The 12th Congress Closes

13 July 2004 - In between the canvassing of votes for the recently held national elections, the 12th Congress formally adjourned on 11 June 2004 with not a few key bills either pending in both chambers or in bicameral deliberations. When the next Congress opens on 26 July, a lot of the same bills are expected to be filed again, including proposals for new tax measures and some that will pursue changes in the 1987 Constitution.

From a total of twenty priority bills under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council list, only nine were passed to become republic acts. Among those eyed to be re-filed are the TRANSCO Franchise Act, The Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Tax Incentive on Capital Equipment and the Human Rights Compensation Act.