PAGASA modernization bill fails to pass in Senate despite PNoy's exhortation

Despite being certified as "urgent" by President Benigno Aquino III himself, House Bill 6546 or "An Act Providing for the Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)" did not pass in the Senate before the close of the 15th Congress on Thursday.

 

“Noong June 5 po ito naka-date (na cinertify.) Nai-transmit na po sa Senado,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a briefing.

 

Valte added that the certification was issued to facilitate the passage of the bill which was already in the advanced stages.

“Medyo patapos na po ‘yung session at isa po ito doon sa mga batas that is already in the advanced stage of legislation. Sayang naman po kung hindi po ito maipapasa nitong Kongreso at importante po itong batas na ito because it provides for the modernization of PAGASA. This is something that we sorely need,” Valte said.

 

However, GMA News Online found that the Senate on Thursday adjourned without reaching a quorum, and that the bill failed to pass. Valte said it was unfortunate that, despite the President’s intervention, the bill will have to be refiled.

 

“[It is] unfortunate that the PAGASA modernization did not make it despite the certification. It will be refiled,” Valte said in a text message to reporters.

 

‘Republics of their own’

 

For his part, Presidential Legislative Liason Office (PLLO) Secretary Manuel Mamba did not see anything lacking in his department’s effort to see the PAGASA Modernization Bill passed, noting that it was the fault of Senators who are “republics of their own.”

 

“It didn’t pass Senate kasi hindi na inabutan. We lack the 16 for a quorum, dahil unti unting nawala yung senators,” Mamba said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

 

“We cannot control them, no matter what we do our powers also are limited. Hindi pwedeng pabalikin sila, in fact we have to get the help of the Executive Secretary to call them, to send messages. That’s the reality, they are republics of their own [and] we are just the lesser mortals na nakikiusap, pag di kami pagbigyan wala kaming magagawa,” Mamba added.

 

However Mamba also admitted that his sour personal relationship with former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile may have affected the coordination of the executive and the legislative, at least in the Senate.

 

“Nasabi ko na that undersecretary ko ang nagkokoordinate sa Senate, di ako makapunta dun (dahil ayaw sa akin ni Enrile. Pero kahit pa, mahirap) dahil sa totoo din, nasa opposition sila,” Mamba said.

 

Mamba earlier revealed that the Enrile, who hails from the same province as the PLLO head, had rejected Mamba’s efforts to reach out.

 

Meanwhile, Mamba expressed confidence that the PLLO will be more effective in the 16th Congress, assuming Senator Franklin Drilon will assume the Senate Presidency.

 

“I believe so (na mas madadalian na kami.) Kapartido natin siya, at mula noon siya yung timon ng presidente diyan sa senado, siya nakikipag usap sa higher echelons, most of the time siya nakikiusap,” Mamba said.

 

The PLLO head also vowed to fix the department's internal operations.

 

“Moving forward, we will have a comprehensive plan, aayusin na ang system namin,” he said. — TJD, GMA News