2009 MAY 12 - congress.gov.phcongress.gov.ph/legisdocs/congrec/15th/2nd/15C_2RS-50a-052112.pdf · Vol. 3 Monday, May 21, 2012 No. 50a RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 3:58 p.m., the session

Vol. 3 Monday, May 21, 2012 No. 50a

RESUMPTION OF SESSION

At 3:58 p.m., the session was resumed with DeputySpeaker Pablo P. Garcia presiding.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The sessionis resumed.

Please rise for the Invocation to be delivered by the Hon.Monique Yazmin Q. Lagdameo.

Everybody rose for the Invocation.

INVOCATION

REP. LAGDAMEO (M.). Let us remind ourselves of thepresence of the Almighty.

Heavenly Father, we, Your sons and daughters, aregathered in this august hall as humble Representatives of theFilipino people. We seek Your infinite wisdom for guidanceand help for we find ourselves standing in a very criticalmoment in the history of our country. We face both externaland internal challenges which test our fortitude and resiliency,thus defining our character as a nation.

On the external front, may we come out of it diplomaticallywiser. On the pressing domestic concerns, may our actionsresult in stronger institutions, trust and confidence in ourdemocratic system of government and way of life, anddevelopment of a culture of nationalism geared towards amore inclusive society.

Amen.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The Membersmay take their seats.

The Dep. Majority Leader is recognzied.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we proceed to theAdditional Reference of Business.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion isapproved.

The Secretary General will please read the AdditionalReference of Business.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

The Secretary General read the following House Billsand Resolutions on First Reading, Message from thePresident, Messages from the Senate, Subpoena Duces Tecum

Congressional Record15th CONGRESS, SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

and Committee Report, and the Deputy Speaker made thecorresponding references:

BILLS ON FIRST READING

House Bill No. 6156, entitled:“AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT PROVIDINGFOR THE ESTABLISHMENT ANDMANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL INTEGRATEDPROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM, DEFINING ITSSCOPE AND COVERAGE, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES”

By Representative PalmonesTO THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

House Bill No. 6157, entitled:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE TAKEOVER,

LIQUIDATION AND WINDING UP OF A CLOSEDBANKING INSTITUTION”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON BANKS AND FINANCIAL

INTERMEDIARIES

House Bill No. 6158, entitled:“AN ACT DECLARING MAY 15 OF EACH YEAR AS

NATIONAL FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK DAY”By Representative GuanlaoTO THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

House Bill No. 6159, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE PIO DA LIM MEMORIAL

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES – STA.FILOMENA ANNEX AT BARANGAY STA.FILOMENA, MUNICIPALITY OF CALANASAN,PROVINCE OF APAYAO FROM THE PIO DA LIMMEMORIAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES –MAIN, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN ASSTA. FILOMENA SCHOOL OF ARTS ANDTRADES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR”

By Representative Bulut-BegtangTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND

CULTURE

House Bill No. 6160, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE CONNER CENTRAL

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT BARANGAY

2 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

CUPIS, MUNICIPALITY OF CONNER, PROVINCEOF APAYAO FROM THE CONNER CENTRALNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – MAIN CONVERTINGIT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS CUPIS NATIONALAGRICULTURAL AND TRADE HIGH SCHOOLAND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6161, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE CONNER CENTRAL

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AT BARANGAY ILI,MUNICIPALITY OF CONNER, PROVINCE OFAPAYAO FROM THE CONNER CENTRALNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - MAIN CONVERTINGIT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS ILI SCHOOL OF ARTSAND TRADES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6162, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE STO. TOMAS HIGH

SCHOOL ANNEX FROM THE BAGUIO CITYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND CONVERTINGTHE SAME INTO THE STO. TOMAS NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL, APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative VergaraTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND

CULTURE

House Bill No. 6163, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE DOÑA AURORA HIGH

SCHOOL ANNEX FROM THE BAGUIO CITYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND CONVERTINGTHE SAME INTO THE DOÑA AURORANATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHERPURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6164, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING HAPPY HOLLOW HIGH

SCHOOL ANNEX FROM THE BAGUIO CITYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND CONVERTINGTHE SAME INTO THE HAPPY HOLLOWNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6165, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE LINDAWAN HIGH

SCHOOL ANNEX FROM THE BAGUIO CITY

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND CONVERTINGTHE SAME AS THE LINDAWAN NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL, APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6166, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE QUEZON HIGH SCHOOL

ANNEX FROM THE PINES CITY NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING THE SAME AS THEQUEZON HILL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOROTHER PURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6167, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING PINGET HIGH SCHOOL

ANNEX FROM THE PINES CITY NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING THE SAME INTO THEPINGET NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOROTHER PURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6168, entitled:“AN ACT SEPARATING THE DOMINICAN – MIRADOR

HIGH SCHOOL ANNEX FROM THE PINES CITYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING THESAME INTO THE DOMINICAN – MIRADORNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”


CULTURE

House Bill No. 6169, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO

JAVALE LINDY MCGEE”By Representative PunoTO THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolution No. 2395, entitled:“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COMMITTEE ON

PUBLIC INFORMATION OF THE HOUSE OFREPRESENTATIVES TO CONDEMN THE KILLINGOF DXHM BROADCASTER NESTOR LIBATIONON MAY 8, 2012 IN MATI CITY, DAVAOORIENTAL”

By Representative PalmonesTO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION

House Resolution No. 2396, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT AND LOCAL

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 3

GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT ANINVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTOTHE DEADLY FIRE THAT KILLED SEVENTEEN(17) FEMALE WORKERS OF NOVO JEANS ANDSHIRTS DEPARTMENT STORE IN BUTUAN CITY,AGUSAN DEL NORTE”

By Representative MarianoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES


AGRICULTURE AND FOOD AND AGRARIANREFORM TO JOINTLY CONDUCT AN IMPACTASSESSMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OFAGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INSECURING JOBS IN THE RURAL SECTOR ANDATTAINING FOOD SECURITY”


House Resolution No. 2398, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD TO CONDUCT ANINVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ONTHE IMPLEMENTATION OF HYBRID RICECOMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM ANDASSESS THE PROGRAM’S SUSTAINABILITYAND EFFECTIVENESS IN ADDRESSING THEPROBLEM OF RICE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND THEATTAINMENT OF FOOD SECURITY”



NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES ANDHUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT A JOINTINQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THEPLIGHT OF MANOBO FAMILIES BELONGING TOTRIBAL INDIGENOUS OPPRESSED GROUPASSOCIATION (TINDOGA) IN BUKIDNON WHOWERE ASSERTING THEIR RIGHT TO THEIRANCESTRAL LANDS”


House Resolution No. 2400, entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON

HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, INAID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ARREST ANDDETENTION OF ALEX ARIAS, CHAIRMAN OFPAGKAKAISA’T UGNAYAN NG MGAMAGSASAKA SA LAGUNA (PUMALAG), APROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF KATIPUNAN NGMGA SAMAHANG MAGBUBUKID SA TIMOGKATAGALUGAN (KASAMA-TK), BY JOINTELEMENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONALPOLICE (PNP) REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT4A AND 202ND INFANTRY BRIGADE, 2ND

INFANTRY DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY”By Representative MarianoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 2401, entitled:“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES TO CREATE THE HOUSESPECIAL COMMITTEE ON DISASTER RISKREDUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGEADAPTATION”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 2402, entitled:“A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON

FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY,IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ON-GOINGTERRITORIAL DISPUTE OVER SCARBOROUGHSHOAL BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND CHINAAND DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGNAFFAIRS TO EXHAUST ALL LEGAL REMEDIESAVAILABLE IN ORDER TO PRESERVE PHILIPPINESOVEREIGNTY”

By Representatives Rodriguez (R.) and Rodriguez (M.)TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 2404, entitled:“RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO URGEPRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO III, THENATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE ANDTHE ARTS AND THE CULTURAL CENTER OF THEPHILIPPINES TO DECLARE RODOLFO VERA‘DOLPHY’ QUIZON AS NATIONAL ARTIST WITHTHE END IN VIEW OF INSPIRING FILIPINOS TOLIVE UP TO THE VALUE OF LOVE OF COUNTRYAND TO HAVE PRIDE IN OUR CULTURE AND ATTHE SAME TIME HONOR ‘DOLPHY’ FOR HISOUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RADIO,TELEVISION, FILM AND THE ARTS”

By Representative VillarTO THE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND

CULTURE

House Resolution No. 2405, entitled:“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COMMITTEE ON

PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY OF THE HOUSE OFREPRESENTATIVES TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENTTHAT LED TO THE DEATH OF 17 STAY-IN WORKERSTRAPPED IN FIRE RAGE AND HAZE WHICHOCCURRED IN THE THREE- STORY COMMERCIALBUILDING IN BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTEIN THE EARLY MORNING OF MAY 8, 2012”

By Representative PalmonesTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

House Resolution No. 2406,entitled:“RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMISSION ON

ELECTIONS (COMELEC) TO CONDUCT A NEWGENERAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN THEAUTONOMOUS REGION OF MUSLIMMINDANAO (ARMM), PROVIDING FUNDSTHEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

By Representative HarescoTO THE COMMITTEE ON SUFFRAGE AND

ELECTORAL REFORMS


House Joint Resolution No. 30, entitled:“RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE LEADERSHIP

OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND OFTHE SENATE TO CONDUCT DAILY PLENARYSESSIONS ON MONDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYSDURING REGULAR SESSION PERIODS IN ORDERTO ADDRESS MORE CONCERNS AND ISSUES OFTHE PEOPLE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE WORK ANDTO REGULARLY DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC THEATTENDANCE RECORDS OF LEGISLATORSDURING COMMITTEE HEARINGS IN THE NAMEOF TRANSPARENCY”

By Representative PalatinoTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

ADDITIONAL COAUTHORS

The list of additional coauthors is reflected in JournalNo. 50.*

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTMALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

15 May 2012

HON. FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.SpeakerHouse of RepresentativesQuezon City

Dear Speaker Belmonte:Pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 26 (2) of

the 1987 Constitution, I hereby certify to the necessity of theimmediate enactment of Senate Joint Resolution No. 17 andHouse Joint Resolution No. 29, both entitled:

“JOINT RESOLUTION ANNULLING THE BOOK OFVOTERS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES/CITIES INTHE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MUSLIMMINDANAO, DIRECTING THE COMMISSION ONELECTIONS TO IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT ANEW GENERAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS INTHE REGION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

to address the urgent need to immediately purge the Book ofVoters in the ARMM and to effect a general registration of voters,in time for the May 2013 synchronized ARMM and nationalelections, to implement the much needed electoral reforms andensure a free, orderly and honest elections as mandated by theConstitution, R.A. 10153, and other pertinent laws.

Best regards.

Very truly yours,

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

cc: HON. JUAN PONCE ENRILEPresident, Philippine SenatePasay CityTO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Message dated May 15, 2012 informing the House ofRepresentatives that the Senate on even date passedSenate Joint Resolution No. 17, entitled:“ANNULLING THE BOOK OF VOTERS OF THE

MUNICIPALITIES/CITIES IN THE AUTONOMOUSREGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, DIRECTINGTHE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TOIMMEDIATELY CONDUCT A NEW GENERALREGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN THE REGION,PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOROTHER PURPOSES”

in which it requests the concurrence of the House ofRepresentatives

TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES

Message dated May 15, 2012 informing the House ofRepresentatives that the Senate on even datepassed without amendment House Bill No. 4245,entitled:“AN ACT REAPPORTIONING THE SECOND (2ND)

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF QUEZON CITY,THEREBY CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONALLEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS AND TWELVE (12)SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD SEATS FROMSUCH REAPPORTIONMENT”


SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM

Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of the Houseof Representatives, transmitting the Subpoena DucesTecum dated April 18, 2012 issued by Christopher S.Soguilon, Acting Director, Assets Investigation Bureau,Office of the Ombudsman in regarding CPL No. C-12-0093 directing Rosalinda H. Borja, Director II or her dulyauthorized representative, Human Resource ManagementService, House of Representatives to submit to theiroffice clear and certified copies of the followingdocuments relative to Mildred V. Tabios:1) Latest Personal Data Sheet;2) Oath of Office;3) Service Record;4) Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth

(SALN) from 2001 to 2011; and5) Travel Order/Certificate of Travelwithin five (5) days from receipt thereof

Pursuant to Section 150, Rule XXIII of the Rules of theHouse of Representatives, transmitting the Subpoenadated May 10, 2012, issued by Alma V. Azanza, AssistantSpecial Prosecutor III, Office of the Special Prosecutor,Office of the Ombudsman in regarding Criminal CaseNo. 26546 directing Edgardo H. Pangilinan, DeputySecretary General, House of Representatives to appearbefore the said prosecutor on May 16, 2012 at 10:30a.m. and bring a certified true copy of House ResolutionNo. 515 and the Committee Report on the saidresolution.

* See ANNEX (printed separately)


COMMITTEE REPORT

Report by the Committee on Revision of Laws and theCommittee on Appropriations (Committee Report No.2173), re H. No. 6184, entitled:“AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO

SOLO PARENTS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSEREPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, OTHERWISE KNOWN ASTHE ‘SOLO PARENTS WELFARE ACT OF 2000’ ”

recommending its approval in substitution of House BillNos. 3058, 3391, 3598 and 4467

Sponsors: Representatives Primicias-Agabas, Abaya,Bonoan-David, Lopez (C. J.), Arroyo (D.) and De Jesus


ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

RESOLUTION

House Resolution No. 2423, entitled:“RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND

CONDOLENCE OF THE HOUSE OFREPRESENTATIVES TO THE FAMILY OF THEHONORABLE JEREMIAS Z. ZAPATA, MEMBER OFTHE INTERIM BATASAN PAMBANSA, REGION IAND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LONE DISTRICT OFABRA DURING NINTH AND TENTH CONGRESSES”

By Representatives Belmonte (F.), Gonzales (N.), Suarez,Bernos, Cosalan and Vergara


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The Dep.Majority Leader is recognized.

DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO THEBICAM. CONF. CTTEE.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we designate thefollowing as members of the Bicameral Conference Committeeon House Bill No. 4115 and Senate Bill No. 2965, namely: Reps.Cesar G. Jalosjos, Sigfrido R. Tinga, Susan A. Yap, Roman T.Romulo, Luis R. Villafuerte, Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy, AngeloB. Palmones, Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, Cesar V. Sarmiento andFatima Aliah Q. Dimaporo.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Members ofCongress enumerated are so designated.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledgethe presence of the guests of the Hon. Jun Omar C. Ebdane:the mayor of Subic, Mayor Khonghun; Mayor Dominguez ofCastillejos; Mayor Rodriguez, Mayor Aratea, Mayor Lim,Mayor Fariñas, Mayor Amog, Mayor Edora, Mayor Moraña,Mayor Yap, Mayor Apostol and Kagawad Tabihe. They areall guests of the Honorable Ebdane.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Will you pleaserise. (Applause)

Welcome to the House of Representatives.

REP. BINAY. I would also like to acknowledge thepresence of the guests of the Hon. Mariano U. Piamonte Jr.and Hon. Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo: Mrs. Mison,Mrs. Saquing, Mrs. Durania, Mrs. Agnes Romero and Mrs.Ariel Romero. Said guests are all teachers from St. MaryElementary School of Marikina.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Please rise. Welcome to the House of Representatives.

PRIVILEGE HOUR

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we open thePrivilege Hour and recognize the Hon. Amado S. Bagatsingfor his privilege speech.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the Chair declaresthe Privilege Hour open and recognizes the HonorableBagatsing to deliver his speech.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. BAGATSING

REP. BAGATSING. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.My colleagues, today I stand before you on a very hot

issue, as hot as Lady Gaga.Today we have a celebrity visitor in our land, one who is

hailed by the world as the bearer of the music of the future.Her name is no other than Lady Gaga, and the show will runup to tomorrow.

Why am I standing up this afternoon, Mr. Speaker? Ithink that this lady—I do not know how you reconcile a“lady” a “gaga.” I do not know how it will be amusing.

They say that she is an icon, but Mr. Speaker, check outthe messages of her songs, scrutinize her looks and listen towhat she represents.

Ewan ko, Mr. Speaker, sa tingin ko lang, they are so vulgar,they are too offensive. I do not know how we can cover theeyes of our apos and our children. That is what I am worriedabout, Mr. Speaker. She creates music videos that areblasphemous and she encourages hatred of everything thatis taught by God. Freedom is her byword—freedom from alltaboos, freedom from all good values taught to us by ourelders, freedom from decency. She is the epitome ofeverything that decent society declares as wrong. Shedeceives her audience to the point of exploitation, Mr. Speaker.She claims to be religious but her songs are vulgar. As Istated earlier, she wears outrageous and shocking outfits.Akala ko, Mr. Speaker, when you wear a two-piece suit, pang-beach lang iyon e. So, I do not know how you can protectour children and our grandchildren, Mr. Speaker.

Apparently, she fights only for what she thinks is herticket to acceptance by the sector that adores her and putsher on a pedestal. Reports say that when she was at thelowest in her singing career, she was cuddled by the gay andlesbian groups. She attributes her success as a mainstreamartist to her gay fans, hence, she is considered a gay icon.She admitted to having loyal gay fans, thus, she will alwaysbe loyal to them. She admits to being bisexual and flaunts herlifestyle as though this is normal behavior.

Lady Gaga will do anything to get the attention ofeveryone especially the media. In her “Judas” music video,


she dresses like Mary Magdalene to a bike-riding Jesus thensensuously nibbles on Jesus’ ear.

Her music videos show her focusing on themes such assex, violence and power. When she arrived at the 2011 GrammyAwards, she was carried by horned slaves in an egg atop acrucifix. She wore a meat dress—karneng damit, meat dress—in a 2010 awards show. She wore nothing but raw meat.

Posing a dangerous source of corruption for our youth,she masks her love to her fans by calling them “Little Monsters.”This is a sign of her affection for them, as though they were littleand she was the “Mother Monster.” As she tells her “littlemonsters,” “Just love yourself and you’re set.” This messageof selfish love and shocking lifestyle appear to be constant inher songs.

The media promotes her and the entertainment worldadores her. Just yesterday, I read in the newspapers theviews of some concerned citizens worried about the effectsof Lady Gaga’s concert on the youth. However, it is turningout that those who criticize or condemn the show are theones treated like the ones who are narrow-minded and wrong.

Teka muna, sino ba iyan? Sino ba ang tama? Are we—those who cry “Hey, you’re corrupting the minds of our youthand passing judgment on our faith”—the ones who arewrong? Do you not notice that the more negative publicityLady Gaga gets, the worse the Church is portrayed as aninternational network? Contrary to what my elders taughtme, the world is now turned upside down. What is wronghas become right and what is right has become wrong.

But the bigger question is this: What are we doing aboutit, Mr. Speaker? Do we not have guidelines for the censorshipof lewd shows such as this one? Who is in charge? If Iremember right, we have a censorship board. If you base iton their name, they are merely called “Movie and TelevisionReview and Classification Board” (MTRCB). No, they arenot in charge, Mr. Speaker. If their mandate limits them onlyto movies and television, realizing this deficiency, who shallhave jurisdiction over this matter?

So far, the tolerance we give to our entertainers has beenregulated by the MTRCB, as proven by the sanctions theyhave imposed on certain personalities who were vulgar intheir bearings. But their powers apparently have no effect onshocking and vulgar shows that enter our country.

Lady Gaga, based on newspaper reports, was banned inIndonesia, a Muslim country. This was triggered by a mass protestby Muslim conservatives and eventually led to the cancellationof her permit to perform despite the sold-out 52,000-people concert,which was to be the biggest show on her Asian tour.

Mr. Speaker, if Indonesia, a Muslim country, can do that,I wonder what a Christian nation like ours should do.

Mr. Speaker, what we read, what we heard, and what wegathered all lead to the fact that our people are so vulnerable toan attack of our culture. We need to shield our people frombeing exposed to artists who destroy our culture, our beliefsand our values. Let us not bring up children who will be part ofa decadent society. Let us not forget that we have enshrinedin our Constitution, under Article XIV, Section 3, which statesthat our institutions shall “strengthen ethical and spiritualvalues, develop moral character and personal discipline x x x.”

I believe that corruption in our country will be eradicatedif we develop among our citizenry the right values that buildcharacter. It is not yet late, Mr. Speaker. As I speak beforeyou today, Mr. Speaker, some Christian groups are leading a

Jericho march; they are manifesting their outcry against whatthis show of Lady Gaga is going to do.

Nakakahiya, Mr. Speaker. As I have mentioned earlier, saisang Muslim country na-ban itong si Lady Gaga. I wonder whyyou—alam mo siguro hindi ko naman inabot itong Lady Gagana ito, Mr. Speaker, eh. She never really struck my fancy. Iyongword na “gaga” pa lang hindi na ako turned on doon, eh.Pagkatapos, when you see her MTV, mga videos niya, I do notknow if she is depicting Frankenstein with her heavy make-up. Ithink this is exploitation na ng mga kabataan natin, Mr. Speaker.Wala namang magandang idudulot itong Lady Gagang ito.

So, I move, Mr. Speaker, that—hindi ko malaman kung saangcommittee ibabagsak ito. We should come out with a nationalpolicy on the things similar to this, like that of Mideo Cruz whomade the caricature and defaced Jesus Christ. I think a nationalpolicy should be made para hindi naman tayo taken by surprisebecause this directly affects the young people of this country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I hope we can do somethingabout this so it will not be repeated. Thank you.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the speech ...

REP. ROMUALDO. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker.

REP. BINAY. The Hon. Pedro P. Romualdo is recognized.

REP. ROMUALDO. To your left, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The HonorableRomualdo is recognized.

REP. ROMUALDO. Yes, thank you.Will the Gentleman yield to only one question?

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). He may, if heso desires.

REP. BAGATSING. Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will yield to thehonorable Gentleman from Camiguin.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The HonorableRomualdo may proceed.

REP. ROMUALDO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.If this Lady Gaga will be tolerated to render her show in

the Philippines, Mr. Speaker, will this not show the twistedmoral values of Filipinos today?

REP. BAGATSING. I doubt it, Mr. Speaker. By condoningperformers like Lady Gaga, it is just like, what we parentshave done to our children—inculcate the right values—eh,sinisira lang niya. She is destroying them.

REP. ROMUALDO. That is why my question, Mr.Speaker, is, will this not show the twisted moral values ofFilipinos today?

REP. BAGATSING. Well, to some extent, yes, Mr. Speaker,because...


REP. ROMUALDO. Thank you.

REP. BAGATSING. ...they are being exploited by somebodylike Lady Gaga. Ewan ko nga, sabi ko kanina, iyong title palang, “Gaga,” hindi ko na maintindihan iyon. You know, in ourvernacular, iyong salitang “gaga” is pambabae, iyong sa lalakialam na ninyo kung ano iyon, Mr. Speaker.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the speechof the Honorable Bagatsing and the interpellation thereon tothe appropriate committee.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledgethe presence of the guest of the Hon. Antonio L. Tinio ofACT Teachers, National Artist for Literature, Virgilio Almario.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Please rise.Welcome to the House of Representatives. (Applause)

SUSPENSION OF SESSION

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend thesession for a few minutes.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The sessionis suspended.

It was 4:19 p.m.


At 4:21 p.m., the session was resumed.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize Hon.Raymond V. Palatino for his privilege speech.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The HonorablePalatino is recognized to deliver his privilege speech.

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. PALATINO

REP. PALATINO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.My dear colleagues, I rise to give voice to the clamor of

the people of Zambales against the proposed 600-megawattcoal-fired power plant in Sitio Naglatore, Barangay Cawag inSubic, Zambales.

Mr. Speaker, the project started out with a memorandumof understanding between the Subic Bay MetropolitanAuthority (SBMA) and Taiwan Cogeneration in 2006. Theagreement contained the following provisions: (1) It wouldbe a joint venture with the SBMA; (2) It would be anenvironmentally friendly project; and (3) It would provide

affordable power to the freeport area in Olongapo City andthe greater local community. But the project terms werechanged when Taiwan CoGen was joined by Meralco andAboitiz Power Corporation in a consortium called RedondoPeninsula Energy Inc.

In a lease and development agreement with the SBMAsigned in June 2010, the so-called joint venture between theRP Energy and the SBMA was reduced to a mere lessor-and-lessee relationship at the rate of $3.50 per square meter forthe whole 50-year period payable in long term. Nowhere inthe contract would we find provisions on lower power ratesfor consumers.

The power plant to be constructed shall be coal-fired—a dirty technology, —in fact the dirtiest of all fossil fuels, thatis now being phased out in some countries. There is no suchthing as an “environmentally friendly coal-fired power plant.”The project, like the 11 existing coal-fired power plants in thecountry, poses real and grave threats.

Sulphur dioxide, one of the emissions of a coal plant, isthe principal cause of acid rain. Acid rain will diminish forestcover and worsen the acidity of the soil and water in theaffected areas.

The coal plant will constantly contaminate and warm theseawater and reduce marine productivity. Huge volumes ofgreenhouse gas emissions would contribute significantly toglobal warming and climate change.

Coal ash containing toxic chemicals will be accumulated.Discharge of nitrous oxide, sodium oxide, and other heavymetals such as mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium wouldadversely affect the health of the populace in the vicinity,causing cancer, mental retardation and permanent braindamage, gastrointestinal and kidney disorders, and ailmentsin the skin, lungs, heart and eyes.

In the social acceptability process conducted by theSBMA last December 2011, all sectors registered theirapprehensions to the project. Our local government unitssaw no direct financial benefits for their constituents thatwould outweigh health risks. Aeta communities are likewisealarmed over the possible detrimental impact of the plant onthe rainforest in the area, which is the primary source of theirlivelihood and the heart of their heritage. Freeport residentsand investors alike relying on tourism can see the eventualdeterioration of Subic Bay and diminish its viability as a touristdestination.

In the Protected Area Management Plan made inDecember 2001, the SBMA acknowledges, and I quote:

The Subic Bay Protected Area (SBPA) containsextremely high biodiversity values and high speciesendemism. The principal issue of concern here isthat a rainforest environment of high quality is invery close proximity to a large concentration of humanpopulation and intense land use and economicactivity. Maintenance of the ecological balance isdependent on exceptionally good protection fromall sources of impact. Modification and changeoriginating from human activity, whether deliberateor unwitting, will erode the rainforest ecosystem andconsequently reduce its component elements(populations, habitat, species, variation, etc.)

Ironically, if successfully managed andprotected (even enhanced) the ecological values


could in fact contribute greatly to the overalleconomic prosperity of the area.

Mr. Speaker, the proposed coal plant in Subic is locatedinside a protected area. Indeed, there are other environmentalthreats in the Subic Bay area and these must be seriouslyaddressed by the government and the private sector in theaffected municipalities of Morong, Dinalupihan and Hermosa inBataan, and Subic in Zambales. But it does not weaken ourposition against the construction of the plant. In fact, it bolstersour argument in opposing the coal project which would causefurther damage to the fragile ecosystem in the area.

Why allow this destructive project to continue? Theysay coal is cheaper. However, cleaning the emissions to anacceptable level is extremely expensive; standards areusually ignored to save money and gain more profit. Coalwould also not make electricity bills lower for the consumers.Because contracts will be pegged to the international marketprice of coal and oil, electricity prices would surely increasein the long run.

The Aquino administration has been actively pushingfor the setting up of coal-fired power plants in different partsof the country as a response to the projected energy crisis.This projected crisis can be seen as a product of Aquino’seconomic policy which is but a continuation of pastadministration’s flawed concept of development which isbuilding the most favorable environment to attract foreignbusinesses under the framework of neoliberal globalization.

This flawed concept of development is being pushed atthe expense of the environment. At this point, it should bementioned that among the industries contributing to theincreasing demand for coal plants is mining. As a country thatallows 100 percent foreign exploration of land aside from otherincentives, we have attracted foreign mining corporationswhose operations continue to destroy our natural resources.In this context, we must aim not simply for renewable andcleaner sources of energy, but for a long-term economic policythat would balance the need for environmental protection withthe demands of the business community. Also, thepreservation of our finite natural resources against wantonlocal and foreign plunder is a non-negotiable demand.

We are not against development projects that will spurthe local economy, create jobs and revive the investmentattraction of our communities. But development projects oftendegenerate into development aggression if proponents, incollusion with public officials, only prioritize the profitabilityof their investments at the expense of the environment andland rights of the people.

For almost a century, we were deprived of the privilegeto enjoy the clean waters of Subic and the majesticmountains surrounding it because of the presence of a USmilitary base in the area. Two decades ago, we closed thebase and transformed it into an economic and ecologicalpreservation zone. For many years, Subic has served as aviable model for towns which want to promote ecotourismand manufacturing at the same time. It is a prime destinationfor nature tripping, business conventions and investmentopportunities. But how long can Subic retain its appeal ifthe environment threats are not adequately addressedtoday? Will Subic continue to attract tourists if a coal plantis allowed to destroy not only the scenery but also theecological balance in the area?

The youth of the future have the right to use the resourcesof Subic for the improvement of their lives and the generalprogress of the community. But the coal plant, along with otherenvironment threats, could easily ruin our dream of establishinga greener and cleaner future for our children. Instead of lushforests, rich marine habitats and vibrant communities, ourchildren will have to deal with the depletion of resources, theloss of biodiversity and the proliferation of radioactive wastes.They will suffer the dirty consequences of our lack of foresightand political will to save our environment today. They do notdeserve to inherit a polluted environment.

What should we do, Mr. Speaker? At the minimum, letus continue the consultations with the stakeholders,especially the affected residents. We should stop allconstructions in the coal plant site. We enjoin our LGUofficials to make a firmer and bolder stand to oppose theproject. There should be a bias for renewable sources ofenergy considering the strategic importance of Subic in ournational ecotourism plan.

I am not a resident of Subic but I am one of the millions ofFilipinos who wish to preserve the natural wealth and beautyof the place, so that the next generation will continue toappreciate and have more fun when they visit it.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we refer the speechof the Honorable Palatino to the Committee on Energy.


The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized.


REP. BINAY. May I ask for a few minutes suspension ofthe session, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The sessionis suspended.

It was 4:31 p.m.





ROLL CALL

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we call the roll.


The Secretary General will please call the roll.


The Secretary General called the roll, and the result isreflected in Journal No.50*:

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. The Speaker is present.The roll call shows that 206 Members responded to the call.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 206Members present, the Chair declares the presence of a quorum.


NOMINAL VOTING ON H. JT. RES. NO. 31ON THIRD READING

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Joint Resolution No. 31 and direct theSecretary General to read the title of the measure, and call theroll for nominal voting.

I so move.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion is approved.

Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of themeasure, printed copies of which were distributed to theMembers on May 16, 2012, pursuant to Article 6, Section26(2) of the Constitution.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Joint ResolutionNo. 31, entitled: JOINT RESOLUTION ANNULLING THEBOOK OF VOTERS OF THE MUNICIPALITIES/CITIES INTHE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO,DIRECTING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TOIMMEDIATELY CONDUCT A NEW GENERALREGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN THE REGION, PROVIDINGFUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call theroll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules ofthe House, a second roll call was made. The nominal votingon Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure appears inJournal No. 50, dated May 21, 2012.

APPROVAL OF H. JT. RES. NO. 31ON THIRD READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 208affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, HouseJoint Resolution No. 31 is approved on Third Reading.

NOMINAL VOTING ON H.B. NO. 184ON THIRD READING

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 184 and direct the Secretary Generalto read the title of the bill and call the roll for nominal voting.

I so move.


Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of themeasure, printed copies of which were distributed to theMembers on May 7, 2012, pursuant to Section 58, Rule X ofthe House Rules.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 184,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUÑOZ –TALUGTUG PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OFNUEVA ECIJA, GOING TO UMINGAN, PANGASINAN VIABARANGAYS GABALDON – SAVERONA – PATOLA INTHE MUNICIPALITY OF TALUGTUG, NUEVA ECIJA,INTO A NATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to callthe roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to theRules of the House, a second roll call was made. Thenominal voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaidmeasure appears in Journal No. 50, dated May 21,2012.

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 184ON THIRD READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 209affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, HouseBill No. 184 is approved on Third Reading.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 1990 and direct the SecretaryGeneral to read the title of the measure, and call the roll fornominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1990,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE BARANGAY IPIL,SURIGAO CITY – SAN FRANCISCO – MALIMONO –MAINIT PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITIESOF SAN FRANCISCO, MALIMONO AND MAINIT AND INTHE CITY OF SURIGAO, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DELNORTE INTO A NATIONAL ROAD.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to callthe roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant tothe Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.The nominal vo t ing on Third Reading* on theaforesaid measure appears in Journal No. 50, datedMay 21, 2012.


10 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012





I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3099,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE NAGUILIAN-BAGULIN ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION INTO ANATIONAL ROAD.






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4005,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BUKIDNONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SAN JOSE ANNEX INBARANGAY SAN JOSE, CITY OF MALAYBALAY,PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROM THE BUKIDNONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO ANINDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWNAS MALAYBALAY CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 211affirmative votes, no negative vote, and no abstention, HouseBill No. 4005 is hereby approved on Third Reading.

The Dep. Majority Leader may proceed.



I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4253,entitled: AN ACT RENAMING THE PALAWAN POLICEPROVINCIAL OFFICE (PALAWAN PPO) TO CAMP HIGINIOACOSTA MENDOZA SR.




The Dep. Majority Leader is recognized


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 11



I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5979,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY VILLA AURORA,MUNICIPALITY OF MARIA AURORA, PROVINCE OFAURORA TO BE KNOWN AS VILLA AURORA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5992,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE LOOC NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL – BUENAVISTA ANNEX IN BARANGAYBUENAVISTA, MUNICIPALITY OF LOOC, PROVINCE OFROMBLON FROM THE LOOC NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BUENAVISTANATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6001,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ELEMENTARYSCHOOL IN BARANGAY ADDITION HILLS, CITY OFMANDALUYONG TO BE KNOWN AS MANDALUYONGADDITION HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.





12 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012



I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6002, entitled:AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INTEGRATED SCHOOL INBARANGAY ADDITION HILLS, CITY OF MANDALUYONGTO BE KNOWN AS ADDITION HILLS INTEGRATED SCHOOLAND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6044,entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN REALPROPERTY VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT IN THEPHILIPPINES, REORGANIZING THE BUREAU OF LOCAL

GOVERNMENT FINANCE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.





REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 6048 and direct the Secretary Generalto read the title of the measure, and call the roll for nominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6048,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO ALL FILIPINOS, FURTHERAMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7875,OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL HEALTHINSURANCE ACT OF 1995”, AS AMENDED.







I so move.


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 13



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1039,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE SAN JOSE CITY –CARRANGLAN PROVINCIAL ROAD GOING TOCASECNAN, NUEVA VIZCAYA, WHICH TRAVERSESBARANGAYS DIGDIG AND GENERAL LUNA IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF CARRANGLAN, NUEVA ECIJA, ANDDUPAX SUR, NUEVA VIZCAYA, INTO A NATIONAL ROADAND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1210,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY DAGUPAN, MUNICIPALITY OFQUEZON, PROVINCE OF NUEVA VIZCAYA TO BE KNOWNAS DIPPOG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2139,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE TABUK – BANAUEROAD VIA TANUDAN – BARLIG ROAD INTO ANATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.


Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of themeasure, printed copies of which were distributed to the


14 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

Members on May 7, 2012, pursuant to Section 58, Rule X ofthe House Rules.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2254, entitled:AN ACT CONVERTING THE JUNCTION LICTIN – PALAWIG– MAMANGAL – BALITE – BATAG – MARILIMA –MAGNESIA – LABANAY – TALISOY – IGANG – ANTIPOLO- PAJO – PALNAB – GOGON PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THEPROVINCE OF CATANDUANES INTO A NATIONAL ROADAND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2255,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE JUNCTION BIGAA– TAGCALO – CALATAGAN – DANICOP – STO. NIÑO– MISLAGAN – CAPILIHAN PROVINCIAL ROAD INTHE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES INTO ANATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 211

affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention, HouseBill No. 2255 is approved on Third Reading.




I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2256,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE JUNCTION BATO– BATALAY – BOTE – CARORIAN PROVINCIAL ROADIN THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES INTO ANATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.




MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 15

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2324,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE APAYAO –KALINGA – ABRA PROVINCIAL ROAD INTO ANATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2372,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE BARANGAY LOWERLIBAS JUNCTION – POBLACION – BARANGAYHIMAMAUG PROVINCIAL ROAD, ALL IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF TAGANAAN TO SURIGAO CITY INTHE PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DEL NORTE INTO ANATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3096,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROSARIO – TUBAOROAD INTO A NATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3097,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE NAGUILIAN – CABAPROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF LA UNIONINTO A NATIONAL ROAD.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call theroll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of


16 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

the House, a second roll call was made. The nominalvoting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measureappears in Journal No. 50, dated May 21, 2012.






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3098,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE AGOO – STO. TOMAS– TUBAO ROAD INTO A NATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3490,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE BULANAOJUNCTION – DAGUPAN – PINOCOC – MALALINTA ROADCONNECTING THE MUNICIPALITIES OF TABUK ANDPINUKPUK, PROVINCE OF KALINGA AND THEMUNICIPALITY OF TUAO, PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN INTOA NATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3491,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE TUGA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL - BADO DANGWA ANNEX IN BARANGAYBADO DANGWA, MUNICIPALITY OF TABUK, PROVINCEOF KALINGA FROM THE TUGA NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BADODANGWA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.



MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 17






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3819, entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROAD NETWORK LINKINGTHE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN GUILLERMO TO THEMAHARLIKA NATIONAL HIGHWAY, CONSISTING OF THEPROVINCIAL ROAD PASSING THROUGH THEMUNICIPALITIES OF ALICIA, ANGADANAN AND SANGUILLERMO, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA, INTO ANATIONAL ROAD AND APPROPRIATNG FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there any

objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the motion isapproved.


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3925,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING MULTIPURPOSE FISHBREEDING FARMS AND HATCHERIES FOR THEPRODUCTION OF CRABS, SHRIMPS AND LOBSTERS INTHE CITY OF BISLIG AND THE MUNICIPALITIES OFHINATUAN AND LINGIG, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DELSUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3929,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING ANONAS STREET INQUEZON CITY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD.





18 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012





I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4004,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE VALENCIA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL - GUINOYORAN ANNEX IN BARANGAYGUINOYORAN, CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OFBUKIDNON FROM THE VALENCIA NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN ASGUINOYORAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.


Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of the

measure, printed copies of which were distributed to theMembers on May 7, 2012, pursuant to Section 58, Rule X ofthe House Rules.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4006,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BUKIDNONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – KALASUNGAY ANNEXIN BARANGAY KALASUNGAY, CITY OFMALAYBALAY, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROM THEBUKIDNON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTINGIT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS KALASUNGAYNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4007,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE BUKIDNONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – CASISANG ANNEX INBARANGAY CASISANG, CITY OF MALAYBALAY,PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROM THE BUKIDNONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO ANINDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWNAS CASISANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call theroll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules ofthe House, a second roll call was made. The nominal voting


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 19

on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measure appears inJournal No. 50, dated May 21, 2012.






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4009,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE VALENCIA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL – CATUMBALON ANNEX IN BARANGAYCATUMBALON, CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OFBUKIDNON FROM THE VALENCIA NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN ASCATUMBALON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4016,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE STO. TOMAS NORTHROAD IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO INTO A NATIONAL ROADAND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4120,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE ANAO – NAMPICUANROAD IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANAO, PROVINCE OFTARLAC AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF NAMPICUAN,PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA INTO A NATIONAL ROADAND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.



20 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4149,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTIONOF A FISH PORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OFMINGLANILLA, PROVINCE OF CEBU ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.




THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4246,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE DUEÑAS –CARVASANA – CALINOG PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THEPROVINCE OF ILOILO INTO A NATIONAL ROAD ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4247, entitled:AN ACT CONVERTING THE TABUCAN – CABATUAN –CONSOLACION – SAN MIGUEL PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THEPROVINCE OF ILOILO INTO A NATIONAL ROAD ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call theroll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rulesof the House, a second roll call was made. The nominalvoting on Third Reading* on the aforesaid measureappears in Journal No. 50, dated May 21, 2012.





MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 21



I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4445,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENTOF A FISH PORT IN THE CITY OF DAGUPAN, PROVINCEOF PANGASINAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4697,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENTOF A FISH PORT AND COLD STORAGE FACILITY IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF DAPA, PROVINCE OF SURIGAO DELNORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4826,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FISHERIES RESEARCHCENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ABULUG IN THESECOND DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF.







I so move.


22 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4878,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTIPURPOSE FISHBREEDING STATION AND CRAB, PRAWN, SHRIMP ANDLOBSTER HATCHERY IN BARANGAY CENTRO,MUNICIPALITY OF ABULUG, SECOND DISTRICT OFCAGAYAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4879, entitled:AN ACT CONVERTING THE ROAD WHICH STARTS FROMLUCBAN (SITIO AYAGA JUNCTION) – BANGUIAN –ALINUNU – ABULUG (CENTRO) TO BALLESTEROS(CENTRO) – (ZITANGA JUNCTION) IN THE MUNICIPALITIESOF ABULUG AND BALLESTEROS, PROVINCE OF CAGAYANINTO A NATIONAL SECONDARY ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4897,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING FORTUNE AVENUETRAVERSING BARANGAY FORTUNE AND BARANGAYPARANG IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, CITY OF MARIKINAINTO A NATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.




MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 23


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4908,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING BAGONG FARMER’SAVENUE 1 TRAVERSING BARANGAY TUMANA IN THESECOND DISTRICT, CITY OF MARIKINA INTO ANATIONAL ROAD.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5459,entitled: AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF GUBATDISTRICT HOSPITAL TO SALVADOR R. ENCINASDISTRICT HOSPITAL IN GUBAT, PROVINCE OFSORSOGON.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5928,entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A PRE-HOSPITALEMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM, PROVIDING FORTHE ESTABLISHMENT, SUPERVISION AND REGULATIONOF THE PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROFESSIONAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5980,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE JP CEDRONATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - LIBUAC ANNEX IN


24 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

BARANGAY LIBUAC, CITY OF SURIGAO, PROVINCE OFSURIGAO DEL NORTE FROM THE JP CEDRO NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS LIBUACNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5981,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE MADRID NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL – PARANG ANNEX IN BARANGAY PARANG,MUNICIPALITY OF CANTILAN, PROVINCE OF SURIGAODEL SUR FROM THE MADRID NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS PARANG NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5982,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY LUNAS, CITY OF MAASIN,PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE TO BE KNOWN ASLUNAS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5983, entitled:AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INBARANGAY MOJON, CITY OF MALOLOS, PROVINCE OFBULACAN TO BE KNOWN AS PRESIDENT CORAZON


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 25

COJUANGCO-AQUINO MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5988, entitled:AN ACT CONVERTING THE NATONIN COMMUNITYHOSPITAL IN NATONIN, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE INTO ANANNEX OF THE LUIS HORA MEMORIAL REGIONALHOSPITAL IN BAUKO, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.






REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on Third

Reading on House Bill No. 5993 and direct the SecretaryGeneral to read the title of the measure, and call the roll fornominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5993,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE TUBARAN NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL – DIGKILAAN ANNEX IN BARANGAYDIGKILAAN, CITY OF ILIGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DELNORTE FROM THE TUBARAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS DIGKILAAN NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5994, entitled: ANACT SEPARATING THE MARIA CRISTINA NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL – DITUCALAN ANNEX IN BARANGAY DITUCALAN,CITY OF ILIGAN, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE FROMTHE MARIA CRISTINA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH


26 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS DITUCALAN NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5995,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE ILIGAN CITY EASTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – KIWALAN ANNEX INBARANGAY KIWALAN, CITY OF ILIGAN, PROVINCE OFLANAO DEL NORTE FROM THE ILIGAN CITY EASTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO ANINDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWNAS KIWALAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5996,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION BYTHE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT BOARD OFSEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%) OF THE REVENUESACCRUING TO THE INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREASFUND (IPAF), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION16 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN ASTHE “NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREASSYSTEM ACT OF 1992”.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6011,


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 27

entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENTOF A MULTIPURPOSE SPORTS CENTER IN THE FIRSTDISTRICT OF THE CITY OF ANTIPOLO, PROVINCE OFRIZAL TO BE KNOWN AS “ANTIPOLO CITY DISTRICT 1SPORTS CENTER” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6022,entitled: AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE TAXES ONINTERNATIONAL AIR CARRIERS OPERATING IN THEPHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS28(A)(3)(a), 108 (B)(6) AND 118, ALL UNDER THENATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1997, ASAMENDED.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6023,entitled: AN ACT TO PREVENT AND CONTROLPOLLUTION FROM SHIPS, PROVIDE PENALTIESTHEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6024, entitled:AN ACT SEPARATING THE BUKIDNON NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL – AGLAYAN ANNEX IN BARANGAY AGLAYAN,CITY OF MALAYBALAY, PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROMTHE BUKIDNON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING


28 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS MALAYBALAY CITYNATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6032,entitled: AN ACT RENEWING THE FRANCHISEGRANTED TO PHILIPPINE GLOBALCOMMUNICATIONS, INC. (FORMERLY RCACOMMUNICATIONS, INC.) FOR ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSEREPUBLIC ACT NO. 4617.









THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6040,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING A THREE (3)-YEAR VALIDITYPERIOD FOR THE LICENSE TO EXERCISE SECURITYPROFESSION, AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACTNO. 5487, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THEPRIVATE SECURITY AGENCY LAW.”







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6050,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING RURAL FARM SCHOOLSAS ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY MODE OF SECONDARYEDUCATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 29

The Chair directed the Secretary General to callthe roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to theRules of the House, a second roll call was made. Thenominal voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaidmeasure appears in Journal No. 50, dated May 21, 2012.





REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 541 and direct the Secretary Generalto read the title of the measure, and call the roll for nominalvoting.

I so move.


Thereupon, the Secretary General read the title of themeasure, printed copies of which were distributed to theMembers on May 16, 2012, pursuant to Section 58, Rule Xof the House Rules.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 541,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN FERNANDO,PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS SOUTHPOBLACION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 543,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY LIBURON, CITY OF CARCAR,PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS LIBURONNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1251,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE MARCOS ALVAREZROAD IN THE CITY OF LAS PIÑAS INTO A NATIONALROAD AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THEMAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT THEREOF.



30 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1330, entitled:AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BARANGAY INTEGRATEDDEVELOPMENT APPROACH FOR NUTRITIONIMPROVEMENT (BIDANI) OF THE RURAL POOR AS ANETWORK PROGRAM OF THE PARTICIPATING STATECOLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1591,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY CALIDNGAN, CITY OF CARCAR,PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS PIT-OSNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1592, entitled:AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL INBARANGAY TUYOM , CITY OF CARCAR, PROVINCE OFCEBU TO BE KNOWN AS TUYOM NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.





MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 31





I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 1766,entitled: AN ACT RECONSTITUTING THE LANAO DELNORTE ENGINEERING DISTRICT OFFICES IN THEPROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE INTO TWO (2)REGULAR DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICES ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2522,entitled: AN ACT UPGRADING THE COTABATOSUBDISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE INTO A REGULARDISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE TO BE KNOWN AS THECOTABATO CITY DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2533,entitled: AN ACT UPGRADING THE PANGASINANSECOND SUBDISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE INTO AREGULAR DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE TO BEKNOWN AS THE PANGASINAN FOURTH DISTRICTENGINEERING OFFICE, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.






32 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012



I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 2755,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SEPARATEENGINEERING DISTRICT IN THE 2ND CONGRESSIONALDISTRICT OF NUEVA ECIJA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3734,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICELOCATED IN PANIQUI, TARLAC INTO A REGULAR LTO

DISTRICT OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 3857,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICELOCATED IN LEBAK, SULTAN KUDARAT INTO AREGULAR LTO DISTRICT OFFICE, APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.






REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on Third


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 33

Reading on House Bill No. 4311 and direct the SecretaryGeneral to read the title of the measure, and call the roll fornominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4311,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) – SATELLITE OFFICEIN NOVALICHES, DISTRICT 2, QUEZON CITY ANDPROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4360, entitled:AN ACT RECONSTITUTING THE PAMPANGA DISTRICTENGINEERING OFFICES IN THE PROVINCE OF PAMPANGAINTO FOUR (4) REGULAR DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICESAND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to callthe roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the

Rules of the House, a second roll call was made. Thenominal voting on Third Reading* on the aforesaidmeasure appears in Journal No. 50, dated May 21,2012.






