15th Congress of the Philippines

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15th Congress of the Philippines
← 14th 16th →
Coat of arms of the Philippines.svg
Overview
TermJuly 26, 2010 – June 6, 2013
President Benigno Aquino III
Vice President Jejomar Binay
Senate
Members24
President
President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada
Majority leader Tito Sotto
Minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano
House of Representatives
Members286
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
Deputy Speakers
Majority leader Neptali Gonzales II
Minority leader

The 15th Congress of the Philippines (Filipino : Ikalabinlimang Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 26, 2010, until June 6, 2013, during the first three years of Benigno Aquino III's presidency. The convening of the 15th Congress followed the 2010 general elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives.

Contents

Leadership

Senate

Senate President pro tempore and Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada Jinggoy Estrada.jpg
Senate President pro tempore and Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada

House of Representatives

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. Representative Sonny Belmonte.jpg
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.

Sessions

Party summary

Senate

AffiliationParty (Majority/minority bloc/unclassified)
(Shading indicates party has members in the majority bloc)		Total
LDP Lakas LP NP NPC PDP PRP PMP Ind B-VNP Vacant
End of 14th Congress 1 / 03 / 13 / 10 / 31 / 00 / 11 / 02 / 04 / 11 / 0231
Election1454201250240
June 30, 20101444201250231
July 25, 20101 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 01 / 00 / 12 / 02 / 20231
August 2, 20101 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 01 / 00 / 12 / 04 / 00231
August 4, 20101 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 01 / 01 / 02 / 04 / 00231
August 3, 20111 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 01 / 01 / 02 / 04 / 00222
August 15, 20111 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 01/0/11 / 02 / 04 / 00231
August 17, 20111 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 02 / 01 / 02 / 04 / 00231
May 10, 20121 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 22 / 02 / 01 / 03 / 03 / 00231
July 8, 20121 / 02 / 14 / 03 / 22 / 02 / 01 / 03 / 02 / 00231
September 21, 20121 / 02 / 14 / 02/2/12 / 02 / 01 / 03 / 02 / 00231
September 23, 20121 / 02 / 14 / 02 / 32 / 02 / 01 / 03 / 02 / 00231

House of Representatives

AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates party has members in the majority bloc; italicization indicates party has members from the minority bloc)
Total
Bil BPP CDP KBL LDP Lakas LM LP NP NPC NUP PDP PDSP PMP UNA Ind LT PL Vacant
End of 14th Congress 0——011231302425—502—41532693
Election 0——121051452430—216—70022463
May 20101053525928
June 25, 20101966623310523526324
July 22, 2010953526225
July 25, 2010118917322302523926522
August 2, 20104427017
September 1, 20104627215
September 7, 20104727314
September 21, 20105027611
September 27, 2010532798
October 7, 2010542807
November 22, 2010902816
November 30, 2010912825
January 17, 2011552834
February 4, 20116130
March 7, 20116056
March 16, 2011612843
May 30, 201112852
July 25, 201157742129352861
August 3, 201102852
August 30, 2011543037
December 31, 2011552843
January 19, 2012533
January 26, 2012522834
February 13, 201212843
April 16, 2012733
May 4, 20127436
May 25, 20125142834
May 29, 2012542825
May 31, 2012502816
June 4, 2012752825
August 13, 2012742816
October 9, 2012552825
October 10, 2012562834
October 18, 2012732825
November 5, 2012011289118442700114
December 25, 2012432816
March 19, 2013902807
April 24, 2013272798
Final voting share0%0%0%0%0%9%0%31%6%16%10%0%0%0%4%1%0%20%

Members

Party standing

Senate

Party standing and blocs
15th Congress of the Philippines-Senate composition.svg
15th Congress of the Philippines
PartyMajority
Bloc		Minority
Bloc		Total%
LDP 1014.17%
Lakas 21312.50%
Liberal 40416.67%
Nacionalista 23520.83%
NPC 2028.33%
PDP–Laban 1014.17%
PRP 1014.17%
PMP 2028.33%
Independents
Former NPC: 1, former UNO: 1, former LDP: 1, former PDP–Laban		40416.67%
Totals1942395.83%*

*for purposes of quorum and voting, the vacant seat is included.

