Senate Wrap-up (November 28 - December 1, 2023)

Senate Wrap-up (November 28 - December 1, 2023)
After conducting marathon sessions on the passage of the 2024 national budget, the Senate set its focus on passing bills certified as urgent before the year ends.
• Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations, led discussions on the International Labor Organization Convention No. 190 or the Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (ILO C190).
• The Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Sen. Win Gatchalian, scrutinized the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act.
• The Senate adopted the resolution of Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate on the death of Hiroyuki Hosoda, former speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan. • Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri thanked the members, officers, and employees of the Senate for the success of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF31).
• The Senate also adopted a resolution expressing its gratitude to various national and local government agencies for their contributions to the country’s successful hosting of APPF31.
• Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino emphasized the importance of maritime zones law in an archipelagic nation as he sponsored Senate Bill No. 2492 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
• The Committee on Basic Education, chaired by Sen. Win Gatchalian, conducted a public hearing on a measure declaring the month of November as "National Reading Month."
• The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino resumed its public hearing on Senate Bill No. 159 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act.
• Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa led the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs inquiry into the reported radicalization and recruitment of students in educational institutions to become members of local communist terrorist groups.
• The Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development, chaired by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, resumed its probe on the labor dispute case involving workers of the Liberty Transport Corp.
• Sen. Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2457, which seeks to redefine the application of mother tongue as medium of instruction from kindergarten to Grade 3.
• Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito sponsored 10 local bills declaring special non-working holidays in Bukidnon, Marinduque; Dapa, Surigao del Norte; Tangalan, Aklan; Virac, Catanduanes; Samal, Davao del Norte; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Guinayangan, Quezon; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; and Taysan, Batangas.
• The Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Alan Cayetano, conducted a public hearing on proposals to modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and to create the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission.