RPPe HOUSE OKs AMENDMENT TO CANDIDATE SUBSTITUTION RULES, OTHER KEY BILLS ON 3RD READING

The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday approved House Bill 10524 on third and final reading with 195 unanimous votes. 

The measure seeks to amend the rules on candidate substitution by eliminating withdrawal as a valid reason for substitution and adding 'permanent incapacity' as a new ground, thereby strengthening the electoral system.

The bill would amend Section 77 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines. 

HB 10524 is authored by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel, CIBAC Party-list Rep. Eduardo Villanueva, Quezon City Rep. Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, among others. 

The House also approved HB 10699, or the "Sana All May Internet Act," on third and final reading with 203 affirmative votes. 

It seeks to address the unjust and unfair policy and regulation that levies exorbitant Spectrum user Fee (SUF) on telecommunication companies for the use of Wi-Fi frequencies or spectrum. 

HB 10699 also institutionalizes the Zero SUF policy for telcos using certain Wi-Fi frequencies or spectrum. The measure is authored by Navotas City Rep. Tobias Tiangco, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza and Harris Christopher Ongchuan, TGP Party-list Rep. Jose Teves Jr. and Agimt Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla, among others.

Other measures approved on third and final reading were: 1) HB 10723, exempting incentives and rewards, bonuses and other forms of emoluments received by national athletes and coaches from taxes, with 203 affirmative votes; 2) HB 10691, prohibiting and penalizing the unauthorized practice of law, with 202 unanimous votes; 3) HB 10522, declaring October of every year as "National Esports Month" with 198 affirmative votes and; 4) HB 10270, institutionalizing the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers with 197 affirmative votes.

Meanwhile, the House approved HB 10733 on second reading, which seeks to provide an option for qualified members in the non-career service to pay voluntary contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan presided over Wednesday’s plenary session.