Senator Juan Ponce Enrile expressed exasperation yesterday over the failure of many Senate committees to consider the bills assigned to them within the time frame prescribed by the rules of the Upper Chamber.
Saying that many pending bills could really help the people cope with the present economic crisis if only they are passed into law, Enrile reminded his fellow lawmakers that "we are not paid or elected to become laggards."
Enrile cited examples of his bills that are w now gathering dust at the Senate — Anti-Trust Bill (Senate Bill (SB) No. 1199) and the two measures he filed (SBs 1197 and 1198) meant to lessen the tax burden on those who can least afford to pay them.
"Under the rules, they are given 30 session days to consider the bills assigned to them," Enrile reminded the committees.
SB 1197 proposes to increase the current levels of personal and additional exemptions for individual income tax under the National Internal Revenue Code (Republic Act 8424) while SB 1198 seeks to reduce the income tax rates of individual taxpayers.
"All of these bills are being talked about now by the public. Even the businessmen are saying we should increase the personal exemption of the heads of families to augment their usable or disposable income. I have filed that early on when I arrived here at the Senate," Enrile said. "But 10 months have passed already but nothing has happened," he said. "Hindi nila puwedeng upuan ang mga bills."
