15th Congress of the Philippines

36th legislative term of the Philippines May 2023 May 2020 25em 15th Congress of the Philippines Coat of arms of the Philippines.svg 100px Coat of arms of the Philippines (1998–present) Coat of arms of the Philippines (1998–present) July 26, 2010 June 6, 2013 14th 16th President Benigno Aquino III Vice President Jejomar Binay Senate 24 President Juan Ponce Enrile(until June 5, 2013) Jinggoy Estrada(acting, from June 5, 2013) President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada Majority leader Tito Sotto Minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano House of Representatives 286 Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Deputy Speakers Beng Climaco Raul Daza Arnulfo Fuentebella Pablo P. Garcia Jesus Crispin Remulla Erin Tañada Majority leader Neptali Gonzales II Minority leader Edcel Lagman(until January 20, 2012) Danilo Suarez(from January 20, 2012) The 15th Congress of the Philippines (fil Ikalabinlimang Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 26, 2010, until June 6, 2013, during the first three years of Benigno Aquino III's presidency. The convening of the 15th Congress followed the 2010 general elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives. Leadership Senate 400 center center Senate President DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (cropped).jpg Juan Ponce Enrile,until June 5, 2013 center Official photo of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.jpg Jinggoy Estrada (acting),from June 5, 2013 President: Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP), until June 5, 2013 Jinggoy Estrada (PMP), acting: from June 5, 2013 President pro tempore: Jinggoy Estrada (PMP) Majority Floor Leader: Tito Sotto (NPC) Minority Floor Leader: Alan Peter Cayetano (Nacionalista) House of Representatives 200 center center House Speaker Feliciano_Belmonte_Jr_-_2016_(cropped).jpg Feliciano Belmonte Jr. center Speaker: Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City–4th, Liberal) Deputy Speakers: Beng Climaco (Zamboanga City–1st, Liberal) Raul Daza (Northern Samar–1st, Liberal) Arnulfo Fuentebella (Camarines Sur–3rd, NPC) Pablo P. Garcia (Cebu–2nd, NUP) Jesus Crispin Remulla (Cavite–7th, Nacionalista) Erin Tañada (Quezon–4th, Liberal) Majority Floor Leader: Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong, Liberal) Minority Floor Leader: Edcel Lagman (Albay–1st, Lakas), until January 20, 2012 Danilo Suarez (Quezon–3rd, Lakas), from January 20, 2012 Sessions First Regular Session: July 26, 2010 – June 6, 2011 Second Regular Session: July 25, 2011 – June 6, 2012 Third Regular Session: July 23, 2012 – June 5, 2013 Party summary Senate AffiliationParty (Majority/minority bloc/unclassified)(Shading indicates party has members in the majority bloc)Total Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino Lakas-CMD Liberal Party (Philippines) Nacionalista Party Nationalist People's Coalition Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan People's Reform Party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino Independent Bagumbayan-VNPLDPLakasLPNPNPCPDPPRPPMPIndB-VNPVacantEnd of 14th Congress1 / 0 3 / 1 3 / 1 0 / 3 1 / 0 0 / 1 1 / 0 2 / 0 4 / 1 1 / 0231Election 1 4 5 4 2 0 1 2 5 0240June 30, 2010 1 4 4 4 2 0 1 2 5 0231July 25, 20101 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 1 / 0 0 / 1 2 / 0 2 / 2 0231August 2, 20101 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 1 / 0 0 / 1 2 / 0 4 / 0 0231August 4, 20101 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 1 / 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 4 / 0 0231August 3, 20111 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 1 / 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 4 / 0 0222August 15, 20111 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 1/0/1 1 / 0 2 / 0 4 / 0 0231August 17, 20111 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 2 / 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 4 / 0 0231May 10, 20121 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 2 2 / 0 2 / 0 1 / 0 3 / 0 3 / 0 0231July 8, 20121 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 3 / 2 2 / 0 2 / 0 1 / 0 3 / 0 2 / 0 0231September 21, 20121 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2/2/1 2 / 0 2 / 0 1 / 0 3 / 0 2 / 0 0231September 23, 20121 / 0 2 / 1 4 / 0 2 / 3 2 / 0 2 / 0 1 / 0 3 / 0 2 / 0 0231 House of Representatives AffiliationParty (Shading indicates party has members in the majority bloc; italicization indicates party has members from the minority bloc)Total Biled Party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino Lakas-CMD Lapiang Manggagawa Liberal Party (Philippines) Nacionalista Party Nationalist People's Coalition National Unity Party (Philippines) Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino United Nationalist Alliance Independent Lingkod TaguigBilBPPCDPKBLLDPLakasLMLPNPNPCNUPPDPPDSPPMPUNAIndLTPLVacantEnd of 14th Congress 0 — — 0 1 123 1 30 24 25 — 5 0 2 — 4 1 532693Election 0 — — 1 2 105 1 45 24 30 — 2 1 6 — 7 0 022463May 2010 