REPUBLIC OF THE Senate Pasay City

urnal

SESSION NO. 31 Tuesday, November 6,2007

FOURTEENTHCONGRESS FIRST REGULAR SESSION SESSION NO. 31 Tuesday, November 6,2007

CALL TO OFWER ROLL CALL

At 3:10 p.m., the Senate President, Hon. Manny Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary of the Villar, called the session to order. Senate, Emma Lirio-Reyes, called the roll, to which the following senators responded: PRAYER Aquino 111, B. S. C. Honasan, G. B. Sen. led the prayer, to wit: Arroyo, J. P. Lacson, P. M. Cayetano, A. P. C. S. Lapid, M. L. M Heavenly Father Cayetano, C. P. S. Legarda, L. We pray for your presence Ejercito Estrada, .I. Madrigal, M. A. As we invite You to enter our hearts Enrile, J. P. Revilla Jr., R. B. and our lives. Escudero, F. J. G. Roxas, M. We crave for the energy to do Gordon. R. J. Villar, M. Your work. With 16 senators present, the Chair declared May we plant the seeds of joy the presence of a quorum. In arid fields of despair So that in darkness, we reflect Your light. Senators Riazon and Zubiri arrived after the roll call. In loneliness, send us kindness. In others' despair, give us the vision Senator Angara, who was on official mission, to share hope. arrived after the roll call. Obligate us to deal fairly with others. Instill in us the resolve to resist war and Senator Pangilinan was'on official mission. other forms of senseless destruction. Senators Defensor Santiago and Pimentel were Make each of our voices be heard. on official mission abroad. While keeping us unified in adversity, Give us the strength to stand together Senator Trillanes was unable to attend the session. in bad weather, And remind us always to pray for those APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL who have perished in the storm.

But most of all, we ask of You Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there To look upon Your servants kindly. being no objection, the Body dispensed with the Despite our imperfections, we affirm the reading of the Journal of Session No. 30 and seed of Your creation considered it approved. To do good, to attain purity, and to live in kindness and love. REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

These we ask through Your Wisdom, The Secretary of the Senate read the following Amen. matters and the Chair made the 640 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007

BILLS ON FIRST READING Senate Bill No. 1798, entitled

Senate Bill No. 1795, entitled AN ACT ESTABLISHING MT.GUITING- GUITING NATURAL PARK LOCATED AN ACT INCREASING TO TWO IN SIBUYAN ISLAND, PROVINCE THOUSAND PESOS (P2,OOO) THE OF ROMBLON, AS A NATURAL MONTHLY PERSONNEL ECONOMIC PARK AND ITS SURROUNDING RELIEF ALLOWANCE (PERA) AREAS AS BUFFER ZONES AND GRANTED TO GOVERNMENT FOR OTHER PURPOSES PURSUANT EMPLOYEES APPROPRIATING TO REPUBLIC ACT 7586 FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Introduced by Senator To the Committees on Environment and Introduced by Senator Pangilinan Natural Resources: and Finance

To the Committees on Civil Service and Senate Bill No. 1799, entitled Government Reorganization; and Finance AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE PRODUC- Senate Bill No. 1796, entitled TION, PROCESSING, MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATION OF MORINGA AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS IN OLEIFERA LAMK, OTHERWISE LAND ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM, KNOWN AS MALUNGGAY, MAN- CREATING THE LAND ADMINIS- DATING THE CREATION OF A TRATION AUTHORITY, AND FOR FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOP- OTHER PURPOSES MENT PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda PURPOSES

To the Committees on Environment and Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda Natural Resources; Civil Service and Govern- ment Reorganization; and Finance To the Committees on Agriculture and Food; Trade and Commerce; and Finance Senate Bill No. 1797, entitled Senate Bill No. 1800, entitled

