Rappler's latest stories on Bicameral Conference Committee
Bicam approves bill granting 105-day paid maternity leave
The Senate and the House of Representatives now have to ratify the reconciled version of the bill before it can be signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte
Coco levy bicam recognizes Suarez as House minority leader
(UPDATED) 'I don't understand why they keep on making noise. They have already lost,' says Quezon 3rd District Representative Danilo Suarez to the two other blocs challenging him for the minority leadership
Fariñas stands by constitutionality of draft Bangsamoro Organic Law
House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas welcomes moves to challenge the bill before the Supreme Court
Bicam OKs final Bangsamoro bill for Duterte signature
(3rd UPDATE) President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign the proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law ahead of his 3rd State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 23
Plebiscite, preamble, PH laws among last issues at Bangsamoro bicam
(UPDATED) Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri misses his target to finalize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law on Tuesday, July 17, because of issues raised by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission
Bicam OKs joint powers for Bangsamoro, DOE on energy sources
Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri says the bicameral conference committee on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law decided to adopt the Senate version on the matter
BBL's hot issue: Who gets to control rich Sulu Sea, Moro Gulf?
It's a deadlock at the bicameral conference committee
Bicam approves creation of Shari'ah High Court in Bangsamoro
Under the proposed Bangsamoro justice system, Shari'ah or Islamic law would only be applicable to Muslims. But non-Muslims may volunteer to submit to the jurisdiction of Shari'ah courts.
Bicam draft 'not a watered-down BBL,' says BTC chair Jaafar
Bangsamoro Transition Commission chair Ghazali Jaafar says they understand President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to endorse the provision requiring the approval of the mother units before areas in Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato can join the Bangsamoro
Lanao del Norte's Dimaporo ready to question an unconstitutional BBL
'We're all adults here. If I don't get what I want and I feel that this is unconstitutional, I'll challenge it in the Supreme Court, period,' says Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Khalid Dimaporo
How heightened emotions, stress define bicam on proposed BBL
(UPDATED) Tensions flare as lawmakers finalize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. It is expected to continue, especially as they try to break the impasse on the most crucial issues of territory and plebiscite.
Bicam to seek Duterte help to solve Bangsamoro plebiscite deadlock
(UPDATED) The panel is set to go to Malacañang on Wednesday, July 11, as the House and Senate contingent could not agree on how to finalize the plebiscite in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
Bicam OKs freedom of religion in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
'We need to be mindful of the fact that people are harassed or subjected to violence because of their choice of beliefs in certain areas of the country,' says Senator Joel Villanueva, proponent of the clause promoting religious freedom in the region
Bicam adopts Senate provision vs Bangsamoro firearms purchase
(UPDATED) 'What if 30 years down the line...there’s a new brand of leadership that goes into the Bangsamoro and they’re radicalized...and they want to do some foolishness and they will buy firearms, tanks, and airplanes with the funds?' asks Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
Lawmakers' fear of territorial loss delays final BBL scope, plebiscite
'I understand the positions of district congressmen because it's a loss of territory for them and medyo mabigat 'yan and malalim….Diyan medyo madugo,' says Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, co-chair of the bicameral conference committee
Bicam makes release of funds easier for Bangsamoro
The Bangsamoro would no longer be required to specify plans before getting its share of the national internal revenue, but the bicameral conference committee says measures remain in place to ensure proper spending
Why Drilon didn't push for anti-dynasty in BBL bicam
'As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, proponent of the anti-political dynasty provision
Bangsamoro territory in Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato still up for debate
(UPDATED) Lawmakers anticipate difficult discussions on how these areas would be included in the Bangsamoro region
Bicam drops anti-dynasty provision in Bangsamoro bill
(2nd UPDATE) The Bangsamoro Transition Commission, some members of which belong to political families, has strongly opposed the ban on dynasties, saying it is a 'clear violation' of a person's right to vote and be voted
BBL bicam OKs 75-25 Bangsamoro, central gov’t wealth sharing
(UPDATED) Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri says the Bangsamoro Transition Commission has disagreed with the Senate proposal to decrease the current wealth-sharing terms to 50-50
Final version of BBL must pass ‘test of constitutionality,’ say bicam members
Senate President Vicente Sotto III says the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law's constitutional issues must be resolved to avoid a scenario where the Supreme Court will later deem it unconstitutional
Bicam to reconcile conflicting provisions of Bangsamoro Basic Law
The work is cut out for the lawmakers forming the bicameral conference committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, with its House and Senate versions proposing conflicting amendments
Bicam members: Who will finalize the Bangsamoro law?