105 3525928June 25, 20101 96 66 23 31 0 5 2 3526324July 22, 2010 95 3526225July 25, 20101 1 89 1 73 22 30 2 5 2 3926522August 2, 20104427017September 1, 20104627215September 7, 20104727314September 21, 20105027611September 27, 2010532798October 7, 2010542807November 22, 2010902816November 30, 2010912825January 17, 2011552834February 4, 20116130March 7, 20116056March 16, 2011612843May 30, 201112852July 25, 201157742129352861August 3, 201102852August 30, 2011543037December 31, 2011552843January 19, 2012533January 26, 2012522834February 13, 201212843April 16, 2012733May 4, 20127436May 25, 20125142834May 29, 2012542825May 31, 2012502816June 4, 2012752825August 13, 2012742816October 9, 2012552825October 10, 2012562834October 18, 2012732825November 5, 20120112891184427 0 0114December 25, 2012432816March 19, 2013902807April 24, 2013272798Final voting share 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 9% 0% 31% 6% 16% 10% 0% 0% 0% 4% 1% 0% 20% Members List of members of the 15th Congress of the Philippines Party standing Senate +Party standing and blocs220px|center PartyMajorityBloc MinorityBloc Total % Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino 1 0 1 4.17% Lakas-CMD (2009) 2 1 3 12.50% Liberal Party (Philippines) 4 0 4 16.67% Nacionalista Party 2 3 5 20.83% Nationalist People's Coalition 2 0 2 8.33% Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan 1 0 1 4.17% People's Reform Party 1 0 1 4.17% Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino 2 0 2 8.33% Independent (politician)sFormer NPC: 1, former UNO: 1, former LDP: 1, former PDP–Laban 4 0 4 16.67%Totals 19 4 23 95.83%* *for purposes of quorum and voting, the vacant seat is included. House of Representatives +Party standing and blocs thumb|Final party standing. PartyMajorityBloc Ind. MinorityBloc Total % Bukidnon Paglaum 1 0 0 1 0.35% Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines 1 0 0 1 0.36% Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran 1 0 0 1 0.36% Kilusang Bagong Lipunan 1 0 0 1 0.36% Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino 1 0 0 1 0.36% Lakas-CMD (2009) 10 0 11 21 7.34% Liberal Party (Philippines) 90 0 0 90 31.47% Nacionalista Party 16 0 2 18 6.41% Nationalist People's Coalition 38 0 5 43 15.30% National Unity Party (Philippines) 30 0 0 30 10.68% Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka 1 0 0 1 0.36% United Nationalist Alliance 9 1 1 11 3.91% Independent (politician)s 4 0 0 4 1.42% Party-list 51 0 5 56 19.93%Totals 254 1 24 279 100.00%*Percent 88.81% 0.36% 39% 97.55% Memberships in committees and other bodies Note: Doesn't include oversight committees created for specific laws. Commission on Appointments The Senate President sits as the chair of the Commission on Appointments, who can only vote to break ties; the head of the contingent of the House of Representatives serves as the vice chairman and can vote not just only to break ties. Chamber Party Chair/vice chair Party Minority leaderSenate Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino Juan Ponce Enrile Lakas-CMD (2009) Joker ArroyoHouse of Representatives Liberal Party (Philippines) Roilo Golez Lakas-CMD (2009) Simeon Datumanong Judicial and Bar Council The chairs of the respective houses' committees of justice shall serve as ex officio members of the Judicial and Bar Council. The Chief Justice is the ex officio chairman, while the president appoints the members, with confirmation from the Commission on Appointments. Chamber Party NameSenate Independent (politician) Francis EscuderoHouse of Representatives Liberal Party (Philippines) Niel Tupas, Jr. Electoral tribunals The Senate Electoral Tribunal is composed of six senators and three justices of the Supreme Court; the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal on the other hand is composed of six representatives and three justices of the Supreme Court. Electoral tribubal Party Contingent leader Party Minority leaderSenate Liberal Party (Philippines) Francis Pangilinan Nacionalista Party Pia CayetanoHouse of Representatives Liberal Party (Philippines) Franklin Bautista Lakas-CMD (2009) Simeon Datumanong Senate committees List of Philippine Senate committees The Senate President, Senate President pro tempore and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules. House of Representatives committees List of Philippine House of Representatives committees The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules. Legislative activities Legislative calendar First Regular Session:http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisinfo/index.php?l=calendar&regses=first Legislative Activities Congress.gov.ph April 25, 2011 Commencement: July 26, 2010 Adjournment: October 16, 2010 Resumption: November 8, 2010 Adjournment: December 18, 2010 Resumption: January 17, 2011 Adjournment: March 26, 2011 Resumption: May 9, 2011 Adjournment: June 9, 2011 Second Regular Session Commencement: July 25, 2011 Third Regular Session First Regular Session Convening State of the Nation Address (Philippines) Unlike at the beginning of the 14th Congress, the