Press Release
October 4, 2007

VILLAR ACKNOWLEDGES COLLEAGUES
FOR PASSAGE OF NINE BILLS

While successfully pushing for the eventual cancellation of the controversial national broadband network deal between the government and China's ZTE Corporation which saved at least P16 billion of taxpayers' money, the Senate passed a total of nine bills aimed at bringing about social justice and improving the living conditions of ordinary Filipinos.

"This is an early accomplishment reflecting the earnest will of the Senate to ensure the passage of laws that will directly benefit our people especially the less privileged," Senate President Manny Villar emphasized.

"We want to give due credit to the sheer determination and hard work poured in by my colleagues in order to approve these timely measures before adjournment," said Villar.

"This mirrors the resolve of our senators to meet our legislative goals, demonstrating what cooperation and team work can accomplish in such a considerably short span of time," the Senate president and Nacionalista Party president stated.

"Deeply considering the lot of common Filipinos is our sole and most important guide in undertaking these legislative tasks," explained Villar.

Among the nine bills passed by the Senate is the Anti-Cellular Phone and Gadgets Theft Act; An Act to provide for quality affordable medicines which seeks to give poor patients access to cheaper medicines; rules and regulations in the presentation of suspects in press conferences; bill granting good conduct time allowance to deserving prisoners; providing protection to household helpers; amendments to the Small and Medium Enterprises Law; bill creating the Office of Environmental Education to promote environmental awareness; the measure promoting breastfeeding especially among working mothers; and the bill providing more retirement benefits to judges and justices.

Under Villar's leadership during the 13th Congress in the Third Regular Session, the Senate also passed a record number of legislative measures numbering 169 to be exact: 51 measures of national application and 118 measures of local application.

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