OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF PHILIPPINE
SENATOR PIA S. CAYETANO

19TH CONGRESS

  1. RA 11934 : Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act (2022) (Co-Author; Introduced Amendments)
  • This measure seeks to promote responsibility in the use of SIM and provide law enforcement agencies the tools to resolve crimes which involve its utilization and a platform to deter the commission of wrongdoings.
  • All end-users, with either postpaid or prepaid subscriptions, shall be required to register their SIM with the public telecommunications entities, or PTEs, which are the establishments engaged in providing telecommunications services, as a prerequisite to the activation of the SIM card.
  • End-users may be able to register their SIM cards by submitting an owner’s registration form to be provided by their PTEs upon the presentation of any valid government-issued identification card enumerated under Section 5(b) of the law.
  • For juridical entities, the certificate of registration, as well as the duly-adopted resolution designating the authorized representative, in case of corporations, and a special power of attorney, in case of other entities, shall be presented.
  • The registration of a SIM by a minor shall be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian: Provided, That the minor’s parent or guardian shall give their consent and register the SIM.
  • Foreigners shall register their nationality, passport number, as well as proof of address in the Philippines, return ticket details and other relevant items enumerated under Section 5(e) of the law.
  • In case of loss of the SIM, death of the end-user, or request for deactivation, the concerned PTE shall deactivate the SIM within 24 hours from the report of the end-user, immediate family, relatives or guardians.
  • The following are the punishable acts under the law punishable by imprisonment or a fine:
    • Providing false or fictitious identification documents to register a SIM; 
    • Spoofing or the act of transmitting misleading information with intent to defraud or cause harm to a registered SIM; 
    • Sale of a stolen SIM; and 
    • Sale or transfer of a registered SIM without complying with the required registration.
  1. RA 11938: Charter of the City of Carmona (2022) (Co-sponsor)
  • The Municipality of Carmona shall be converted into a component city to be known as the City of Carmona, hereinafter referred to as “the City”, which shall comprise the present territory of the Municipality of Carmona, Province of Cavite. 
  1. RA 11960: Regional Specialty Centers Act (2023) (Co-sponsor)
  • Within five (5) years upon the enactment of this Act, the DOH shall establish at least one (1) specialty center In every region based on the top burden of disease and special needs in the area.
  • The DOH shall also give particular focus on establishing heart, lung, and kidney centers which shall replicate the capabilities of the National Specialty Centers in the National Capital Region. 
  1. RA 11961: Amending RA 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) (2023) (Co-sponsor)
  • All cultural properties and natural properties of cultural significance shall be registered in the Philippine Registry of Heritage. Information regarding private ownership of registered cultural properties and natural properties of cultural significance shall remain confidential in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 of “The Data Privacy Act of 2012”.
  •  LGUs are hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive cultural mapping of their areas of jurisdiction. 
  1. RA 11963: Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue (Quezon City) (2023) (Co-sponsor)
  • Renaming the Agham Road and the BIR road, stretching from North Avenue, traversing through Quezon Avenue, up to East Avenue, all located in Quezon City, as Senator Miriam P. Defensor-Santiago Avenue

18TH CONGRESS

Ways and Means (Author and Sponsor)

  1. RA 11467: Sin Tax Reform Act of 2020 (Author and Sponsor)
  • This measure increases the excise taxes on alcohol products, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products.
  • The additional revenue will fund the Universal Health Care (UHC), additional medical assistance and support to local governments, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
    • 60% –  for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act
    • 20% -for medical assistance and Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP)
    • 20% – for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 
  1. RA 11534: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) (2021) (Author and Sponsor)
  • This measure seeks to amend several provisions in the Tax Code, with a central focus on lowering corporate income tax rates and rationalizing fiscal incentives to better attract local and foreign investments in the Philippines. 
  • Reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT)

Effective July 1, 2020:

  • 25% – General CIT Rate 
  • 20% – For domestic corporations with total assets not exceeding P100 Million (excluding land) and total net taxable income not exceeding P5 Million.
  • Tax incentives under CREATE Act:
EXPORTERSDOMESTIC MARKET ENTERPRISE
Income Tax Holiday (ITH)4 to 7 years 

PLUS
Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT) of 5% Gross Income Earned (GIE)10 years 
OR
Enhanced Deductions (ED)10 years 

TOTAL: 14 to 17 YEARS		Income Tax Holiday (ITH)4 to 7 years 

PLUS

(No SCIT for Domestic)



