(Eagle News)—-The 17th Congress opened on Monday, July 23, its third regular session, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte was slated to deliver his third State of the Nation Address.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez delivered a speech at the start of the House of Representatives’ session, touting what he said were the Lower House’s accomplishments under his leadership.
There have been reports Alvarez would be replaced by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was deputy speaker until she was removed from the position by Alvarez over her anti-death penalty stance.
Rumors had it it was Davao Mayor Sara Duterte who called for the change in leadership, following her word war with Alvarez over her establishment of a regional party.
Alvarez called the presidential daughter part of the opposition over her move, but she said she had President Duterte’s blessing.
Among the accomplishments Alvarez touted were the enactment of 2929 legislative measures, and the signing into law of 133 bills including the Ease of Doing Business Act, among others.
In the Senate, Senate President Tito Sotto reiterated the independence of the Upper Chamber.
He said if the Senate was needed to pass laws that change the names of streets, among others, all the more is the Senate needed to pass laws on critical matters.
He did not say he was referring to Charter Change, but there are some who believe Cha-cha could take place without the Senate’s participation.
The Senate also ratified the bicameral conference committee’s Bangsamoro Organic Law.
No one opposed the ratification of the bicameral report.s
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the ratification was proof of the government’s sincerity in addressing the problems in Mindanao, including the conflict with rebel groups.
The ratified version will be sent to Malacañang for Duterte’s signature.Meanne Corvera