I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4386,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) DISTRICT OFFICE INTHE CITY OF BAYBAY, PROVINCE OF LEYTE ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.


34 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4696,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT BRANCHOF THE LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF STA. BARBARA IN THE 2ND DISTRICTOF ILOILO, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOROTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4880,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) DISTRICT OFFICE INTHE CITY OF ANTIPOLO, PROVINCE OF RIZAL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4918,entitled: AN ACT CREATING A DISTRICT ENGINEERINGOFFICE IN THE LONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTOF ILIGAN CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE ILIGAN CITYDISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 35


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 4969,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICELOCATED IN STA. MARIA, BULACAN INTO A REGULARLTO DISTRICT OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5020,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 17 OF EVERYYEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAYIN THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5156,entitled: AN ACT CONVERTING THE LANDTRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) EXTENSION OFFICELOCATED IN AGOO, LA UNION INTO A REGULAR LTODISTRICT OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORAND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5242,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE CAWAGAYAN


36 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – SOCBOT ANNEX INBARANGAY SOCBOT, MUNICIPALITY OF PINUKPUK,PROVINCE OF KALINGA FROM THE CAWAGAYANNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO ANINDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWNAS SOCBOT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5265,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE VALENCIA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL—TONGANTONGAN ANNEX INBARANGAY TONGANTONGAN, CITY OF VALENCIA,PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON FROM THEVALENCIANATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, CONVERTING ITINTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TOBE KNOWN AS TONGANTONGAN NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.




affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,House Bill No. 5265 is hereby approved on ThirdReading.




I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5373,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE VALENCIA NATIONALHIGH SCHOOL – CONCEPCION ANNEX IN BARANGAYCONCEPCION, CITY OF VALENCIA, PROVINCE OFBUKIDNON FROM THE VALENCIA NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN ASCONCEPCION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to call the rollfor nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant to the Rules of theHouse, a second roll call was made. The nominal voting onThird Reading* on the aforesaid measure appears in JournalNo. 50, dated May 21, 2012.






I so move.



MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 37


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5386,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE SUMADELNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL – BULO ANNEX INBARANGAY BULO, CITY OF TABUK, PROVINCE OFKALINGA FROM THE SUMADEL NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENTNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS BULONATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5584,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY UGONG, CITY OF PASIG, METROMANILA TO BE KNOWN AS UGONG, PASIGNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5808,entitled: AN ACT DEFINING CYBERCRIME, PROVIDINGFOR THE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, SUPPRESSIONAND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With211 aff irmative votes, no negative vote and noabstention, House Bill No. 5808 is approved on ThirdReading.




I so move.



38 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 5977,entitled: AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRADEREPRESENTATIVE OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6119,entitled: AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE CONDUCTOF THE PALARONG PAMBANSA AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6138,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY PONGAPONG, MUNICIPALITYOF SAN PABLO, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SURTO BE KNOWN AS PONGAPONG NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6139,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY SAN SEBASTIAN,MUNICIPALITY OF TABINA, PROVINCE OF


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 39

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR TO BE KNOWN AS TABINANATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDSTHEREFOR.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With211 aff irmative votes, no negative vote and noabstention, House Bill No. 6139 is approved on ThirdReading.




I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6140,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY SALAGMANOK,MUNICIPALITY OF KUMALARANG, PROVINCE OFZAMBOANGA DEL SUR TO BE KNOWN ASSALAGMANOK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6141,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL IN BARANGAY SIKATUNA, MUNICIPALITY OFGUIPOS, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR TO BEKNOWN AS SIKATUNA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6142,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HIGH


40 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

SCHOOL IN BARANGAY IBO, CITY OF DANAO,PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE KNOWN AS EDUARDO GORREMEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.



THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 211affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention,House Bill No. 6142 is approved on Third Reading.




I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6143,entitled: AN ACT SEPARATING THE TUKURANTECHNICAL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - TAGULOANNEX IN BARANGAY TAGULO, MUNICIPALITY OFTUKURAN, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR FROMTHE TUKURAN TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL TO BE KNOWN AS POTENCIANO SOLONBANDOLON MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANDAPPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6149,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING APRIL 23 OF EVERY YEARA SPECIAL NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF PLARIDEL, PROVINCE OF BULACANTO BE KNOWN AS THE “BATTLE OF QUINGUA DAY”.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6150,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING JULY 14 OF EVERY YEAR ASPECIAL NONWORKING PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN THE CITYOF GUIHULNGAN, PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL IN


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 41

COMMEMORATION OF ITS CHARTER DAYANNIVERSARY.

The Chair directed the Secretary General to callthe roll for nominal voting. Thereafter, pursuant tothe Rules of the House, a second roll call was made.The nominal vo t ing on Third Reading* on theaforesaid measure appears in Journal No. 50, datedMay 21, 2012.


THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). With 211aff i rmat ive votes , zero negat ive vote and zeroabstention, House Bill No. 6150 is hereby approved onThird Reading.




I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6151,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING MARCH 8 OF EVERY YEARAS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THEPROVINCE OF COMPOSTELA VALLEY.






REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 6152 and direct the Secretary

General to read the title of the measure, and call the roll fornominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6152,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST THIRTIETH (30th )OF EVERY YEAR AS “CATARMAN DAY”, AMENDING FORTHE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9203, ENTITLED ‘ANACT DECLARING THE FIFTEENTH (15th) DAY OF AUGUSTOF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAYIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CATARMAN, PROVINCE OFCAMIGUIN, TO BE KNOWN AS “CATARMAN DAY”.







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6153,entitled: AN ACT DECLARING AUGUST 1 OF EVERY YEARAS A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF COMPOSTELA, PROVINCE OFCOMPOSTELA VALLEY.


42 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012







I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6155,entitled: AN ACT ESTABLISHING RESOURCEDEVELOPMENT AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE CENTERS FORWOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EVERY PROVINCE AND CITYOF THE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSEREPUBLIC ACT NO. 8505, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE“RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACTOF 1998”.






REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we vote on ThirdReading on House Bill No. 6171 and direct the Secretary

General to read the title of the measure, and call the roll fornominal voting.

I so move.



THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6171,entitled: AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENTOF A FISH PORT AND COLD STORAGE FACILITY IN THEMUNICIPALITY OF SASMUAN, PROVINCE OFPAMPANGA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.





REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, we received a communicationfrom the Senate that they adopted the version of the ARMMregistration. I move that we adopt the Senate version as anamendment to House Joint Resolution No. 31.

I so move.


REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we direct theSecretary General to immediately transmit to the Senate allbills and resolutions approved on Third Reading.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the SecretaryGeneral is directed to comply.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we close thePrivilege Hour.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none, the PrivilegeHour is closed.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge afew guests in the gallery, the guests of the Honorable Imelda


MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 43

Dimaporo: Dr. Daud, Nor-Ainnie Lomondot, Omilhaya Camidand Ramla Pado.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Will you pleaserise to be recognized. Welcome to the House ofRepresentatives. (Applause)

REP. BINAY. We would also like to acknowledge thepresence of guests of the Hon. Franklin P. Bautista from theSecond District of Davao del Sur. They are the LGU officialsof the municipality of Malita, Davao del Sur, namely: JamieMuñoz, Jovita Sarmiento, Vicky Fuentes, Engr. Oscar Birondo,Pedro Benedicto Pabalan, Thelma Oroc, Melissa Gemina,Christina Leah Pabalan and the municipal mayor, MayorBenjamin Bautista.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). Will the guestsplease rise. Welcome to the House of Representatives.(Applause)

REP. BINAY. May we also acknowledge the presence ofthe guests of Hon. Magtanggol T. Gunigundo I, namely: Dr.Joan Durrant, Dr. Christine Ateah and Ms. Ashley Stewart-Tufesco from the University of Manitoba, Winnepeg, Canada.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). To all ourguests, please rise and be acknowledged. Welcome to theHouse of Representatives. (Applause)

REP. BINAY. We also have the guests of Hon. BernadetteR. Herrera-Dy from the Bagong Henerasyon Party-List,namely: DSWD Usec. Alicia R. Bala, CWC Exec. Dir. BrendaVigo, NYC Chair Leon Flores, PLAN Int’l Selena Fortich; NGOpartners; Juvenile Justice Network; NGO Coalition on theMonitoring of the UN CRC; Child Rights Network; AteneoHuman Rights Center; Humanitarian Legal AssistanceFoundation; Childhope Asia; Institute on Church and SocialIssues; World Vision; ERDA Foundation; childrenrepresentatives from Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City;Seventh-Day Adventist; John J. Carroll Institute on Churchand Social Issues; Open Heart Foundation; Save the Children;Philippine Action for Youth Offenders, and the people fromBrgy. Payatas.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). To all ourguests, please rise. (Applause) Welcome to the House ofRepresentatives.

CONSIDERATION OF H.B. NO 6052Continuation

PERIOD OF SPONSORSHIP AND DEBATE

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, may we proceed to theUnfinished Business. I move that we resume theconsideration of House Bill No. 6052 on Second Reading. Forthis purpose, may we request the Secretary General to readonly the title of the bill.


The Secretary General is directed to read only the title ofthe measure.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL. House Bill No. 6052,entitled: AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE JUVENILEJUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FORTHE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9344, OTHERWISEKNOWN AS THE “JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACTOF 2006.”

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary status ofthe bill is that we are still in the period of interpellation.Therefore, may we now recognize the Hon. Mel Senen S.Sarmiento to defend the bill, and the Hon. Luzviminda C.Ilagan for her interpellation.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The HonorableSarmiento from Western Samar is recognized.

REP. ILAGAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I beprivileged to ask the distinguished Sponsor a few clarificatoryquestions with regard to the amendments in the proposedbill.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). If the Sponsorso desires.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Most willingly, Mr. Speaker.

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garcia, P.). The Lady willplease proceed.

REP. ILAGAN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Mr. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, today is a very

important day. Today is the 6th year anniversary of the law onJuvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Mr. Speaker, could theSponsor please state the exact age that is being proposed asan amendment to the age of discernment that is being tackledin this particular bill.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). It is 12 years old, Mr. Speaker,between 12 to 15 years old.

REP. ILAGAN. May we know the basis for amendingthis particular provision, lowering the age of discernment orcriminal liability, Mr. Speaker?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Mr. Speaker, yes, it has beensix years since the passage of this particular measure,and although we fully supported its passage six yearsago, during its implementation, we encountered a goodnumber of problems coming from the local governmentunits. This is one of the laws that the mayors then, and Ibelieve until today, are having then when I was still theSecretary General of the League of Cities of thePhilippines.

We did host a convention of cities and this is one of themajor laws that mayors have been complaining about and wedid invite the principal author of the Senate version, SenatorKiko Pangilinan, to likewise respond to the various challengesthat the local government units were facing when thisparticular law was passed.

44 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

Ang naging dahilan po nito, napakarami pong mgareklamo, naging problema ang mga local governments nanaengkwentro nang ipinasa ito dahil parang naabuso po itosa paggawa po ng krimen. Hindi lang po sa mga kabataan,pero nagagamit din po ang mga kabataan ng ilang sindikatopara gumawa po ng isang krimen at ang dinadahilan po, eh,wala naman pong criminal liability ang mga bata. Ibig sabihin,naabuso po itong batas na ito kaya po iyon po ang nagingdahilan na ibinaba po sa proposal na ito ang age ofdiscernment to between 12 to 15 years of age.

REP. ILAGAN. Mr. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, ano poitong mga partikular na porma ng pang-aabuso na nirereklamong ating mga local government officials?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Marami pong mga krimen naginagawa: akyat-bahay, pagtutulak ng droga, pagnanakaw atkung anu-ano pa. Maraming sitwasyon kung saan ang mgakabataang ito ay nagdadala pa po ng mga birth certificate. Inone instance, in the province of Leyte, there were five youngoffenders who brought with them a copy of the law and evencited the law as they were about to be apprehended. Ibigsabihin, alam nilang mali ang ginagawa po nila pero ginagamitpo nila ang batas para po maprotektahan ang kanilangmasamang gawain at ang ginagamit po na proteksyon nila ayang RA 9344.

REP. ILAGAN. Mr. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, it is nota normal practice even among adults to be carrying aroundbirth certificates with them, hindi po ba? Kaya nakapagtatakana itong mga bata, may dala-dalang birth certificates. Sinasabininyo dahil ginagamit na ito bilang rason nila para depensahankung bakit sila ay gumagawa nitong mga kasalanang ito. Mgabata ho sila, nagdadala ng birth certificates. Is that notstrange? Hindi ba tinatanong, sino naman ang nag-udyok sakanila? Sino naman ang nagbigay ng advice? Bakit dala-dalanila iyong kanilang mga birth certificates?

At this juncture, the Deputy Speaker relinquished theChair to Sr. Dep. Majority Leader Janette L. Garin.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Malamang po dahil sa accessdin na mayroon ang mga kabataan ngayon. They get to seethings on television, citing particular laws and probably, somekids learn from that. Now, with access to the Internet, Mme.Speaker, baka, dahil may konti ring pinag-aralan at nagbabasa,nag-google din po sa Internet, nakita po iyong proteksyonna pwede po nilang magamit sa paggawa ng masamanggawain. Kasama na rin po diyan ang pag-uudyok ng ilangmga adults na ginagamit din sila para sa paggawa po ngmasamang gawain. Ito po ay na-eksperyensahan ko rin nangmay nabuwag kami na isang grupo na kung saan ini-housena po ang ilan ding kabataan para sa isang grupo ng Akyat-Bahay. Ganoon din ang nasa isip nila, na sila ay protektadopo ng batas at pwede nilang gawin ang gusto nilang gawinkahit po ito ay illegal, kahit po ito ay labag sa batas, Mme.Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor,sinasabi rin ninyo na may mga adults, may mga tao na nasalikod nitong mga batang ito na naging juvenile or youthoffenders at nabanggit ninyo na baka sindikato ang nasa

likod nila. Bakit ho hindi mahabol itong mga sindikatong ito?Kung malinaw sa ating mga law enforcers or investigators namayroon ngang mga grupo o sindikato sa likod ng mga batangito, bakit hindi po kino-consider na ang sindikato ang dapathabulin?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Ito po ay sinusubukan din ngmga law enforcers natin pero napakagaling din po nila. Gayapo ng isang Akyat-Bahay na grupo, na-train po iyong mgakabataan. Hindi naman po pwedeng hulihin ang isang batasa isang bahay na wala pa pong ginagawang masama. Mahirapnaman pong hulihin iyon kung walang basehan. Kung kailanpo sila gumagawa ng masama, sabihin natin ay umaakyat nasila ng bahay, pinapasok na po nila, wala po silang adult nakasama doon. Ang ginagawa po nila ay gumagamit ngcellphone. Ang ginagagawa po nila, ang ginagamit nila is aprepaid phone na kung saan hindi po natin mati-trace kungsino talaga ang kausap nila. They are basically managing itfrom a distance. They are basically monitoring everything.The kids have likewise been trained by the syndicate just tokeep their mouth shut and tell the law enforcers about thelaw.

So, napakahirap pong hulihin kung saan naka-cellphonepo sila at nakikita nila ang nangyayari. Kapag nahuli po silaaalis po iyon, at kung iti-trace po kung kaninong teleponoiyon, wala na po iyon at siguradong itatapon na kaagad iyongSIM card noon at hindi na po mahahabol. Kaya medyonahihirapan din po ang mga law enforcers natin sa paghahabolpo ng ilang sindikato.

Sa experience po natin na na-rescue po iyong mgakabataan, tiyempo lang po. Wala po doon iyong mga adults,ang mga kabataan lang ang nandoon, at sila po ay siyemprekinuha natin at naibigay sa DSWD para sila ay mabigyan ngkakailanganing serbisyo para po sa rehabilitasyon at pagbaliknila sa kanya-kanyang pamilya, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, Mr. Sponsor, youmentioned that dadalhin sila sa DSWD for rehabilitation.Mayroon po ba tayong pag-aaral kung ilan talaga ang na-a-accommodate ng DSWD for rehabilitation? Do we haveadequate support so that this particular agency will be ableto carry out this particular function?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). This humble Representation,Mme. Speaker, actually filed a bill to address that concernand it was basically incorporated in this consolidated version.

May gagawin pong sentro na kung saan po ang mgalocal government units, nakasaad sa batas, nakalagay podoon, ay kailangang—may mandando—maglagay ng kanya-kanyang sentro ng rehabilitasyon o para sa isang youthdetention home, kasama na po ang rehabilitation diyan. Pero,alam po ninyo, iyong batas na ipinasa noong araw—napaka-impractical sa punto ng isang local government unit namagpatayo ng isang pasilidad na hahantong sa isang localgovernment unit na hindi makalagay ng isang sentro dahilhindi po nila kakayanin ang pag-finance po ng isang sentro.Kaya po, sa bill po natin ang sinasabi natin dito, a highlyurbanized city, Mme. Speaker, that can easily afford the settingup of the said facility, they are free to do so. But we likewisehave fourth-, fifth-, sixth-class municipalities which, forapparent reasons, cannot set up the said facility. Just imagineif you are going to set up a facility, kailangan po natin ng

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 45

guwardiya diyan, kailangan po natin ng isang psychologistdiyan, kailangan po natin ng social worker, kailangan po natinng kusinero. Kung gagastos po diyan sa isang buwan anglocal government unit, sa overhead pa lang mga P150,000 toP200,000 na, at iilan lang ang laman dahil dapat ang kampanyarito prevention din para maiwasan ng mga kabataan nagumawa ng masama. Mahihirapan po. Una, ang operationmagbabantay ka isa o dalawa. Hindi naman po tayo nandoonat magpo-promote na, “Sige, gumawa kayo ng masama paramapuno po ito.” Ang proposal po natin, sa isang probinsyaat least may isa po.

Dito po sa proposal natin, ang provincial governmentine-encourage po natin na magbigay man lang ng isang lugar.Hinihingi po natin sa national government na maglagay ngpasilidad. Economies of scale: at least kung may ta-tatlo, 24/7 ang gwardya, maraming binabantayan, nama-maximize natinang trabaho nila. Hindi po tayo pwedeng maglagay ng isangrehabilitation center in a secluded area, napakadelikado posa seguridad noon. Eh, ngayon po napakamahal ng lupa sapoblacion, kaya kailangan maraming nakakagamit. Kasi kungsa secluded area at ang batang ito maraming alam sasindikatong sinalihan niya lalo na kung droga, there is alwaysthat possibility of them trying to rescue the said offender.Delikado iyon, baka madisgrasya pa iyong ibang mga kasamadoon.

Kaya, ang proposal natin, kahit isa, hindi kailangangprovincial government ang magpatakbo po, kundi po NGO.Actually, ine-encourage natin na ang mga NGO angmagpatakbo nito, and for it to be able to sustain its existence,its operating expense, parang board and lodging po angsistema. Unang-una po dapat ang magulang ang magbayadng board and lodging doon at ang gusto po natin, bawatprobinsiya, may isa. Kasi, sa rehabilitation phase, kailanganpo natin ng mga magulang na sumali rito. Pwede rito iyongtherapeutic community modality na ang concept ay kailanganang pamilya kasama sa rehabilitasyon para magkaroon ngoportunidad ang isang bata makabalik po sa society. Hindipo pwedeng gobyerno lang po ang intervention. Ngayon,kung mayroon po tayo bawat probinsya, mas madali po silangpuntahan ng bawat pamilya at makasama sa treatment kahitonce a week than a regional center. Kasi, alam po natin, maymga rehiyon po tayo na napakalayo ng regional center saisang komunidad.

Kaya iyon po ang proposal natin, na doon sa bawatprobinsya, at least may isa, at kung saan ang board andlodging, magulang ang nagbabayad pero kung hindi pokakayanin ng magulang, ang local government unit po angmagbabayad. Sabihin natin P4,000 to P5,000 a month, if youare going to compute P5,000 a month times 12 months, it isgoing to be cheaper on the part of the local government tofinance the rehabilitation of a young offender rather than forthe local government unit to set up their own, especiallymunicipalities which cannot afford to set up the said facility,Mme. Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, youare talking about proposing the putting up of rehabilitationcenters. Sa existing na batas, nandiyan na po iyan. Hindi baina-admit natin, they are rehabilitative. Sa ating konsepto,papaano bibigyan ng giya ang mga bata, itong mga juvenileoffenders? We are not punitive rehabilitative. Malinaw sainyong explanation, nasa batas po, eh hindi ata na-implement

iyong probisyon na iyon. This law that we were talking aboutbefore, the amendment was passed six years ago but it wascrafted, it was prepared with a lot of consultations for 13years. Six years pa lang at hindi nga siya fully implemented,so why are we now thinking of amending it kung hindi pa nganai-implement? Sa inyo pong explanation, Mr. Sponsor, youare describing what a rehabilitation center should be, how itshould be operated, what assistance we can provide to theLGUs. So, if it has not been implemented, if we still have tolook at this particular provision so that we can help the LGUsimplement this law effectively, why are we now coming upwith an amendment? Should we not give this law a chance tobe fully implemented to be assessed, to be evaluated? Sothat if and when we decide that we are finally going to amendit, we know that we gave the law a chance and we allowed itto be implemented in the way it was conceived by the authorsof this law.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Tama po iyan, Mme. Speaker,minsan po—napakaraming batas na naipasa dito saKongreso na napakatagal na pinag-usapan. Para po saRepresentasyon pong ito, isa po iyan sa parang nagingpersonal po nating adbokasiya sa bawat komite bangmiyembro po tayo, na kung saan kung may usapan po ritosa rehabilitasyon, kung may usapan na batas that involvesthe local government units.

Alam po ninyo, noong nasa lokal na gobyerno po tayo,palagi po tayong nagrereklamo. Ang sinasabi po natin,napakarami ng batas, magagandang batas, na ipinasa angKongreso, kaso nga lang po hindi natingnan angimplementation phase, whether it is going to be doable onthe ground, Mme. Speaker, or not. Even the environmentallaws that we passed in the past few Congresses, the localgovernment units were so supportive of all those measures.A good number of consultations were also conducted by thecommittee for so many years. Case in point, Mme. Speaker:the local government units were supportive of the passageof the Clean Water Act, for example because we want toprotect our ecosystem, we want to protect our planet.

If you will try to look at the version that we adopted, webasically copied the Clean Water Act of the United States ofAmerica when they passed it way back in 1972, conceptualizinga centralized system wherein even the farthest house isconnected to the system. But after five years, Mme. Speaker,the United States government gave up because they cannotafford it so they shifted to a decentralized mechanized system.Likewise, after finding out, Mme. Speaker, that the mechanizedsystem is likewise very expensive to maintain, they had to shiftto what they call now as a “constructed wetland system,”which uses nature to treat waste water.

So, ang punto lang po natin, anim na taon ang ginamitat nakita po natin dito sa ibaba ang ipinasang batas—opo,napakaganda pero kapag ginawa po natin sa ibaba,napakahirap gawin. Kaya po naglagay po tayo rito ng isangprobisyon, pagbabago para po masiguro natin na kapagitinulak po natin ang mga local governments eh kaya pongi-implement ito because it is something that is doable on theground, that is not based only on theory but is reallysomething that local governments can easily implementeven if that local government unit is categorized as a fifth-or sixth-class municipality or city for that matter, Mme.Speaker.

46 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, hasthere been a study conducted with regard to youth offenders?How many were placed in the existing rehabilitation centers?How many come from a certain stratum of our society? Howmany happen to be out-of-school youth? How many happento come from dysfunctional families? How many of theseyouth offenders who, as claimed by our law enforcers, havebecome repetitive offenders who actually belong to sectorsof our society that have been deprived of the normal guidancethat parents should be able to provide? Have there beenstudies here in our country, Mme. Speaker?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Mme. Speaker, marami pongmga pag-aaral na ginawa ang DSWD, may iilang nasa mgaNGOs, at kahit po iyong PNP—heto nga nabigyan po ako ngkopya rito, Mme. Speaker, ng isang pag-aaral ng PhilippineNational Police. Ang nagiging problema lang po rito sa mgadatos, karamihan po ng pag-aaral na ginawa—sa nakita kopo noong araw—ng DSWD ay nakabase rin po sa ibinigayng Philippine National Police na mga datos po nila. Kaso ngalang po medyo hindi rin po accurate dahil marami po sa atingmga law enforcers ay medyo takot sa batas na ito. Ewan kokung dahil sa kulang ang pag-aaral o pag-iintindi ng batas osa kapasidad ng iilang mga offenders na nakakakuha po ngmagagaling na mga abogado, kaya ang mga law enforcers ponatin ay medyo natatakot kaya hindi po nagiging accurateang data. Gaya po ng sinabi ng Philippine National Police,four, five years ago when they had that convention of cities,there was a big decline in the number of cases.

Karamihan po sa mga dinadalang youth offender saistasyon ng pulis, the normal reaction of the police on duty isto inform the apprehending officer, kasama po ang taga-DSWD na, “Huwag ninyo na lang ipasok iyan dito. Huwagna natin i-blotter. Baka mamaya ay kami pa angmagkaproblema diyan.”

So napakahirap po gumawa ng pag-aaral dahil karamihanng dinadala doon, kung minsan hindi na tinatanggap.Karamihan sa sitwasyon, hindi na talaga tinatanggap saistasyon dahil iniiwasan nila na eventually, sila pa angmagkaproblema at maging dahilan ng kanilang suspensionfrom the service, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. In other words, Mme. Speaker, honorableSponsor, hindi talaga pinapatupad properly ang batas dahiliyong mga na-apprehend gaya ng sinasabi ninyo,pinapakawalan na lang. So hindi na natin iyan kayang habulino hindi na natin sila kayang ipasok dito sa kung ano pa maniyong structure. Samantalang sinasabi po sa batas na angbatang ito ay dapat inire-rehab, dapat siya ay dinadala doonsa ahensya na magbibigay ng counseling, dadalhin siya saahensya na magpa-follow-up, magmo-monitor para ma-prevent ang iba pang actions na iko-consider nating offensescommitted by this child, this young person.

Kung kaya, inuulit ko po, we never gave the law a chanceto be fully implemented in terms of monitoring the youthfuloffender, in terms of following the provisions of the law nadapat hindi nga punitive but rehabilitative and letting our lawenforcement agencies not to take the easy way out at talagangsundan ang batas.

Mahirap naman talaga ang sitwasyon na kung gustonating i-implement nang mabuti ang isang batas. Perolowering the age will not solve this problem. In fact, we

foresee that with the current situation, mas dadami pa angating “mahuhuli” na youthful offenders. Dahil wala pa salugar ang mga rehab centers na sinasabi natin, saan natin silailalagay? Eh di lalong dadami ang number nitong youthfuloffenders. We aggravate the situation because it will taketime for us to put in place the structures as proposed in thebill.

Bakit hindi natin umpisahan at ilagay ang structure, butnot lower the age or not amend that particular provision? Letus rather ensure that the support systems would be in place,and then we assess the law.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Alam po ninyo, Mme. Speaker,hopefully, if we are able to pass this measure with theamendments that we have put in place here like the setting upof the youth detention centers, as I said, such youth detentioncenter is something that the local government units can easilyset up.

Kaya po tinutulak natin ito. Kung sa anim na taon pohindi masyadong tumakbo, kapag nabago ito, dahil ito aybase sa eksperyensa natin sa local government, madali poitong gawin. Makikita nating magagawa kaagad natin angmga facility na iyan.

Pero ang problema po talaga sa babaring engkuwentro,talagang ginagamit din ang mga batas na ito sa pag-abuso rinat paggawa ng krimen. Isipin ninyo, Mme. Speaker, isang socialworker, for example in Batangas, dinala pa sa bahay niya angyouth offender dahil obligasyon niya ang pagtulong sa youthoffender na ito. Nag-usap po kami at may hinanakit siya dahilmay nai-file na kasong kidnapping laban sa kanya. Ito ay dahilsa pagdala ng isang youth offender sa bahay nila na kungsaan ang intensyon niya ay makatulong lamang. Ibig sabihin,nagagamit po ito sa harassment. Marami pong krimen angnakikita natin ngayon, hindi lang po sa news nationwide. Galingnaman po sa lugar ng mahal nating kasamahan dito, si Cong.Pablo “Pabling” P. Garcia. May isang may-ari ng hotel angnag-utos sa isang katorse anyos na bata na bumaril dahil saalitan sa negosyo ng pamilya. Again, ginagamit pong shieldang batas na ito para po gumawa ng krimen.

Nakakatakot po. Nakita rin natin sa telebisyon angnangyari sa EDSA. Binuksan ang taksi at pinagsusuntokang driver. Pinagnakawan pa ang mga nasa loob ng taksi.Dahil sa telebisyon ngayon, sa radyo, sa Internet, nalalamanng mga bata na may batas pala silang magagamit para gumawang krimen. Kaya po itinulak ng komite ang pagbaba ng age ofdiscernment sa 12 years old, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, sapagbaba ng edad, are you not anticipating that we mighteven increase this incidence of offenses committed by theyoung people? Kasi binabaan natin eh problematic na ngasa existing law, pag binaba, e di mas lalong dadami.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Mme. Speaker, sa nakakausapdin po natin, umiikot din po tayo sa Pilipinas, hindi lang pomga local officials kundi ilang ibang sektor ang nakausap dinpo natin, ganoon din ang sentimyento nila, Mme. Speaker, nakailangan talagang ibaba sa 12 to 15 years old ang age ofdiscernment. Sa paniwala at pag-aaral din nila, tayo po ay sang-ayon sa kanilang pag-aaral kaya ipinasa ito ng komite, malakipo ang porsiyentong talagang bababa ang krimen kapagnaibaba ang age of discernment sa 12 to 15 years of age.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 47

Ibig sabihin po, Mme. Speaker, ang mga nakausap natingofficials ay concerned members din of that particularcommunity who have done their own homework in trying tostudy the situation as well. That is the reason that for thepast years, Congress has been basically pestered, Mme.Speaker, to do something about it for us to be able to addressthe growing number of criminal offenses committed by youthoffenders.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, hasan analysis been made as to why they become youngoffenders? Circumstances in this country are not the sameas the circumstances abroad, where majority of young peopleare able to go to school. With the economic crisis intensifying,more and more of our young, more and more of ouradolescents are not able to go to school or they just drop outof school. So, they no longer have the guidance that can beprovided by school. Since parents are so busy eking out aliving to survive, they are unable to monitor very closelytheir children’s activities.

In an ideal world, the parents, school and church shouldbe able to coordinate the values formation and the guidanceprovided to our young, our children. But with the economiccrisis, with all the circumstances I have mentioned, it isdifficult now to monitor the behavior of our children and sothey are forced to go into what we call “criminal activities.”Since the law has not been fully implemented, therehabilitation, the correction of this behavior, has not beendone by the agencies tasked to do it because they also lackthe structures, the centers, the people, the personnel, whoshould be there to carry out the provisions of the law.

So it would be really difficult to amend a particularprovision without having given the law a chance. That ismy first comment. Second, Mme. Speaker, honorableSponsor, there is a provision in the proposed amendmentsthat this law will be assessed every three years. Does itmean that every three years we will change again the agethat we have lowered already? We will be in a situationwhere a particular law is not given the full chance to beimplemented with all the plans as provided by the authors.But we will keep on changing it every three years asprovided in this amendment.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Iyon nga po, Mme. Speaker,with the growing number of cases happening on the ground,kaya itinutulak ang panukalang ito ay para ma-address angpag-abuso sa paggamit ng batas na ito. Kung titingnan ponatin ang pang-ekonomiyang sitwasyon, kaya nga itinutulakdin ito dahil likas sa ibang kabataan, kahit walang nagtutulaksa kanila, alam nila ang batas na puwede silang protektahankapag gumagawa ng krimen. Alam naman natin ngayonkaramihan nga sa mga bata ay medyo, sa madaling wika nga,ang maturity level is a bit faster because of their exposurebrought about by technological advances like informationtechnology. Tapos ngayon po, kahit alam nila na hindi tamaang ginagawa nila pero may batas, ginagamit nila ang batasna ito. Sa mga sindikato naman, dahil sa sitwasyong pang-ekonomiya, mas lalong dumadami rin ang krimen kasi masmadali silang mang-bribe. Hindi lang ang parents, puwedenilang sabihin sa magulang, “O eto, meron po kayongdalawang daan araw-araw basta iyong anak ninyo nasa aminpara makagawa ng krimen, nakaw ng cellphone dito, kung

anu-ano pa ang gagawin diyan dahil sasabihin nitomakakatulong sa inyo at kayo’y kikita.” Ito po ay inaabusokaya ginagawa natin ito at the same time, that is the reasonthe government and Congress are looking for ways to improvethe economic situation of our country. It is something that iseasier said than done, but the government, Mme. Speaker,the executive as well as the legislative, are trying their best toimprove the economic climate to address the situation.Malamang medyo mahirap-hirap nang i-bribe ang parents atang mga kabataang ito dahil nag-improve na ang sitwasyonnila kaya rin po nagsusulong ang gobyerno ng pagbabagosa sektor ng edukasyon at itinutulak ang MillenniumDevelopment Goals na kung puwede tumama po tayo sa 2015.

