Zubiri: Senate buckles down to work to serve our people's needs
Budget occupies top spot

"The Senate is ready to do business to serve our people's needs," said Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri in preparation for the resumption of the Second Regular Session on Monday.

"The Budget will still occupy our highest priorities. Since Congress wields the power of the purse, we shall put it at the top."

"The Senate's Legislative priorities will positively impact our people's ability to face the global economic meltdown with resulting expected job losses and decreased remittances from our Overseas Filipino Workers. The budget will address our people's basic needs such as health, education, infrastructure, food security as well as peace and security in our communities and peace in conflict areas."

"We have tried to come up with the best and efficient identification and line up of the Legislative priorities of all Senators."

"Depending on the status of the various Senate Bills and Committee Reports, we will try to accommodate and allocate time for each. Although we will still consult with all Senators, we have lined up the most pressing legislations to be tackled."

"To insure the people are served well by the Senate, we have devised our mantra :

Will the measure create Jobs?

Will it improve social services?

Will it provide food and energy?

Will it improve the economy?"

The following are the Senate's priority bills when Session resumes:

1. HB 5116 - the 2009 Budget (for Bicam)

2. Baseline Bill

3. Tourism Development Bill (for Bicam)

4. Anti-Child Pornography (for Bicam)

5. Foster Care for Abandoned Children (for Bicam)

6. Magna Carta of Women

7. Increasing the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage of PDIC

8. Picture-Based Warnings on Tobacco Products

9. Amendment of the Pag-IBIG Fund Charter

10. Amendment to the CARP Law

11. Creation of the Climate Change Commission

12. VAT Exemption of Senior Citizens

13. AFP Retirement and Disability Benefits

14. Creation of the Department of Housing

15. Amendment to the LWUA Charter

16. Mindanao Economic Development Authority Bill

17. Paglaum Fund

18. Bio-Organic Agriculture

19. Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations

20. Philippines Disaster Risk Management

21. National Land Use Policy

22. Rent Control Law