Legislation

Senate Bill No. 2334: Amending Sec. 41, Administrative Code (Authorizing Punong Barangay to Administer Oath of Office)

The barangay, the smallest political unit in the country, plays a crucial role in the development of the community and the politicizing of the citizenry.

The barangay captain, together with the barangay council, has been empowered by the national government to carry out programs and projects for its constituents. The barangay captain, seen as the elder and community leader, has been in the unique position to practice grassroots governance and provide effective services to its people.

Giving them the power to administer oaths of office empowers and legitimizes their role in democracy building of our political institutions.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2333: Minimum Take Home Pay Bill

Teachers are among our modern day heroes. They inspire and shape the youth to become productive citizens of the country. They go great lengths to provide for their families while serving the country.

With the increasing cost of living, teachers tighten their belts to get by on their modest salaries. They turn to loan agents, government and private, to make ends meet. They go into debt in order to provide for their families’ needs, even to the extent that the entirety of their salary end up going to loan payments.

How can these critical players in nation building impact the next generation if they are bombarded with financial woes? It is thus imminent that the State takes care of its own by curbing unhealthy practices and providing clear policies in support of its government servant- leaders.

By setting a minimum net take-home pay for government employees, this bill seeks to ensure that teachers and other government employees are able to meet their families’ basic needs and reduce their need to take on debts. Setting a minimum take-home amount allows an appropriate control for government employees to be able to properly budget for their households expenses.

Such measure contributes in the efforts to ensure that no one gets left behind, especially among our country’s public servants, in the progress and development of the country.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2353: Amending Secs. 22, 24 (A) 51 ) (2), Nirc (Marginal Income Earners)

In a country where 2.96 million Filipinos are unemployed, the poor turn to various forms of self- employment to be able to make ends meet. The farmers and fishermen in the rural areas, and the tricycle drivers and small sari-sari storeowners in the cities, think of innovative ways just to earn a decent income for their families. More than anything else, these micro-entrepreneurs, or Marginal Income Earners (MIEs), need the right opportunity to grow their small businesses into a more sustainable source of living. Charging taxes does not help them in any way; rather, it becomes a burden to a sector that is situated below the poverty line.

This bill seeks to amend the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 so as to exempt the MIEs from taxes. Their income from their small engagements are just enough to sustain the needs of their families. Such a measure provides a more enabling environment for MIEs to thrive and be given a chance to succeed. It further continues our campaign in achieving growth that includes everyone, even and especially the poor and marginalized.

In view of the foregoing, the approval ofthis bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2373: Amending Sec. 709, Tariff and Customs Code

For the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), going back home to the Philippines is something they look forward to. And part of this experience is putting up a package of gifts to bring home to family, relatives and friends. The balikbayan box has been the symbol for the OFWs – of their sacrifices and travails going abroad, of their desire to provide better lives for their loved ones.

Yet, sending a balikbayan box home becomes burdensome for these modern-day heroes. Currently, these packages undergo a tedious process in the customs and are charged fees that are discouraging for OFWs to send more regularly. Thus, there is a need to provide the ten million Filipinos abroad, who have been already contributing greatly to the economy the past four decades, a better customs administration by reducing the de minimis threshold.

The de minimis threshold is the minimal volume of declaration of goods in the customs for consignments. low thresholds for customs declaration signify increased documentation and processes for shipments at entry pOints in the country. Increased documentation leads to larger turnover and delivery time of goods, and larger administration costs that would yield lower revenue impact for both businesses and government.

Presently, the Philippines has the lowest de minimis threshold in the ASEAN, at PhP10 or US$0.23.  The ASEAN average threshold is at a hundred dollars, which is four hundred times’ that of the Philippines’. The extremely low Philippine threshold has not been changed since 1957 and is clearly antiquated. It needs to be updated to be reflective of current prices.

By increasing the de minimis level to Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP10,000.00), the proposed measure provides a more realistic and relevant threshold. It enables the Bureau of Customs to focus its efforts in looking out for high-value, high-risk and high-revenue goods for collection and enforcement, thereby making customs processes more efficient.

Then, the balikbayan boxes and other low-value and low-risk packages and of OFWs and others, such as entrepreneurs and individuals, who purchase small goods online, are allowed to go through customs faster with minimum fees.

As the saying goes, MAMI: minimum activities for maximum impact for government, private institutions and individuals.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2374: Amending Secs. 3(Y), 53, and 55, Philippine Mining Act

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippines is among the top five countries with the highest overall mineral reserves in the world. Given the country’s vast amounts of mineral resources, the Philippine mining industry has great potential to be a major growth sector for our economy. With a proper framework for the responsible utilization and management of the country’s mineral resources, mining can generate much-needed exports, foreign investments, government revenues and employment.

At present, the potential of the mining industry remains unrealized. The contribution of mining to the economy is low, accounting for less than 1% of GDP from 2003 to 2012. One of the reasons for this is the limited capability for mineral processing within the country. Consequently, most of the industry’s products are exported in primary form, with little added value.

The proposed bill requires that all extracted minerals be processed within the country before export, thereby triggering the development of our country’s mineral processing industry and enhancing the value of our mineral products. Ultimately, this measure seeks to generate more domestic income, attract more investments, and lead to more jobs and livelihood for the Filipino people.