AN ACT PROMOTING THE EMPOWER- AN ACT MANDATING THE FREE MENT OF WOMEN, UPHOLDING ADMINISTRATION OF VITAMIN A THEIR RIGHT TO REPRESENT- SUPPLEMENTATION AMONGST ATION AND PARTICIPATION, INFANTS AND FILIPINO CHIL- ESTABLISHING AN INCENTIVES DREN BELOW THE AGE OF SEVEN AND REWARDS SYSTEM FOR (7), PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR DESERVING ENTITIES, GOVERN- AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES MENT AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS FOR THEIR Introduced by Senator OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN UPHOLDING THE RIGHTS To the Committees on Health and Demo- OF WOMEN, AND FOR OTHER graphy; and Finance PURPOSES Senate Bill No. 1801, entitled Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A TEN-YEAR To the Committee on Youth, Women and LUNETA PARK GREEN MODERN- Family Relations IZATION PROGRAM @ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 0.2007 641

Introduced by Senator Manny Villar THE KLECKNER TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT To the Committees on Environment and AWARD IN THE UNITED STATES Natural Resources; Education, Arts and Culture; OF AMERICA and Finance Introduced by Senator Manny Villar Senate Bill No. 1802, entitled To the Committee on Rules AN ACT PROMOTING SOUND WASTE MANAGEMENT BY REQUIRING Proposed Senate Resolution No. 176, entitled ALL DEPARTMENT STORES, MALLS, AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISH- RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MENTS TO UTILIZE REUSABLE WINNERS OF THE 2007 TEN ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY SHOP- OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN THE PING BAGS AND PROVIDE THEM NATION'S SERVICE (TOWNS) FOR FREE OF CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS THEIR UNWAVERING DEVOTION AND PATRONS, AND FOR OTHER AND LOVE OF COUNTRY PURPOSES Introduced by Senator Manny Villar Introduced by Senator Manny Villar To the Committee on Rules To the Committees on Trade and Commerce; and Environment and Natural Resources Proposed Senate Resolution No. 177, entitled

Senate Bill No. 1803, entitled RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE FOR THE AN ACT EXPANDING THE CASH AND RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND OF THE BALANGIGA BELLS INCENTIVES OF WINNING FLIPINO WHICH WERE TAKEN BY THE OLYMPIAN/S, AMENDING FOR THE US TROOPS FROM THE TOWN PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9064, OF BALANGIGA, PROVINCE OF AN ACT GRANTING CASH AND SAMAR IN 1901 OTHER NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO NATIONAL Introduced by Senator Manny Villar ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS AND APPROPRIATING To the Committee on Education, Arts and FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR Culture OTHER PURPOSES Proposed Senate Resolution No. 178, entitled Introduced by Senator Manny Villar RESOLUTION DIRECTLNG THE SENATE To the Committees on Games, Amusement COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT and Sports; Ways and Means; and Finance AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID RESOLUTIONS OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE RECENT LANDFLL CONTROVERSY Proposed Senate Resolution No. 175, entitled INVOLVING THE MUNICIPALITY OF RODRIGUEZ, PROVINCE OF RESOLUTION COMMENDING ROSALIE RIZAL, WHICH THREATENED TO ELLASUS FOR PLACING THE CAUSE GARBAGE CRISIS IN PHILIPPINES IN THE FORE- METRO FRONT IN THE BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT BY WINNING Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda P+ b 642 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007

To the Committees on Environment and WINNING IN THE 1’‘ WIZARDS Natural Resources; and Local Government MATHEMATICS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION (WIZMIC) 2007 Proposed Senale Resolution No. 179, entitled HELD IN LUCKNOW, INDIA

