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales13. Rep. Gustavo S. Tambunting14. Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao15. Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay16. Rep. Juan Johnny R. Revilla17. Rep. Sitti Djalia A. Turabin-Hataman

COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

2. Rep. Carlo V. Lopez 4. Rep. Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr. 5. Rep. Erlpe John “Ping” M. Amante 6. Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya 8. Rep. Marcelino R. Teodoro 9. Rep. Ben P. Evardone10. Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento11. Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo12. Rep. Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas13. Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte14. Rep. Doy C. Leachon15. Rep. Eric L. Olivarez16. Rep. Rodrigo A. Abellanosa17. Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado18. Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” D. Romualdo 19. Rep. Arthur C. Yap20. Rep. Felix William B. Fuentebella21. Rep. Julio A. Ledesma IV22. Rep. Victor J. Yu23. Rep. Salvacion “Sally” S. Ponce Enrile24. Rep. Susan A. Yap25. Rep. Maria Valentina G. Plaza26. Rep. Cathy Barcelona-Reyes27. Rep. Harlin C. Abayon28. Rep. Gina P. De Venecia29. Rep. Abigail Faye C. Ferriol30. Rep. Christopher S. Co31. Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr.32. Rep. Roy V. Señeres Jr.33. Rep. Samuel D. Pagdilao

WITHDRAWAL OF THE ELECTION TO THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

REP. GONZALES. We withdraw the election of Rep. Jorge T. Almonte, and to be replaced by Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. as member number one.


ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES

REP. GONZALES. May I move for the election of the following Members to various committees, to wit:

The Majority Leader read the names of the House Members elected to the various committees, per Journal No. 7, dated August 5, 2013.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

2. Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez 3. Rep. Enrique T. Garcia Jr. 4. Rep. Belma A. Cabilao 6. Rep. Rosendo S. Labadlabad 7. Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” D. Romualdo 8. Rep. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado 9. Rep. Mercedes C. Cagas

COMMITTEE ON INTER-PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY

2. Rep. Maria Zenaida B. Angping 3. Rep. Magnolia Rosa C. Antonino-Nadres 4. Rep. Gina P. De Venecia 5. Rep. Raneo E. Abu 6. Rep. Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas 8. Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo 9. Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago10. Rep. Alfredo “Albee” B. Benitez11. Rep. Emi G. Calixto-Rubiano12. Rep. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano13. Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing14. Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan15. Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya16. Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales17. Rep. Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr.18. Rep. Christopher S. Co19. Rep. Aurora Enerio-Cerilles20. Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza21. Rep. Susan A. Yap22. Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang23. Rep. Franz E. Alvarez24. Rep. Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan25. Rep. Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. 26. Rep. Sharon S. Garin27. Rep. Abigail Faye C. Ferriol28. Rep. Delph Gan Lee29. Rep. Victoria G. Noel

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

2. Rep. Rogelio J. Espina, M.D. 3. Rep. Cathy Barcelona-Reyes 4. Rep. Elisa “Olga” T. Kho 5. Rep. Rolando “Klarex” A. Uy 7. Rep. Marie Anne S. Pernes 8. Rep. Sol Aragones10. Rep. JC Rahman A. Nava, M.D.11. Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago12. Rep. Herminia B. Roman

