Philippine Congress Resumes Session Amid Push for Marcos' Priority Bills

The House of Representatives resumed its session on Monday, July 27, after a nearly two-month break, with Speaker Bojie Dy expressing commitment to tackle President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s remaining priority measures. "We will continue to work to push for reforms that will directly address the everyday problems of our countrymen," Dy said ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address in the afternoon. Among the legislative priorities for the House in the coming year include the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act, amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, the CADENA Act, and the Cybersecurity Act. Dy also vowed to push for the inclusion in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) a bill barring children 13 years old and younger from accessing social media. However, the House passed 26 out of 52 pet bills in the first year of the 20th Congress, but only one was enacted due to hold-ups in the Senate. "I would have to say (the disarray in the Senate) was a factor… The more political mess there is, the less time there is to work," House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said in an ambush interview. "It’s good that the Senate is now more organized, and I’m sure under the leadership of Senate President Win Gatchalian, the legislative mill will… go back to functioning as efficiently as possible," he added. This situation highlights the challenges in the Philippine legislative process, particularly the importance of coordination between the Senate and the House. While there are expectations for the swift passage of crucial bills that directly impact citizens' lives under the Marcos administration, past low legislative success rates cast a shadow over future deliberations.