Enhanced Deductions (ED)5 years

TOTAL: 9 to 12 YEARS
  • Duty exemption on importation of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, or accessories
  • The Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) shall define the coverage of the tiers and provide the conditions for qualifying activities
  • CREATE also aims to sustain the government’s efforts to protect people’s health, which is in line with the sustainable development goal of ensuring good health and well-being for all: 
  • VAT-free sale and importation of COVID-19 drugs, vaccines, medical devices, and capital equipment, its spare parts & raw materials, necessary for the production of PPEs, until December 31, 2023.
  • Exempt from VAT medicines for cancer, mental illness, tuberculosis, and kidney diseases.
  • CREATE likewise exempts from VAT the sale, importation, printing or publication of books, and any newspaper, magazine, journal, review bulletin on digital or electronic format (E-books)
  1. RA 11569: Extending the Estate Tax Amnesty (2021) (Author and Sponsor)
  • This measure extended the period of availment of estate tax amnesty for two (2) years, from June 15, 2021 to June 14, 2023.
  • The Estate Tax Amnesty Returns (ETAR) shall be filed by either executor, administrator, legal heirs, transferees, or beneficiaries who wish to avail of the estate tax amnesty with the Revenue District Office having jurisdiction over the last residence of the deceased. For non-resident decedents, the ETAR shall be filed with RDO 39.
  1. RA 11590: Taxing the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (2021) (POGO) (Author and Sponsor)
  • This measure provides regulations in taxing rules for Philippine offshore gaming operators for their gambling operations.
  • All alien individuals regardless of residency and who are employed and assigned in the Philippines by an offshore gaming licensee or its service provider shall pay a minimum final withholding tax of P12,500.00 or twenty-five percent (25%) on their gross income whichever is higher.
  • It distinguishes between gaming and non-gaming revenues. Consequently, different tax rates apply depending on the type of revenue earned by an OGL:
    • The non-gaming revenue of Philippine-based OGLs shall be subject to an income tax of twenty-five percent (25%) of the taxable income from all sources within and without the Philippines. Meanwhile, foreign-based OGLs shall also be subject to an income tax of 25% but will only apply to non-gaming revenue derived within the Philippines.
  • The sales by VAT-registered persons to OGLs shall be subject to 0% percent rate. Services rendered to OGLs subject to gaming tax by service providers shall also be subjected to 0% VAT.
  • It imposes a 5% gaming tax, in lieu of all other direct and indirect internal and local taxes, on the entire gross gaming revenue or receipts of OGLs or the agreed pre-determined minimum monthly revenue or receipts from gaming, whichever is higher. Gross gaming revenue or receipts shall mean gross wagers less payouts.
  • The gaming tax shall be directly remitted to the BIR. 
  • As to allocation:
    • 60% shall be allocated for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act;
    • 20% for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP);  
    • 20% shall be allocated for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  1. RA 11635: Taxation of Proprietary Educational Institutions (Amending Sec. 27(B) of the National Internal Revenue Code) (2021) (Author and Sponsor)
  • Qualified proprietary educational institutions are subject to a tax of 10% on their taxable income, provided that from July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023, the tax rate imposed shall be 1%.
  • Proprietary educational institutions refer to any private school maintained and administered by private individuals or groups with an issued permit to operate from the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as the case may be, based on existing laws and regulations.
  • Proprietary educational institutions whose gross income from unrelated trade, business or other activity exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the total gross income derived by such educational institutions from all sources, shall be subject to regular income tax rate.