13. Rep. Peter “Sr. Pedro” M. Unabia14. Rep. Alejandro Y. Mirasol15. Rep. Maria Jocelyn V. Bernos16. Rep. Eric D. Singson17. Rep. Alex L. Advincula18. Rep. Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas19. Rep. Regina Ongsiako Reyes20. Rep. Isagani S. Amatong21. Rep. Fernando V. Gonzalez22. Rep. Francisco A. Calalay Jr.23. Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III24. Rep. Zajid G. Mangudadatu25. Rep. Elenita Milagros “Eileen” Ermita-Buhain26. Rep. Mariano Michael M. Velarde Jr.27. Rep. Patricio T. Antonio28. Rep. Maria Zenaida B. Angping29. Rep. Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga30. Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez31. Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza32. Rep. Isidro S. Rodriguez Jr.33. Rep. Rogelio Neil Pepito Roque34. Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang35. Rep. Scott Davies S. Lanete, M.D.36. Rep. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.37. Rep. Frederick F. Abueg38. Rep. Arnulfo F. Go39. Rep. Maria Valentina G. Plaza40. Rep. Benhur L. Salimbangon41. Rep. Randolph S. Ting42. Rep. Harlin C. Abayon43. Rep. Lilia Macrohon-Nuño44. Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez45. Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing46. Rep. Joseller “Yeng” M. Guiao47. Rep. Aileen C. Radaza48. Rep. Neil Benedict A. Montejo49. Rep. Christopher S. Co50. Rep. Roy V. Señeres Sr.51. Rep. Barry Gutierrez 52. Rep. Jesulito A. Manalo53. Rep. Erlinda M. Santiago54. Rep. Lorna Q. Velasco

COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND PRIVILEGES

1. Rep. Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. vice Rep. Jorge T. Almonte

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

1. Rep. Jorge T. Almonte

COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

2. Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas 3. Rep. George P. Arnaiz 6. Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao 7. Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte 8. Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento 9. Rep. Antonio A. Del Rosario10. Rep. Andres D. Salvacion Jr.11. Rep. Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas


12. Rep. Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo13. Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali14. Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan15. Rep. Roy M. Loyola16. Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica17. Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo18. Rep. Joaquino M. Chipeco Jr.19. Rep. Josephine R. Sato20. Rep. Oscar S. Rodriguez21. Rep. Enrico “Recom” Echiverri22. Rep. Maryam Napii Arbison23. Rep. Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun24. Rep. Doy C. Leachon25. Rep. Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla26. Rep. Manuel M. Iway27. Rep. Edcel “Grex” B. Lagman28. Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya29. Rep. Vicente J. Alcala30. Rep. Arcadio H. Gorriceta31. Rep. Regina Ongsiako Reyes32. Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez33. Rep. Mercedes K. Alvarez34. Rep. Arthur C. Yap35. Rep. Felix William B. Fuentebella36. Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez37. Rep. Xavier Jesus “XJ” D. Romualdo38. Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr.39. Rep. Emil L. Ong40. Rep. Fredenil “Fred” H. Castro41. Rep. Henry S. Oaminal42. Rep. Pablo R. Nava III43. Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr.44. Rep. Sharon S. Garin45. Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe46. Rep. Emmeline Y. Aglipay47. Rep. Victoria G. Noel48. Rep. Samuel D. Pagdilao I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection to the omnibus motion? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the omnibus motion is approved and the members so named by the Majority Leader are elected to their respective committees.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

REP. GONZALES. Mr. Speaker, I move that we approve Journal No. 6 of the session held last July 31, 2013.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection to the motion? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Journal of July 31, 2013 is approved.




THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is suspended for a few minutes.

It was 5:56 p.m.





REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, I move that we extend the Privilege Hour for another 30 minutes. I so move, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Privilege Hour is extended for 30 minutes.



REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, the Gentleman from the Party-List Magdalo has taken his seat. At this juncture, I move that we recognize—may we request for a one-minute suspension of the session, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The session is suspended for one minute.

It was 5:57 p.m.





REP. BONDOC. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize the honorable Representative from the Party-List 1-CARE, the Hon. Edgardo R. Masongsong, to take advantage of the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Gentleman from the Party-List 1-CARE, Rep. Edgardo Masongsong, is recognized.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. MASONGSONG

REP. MASONGSONG. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues of this august

Chamber:I rise today to state some apprehensions on the fast-

tracking and impending implementation of the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market, otherwise known as the IMEM. As Representative of the 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy and being a Mindanaoan myself, it is this humble Representation’s firm belief that the deferment of the implementation of the IMEM in September is the most logical and appropriate action that should be taken by the


Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC).

First, I would like to commend and express gratitude to the concerned government agencies for the valuable efforts exerted to come up with solutions for the continuing Mindanao power crisis.

