Back to business: Legislative agenda for upcoming Congress

Businessmen unveil legislative agenda for upcoming Congress


Just days after Filipinos trooped to polling precincts and voted for new legislative leaders, businessmen unveiled a list of measures they want 16th Congress to pass.

“With the election behind us, let us move forward by working together to create a better future for the country. Let us commit to a national agenda that will address the creation of jobs, sustain investments, curtail corruption, ensure peace and order, and strengthen our foreign policy,"  said Miguel Varela, president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

PCCI has prepared a list of priority legislation that it will pursue in the 16th Congress.

The list includes the Competition bill seeking to prohibit or discourage the formation of anti-competitive mergers and anti-competitive conduct, as well as Fiscal Incentives Rationalization bill, which streamlines tax-breaks for businesses.

PCCI, likewise, wants a bill removing common carriers tax and gross Philippine billings tax on foreign cargo airlines enacted.

A similar measure was singed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III  on March 7. It, however, only covers passenger carriers.

Other measures the business group wants enacted are the Land Administration Reform bill,  a bill creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology, an Anti-Smuggling bill, and the Customs Modernization bill.

Varela said it is also high time for the government to “consider looking into reforms that will lift the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution such as the removal of the 60-40 equity limitation on foreign investors, expanding role of foreign investors in exploration, development and use of natural resources and extending land lease agreements.”

“Our domestic policies should promote economic growth by thinking regional and international rather than an insular market,” he added.

PCCI wants investment policies be kept attuned with international market needs to attract much needed foreign direct investments.

PCCI said the 15th Congress “performed quite a feat” when it passed a number of business-friendly laws, including amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the Reproductive Health Law.

Currently, legislators are on break for the national elections held last Monday.  They will resume for a short, week-long session in June.

Work, however, is only seen to go full-swing  in July when the 16th Congress opens and new legislative leaders are sworn in.  — SOA/KBK, GMA News 16 May 13