Finance

  1. RA 11469: Bayanihan to Heal as One (2020) (Author and Sponsor)
  • Enacted due to the continuing rise of confirmed cases of COVID-19, its serious threat to the health, safety, security, and lives of our countrymen, the long-term adverse effects on their means of livelihood, and the severe disruption of economic activities, a state of national emergency is hereby declared over the entire country
  • Listed below are some powers authorized to the President:
    • Following World Health Organization guidelines and best practices
    • Provide an emergency subsidy to around 18 million low income households from P5,000 – P8,000, for a month for 2 months
    • Special risk allowance for health workers in case of exposure to COVID-19
    • Compensation of P100,000 to health workers who contract severe COVID-19, and P1,000,000 to those who may die fighting COVID-19
    • Exemptions to RA 9184 or the “‘Government Procurement Reform Act”, when it comes to procurement of goods and services related to COVID-19
    • Grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of critical or needed equipment or supplies
    • Unutilized or unreleased balance in a special purpose fund, as of the date of declaration of a State of Emergency, shall be considered to have their purpose abandoned for the duration of the State of Emergency
  1. RA 11494: Bayanihan to Recover as One (2020) (Co-Author; Introduced Amendments)
  • Enacted in cognizance of the Adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Philippine economy and society
  • Salient COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions:
    • Following the WHO or the US CDC guidelines and best practices
    • Implement an expedited and streamlined registration process of viral testing kits that diagnose COVID-19 recommended by the HTAC
    • Delivery of uninterrupted immunization program against vaccine preventable diseases especially on children amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine for COVID-19
    • Provision of the following subsidies:
      • An emergency subsidy of P5.000  P8,000 to affected low income households in areas under granular lockdown and to households with recently returned OFWs
      • P5,000 to P8,000 unemployment or involuntary separation assistance for displaced workers or employees due to COVID-19 
      • Emergency subsidy to low income households 
    • Access to livelihood assistance, skills and training programs, loan assistance, and employment opportunities for repatriated and returning OFWs
    • Provision of a “COVID-19 special risk allowance” by the national government for all public and private health workers directly catering to or in contact with COVID-19 patients
    • Implementation of mandatory COVID-19 testing of public and private health workers every 15 days
    • Provision of compensation to public and private health workers who have contracted COVID-19:
      • In case of death of the health worker: P1,000,000.00
      •  In case of sickness, for a severe or critical case: P100,000.00
      • In case of sickness, for a mild or moderate case: P15,000.00
    • Ensuring the availability of credit to the productive sectors of the economy especially in the countryside
    • Provision of loan interest rate subsidies for institutions of learning that have been affected by the decrease in enrollment
    • Directing the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) to expand its existing loan programs for MSMEs, cooperatives, hospitals, tourism and OFWs
  1. RA 11525: COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 (Co-author)
  • Address the adverse impact of COVID-19 through the procurement and administration of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by the National Government through the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) and other duly constituted authorities and instrumentalities;
  • Source and procure through the DOH and the NTF, either through themselves jointly or in cooperation with any national government agency or instrumentality or local government unit (LGU), safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines;
  • Recognize the experimental nature of COVID-19 vaccines available in the market and compensate any serious adverse effects (SAEs) arising from the use of COVID-19 vaccine, experienced by people inoculated through the COVID-19 Vaccination Program; and
  • It establishes the COVID-19 National Vaccine Indemnity Fund. It is established as a trust fund to compensate any person inoculated through the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, in case of death, permanent disability or hospital confinement for any serious adverse effects. For this purpose, the amount of Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) is authorized by this act to augment the funds of PhilHealth.

Health

  1. RA 11712: COVID-19 Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act of 2021(Co-author)
    • This measure provides for the grant of mandatory benefits and allowances to health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs for their critical role in providing quality care during national public health emergencies. 
    • The Health Emergency Allowance is granted to eligible public and private HCWs and non-HCWs, regardless of employment status, who are involved in COVID-19 response in all health facilities, for every month of service from the time of the declaration of the public health emergency until lifted by the President.

Sports

  1. RA 11470: National Academy for Sports Act (2020) (Author and Co-Sponsor)
    • The measure establishes an educational facility for student-athletes
    • The NAS is tasked to implement a secondary education program that is integrated with a special curriculum on sports to help young Filipino athletes develop further their sporting skills.
    • It also grants full scholarships to qualified student-athletes.

Women and Children 

  1. RA 11767: Foundling Recognition and Protection Act (2022) (Co-author and Co-sponsor)
    • This measure aims to promote the rights of foundling (defined as a deserted or abandoned child or infant with unknown facts of birth and parentage)
    • It recognizes foundlings as natural-born citizens of the Philippines and provides them with rights and protections equivalent to other citizens.
    • The bill establishes procedures for the registration, care, and adoption of foundlings and imposes penalties for falsification of registration and obstruction of search and inquiry processes.
  2. RA 11642: Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act (2021)  (Co-sponsor and Introduced Amendments)
    • This measure simplifies the domestic adoption system by making it administrative in nature, and streamlining the processes and requirements
    • The law will establish the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), an agency under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that will exclusively handle all adoption, foster care, and other alternative child care cases, and will have its own personnel.
  3. RA 11861: Solo Parents(2022)(Co-author and Introduced Amendments) 
    • This measure expands the definition of solo parents. It increases the benefits and provides additional support to solo parents
    • The measure also tasked the DSWD to develop a comprehensive package of social protection services for solo parents and their families. This holistic package shall include livelihood program, legal services, counseling, parental training, and stress debriefing among others.
  4. RA 11648: Raising the Age of Statutory Rape(2022)(Co-author and Co-sponsor)
    • This measure amends RA 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law and raises the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16. 
    • provides additional protection to minors aged 16 and under against qualified seduction, child prostitution and other sexual abuse, child trafficking, and forceful hiring of minors for obscene publications and indecent shows
    • The law exempts from criminal liability partners who are both 16 years old and below, with an age difference of not more than 3 years provided that their sexual act should be proven to be “consensual, non-abusive, and non-exploitative,” stated the law. However, this exemption would not apply if the victim is under 13 years old. 
  5. RA 11862: Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2021 (Principal author and co-sponsor)
    • This measure amends Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to include attempted trafficking under the penalized acts.
    • It likewise included the act of adoption as a possible means of trafficking and the corresponding need to provide means for temporary protection. 
    • It also removed the confidentiality provision favoring persons accused of human trafficking while maintaining the protection intended for trafficking victims, and provides the State extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking in persons offenses.
    • The law decriminalizes prostitution of trafficked persons.
  6. – SPECIAL PROTECTIONS AGAINST ONLINE SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN (OSAEC) LAW