28 senators and representatives are chosen to reconcile conflicting provisions in the bills separately passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives
Senators slam sudden insertion on coal taxes after bicam deal
There are two different versions of the bicameral conference committee report being circulated to lawmakers, says Senator Villanueva
Higher take-home pay but pricier cars, fuel, tobacco by 2018
The Senate and the House of Representatives are set to ratify their reconciled version on Tuesday, December 12, before sending it to President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law
House, Senate panel raises tax-free 13th month pay to P90K
This is not yet final, as the House and the Senate have to first approve the bicam version of the tax reform bill before it can be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte
'Very strong lobby' vs cosmetic surgery tax in bicam, says Drilon
The bicameral conference committee on the proposed tax reform bill is yet to finalize the issue, which is only present in the Senate version
House, Senate agree to tax-exempt P250k annual income starting 2018
The income tax scheme for 2019 onwards is yet to be finalized
Roque on RevGov, Duque on Dengvaxia, Tax Reform bill | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newcast with Mara Cepeda
Senate, House begin 'difficult' task of finalizing tax reform bill
Congress has only 6 session days left to approve the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), which is eyed for implementation on January 1, 2018
5-year driver's license bill now up for Duterte's signature
The measure will now be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte after both chambers of Congress approved the final version of the bill
Lacson to House: Don't blame Villar for 'pork' cut from DPWH budget
Senator Panfilo Lacson appeals to members of the House of Representatives to confirm the appointment of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar
RH budget cut: 3 unanswered questions
Why did the health secretary know about the cut after the fact? Why did Loren Legarda allow it? Why did the realignment go to health facilities and medical assistance?
New SSL IV provision will protect Magna Carta benefits – bicam
But the bicameral conference committee has yet to decide if retired soldiers will be among the bill s beneficiaries
Recto to bicam: Don't scrap Magna Carta benefits under SSL IV
3rd UPDATE Senator Ralph Recto urges the bicameral conference committee to include a provision in the proposed Salary Standardization Law IV that will protect existing Magna Carta benefits of government employees
RH budget cut exposes problematic lawmaking in PH
Lesson to learn: lawmakers should not leave it to a small group – the chairmen from the Senate and the House – to decide the final provisions in the budget law
'Magnanakaw' sa Senado
Hindi matanggap ni Senator Tito Sotto na tinalo siya ng mga maralita at mga kababaihan nang maipasa ang reproductive health law kaya t ninakaw niya ang P1 bilyong pondo nito sa bicameral committee
Top high school grads priority under college scholarship bill
An existing law gives top high school graduates scholarships in their first year in college The proposed unified education assistance law seeks to extend the scholarships in succeeding years
'Savings' trouble in bicam? Level heads will prevail – Escudero
The two chambers of Congress will need to reconcile their versions of the 2015 budget – and their definition of ‘savings’
PH a step closer to graphic health warning on cigarettes
The bicameral conference committee approves the bill that seeks to cover half of cigarette packs with images of the health risks caused by smoking
Rappler Newscast | December 10, 2013
2014 budget approved New guidelines issued for Maguindanao massacre trial Thailand’s prime minister refuses to step down
Bicam conference for 2014 budget set on December 9
This gives Congress enough time to discuss even the proposed supplemental budget for calamities
‘No major hitch in sin tax, budget bicam’
Sen Franklin Drilon foresees a smooth bicam for both the sin tax bill and the 2013 budget
House bill pushes transparency in bicam meetings
The provisions of the bill include among others allowing the public the media and lawmakers who are not appointed members of the bicameral conference committee to attend bicameral meetings
