Alvarez lays out House’s priorities for 17th Congress

Lawmakers will have their hands full in the coming months as they start the process of Charter change and work for the passage of the Duterte administration’s priority bills.

Newly-elected Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez laid out the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives for the next three years at the opening of the 17th Congress Monday noon.

In his first speech as Speaker, the Davao del Norte lawmaker stressed the importance of passing three of the Duterte administration’s top priority measures: the reimposition of death penalty, the lowering of age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9, and the revision of the 1987 Constitution.

Of these three bills, Alvarez called the proposal for Charter change the “holy grail” because it would pave the way for the transformation of the country’s system of government from a unitary presidential form to a federal parliamentary one.

The Speaker said it is high time for the system of government to be changed since growth has been stunted in about 80 percent of the country, and the over-dependence of local government units upon the national government.

“The power of imperial Manila over the rest of our nation has to end. Our LGUs need to be allowed to stand on their own feet and to develop and grow as they see fit, subject only to standards that the national government may set. This, among others, should be done by a Constitutional Convention within a time limit set by Congress,” he said.

FOI

Taking a cue from President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of an executive order (EO) on the Freedom of Information (FOI), Alvarez said Congress will also work for the passage of an FOI law “applicable to all branches of government.”

“The greatest crimes are committed in dark secrecy. A Freedom of Information Law will bring the light of truth and transparency into government transactions,” he said.

Alongside granting Duterte emergency powers to address the traffic crisis, Alvarez said Congress must also revisit the Government Procurement Act to ensure it is not a “one-size-fits-all” kind of law.

“We should put in enough flexibility to address all foreseeable possibilities that may arise in the course of government procurement,” he said.

As for mining, Alvarez said mining companies should be required to secure a legislative franchise before they are allowed to operate so that their activities could be subject to legislative oversight.

With regard to social security, the Speaker said pensions of retirees should be adjusted so they would have the funds necessary to buy their needs. He, however, said increasing contributions might be necessary.

“If we need to increase contributions so we can fund the increase in pension benefits, then we must. We must adjust not only to meet present needs but also to anticipate future needs,” he said.

To prevent the disenfranchisement of persons with disabilities and the elderly during the elections, Alvarez said they should have the option for absentee voting during the elections.

While Alvarez is aware that passing important legislation immediately will be a formidable task, he urged his colleagues not to “resist movement” and be like a body at rest.

“Let us not fear change. The only thing we should fear is the fear of change itself,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News