Education

  1. Senate Committee Report No. 643: The Futures of Education(Author and Sponsor)
    • The Report examines the country’s current situation, problems, aspirations, and gathers the recommendations of experts and stakeholders during the Committee’s hearings and further study, in order to secure the best possible future for education. Interestingly, the pandemic gave us the opportunity to invite foreign experts who attended our hearings online.
    • The following recommendations were provided:
      • Institutionalizing and providing an enabling environment for Futures Thinking in education and relevant agencies is very important;
      • Focusing on the whole child and supporting their holistic well-being;
      • Prioritizing the knowledge, skills, and mindsets in order to develop 21st Century competencies;
      • Ensuring that our local workforce is prepared to join the global workforce through training in English proficiency and digital literacy;
      • Improving the teaching profession;
      • Taking advantage of and investing in technology and innovation to enhance education; and
      • Crafting and implementing the relevant legislation and policies, and providing the necessary budgetary support.
  2. RA 11650: Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act (2022)(Author, Co-sponsor and Introduced Amendments)
    • The measure requires that all public schools nationwide  to identify learners with special needs and provide these learners with free basic and quality education. It also mandates that all cities and municipalities have at least one Inclusive Learning Resource Center
  3. RA 11510: Alternative Learning System Act (2020) (Co-author)
    • The measure expands and strengthens the ALS program to provide increased opportunities for out-of-school children in special cases and adult learners, including indigenous peoples, to develop basic and functional literacy and life skills, and pursue an equivalent pathway to complete basic education.”
    • It also promotes lifelong learning opportunities anchored on the ALS K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum that takes a holistic, integrated, and intersectoral approach, and provide pathways across modes of learning that will ensure learners will become caring, self-reliant, independent, productive, and patriotic citizens by allowing such learners to pursue further education, after participating in the ALS program and passing the accreditation and equivalency assessment or certifications or both required by the Department of Education or seek employment.
  4. RA 11509: Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (2020) (Co-sponsor)
    • The measure seeks to establish a Medical Scholarship and Return Service program for deserving students in state universities and colleges or in partner private higher education institutions in regions where no SUCs offer a medical course.

Environment 

  1. RA 11898: Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 (Author, Co-sponsor, and Introduced Amendments)
    • The measure places responsibility for the entire life cycle of plastic waste on its producers through the development and implementation of its EPR programs that focus on waste reduction, recovery, and diversion.
    • It requires large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes.
  2. RA 11697: Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (2022)(Co-author and Introduced Amendments)
    • The measure establishes the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), which is a national development plan for the electric vehicle (EV) industry with an annual work plan to accelerate the development, commercialization and utilization of EVs in the country. The CREVI is comprised of 4 components, as follows:
  • EVs and charging stations component;
  • Manufacturing component;
  • Research and development component; and
  • Human resource development component.

PREVIOUS CONGRESS

Health

  1. RA 9439: Anti Hospital Detention Law(2007) (Sponsor)
    • The law provides that patients who have fully or partially recovered and who already wish to leave the hospital or medical clinic but are incapable to settle, in part or in full, their hospitalization expenses shall be allowed to leave the hospital or medical clinic.
    • Upon the execution of a promissory note covering the unpaid obligation, a patient can demand the issuance of corresponding medical certificate and other pertinent papers required for his/her release.
  2. RA 9482: National Anti-Rabies Act(2007) (Sponsor and Author)
    • The law provides for the prevention, control, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies.
    • It establishes a National Rabies Prevention and Control Program that shall be implemented by a multi-agency/multi-sectoral committee chaired by the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture.
  3. RA 9502: Universally Accessible Cheaper & Quality Medicines Act (2008) (Author and Co-Sponsor, BiCam Conferee)
    • The law amends certain provisions of the Intellectual Property Code and provides other mechanisms to ensure access to affordable but quality drugs.
  4. RA 9711: Food & Drugs Administration Act (2009)(Sponsor and Author) 
    • The law seeks to strengthen the regulatory capacity of the current Bureau of Food and Drugs and the Bureau of Health and Devices and Technology to ensure the safety and efficacy of health products including food, drugs, cosmetics, devices, biologicals, vaccines, in-vitro diagnostic reagents and household/urban hazardous circumstances.
  5. RA 10028: Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act (2010) (Sponsor & Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • The law provides for the establishment of Lactation Stations in all health and non-health facilities.
    • All health and non-health facilities, establishments or institutions shall take strict measures to prevent any direct or indirect form of promotion, marketing, and/or sales of infant formula and/or breastmilk substitutes within the lactation stations.
    • Lactation Periods shall be granted to all nursing employees in addition to the regular time-off for meals to breastfeed or express milk.
    • Integration of Breastfeeding Education in the Curricula. 
    • A comprehensive national public education and awareness program shall be undertaken.
  6. RA 10069: National Health Workers’ Day Act (2010) (Sponsor & Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • Designates May 7 of every year as a special working holiday to be known as “Health Workers’ Day” to give due recognition to the important role and contributions of health workers, in order to promote their rights and welfare and enhance their sense of work and dignity.
  7. RA 10152: Mandatory Infants & Children Health Immunization Act(2011) (Sponsor & Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • The mandatory basic immunization for all infants shall cover vaccines for preventable diseases.
    • The mandatory basic immunization shall be given for free at any government hospital or health center to infants and children up to 5 years of age.
  8. RA 10345: Increasing Bed Capacity of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (2012)(Sponsor)
    • An Act increasing the bed capacity of the Quirino Memorial Medical Center from 350 to 500
  9. RA 10351: Sin Tax Reform Act – Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products (2012)(BiCam Conferee)
    • The Sin Tax Reform law increased the excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products with the aim of generating funds for social services and curbing excessive smoking and drinking habits among Filipinos.
    • The law mandates that 15% of revenues from excise taxes on tobacco products be used for programs promoting alternatives for tobacco farmers and workers in tobacco-producing provinces.
    • The law also requires that 80% of the remaining revenues be allocated for the universal health care program under the National Health Insurance Program, and 20% for medical assistance and health enhancement facilities programs.
  10. RA 10354: Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (2012) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee) 
    • Codifies the reproductive health rights of the people and provides access to different family planning commodities and services, as well as information through age- and development- appropriate education.
    • The law aspires to address maternal and neonatal mortality by providing access to skilled health professionals before, during, and after delivery.
    • Mandates the establishment and upgrading of facilities and training of skilled health professionals.
  11. RA 10355: Increasing Bed Capacity of Jose B. Lingad Memorial General (2013)(Sponsor)
    • An act increasing the bed capacity of Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga from 250 to 500 beds
  12. RA 10526: Liver Cancer & Viral Hepatitis Awareness & Prevention Month Act (2013) (Sponsor and Author)
    • Designates the month of January of every year as the “Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month”, wherein a comprehensive public education and awareness program shall be undertaken on the communicable disease of viral hepatitis.
  13. RA 10532: Philippine National Health Research System Act (2013)(Sponsor and Author)
    • The law institutionalizes the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) which aims to improve the health status, productivity and the quality of life of Filipinos.
    • Through the PNHRS, health research is linked to the health system needs which ensures that investments in health research yield the most benefits.
  14. RA 10606: National Health Insurance Act (2013)(Sponsor and Author)
    • The law mandates health care coverage for the indigent and abandoned children, with the national government subsidizing their premium contributions.  
    • The law amended Republic Act 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, Section 6 to say that the program “shall be compulsory in all provinces, cities, and municipalities nationwide, notwithstanding the existence of LGU-based health insurance programs” adding that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the DOH, LGUs and other agencies and NGOs “shall ensure that members in such localities shall have access to quality and cost-effective health care services.” 
    • PSC Provision: The needed premium contributions of all barangay health workers, nutrition scholars and other barangay workers and volunteers shall be fully borne by the LGUs concerned.
  15. RA 10643: Graphic Health Warning Law (2014) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • The Graphic Health Warning Act requires tobacco companies to print graphic health warning templates on all cigarette packages, which depict the dangers of tobacco smoking or passive smoking, along with text-based information. The law also effectively bans the manufacture and importation of tobacco products without the graphic warnings
  1. RA 10747: Rare Disease Act (2016) (Sponsor and Author)
    • The Rare Diseases Act mandates PhilHealth to include the cost of treatment of rare diseases in the benefit package, and to direct provisions from the sin taxes collection to cover the cost of care for patients with rare diseases.
    • Under the law, patients with rare diseases will also be considered as persons with disabilities and will be granted benefits and privileges such as priority programs and discounts as mandated by the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
  2. RA 11036: Mental Health Law(2018)(Co-Author)
    • The law provides a more holistic approach to Mental Healthcare, wherein the rights and welfare of persons with mental health needs and also mental health professionals are secured and protected.
    • Psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurological services are integrated in regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals. Mental health services will also be accessible down to the barangay level.
    • Promotion of mental health education in schools and workplaces, especially on ending social stigma for persons with mental health needs are also provided in this Act. 
  3. RA 11166: Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (2018) (Co-Author and BiCam Conferee)
    • The Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) shall be reconstituted and streamlined to ensure the implementation of the country’s response to the HIV and AIDS situation. PNAC is tasked to identify gaps in the national response on the part of government agencies and develop and implement the intervention required in these situations.
    • A person aged 15 or over shall be entitled to access HIV testing and counseling without the need of consent from a parent or guardian. Consent to voluntary HIV testing shall be obtained from the child without consent from parent for those below 15 who is pregnant or engaged in high-risk behavior.
    • DOH shall provide free and accessible antiretroviral therapy and medications to people with HIV who are enrolled in their program.
    • Designate public and private hospitals to become treatment hubs.
    • DOH and DSWD shall establish a program for indigent persons with HIV.
    • Prohibitions and penalties will also be imposed for forms of discrimination for people with HIV/AIDS.

Women & Children

  1. ​​RA 9710: Magna Carta of Women (2009)(Author and BiCam Conferee)
    • The Magna Carta of Women is comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sector. 
    • It mandates all government offices, including GOCCs and LGUs to adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy for implementing the law and attaining its objectives.
    • It also provides for (a) planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation for gender and development, (b) the creation and/or strengthening of gender and development focal points, and (c) the generation and maintenance of gender statistics and sex-disaggregated databases to aid in planning, programming and policy formulation. 
  2. RA 9858: Child Legitimation Born to Parents Below Marrying Age (2009) (Author and Sponsor, BiCam Conferee)
    • An amendment to the Article No. 1777 of the Family Code, which aims to do justice to a number of children born out of wedlock by whose parents have subsequently married each other.
    • Children born out of wedlock and those who were born to parents of minor age, may be legitimated, and that the valid subsequent marriage cures all impediments at the time of the child’s birth. 
  3. RA 10165: Foster Care Act(2012)(Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • Promotes and institutionalizes foster care as a preferred way of caring for children so that they can be given the proper care and attention that only families can provide
    • The law mandates that a foster child shall automatically become a PhilHealth beneficiary of his foster parent and is also considered a dependent under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 granting foster parents an additional tax exemption.
    • Foster families are likewise given subsidies to ensure that the needs of the child will be met and to lighten the additional burden on the foster parents who are willing to provide foster children the love and care of a family.
    • Mandates the DSWD, LGUs and agencies to assist foster families by providing support care services such as counselling, visits, training on child care and development, skills training and livelihood assistance.
  4. RA 10398: National Consciousness Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women & Children(2013)(Author and Sponsor)
    • Designates November 25 of every year as the “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children” so as to facilitate the establishment of a comprehensive and structured campaign for national consciousness on anti-violence against women.
  5. RA 10572: Amending Articles 73 and 111 of the Family Code(2013)(PSC moved for the Senate to concur with house version)
    • Amends Articles 73 and 111 of the Family Code to eliminate the undue prejudice against women, and to accord the same weight to the decision of either spouse in important matters concerning their marriage and family.
  6. RA 10655: Repealing the Crime of Premature Marriage(2015)(Sponsor)
    • Repeals Article 351 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes women who contract premature marriages. The crime of premature marriages punishes “any widow who shall marry within three hundred and one days from the date of the death of her husband, or before having delivered if she shall have been pregnant at the time of his death.” Likewise, a woman whose marriage shall have been annulled or dissolved, shall be penalized, if she shall marry before her delivery or before the expiration of three hundred and one days after the legal separation.
  7. RA 10661: National Children’s Month(2015) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • Designates November as the National Children’s Month. It provides that all learning levels of educational institutions, both public and private, shall conduct simple ceremonies and appropriate activities throughout the month with emphasis on inculcating in the minds of the students a “children’s rights culture” that aims for a sustainable youth development in the country. All private enterprises are likewise encouraged to do the same.
  8. RA 10821: Children’s Emergency Relief & Protection Act(2016)(Sponsor and Author)
    • Protects the fundamental rights of children before, during, and after disasters and emergency situations
    • Requires the DSWD, along with relevant government agencies and CSOs, to develop a Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children, taking into consideration humanitarian standards for their protection
    • The law provides for limited use of schools as evacuation centers; the development of Family Tracing Reunification System for orphaned, unaccompanied, or separated children; and a system of restoring civil registry documents following disasters or emergencies.
  9. RA 10906: Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act(2016)(Sponsor and Author)
    • This measure repeals Republic Act No. 6955 or the “Anti-Mail Order Bride Law” in order to provide stronger measures in penalizing unlawful practices, businesses, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership.
    • The law also prohibits the exhibition, advertising, publication, printing, or distribution of materials that are calculated to promote such prohibited acts.
  10. RA 11210: 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Act(2019) (Author and Co-Sponsor) 
    • The measure provides the updated policy on maternity leave that cover females who are workers in the private and public sectors, workers in the informal economy, voluntary contributors to the Social Security System (SSS), and national athletes.
    • It grants a woman the option to allocate up to seven days of paid maternity leave to her child’s father or an alternate care giver.
    • The EML increased the paid maternity leave period to 105 days in case of livebirth, with an option to extend it for 30 more days, but without pay. The law also grants additional 15 days of paid maternity leave for those who qualify as solo parents under RA 8972. These shall apply regardless of the mode of delivery

