Manila: The Senate will hold a caucus to discuss how to fast-track the approval of a measure amending the Biofuels Act of 2006 following the certification of urgency issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Sotto mentioned that the caucus was initiated by Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, to determine the best course of action for the chamber to pass the measure soon. "The caucus after the roll call was initiated by Senator Pia Cayetano. She wants to discuss it with the members, kung ano ang puwede naming magawa para maipasa namin ito (at) the soonest possible time (what we can do so that we can pass it at the soonest possible time). So, we'll discuss it this afternoon," he said in an interview.
Sotto confirmed that the Senate had received President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s letter dated March 16, certifying as urgent Senate Bill No. 1965, which seeks to amend Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9367, or the Biofuels Act of 2006. Marcos stated that the proposed amendment aims "to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions and volatility in global oil markets, as well as to strengthen the country's resilience against future disruptions to energy supply."
When asked whether the Senate could adopt the House version of the bill to avoid a bicameral conference committee, Sotto explained that the decision would depend on Cayetano's assessment. "It depends kay Senator Cayetano kung ano ang nakita niya, kung pareho lang 'yan or kung may konting diperensya (It depends on Senator Cayetano and what she sees - whether the two versions are the same or if there are some minor differences)," he said.
Under Senate rules, a presidential certification of urgency allows lawmakers to dispense with the constitutional requirement that a bill be printed and distributed to members three days before its final passage. It also permits the chamber to approve the measure on second and third reading on the same day.
