Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has hailed the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands to assume jurisdiction over some of the territorial claims filed by the Philippines against China involving the West Philippine Sea. 

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which is tasked to further develop the country’s electronic communications facilities, services and infrastructure. 

The Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives has agreed to increase the budget of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) next year by an additional P500 million to cover the electronic transmission costs of the May 9, 2016 elections. 

A training institute that will offer  continuing education programs on legislative processes and governance for lawmakers and their support staff has been established by the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. 

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that would allow wiretapping in cases involving the trafficking of illegal drugs.