House of Representatives

Party standing and blocs
15th Congress of the Philippines
Final party standing. 15th Congress of the Philippines party standing.PNG
Final party standing.
PartyMajority
Bloc		Ind.Minority
Bloc		Total%
Bukidnon Paglaum10010.35%
CDP 10010.36%
KABAKA10010.36%
KBL 10010.36%
LDP 10010.36%
Lakas 10011217.34%
Liberal 90009031.47%
Nacionalista 1602186.41%
NPC 38054315.30%
NUP 30003010.68%
LM 10010.36%
UNA 911113.91%
Independents 40041.42%
Sectoral 51055619.93%
Totals254124279100.00%*
Percent88.81%0.36%39%97.55%

Memberships in committees and other bodies

Commission on Appointments

The Senate President sits as the chair of the Commission on Appointments, who can only vote to break ties; the head of the contingent of the House of Representatives serves as the vice chairman and can vote not just only to break ties.

ChamberPartyChair/vice chairPartyMinority leader
Senate PMP Juan Ponce Enrile Lakas Joker Arroyo
House of Representatives Liberal Roilo Golez Lakas Simeon Datumanong

Judicial and Bar Council

The chairs of the respective houses' committees of justice shall serve as ex officio members of the Judicial and Bar Council. The Chief Justice is the ex officio chairman, while the president appoints the members, with confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

ChamberPartyName
Senate Independent Francis Escudero
House of Representatives Liberal Niel Tupas, Jr.

Electoral tribunals

The Senate Electoral Tribunal is composed of six senators and three justices of the Supreme Court; the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal on the other hand is composed of six representatives and three justices of the Supreme Court.

Electoral tribubalPartyContingent leaderPartyMinority leader
Senate Liberal Francis Pangilinan Nacionalista Pia Cayetano
House of Representatives Liberal Franklin Bautista Lakas Simeon Datumanong

Senate committees

The Senate President, Senate President pro tempore and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules.

House of Representatives committees

The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules.

Legislative activities

Legislative calendar

First Regular Session

Convening

Unlike at the beginning of the 14th Congress, the election of the presiding officers for both houses proceeded without incident as Quezon City representative Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of the Liberal Party was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives while Juan Ponce Enrile of PMP was re-elected Senate President. Alan Peter Cayetano of the Nacionalistas and Albay representative Edcel Lagman of Lakas-Kampi were named minority floor leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively. [2]

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III bared the anomalies during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo such as a budget deficit in the first half of the year, a depleted calamity fund that mostly went to Pampanga, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's home province, corruption at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Power Corporation, Metro Rail Transit Corporation and the National Food Authority. Aquino announced steps to weed out tax evaders, and asked the Commission on Appointments to be easy on his Cabinet. [3]

Postponement of the barangay elections

The minority bloc filed bills to postpone the upcoming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK; youth council) elections in October until 2011. Lakas-Kampi representative Danilo Suarez of Quezon remarked that since the barangay and SK elections were too close to the just-concluded general election, and that congressmen would run out of funds as candidates for barangay positions turn to them for financial support. The president wants the barangay elections to be held at October, but the winners' terms shall only be until May 2013 where the barangay elections will be held concurrently with the 2013 general election. [4] In the Senate, Migz Zubiri filed a bill that will postponed the elections until October 2012, with Enrile prioritizing it. [5]

On August 18, the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms agreed to consolidate bills that seek to postpone the barangay elections, with Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo preferring a 2011 date since synchronizing it with the 2013 general election would be costly as it will be included in the automation project. The City Mayors League preferred postponement up to 2011, the Liga ng mga Barangay wants a 2012 election while the SK prefers any year as long as it is held in October. [6]

In the next hearing of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, the bills deferring the elections were defeated, paving the way for the elections to be held on October 25. Committee chairman Elpidio Barzaga said that "Mr. Aquino wants elections to push through because he wants barangay officials who will serve during his term to have a fresh mandate from the people," with the ex officio members of the House of Representatives voting on Magtanggol Gunigundo's motion to "lay down all the bills on the table." This meant that any further hearings on the matter shall be suspended indefinitely. [7]

Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez

While there had been attempts in the 14th Congress, to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, none of them passed the committee level. [8]

In July 2010, Akbayan Citizens' Action Party filed an impeachment complain against Gutierrez. [9] A few days later in August, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) filed a separate complaint. [10] Both complaints were simultaneously referred to the House of Representative Committee on Justice headed by Iloilo representative Niel Tupas, Jr. [11]

On September 1, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in form. [12] A week later, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in substance. [11] On September 13, Gutierrez filed a motion to the Supreme Court saying that the two complaints violated the one proceeding per year rule. [13] The next day, the court voted to pass a status quo ante order that stopped the impeachment proceedings. [14]

Five months after the order, the court lifted the status quo ante order, on February 15, 2011, thereby allowing the impeachment proceedings to resume, saying that while there are two complaints, there was only one hearing. [15] The day before the committee would've met to continue the proceedings, Gutierrez filed a motion for reconsideration to reinstate the status quo ante order. [16] The committee met anyway, and found the two complaints sufficient in grounds. [17]

On the next hearing, Gutierrez, who had not been attending the impeachment proceeding as she had pending cases on the Supreme Court, sent a representative. The committee was about to vote on whether the two complaints had probable cause when they learned that the Supreme Court dismissed Gutierrez's petitions; after they were notified, the committee voted that both complaints had probable cause. [18]

After a marathon session that lasted into the next day, the House of Representatives on March 22 voted to impeach Gutierrez of betrayal of public trust, with 212 in favor, 46 against and 4 abstentions. [19] Tupas headed the House of Representatives delegation that passed the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate on March 23. [20]

Gutierrez, citing that "the President needs an Ombudsman in whom he has complete trust and confidence," resigned on April 29, 2011. [21] With her resignation, the senate canceled the impeachment trial. [22]

2011 national budget

The deliberations for the enactment of the national budget were opposed by several representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao as they contended that their allocation in the budget, 7.7% for the Visayas and 10% for Mindanao, were not enough. Appropriations Committee chair Joseph Emilio Abaya said while that there will be realignments done, there will be no major realignments. Another point of contention was the conditional cash transfer program, which, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, will help the country in halving poverty, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals. The inclusion of the conditional cash transfer program caused the budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development to increase 123% from PHP15.4 billion to PHP34.3 billion. The PHP1.645 trillion budget was passed by the House of Representatives on October 16 in a marathon session. [23]

The Senate approved their version of the budget, with the major changes from the House version include the increase in allocation for the Office of the Vice President, additional PHP590 million for the House of Representatives, additional PHP345 million for the Senate, the restoration of PHP143.107 million for public colleges, additional subsidy of PHP200 million for local government units and reducing PHP200 million from the Department of Health supposedly for the purchase of contraceptives. The PHP21 billion conditional cash transfer program was kept. [24]

On December 27, 2010, for the first time in eleven years, President Aquino signed the national budget into law before the year ended. Aquino vetoed 13 items, including the provision that Congress should authorize borrowings in excess of the debt ceiling and legislative consultation during budget execution and project implementation. [25]

Investigation of the alleged corruption in the military

The House Committee on Justice conducted hearings on the plea bargaining agreement of the Office of the Ombudsman and retired General Carlos Garcia who has a plunder suit in the Sandiganbayan (special court for government officials). The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the other hand, focused on the pabaon or send-off money given to generals.

