Only 1 of 8 Priority Bills Reached Palace After Special Session

Only one of the eight priority bills that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. sought to fast-track through a special congressional session has reached Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said on Wednesday. Ms. Castro told a news briefing that the enrolled copy of the Last Mile and Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools Act has already been transmitted to the Office of the President, while the remaining priority bills are still pending at various stages in Congress. The measure is among eight legislative priorities identified by the Marcos administration under Proclamation No. 1318, which called for a special session of Congress to address key government proposals. Ms. Castro provided updates on the status of the other priority bills, saying several remain under deliberation. The National Center for Geriatric Health bill, amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act are still pending bicameral conference committee discussions. The amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act are in the enrollment process, while the Masustansiyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act has been sponsored in the plenary. The proposed Anti-Political Dynasty law has secured third-reading approval in the House of Representatives but remains pending further action in the Senate, while the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program remains with the Senate Committee on Higher Technical and Vocational Education. “Since these are also priority bills of the President, he hopes that these will be expedited because these are really for our countrymen. He wants these to be passed as soon as possible,” Ms. Castro said in Filipino. The Palace has yet to confirm which of the pending measures Mr. Marcos will highlight in his State of the Nation Address later this month. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking