Dy confident Congress can work on priority bills despite impeach trial

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III. Photo from Bojie Dy Facebook page. MANILA, Philippines — The 20th Congress can work towards the passage of the administration’s priority bills even if both houses have to tackle the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, House of Representatives Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said. Dy in a video statement on Friday was asked how the House and the Senate push for the legislative agenda — or the remaining bills marked by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) as priority legislation — when the Senate is in the middle of Duterte’s trial. In response, Dy said they are confident that the Senate can tackle both their constitutional duty to try Duterte, and their role as lawmakers. Article continues after this advertisement “We are confident that the Senate has the ability to fulfill both their constitutional duty as an impeachment court and their mandate as lawmakers at the same time,” Dy said in Filipino. “Congress is ready to work with the Senate under the leadership of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, to strengthen and improve the remaining bills through bicameral conference committees at technical working groups so that we can create laws that are timely and respond to the people’s needs,” he added. According to Dy, he expects the two Houses of Congress to be united in pushing for the administration’s legislative agenda. “We expect the two chambers of Congress to be united so that we can sustain the momentum of our legislative agenda. At the end of all of these, this is not about the House or the Senate. What’s important is that we come up with laws that will make the lives of our fellow Filipinos comfortable, and improve the country,” he noted. Earlier, Dy said that they are looking at passing more Ledac-priority bills before the end of 2026, noting that several measures are already on an advanced stage — like the proposed Cybersecurity Act which is awaiting second reading approval, and eight measures that are awaiting action from either the House committee on appropriations or the committee on ways and means. Article continues after this advertisement Dy said their request is for the Senate to help them push for the approval and eventual enactment of these bills. Previously, the House reported that it has approved 26 of the 52 Ledac priority measures, including the proposal to reset the first elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the bill institutionalizing the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, and the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act. Article continues after this advertisement However, the Senate is currently tackling the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which was forwarded by the House last May 13. Of four articles mentioned, the Senate only has finished hearing the prosecution’s side on Article IV or the allegation that the Vice President issued grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his relatives. READ: Prosecution team rests case on Sara Duterte ‘threats’ Dy’s call of cooperation between the House and the Senate for the passage of remaining Ledac bills came days before the scheduled commencement of the 20th Congress’ second regular session. After the morning session on Monday, July 27, Congress will convene a joint session to hear Marcos’ speech for his fifth State of the Nation Address. READ: Inflation, jobs, corruption, WPS: Questions hanging over Sona 2026 While several bills are said to be nearing approval, there are concerns that progress has been slower than expected as only one of the Ledac bills has been enacted into law. In a July 19 analysis, Inquirer data scientist and University of the Philippines associate professor Dr. Alicor Panao said that only one of the 52 Ledac bills has been enacted — Republic Act No. 12317, or the BARMM election reset. Panao said that the lone law among the Ledac priority bills was even contested, as many view the postponement of BARMM elections will cause “delays could slow the region’s transition toward a fully elected parliamentary government.” READ: SONA 2026: Marcos enters final two years with key bills pending Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Thirty-one bills remain pending at the committee stage in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, Panao said, noting that several long-standing reform proposals “have yet to secure final congressional approval.” /jpv