With nine session days left before the House of Representatives plunges into another long adjournment, Speaker Prospero Nograles remained confident that the chamber will be able to act on 15 priority legislative measures focused on social and economic reforms.

Also included in the list of priority bills that would be included in the remaining calendar of business for the next nine days starting Monday is the controversial proposal for the holding of a constitutional convention.

A quorum crisis that may be triggered by the start of the political season and a boycott warning from congressmen advocating the reproductive health policy also stand on the way of Nograles' remaining urgent measures.

After a long Christmas break, the House resumes session at 4 p.m. Monday. Since Mondays are reserved for the privilege hour, deliberation on priority bills is not expected to be taken on the floor this Monday.

Under the legislative calendar, regular session resumes January 18. Congress will adjourn on February 5 at the start of the campaign period for national candidates.

On top of the priority list are the anti-cybercrime and free legal assistance bills which will be voted on for third and final readings.

Filed by Buhay Reps. Irwin Tieng and Rene Velarde, the anti-cybercrime measure received strong support in both Houses following the sex scandal involving cosmetics surgeon Hayden Kho and actress Katrina Halili. The bill penalizes data theft, online fraud, hacking, online pornography, virus and computer sabotage.

The legal assistance measure makes it mandatory for practicing lawyers to devote time in providing legal service for the poor in exchange for tax incentives.  Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor, chairman of the House committee on justice, sponsored the bill.

Delisted from the file of priority measures are the equally controversial reproductive health and right of reply bills.

The non-inclusion of the bill implementing a reproductive health policy has prompted authors led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to threaten non-cooperation in the passage of the 15 priority bills.

Nograles said the Concon measure will only be taken up if senators agree to act on it when it reaches the Senate.

After agreeing to back the holding of Concon for the purpose of amending the 1987 Charter, a number of congressmen and senators, particularly Liberal Party members, have decided to withdraw support from the measure.

Aside from Lagman, also threatening to disrupt the floor deliberations on vital measures is a quorum crisis that usually occurs during an election year.

Nograles has strongly appealed to lawmakers to attend regular sessions.

“Time may not be on our side, but we will do it. All the Standing and Special committees, led by the Committee on Rules, are up to their respective mandates,” Nograles said last week.