Education

  1. RA 9500: University of the Philippines Charter (2008) (Co-Author)
    • This law recognizes the University of the Philippines as a national university. This gives UP the legal framework, flexibility and authority it needs to excel as the Philippines National University.
    • It institutionalizes a more comprehensive consultation with the UP community on important issues concerning the University.
    • Exemption from Salary Standardization Law
    • Additional tax exemptions and incentives.
  2. RA 10410: Early Years Act (2013) (Sponsor and Author)
    • This measure refocuses day care centers all over the country from a playroom to a learning center by rationalizing and restructuring the day care into an early childhood education center.
    • The state shall institutionalize a National System for Early Childhood Care and Development that involves multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration at the national and local levels among government.
  3. RA 10647: Ladderized Education Act (2014)(Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • Ladderized Education addresses the present compartmentalization of tech-voc and college degree programs that hinders the recognition and accreditation of tech-voc competencies in college degree programs, and vice-versa. Under this system, the tech-voc and college degree components are harmonized, thus allowing an individual to progress between and among tech-voc courses, college degree programs, and progressively gainful employment.
  4. RA 10648: Iskolar ng Bayan Act(2014)(Sponsor, BiCam Conferee)
    • The Iskolar ng Bayan Act provides top ten (10) public high school students of their graduating class automatic admission to state universities and colleges (SUCs) of their choice within their province or nearby provinces, depending on the size of the SUCs and their course offerings. In addition, these students will also be given scholarship grants.
  5. RA 10650: Open Distance Learning Act (2014) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • Distance education pertains to a mode of delivering education and instruction, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional setting such as a classroom. Teacher and learner are separated in time and space, and instruction is delivered through specially designed materials and methods using appropriate technologies and supported by organizational and administrative structures and arrangements.
  6. RA 10665: Open High School System Act(2015) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • The Open High School System will utilize multi-media learning and teaching technologies that will enable open high school learners to study without being constrained by the conventional classroom setup, or sacrificing the quality of their education. By using self-instructional materials to facilitate independent study, and giving support to them through face-to-face instruction, the constraints to attending a regular secondary school will hopefully be overcome and the open high school learners will be mainstreamed again with other students or even finish their secondary education within the program.
  7. RA 10687: Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST) (2015) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • UniFAST increases the participation rate in tertiary education across all socio-economic classes, especially the poor, by allocating and efficiently utilizing government resources under a unified and harmonized student financial assistance program (StuFAP). This Act harmonizes, reforms, and strengthens all the existing modalities of financial assistance programs for tertiary education in both public and private institutions, whether nationally or locally funded.
    • This Act creates a UniFAST Board, which has the mandate of crafting, approving, and reviewing policies and strategies for providing student financial assistance for tertiary education. The Board shall coordinate with all the implementing agencies of StuFAPs, and shall lay down guidelines to ensure efficient generation and delivery of funding.
  8. RA 10679: Youth Entrepreneurship Act (2015)(Co-Sponsor and Author)
    • The promotion of youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy program shall be inculcated in all levels of education nationwide.
    • An Entrepreneurship Education Committee is created to ensure that programs on entrepreneurship and financial literacy shall be included in the curriculum in all levels.
  9. RA 10743: National Teacher’s Day(2016) (Sponsor and Author)
    • Designates the 5th day of October of every year as the “National Teacher’s Day” in order to encourage government agencies and the private sector to afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity in celebration of the National Teacher’s  Day.

Environment

  1. RA 9367: Biofuels Act(2007)(Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • This measure aims to reduce dependence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment, and natural ecosystems.
    • The Department of Energy, according to duly accepted international standards, shall gradually phase out the use of harmful gasoline additives such as, but not limited to, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE).
    • It is also mandated that all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the Philippine shall contain locally-sourced biofuels components.
  2. RA 9483: Oil Pollution Compensation Act(2007) (Sponsor and Author) 
    • This law institutes a mechanism for the prevention, mitigation and control of oil pollution. It also creates a Fund, which will be used to cover containment and cleanup operations by the Philippine Coast Guard in the case of an oil spill. It will also require any person who has received more than 150,000 tons of contributing oil in a calendar through carriage by sea to report and pay contributions to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC), in accordance with the provisions of the 1992 IOPC Fund Convention.
  3. RA 9512: Environmental Awareness & Education Act (2008) (Sponsor and Author, BiCam Conferee)
    • The law requires DepEd, CHED, TESDA, among others, to integrate environmental education in the school curricula at all levels, whether public or private.
  4. RA 9513: Renewable Energy Act (2008) (Co-Sponsor and Author)
    • The law promotes the development, utilization, and commercialization of renewable energy sources in the Philippines. It accelerates the exploration and development of renewable energy resources such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and ocean energy sources, including hybrid systems.
  5. RA 9494: Mimbilisan Protected Landscape Act (2007)(Sponsor and Author)
    •  In order to secure the present and future generations of Filipinos the perpetual existence of all native plants animals within the Mimbilisan watershed in Balingoan and Talisay, Misamis Oriental, through its establishments as a component of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) under the category of protected landscape.
  6. RA 9486: Central Cebu Protected Landscape (2007) (Sponsor and Author)
    • The law is enacted in order to secure the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable development of the Central Cebu protected landscape, especially with its important role as a watershed for water generation and supply purposes.
  7. RA 9847: Mt. Banahaw San Cristobal Protected Landscape (2007)(Sponsor and Author)
    • The law mandates the protection and conservation of the Banahaw and San Cristobal mountains, a major watershed in Laguna and Quezon, and their associated forest, biodiversity, cultural and religious importance.
  8. RA 10067: Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (2009)(Sponsor and Author)
    • The law ensures the protection and conservation of the globally significant, economic, biological, sociocultural, educational, and scientific values of Tubbataha reefs, with the end in view of fostering widespread public awareness.

