(Eagle News) — House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez opened the House of Representatives Third Regular Session on Monday, July 23, amid moves by some lawmakers to have him replaced by Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Alvarez opened the House session detailing the victories and achievements under his leadership of the House wherein they have passed significant bills including the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which is expected to be signed into law today, during his third State of the Nation Address.
“From July 2016, we have processed 2929 legislative measures and enacted 133 bills that are now law,” Alvarez said.
“During the second regular session alone, the president signed 128 bills into law,” he said.
Alvarez also said that in the field of education, the House created 13 additional public schools. The budget of the Department of Education was also increased by P10 billion, and access to tertiary education was made universal through state universities and colleges.
Alvarez also cited the strengthening of the anti-hazing act, and the enactment into law of the Mental Health Act, among others.
The House Speaker also said he was backing the anti-political dynasty provision in the draft federal Constitution submitted by the Constitutional Commission headed by former Supreme Court chief Justice Reynato Puno, provided that the term limit of local officials be removed.