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE Introduced by Senator Manny Villa COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN To the Committee on Rules INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF Proposed Senate Resolution No. 182, entitled REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8182, OTHER- WISE KNOWN AS THE “OFFICIAL RESOLUTION CREATING AN OVER- DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ACT SIGHT COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE OF 1996,” LOOKING INTO THE CHANGE ADAPTATION FISCAL IMPLICATIONS OF TIED- LOANS AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH ADMINISTRATION OF Introduced by Senator Gregorio B. PAST AND PRESENT OFFICIAL Honasan I1 DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE HAVE PROMOTED SUSTAINABLE To the Committee on Rules SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP- MENT AND WELFARE OF THE Proposed Senate Resolution No. 183, entitled PHILIPPINES RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. BAL- Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda DOMERO M. OLNERA, HARVARD FOUNDATION 2007 SCIENTIST OF To the Committees on Economic Affairs; THE YEAR, IN RECOGNITION OF and Finance HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMEN3 IN THE FIELD OF SCIENTIFIC Proposed Senate Resolution No. 180, entitled RESEARCH

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE Introduced by Senator Gordon COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND COMMERCE TO CONDUCT AN To the Committee on Rules INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE GOVERNMENT’S CON- Proposed Senate Resolution No. 184, entitled TINGENCY PLAN TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF FURTHER INCREASES RESOLUTION CONGRATULATINGTHE IN THE, COST OF PETROLEUM IN ALL-FILIPINO TEAM SINAG FOR THE WORLD MARKET, ON PRICES THEIR EXEMPLARY PERFORM- OF BA.SIC GOODS AND PUBLIC ANCE IN FINISHING THE 3,000 TRANSPORTATION, AND FOR KILOMETER RACE ALONG 40 OTHER. PURPOSES OTHER ENTRIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN THE 2007 WORLD Introduced by Senator SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE HELD ON OCTOBER 21-28, 2007 IN To the Committees on Trade and Commerce: ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA and Energy

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 181, entitled Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PHILIPPINE MATH WIZARDS FOR To the Committee on Rules ,@ I“ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6.2007 ~ ~~ 643

PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175 PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181

Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there being no objection, the Body considered Proposed being no objection, the Body considered Proposed Senate Resolution No. 175, entitled Senate Resolution No. 181, entitled

RESOLUTION COMMENDING ROSALIE RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ELLASUS FOR PLACING THE PHILIPPINE MATH WIZARDS FOR PHILIPPINES IN THE FOREFRONT WINNING IN THE lsT WIZARDS IN THE BIOTECHNOLOGY MATHEMATICS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCEMENT BY WINNING COMPETITION (WIZMIC) 2007 THE KLECKNER TRADE AND HELD IN LUCKNOW, INDIA. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT AWARD IN THE UNITED STATES With the permission of the Body, only the title of OF AMERICA. the resolution was read without prejudice to the insertion of its full text into the Record of the Senate. With the permission of the Body, only the title of the resolution was read without prejudice to ADOPTION OF PROPOSED the insertion of its full text into the Record of SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 181 the Senate. Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there ADOPTION OF PROPOSED being no objection, Proposed Senate Resolution SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 175 No. 181 was adopted by the Body.

Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 183 being no objection, Proposed Senate Resolution Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there No. 175 was adopted by the Body. being no objection, the Body considered Proposed Senate Resolution No. 183, entitled PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 176 RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. BAL- Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there DOMERO M. OLIVERA, HARVARD being no objection, the Body considered Proposed FOUNDATION 2007 SCIENTIST OF Senate Resolution No. 176, entitled THE YEAR, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVE- RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MENTS IN THE FIELD OF WINNERS OF THE 2007 TEN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN THE NATION’S SERVICE (TOWNS) With the permission of the Body, only the title of FOR THEIR UNWAVERING the resolution was read without prejudice to the DEVOTION AND LOVE OF insertion of its full text into the Record of the Senate. COUNTRY. ADOPTION OF PROPOSED With the permission of the Body, only the title SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 183 of the resolution was read without prejudice to the insertion of its full text into the Record of Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there the Senate. being no objection, Proposed Senate Resolution No. 183 was adopted by the Body. ADOPTION OF PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 176 PROPOSED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 184

Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there being no objection, Proposed Senate Resolution being no objection, the Body considered Proposed No. 176 was adopted by the Body. Senate Resolution No. 184, entitled Y I 644 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER6, 2007

RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE Congressional Oversight Committee on the ALL-FILIPINO TEAM SINAG FOR Ecological Solid Waste Management Act THEIR EXEMPLARY PERFORM- Cayetano (A) Ejercito Estrada ANCE IN FINISHING THE 3,000 KILOMETER RACE ALONG 40 Joint Congressional Oversight Committee OTHER ENTRIES FROM AROUND on the Clean Water Act THE WORLD IN THE 2007 WORLD Zubiri Escudero SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE HELD ON OCTOBER 21-28, 2007 IN Joint Congressional Oversight Committee ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA. on the Clean Air Act Honasan Pangilinin With the permission of the Body, only the title of the resolution was read without prejudice to Congressional Oversight Committee the insertion of its full text into the Record of on the Anti-Money Laundering Act the Senate. Enrile Gordon Pangilinan Honasan ADOPTION OF PROPOSED §ENATE RESOLUTION NO. 184 Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modevnization Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there Enrile Zubiri being no objection, Proposed Senate Resolution Pangilinan Honasan No. 184 was adopted by the Body. Oversight Committee on Official Development SUSPENSION OF SESSION Assisfance-rChairman E s cu de r o Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), the session Members Cayetano (A) was suspended. Revilla Ejercito Estrada Enrile It was 3:22 p.m Congressional oversight Committee on the RESUMPTION OF SESSION Overseas Voting Act of 2003 Pangilinan Lapid At 3:24 p.m., the session was resumed. Angara Enrile

VICE CHAIRMANSHIP Oversight Committee on Automated Elections (RA 9369) Senator Cayetano (A) manifested that Senator Chairman Gordon Legarda has been designated as vice chair of the Members Enrile Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Angara Resources Development. Lapid

CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT ADDITIONAL RJ3FERENCE OF BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS The Deputy Secretary for Legislation, Atty. Edwin On the part of the Majority, upon nomination by B. Bellen, read the following matters and the Chair Senator Cayetano (A), there being no objection, the made the corresponding referrals: following senators were elected to the congressional oversight committees hereunder indicated: BILLS ON FIRST READING

Congressional Oversight Committee Senate Bill No. 1804, entitled on E-Commerce AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING /--~-- Roxas Enrile ,, /f Angara PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 198, 1,’ p TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007 645

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE Senate Bill No. 1808, entitled PROVINCIAL WATER UTILITIES ACT, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIP- FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR PWE AIR FORCE ACADEMY PAFA), OTHER PURPOSES APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Introduced by Senator Enrile Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. To the Committees on Public Works; Public Lapid Services; and Finance To the Committees on National Defense Senate Bill No. 1805, entitled and Security; Education, Arts and Culture; and Finance AN ACT GRANTING CASH PRIZES AND OTHER INCENTlVES TO ALL Senate Bill No. 1809, entitled NATIONAL ARTISTS OR “ARTISTA NG BAYAN” AWARDEES, AND FOR AN ACT PROMOTING EQUAL OPPOR- OTHER PURPOSES TUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN CORP- ORATE PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGE- Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M MENT THROUGH MANDATED Lapid RATIO DIRECTORSHIPS W GOVERN- MENT-OWNED AND CONTROLLED To the Committees on Education, Arts and CORPORATIONS Culture; and Finance Introduced by Senator MaMy Villar Senate Bill No. 1806, entitled To the Committees on Youth, Women and AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EDUCA- Family Relations; and Government Corpora- TIONAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAIN- tions and Public Enterprises ING PROGRAM FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED Senate Bill No. 1810, entitled FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES AN ACT PROMOTING HYDROPHONICS Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. AGRICULTURE AS AN INSTRU- Lapid MENT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS OF FOOD SECURITY AND AS A To the Committees on National Defense MECHANISM OF WISE USE OF and Security; and Finance SCARCE LAND RESOURCES