election of the presiding officers for both houses proceeded without incident as Quezon City representative Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of the Liberal Party was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives while Juan Ponce Enrile of PMP was re-elected Senate President. Alan Peter Cayetano of the Nacionalistas and Albay representative Edcel Lagman of Lakas-Kampi were named minority floor leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.http://www.mb.com.ph/node/268992/enrile-remain Enrile remains Senate President; Belmonte voted House Speaker Hannah Torrezoga Ben R. Rosario Manila Bulletin July 26, 2010 April 25, 2011 In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III bared the anomalies during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo such as a budget deficit in the first half of the year, a depleted calamity fund that mostly went to Pampanga, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's home province, corruption at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Power Corporation, Metro Rail Transit Corporation and the National Food Authority. Aquino announced steps to weed out tax evaders, and asked the Commission on Appointments to be easy on his Cabinet.http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597093&publicationSubCategoryId=63 https://archive.today/20120913132231/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597093&publicationSubCategoryId=63 dead September 13, 2012 Noynoy: No more tong-pats Aurea Calica Philippine Star July 27, 2010 April 25, 2011 Postponement of the barangay elections 2010 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections The minority bloc filed bills to postpone the upcoming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK; youth council) elections in October until 2011. Lakas-Kampi representative Danilo Suarez of Quezon remarked that since the barangay and SK elections were too close to the just-concluded general election, and that congressmen would run out of funds as candidates for barangay positions turn to them for financial support. The president wants the barangay elections to be held at October, but the winners' terms shall only be until May 2013 where the barangay elections will be held concurrently with the 2013 general election.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100816-287151/Minority-to-block-2010-barangay-polls Minority to block 2010 barangay polls Lira Dalangin-Fernandez Philippine Daily Inquirer August 16, 2010 April 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20100819124028/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100816-287151/Minority-to-block-2010-barangay-polls August 19, 2010 dead In the Senate, Migz Zubiri filed a bill that will postponed the elections until October 2012, with Enrile prioritizing it.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198257/senate-to-prioritize-bill-postponing-barangay-sk-polls Senate to prioritize bill postponing Barangay, SK polls GMANews.tv August 10, 2010 April 25, 2011 On August 18, the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms agreed to consolidate bills that seek to postpone the barangay elections, with Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo preferring a 2011 date since synchronizing it with the 2013 general election would be costly as it will be included in the automation project. The City Mayors League preferred postponement up to 2011, the Liga ng mga Barangay wants a 2012 election while the SK prefers any year as long as it is held in October.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100819-287605/House-wants-barangay-SK-elections-reset House wants barangay, SK elections reset TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer August 19, 2010 April 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20100824043654/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100819-287605/House-wants-barangay-SK-elections-reset August 24, 2010 dead In the next hearing of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, the bills deferring the elections were defeated, paving the way for the elections to be held on October 25. Committee chairman Elpidio Barzaga said that "Mr. Aquino wants elections to push through because he wants barangay officials who will serve during his term to have a fresh mandate from the people," with the ex officio members of the House of Representatives voting on Magtanggol Gunigundo's motion to "lay down all the bills on the table." This meant that any further hearings on the matter shall be suspended indefinitely.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/199402/house-panel-kills-bill-postponing-sk-barangay-polls House panel ‘kills’ bill postponing SK, barangay polls Amita Legaspi GMANews.tv August 25, 2010 April 25, 2011 Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez While there had been attempts in the 14th Congress, to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, none of them passed the committee level.http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524425 https://archive.today/20130131073241/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524425 dead January 31, 2013 Impeachment raps vs Ombudsman junked Delon Porcalla The Philippine Star November 18, 2009 March 8, 2011 In July 2010, Akbayan Citizens' Action Party filed an impeachment complain against Gutierrez.