If we talk about primary education, kasama po iyan sapagsusulong natin. Kaya po inilagay sa amendments natinna napaka-importante ng educational institution as well asthe parents. Kasama dito, Mme. Speaker, ang dapat naobligasyon ng parents, ang obligasyon ng educationalinstitutions natin para kasama po sa pag-educate ng atingmga kabataan para sa darating na panahon, maiwasan po angpaglago at sa halip ay makatulong sa pagbaba ng mga kasong mga kabataan na gumagawa ng krimen. Kaya nga ina-address ang problemang pang-ekonomiya para hopefully,bumaba ang problema ng mga youth offenders na gumagawang kung anu-anong krimen. Kaya nga itinutulak angpagbabago sa edukasyon para rin maiwasan, Mme. Speaker,ang paglago ng krimen at makatulong sa pagbaba ng problemang mga kabataan na nagkakaroon ng komplikto sa batas. kayanga rin inilagay dito.

Mme. Speaker. we are hoping that the economic situationwill really improve in the future, and likewise, that we will beable to implement the reforms that we would want to do in oureducational system as we are trying to, as we are able tosomewhat improve the quality of education here and accessto it. That is the very reason inilagay din po rito na bawattatlong taon, titingnan din po natin.

Kung malaki po ang improvement ng ekonomiya, malakirin ang mai- improve ng educational system natin. Bakapagdating ng panahon, puwede nating ibalik sa 15 to 18 years,pero sa ngayon, may problema pa po tayong hinaharap kayaisinusulong itong panukalang batas na ito. Pinupuntahan dinnatin ang direksyon towards economic improvement for us tobe able to help improve the educational system in our country.That is the reason, Mme. Speaker, naglagay ng probisyon ditona sa bawat tatlong taon, bibisitahin uli, kasama po ang iba’tibang representante ng bawat sektor ng sosyedad po natin.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, angsinabi po ninyong “we are hoping”, that is the operativephrase, “we are hoping,” that after three years magbabagona ang ating economic situation; after three years makapag-aaral na ang mga bata; after three years the structures wouldbe in place and that we can assess. What if hindi nangyariang mga ito after three years, and instead of changing orraising again the age of discernment by going back to theexisting age ay lalong bababaan kasi iyon ang lumalabas saassessment, dahil tumindi ang krisis? Mangyayari rin iyonkasi we cannot predict exactly what would happen after threeyears, especially knowing that ito nga ang sitwasyon, lalung-lalo na dadagdagan pa ang number of years sa pag-aaral.Mas maraming hindi na makapag-aaral doon sa dagdag natwo years, mas maraming magda-dropout. What if after three

48 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

years ay iba iyong inaasahan nating resulta? Hindi ba masmabuti, Mme. Speaker, honorable Sponsor, that we retain theprovisions of the law now, amend only that portion with regardto supporting, putting up, building rehab centers and thenfind out after we have put all the systems in place, that is thetime we go back to the amendment, to the change of the ageof criminal liability?

As of now, six years ang batas at hindi pa nga ito talagangnapag-aralan nang mabuti. Sinabi pa nga ninyo na kulangang datos natin at ang nakukuha nating feedback, nahihirapanang kapulisan o law enforcers at ang LGUs. Is it just a matterof expediency that we are going to come up with thisamendment? Should we not be more proactive and look athow else we can help the young? Hindi naman punitive angating pananaw kundi iyong rehabilitative na aspeto with alsodue respect for the rights of these young people.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Ganoon din po, Mme. Speaker,at sang-ayon ako na we really cannot predict. Pero kaya poisinusulong din natin ito kasi kapag ito po ay naipasa, afterthree years, magkakaroon tayo ng oportunidad ikumparakung ano ang naging datos ng anim na taon at ano angmagiging datos sa tatlong taon pagkatapos na ito ay ipinasa.Kaya po sinasabi natin every after three years. Kung sabihinnatin after three years nang ipinasa ito ay may improvement,magkakaroon po ng dahilan na ituloy-tuloy ang age ofdiscernment na isinusulong sa House bill na ito.

Kung hindi po natin bibigyan ng oportunidad maipasaitong panukalang batas na ito, kasama pa po labas sa edadpati ang mekanismo na inilagay para sa komprehensibongpag-address po natin sa problema, hindi pa rin tayomagkakaroon ng basehan, Mme. Speaker, o pagkompara kungano ang magiging resulta kung ipapasa natin ito ngayon.Kaya po tinutulak natin ito base sa mga nakakausap natin saiba’t ibang sector, sa mga local governments natin.

Nandiyan din po ang pagsusulong na magkaroon ngparaang makatulong at maiwasan ang paggawa ng masama ngmga kabataan, magkaroon ng oportunidad sa rehabilitasyon.Pero sinasabi din sa atin na ang kailangan hindi langrehabilitasyon, kailangang bisitahin uli ang age of discernment.Kaya po itinutulak ito ngayon, na ibinababa ang age ofdiscernment sa 12 hanggang 15 years of age, Mme. Speaker.

REP. ILAGAN. Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor,mayroon ho tayong kasabihan, “An ounce of prevention isbetter than a pound of cure.” Do you not think that we shouldfocus also on preventing the incidence of these offenses? Doyou not think we should put in place mechanisms, educationalactivities, information campaigns so that we help prevent ouryoung from going into these nefarious activities, these criminalactivities that we frown on? Hindi po ba mas mabuti nasiguraduhin nating nakakapasok sila? Why do we not putfunds to really ensure that if we say “free education,” talagangfree na hindi mahihirapan iyong ating mga magulang paranandoon iyong mga bata sa school? Hindi po ba dapat lagyannatin ng pondo iyong ahensya na nabigyan na ng mandate nabigyan ng giya itong mga batang ito sa halip na maghintay patayo ng, heto na nga ang mga child offenders, paulit-ulit dahilhindi natin na-monitor, hindi naagapan agad-agad kung kayanahihirapan ang ating mga pulis? So, do you not think nadapat mag-focus tayo on putting the mechanisms in place,ensuring that the children are in school and also providing the

funds for putting up the structures to help these youthfuloffenders?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). I fully agree, Mme. Speaker.Just like in medicine, preventive medicine is a lot better thancurative medicine because curative medicine is veryexpensive. Ang mga local governments po natin ginagawana po itong aspeto ng prebensyon. Involved po rito ang mgabarangay officials natin, ang mga local governments natin,mga mayors at in-educate na po ang mga barangay officialsnatin. Ang mga barangay officials nagkaroon na rin ngkampanya sa aspetong prebensyon ng mga kabataan nagumawa ng masama na naging dahilan na marami pong mgalocal governments natin ang nagpasa pa ng curfew. Angpurpose po noon ay protektahan ang mga kabataan kaya popati iyong mga tanod natin ay nag-iikot at pinagsasabihanang mga kabataan na iwasan ang gumawa ng masama. Hindinaman po sa tingin natin nagkulang sa kampanya, kaso ngalang po, Mme. Speaker, kahit alam ng kabataan nanagkakampanya po ang mga local officials on the preventiveside, ginagamit po nila ang batas sa proteksyon para pogumawa ng krimen, Mme. Speaker.

At this juncture, Rep. Janette L. Garin relinquished theChair to Dep. Majority Leader Roman T. Romulo.

REP. ILAGAN. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, I thinkthere are still others who would like to interpellate but let mejust reiterate our stand in the Gabriela Women’s Party, that thissix-year-old law has not been given the chance to be fullyimplemented. This is a six-year-old law which has a lot ofprovisions—like the putting up of the rehabilitation centers,as mentioned by the Sponsor—which they are planning to putup as included in the amendments. There are aspects of thelaw which have been neglected. The support has not beengiven to the agencies tasked to look after these youth offenders.So our stand is, give the law a chance to be fully implemented.We should not be punitive in our attitude towards theseyouthful offenders. Also, the change in the age should not bebecause it is expedient, because it becomes easy for lawenforcers to implement the law. Rather, no matter how difficultit is going to be, we are dealing with the lives of our futuregenerations and therefore we should give this law every chancewe can. We should first look at how it has been implementedand only then, when studies, evaluations have been done anda support system is already in place should we seriouslyconsider amending the age of these youth offenders.

Thank you very much to our distinguished Sponsor.

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Salamat din po sa atingkasamahang galing sa Gabriela. Nirerespeto po natin, Mr.Speaker, ang posisyon ng Gabriela gaya rin po ng posisyonnaman namin na kung saan, eh, ang mga constituents ponatin sa bawat distrito, eh, halos linggu-linggo po aynakatatanggap po tayo ng reklamo sa mga nasasakupan naminat ang batas na ito ay palaging pinaparating sa amin nakailangang amyendahan ng Kongreso.

Salamat din po, Mr. Speaker.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we suspend …

REP. APOSTOL Mr. Speaker.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 49

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Romulo). Yes, theGentleman from Leyte is recognized.

REP. APOSTOL. I would like to interpellate, but if theDep. Majority Leader will say “I will postpone, I will declare arecess,” I will have no objection especially since she is thedaughter of the Vice President.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Romulo). TheHonorable Apostol wishes to interpellate the HonorableSarmiento. Is that correct?

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Mr. Speaker, CongressmanPabling Garcia will resume defending the measure, Mr.Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Romulo). So, the Chairrecognizes the Honorable Apostol to interpellate one of theauthors of the bill, the Honorable Garcia.

REP. APOSTOL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.May I know if the Gentleman from Cebu will answer some

questions from this Representation.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Willingly and gladly, from theGentleman from Leyte.

REP. APOSTOL. Now, the first thing that I would like toask is: initially, this youth offender—before this was amended,this is actually a part of the criminal law system where anaccused who is below 21 years old would be detained andlumped together with the so-called “hardened criminals.” AmI correct there?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, you are right, Mr. Speaker.

REP. APOSTOL. Now, because of this amendment, ayouthful offender is supposed to be separated from thehardened criminals but here is what usually happens.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Actually, under PD 603, the Childand Youth Welfare Code, there is a chapter on youthfuloffenders wherein there is a different procedure in dealingwith youthful offenders, that is, juvenile offenders above 15and below 18. They are considered as youthful offendersunder PD 603. Now, in this amendment, in this bill amendingthe juvenile justice system, we are rationalizing theclassification of a juvenile offender. Under the present law, itis still retained that youthful offenders are those aged fromnine to 15 when they acted with discernment. So the minimumage of criminal responsibility under the present law is nine.Now, we have raised it to 12 so that children below 12 aretotally exempt from criminal responsibility and there is nomore inquiry as to whether they have acted with discernment.

REP. APOSTOL. I do not know if this is correct. This ismy experience. When a child who is a so-called “youthfuloffender,” aged below 12 years old, commits a crime, he isapprehended, then is brought to the office at the DSWD anddetained there. The DSWD then delivers this child to theparents, and the parents in turn release this child again to thestreets. Is my experience correct?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, Mr. Speaker, but under the presentlaw, there is still the provision of delivering the child into thecustody of the DSWD.

REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Speaker.Now, the DSWD is supposed to be the custodian of a

youthful offender, but unfortunately, when they deliver thechild to the parents, the parents will just release this child.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Well…

REP. APOSTOL. Now, do you have any statistics onhow many of these children who are treated this way—theyare detained, released to the DSWD, then the DSWD releasesthem to the parents, and the parents then release them to thestreets again. Do you have any statistics on this?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Well, under the present law, thereare provisions for the care and custody of children. Now,under the present law, there is, we might say, confusion as tohow to deal with a juvenile criminal or offender. Under theamendment, we have rationalized the category of juvenileoffenders. Children below 12 are totally exempt from criminalresponsibility. Children from 12 to 15 may still be exemptfrom criminal responsibility if they do not act withdiscernment. However, under the present bill, there areoffenses where the juvenile offender is presumed to haveacted with discernment. For example, in crimes of robbery,rape, murder, and the like, the juvenile delinquent can nolonger plead the defense of doli incapax, meaning he did notact with discernment. So that juvenile offender can be arrested,detained or prosecuted.

Now, children above 15 but below 18 are categorized orclassified as youthful offenders, because children aged 15 orbelow are considered in this amendment as children in conflictwith the law. But in the present law there is confusion since alljuvenile delinquents are considered to be children in conflictwith the law. So our police officers are reluctant to arrest, muchless detain, offenders aged below 18, and the criminal syndicatesare taking advantage of the law by using offenders below 18 ascouriers or even as the principal actors of the crime.

REP. APOSTOL. The present bill which seeks to amendthe existing law has divided the children into three classes?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes.

REP. APOSTOL. One, below 12, where they are notliable at all …

REP. GARCIA (P.). They are totally exempt.

REP. APOSTOL. … for any alleged crime committed.Then those aged 12 to 15, they are treated as youthfuloffenders …

REP. GARCIA (P.). Children in conflict with the law.

REP. APOSTOL. … but they are only liable if they actedwith discernment.

Now, a child over 15 and below 18 years of age is alsoconsidered …

50 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

REP. GARCIA (P.). Youthful offender.

REP. APOSTOL. … a youthful offender.Okay, let us go to the child below 12 years old. Here is

my experience: when they enter the house to rob, usually thechild is utilized to get inside because he is small. So, the childgoes inside, opens the door then the bigger criminals getinside. What do we do now with this child who is below 12years old? Will we release him?

REP. GARCIA (P.). In my original bill, I retained the agenine.

REP. APOSTOL. Detain?

REP. GARCIA (P.). But then, there was an amendmentand we raised it to 12.

REP. APOSTOL. Yes, but apparently, the child is below12 years old so he has no criminal liability.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No criminal liability.

REP. APOSTOL. He cannot be detained.

REP. GARCIA (P.). You are right, Mr. Speaker.

REP. APOSTOL. Now, if the child is 12 years old orover but is below 15, then he is now treated as a youthfuloffender.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Not yet, Mr. Speaker.

REP. APOSTOL. This is the time, when a …

REP. GARCIA (P.). Under our bill …

REP. APOSTOL. Under your proposed amendment.


REP. APOSTOL. If he commits a crime, then the child isdetained now.

Let us now go to the provision on detention centers.Municipalities which are fifth, sixth, fourth or even third classdo not have a detention center for youthful offenders. Infact, the law provides that there should be a detention centerfor youthful offenders, but unfortunately, the governmenthas no money. So, what do we do now with this? Weconstruct a center for youthful offenders, and how will weprovide funding for this?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, you are correct.There are provisions under the present law whichcannot be implemented because of the lack of funds.As a matter of fact, under the Child and Youth WelfareLaw, there is the article on the rights of the child, andit is provided under Presidential Decree No. 603 thatevery child is entitled to decent housing, a balanceddiet, education, even those who are not youthfuloffenders. However, these provisions remain asexpectations.

REP. APOSTOL. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, there is such aprovision in the bill which seeks to establish certain detentioncenters, I think, a center among municipalities or new clusteredmunicipalities. Are you now working so that there should bea proper appropriation for this center so that any youthfuloffender or a child who is presumably in conflict with the lawwill be placed there? That is my only concern. If you have nomoney …

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is also my concern, Mr. Speaker.Even under the present law, we did not change that. Thesedetention centers should be there. However, …

REP. APOSTOL. How do we solve this?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Well, …

REP. APOSTOL. That is the biggest problem today. Wedo not have funds to establish this detention center.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is precisely the reason we shouldbe cautious in making laws which we ourselves cannotimplement. For example, the Clean Air Act and the Solid WasteDisposal Act—under these laws, you cannot incinerategarbage and the local governments must establish thesedumpsites or a site for the disposition of garbage.

But, until now, I do not know of any local governmentunit that has implemented this law.

