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By Maricel V.
Cruz, Reporter
Speaker Jose
de Venecia expressed confidence Sunday that the antiterrorism bill
and at least two other urgent measures would be approved by Congress
during a two-day special session called by President Arroyo that
begins Monday.
“The
antiterrorism bill is a commitment by the Philippine government to
the international community,” de Venecia said.
“The measure
is also needed by the police authorities in our commitment to keep
our citizens safe from extremists’ activities,” he said.
De Venecia
further said the county would face embarrassment before the
international community if the antiterrorism measure, which the
House of Representatives approved a year ago and which the Senate
passed on third reading only two weeks ago, is not passed by
Congress.
He urged
lawmakers of both chambers to show up for the special session,
saying there is a number of urgent bills that are nearing approval
and lawmakers must mobilize support to ensure their passage.
“The
Filipino people will punish those who will be absent from the
Special Session without cause,” de Venecia said.
But militant
lawmakers vowed to block approval of several administration measures
during the Congress’ special session, which opens today.
Party-list
Rep. Teodoro Casiño of the left-leaning Bayan Muna said they would
give the House leadership a hard time securing the passage of the
Palace-backed measures being rushed for May 14 election.
He mentioned
the proposed antiterrorism bill and the Pagcor franchise extension.
“Congress’
special session aims to approve Pagcor franchise bill and antiterror
bill. Pagcor is a known source of political funds while ATB is a
potential tool for political harassment,” Casiño pointed out.
He claimed the
Palace’s push to have the two bills passed and ratified before the
midterm elections “is meant to raise funds and give the Arroyo
administration a new tool versus the opposition.”
“If
there’s a quorum, we’ll insist that more important matters be
taken up,” the militant lawmaker added.
Measures
Among the
measures de Venecia is pushing are the One Billion Tress Act, twice
approved by the House and awaiting second-reading approval by the
Senate; the bill reducing the prices of medicine by 50 percent, Tax
Amnesty bill, the bill extending the Pagcor franchise, the Tourism
bill and the Political Party Reform Act that includes a provision on
campaign finance to be provided by the State to the political
parties.
De Venecia
said the Political Parties reform act is designed primarily to
reduce political corruption, money politics, and the fielding and
financing of national and local campaigns by gambling and drug
lords.
De Venecia is
also the principal author of the One Billion Trees Act, which he
said the program would be financed through Official Development
Assistance and managed by countries with extensive experience in
forest plantation management. These are Finland, Norway, Sweden,
Japan, New Zealand, Denmark and Canada.
“The
State-owned companies from any of these countries would undertake
the planting nationwide of tree seedlings to prevent corruption as
had happened in past forestry projects of the government.
The
State-owned forestry companies from these countries could be tapped
to manage the nurseries for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, he
added.
The One
Billion Trees Act would also help the Philippines solve
water-related problems such as drinking water, irrigation, flood
control and ecological balance.
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