On January 26, retired Col. George Rabusa exposed the alleged pabaon or send-off system in the military, which gives at least PHP50 million (USD4.64 million) to retiring chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) [26] On January 30, Rabusa further said that former AFP chiefs of staff Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu were also given send-off money, and former military comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot were instrumental to the transfer of funds; Garcia and Ligot had earlier been charged already due to the anomalies. [27]

On a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, former Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Heidi Mendoza testified that she uncovered irregularities in funds by the military. Among the irregularities she found was the 200 million peso AFP Inter-Agency Fund, and the US$5 million United Nations (UN) reimbursement for Filipino peacekeepers. [28]

Early morning of February 8, Reyes died in an apparent suicide. Later in the day, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice voted to continue the hearing. [29] Mendoza testified that the military's modernization fund was diverted for the purchase of office supplies, and disputed former COA chairman Guillermo Carague, who denied that he ordered Mendoza to "go slow" in the Garcia case. [30]

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee summoned Ligot's wife Jacinta on the February 24 hearing; however, she was skipped as she was confined in Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Her brother, Edgardo Yambao, was also summoned but invoke his right against self-incrimination when asked about his wealth. [31] On the March 21, hearing, Erlinda showed up but just like her husband and her brother, she refused to answer questions that were related to her husband's pending cases, invoking her right against self-incrimination. [32] The Ligots did not appear in the March 25 hearing and was cited for contempt; Jacinto was detained at the Senate while Erlinda's detention was suspended for humanitarian reasons. [33] On the March 29 hearing, Erlinda cited "Dara" (Kapampangan word to denote "aunt") as her frequent travel companion in her overseas trips; Senator Jinggoy Estrada had earlier said that she had traveled with Reyes' wife Teresita. [34] Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III ordered the release of General Ligot after the hearing. [35]

Postponement of the ARMM general election

On February 3, 2011, President Aquino asked Congress to postpone the general election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and synchronize it with the 2013 mid-term election. The officials that would end their terms in 2011 would be replaced by appointments by Aquino. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that aside from ensuring clean elections, a synchronized ARMM election would be cost-effective. [36] On March 22, the House of Representatives passed the bill before Congress went on recess, [37] while the Senate would take up the measure after the recess. [38] On May 3, the Supreme Court ordered the executive and Congress to file comments on a petition from ARMM residents questioning the postponement. [39]

Reproductive Health bill

On November 24, 2010, the House of Representatives population committee acted on the bills about reproductive health. However, Cebu representative Pablo P. Garcia disputed the committee's jurisdiction on the bills, saying it should have been referred to the Committee on Health. Committee chairman Rogelio Espina reasoned out that no one objected when the bills were referred to his committee. [40] On January 31, 2011, the committee unanimously approved a consolidated version; the approval meant that for the first time after similar bills were created in 1998, that a reproductive health bill would be tackled in plenary session. [41] On February 16, the House of Representatives appropriations committee approved funding for bill, with the Department of Health and the Population Commission receiving additional budgets. [42]

The measure would have been tackled in plenary session on March 8, but questions on quorum and proper attire delayed the proceedings. [43] The authors of the bill agreed to amend some provisions, such as making sex education optional, removal of an "ideal family size" of two children, removal of the provision that orders business to provide reproductive health services to their employees, among others. Primary author Edcel Lagman said that this would not water down the bill, as the "central idea" of the bill was not touched. [44]

Legislation

Laws passed by the 15th Congress:

