Department of Overseas Filipinos, death penalty are next Senate priorities

December 31 ------ The Senate will be prioritizing the proposed creation of a Department of Overseas Filipinos, and the revival of death penalty, among several other measures, when it resumes its second regular session in January. In a list released by Senate President Vicente Sotto III Monday, the establishment of a department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is second in the Upper Chamber’s priorities after the proposed National Land Use Act.

Earlier, senators decided to defer discussions on the proposed OFW department and other new agencies to address first the government’s bloated bureaucracy. President Duterte recently certified it as an urgent measure. But Sotto later said he is already inclined to vote for the creation of OFW department since it would support his push for the rightsizing of the government, as it would put all existing OFW-related agencies in one body.

The proposed National Land Use Act, meanwhile, seeks to improve utilization of the country’s lands and physical resources. Government economic managers have also been pushing for its enactment. Third in the priority list was proposed reimposition of death penalty in the country, which, according to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, has a “50-50 chance” of being approved in the chamber. Some senators were pushing for the imposition of capital punishment for heinous crimes.

Congress is currently on a break and will reopen session on January 18, 2021. Sotto said the Senate and House of Representatives agreed to prioritize these measures during the meeting of leaders from both houses last November.

Aside from the three, other measures in Congress’ priority agenda are:

E-Governance Act;

Boracay Island Development Authority;

National Housing Development Act;

Amendment/Repeal to RA 10192 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016;

Medical Reserve Corps Act;

Creation of a Disease Prevention and Control Authority;

Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which was already approved on second reading;

Internet Transactions Act;

Military and Uniformed Personnel Services Separation, Retirement, and Pension Act;

Amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000;

Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers

Increasing Age of Statutory Rape;

Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act;

Hybrid Election Act;

Amendments to Public Service Act;

Potable Water Supply for Every Barangay; and

Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency.

Source: mb.com.ph