Indeed, the problem of power shortages cannot be overemphasized as we still continue to experience rolling brownouts affecting both households and businesses. As of August 1 (last Thursday), the power situation outlook in Mindanao as issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is still bleak.

For system capacity in megawatt hours, for example in the morning of the said date, there are only 1,151 megawatts until evening. But for system peak in megawatts in the morning, there are 1,174 megawatts available, while in the afternoon, there are only 1,159 available, and in the evening, there are 1,222. The gross reserve in megawatt hour is -23 megawatt in the morning, -8 megawatt in the afternoon and -55 megawatt in the evening.

In hindsight, given the urgency of the problem, several government initiatives were undertaken to mitigate and address the persisting power shortages. The first ever Mindanao Power Summit was also convened in April 2012 as a venue to discuss the Mindanao power situation and explore possible mechanisms that eventually led to the formulation of a trading platform similar (but also different) to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in Luzon and the Visayas.

On January 9, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) promulgated Department Circular No. 2013-01-001 entitled, “Directing the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to Develop and Implement an Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) as a Measure to Immediately Address the Power Situation in Mindanao.” As stated in the department circular, the IMEM shall have the following salient features which I enumerate verbatim:

(a) A day-ahead market wherein market participants submit their nominations a day before the actual delivery or curtailment of energy;

(b) All generation capacities, directly connected customers and distribution customers shall be part of a mandatory program that aims to address only the deficiency of supply in the grid;

(c) Provides for energy efficiency incentives meant to contribute to the supply in the grid;

(d) Provides real time imbalance correction through the use of a merit order table provided by the IMEM operator;

(e) Provides a Merit Order Table having the same principles of the merit order table used in the Luzon and Visayas grids;

(f) A settlement based on a uniform pricing framework settled at the market clearing price with which the total cost shall be allocated among the IMEM participants; and

(g) Provides for a governance framework to ensure free and fair competition and public accountability.

All generation capacities that are directly connected customers and distribution customers are part of the mandatory program. In its implementation, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the P34.26 million budget, coming from fees collected from Luzon participants in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), on April 1, 2013. The said amount will eventually be recovered

from Mindanao participants in the IMEM, subject to a cost recovery mechanism to be submitted in a separate application, in this case, ERC Case No. 2013-011 RC or Rate Case.

My dear colleagues, Mr. Speaker, while I am in full support to our government’s efforts to address the looming Mindanao power crisis, I have reservations which cannot be contained in the fast-track implementation of the IMEM. The commercial operation is said to commence in September this year, approximately eight months after the formal directive was issued (from January 9, 2013) and four months after the promulgation of IMEM rules (issued on May 24, 2013). We may say the period is sufficient to understand the complexity of the problem and corresponding proposed solutions, but we could also be wrong.

Dear colleagues in the halls of Congress, Mr. Speaker, I am calling for the postponement of the implementation of the IMEM for a number of reasons:

First, the most important question we need to ask is, is Mindanao conducive to commercial operations? The IMEM requires an environment with the capability to adapt to the complexities of the spot market. Relative to this, we need to address the preparedness of our electric cooperatives in terms of human capital, computer hardware and software capabilities, and communication infrastructure. We must bear in mind that as primary participants in the system, it is essential that our electric cooperatives are equipped to ensure effective participation. These requirements could not be met in a short period of time.

Second, are the Mindanaoans ready for the inevitable increase in power rates? Let me put this in context. The First Semester Per Capita Poverty Incidence among families by region and province in 2006, 2009 and 2012 of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) shows that Mindanao posted 28.6 percent poverty incidence in 2012 against the national average of 22.3 percent. More so, we have around two million connections through the electric cooperatives, 40 percent of which, more or less, are lifeline consumers or the so-called lifeline customers. Most, if not all of them, are unable to pay their electric bills despite the minimal amount. This is a sad fact. Hence, we require our concerned agencies to take this into consideration as the IMEM is said to increase electricity rates from P0.03 to P0.72 per kilowatt hour. It is worth noting, too, that among the three major grids, Mindanao remains to have the lowest electricity rates at P6.2632 per kilowatt hour compared to Luzon and the Visayas. This is contained in the 21st Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) Status Report.

