14th Congress of the Philippines

The Fourteenth Congress of the Philippines is the current meeting of the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives. The convening of the 14th Congress follows the 2007 general elections, which will replace half of the Senate membership, and the entire membership of the House of Representatives. It will be celebrating its centennial year of the Philippine Legislature.

Events

Batasang Pambansa bombing

On the evening of November 17, 2007, an explosion [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=100700 Bomb rocks Congress; solon among 4 killed - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos ] ] at the South Wing of the Batasang Pambansa Complex killed six people, including Rep. Wahab M. Akbar (Lakas-CMD, Lone District Basilan). The other fatalities included an aide of Akbar, a driver of Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, and three aides of Rep. Pryde Henry Teves (Lakas-CMD, 3rd District Negros Oriental). cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080201-116232/Court-tells-DoJ-to-finish-probe-of-Batasan-blast-in-20-days |title=Court tells DoJ to finish probe of Batasan blast in 20 days |author=Jeannette Andrade |date=2008-02-01 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer ] Ten others were injured in the blast, including Reps. Ilagan and Teves.

Arroyo impeachment

On October 5, 2007, Lawyer Robert Pulido filed a three-page impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which was considered as a ploy by Malacañang according to the opposition. It was only supported by Rep. Edgar S. San Luis ("independent", 4th District Laguna). On November 4, the House Committee on Justice dominated by pro-Arroyo lawmakers declared as "sufficient in form" the three-page impeachment complaint against President Arroyo filed by lawyer Robert Pulido. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/68337/House-panel-declares-Pulido-complaint-sufficient-in-form House panel declares Pulido complaint 'sufficient in form'] GMANews.tv] On November 6, the committee then deliberated if the complaint (due to the National Broadband Network controversy) is "sufficient in substance." If the complaint was declared "sufficient in form," it would be considered as an impeachment proceeding; only one impeachment proceeding is allowed by the constitution, if the committee declares the complaint "insufficient in substance," it would give Arroyo an immunity from impeachment for a year. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/68557/JDV-says-House-to-continue-impeachment-proceedings-on-Wednesday JDV says House to continue impeachment proceedings on Wednesday] GMANewws.tv] The committee ultimately voted to trash the complaint, with minority members boycotting the hearing. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/68643/House-justice-panel-thrashes-impeach-complaint-vs-Arroyo House justice panel thrashes impeach complaint vs Arroyo] GMANews.tv]

Bribery scandal investigation

Also occurring on November 13 was the Senate's hearing on the bribery scandal that occurred in the presidential palace. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/68508/Bulacan-gov-cant-attend-Senate-cash-gifts-probe Bulacan gov can't attend Senate 'cash gifts' probe] GMANews.tv]

The Manila Peninsula Rebellion

The Peninsula Manila Rebellion was a rebellion in the Philippines on November 29, 2007. Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, General Lim and other Magdalo officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, called for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and seized the second floor of The Peninsula Manila Hotel along Ayala Avenue. Former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona also joined the march to the hotel.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim surrendered to authorities after an armored personnel carrier rammed into the lobby of the hotel. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/70697/Trillanes-Lim-decide-to-call-it-quits---report Gma News, Trillanes, Lim decide to call it quits - report] ] Director Geary Barias declared that the standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel is over as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim along with other junior officers agreed to leave the hotel and surrender to Barias after the 6 hour siege. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/70703/Its-over-says-Barias-of-hotel-standoff GMA News, 'It's over,' says Barias of hotel standoff] ] There was difficulty getting out for a while due to the tear gas that was covering the area where they were hiding.

Days after the mutiny, the Makati City Regional Trial Court dismissed the rebellion charges against all the 14 civilians involved in the siege, and ordered their release.

National Broadband Network Scandal

The Philippine National Broadband Network controversy is a political affair that centers upon allegations of corruption primarily involving Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regarding the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network (NBN) for the Philippines and the awarding of its construction to the Chinese firm Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited (ZTE), a telecommunications and networking equipment provider.

The issue has captivated Filipino politics since it erupted in Philippine media around August 2007, largely through the articles of newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc of the Philippine Star. It has also taken an interesting turn of events, including the resignation of Abalos as COMELEC chairman, the alleged bribery of congressmen and provincial governors (dubbed as "Bribery in the Palace"), the unseating of Jose de Venecia, Jr. as House Speaker, and the alleged "kidnapping" of designated National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) consultant-turned-NBN/ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, Jr.

The Spratly Islands Joint Exploration Agreement

In connection to the Philippine National Broadband Network controversy, The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) is a tripartite agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam to conduct seismic exploration in an area spanning 142,886 square kilometers west of Palawan. More specifically it is an agreement between Philippine National Oil Company -Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam), that was signed in September 2004 and took effect in July 2005.cite journal
last = Ho
first = Abigail L.
coauthors = Juliet Labog-Javellana
title = Arroyo hit on Spratlys deal
journal = Philippine Daily Inquirer
location = Manila
date = 2008-03-07
url = http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/spratlys/view.php?db=1&article=20080307-123244
accessdate = 2008-03-09] JMSU has already finished the first phase of the seismic exploration which lasted from September 1 to November 16, 2006, covering 11,000 line kilometers. A Chinese vessel conducted the survey, Vietnam processed the data gathered and this was interpreted by PNOC-EC in Manila. The second phase started in October 2007, covering 11,800 line kilometers. It was supposedly to end January 2008.

essions

*First Regular Session: July 23, 2007–June 13, 2008 [ [http://www.congress.gov.ph/legis/index.php?pg=calendar House of Representatives of the Philippines - Legislative Calendar ] ]
*Second Regular Session: July 28, 2008– [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080728-151137/14th-Congress-opens-2nd-regular-session] ]

Legislation

Laws passed by the 14th Congress:

Leadership

enate

*President of the Senate::Manuel B. Villar, Jr. (Nacionalista)

*Senate President Pro-Tempore ::Jose E. Estrada (PMP)

*Majority Floor Leader::Francis N. Pangilinan (Liberal)

*Minority Floor Leader::Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban)

House of Representatives

*Speaker of the House of Representatives::Prospero C. Nograles (Lakas-CMD, 1st District of Davao City)
*Deputy Speakers :"Luzon":::Arnulfo P. Fuentebella (NPC, 3rd District Camarines Sur)

:"Central Luzon":::Eric D. Singson (Lakas-CMD, 2nd District Ilocos Sur)

:"Visayas":::Raul V. Del Mar (Lakas-CMD/BO-PK, 1st District Cebu City)

:"Central Visayas":::Pablo P. Garcia (KAMPI, 2nd District Cebu)

:"Mindanao":::Simeon A. Datumanong (Lakas-CMD, Lone District Maguindanao)

:"Women":::Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa (KAMPI, Lone District Occidental Mindoro)

*Majority Floor Leader ::Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. (Lakas-CMD, 3rd District Iloilo)

*Minority Floor Leader::Ronaldo B. Zamora (PMP, Lone District San Juan City)

Members

enate

External links

*cite web
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*cite web
url = http://www.lawphil.net
title = The LAWPH"i'L Project - Philippine Laws and Jurispudance Databank
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Further reading

*Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library
*cite book
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References

ee also

*Congress of the Philippines
*Senate of the Philippines
*House of Representatives of the Philippines

External links

* [http://www.congress.gov.ph House of Representatives of the Philippines]
* [http://www.senate.gov.ph/ Philippine Senate]