Senate to take up anti-political dynasty, LEDAC measures upon resuming session

The Senate is expected to act on various measures such as the proposed Anti-Dynasty Law and the priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) as it resumes session on Monday, May 4. 

“At the forefront are proposals on governance and political reform. These include the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, which seeks to regulate political succession within families, and the Party-List Reform Act, aimed at refining representation in the lower chamber,” the Senate said in a statement.

“Also lined up for deliberation are the Independent People’s Commission Act and the proposed Right to Information Act, both intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public oversight of government institutions,” it added.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act.

Both the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act and IPC Act are awaiting second reading in the Senate. 

The upper chamber will also discuss economic measures such as amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law, revisions to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, and a review of the Estate Tax Amnesty Program. 

“Measures on energy, agriculture, and infrastructure are also expected to be prioritized. These include the Waste-to-Energy Bill, amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the Rice Tariffication Law, and a bill creating a Department of Water Resources,” the Senate said.

The upper chamber will also tackle the proposed amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act and the Masustanyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino program. 

Articles of Impeachment 

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the upper chamber is ready to act on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte once these are formally transmitted to the Senate. 

Sotto assured the public that “the chamber would act forthwith and ‘with dispatch’ upon receipt of the articles, emphasizing that the process would be handled with urgency and in accordance with constitutional procedure.”

“According to Sotto, once the articles are received, he will immediately inform the plenary and refer the matter to the Committee on Rules for appropriate action, including setting the timetable and outlining the initial procedures for the impeachment trial,” the Senate statement added. 

The House Committee on Justice is expected to adopt its committee report finding probable cause to impeach Duterte on Monday, May 4. 

The House panel is also set to adopt the corresponding resolution and Articles of Impeachment, which will be all transmitted to the plenary for consideration. — JMA, GMA News