Senate discusses creation of special committee for review of IRRs

The Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution creating a special committee that would review the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of laws in the Philippines to ensure that their spirit and purpose when crafted are being followed.

After quite a lengthy discussion on its role and limits, however, the senators pulled it out for reconsideration.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the intention of P.S. Resolution No. 527 was to create a special committee to resolve inconsistencies in IRRs and laws passed by Congress.

"Not only the IRRs amend or go beyond the law but also they are sometimes not issued at all. Meaning, some of our laws have been delayed or failed to be implemented entirely as a result of the late and non-issuance of the implementing rules and regulations," Zubiri said.

"This is preposterous and goes entirely against the constitution which mandates the executive to see to the faithful execution of our laws," he added.

Zubiri, chair of the Senate committee on rules, said he filed the resolution after Senator Francis Tolentino lamented the incongruence of IRR to some laws in the country earlier this month.

The special committee was envisioned to review laws passed since the 14th Congress.

The resolution was adopted but after which, some questions were raised as to the details of the committee's function and its limits.

"They will review and they can come up with recommendations of which the Senate can act legally to the courts at hand," Zubiri said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III opined that it can be made a "special study committee" which can refer recommendations to regular committees.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said it should be a subcommittee under the committee on rules.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed  misgivings on the need for the special committee.

"I fully concur with the idea that we should exercise the oversight functions over the rules and regulations. How we can do it is probably where we part ways. My thinking is we have a well-defined committee system with a well-defined jurisdiction and I cannot see the point of this special committee," he said.

In the end, Zubiri moved to reconsider the measure, saying it would be open for further fine-tuning.

"If there is anyone of our colleagues would like to come up with a better recommendation then we are willing to adopt... Back to zero," he said. — RSJ, GMA News