The 19th Congress resumed on Monday, June 2 — the last time the Senate and House of Representatives go back in session before they adjourn for good on June 11 to make way for a new set of lawmakers.
On Thursday, May 29, the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) convened to discuss the Marcos administration’s priority bills for the legislature’s last six sessions. The Bicameral Conference Committee is currently finalizing seven of these bills.
These are the Amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act, Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime, the Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, the E-Governance Act, the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the Act establishing the Virology Institute of the Philippines, and the Blue Economy Act, which aims to set regulations for the sustainable use of the country’s marine resources.
Meanwhile, proceedings for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte initially set for today have been postponed to June 11 to prioritize legislative measures, according to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. The proceedings will begin with the House prosecutors presenting the Senate with the Articles of Impeachment.
“It will be discussed and debated upon and if it’s okay, it will be referred to the Committee on Rules that would signal the creation of the impeachment court,” Escudero said during a press briefing. “On the same day, we would take oath, convene as an impeachment court, approve rules, and issue summons.” According to Escudero, the proceedings will continue when the 20th Congress convenes in July.
The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate in the late afternoon of February 5, the same day 215 out of 216 members of Congress voted to impeach Duterte on the grounds of violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. However, the Senate didn’t have enough time to act on the Articles of Impeachment as it moved to adjourn ahead of the election campaign period.
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