Senate Bill No. 1807, entitled Introduced by Senator MaMy Villar

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE To the Committees on Agriculture and MANDATE ON THE INTERCON- Food; and Education, Arts and Culture NECTION BETWEEN AND AMONG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATION Senate Bill No. 1811, entitled ENTITIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR ITS VIOLATION AND FOR AN ACT CELEBRATING THE AGE- OTHER PURPOSES OLD VALUE OF DISl’INCT FILIPINO BAYANIHAN SPIRIT, Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. DECLARING FOR THE PURPOSE Lapid THE 20T” DAY OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS A NATIONAL To the Committee on Public Services THANK YOU DAY,+” 646 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007

Introduced by Senator Manny Villar Introduced by Senator Manny Villa1

To the Committee on Education, Arts and To the Committees on Education, Arts and Culture Culture; and Tourism

Senate Bill No. 1812, entitled RESOLUTIONS

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ACT OF Proposed Senate Resolution No. 185, entitled IMPOSING CORPORAL PUNISH- MENT ON CHILDREN, AMENDING RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT COMMITTEE ON PEACE, UNIFICA- NO. 7610, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE TION AND RECONCILIATION AND KNOWN AS SPECIAL PROTECTION THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND OF CHILDREN AGAINST CHILD HUMAN RIGHTS TO INVESTIGATE, ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DIS- IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE CRIMINATION ACT, PROVIDING HEIGHTENED MILITARIZATION PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OTHER PURPOSES IN THE MUNICIPALIN OF BAGGAO AND CONTIGUOUS MUNICIPAL- Introduced by Senator Manny Villar ITIES IN THE PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN To the Committees on Youth, Women and Family Relations; and Justice and Human Rights Introduced by Senator M.A. Madrigal

Senate Bill No. 1813, entitled To the Committees on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; and Justice and Human AN ACT TO INCLUDE TRADITIONAL Rights GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION (P.E.) Proposed Senate Resolution No. 186, entitled COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, ENTERPRISES AND COMMITTEE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES ON ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND INVESTIGATIONS Introduced by Senator Manny Villar TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE ALLEGED To the Committees on Education, Arts and INEFFICIENT, IRREGULAR AND Culture; Local Government; and r'inance ONE-SIDED POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSUR- Senate Bill No. 1814, entitled ANCE SYSTEM (GSIS) THAT POSE A GROWING BURDEN ON ITS ISANG BATAS NA NAGPAPALAGANAP MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY THE NG KALINANGANG PILIPINO SA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS PAMAMAGITAN NG WAWAKANG WHO COMPOSE 40% OF ITS PAGSASAMA NG PAGTUTURO NG MEMBERS KULINARYA AT PAGKAING PINOY SA MGA ASIGNATURANG ARALING Introduced by Senator M.A. Madrigal PANLIPUNAN, HEKASI AT HOME ECONOMICS 0 GAWAING PANTA- To the Committees on Government Corp- HANAN AT SA MGA PROGRA- orations and Public Enterprises; and Account- MANG TURISMO NG BANSA ability of Public Officers and Investigations p"

r-ITd I"' TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6.2007 647-.