Sports

  1. RA 10676: Student-Athlete Protection Act (2015)(Author and Sponsor)
    • Under the Student-Athletes Protection Act, “no residency requirement shall be imposed on a high school student-athlete transferring to another high school or to a college or university. In the case of a tertiary student-athlete transferring from one college or university to another, a maximum period of one year residency may be imposed by athletic associations.” 
    • Schools are also allowed to give incentives to deserving student-athletes including tuition, board and lodging, uniform, equipment and a reasonable living allowance 
  2. RA 10699: National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (2015)(Author and Bicam Conferee)
    • This law mandates higher financial incentives for national athletes, including athletes with disabilities. It also provides benefits and incentives for coaches.
    • The incentives and benefits include:
      • Scholarship
      • Retirement benefits
      • Death benefits
      • Cash incentives

Other Important Laws

  1. ​​RA 9415: Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation – Land Parcel (2007)(Author and Sponsor)
    • Amendment to RA 2239 to enable the Foundation to allow construction of a condominium building on its land in accordance with the provisions of the Condominium Law.
    • This measure also provides that the property or any space in the building to be constructed may be leased or sold and that the proceeds for such lease or sale shall be utilized for purposes which the Foundation has been established.
  2. RA 9946: Judiciary Retirement Benefits (2010)(Author and Co-Sponsor)
    • Amendment to RA 910 which provides benefits for all judges from the Supreme Court down to Municipal Trial Court including the Sha’ria Courts.
    • The benefits include:
      • Survivorship Benefit
      • Lower the length of service to avail of retirement benefits from 20 to 15 years
      • Include certain allowances being received by the judiciary
      • Scholarship to 1 legitimate child of a retiring member of the Judiciary
      • Increase benefit for those who happen to be killed while performing his/her duty 
  3. RA 9994: Expanded Senior Citizens Act (2010)(Author and Sponsor)
    • The law exempts senior citizens from the 12% Value Added Tax thereby allowing them to fully enjoy the 20% senior citizens discount. 
    • In addition, indigent senior citizens will be given a monthly stipend of P500 which will be subject to the periodic review of Congress in coordination with DSWD.
    • In case of death of an indigent senior citizen, an amount of P2,000 will also be awarded to his or her nearest kin as death benefit assistance.
    • Senior citizens may also enjoy a five percent discount on their water and electric bills on the condition that the utilities are named under the senior citizen residing in the household, and that the consumption for electricity and water should be below 100 kilowatt-hours and 30 cubic meters per month, respectively.
  4. RA 9995: Anti-Photo & Video Voyeurism Act (2009) (BiCam Conferee)
  • This law penalizes the act of taking photo or video coverage of a person or group of persons performing sexual act or any similar activity or of capturing an image of the private area of a person/s without the latter’s consent as this destroys the honor, dignity, and integrity of an individual.
  1. RA 10070: Establishment of Persons w/ Disability Affairs Office(2016) (Author and Sponsor)
    • This law ensures the implementation and accessibility of programs and services for persons with disabilities through the creation of a Persons with Disability Affairs Office in every province, city, and municipality in the country.
  2. RA 10364: Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (2003)(Author and Sponsor)
    • Introduced amendments to Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to include attempted trafficking under the penalized acts.
    • It likewise included the act of Adoption as a possible means of trafficking and the corresponding need to provide means for temporary protection. 
    • It also removed the confidentiality provision favoring persons accused of human trafficking while maintaining the protection intended for trafficking victims, and provides the State extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking in persons offenses.
    • The law decriminalizes prostitution of trafficked persons.
  3. RA 10911: Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act (2016)(Author and Sponsor)
    • Provides equal opportunities in terms of employment, wherein abilities, knowledge, skills and qualifications should be the basis of employment rather than age. 
    • Prohibits, among others, the print or publish, in any form of media, any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications, and discrimination based on age.