14th_Congress_of_the_Philippines
14th Congress of the Philippines
Meeting of the national legislature of the Philippines
The 14th Congress of the Philippines (Filipino: Ikalabing-apat na Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 23, 2007, until June 9, 2010, during the last three years of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency. The convening of the 14th Congress followed the 2007 general elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives. It celebrated the centennial year of the Philippine legislature.
Batasang Pambansa bombing
On the evening of November 17, 2007, an explosion[1] at the South Wing of the Batasang Pambansa Complex killed six people, including Rep. Wahab Akbar (Lakas-CMD, Basilan). The other fatalities included an aide of Akbar, a driver of Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, and three aides of Rep. Pryde Henry Teves (Lakas-CMD, Negros Oriental–3rd).[2] Ten others were injured in the blast, including Reps. Ilagan and Teves.
Arroyo impeachment
On October 5, 2007, Lawyer Robert Pulido filed a three-page impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This complaint was considered as a ploy by Malacañang according to the opposition. It was only supported by Rep. Edgar S. San Luis (independent, 4th District Laguna). On November 4, the House Committee on Justice, dominated by pro-Arroyo lawmakers, declared as "sufficient in form" the three-page impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.[3] On November 6, the committee then deliberated whether the complaint (due to the National Broadband Network controversy) is "sufficient in substance." If the complaint was declared "sufficient in form", it would be considered as an impeachment proceeding; only one impeachment proceeding is allowed by the constitution, if the committee declares the complaint "insufficient in substance", it would give Arroyo an immunity from impeachment for a year.[4] The committee ultimately voted to trash the complaint, with minority members boycotting the hearing.[5]
Bribery scandal investigation
On November 13, 2007, there was also the Senate's hearing on the bribery scandal that occurred in the presidential palace.[6]
The Manila Peninsula Rebellion
The Manila Peninsula rebellion occurred in the Philippines on November 29, 2007. Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, General Lim and other Magdalo (mutineers) officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati, calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and seizing the second floor of The Peninsula Manila Hotel along Ayala Avenue. Former Vice-president Teofisto Guingona also joined the march to the hotel.
Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim surrendered to authorities after an armored personnel carrier rammed into the lobby of the hotel.[7] Director Geary Barias declared that the standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel is over as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim along with other junior officers agreed to leave the hotel and surrender to Barias after the 6 hour siege.[8] There was difficulty getting out for a while due to the tear gas that was covering the area where they were hiding.
Days after the mutiny, the Makati Regional Trial Court dismissed the rebellion charges against all 14 civilians involved in the siege, and ordered their release.
National Broadband Network Scandal
The Philippine National Broadband Network controversy is a political affair that centers upon allegations of corruption primarily involving Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo regarding the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network (NBN) for the Philippines and the awarding of its construction to the Chinese firm Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Limited (ZTE), a telecommunications and networking equipment provider.
The issue has captivated Filipino politics since it erupted in Philippine media around August 2007, largely through the articles of newspaper columnist Jarius Bondoc of the Philippine Star. It has also taken an interesting turn of events, including the resignation of Abalos as COMELEC chairman, the alleged bribery of congressmen and provincial governors (dubbed as "Bribery in the Palace"), the unseating of Jose de Venecia, Jr. as House Speaker, and the alleged "kidnapping" of designated National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) consultant-turned-NBN/ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, Jr.
The Spratly Islands Joint Exploration Agreement
In connection to the Philippine National Broadband Network controversy, The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) is a tripartite agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam to conduct seismic exploration in an area spanning 142,886 square kilometers west of Palawan. More specifically, it is an agreement between Philippine National Oil Company -Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam), that was signed in September 2004 and took effect in July 2005.[9] JMSU has already finished the first phase of the seismic exploration which lasted from September 1 to November 16, 2006, covering 11,000 line kilometers. A Chinese vessel conducted the survey, Vietnam processed the data gathered and this was interpreted by PNOC-EC in Manila. The second phase started in October 2007, covering 11,800 line kilometers. It was supposed to end January 2008.
