13th Congress of the Philippines
The 13th Congress of the Philippines (Filipino: Ikalabintatlong Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 26, 2004, until June 8, 2007, during the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency. The convening of the 13th Congress followed the 2004 national elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives.
13th Congress of the Philippines | |||||
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Overview | |||||
Term | July 26, 2004 – June 8, 2007 | ||||
President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo | ||||
Vice President | Noli de Castro | ||||
Senate | |||||
Members | 24 | ||||
President |
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President pro tempore | Juan Flavier | ||||
Majority leader | Francis Pangilinan | ||||
Minority leader | Aquilino Pimentel Jr. | ||||
House of Representatives | |||||
Members | 261 | ||||
Speaker | Jose de Venecia Jr. | ||||
Deputy Speakers |
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Majority leader | Prospero Nograles | ||||
Minority leader | Francis Escudero |
Events
editCharter Change
editPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her several State of the Nation Addresses has repeatedly called on Congress to pave the way for the amending of the 1987 Constitution[1] to provide for a unicameral–parliamentary–federal form of government. On December 8, 2006, the administration-dominated House of Representatives, bypassing the Senate, passed in haste House Resolution 1450, which called on Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) to propose amendments to the Constitution.[2] The House move however, was faced with stiff opposition from the outmaneuvered members of the opposition and all but 1 member of the Senate,[3] which was later bolstered by support from several sectors of the civil society and the influential Roman Catholic Church,[4] which threatened to hold nationwide protest rallies to denounce the House move.[5] Succumbing to the mounting opposition and the apparent withdrawal of support of the President,[6] House Speaker Jose De Venecia later on scrapped the entire resolution and called instead for a constitutional convention, challenging the Senate to concur it in 72 hours.[7] But this too was rejected by the Senate,[8] which preferred to hold a constitutional convention after the 2007 elections.[9] Efforts to amend the constitution during the 13th Congress were eventually shelved.[10]
Sessions
edit- First Regular Session: July 26, 2004 – June 7, 2005
- First Special Session: January 5 – February 10, 2005
- Second Special Session: March 1 – April 1, 2005
- Second Regular Session: July 25, 2005 – June 5, 2006
- Third Regular Session: July 24, 2006 – June 8, 2007
- Third Special Session: February 19 – 20, 2007
- Special Centennial Session: June 7, 2007
Legislation
editLaws passed by the 13th Congress: 149 (Republic Act No. 9333 to 9495), as of September 7, 2007[11]
Major legislation
edit- Republic Act No. 9334 — Increase of Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products
- Republic Act No. 9335 — Attrition Act of 2005
- Republic Act No. 9337 — Expanded Value-Added Tax Law
- Republic Act No. 9341 — Rent Control Act of 2005
- Republic Act No. 9343 — Special Purpose Vehicle Act of 2002 Amendments
- Republic Act No. 9344 — Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
- Republic Act No. 9346 — Death Penalty Abolition
- Republic Act No. 9347 — Rationalizing the Composition and Functions of the National Labor Relations Commission
- Republic Act No. 9359 — Appropriation of a Standby Fund for the Guimaras Oil Spill Clean Up, Mayon Volcano Relief Operations, OFW Repatriation
- Republic Act No. 9367 — Biofuels Act of 2006
- Republic Act No. 9369 — Amending the Election Modernization Act
- Republic Act No. 9372 — Human Security Act of 2007
- Republic Act No. 9379 — Handline Fishing Law
- Republic Act No. 9396 — Redefining the term "Veteran"
- Republic Act No. 9399 — One-Time Amnesty for Businesses in the Special Economic Zones and Freeports
- Republic Act No. 9400 — Amending the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992
- Republic Act No. 9406 —Reorganization and Strengthening of the Public Attorney's Office
- Republic Act No. 9416 — Unlawful Cheating in the Civil Service Commission Examinations
- Republic Act No. 9417 — Strengthening the Office of the Solicitor General
- Republic Act No. 9418 —Institutionalizing Strategy for Rural Development
- Republic Act No. 9422 — Amending the Migration Workers and Overseas Act of 1995
- Republic Act No. 9433 — Magna Carta for Public Social Workers
Leadership
editSenate
edit- President:
- Franklin Drilon (Liberal), until July 24, 2006
- Manny Villar (Nacionalista), from July 24, 2006
- President pro tempore: Juan Flavier (Lakas)
- Majority Floor Leader: Francis Pangilinan (Liberal)
- Minority Floor Leader: Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (PDP–Laban)
House of Representatives
edit- Speaker: Jose de Venecia Jr. (Pangasinan–4th, Lakas)
- Deputy Speakers:
- Luzon:
- Emilio Espinosa Jr. (Masbate–2nd, NPC)
- Benigno Aquino III (Tarlac–2nd, Liberal), November 8, 2004 – February 21, 2006
- Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur–2nd, Liberal), from February 21, 2006[12]
- Visayas: Raul del Mar (Cebu City–1st, Lakas)
- Mindanao: Abdulgani Salapuddin (Basilan, Lakas)
