“All this reflects Congress efforts to ensure good governance and curb corruption, implement sound economic and infrastructure policy”
WE HAVE a hard-working House of Representatives, there can be no doubt about it.
Records show that from July 28, 2025 to March 18, 2026, the Bills and Index Service recorded 8,705 House bills filed and 927 resolutions filed, broken down into 905 House resolutions, five House joint resolutions, 13 House concurrent resolutions, and four resolutions of both Houses, for a total 9,632 measures filed and 233 committee reports filed.
For House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, those figures matter because they tell a story larger than sheer volume, as the House’s output should be seen not only as a count of proposed laws moving from one stage to another, but as proof that the chamber under Dy’s leadership has kept its legislative machinery running at a fast and furious pace.
“The numbers show a working House, but more important than the numbers is what they represent: laws in progress, reforms taking shape and a chamber that has kept moving even under a crowded calendar,” Marcos said.
But let us focus on some of the proposed laws now under deliberation by the House that we believe would undoubtedly boost political stability and efficient governance, economic growth, and social protection in the years ahead.
Proposed bills on political reforms include the creation of an Independent People’s Commission, an independent oversight body to investigate corruption, abuse, or misconduct in government outside existing agencies, thus strengthening public accountability.
The Partylist System Reform Act would tighten rules to ensure party-list groups truly represent marginalized sectors and prevent political dynasties from using the system.
The Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance Act seeks to reform budgeting rules to make spending more transparent, performance-based, and aligned with development priorities, while the Magna Carta for Barangays would increase benefits, funding, and authority for barangay officials, recognizing them as front-line government units.
The Cybersecurity Act wants to strengthen national defense against hacking, cybercrime, and digital espionage, including protection of government databases and critical infrastructure.
The AntiFake News and Disinformation Act would penalize deliberate spread of false information, especially online, while setting standards for platform accountability.
The bill on Fair Use of Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet Technology in Elections would regulate online campaigning, AI-generated content, and digital ads to prevent manipulation, deepfakes, and election disinformation.
The bill seeking a ban on relatives of officials in government contracts would prevent conflict of interest by disqualifying relatives of public officials from winning government projects.
Proposed bills on social protection include Amendments to the Universal
Health Care Act that would fix funding gaps, clarify PhilHealth’s role, and improve hospital capacity so the universal health care system becomes financially sustainable and delivers actual services rather than only insurance coverage.
The Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act seeks to expand school feeding and nutrition programs to fight child malnutrition and stunting, with stronger funding and wider coverage.
Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act would speed up the use of coconut levy funds for farmer support, modernization, and industry development.
Economic bills up for deliberation by Congress include the Masterplan for
Infrastructure and National Development that would require long-term national infrastructure planning beyond political terms to ensure continuity in transport, energy, and urban projects.
There’s also the Amendments to the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law that seeks to increase government oversight over fuel pricing and supply to prevent price manipulation while keeping competition.
Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law would adjust import rules and support programs to protect farmers while maintaining stable rice prices, after criticism that the current law weakened local production.
Amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering Act, on the other hand, would expand monitoring powers, include more covered transactions, and comply with global anti-money-laundering standards.
Congress also wants to strengthen the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to give it more authority to develop former military lands into economic zones, infrastructure hubs, and urban projects.
The General Tax Amnesty bill would allow taxpayers to settle unpaid taxes with reduced penalties to increase revenue collection and bring assets into the formal system.
The Mandatory Waiver of Bank Secrecy for Civil Servants bill would require public officials to allow inspection of bank accounts to deter corruption and unexplained wealth.
All this reflects Congress efforts to ensure good governance and curb corruption, implement sound economic and infrastructure policy, and strengthen social protection.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