In light of the ASEAN Economic Integration, the proposed measure therefore seeks to raise the value of our Philippine exports and expand the industry’s contribution to our economic pie.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2408: Bangsamoro Basic Law

Providing for the basic law for the Bangsamoro and abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 9054, entitled “An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” and Republic Act No. 6734, entitled “An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” and for other purposes.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2437: Php75,000.00 Cap for Income Tax Exemption of the 13th Month Pay/Other Benefits

AN ACT ADJUSTING THE 13TH MONTH PAY AND OTHER BENEFITS CEILING EXCLUDED FROM THE COMPUTATION OF· GROSS INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF INCOME TAXATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 32 (B), CHAPTER VI OF THE NA TIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED

 

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Senate Bill No. 2464: Amending Secs. 442, 452, 453 & 461; RA 7160 (Income Requirements for the Creation of a Municipality)

For the past few years. the Philippines has experienced phenomenal economic growth and renewed investor trust and confidence. To sustain this progress for the next decade. there is a need to ensure that the growth would be supported by effective and streamlined policy structures and mechanisms. even in the local and provincial levels of government.

One of these efforts is the amendment of the process and requirements to determine an urbanized city. It has been two decades since the local government code was enacted. and it is high time to revisit and rationalize these requirements.

Two decades paved the way to advancement in technology, infrastructure development and other urbanization interventions, and economic inflation. Thus, it is imminent to update the income requirements in the declaration of a city as a highly urbanized city and the conversion of a municipality into a component city.

The proposal seeks to increase the income requirements for a municipality to become a component city from two million and five hundred thousand pesos to twelve million and five hundred thousand pesos for the last two consecutive years; for a highly urbanized status, the proposal seeks to increase the income requirements from fifty million pesos to two hundred fifty million pesos.

Such adjustment raises the standards of excellence among local governments and encourages further innovation and creativity in urbanization and development projects and programs.

From being called Sick Man of Asia, the time when the Philippines will be described as a middle-income nation or even a developed nation is within reach. Thus, it is essential that everyone. even local governments need to prepare and chip in in the efforts of creating and enabling environment for growth and prosperity to be realized by every Filipino family.

In view of the foregoing. the approval ofthis bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2465: Amending Sec. 6; Bp 68 (Corporation Code)

The Philippines is enjoying the best economic growth it has seen in years and has deemed to be a rising star in the region. But the challenge remains to enhance the local markets and business environment in order for investments to continuously come in. Updating pertinent laws is needed to keep up with the fast-changing business landscape and sustain this unprecedented progress.

This measure seeks to introduce key amendments to Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 or the Corporation Code, which was passed in 1980 or more than three decades ago.

Two key provisions aim to address the needs of entrepreneurs in the country.

Firstly, a sole proprietor presently needs to have incorporators of five to fifteen individuals to be able to register with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The policy has created cases for dummy incorporators.

In addition, sole proprietorship exposes all the properties of the entrepreneur for the business’s liabilities. Such exposure risks all of the assets of the proprietor, even his family’s properties.

To address these, this measure recommendsthe recognition of the one-man corporation to encourage entrepreneurs to declare truthful and transparent information about their businesses, limit liabilities and spare family assets, and further grow their businesses.

Secondly, the law currently provides a limited corporate term of 50 years maximum. Many big firms forget to renew after 50 years and they end up dissolving the company, liquidating their assets and transferring their properties. This unfortunate event leads to loss of income and livelihood for families, and the loss of legacy and dreams for entrepreneurs and employees.

This bill seeks to allow corporations to have perpetual corporation existence but with renewal requirements every 25 years. Failure to comply with the requirements will not end corporate existence but penalties will be imposed. It allows a corporation to develop long-term plans and to look into more sustainable and far-reaching strategies for more economic growth.

Other related provisions have been proposed to make the policy relevant and attuned to present times, adopt best global practices, attract more investments and start-ups in the country, and specifically address the needs of entrepreneurs.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2466: Protection of Children During Natural Disasters and Calamities

As the Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Filipino children are most vulnerable and are worst affected when disasters strike every year.

When Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, an estimated 6 million children were affected last November 2013. The children who survived the onslaught lost their loved ones and some became orphans; most of them experienced psycho-social trauma, difficulties in evacuation centers, loss of classroom time and access to social protection, among others.

It is then imperative to revisit policies that better support and provide services to our Filipino children, specifically during disasters, calamities or in armed conflict areas, to lessen the experienced trauma and bring normalcy back quickly.

Thus, the bill proposes the creation of a national program for the protection of children, especially of displaced children. This is particularly crucial in the most vulnerable areas of the country, where the experience of prolonged displacement would have a profound impact on the children’s sense of security, physical and emotional well-being, long-term health and nutrition, and access to education.

Moreover, the bill advances the child-centered training to disaster first responders, teachers, psychologists and eventually, other volunteers in disaster recovery, relief and rehabilitation. Modules are to be crafted specifically for the different stages of children and youth development.

Providing the targeted needs of the Filipino children, specifically during times of distress, ensures the long-term security and health of our nation. It is then urgent and important that this proposal is realized into fruition.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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