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/196728/ex-rep-hontiveros-leads-2nd-impeachment-vs-gutierrez Ex-Rep. Hontiveros leads 2nd impeachment vs Gutierrez Anita Legaspi GMANews.TV July 22, 2010 March 8, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110221215123/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/196728/ex-rep-hontiveros-leads-2nd-impeachment-vs-gutierrez February 21, 2011 live A few days later in August, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) filed a separate complaint.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/197688/another-impeachment-complaint-filed-vs-ombudsman-gutierrez Another impeachment complaint filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez Anita Legaspi GMANews.TV August 3, 2010 March 8, 2011 Both complaints were simultaneously referred to the House of Representative Committee on Justice headed by Iloilo representative Niel Tupas, Jr.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200425/house-panel-gives-full-okay-to-impeach-raps-vs-ombudsman House panel gives full okay to impeach raps vs Ombudsman Anita Legaspi GMANews.TV September 7, 2010 March 8, 2011 On September 1, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in form.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100901-289928/2-impeach-raps-vs-Ombudsman-sufficient-in-formHouse-panel 2 impeach raps vs Ombudsman sufficient in form—House panel Lira Dalangin-Fernandez INQUIRER.net September 1, 2010 March 8, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100907033857/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100901-289928/2-impeach-raps-vs-Ombudsman-sufficient-in-formHouse-panel September 7, 2010 A week later, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in substance. On September 13, Gutierrez filed a motion to the Supreme Court saying that the two complaints violated the one proceeding per year rule.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200892/ombudsman-asks-sc-to-block-impeachment-proceedings Ombudsman asks SC to block impeachment proceedings Sophia Dedace GMANews.TV September 13, 2010 March 8, 2011 The next day, the court voted to pass a status quo ante order that stopped the impeachment proceedings.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200981/sc-blocks-impeachment-proceedings-vs-ombudsman SC suspends impeachment proceedings vs Ombudsman September 14, 2010 March 8, 2011 Five months after the order, the court lifted the status quo ante order, on February 15, 2011, thereby allowing the impeachment proceedings to resume, saying that while there are two complaints, there was only one hearing.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110215-320401/Ombudsman-impeach-case-get-SC-green-light Ombudsman impeach raps get SC green light INQUIRER.net Tetch Torres February 15, 2011 March 8, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110218072957/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110215-320401/Ombudsman-impeach-case-get-SC-green-light February 18, 2011 The day before the committee would've met to continue the proceedings, Gutierrez filed a motion for reconsideration to reinstate the status quo ante order.http://www8.gmanews.tv/story/214141/ombudsman-appeals-sc-ruling-on-impeachment-case Ombudsman appeals SC ruling on impeachment case Sophia Dedace GMANews.TV February 28, 2011 March 8, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110303085249/http://www8.gmanews.tv/story/214141/ombudsman-appeals-sc-ruling-on-impeachment-case March 3, 2011 The committee met anyway, and found the two complaints sufficient in grounds.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/01/11/gma-allies-lose-showdown-merci-impeachment Merci's allies lose in showdown on impeachment RG Cruz ABS-CBNNews.com March 1, 2011 March 8, 2011 On the next hearing, Gutierrez, who had not been attending the impeachment proceeding as she had pending cases on the Supreme Court, sent a representative. The committee was about to vote on whether the two complaints had probable cause when they learned that the Supreme Court dismissed Gutierrez's petitions; after they were notified, the committee voted that both complaints had probable cause.http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=664385&publicationSubCategoryId=63 https://archive.today/20120906230532/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=664385&publicationSubCategoryId=63 dead September 6, 2012 House finds cause to impeach Merci Paolo Romero The Philippine Star March 9, 2011 March 10, 2011 After a marathon session that lasted into the next day, the House of Representatives on March 22 voted to impeach Gutierrez of betrayal of public trust, with 212 in favor, 46 against and 4 abstentions.