Rappler's latest stories on Philippine House of Representatives
Opposition lawmakers: Resist anti-terror law – the 'death warrant to human rights'
'We will show them that in the face of repression, an awakened people will resist and fight back' says Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate
Lawmaker slams DSWD for distribution policies that caused crowds
Making cash aid beneficiaries line up at distribution points could have caused COVID-19 transmission, says Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor
Robredo: Be wary of Ressa verdict's ‘chilling’ effect on citizens’ freedoms
'Silencing, harassing, and weaponizing law against the media sends a clear message to every dissenting voice: Keep quiet or you are next,' warns Vice President Leni Robredo
Lawmakers to Filipinos: Resist repression as Ressa's conviction 'not the last'
(UPDATED) 'We are complicit if we stay silent,' says Senator Risa Hontiveros
Business groups oppose 'highly divisive' anti-terror bill
During the coronavirus pandemic, what the country needs is 'national unity' and not a bill that 'poses clear and present danger to human rights,' 8 business groups say in a joint statement
Bill allowing class opening after August now up for Duterte’s signature
Just like the senators did, representatives unanimously approve on final reading the bill giving the President the power to set the school opening at a later date
Mindanao lawmakers: Anti-terror bill will further incite violence, not end terrorism
'This law is not meant to combat terrorism. It is meant to give the state the power to tag whomever they please as a terrorist. Hindi pa ba tayo natuto?' says House Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman of Basilan
'Draconian' anti-terror bill, feared to be used vs gov't critics, hurdles Congress
(3rd UPDATE) The bill would allow the proposed Anti-Terror Council, which would be composed of top Cabinet officials, to order the arrest of people it deems to be terrorists
Duterte certifies as urgent anti-terrorism bill feared to clamp down on basic rights
Security officials want the controversial law passed before Congress adjourns on June 5
Fears of losing freedoms escalate as Congress rushes to pass anti-terror bill
The bill would empower a council of top cabinet officials to do functions usually reserved for the courts, like ordering the warrantless arrest and detention of people and groups perceived to be terrorists
House joint committee adopts Senate version of toughened anti-terrorism bill
(UPDATED) The move fast-tracks the passage of a proposed law that broadens the definition of terrorism and heightens punishment of convicted terrorists, but which the opposition sees as a clampdown on dissent
Congress holds first-ever 'hybrid' session
The two chambers of Congress take different routes in adopting teleconferencing as part of their proceedings
Congress reins in Duterte's special budget powers
Cures and fixes notwithstanding, the new law may still be unnecessary because it is superfluous
House passes bill allowing 100% foreign ownership of public services
(UPDATED) But Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas slams the bill as 'economic charter change without tinkering with the 1987 Constitution'
Congress passes bill requiring GMRC in K to 12 curriculum
The bill is now up for the President's signature
‘Unconstitutional’ anti-terrorism bill targets dissenters, not terrorists – Colmenares
'Hindi talaga para ito sa mga Abu Sayyaf or terrorista o sino pa mang tinatawag na terorista… Kailangan ito para doon sa dissenters, sa oposisyon,' says NUPL chair Neri Colmenares
'Unconstitutional' to let foreigners own public utilities – opposition lawmakers
If passed into law, House Bill 78 would allow foreigners to fully own telecommunication and transportation companies in the Philippines which is 'fatally violative of the Constitution' the lawmakers say
House closer to passing bill allowing foreigners to own PH public utilities
For lawmakers behind the bill, the 1987 Constitution’s requirement that at least 60% of public utility enterprises' capital stock must be owned by Filipino citizens or corporations is limiting the country’s economic growth
131 lawmakers call for resumption of peace talks
The prospect of renewed peace talks seems bleak for now, as Duterte and communist leader Jose Maria Sison cannot agree on where to hold the negotiations
Bicam approves P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget
The Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to ratify the bicam report on the 2020 budget on Wednesday, December 11, during their respective sessions
Congress goes on monthlong break, with rice farmers left hanging
'The farmers need relief now, as next year, they might no longer go into farming,' says Jessica Reyes Cantos, president of Action for Economic Reforms
Congresswomen push bill vs child marriage: ‘We owe it to young girls’
'Child marriages are manifestations of gender-based discrimination against girls and cultural norms that value girls less than boys,' says House committee on women and gender equality chairperson Ma. Lourdes Acosta Alba
House OKs bill easing restrictions on foreign professionals in PH
ACT Teachers Representative France Castro slams the bill as a 'worse form of liberalization among professionals' in the Philippines
House, Senate bills want President to appoint 'designated survivor'
Quezon City 2nd District Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo and Senator Panfilo Lacson file versions of the bill in the 18th Congress
Lawmakers to DOH: Why only 33 areas for Universal Health Care rollout?