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 187, entitled EMPLOYMENT AND FOREIGN RELATIONS TO CONDUCT AN RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE URGENT OMNIBUS INQUIRY ON COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT THE PLIGHT AND PRESENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONDITIONS OF DETAINED THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND FILIPINO OVERSEAS CONTRACT HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN WORKERS AND OFWs WITH IMMEDIATE INQURY, IN AID OF CASES FILED AGAINST THEM IN LEGISLATION, ON THE ECOLO- VARIOUS COUNTRIES, INCLUDING GICAL IMPACT OF ESCALATING AN ASSESSMENT OF LEGAL AND MINING OPERATIONS IN SIBWAN SOCIAL REMEDIES BEING AFFORDED ISLAND, DUBBED THE “GALA- BY OUR EMBASSIES AND CON- PAGOS OF ASIA” BECAUSE OF ITS SULAR OFFICES WITH THE END- UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY, INCLUD- IN-VIEW OF FORMULATlNG REME- ING THE “MIDNIGHT APPROVAL” DIAL MEASURES AND DEVISING BY THEN OUTGOING DENR SEC. PACKAGE OF ASSISTANCE TO ANGEL0 REYES TO CUT DOWN PROTECT OFWs, THE PHILIPPINES’ AN ESTIMATED 69,709 TREES TO BAGONG BAYANI CLEAR THE WAY FOR MINING AND THE KILLING OF ANTI- Introduced by Senator Manny Villar MINING ADVOCATE AND ROMBLQN COUNCILOR ARMIN MARIN ON To the Committees on Labor, Employment OCTOBER 3, 2007 DURING A and Human Resources Development; and LOCAL PROTEST ACTION Foreign Relations

Introduced by Senator M. A. Madrigal SUSPENSION OF SESSION

‘To the Committees on Environment and Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), the session Natural Resources; and Justice and Human Rights was suspended.

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 188, entitled It was 3:32 p.m.

RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE RESUMPTION OF SESSION MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM FOR At 3:32 p.m., the session was resumed THEIR SIG“T AND VICTORI- OUS PARTICIPATION IN THE 2007 PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD OF SENATOR ROUS SUMMER GAMES HELD IN SHANGHAI, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC In light of the invocation of executive privilege OF CHINA ON OCTOBER 2-11, 2007 during the ZTE hearings, Senator Roxas asked if the WHEREIN THEY BROUGHT HOME Body could hold a caucus to come up with an NINE GOLD MEDALS GIVING OUR institutional response to the matter. COUNTRY GREAT PRIDE, HONOR Affirming the need for a caucus, Senator AND RECOGNITION Cayetano (A) informed the Body that he had directed Introduced by Senator Manny Villar the staff of the Blue Ribbon Committee to articulate the issues in writing for dissemination to the offices To the Committee on Rules of the senators, particularly on the issues raised by the ZTE lawyers. He said that he would ask the Proposed Senate Resolution No. 189, entitled Senate leadership to schedule a caucus as soon as possible to be able to dispose of some important RESOLUTION URGING THE SENATE issues. Replying thereto, the Chair said it would schedule COMMITTEES ON LABOR AND a caucus on the matter.N- 648 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007