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/215844/nation/house-impeaches-ombudsman-for-betrayal-of-public-trust House impeaches Ombudsman for betrayal of public trust GMANews.TV Andreo Calonzo March 22, 2011 March 22, 2011 Tupas headed the House of Representatives delegation that passed the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate on March 23.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/215977/nation/house-transmits-impeachment-articles-to-senate House transmits impeachment articles to Senate GMANews.TV March 23, 2011 March 23, 2011 Gutierrez, citing that "the President needs an Ombudsman in whom he has complete trust and confidence," resigned on April 29, 2011.http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=681008&publicationSubCategoryId=63 https://archive.today/20120909114022/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=681008&publicationSubCategoryId=63 dead September 9, 2012 Ombudsman Merci resigns, 10 days before Senate trial Kimberly Jane Tan GMA News Online April 29, 2011 May 1, 2011 With her resignation, the senate canceled the impeachment trial.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/30/11/senate-shelves-ombudsmans-impeachment-trial Senate shelves Ombudsman's impeachment trial ABS-CBNNews.com April 30, 2011 May 1, 2011 2011 national budget The deliberations for the enactment of the national budget were opposed by several representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao as they contended that their allocation in the budget, 7.7% for the Visayas and 10% for Mindanao, were not enough. Appropriations Committee chair Joseph Emilio Abaya said while that there will be realignments done, there will be no major realignments. Another point of contention was the conditional cash transfer program, which, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, will help the country in halving poverty, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals. The inclusion of the conditional cash transfer program caused the budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development to increase 123% from PHP15.4 billion to PHP34.3 billion. The PHP1.645 trillion budget was passed by the House of Representatives on October 16 in a marathon session.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101016-297961/House-okays-P1645-trillion-budget-for-2011 House okays P1.645-trillion budget for 2011 Lira Dalangin-Fernandez Philippine Daily Inquirer October 16, 2011 April 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20101019163554/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101016-297961/House-okays-P1645-trillion-budget-for-2011 October 19, 2010 dead The Senate approved their version of the budget, with the major changes from the House version include the increase in allocation for the Office of the Vice President, additional PHP590 million for the House of Representatives, additional PHP345 million for the Senate, the restoration of PHP143.107 million for public colleges, additional subsidy of PHP200 million for local government units and reducing PHP200 million from the Department of Health supposedly for the purchase of contraceptives. The PHP21 billion conditional cash transfer program was kept.http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/292840/senate-ratifies-p1645trillion-budget-pork-vp-okd Senate ratifies national budget Hannah Torrezoga Manila Bulletin December 14, 2010 April 25, 2011 On December 27, 2010, for the first time in eleven years, President Aquino signed the national budget into law before the year ended. Aquino vetoed 13 items, including the provision that Congress should authorize borrowings in excess of the debt ceiling and legislative consultation during budget execution and project implementation.https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2010/12/28/642922/p-noy-signs-law-p1645-trillion-budget-vetoes-13-items P-Noy signs into law P1.645-trillion budget, vetoes 13 items Delon Porcalla Philippine Star December 28, 2010 April 25, 2011 Investigation of the alleged corruption in the military 2011 Armed Forces of the Philippines corruption scandal The House Committee on Justice conducted hearings on the plea bargaining agreement of the Office of the Ombudsman and retired General Carlos Garcia who has a plunder suit in the Sandiganbayan (special court for government officials). The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the other hand, focused on the fil pabaon or send-off money given to generals. On January 26, retired Col. George Rabusa exposed the alleged fil pabaon or send-off system in the military, which gives at least PHP50 million (USD4.64 million) to retiring chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110127-316946/Reyes-got-P50M-as-send-off-money-says-AFP-exec Reyes got P50M as ‘send-off’ money, says AFP exec Maila Ager INQUIRER.net January 27, 2011 May 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110130062047/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110127-316946/Reyes-got-P50M-as-send-off-money-says-AFP-exec January 30, 2011 dead On January 30, Rabusa further said that former AFP chiefs of staff Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu were also given send-off money, and former military comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot were instrumental to the transfer of funds; Garcia and Ligot had earlier been charged already due to the anomalies.http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110201-261479.