The House of Representatives has advanced 38 legislative measures on second reading, signaling what House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III described as a steadfast commitment to the chamber’s constitutional mandate.
The rapid approval of the bills during plenary deliberations on May 20 covers critical reforms in governance, energy security, emergency response, infrastructure, and public safety. The legislative push comes just over two weeks after Dy challenged lawmakers to approach the resumption of the session with heightened urgency.
“At the resumption of session, we said that the House must continue to act with purpose, discipline, and resolve. Ang mahalaga ngayon ay tuluy-tuloy nating ginagawa ang trabaho at mandato na ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng taumbayan,” Dy said in an official statement.
At the resumption of session, we said that the House must continue to act with purpose, discipline, and resolve. What is important now is that we continuously do the work and mandate entrusted to us by the people.
“Patuloy nating pagtutuunan ng pansin ang mga panukalang batas na may direktang epekto sa buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he added.
We will continue to focus on proposed laws that have a direct impact on the lives of Filipinos.
Major Reforms and National Security Measures
Headlining the approved legislation is House Bill No. (HB) 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act. Jointly authored by Speaker Dy and House Majority Leader Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the bill seeks to dismantle political monopolies by banning dynasties in both national and local elective positions.
The measure is a recognized priority under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
The chamber also gave its nod to HB 9305, another Dy-Marcos authored priority measure, which institutionalizes the National Emergency Response and Resiliency Framework. The bill introduces the “KALINGA Program,” designed to preserve essential services, maintain energy security, and ensure economic stability during national crises.
Other significant national bills passing the second-reading hurdle include:
- HB 8392: Declaring National Election Day a regular non-working holiday.
- HB 8702: Raising the compulsory retirement age for Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel from 56 to 57 years old.
- HB 9010: Granting a commercial franchise for the transport and distribution of natural gas and petroleum products.
- Electric Cooperative Franchises: A cluster of localized energy measures aimed at stabilizing and upgrading power grids across multiple provinces.
Breakthroughs on Third Reading
In addition to second-reading approvals, the House successfully passed three high-profile bills on third and final reading, including two more LEDAC priorities.
Lawmakers greenlit HB 8647, which introduces amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, alongside HB 9157, also known as the Philippine Waste to Energy Act.
The House further clinched a milestone with the final passage of HB 8466, or the National Land Use Act. Long considered one of the most deadlocked pieces of legislation in congressional history, the bill establishes a science-based policy framework to harmonize national infrastructure, housing, food production, and environmental protection.
According to Speaker Dy, the lower chamber will sustain its legislative momentum, with all upcoming deliberations anchored firmly on public welfare, transparency, and institutional accountability.