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References

  1. ↑ "Legislative Activities". Congress.gov.ph. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  2. ↑ Torrezoga, Hannah; Rosario, Ben R. (July 26, 2010). "Enrile remains Senate President; Belmonte voted House Speaker". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  3. ↑ Calica, Aurea (July 27, 2010). "Noynoy: No more tong-pats". Philippine Star . Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  4. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (August 16, 2010). "Minority to block 2010 barangay polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Senate to prioritize bill postponing Barangay, SK polls". GMANews.tv. August 10, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ Burgonio, TJ (August 19, 2010). "House wants barangay, SK elections reset". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  7. ↑ Legaspi, Amita (August 25, 2010). "House panel 'kills' bill postponing SK, barangay polls". GMANews.tv. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  8. ↑ Porcalla, Delon (November 18, 2009). "Impeachment raps vs Ombudsman junked". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  9. ↑ Legaspi, Anita (July 22, 2010). "Ex-Rep. Hontiveros leads 2nd impeachment vs Gutierrez". GMANews.TV. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  10. ↑ Legaspi, Anita (August 3, 2010). "Another impeachment complaint filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez". GMANews.TV. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  11. 1 2 Legaspi, Anita (September 7, 2010). "House panel gives full okay to impeach raps vs Ombudsman". GMANews.TV. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  12. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (September 1, 2010). "2 impeach raps vs Ombudsman sufficient in form—House panel". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  13. ↑ Dedace, Sophia (September 13, 2010). "Ombudsman asks SC to block impeachment proceedings". GMANews.TV. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  14. ↑ "SC suspends impeachment proceedings vs Ombudsman". September 14, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  15. ↑ Torres, Tetch (February 15, 2011). "Ombudsman impeach raps get SC green light". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  16. ↑ Dedace, Sophia (February 28, 2011). "Ombudsman appeals SC ruling on impeachment case". GMANews.TV. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  17. ↑ Cruz, RG (March 1, 2011). "Merci's allies lose in showdown on impeachment". ABS-CBNNews.com. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  18. ↑ Romero, Paolo (March 9, 2011). "House finds cause to impeach Merci". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  19. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (March 22, 2011). "House impeaches Ombudsman for betrayal of public trust". GMANews.TV. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  20. ↑ "House transmits impeachment articles to Senate". GMANews.TV. March 23, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ Tan, Kimberly Jane (April 29, 2011). "Ombudsman Merci resigns, 10 days before Senate trial". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Senate shelves Ombudsman's impeachment trial". ABS-CBNNews.com. April 30, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  23. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (October 16, 2011). "House okays P1.645-trillion budget for 2011". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  24. ↑ Torrezoga, Hannah (December 14, 2010). "Senate ratifies national budget". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  25. ↑ Porcalla, Delon (December 28, 2010). "P-Noy signs into law P1.645-trillion budget, vetoes 13 items". Philippine Star . Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  26. ↑ Ager, Maila (January 27, 2011). "Reyes got P50M as 'send-off' money, says AFP exec". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  27. ↑ "Whistle-blower says former Chief of Staff got $4.64 million send-off money". AsiaOne News. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  28. ↑ Balana, Cynthia; Cabacungan, Gil C. Jr. (February 2, 2011). "Former auditor details money trail". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  29. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (February 8, 2011). "House probe on Garcia plea deal proceeds amid Reyes' death". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  30. ↑ Cruz, RG (February 8, 2011). "Mendoza details more misuse of AFP funds". ABS-CBNNews.com. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  31. ↑ Burgonio, TJ (February 24, 2011). "Senate probe shifts to Ligot brother-in-law". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  32. ↑ Ager, Maila (March 21, 2011). "Wife of former military comptroller testifies, finally". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on March 24, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  33. ↑ Burgonio, TJ (March 25, 2011). "Senate holds Ligots in contempt". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Ligot wife cites 'Dara' as frequent travel buddy". GMA News Online. March 29, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Senate releases ex-AFP comptroller Ligot". GMA News Online. March 29, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  36. ↑ Avendaño, Christine O. (February 7, 2011). "Aquino asks Congress to postpone ARMM polls to 2013". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Palace lauds swift passage of ARMM poll postponement bill". Manila Bulletin . March 22, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Senate to tackle bill postponing ARMM polls". ABS-CBNNews.com. April 6, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  39. ↑ "SC orders Palace, Congress to comment on ARMM poll postponement". Philippine Star . May 3, 2010. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  40. ↑ Legaspi, Amita (November 24, 2010). "House panel starts tackling controversial RH bill". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  41. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (January 31, 2011). "House panel approves RH bill for plenary debates". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  42. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (February 16, 2011). "House panel okays proposed initial funding for RH bill". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  43. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (March 8, 2011). "Questions of quorum, dress code stall RH bill debates in House". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  44. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (March 23, 2011). "RH bill authors agree to make sex education optional". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
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