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110206171644/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110201-261479.html dead February 6, 2011 Whistle-blower says former Chief of Staff got $4.64 million send-off money AsiaOne News February 1, 2011 April 25, 2011 On a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, former Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Heidi Mendoza testified that she uncovered irregularities in funds by the military. Among the irregularities she found was the 200 million peso AFP Inter-Agency Fund, and the US$5 million United Nations (UN) reimbursement for Filipino peacekeepers.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110202-317912/Former-auditor-details-money-trail Former auditor details money trail Cynthia Balana Gil C. Jr. Cabacungan Philippine Daily Inquirer February 2, 2011 May 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110204125148/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110202-317912/Former-auditor-details-money-trail February 4, 2011 dead Early morning of February 8, Reyes died in an apparent suicide. Later in the day, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice voted to continue the hearing.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110208-319131/House-probe-on-Garcia-plea-deal-proceeds-amid-Reyes-death https://web.archive.org/web/20120225231243/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110208-319131/House-probe-on-Garcia-plea-deal-proceeds-amid-Reyes-death House probe on Garcia plea deal proceeds amid Reyes' death Lira Dalangin-Fernandez Philippine Daily Inquirer February 8, 2011 May 25, 2011 February 25, 2012 dead Mendoza testified that the military's modernization fund was diverted for the purchase of office supplies, and disputed former COA chairman Guillermo Carague, who denied that he ordered Mendoza to "go slow" in the Garcia case.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/02/08/11/mendoza-details-more-misuse-afp-funds Mendoza details more misuse of AFP funds RG Cruz ABS-CBNNews.com February 8, 2011 May 25, 2011 The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee summoned Ligot's wife Jacinta on the February 24 hearing; however, she was skipped as she was confined in Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Her brother, Edgardo Yambao, was also summoned but invoke his right against self-incrimination when asked about his wealth.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20110224-322020/Senate-probe-shifts-to-Ligot-brother-in-law Senate probe shifts to Ligot brother-in-law TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer February 24, 2011 May 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110227110836/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20110224-322020/Senate-probe-shifts-to-Ligot-brother-in-law February 27, 2011 dead On the March 21, hearing, Erlinda showed up but just like her husband and her brother, she refused to answer questions that were related to her husband's pending cases, invoking her right against self-incrimination.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110321-326789/Wife-of-former-military-comptroller-testifies-finally Wife of former military comptroller testifies, finally Maila Ager Philippine Daily Inquirer March 21, 2011 May 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110324182046/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110321-326789/Wife-of-former-military-comptroller-testifies-finally March 24, 2011 dead The Ligots did not appear in the March 25 hearing and was cited for contempt; Jacinto was detained at the Senate while Erlinda's detention was suspended for humanitarian reasons.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110325-327515/Senate-holds-Ligots-in-contempt Senate holds Ligots in contempt TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer March 25, 2011 May 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110326161538/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110325-327515/Senate-holds-Ligots-in-contempt March 26, 2011 dead On the March 29 hearing, Erlinda cited "Dara" (Kapampangan word to denote "aunt") as her frequent travel companion in her overseas trips; Senator Jinggoy Estrada had earlier said that she had traveled with Reyes' wife Teresita.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216452/nation/ligot-wife-cites-dara-as-frequent-travel-buddy Ligot wife cites ‘Dara’ as frequent travel buddy GMA News Online March 29, 2011 May 25, 2011 Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III ordered the release of General Ligot after the hearing.