Third, there are a number of relevant issues concerning the implementation of IMEM that remain unresolved:

1. Pricing Methodology – The Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) has proposed the same pricing methodology being used in the WESM wherein the price for all offers made by generating companies or GENCOs for a pricing interval in the next day will be the highest offered for that interval. However, we have to note that the inception of the WESM as a trading platform in June 2006 and its operation in Luzon and the Visayas did not stop electricity price hikes which led some groups to speculate that price manipulation is happening in the electricity market. It is therefore imperative and I highly recommend for a review of and further deliberations on the pricing methodology in order to come up with safety mechanisms to avoid those speculations.


2. Contracted Capability vs. Contracted Capacity – for want of further study on the implication of using contracted capability instead of contracted capacity to be entered into the IMEM contracts.

Fourth, the PEMC is yet to establish that the IMEM is a sufficient and efficient solution to the problem of load curtailment being imposed on electric cooperatives by the NGCP on the premise that the portfolio of bilateral power supply contract of each electric cooperative is insufficient for the monthly energy requirement. Is IMEM sufficient or will it enable the electric cooperatives to purchase their day-to-day energy requirements? On the efficiency issue, the PEMC should demonstrate that the power capacity that will be made available by embedded generators can be purchased at the lowest price.

These issues, my dear colleagues, Mr. Speaker, need to be addressed by our implementing agencies.

And fifth, it seems that public awareness is lacking on the IMEM. Our power stakeholders are wishing for basic information on the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market.

Pwede ho kaya nating i-request na maipaliwanag ang sistema sa salitang maiintindihan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan? At the end of the day, the ultimate power stakeholder is the consuming public or the end-users.

At this juncture, Mr. Speaker, honorable colleagues, let me share with you an allegory that is relevant to the subject at hand.

There is a story from the desert fathers about a young monk who asked one of the old men in the desert why so many people came out to the desert to seek God and yet most of them gave up after a short time and returned to their old lives in the city? The old monk told him, “Last evening my dog saw a rabbit running for cover among the bushes of the desert and he began to chase the rabbit, barking loudly. Soon other dogs joined in the chase, barking and running. They ran a great distance and alerted many other dogs. Soon the wilderness was echoing the sounds of their pursuit but the chase went on into the night.

“After a little while, many of the dogs grew tired and dropped out. A few chased the rabbit until the night was nearly spent. By morning, only my dog continued the hunt. ‘Do you understand,’ the old man said, ‘what I have told you?’

“ ‘No,’ replied the young monk, ‘please tell me, Father.’ ‘It is simple,’ said the desert father, ‘my dog saw the rabbit. You see the rabbit and there is no way that you will stop running.’ ”

The lesson of the above story tells us about faith. It is also telling us that not knowing what we are chasing keeps people from persevering. As the people’s Representatives, it is incumbent upon Congress to become an avenue for better understanding of key government programs and policies. This humble Representation, therefore, reiterates that we need to defer the implementation of the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market or the IMEM in September for want of further study and evaluation.

Thank you very much for your time, Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues.


REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Gentleman from Abakada Party-List wishes to rise to interpellate the Gentleman from Party-List 1-CARE. I move that he be recognized.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Gentleman from Party-List Abakada, the Hon. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, is recognized.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Gentleman from 1-CARE, the distinguished Member of Congress, Congressman Ed Masongsong, yield to a few questions?

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). He may, if the Gentleman accedes.

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, it is an honor, Mr. Speaker, to be interpellated by a colleague of this House of Congress, on the issue.


REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Is the Gentleman from 1-CARE aware of the present situation as far as the load in Mindanao is concerned, the power-generating capacity that is in place and the power gap, if there is any, as far as Mindanao is concerned? If so, can the Gentleman give us an update as far as the requirements of the island of Mindanao are concerned?

