Sotto lists 5 priority bills
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has listed five priority measures that he will push during the second regular session of the 18th Congress.
In a statement, Sotto said that he will push to fast-track the approval of his pet bills, specifically the Medical Scholarship Act, Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority Act, Hybrid Election Act, Anti-False Content Act and the 14th Month Pay law.
“I will move for the speedy but comprehensive committee and plenary discussions on these five priority measures which I believe can make a huge impact on the lives of the Filipino people,” the Senate chief said.
First on the list was the proposed Medical Scholarship Act which is currently on second reading.
The variety in the objectives of these measures would hopefully bring about needed reforms in governance, which at this time are essential to tip the scale in favor of public welfare over political, corporate or personal interests,” Sotto added.
First on the list was the proposed Medical Scholarship Act which is currently on second reading.
The measure seeks to grant scholarships to aspiring doctors to address the twin issues of scarcity of physicians in the country and improper designation of doctors in various areas nationwide.
Sotto emphasized that laws like this will encourage financially-challenged students to pursue medicine which will eventually respond to the country’s scarcity of medical professionals.
Scholars granted by the benefits of this proposed act will be required to work in the country for five years after graduation. Of the said period, two years shall be rendered in a government hospital or office where the scholar resides.
He reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic has also shown the need for this measure citing the lack of health professionals to respond to the surge of infected patients.
Sotto also renewed the call to deliberate on Senate Bill 3 or the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority Bill which seeks to integrate enforcement, prosecution, prevention and rehabilitation into a single agency.
The Senate chief will also push for the proposed Hybrid Election Act, which was already tackled by the Committee on Electoral Reforms on Wednesday, to push for an electoral system that will use manual counting in voting precincts and electronic transmission and canvassing.