REP. APOSTOL. That is my concern, Mr. Speaker. Howdo we fund this? What will be the source of funding?Congress has just passed, I think on Second Reading, thesin taxes. Why would we charge this to the sin taxes?Anyway, the youthful offender can be considered a part ofthe sin tax.

REP. GARCIA (P.). It is up to the government, Mr. Speaker.It is up to Congress to appropriate funds for this particularpurpose.

REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Speaker, my concern has beenbrought to the attention of the author. I am through. Thankyou very much, distinguished colleague. Thank you verymuch, Mr. Speaker.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Thank you very much also, Mr.Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Romulo). The Dep.Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BINAY. Mr. Speaker, I move that we recognize theHonorable Palatino who also wishes to interpellate.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Romulo). TheHonorable Palatino is recognized to interpellate the Hon. PabloGarcia.

REP. PALATINO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.Will the distinguished Sponsor yield to some questions?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Willingly, Mr. Speaker.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 51

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker, the Juvenile Justice andWelfare Act was passed into law only in 2006. In fact, we arecelebrating the sixth anniversary of the passage of this law.

Mr. Speaker, does the Sponsor think it is premature toamend a law that was passed only six years ago?

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, with all due respect, I do notthink so. In fact, the amendment of the law, even the repealof the law, is an idea which should have come earlier becauseour police agencies, our local government units arecomplaining that because of this law, the peace and ordersituation in their respective localities has deteriorated.Children—you call them children but youthful offendersaged 16 and 17 are being utilized by criminal syndicates,especially those engaged in illegal drugs, as couriers. Butonce arrested, once discovered or apprehended, they cannotbe detained.

In Cebu, some of these youthful offenders are bringingwith them their birth certificates so that if apprehended, theycan show the police officer or the policeman, “Here, I amentitled to the Juvenile Justice System Law.”

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker, what then is thecompelling reason for the proposed amendments to the law,and what provisions of the law which are often cited by ourpolice authorities or law enforcement agencies, prevent themfrom tackling the peace and order situation properly oradequately?

REP. GARCIA (P.). The provision that you cannot arrestand detain a person below 18. In fact, this is consistent withour other laws. Under the Local Government Code, theSangguniang Kabataan or the SK, children 15 and above butbelow 18 can be elected to the SK and they are entitled tohandle and spend funds. If they commit malversation, wecannot arrest them because of this law.

In Cebu City, a child 16 years of age killed his own motherbecause he was refused what he was asking for. A group offive children—the definition of children includes thosepersons below 18—gang-raped a child also. They cannot bearrested because they are below 18.

Mr. Speaker, in England, a country more advanced thanthe Philippines, the minimum age of criminal responsibility is10. That is true also in Wales. In Hong Kong it is seven. Inthe United States, it is from six to 11. But here in the Philippines,a person under 18 cannot commit a crime.

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is why, Mr. Speaker, it isdangerous to legislate without finding out the experience ofother countries.

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker, I will discuss later theprovisions dealing with the minimum age for criminalresponsibility, but let me first highlight the importance of RANo. 9344. Before the passage of this law, the default procedurefor our law enforcement agencies in apprehending youngpeople involved in conflict with the law was to jail them withadult offenders. But because of the passage of this law, therewas a change in the behavior, in the procedure of ourauthorities.

In fact, I have this figure from the Juvenile Justiceand Welfare Council that before the passage of the law,there were 52,000 children in detention or under custodialsetting between 1995 to 2000, or an average of 10,500children were arrested; but after the passage of this law,in the year 2002, only 5,000 children. So there was asignificant drop in the number of crimes reportedlycommitted by children.

I think, Mr. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor, it is not fairto zero in on that one provision of the law, which accordingto the Sponsor, prevented our law enforcement authoritiesfrom tackling the peace and order situation in the country.We should also assess the impact of the law on instituting amore child-friendly justice system in our country.

Can the Sponsor comment on that, Mr. Speaker?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes. We have not changed at all. Infact, we have improved the system of dealing with youthfuloffenders. We did not change the provision of the law. Onlythat our local government units and even our nationalgovernment are not able to provide this kind of treatment indealing with youthful offenders.

When you say that the number of crimes decreased, thatis because of this law. There were criminals but because ofthe law, they were not considered criminals anymore.

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker, regarding the otherprovisions of the law, I think the main point of the Sponsor isthat when we increased the minimum age for criminalresponsibility, that prevented our law enforcement agenciesfrom tackling the peace and order situation. But for me, theimportance of this law is that it provided some measure ofprotection for our children, that instead of being detainedwith adult offenders, they will be treated as a child or as ayouth. So that that child or youth must be protected in ayouth detention center, not in an adult facility.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That does not change, Mr. Speaker.We did not change that. We only rationalized in categorizingthese youthful offenders. Whereas under the present law,there is no distinction—we cannot arrest them, we cannotdetain them.

REP. PALATINO. My point, Mr. Speaker, is that inassessing the impact of the law, we should determine whetherits provisions have been implemented properly. For example,are there sufficient youth detention centers, are theresufficient facilities for the rehabilitation of children in conflictwith the law?

I will cite Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice and WelfareAct, Establishment and Strengthening of Local Councils forthe Protection of Children. I heard earlier that the clamor forthe amendment of the law came from our LGU officials whosaid that they have difficulty in implementing the law. ButSection 15 states that one percent of the IRA of barangays,municipalities and cities shall be allocated to the strengtheningand implementation of the programs of LCPC.

Maybe the problem is not when we increase the minimumage, but our failure to institute programs that will help ouryoung people in dealing with their everyday problems. Oneremedy is for them to be rehabilitated in youth rehabilitationcenters.

52 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mr. Speaker, I think the problem iswhether you have really read the bill now under discussion.We did not change the diversion programs, the constructionof detention centers. We have not changed that. We haveonly rationalized the treatment of these so-called children inconflict with the law.

REP. PALATINO. Mr. Speaker.

At this juncture, Rep. Roman T. Romulo relinquishedthe Chair to Rep. Janette L. Garin.

REP. GARCIA (P.). For example, under the present law,we cannot arrest, we cannot detain a juvenile criminal agedabove 15 and below 18. That is the problem. In fact, that isalso the problem according to the police, where the mostnumerous offenders are those above 15 and below 18. Theycannot arrest them because they still have to prove that theyacted with discernment.

But in a crime of rape, a child or an offender 15 or 16 yearsof age involved in a gang rape, would we say that they did notact with discernment? In a crime of robbery involving 16 or 17years of age, would we say that they did not act withdiscernment when the robbery was being planned? Thesechildren already know the distinction between right and wrong.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, may I finish. We shouldfirst read the amendment in this bill and we will notice that weamended only certain provisions of the law, but not the so-called diversion procedures in dealing with youthful offendersor children in conflict with the law.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I agree with the Sponsorwhen he said that the diversion programs, the rehabilitationprovisions already included in the law were not amended inthe proposed bill. But my point is, we should also assess theimplementation of the law when it comes to the otherprovisions which prevented our authorities from tackling thepeace and order situation properly. I am referring to theprovisions stating that we should have youth rehabilitationcenters, we should have programs for juvenile intervention.We have this belief that we failed to provide enough resourcesand priority from the national and local governments whichrendered ineffective the implementation of this law. Insteadof zeroing in on the minimum age for criminal responsibility,we should also ask ourselves if lowering the minimum age isthe solution to the problem instead of implementing the otherprovisions of the law.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, we raised the minimumage of criminal responsibility. This bill raised the age ofcriminal responsibility from nine to 12. Please take a hard lookat the bill. We did not lower it, we raised it to 12.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, with due respect to ourdistinguished Sponsor, I think he is referring to the law whichwas passed during the Marcos era and which was alreadyamended by the 2006 Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. I amreferring to Section 6 of the proposed bill. Does the Sponsorhave a copy of the bill, Mme. Speaker?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, I have, Mme. Speaker.

REP. PALATINO. The minimum age of criminalresponsibility was lowered from 15 to 12. The Sponsor iscorrect when he pointed out that we raised it from nine to 12when we amended the Marcos law in 2006, Mme. Speaker.

REP. GARCIA, (P.). Mme. Speaker, we did not lower it. Itis still 12 to 15. Under the present law, it is nine to 15, so howcan the Gentleman say that we lowered the minimum age ofcriminal responsibility?

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I will discuss theprovisions on the minimum age for criminal responsibilitylater. But let me ask the Sponsor: Since the intent is to allowour authorities to tackle the peace and order situation moreadequately, how extensive really is the problem of juveniledelinquency in our country? Is there empirical evidence whichwill compel us legislators to believe that the problem hasalready become a grave issue in our society which wouldthus force Congress to amend a six-year old law and thenlower the minimum age of criminal responsibility?

REP. GARCIA (P.). I said many times before and I willsay it again that we did not lower the minimum age of criminalresponsibility. Under the present law which we are trying toamend, the minimum age of criminal responsibility is ninefollowing the provisions of the Revised Penal Code underArticle 12 on exempting circumstances. Now, this is one ofthe existing circumstances: a child nine to 15 who did not actwith discernment. Under the present law, it is 12 to 15 and heis considered a child in conflict with the law.

But, and this is our amendment, if a child aged 12 to 15commits robbery, can you say that the child did not actwith discernment? If he commits rape, can you say thatthe child did not act with discernment? What if he commitsmurder?

So under our law, and we are rationalizing, when thechild who is in conflict with the law commits the offense ofrape, kidnapping, murder, robbery, and other offenses wherethe penalty is above 12 years, then he is presumed to haveacted with discernment, and therefore he should be dealtwith under the provisions of PD 603. He will be considered ayouthful offender, and therefore he can be arrested, he canbe detained and he can be prosecuted. In Hong Kong, achild above seven, that is the minimum age of criminalresponsibility, can be arrested, detained and punished. UnderPD 603, a child below 18 but above 15 is considered a youthfuloffender but there is another procedure in dealing with him.He can be arrested, detained and tried. However, if he isconvicted, the sentence is suspended and he is turned overto the custody of the DSWD. So that if he behaves up to theage of 21, then the sentence is cancelled or abrogated. But ifhe is incorrigible, then he will serve the sentence. That is theprocedure under PD 603 which is still in force.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I will discuss theprovisions on the minimum age of criminal responsibility laterbut I will discuss some of the definition of terms in the proposedHouse bill. In the proposed House bill, we have the term “childin conflict with the law.” Then we used the term “youthfuloffender.” Mme. Speaker, in RA 9344, we did not use the term

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 53

“youthful offender” anymore because we believe that this kindof labeling would be counterproductive. In fact, I will citeSection 60 of Republic Act No. 9344, and the said provisionstates, “Prohibition Against Labeling and Shaming.” Duringthe deliberations in 2006, there was a consensus that the useof the term “youthful offender,” instead of helping our youngpeople in assessing their behavior, it could even reinforce thebelief that they should act like a law offender in our society.So, why did we resurrect that term “youthful offender,” whenthere was this improvement, we ceased to use the term“youthful offender”? In fact, in the proposed bill, aside from“child,” the use of the term “youthful offender” is present inalmost all provisions.

REP. GARCIA (P.). It was Shakespeare who said, “What’sin a name? That which we call a rose by any other namewould smell as sweet.” So, what is in a name? Why is there aserious objection to the term “youthful offender”? He hasviolated the law. He has committed rape. He has committedrobbery, kidnapping. So if you will not call him a “youthfuloffender,” what will you call him? You will call him a “modelchild,” if that is what you want.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I will cite the provisionsof the law and we came up with a better term.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is precisely because this law wetried to research on was not even discussed. There was nodiscussion of this law. Whether we like it or not, whether itsounds good or bad, the fact is that the child violated the law.But then, using verbal engineering, we want to call them“children in conflict with the law.” When you are in conflictwith the law, are you not a criminal? But we did not want tocall them “criminals.”

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, when a child is in conflictwith the law, there is a presumption of innocence, so it is verydifficult to call a child a “criminal”.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Then, if he is presumed to be innocent,then, you do not call him to be “in conflict with the law.”

REP. PALATINO. Not a criminal.Mme. Speaker, I asked this because there could be some

conceptual confusion if we bring back that practice of usingthe term “youthful offender” because a person below 18should be considered a child in our laws.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, but that child can commit rape.The child can commit robbery. The child can commitkidnapping.


REP. GARCIA (P.). So, he must be considered a personwho has offended the law. If a child robbed and killed an oldman, you do not want to call him a “youthful offender”?

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, perhaps the Sponsorcan enlighten this Representation. If we will pass theseamendments, what will be the difference now between a childin conflict with the law and a youthful offender?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Correct. It is good you asked thatquestion. A child aged 12 to 15 is a child in conflict with thelaw. However, if the child acted with discernment or if thechild committed certain crimes like robbery, rape, kidnappingor murder, he is considered a youthful offender.

REP. PALATINO. Even if he or she is 12 to 15?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, because even under the presentlaw, under the Revised Penal Code, a child aged nine to 12who acted with discernment can be prosecuted just like anyother criminal. However, the judge can detain him or directthat he be detained in another place, not mixed with ordinarycriminals.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, let me discuss theprovisions on the minimum age of criminal responsibility.When we lowered it from 15 to 12, what is the supportingevidence that it should be lowered to 12 years old, becausethat is the age where we can determine if a child acted withdiscernment?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, please, we did notlower it, we raised it to 12. Under the present law, it is nine, sowe did not lower it.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I have a copy of thelaw. Can the Sponsor direct me to that section in the said lawwhere it is stated that the minimum age of criminalresponsibility is nine years old?

REP. GARCIA (P.). It is there in the law.

REP. PALATINO. I have here a copy of the law. Section6, Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility, states...


REP. PALATINO. “A child fifteen (15) years of age orunder at the time of the commission of the offense shall beexempt from criminal liability.”

The Sponsor is correct when he stated that it is nineyears old, if he is referring to the Marcos’ P.D. 603.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, that is not the Marcos law, thatis the Revised Penal Code, Act No. 3815, which was passedin 1932. So, we did not...

REP. PALATINO. So it is the argument of the Sponsorthat we increased the minimum age of criminal responsibilityinstead of our observation that we lowered it?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Correct. You can see it, please readSection 6.

REP. PALATINO. But I have here a copy of RA No.9344, also, Section 6.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, yes, please read RA No. 9344.

REP. PALATINO. In our proposed amendment, welowered it from 15 to 12.

54 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, it is still 15. Under thepresent law, RA 9344, it is nine to 15, but we increasedthat so that a child under 12 is exempt from criminalresponsibility.

REP. PALATINO. Can the Sponsor then cite the specificprovision in RA 9344 which mentions the age of nine, becauseI have here also a copy of the law.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, I can look it up. Under RA 9344,it is stated that a child from nine to 15, if he did not act withdiscernment, is exempt from criminal responsibility. Weincreased that to 12.


REP. PALATINO. Can the Sponsor mention the specificsection of the law?

Mme. Speaker, may I ask for a few minutes suspensionof the session.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The sessionis suspended.

It was 6:54 p.m.



THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The sessionis resumed.

The distinguished Sponsor may now proceed with hisanswers.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Under Section 6 of the present law,yes, the minimum age of criminal responsibility is 15.

REP. PALATINO. In the proposed bill, Mme. Speaker,also in Section 6, we will lower it to 12.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, it is still 15. From 15 to 12, that isthe range, because under 12, it is totally exempted.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, what then is thebasis for setting that age of 12? I reviewed the SenateJournal and the principal Sponsor in the Senate, SenatorPangilinan, mentioned a study that 15 years old was theminimum age of criminal responsibility because studiesshowed that that is the age when a person can act withdiscernment. So what is the basis for instituting or settingthe age of 12?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes. Under the Revised Penal Code,Mme. Speaker, it is nine, for the total exemption from criminalresponsibility. But here, a child below 15 or 15 and under isexempt from criminal responsibility. We are contesting thisbecause in our bill, 15 is still exempt from criminal responsibilityunless he acted with discernment.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, distinguished Sponsor,maybe it is good to clarify that if a person below 15 years old

or 18 years old violated the law or committed a criminal act, heor she is only exempted from criminal liability but he or she isnot exempted from civil liability. Aside from the civil liability,that person, when found guilty by the court, should undergorehabilitation. That is the intent of the 2006 law. Is thatcorrect, Mme. Speaker?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, Mme. Speaker, but therehabilitation is still in the present bill.