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216442/nation/senate-releases-ex-afp-comptroller-ligot Senate releases ex-AFP comptroller Ligot GMA News Online March 29, 2011 May 25, 2011 Postponement of the ARMM general election 2013 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao general election On February 3, 2011, President Aquino asked Congress to postpone the general election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and synchronize it with the 2013 mid-term election. The officials that would end their terms in 2011 would be replaced by appointments by Aquino. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that aside from ensuring clean elections, a synchronized ARMM election would be cost-effective.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110207-319025/Aquino-asks-Congress-to-postpone-ARMM-polls-to-2013 Aquino asks Congress to postpone ARMM polls to 2013 Christine O. Avendaño Philippine Daily Inquirer February 7, 2011 May 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225231249/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110207-319025/Aquino-asks-Congress-to-postpone-ARMM-polls-to-2013 February 25, 2012 dead On March 22, the House of Representatives passed the bill before Congress went on recess,http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/310930/palace-lauds-swift-passage-armm-poll-postponement-bill Palace lauds swift passage of ARMM poll postponement bill Manila Bulletin March 22, 2011 May 5, 2011 while the Senate would take up the measure after the recess.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/06/11/senate-tackle-bill-postponing-armm-polls Senate to tackle bill postponing ARMM polls ABS-CBNNews.com April 6, 2011 May 5, 2011 On May 3, the Supreme Court ordered the executive and Congress to file comments on a petition from ARMM residents questioning the postponement.http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=682175&publicationSubCategoryId=200 SC orders Palace, Congress to comment on ARMM poll postponement Philippine Star May 3, 2010 May 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20160603102156/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=682175&publicationSubCategoryId=200 June 3, 2016 dead Reproductive Health bill Reproductive Health bill On November 24, 2010, the House of Representatives population committee acted on the bills about reproductive health. However, Cebu representative Pablo P. Garcia disputed the committee's jurisdiction on the bills, saying it should have been referred to the Committee on Health. Committee chairman Rogelio Espina reasoned out that no one objected when the bills were referred to his committee.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206760/house-panel-starts-tackling-controversial-rh-bill House panel starts tackling controversial RH bill Amita Legaspi GMA News Online November 24, 2010 May 25, 2011 On January 31, 2011, the committee unanimously approved a consolidated version; the approval meant that for the first time after similar bills were created in 1998, that a reproductive health bill would be tackled in plenary session.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/211916/house-panel-approves-rh-bill-for-plenary-debates House panel approves RH bill for plenary debates Andreo Calonzo GMA News Online January 31, 2011 May 25, 2011 On February 16, the House of Representatives appropriations committee approved funding for bill, with the Department of Health and the Population Commission receiving additional budgets.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/213142/house-panel-okays-proposed-initial-funding-for-rh-bill House panel okays proposed initial funding for RH bill Andreo Calonzo GMA News Online February 16, 2011 May 25, 2011 The measure would have been tackled in plenary session on March 8, but questions on quorum and proper attire delayed the proceedings.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/214785/questions-of-quorum-dress-code-stall-rh-bill-debates-in-house Questions of quorum, dress code stall RH bill debates in House Andreo Calonzo GMA News Online March 8, 2011 May 25, 2011 The authors of the bill agreed to amend some provisions, such as making sex education optional, removal of an "ideal family size" of two children, removal of the provision that orders business to provide reproductive health services to their employees, among others. Primary author Edcel Lagman said that this would not water down the bill, as the "central idea" of the bill was not touched.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216021/rh-bill-authors-agree-to-make-sex-education-optional RH bill authors agree to make sex education optional Andreo Calonzo GMA News Online March 23, 2011 May 25, 2011 Legislation Laws passed by the 15th Congress: Laws of the 15th Congress of the Philippines References External links COMELEC Resolution 8670. Accessed on December 10, 2009. COMELEC Resolution 8701. Accessed on December 10, 2009. COMELEC Resolution 8705. Accessed on December 10, 2009. Category:Congresses of the Philippines Category:Fifth Philippine Republic