REP. MASONGSONG. Mr. Speaker, in relation to the questions asked, as stated insofar as the power outlook in Mindanao for the period August 1, the system capacity is only at 1,151 megawatts, while the system peak from morning is 1,154, in the afternoon 1,159, and in the evening, it goes to 1,222, therefore, the gross reserve is already at the negative. So, the contention of this Representation, Mr. Speaker, is that, if there is shortage in power supply in Mindanao, how can the so-called IMEM or the electricity spot market be operational without necessarily increasing the price of power?

REP. DELA CRUZ. Thank you my dear colleague. Are you aware of what particular sectors or forces in Mindanao which are actually urging the immediate implementation of the IMEM despite the shortage that you are now mentioning? Are there any sectors, forces or individuals in Mindanao or elsewhere who are trying to rush the implementation of the IMEM despite this particular shortage in the power outlook for Mindanao? Are there such forces right now that you are aware of?

REP. MASONGSONG. Mr. Speaker, I do not want to confirm or deny, but I would like to state that this humble Representation rose in order to request for the deferment of the so-called implementation of the IMEM for want of further study and evaluation whether or not the so-called IMEM is due for implementation or whether or not Mindanao is ready for the so-called IMEM.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Those are all the questions that I wanted to ask our distinguished colleague, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.


REP. MASONGSONG. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honorable colleague.


REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Mr. Speaker, may I interpellate the Gentleman.


REP. GUNIGUNDO. There being no other Member who wishes to interpellate the …

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Mr. Speaker, can I interpellate the …

REP. GUNIGUNDO. I am sorry, I did not notice the Gentleman from the Party-List ABAMIN, the Hon. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr., who wishes to interpellate the Gentleman from Party-List 1-CARE.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Gentleman from 1-CARE accommodate some interpellations in the subject?

REP. MASONGSONG. It is an honor, Mr. Speaker, to be asked questions with regard to the subject matter at hand.


REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Are you aware that today, brownouts in Mindanao are

ongoing? We have a plant at Misamis Oriental, the Steag, that is being rehabilitated. This is now a recurring problem which I think your privilege speech covers some solutions to it? Are you aware of that, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, almost always, not just the so-called coal-fired power plant based in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, but other power plants are undergoing rehabilitation or repair.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). You said that we are at the critical stage of power crisis because the depletion of power to the tune of 200 megawatts is always a problem, always present. Is that correct, Mr. Speaker, dear colleague?

REP. MASONGSONG. I believe so, Mr. Speaker, this is almost always an average shortage of power as reported.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). This system as you say has to be studied thoroughly, and you said its implementation has to be deferred. Is this one of the solutions to the problem which the DOE is proposing which you cited now in your privilege speech?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is the concern of this humble Representation. While I do not oppose any solution, and even commend government agencies

particularly the DOE, PEMC and even ERC to implement measures that will resolve the power crisis, as mentioned in my privilege speech, there is a need to further evaluate and study whether or not the IMEM is really the solution.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). But then, this is a long-range solution which the DOE is trying to implement and which would cost so much increase in electricity rates, is that correct?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, if we implement the IMEM, I believe the price of electricity in Mindanao will really rise and as I mentioned, from P0.03 to P0.78 per kilowatt hour, to the detriment of our electricity consumers particularly the so-called lifeline consumers.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Yes, I would like to thank you for that information because that is new to me, as regards this system which you are describing now. But on a larger note, may I give this observation that I join you in your cause of finding ways how we can uplift our people in Mindanao through an increase in power in Mindanao. It is my observation that the Department of Energy has actually not lifted a finger to solve the power crisis. By tomorrow until October, they will bid out the four power barges left in the country. These power barges are those barges that should have been used in contingency measures, meaning, in emergency cases. As you pointed out in your privilege speech, we do not have much power capacity to speak of. Are you aware that there are four barges that will be bid out by the PSALM, by the Department of Energy by this month until October, and this may be lost out from our reach in Mindanao?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, I am aware that there are four power barges stationed in the Visayas that can be made available for Mindanao in order to address the shortage of power in that particular place.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Do you not think that this bidding should be stopped and the barges should be deployed immediately to Mindanao to address the power shortage caused by the rehabilitation of the 200-megawatt power plant in Misamis Oriental?

