Laws approved, vetoed by PNoy in 2013

MANILA, Philippines – In 2013, President Benigno Aquino III signed a total of 279 new laws. Some of these mandate new policies, while others simply amend previously-signed laws.

But apart from these approved laws, the President also vetoed a number of proposals due to some provisions he found questionable.

Here’s a list of some of the proposals signed into law, and some of those rejected by the President this year.

• Republic Act (RA) 10365 – Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)
  
  Aquino approved on February 15 the law that expands the list of predicate crimes or unlawful activities, and the list of institutions that the AMLA covers.
  
  Among other provisions, the law requires foreign exchange corporations, money changers, and pre-need companies to report transactions of P500,000 and above to the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
  
  The measure is the last of 3 amendments required by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the Philippines to avoid being put under a blacklist.
  
  
• RA 10368 – Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act
  
  One of the highlights of the 27th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power revolution on February 25 was the signing of the law that recognizes “the atrocities committed by the Marcos administration against their own people.”
  
  Under the law, some P10 billion funds recovered from the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ Swiss bank accounts will be appropriated for victims’ reparation, in which 80% will be spent for existing claims and 20% for future ones.
  
  The law also creates the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission to “educate young people about the abuses committed by the Marcos regime and the heroism by those who opposed it.”
  
  
• RA 10378 – Act recognizing the principle of reciprocity as basis for the grant of income tax exemptions to international carriers
  
  In a move to increase tourist arrivals, Aquino approved on March 7 the law providing for the exemption of foreign carriers from the Common Carriers Tax (CCT), amending Republic Act No. 8424, or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
  
  The law exempts international flights from paying the CCT, which is equivalent to 3% of the airline’s gross turnover and the Gross Philippine Billings Tax (GPBT), which is 2% of the gross turnover, provided that their home countries give the same tax exemption to Philippines carriers.
  
  
• RA 10380 – Act Providing for Local Absentee Voting for Media
  
  Aquino approved on March 14 the law that institutionalizes early voting for the media. It allows not just reporters, but also technical staff who will be covering the elections to cast their votes ahead of the scheduled election day.
  
  However, under the law, members of the media can vote only for the positions of president, vice president, senators and party-list representatives.
  
  
• RA 10390 – Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network
  
  Aquino signed on March 14 a measure that will “revitalize” the operations of state-owned and operated People’s Television Network Inc or PTV-4.
  
  This provides for a fresh capital infusion of P5 billion: P3 billion from the General Appropriations Act in the next 3 years, and P2 billion from revenue generated from advertising and airtime sales.
  
  
• RA 10533 – Enhanced Basic Education Act
  
  Although already spearheaded by the Department of Education in school year 2012-2013, Aquino signed on May 15 the K-12 program.
  
  WIth the law passed, students will now undergo “Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School [SHS]), before heading into higher education.”
  
  This adds two years to the basic education system in an effort to further prepare students for the world ahead.
  
  
• RA 10586 – Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act
  
  Aquino approved on May 27 the law condemning drunk drivers by giving law enforcement officers the power to imprison and fine drunk or drugged drivers.
  
  It also allows the police to use breathalyzers and sobriety tests on suspected drunk drivers.
  
  Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or dangerous drugs can range from P20,000 to up to P500,000, depending on whether the violation resulted in physical injuries or death.
  
  It may also include imprisonment of at least 3 months if no one was hurt from the violation, but jail time rises depending on the damage.
  
  
• RA 10591 – Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act
  
  Aquino signed on May 29 a new law to improve the standards and prerequisites that need to be in place to acquire a gun license.
  
  The law sets certain requirements for application of gun licenses, and requires licenses to be renewed every two years on or before their expiration dates.
  
  Gun owners who want a permit to carry (PTC) also need to go through another process for their PTC. Sports shooters, gun and ammo makers and smiths, and gun stores, must also apply for licenses particular to them, such as a license to deal guns for gun stores and a license to repair registered arms for gunsmiths.
  
  
• RA 10627 – Anti-Bullying Act
  
  Aquino signed on September 12 a law that requires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies that will prevent and address bullying in the classroom.
  
  The law mandates schools to conduct a rehabilitation program for victims of bullying, and to set up clear procedures and strategies that will protect students who report on acts of bullying to prevent retaliation.
  
  
• RA 10632 – Act to Postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct 28, 2013
  
  Aquino signed on October 3, the law postponing the youth council polls that were originally synchronized with the barangay polls on October 28.
  
  The new date for the SK polls will be between Oct 28, 2014, and Feb 23, 2015, as determined by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
  
  There will be no holdover for current SK officials, who should step down from office when their term ends at noon on Nov 30, 2013.
  
  There will also be no temporary appointments to fill the vacancy until the next elections.
  
  
• RA 10633 – 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA)
  
  The P2.265-trillion national budget for 2014 was approved on December 20, with education, infrastructure, and local governments as the top 3 areas of focus.
  
  The 2014 budget – over P2 billion or about 13% higher than the P2.006 trillion earmarked for the current year – is unprecedented in several ways.
  
  It includes a P100-billion lump sum rehabilitation fund for calamity-hit areas (which is separate from the P16.9-billion quick response fund distributed across different line agencies), and does not include the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

• Magna Carta for the poor
  
  Aquino refused to sign into law a bill that aims to protect the rights of the poor by giving them equal access to basic rights and government services.
  
  Aquino said he found several provisions of the proposed law unrealistic, like the right to shelter, which would cost the government at least P2.32 trillion.
  
  Aquino also said he does not agree with a provision that will allow those covered by the proposed law to sue the National Housing Authority (NHA) if it fails to provide housing units.
  
  
• Bill removing height requirements for police
  
  Aquino vetoed a bill that repeals minimum height requirements for the police, fire service, and jail guards.
  
  Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President felt that some jobs required people of a certain stature.
  
  The minimum height of 5 feet, 4 inches for men, and 5 feet, 2 inches for women applying for these jobs would still apply.
  
  
• Centenarian bill
  
  Aquino rejected a bill that would grant Filipinos who reach 100 years old various rewards and incentives, including a cash gift of P100,000 from Malacañang and a birthday letter from the President.
  
  He particulary vetoed increasing to 75% the discount of the sale of goods and services to centenarians because it “exceeds the usual mark-up rate of most businesses and will obliterate profit margins and result in capital loss.”
  
  
• Bill on the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
  
  Aquino vetoed a bill seeking to protect the rights of persons internally displaced by armed conflict, violence and natural disasters.
  
  He objected to a provision allowing IDPs to claim financial assistance and compensation from the government, saying it “opens the door to a slew of claims or cases against the government and goes against the ‘non-suability’ character of the State.”
  
  Aquino also raised concerns over the constitutionality of additional powers that the bill provides to the Commission on Human Rights, saying the additional powers exceed those which the Constitution intended to provide the agency. – Rappler.com