- Luzon:
- Majority Floor Leader: Prospero Nograles (Davao City–1st, Lakas)
- Minority Floor Leader: Francis Escudero (Sorsogon–1st, NPC)
Members
editSenate
editThe following are the terms of the senators of this Congress, according to the date of election:
- For senators elected on May 14, 2001: June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007
- For senators elected on May 10, 2004: June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010
Senator | Party | Term | Term ending | Bloc | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Edgardo Angara | LDP | 1 | 2007 | Minority | |
Joker Arroyo | Independent | 1 | 2007 | Majority | |
Rodolfo Biazon | Liberal | 2 | 2010 | Majority | |
Pia Cayetano | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Miriam Defensor Santiago | PRP | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Franklin Drilon | Liberal | 2 | 2007 | Majority | |
Loi Ejercito | PMP | 1 | 2007 | Minority | |
Jinggoy Estrada | PMP | 1 | 2010 | Minority | |
Juan Flavier | Lakas | 2 | 2007 | Majority | |
Dick Gordon | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Panfilo Lacson | Independent | 1 | 2007 | Minority | |
Lito Lapid | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Alfredo Lim[a] | PMP | 1 | 2010 | Minority | |
Jamby Madrigal | LDP | 1 | 2010 | Minority | |
Ramon Magsaysay Jr. | Lakas | 2 | 2007 | Majority | |
Serge Osmeña | PDP–Laban | 2 | 2007 | Minority | |
Francis Pangilinan | Liberal | 1 | 2007 | Majority | |
Aquilino Pimentel Jr. | PDP–Laban | 2 | 2010 | Minority | |
Juan Ponce Enrile | PMP | 1 | 2010 | Minority | |
Ralph Recto | Nacionalista | 1 | 2007 | Majority | |
Bong Revilla | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Mar Roxas | Liberal | 1 | 2010 | Majority | |
Manny Villar | Nacionalista | 1 | 2007 | Majority |
House of Representatives
editNotes
edit- ^ Took office as Mayor of Manila on June 30, 2007.
- ^ Assassinated on December 16, 2006.[13]
- ^ Appointed as Presidential Chief of Staff on February 10, 2007.
- ^ Appointed as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government on February 5, 2006.
- ^ Appointed as Secretary of Budget and Management on February 5, 2006.
- ^ Appointed as Secretary of Tourism on August 19, 2004.
- ^ Elected in a special election on May 30, 2005, succeeding Ace Durano. Took office on June 9, 2005.
- ^ Appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration on April 18, 2007.[14]
- ^ Died on July 26, 2006.
- ^ Appointed as Secretary of Education on July 24, 2006.
- ^ Election annulled on August 3, 2006 after an electoral protest.
- ^ Won an electoral protest on August 3, 2006, replacing Anuar J. Abubakar.
- ^ Died on February 19, 2007.[15]
- ^ Died on October 15, 2004.
- ^ Succeeded Benjamin A. Cruz.
- ^ Died on January 29, 2007.[16]
- ^ Took office on January 31, 2007, succeeding Ernesto S. Gidaya.[17]
References
edit- ^ Arroyo will push Cha-cha, hit at ‘Imperial Manila’ in SONA Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on July 21, 2006.
- ^ House approves resolution convening constituent assembly Maila Ager INQ7.net. Accessed on December 7, 2006.
- ^ 22 senators close ranks, vow to boycott Con-ass Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 9, 2006.
- ^ Arroyo foes gear for ‘serious battle’ Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 8, 2006.
- ^ CBCP planning nationwide protests vs constituent assembly Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 8, 2006.
- ^ Palace backtracks, now favors constitutional convention, too Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 9, 2006
- ^ De Venecia calls for constitutional convention Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 9, 2006.
- ^ Senators nix De Venecia’s 72-hour con-con deadline Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 9, 2006.
- ^ Senate OKs Con-con but there’s no rush Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 13, 2006.
- ^ Constitutional convention ‘dead,’ says solon Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on December 12, 2006.
- ^ Arroyo signs P1.126-trillion budget Archived April 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on May 26, 2007
- ^ Singson is new Deputy Speaker Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on March 22, 2007.
- ^ Abra lawmaker murdered Archived November 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on December 17, 2006.
- ^ Arroyo names lawmaker new immigration commissioner Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed on April 18, 2007.
- ^ Rep. Serapio dies in vehicular accident Archived December 19, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on February 20, 2007.
- ^ Party-list Rep. Ernesto Gidaya passes away Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on February 1, 2007.
- ^ A Lady Takes Over Accessed on February 1, 2007.
External links
edit- "List of Senators". Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
- "The LAWPHiL Project – Philippine Laws and Jurispudance Databank". Arellano Law Foundation. Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
Further reading
edit- Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library
- Paras, Corazon L. (2000). The Presidents of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines. ISBN 971-8832-24-6.
- Pobre, Cesar P. (2000). Philippine Legislature 100 Years. ISBN 971-92245-0-9.