Leaders of the House of Representatives and members of the Transition Commission  involved in the peace process began discussions last Wednesday (Jan. 29, 2014) on the proposed basic law creating a new autonomous political entity in Mindanao as provided under the Framework Agreement signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Representative Luis Ferrer IV of the National Unity Party (NUP) wants local government units  (LGUs) that host resettlement projects in another city or municipality to provide the funding for the delivery of basic services and implementation of livelihood programs in the area.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and  Dasmarinas City Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. have questioned the plan of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to hike electricity rates even as they denounced the power distribution firm’s lack of foresight and transparency in seeking the “unjustified” increase. 

Two partylist lawmakers have proposed the establishment of a funding program for local government units (LGUs) to be used exclusively for hazard mitigation strategies and initiatives aimed at saving lives and reducing risks and damages from calamities. 

Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of the National Unity Party (NUP) has warned that evidence of misuse of the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) could be used as grounds to impeach magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC).