Cha-cha not included in the Senate legislative agenda

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said the Senate will stick to its priority legislative agenda when it resumes session today.

These include the economic bills and the proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and the EPIRA.

"We are optimistic that we can give priority to the economic measures such as the Condonation of Delinquent Contributions to the SSS, the Simplified Net Income System, the Paglaum Fund bill for the rehabilitation of Panay caused by typhoon Frank last year, and the Mechanization of our Agricultural sector because these will help stimulate the country's economy," Zubiri said.

He likewise said that the Senate, as much as possible would not discuss nor entertain measures not included in its priority legislative agenda. "As Majority Leader, I have to see to it that the Senate finish as many bills as possible in the 7 weeks of session remaining before Congress goes on sine die adjournment on June 5."

"I expect that when the Third Regular Session opens on July 27, election fever will be upon us and legislators' focus will be diverted to the 2010 elections."

He said that while some members of the House of Representatives have not given up on the Charter change battle, "the Senate is not buying the proposed revision to the 1987 Constitution at this point in time to due to lack of time."

Meanwhile, other measures still pending in the Senate and awaiting bicameral reports include the Pag-IBIG Charter amendment, the Real Estate Investment Companies Act, and the Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal Protected Areas.

The Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law and Picture - based Warnings on Tobacco Products are already for Individual Amendments and those which are under the Period of Interpellations are the Philippine Disaster Risk Management Act, Magna Carta for Homeowners, Legitimation of Children Born to Parents Who are Below Marrying Age, Climate Change Commission Bill and the Committee Report on the Fertilizer Fund Scam among others are already in the advanced stage and have been discussed in the plenary before the Congress went on Lenten break.