Press Release
July 3, 2007

Villar files 35 bills focusing on his 'V-point agenda'

SENATE President Manny Villar filed at least 35 bills mostly focusing on his five(V)-point agenda: education, health, entrepreneurship, environment and agriculture.

Among the proposed measures he filed was Senate Bill (SB) No. 85 which seeks to prohibit private and public schools from barring students with delinquent tuition payments to take the midterm or final examinations.

The measure seeks to prescribe a reasonable compromise between the needs of schools and the rights of students by allowing schools to withhold the release of grades or clearances to students pending settlement of fees.

Villar said violators who shall bar non-paying students from taking the exams will be punished by suspension or cancellation of permits and payment of fines between P20,000 to P50,000.

"Social justice dictates that the indigent sector must not be further disadvantaged in consideration of their plight," he said.

Other important bills filed by Villar were: SB 83 or An Act defining as a crime the act of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor and prohibited drugs; SB 84 or An Act to provide for toy safety labeling; SB 89 or An Act providing protection and remedies to buyers of new and used motor vehicles; and SB 90 or An Act providing for cheaper medicines.

He also filed SB 91 or An Act requiring the recycling and utilization of recycled materials by educational institutions; and SB 92 or An Act providing provisional relief to certain victims of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions by granting special deductions from income and real property taxes in their favor.

Likewise introduced were SB 93 or An Act establishing quality standards for mineral and carbonated water; SB 94 or An Act to promote, develop and assist micro and cottage industries by providing an effective and rational system to address their production and technology needs; and SB 95 or An Act creating the Philippine Overseas Workers Bank.

News Latest News Feed