Charter Change
Early in 2008, a proposal towards federalism was raised from both members of the Senate and the House of Representatives led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. This however was later not pushed through due to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally backing the proposal.[10] Later on, allies of President Arroyo successfully passed House Resolution 1109 on June 2, 2009, by viva voce in a move to shift the government from the current presidential to parliamentary.[11] All amendments would have needed the approval of three-fourths approval of Congress.[12] The resolution was later shelved by the Senate as it has objected it being passed and due to public outcry towards it.[13]
Laws passed by the 14th Congress:
Senate
- President of the Senate
- Manuel Villar (Nacionalista)
- Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP), elected on November 17, 2008
- Senate President Pro-Tempore
- Majority Floor Leader
- Minority Floor Leader
House of Representatives
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Jose C. de Venecia, Jr. (Lakas-CMD, 4th District Pangasinan)
- Prospero C. Nograles (Lakas–Kampi, 1st District Davao City), elected on February 5, 2008
- Deputy Speakers
- Central Luzon:
- Eric D. Singson (Lakas–Kampi, 2nd District Ilocos Sur)
- Visayas:
- Central Visayas:
- Mindanao:
- Women:
- Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa (Lakas–Kampi, Lone District Occidental Mindoro)
- Majority Floor Leader
- Minority Floor Leader
- Ronaldo B. Zamora (Nacionalista, Lone District San Juan)
Composition
| Party | Senate | House of Representatives | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagumbayan | 1 | 0 | |
| LDP | 1 | 1 | |
| Lakas–Kampi | 4 | 119 | |
| LM | 0 | 0 | |
| Lingkod Taguig | 0 | 1 | |
| Liberal | 4 | 31 | |
| Nacionalista | 3 | 25 | |
| NPC | 1 | 30 | |
| PDP–Laban | 1 | 2 | |
| PRP | 1 | 0 | |
| PMP | 2 | 3 | |
| Independent | 5 | 3 | |
| Sectoral representatives | NA | 53 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | 4 | |
| Total | 24 | 272 |
Senate
The following are the terms of the senators of this Congress, according to the date of election:
- For senators elected on May 10, 2004: June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010
- For senators elected on May 14, 2007: June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013
| Senator | Party[lower-alpha 1] | Term | Term expiry | In office | Bloc[lower-alpha 2] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Edgardo Angara | LDP | 2 | 2013 | 2001–2013 | Majority | |
| 2.Benigno Aquino III[lower-alpha 3] | Liberal | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2010 | Minority | |
| 3.Joker Arroyo | Lakas | 2 | 2013 | 2001–2013 | Minority | |
| 4.Rodolfo Biazon | Liberal | 1 | 2010 | 1998–2010 | Majority | |
| 5.Alan Peter Cayetano | Nacionalista | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2017 | Minority | |
| 6.Pia Cayetano | Nacionalista | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Minority | |
| 7.Miriam Defensor Santiago | PRP | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Majority | |
| 8.Francis Escudero | Independent | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2019 | Majority | |
| 9.Jinggoy Estrada | PMP | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Majority | |
| 10.Juan Ponce Enrile | PMP | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Majority | |
| 11.Dick Gordon | Bagumbayan–VNP | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2010 | Majority | |
| 12.Gregorio Honasan | Independent | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2019 | Majority | |
| 13.Panfilo Lacson | Independent | 2 | 2013 | 2001–2013 | Majority | |
| 14.Lito Lapid | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Majority | |
| 15.Loren Legarda | NPC | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2019 | Majority | |
| 16.Jamby Madrigal | Independent | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2010 | Majority | |
| 17.Francis Pangilinan | Liberal | 2 | 2013 | 2001–2013 | Minority | |
| 18.Aquilino Pimentel Jr. | PDP–Laban | 2 | 2010 | 1998–2010 | Minority | |
| 19.Bong Revilla | Lakas | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2016 | Majority | |
| 20.Mar Roxas | Liberal | 1 | 2010 | 2004–2010 | Majority | |
| 21.Antonio Trillanes | Independent | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2019 | Minority | |
| 22.Manny Villar | Nacionalista | 2 | 2013 | 2001–2013 | Minority | |
| 23.Migz Zubiri | Lakas | 1 | 2013 | 2007–2011 | Majority | |
House of Representatives
The term of office of the House of Representatives is from June 30, 2007, to June 30, 2010.