REP. MASONGSONG. If that will help augment the power in Mindanao, and if the said power barges shall be transferred to Mindanao, and to ensure that the power cost will not be increased because of that augmentation of power through those four power barges, then I believe and I agree that the bidding for the said power barges should be deferred in the meantime that there is a problem in the islands of Mindanao.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Thank you. However, the bidding will push through, my dear colleague and my friends here in Congress. We urge the Department of Energy that in case bidding should be had, these barges should be deployed in Mindanao. I did some research in the bidding process. They are bidding four power barges. Each power barge has a capacity of producing 32 megawatts. With four barges, I think we have a little more capacity than what we have now so that we can alleviate the sufferings of our people


because of the brownouts. Do you think that our government, the Department of Energy, should be able to focus on the deployment, use whatever funds they have in order to deploy our barges to uplift the lives of our people in Mindanao?

REP. MASONGSONG. Mr. Speaker, yes, I believe. I agree that the government has the capability to assign those power barges to Mindanao. However, I have reservations as to the capacity of those power barges— whether or not they are in good condition. If the government will be spending so much, and the government will not recover the cost of the repair or rehabilitation of those power barges that will then cause an increase in power price, then maybe that should not be pushed through either.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). My dear colleague, precisely, the barges are to be deployed in order to stay off whatever increase in prices caused by other ancillary charges brought about by other sources of electricity, and I think if we deploy the power barges, we will be using them for baseload purposes, meaning, we will be paying the regular course, the regular payment due the barges in terms of the expenses on diesel only and not other expenses. I think we have such funds to use in order to deploy the barges.

For instance, the President has just signed Executive Order No. 137, and I think the Gentleman is aware of this Executive Order where the electric cooperatives are enticed to get loans from the National Electrification Administration and to use such to rent generator sets and to augment the power deficiency in their areas. Are you aware of that, dear colleague?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, dear colleague, Mr. Speaker, I am aware that the electric cooperatives are encouraged to avail of the said loans to purchase gensets in order to address the shortage of power particularly in Mindanao.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Are you also aware that these gensets are preferably to be rented only through the funds of the National Electrification Administration (NEA)? The gensets have to be rented only to the tune of P1.4 million per megawatt and that does not include the diesel requirement to run these gensets. So, would you agree with me that in this kind of procurement where you only rent modular gensets and the rental fee is that much P1.4 million per megawatt, would you say that this is just too much for our people in Mindanao to absorb?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, Mr. Speaker, inasmuch as I have said a while ago that if our barges will be relocated to Mindanao without it being necessary for the government to recover the cost of whatever rehabilitation or repair of the said power barges, then I am also aware that should the purchase of gensets to be installed have a higher cost, although it is perceived that it will somehow address the shortage of power, the concern again is the cost of power that would definitely be absorbed by the end consumers.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Would you agree with me that in this particular case, renting or buying modular generator sets, which would cause the skyrocketing of electric prices in Mindanao, be better than deploying these barges as they are,

or repairing them, and operating them in Mindanao? Would you agree with me, dear colleague?

REP. MASONGSONG. Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that definitely, the price of power in Mindanao with the purchase and installation and commercial operation of those powered gensets will increase.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). When E.O. No. 137 was signed, P4.5 billion of the Malampaya fund was transferred to the National Electrification Administration, and yet, we cannot deploy our four barges to Mindanao, probably to the tune or expenses of about, I think less than P1 billion. If we have spent P1 billion, why do we spend P4.5 billion in buying generator sets when we can deploy them through our Malampaya fund which we can use for the deployment and rehabilitation of our power plants in Mindanao? Would you agree with me, my dear colleague?

REP. MASONGSONG. Yes, as I have said a while ago, that is why I proposed to this House of Congress that the implementation of the IMEM should be deferred at this point in time for want of further study and evaluation because there may be—aside, of course, from the preparedness of Mindanaoans, the electric cooperatives in particular--other solutions to address the shortage of power other than the IMEM.

REP. RODRIGUEZ (M.). Yes, this subject should have been my privilege speech later but then this is very relevant, and so, I have to interpellate you for giving this information to our people.