Senator Roxas suggested that subsequent ZTE these days, the conference aimed to present and hearings be scheduled after the caucus so that discuss with concerned parliamentarians the by that time, the Senate would already have an human rights framework within which migration institutional position regarding the invocation of issues should be dealt with. executive privilege. Senator Cayetano (A) agreed. The conference brought together distin- guished lawmakers and migration specialists COAUTHORS from major labor-receiving countries like the State of Bahrain, State of Kuwait, United Kingdom and Upon his request, Senator Lapid was made Nigeria, among others. The Philippines was in coauthor of Senate Bill Nos. 1646, 1697, 1698 and the company of other labor-sending countries 1699 which were approved on Third Reading the like Mexico, Indonesia and Pakistan. previous day. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Likewise, upon his request, Senator Zubiri was Development, I welcomed the invitation to be also made coauthor of Senate Bill Nos. 1646, 1697 one of the panelists at the conference, which and 1698. was extended through our colleague, Senator Nene Pimentel, because I saw it as an opportunity to share with our fellow SUSPENSION OF SESSION parliamentarians our experience in managing labor migration and the contribution of Congress Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), the session to the enhancement of the welfare and protection was suspended. of our overseas workers during the entire migration process. As you very well know, the It was 3:35 p.m Philippine Overseas Employment Program, with its structural, legal and policy framework, has RESUMPTION OF SESSION been cited by no less than the International Labor Organization as a model in migration At 3:40 p.m., the session was resumed. management. In my speech, which I entitled “Challenges REPORT of International Labor Migration: the Philippine OF SENATOR EJERCITO ESTRADA Parliament Perspective,” I talked about the enormous contribution of the eight million Senator Ejercito Estrada rendered a report on overseas Filipinos not only to the Philippine his participation in the Conference on International economy, but also to the development of the economies of the receiving states. I asked the Migration held in Geneva, Switzerland, to wit: participants if they could imagine a world without Filipino workers and the question drew some I am pleased to report to this august Body interesting smile on their faces. that last 25 October, I delivered a speech before over a hundred parliamentarians from all over the In my speech, I deplored the fact that the world at a Conference on International Migratiou Philippine government continued to receive held in Geneva, Switzerland. The three-day reports of exploitation, violence and abuses, conference, which was organized jointly by the whether physical or verbal, committed against Inter-Parliamentary Union, International Labor Filipino workers while they are toiling overseas, Organization, and the Office of the United away from the families. 1 called upon our fellow Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, parliamentarians, particularly those from the had for its theme, “Migration: The Human Rights receiving states that comprised the IPU, to help Perspective.’’ ensure that their governments keep their commitment to the Wand ILO conventions and The conference was part of the regular declarations that they have ratified, particularly activities of the InterParliamentaty Union to those that pertain to migrant workers, or if they strengthen the human rights capacities of have not ratified them, to work towards their parliaments by providing the members with the ratification. opportunity to freely discuss and exchange views with human rights experts and colleagues I proudly informed the Body that the on cmcial human rights issues. And since Philippines, which has been a member of the migration is one burning issue that has surfaced International Labor Organization since 1948. has ui TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,2007 fiA0

ratified 33 conventions, among which are I concluded my speech by extending to the Convention No. 143 (On Promotion of Equality participants the invitation to the Global of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Migration Forum in 2008 that the Philippine Workers) and Convention No. 179 (On Recruit- government will host. Many had expressed ment and Placement of Seafarers). I further interest to come to Manila for the event and will informed them that the Philippines was one of be another opportunity for us to interact once the signatories to the U.N. Convention on the more with our fellow parliamentarians whose Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and cause and concerns we share. their Families, and in the ASEAN cluster, to the Declaration on the Rights of Migrant Workers. I am proud to say that my speech was warmly applauded by the participants; some My speech dwelt on the intervention of came up to me to congratulate the Philippine the Philippine legislature in the labor migration government for a dynamic migration program program through the crafting of laws to protect and the Philippine Congress for enacting laws the rights of Filipino migrant workers. I cited the that have helped safeguard the rights of Philippine Constitution and the Philippine Labor overseas Filipino workers, even while they are in Code that seek to guarantee the protection of the destination states and upon return to Filipino workers, whether employed domestically mainstream them back into Philippine society. or overseas. I talked at length about Philippine Republic Act No. 8042, also known as the ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, which emphasized the need for government Upon motion of Senator Cayetano (A), there to focus on the promotion of welfare of overseas being no objection, the Chair declared the session Filipino workers through empowerment to adjourned until three o’clock in the afternoon of facilitate their overseas work and their personal, economic and commnnity reintegration at the the following day. end of their contract. I spoke ahout Philippine Republic Act 9422, which strengthened the It was 3:48 p.m. regulatory power of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and which provided for the deployment of Filipino workers only to I hereby certify to the correctness of the countries where the Philippines has concluded foregoing. bilateral agreements or arrangements, countries that guarantee to protect the rights of our workers and/or countries that observe or comply with the international laws and standards for migrant workers. I took pride in informing them that the Philippine Congress had passed Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, with no less than Senator Loi Ejercito Estrada as the author of the bill, Secretary of the Senate which recognized human trafficking as a transnational crime. I have called upon transit /L- Pby and destination states to help labor-sending countries address the issue of irregular migration. Approved on November 7, 2007