REP. PALATINO. That is correct. So, it is incorrect tosay that we merely release young people or children involvedin conflict with the law, when in fact under the present law,they still have the civil liability and they should undergorehabilitation. He or she should answer for his or her actionsor behavior. We still have adequate measures on how tocorrect the behavior of that person.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, Mme. Speaker. Under the bill, achild up to 15 will still be exempt from criminal responsibilityif he did not act with discernment.

REP. PALATINO. But if he acted with discernment, he orshe…

REP. GARCIA (P.). He is considered a youthful offender.

REP. PALATINO. A youthful offender. I still have aquestion with that, Mme. Speaker, especially the basis forsetting that age. But let me cite Section 20 of the proposedHouse bill, page 12, Section 20-b of the bill, Exploitation ofChildren for Commission of Crimes. This is an amendment,Mme. Speaker. Is that correct?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, what section is theGentleman referring to?

REP. PALATINO. It is on page 12, Section 20-b of theproposed House bill.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, Mme. Speaker.

REP. PALATINO. Is this is an amendment, Mme.Speaker?


REP. PALATINO. So, in previous interpellations, therewere discussions that adults are taking advantage of thelaw when they hire children to commit crimes, they exploitchildren. Maybe instead of amending the law and changingthe age of criminal responsibility, we should simply file aseparate bill on this matter.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, Mme. Speaker.

REP. PALATINO. That is exploitation of children for thecommission of crimes, Mme. Speaker.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is precisely the objection to thepresent law, Mme. Speaker, because adults exploit the children fortheir own criminal purposes and we are now providing for that.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 55

REP. PALATINO. But during the discussion, there wasa mention of the need to institute a child-friendly justicesystem, so that instead of blaming the children, he or sheshould be viewed also as a victim, and there are adults whoare exploiting children who commit crimes.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, we are making them responsible.

REP. PALATINO. But because of the change in theminimum age of criminal responsibility, the new procedurewill be that if a child is accused of committing a crime, becauseof lack of youth detention centers in the country, the childrenor the child will be detained in an adult facility instead ofbeing rehabilitated.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No. There is a provision even underPD 603 that they are not to be mixed with ordinary or especiallyhardened criminals.

REP. PALATINO. My worry, Mme. Speaker, distinguishedSponsor, is that even if we set the age of 12 as the minimumage for those who can be arrested, a criminal gang or asyndicate will only hire children below 12 years old in theiroperations. So we are not solving anything.

REP. GARCIA (P.). No, Mme Speaker.

REP. PALATINO. In fact, we are merely potentiallyharming the situation of our children. We made animprovement in 2006 when we set the age of criminalresponsibility below 18 years old. So why are we risking thewelfare of our children instead of asking our law enforcementagencies to perform their jobs well, or ensuring that theprovisions of the JJWA are being implemented properlyinstead of that shortcut amendment that lowers the minimumage of criminal responsibility?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, experience hasshown—and this is the experience of our police officers—that a child above 15 who commits a crime under the presentlaw may not be arrested, may not be detained. That isresponsible for the proliferation of incidence of crimescommitted by these youthful offenders.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, in the law, if we commita crime, we will be subjected to rehabilitation in a youthdetention facility. But because of the lack of detentionfacilities, some of our law enforcement agencies are forced torelease the children.


REP. PALATINO. But that is not the intent of the law.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Whether the law is amended or not,that situation will happen.

REP. PALATINO. So, we prefer risking that we seechildren in detention facilities even though they are below 15years old rather than forcing our law enforcement agenciesto come up with better strategies on how to deal with crimesin our country?

REP. GARCIA (P.). If the child did not act withdiscernment, then he cannot be arrested, he cannot bedetained. He is exempt from criminal responsibility under thepresent bill.

REP. PALATINO. Anyway, Mme. Speaker, I still believethat there are several amendments, there are several provisionsin the law which should be implemented properly, like thesetting up of youth detention facilities, the setting up of betterjuvenile integration or intervention programs. The proposedamendment which lowers the minimum age of criminalresponsibility will not solve anything when it comes to thecrime situation in our country. We are so much focused onthe crimes committed by young people, but what about thecrimes we commit against young people? That is failure toprovide adequate social services to our communities. This isresponsible for the poverty situation which forces manyyoung people to commit crimes. But this amendment, I think,will only harm the situation of our children and our youngpeople. I hope the Sponsor will reconsider that proposedamendment lowering the minimum age. If we are reallyinterested in solving the problem of the proliferation of crimesin our country, maybe we should target the adults, in thisadult-controlled society, rather than risk that situation wherethe default behavior will be to detain children in a detentionfacility together with adults.

REP. GARCIA (P.). This will not exempt the adults fromcriminal responsibility. This will only try to categorize thesechildren in conflict with the law or who have committed crimesdepending upon their ages, in order to determine whetherthese children acted with discernment or not. A child below12, no question, is totally exempt from criminal responsibility.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, how can the Sponsorconvince this Representation that in lowering the minimum ageof criminal responsibility, we will strengthen the juvenile justicesystem in the Philippines? This is the title of the proposedHouse bill, “Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System.”

In my opinion, the only way to strengthen the juvenilejustice system is to implement the provisions of the said law,and that is ensuring that we have resources, we have facilities,the programs are in place, instead of that proposed amendment,which I think will bode ill for the welfare of our children, thatlowers the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

REP. GARCIA (P.). That is the Gentleman’s opinion,Mme. Speaker, and I respect his opinion. I may not be able toconvince him because a man convinced against his will is ofthe same opinion still. However, our police offices, our lawenforcement agencies are finding it difficult to enforce thelaw because of the so-called Juvenile Justice System orRepublic Act No. 9344.

REP. PALATINO. On that note, Mme. Speaker, I thankthe distinguished Sponsor for answering my questions.Maybe during the period of amendments, the Sponsor canconsider some of the amendments which we will propose atthe proper time.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Yes, we will consider the Gentleman’samendments in light of the thrust of our bill.

56 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

REP. PALATINO. Thank you, Mme. Speaker,distinguished Sponsor.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The Hon.Walden F. Bello is recognized.

May we inquire on what matter is the Hon. Walden Bellorising?

REP. BELLO. Yes, I would just like to, if possible, pose afew questions to the Sponsor.



It was 7:19 p.m.




The Hon. Walden Bello may proceed with a briefmanifestation.

REP. BELLO. Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker,honorable Sponsor. Given the constraints about the lack oftime for questions, may I just make a brief statement if thehonorable Sponsor would allow that. Would that be fine,Mme. Speaker?

REP. GARCIA (P.). By all means.

REP. BELLO. I would just like to say here that I amvery bothered by the lowering of the age of criminalresponsibility from 15 to 12 and for a number of reasons. Ithink, as the Honorable Palatino has said, this is really acase of blaming the children and taking away the onus ofresponsibility for the creation of criminal situations fromthe adults.

The second thing I would just like to say here is thatthe use of children by criminal gangs is not somethingnew. This has been something that has been ever presentand, in fact, if the authors have read Oliver Twist byCharles Dickens, they would know that these criminalgangs operate with children as young as five or six.However, ever since the 19th century, the age wherebypeople are given criminal responsibility by the law hasbeen consistently raised to 18, 19 and in many othercountries even higher. So, I would just like to say herethat this is not something new.

Third, I really am very worried about the fact thatthere are no statistics, there are no studies that arebeing presented by the Sponsors to support theircontention that we really need to lower the age ofcriminal responsibility, of discernment, to 12. I meanthis is something that is very worrisome and I wouldreally advise my colleagues that if we are not providedwith studies of this sort, they should vote against thisbill. I mean we cannot have a bill that is mainly a bill

on anecdotes. Even the police, in fact, have shown,have said that they have no data to support this loweringof the criminal liability age to that of the so-called “ageof discernment” at 12.

So, let me just conclude then that I feel this bill isquite flawed; that we would really be subjecting ourchildren to become the people responsible for adultcriminality; I really do not think that this is a bill thatpasses the minimum standards of legislation in thisHouse. Kasi ho naman, we really need to base ourlegislative proposals on firm data. There is no firm datato support this lowering of the age of criminalresponsibility. So, as much as I respect the HonorableGarcia as well as the other Sponsors, I would just like tosay that, since I have no time for questioning, that Ireally have to oppose this bill and urge my colleagues todo so as well .

Thank you very much, Mme. Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The Dep.Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. GARCIA (P.). May I respond.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). If thehonorable Sponsor is willing to yield to the Dep. MajorityLeader, as the Honorable Bello just rose on a point ofmanifestation.

REP. GARCIA (P.). The Honorable Bello just made astatement. I have here a study by UNICEF, entitled SouthAsia and the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility. Itstates that in Asia, the minimum age of criminal responsibilityranged from seven to 14. In India, the minimum age for criminalresponsibility is seven; in Myanmar, it is seven; in Nigeria, itis seven; in Pakistan, it is seven; in Singapore, it is seven; inSudan, it is seven; in Tanzania, it is seven; in Thailand, it isseven; in Indonesia, it is eight; in Kenya, it is eight; inBangladesh, it is nine; in Ethopia, it is nine; in England, it is10; Wales, Northern Ireland, it is 10; in Australia, it is 10; inNepal, it is 10; in Switzerland, it is 10; and in the U.S., it is fromsix to 12. So, the age of criminal responsibility under this billis still 15.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The Hon.Rodolfo B. Albano is recognized.

REP. ALBANO. Thank you, Mme. Speaker.I am in favor of this bill, because of the daily crimes

that are being committed by youthful offenders. So Iwonder if the Sponsor would consider me as a coauthorof this bill.

REP. GARCIA (P.). It will be a great honor, Mme.Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The Dep.Majority Leader is recognized.

REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, there being no other Memberwho wishes to interpellate, I move that we close the period ofsponsorship and debate.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 57

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the period ofsponsorship and debate is hereby terminated.

REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, I move that we open theperiod of amendments and likewise recognize the HonorableSarmiento.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The Hon.Mel Sarmiento is recognized to introduce the amendments.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

REP. SARMIENTO (M.). Yes. Mme. Speaker, as acommittee amendment on the youth offender, the definitionstated here is “REFERS TO A CHILD ABOVE TWELVE (12)YEARS OLD BUT AT LEAST,” we remove “but at least” andchange it to 12 TO 15.

Likewise, under the minimum age of criminalresponsibility, as an omnibus amendment to all theprovisions here stating “but at least,” we change it to TO,Mme. Speaker.

Llikewise under Section 63, Appropriations, since wehave already transferred the function of the Juvenile Justiceand Welfare Council to the DSWD, the corresponding budgetas well should be transferred from the Department of Justiceto the DSWD, Mme. Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). On the partof the House, do we hear any objection? (Silence) TheChair hears none; said committee amendments are herebyaccepted.


REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, there being no moreindividual or committee amendments, I move that we closethe period of amendments.


THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). TheHonorable Palatino is recognized.

REP. PALATINO. I will propose some amendments, Mme.Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Pleaseproceed.

INDIVIDUAL AMENDMENTS

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I propose that we retainthe term “child in conflict with the law” and reject provisionsthat mention the term “youthful offender.”

REP. GARCIA (P.). Mme. Speaker, under the bill ...

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). May we hearthe response of the Sponsor.

REP. GARCIA (P.). In the bill, a child aged 12 to 15 isconsidered a child in conflict with the law. We will retain

that definition unless that child acted with discernment, inwhich case he will be considered a youthful offender. Sowe regret but we cannot accept that amendment. It is therealready.

REP. PALATINO. My other amendment is that we removeall references to the term “youthful offender” and instead of“youthful offender,” we just use the term “child in conflictwith the law”.

REP. GARCIA (P.). We already have three categories:below 12, totally exempt; 12 to 15, child in conflict with thelaw; above 15 to under 18, youthful offender, and that isthe definition of that category of offenders under the Childand Youth Welfare Code, PD 603.

REP. PALATINO. On that note, Mme. Speaker, I willproceed with another proposed amendment, Section 20, page10 of …

REP. PADILLA. Parliamentary inquiry, Mme. Speaker.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). What is theparliamentary inquiry of the Hon. Carlos M. Padilla?

REP. PADILLA. Considering that there are a number ofamendments being proposed, I think they must be treated oneafter the other. May we know what happened to the firstamendment?


REP. PADILLA. That is now the third amendment, Mme.Speaker. Also, what happened with the second amendment?

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Our apologiesfor that. May we request the proponent and the Sponsor togo page per page, line per line.



It was 7:31 p.m.




May we request the Honorable Palatino to reiterate hisfirst proposed amendment.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I refer to page 3 of theproposed House bill.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Page?

REP. PALATINO. Page 3, Section 4, Definition of Terms.Page 3.

58 MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Line?

REP. PALATINO. Line 18.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Pleaseproceed.

REP. PALATINO. I move that we delete the entireprovision, “YOUTHFUL OFFENDER” and we just insteaduse the term CHILD IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). What doesthe Sponsor say?

REP. GARCIA (P.). We regret that we cannot accept theamendment because this definition …

REP. PALATINO. I appeal.

REP. GARCIA (P.). … covers the other provisions of the bill.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). TheHonorable Palatino may proceed with his appeal for fiveminutes.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, when we passed RANo. 9344 in 2006, we already removed the term “youthfuloffender” so that the labeling of children who committedcrimes will not be used and it will prevent children fromreinforcing the behavior and label that they committed crimesagainst the society. So, on that note, Mme. Speaker, I moveto reiterate my proposal to remove the term “youthfuloffender.”

REP. GARICA (P.). We regret to inform the Gentlemanthat we cannot accept the deletion of the “youthfuloffender” because that term or expression covers a childabove 15 and below 18, and jibes with the provisions ofPD 603.

VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). There is apending motion to delete lines 18 to 29 on page 3, duly appealedby the Honorable Palatino. As many as are in favor of theappeal, please say aye. (Silence)

As many as are against, nay.

SEVERAL MEMBERS. Nay.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). The nays have it.The Honorable Palatino may proceed with his second

proposed amendment.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I refer to Section 20,page 10, of the proposed House bill. I move that we delete thephrase “IN WHICH CASES, IT IS PRESUMED THAT THECHILD ACTED WITH DISCERNMENT.” I am referring tolines 21 and 22.

REP. GARCIA (P.). Which line?

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Pleasemention the page first, and then the line.

REP. PALATINO. Page 10, Section 20.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Page 10,line …

REP. PALATINO. Lines 21 to 22.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Page10, lines 21 to 22. Please mention the proposedamendment.

REP. PALATINO. I move that we delete the phrase “INWHICH CASES, IT IS PRESUMED THAT THE CHILDACTED WITH DISCERNMENT.”

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). What doesthe Sponsor say?

REP. GARCIA (P.). Well, I regret that we cannot acceptthe amendment because clearly, when a child commits thecrime of parricide, the crimes of kidnapping and serious illegaldetention, rape and robbery, it is unthinkable to supposethat that child did not act with discernment in committingthese crimes. So, we regret that we cannot accept theamendment.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). So, theSponsor does not accept the proposed amendment. Maywe proceed with the next amendment.

REP. PALATINO. Mme. Speaker, I am finished with myproposed amendments.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). Thank youvery much.


REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, there being no otheramendments, I move that we close the period ofamendments.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.). There is amotion to close the period of amendments.

Is there any objection? (Silence) The Chair hears none;the said motion is hereby approved.


REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, I move that we approveon Second Reading House Bill No. 6052, as amended. I somove.

VIVA VOCE VOTING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garin, J.). There is amotion to approve House Bill No. 6052, as amended.

As many as are in favor of House Bill No. 6052, pleasesay aye.

SEVERAL MEMBERS. Aye.

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012 59

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garin, J.). As many as areas against, please say nay.

FEW MEMBERS. Nay.

APPROVAL OF H.B. NO. 6052, AS AMENDED,ON SECOND READING

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Garin, J.). The ayes haveit; the motion is approved.

House Bill No. 6052, as amended, is approved on SecondReading.



REP. BINAY. Mme. Speaker, I move that we suspend thesession until four o’clock tomorrow.

THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Rep. Garin, J.) Is there anyobjection? (Silence) The Chair hears none; the session issuspended until four o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

It was 7:39 p.m.

Published by the Publication and Editorial Service, Plenary Affairs BureauThe Congressional Record can be accessed through the Downloads Center of the official website

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2009 MAY 12 - congress.gov.phcongress.gov.ph/legisdocs/congrec/15th/2nd/15C_2RS-50a-052112.pdf · Vol. 3 Monday, May 21, 2012 No. 50a RESUMPTION OF SESSION At 3:58 p.m., the session