Senate set to pass ban on chemical weapons as session resumes

The Senate will try to pass several important pieces of legislation, including a bill prohibiting chemical weapons, when it resumes plenary sessions on Monday, Oct. 20 after a three-week break.

The chamber will try to approve the proposed measures before it takes another break for All Saints' Day.

“We have a lot of pertinent bills on our list, and a number of these proposed legislation requires immediate passage," Senate President Franklin Drilon said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

Drilon said senators are expected to approve on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2042 or the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act.

The measure, approved on second reading on Sept. 22, aims to prohibit the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

According to Drilon, Senate Bill No. 2282 or the Fair Competition Act is "close to seeing passage as well" as senators are expected to complete the amendments to the bill.

He said the Senate bill is among the priority economic measures expected to be approved by Congress next year "in order to improve the Philippine's business climate, boost investment and ensure macroeconomic and fiscal sustainability in time for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community in 2015."

Senators are also "ready to introduce amendments" to Senate Bill No. 2400 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Fund, Drilon said.

The Senate will again be in recess from Nov. 1 to Nov. 16. — Kathryn Mae P. Tubadeza/JDS, GMA News