Senate rejects bicam report on BFP modernization bill over firearms provision

The Senate on Thursday rejected the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization bill due to the provision allowing firefighters to carry firearms during fire emergency situations.

During the Senate’s last session day for the second regular session of the 18th Congress, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon clarified with Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, sponsor of the bicam report, if the final version of the BFP modernization bill will authorize the purchase and use of firearms during their operations.

Dela Rosa confirmed that the provision was included but that this was modified.

Under the bicam report, Dela Rosa said, the entire BFP would not be armed, but each regional and city fire station would have a seven-member team called the Security and Protection Unit that would be the only ones authorized to carry firearms.

Drilon then recalled that the Senate had already struck down that provision in their version, adding that this should be upheld during the bicameral conference hearing.

Dela Rosa explained that the Senate conferees to the bicameral panel “insisted” on upholding the Senate version, but that the House contingents appealed to consider the provision arming the BFP personnel.

“We insisted the Senate version but again I have the understanding, being the chairman of the Senate contingent, na kaya nga bicam ay give and take at pagusapan kung ano ang pwedeng ilabas na final sa bicam na ito. The Lower House contingent was very insistent on their compromise provision,” Dela Rosa said.

“Sabi nila compromise na ito. Pumayag na kami na hindi buo but one team lang sa bawat region or city ang armasan baka pwede pagbigyan dahil lahat ng provision ng Senate ay tinanggap namin,” he explained.

After a lengthy discussion, Drilon suggested to the plenary to return the report to the bicameral panel, saying there was “no discussion at all” on the contested provision.

Dela Rosa denied this, saying it is unfair to say that the Senate contingents just accepted the provision pushed by the House.

Eventually, the Senate called the roll and conducted a nominal vote on the bicam report.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Dela Rosa needs to get the “absolute majority” to ratify the measure.

This means the bill needs to get the support of half of the senators present plus one, to get the absolute majority.

The total number of senators present during the Thursday session was 22 and the final vote on the measure was 11 affirmative votes, eight negative votes, and three abstention.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III ruled that the motion to ratify the bicam report lost as Dela Rosa needs 12 votes to get the absolute majority. — BM, GMA News