Congress resumes session today with legislators looking to approve at least two priority bills before they take a break anew next month for the midterm elections.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III during the weekend said Congress leaders had agreed on, among others, passing the priority National Land Use policy and the Anti-Trust Act “during nine session days.”

Mr. Sotto added that they would also “try to pass” the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act and a measure further strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” R. Belmonte, Jr. cited the same priority bills, saying these were agreed upon in a Saturday meeting with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Mr. Sotto, Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan and House Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II.

“All the bills that are now in bicam, particularly human rights compensation ... [and] especially bills like anti-trust and common carriers were discussed,” Mr. Belmonte added.

Legislators return to work today after a month-long holiday break. Session, however, will again be adjourned starting Feb. 9 to make way for the campaign season. The 15th Congress will wrap up its third and final session from June 5 to 7 and any bills not passed by then go back to square one.

The anti-trust act or competition policy, Senate Bill (SB) 3098 and House Bill (HB) 4835, aims to prohibit cartels and monopolies. Both measures are pending second reading approval.

The National Land Use measure, SB 3092 and HB 6545, seeks to rationalize the management of the country’s physical resources. The House passed its version last Sept. 20, while the Senate bill is pending second reading approval.

The AMLA changes, passed by the House last Dec. 5 and pending second reading approval at the Senate, have been tagged as crucial given the threat of Financial Action Task Force sanctions.

The FoI bill, meanwhile, was passed on third reading by the Senate last month. The House has yet to start plenary discussions.

Businessmen, for their part, pointed to measures tagged by the business community as crucial.

Henry J. Schumacher, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines external affairs vice-president, said they expect Congress to pass a bill lifting taxes on international carriers.

“Top of the list: successful bicam on the elimination of common carriers tax and gross Philippine billings to re-connect international airlines to the Philippines to drive tourism,” he said in a text message.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Miguel B. Varela said, “competition law, that’s number one.”

Makati Business Club Chairman Ramon R. Del Rosario, Jr., meanwhile, said the focus should be on the FoI, AMLA, land use and anti-trust measures.

Mr. Sotto yesterday said lawmakers were considering working on Thursdays and Fridays to accommodate pending bills. Plenary sessions are normally held only up to Wednesday. -- MJOC, KMPT

Source: Business World; Front Page; 21 January 2013