We urge the Department of Energy to immediately deploy the four barges in Mindanao. Use the funds in Malampaya in order to finance the rehabilitation and transfer of the four barges to Mindanao. There is one already in Davao, power barge 104, and the three are stationed now in Iloilo, power barges 101, 102, 103. We face a very grave crisis in Mindanao now, which can be solved through some diligent programming of our government agencies, particularly the Department of Energy and the PSALM for that matter.

I thank my dear colleague from 1-CARE for giving his time for interpellation. Mr. Speaker, thank you.

REP. MASONGSONG. Thank you too, Mr. Speaker, my dear colleague.


REP. GUNIGUNDO. There being no other Member who wishes to interpellate the Gentleman from Party-List 1-CARE, I move that we refer the speech of the Honorable Masongsong, together with its interpellations, to the Committee on Rules.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the speech of the Gentleman from Party-List 1-CARE including the interpellations will be referred to the Committee on Rules.


REP. GUNIGUNDO. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I also move that the speech of Representative Alejano be consigned to the Archives.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion to consign to the Archives the speech of the Gentleman from Party-List Magdalo is approved.


REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move that we terminate the Privilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Privilege Hour is terminated.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Mr. Speaker.

REP. GUNIGUNDO. The Gentleman from Abakada Party-List wishes to make a very short and brief manifestation.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The Gentleman from Abakada Party-List, the Hon. Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, is recognized for a very short manifestation.

REP. DELA CRUZ. Maraming salamat po, Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues. Nais ko lang pong ilabas dito sa ating Chamber, at this point in time, iyon pong problema ng mga planholders ng Prudentialife Plans, Inc.—more than 100,000 po sila. Ito po ay pinag-aralan na noong Fifteenth Congress, Mr. Speaker, at nagkaroon ng technical working group sa pamamagitan ni Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, kaya lang, hindi po natapos ang kanilang mga rekomendasyon.

Nandidito po ngayon iyong mga planholders sa pamamagitan ni G. Rolando Ocampos at mga kasama niya, at alam po natin na marami rin po dito sa Kongresong ito ang mga nagkaroon ng plans sa Prudentialife, isa na nga po diyan ang ating iginagalang na Representante ng Eastern Samar, Cong. Ben P. Evardone, na nandidito po, na malamang sa

hindi, kung hindi po gagalaw ang Kongreso sa ngayon, at hindi gagalaw ang Office of the President at saka IC, baka pati iyong kanyang mga napagbayaran na ay mawawala pa dahil ili-liquidate na po sa August 15 itong Prudentialife Plans, Inc.

Kaya nais ko po kung maaari ay magkaroon kaagad ng aksyon ang ating Kongreso at kung maaari, i-bring out ito sa pamamagitan ng isang sense of Congress, sa pamamagitan po ng ating Speaker, si Speaker Sonny Belmonte, mai-bring out po ito, mailabas, hindi lamang po rito sa Kongresong ito kung hindi pati sa Office of the President at saka sa IC, nang sa ganoon, magkaroon ng pagkakataon itong ating mga planholders na mabigyan ng karapat-dapat na solusyon ang kanilang mga problema, Mr. Speaker.

Iyan lang po ang aking manifestation sa ngayon. Sana ma-organize na po agad iyong ating mga komite, at kung hindi man ma-organize ay magkaroon ng resolusyon ang Kongreso, sense of Congress hindi lamang po ang sitwasyon ng Prudentialife planholders, bagama’t ito ang pinaka-importante at this point kasi August 15 na po ang liquidation, kung hindi lahat po ng pre-need companies sa Pilipinas.

Maraming salamat po, G. Ispiker. Maraming salamat, mga kaibigan.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). The abbreviated manifestation of the Gentleman is noted.


ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION

REP. GUNIGUNDO. Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn the session until four o’clock tomorrow afternoon, August 6, 2013.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Aggabao). Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the session is adjourned until four o’clock in the afternoon of August 6, 2013.

It was 6:35 p.m.

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