District representatives
Party-list representatives
| Party-List | Representative | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Aangat Tayo (AT) | Daryl Grace J. Abayon | 1 |
| Abakada Guro (ABAKADA) | Jonathan A. Dela Cruz | 1 |
| Abono | Robert Raymund M. Estrella | 1 |
| Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III | 1 | |
| Arts, Business and Science Professionals (ABS) | Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro | 1 |
| Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action, Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms, Inc. | Mariano U. Piamonte | 1 |
| Ulpiano P. Sarmiento III | 1 | |
| Alyansa ng Bayanihan ng Magsasaka, manggagawang Bukid at Mangingisda (ABA; formerly known as ABA-AKO) | Leonardo Q. Montemayor | 1 |
| Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP) | Nicanor M. Briones | 1 |
| Caesar A. Cobrador | 1 | |
| Akbayan Citizens' Action Party | Walden Bello | 1 |
| Risa Hontiveros | 2 | |
| Alagad | Rodante Marcoleta | 2 |
| Diogenes S. Osabel | 2 | |
| Alliance of Rural Concerns (ARC) | Oscar D. Francisco | 2 |
| Narciso D. Santiago III | 1 | |
| An Waray | Florencio G. Noel | 2 |
| Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) | Pastor M. Alcover, Jr. | 1 |
| Anak Mindanao (AMIN) | Neil Benedict A. Montejo | 1 |
| Mujiv Hataman | 3 | |
| Anak Pawis | Crispin Beltran[lower-alpha 14] | 2 |
| Joel B. Maglungsod | 1 | |
| Rafael V. Mariano[lower-alpha 15] | 2 | |
| Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino (ALIF) | Acmad M. Tomawis | 2 |
| Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) | Ernesto C. Pablo | 3 |
| Edgar L. Valdez | 3 | |
| Barangay Association for National Advancement & Transparency (BANAT) | Salvador B. Britanico | 1 |
| Bayan Muna | Teodoro Casiño | 2 |
| Neri Colmenares | 1 | |
| Satur Ocampo | 3 | |
| Buhay Hayaan Yumabong | Ma. Carissa A. Coscolluela | 1 |
| William Irwin C. Tieng | 1 | |
| Rene M. Velarde | 3 | |
| Butil Farmers Party (BUTIL) | Leonila V. Chavez[lower-alpha 16] | 2 |
| Agapito H. Guanlao[lower-alpha 17] | 1 | |
| Citizen's Battle Against Corruption[25] | Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva | 3 |
| Cinchona C. Gonzales | 1 | |
| Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Country (SENIOR CITIZENS) | Godofredo V. Arquiza | 1 |
| Cooperative NATCCO Network Party (COOP-NATCCO) | Jose Ping-ay | 1 |
| Cresente C. Paez | 1 | |
| Gabriela Women's Party | Luzviminda Ilagan | 1 |
| Liza Maza | 3 | |
| Kabataan Partylist | Raymond Palatino | 1 |
| Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala (KAKUSA) | Ranulfo P. Canonigo | 1 |
| Kasangga sa Kaunlaran (Ang Kasangga) | Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo | 1 |
| Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) | Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza | 1 |
| The True Marcos Loyalist (For God, Country and People) Association of the Philippines (BANTAY) | Jovito Palparan | 1 |
| United Movement Against Drugs Foundation (UNI-MAD) | Teodoro L. Lim | 1 |
| United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) | Vigor Ma. D. Mendoza II | 1 |
| Veterans Freedom Party (VFP) | Estrella DL. Santos | 2 |
| You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) | Carol Jane B. Lopez | 1 |
| Haron D. Omar | 1 |
- Based upon election for the Senate President on November 17, 2008. Those who voted for Enrile is the majority bloc, those who voter otherwise, abstained or did not vote is the minority bloc.[16]
- Took office as President of the Philippines on June 30, 2010.
- Appointed as secretary-general of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on February 4, 2010.[19]
- Took office on November 17, 2009.[20]
- Died on June 7, 2008.[21]
- Died on March 2, 2010.[22]
- Died on May 20, 2008.[23]
- Replaced Crispin Beltran.
- Died on January 29, 2010.[24]
- Philippine House of Representatives Congressional Library
- Corazon L. Paras. (2000). The Presidents of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines. Quezon City: Giraffe Books. ISBN 971-8832-24-6.
- Jeannette Andrade (February 1, 2008). "Court tells DoJ to finish probe of Batasan blast in 20 days". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
- GMA News, 'It's over,' says Barias of hotel standoff Archived March 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- Ho, Abigail L.; Juliet Labog-Javellana (March 7, 2008). "Arroyo hit on Spratlys deal". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Manila. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
- Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (June 2, 2009). "House approves constituent assembly". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 5, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- "House approves constituent assembly". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- "Enrile on Cha-cha: No way before 2010 polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 31, 2009. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- "House of Representatives". www.congress.gov.ph. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- "(UPDATE) 14th Congress opens 2nd regular session - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
- Mendez, Christina (November 18, 2008). "Villar ousted; Enrile elected Senate president". Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
- "Cebu situationer - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- "Rep. Garcia says One Cebu backing Teodoro, not Villar". balita.ph. March 24, 2010. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- "Cuenco gets top post in ASEAN assembly - Philstar.com". philstar.com. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- New Malabon-Navotas lawmaker sworn in Archived September 8, 2012, at archive.today Accessed on November 19, 2009.
- Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro - Misamis Oriental grieves over lawmaker's death Archived June 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Accessed on June 9, 2008.
- "Tarlac loses political giant with death of peacemaker Yap". inquirer.net. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- "Doctors declare 'Ka Bel' dead due to severe head injuries". gmanews.tv. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- "Party-list solon passes away". Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- "Citizen's Battle Against Corruption's Representatives". cibac.org. Archived from the original on September 21, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- "List of Senators". Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
- "The LAWPHiL Project – Philippine Laws and Jurispudance Databank". Arellano Law Foundation. Archived from the original on September 1, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
- House of Representatives of the Philippines
- Philippine Senate