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III cites 'limitations' such as budgetary constraints as among the reasons
Defense department proposes 5th largest share of 2020 national budget
Pressure’s on to increase the defense establishment’s capability to confront internal and external threats, but retirees’ pensions still get the largest increase in allocation
LIST: Business groups' wishes for 18th Congress
Business groups submit their wish list to the 18th Congress, which includes reforms mostly on taxes, corporate structure and ownership, and government agencies
Duterte pushes for charter change after naming next Speaker
President Rodrigo Duterte tells the House of Representatives' next leaders that changing the Constitution is necessary, whether or not for a federal shift
18th Congress, by the numbers
After the 2019 polls, the ruling party PDP-Laban and its allies take both the Senate and the House
‘Endo’ bill now up for Duterte’s signature
The House adopts the provisions of the Senate-approved version of the bill, which means it will now be sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature
House approves bill requiring ROTC for Grades 11, 12
If passed into law, the bill would make the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program mandatory for both male and female senior high school students
New districts, old names: Battles for House seats created under Duterte
Some of those vying for the 5 new congressional seats are former lawmakers, longtime politicians, or scions of political dynasties
Makabayan bloc asks Supreme Court to void Meralco bill deposits
The leftist groups argue that the EPIRA law does not sanction the charging of bill deposits
Senate, House suspend work for April 23 after Luzon earthquake
(UPDATED) The Senate and the House of Representatives will check the structural integrity of their buildings
Andaya asks senators: Why hostage the 2019 budget?
House committee on appropriations chair Rolando Andaya says if there are anomalous allocations under the 2019 budget as alleged by senators, President Rodrigo Duterte can always veto it
Senate also itemized parts of 2019 budget after ratification – Andaya
House committee on appropriations chairperson Rolando Andaya Jr says this is the same process that congressmen did, which senators are now questioning: 'I really don’t see the difference here'
Who should be credited for the passage of the universal health care law?
The landmark universal health care law is not any lawmaker's single-handed achievement
Beyond legislation: Powers, roles of Philippine lawmakers
Congress plays a vital role in exacting accountability from other branches in government
[OPINION] Don't terrorize children
Do our lawmakers know that they are trying to pass a law that would demonize angels? Do they know what they are doing?
No time for Congress to pass bill on age of criminal liability before polls
But there is still a chance for the bill's approval because the 17th Congress is set to resume one last time from May 20 to June 7
Bicam targets to ratify 2019 budget at the last minute
The bicameral conference committee plans for both houses of Congress to ratify the 2019 budget by Friday, February 8, the last day of session
LIST: How the House voted on lowering criminal liability age
(UPDATED) Only 34 legislators have said no to the bill that would lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12 years old
Is that pork? Senators say don't compare their realigned P190B to House’s P51B
Senator Loren Legarda admits they are seeking to realign almost P190 billion under the 2019 budget, but only because government agencies asked them to
Highlights of House bill lowering criminal liability age to 12
Here are the major provisions of the controversial bill which is one step away from passing in the House of Representatives
House changes proposed minimum criminal liability age from 9 to 12 years old
(UPDATED) The House passes the controversial measure on second reading after spending only two session days for the plenary debates
Lowering criminal liability age ‘scapegoat’ for failing justice system
House minority lawmakers argue that the proposed bill does not address the reasons why children break the law in the first place
Gov’t lacks support staff, youth centers to rehab children – lawmakers
House committee on justice chair Salvador Leachon admits this, but argues this is why the bill lowering the minimum criminal liability age should be passed
Why target kids? Jail corrupt officials first, netizens tell lawmakers
Netizens believe that jail is not the place for 9-year-old children to learn from their mistakes
LIST: How the House justice panel voted on lowering criminal liability age
(UPDATED) Only Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence Fortun and Agri Representative Orestes Salon vote against the controversial bill
Lawmakers hail 40-year-old Pacquiao for defeating younger Broner
'Ang Pambansang Kamao, Senator Manny Pacquiao, proved today that age is just a number!' says PBA Representative Jericho Nograles
