Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is once again pushing for the reinstatement of the death penalty for large-scale drug traffickers as the 20th Congress approaches its opening session.
The former police chief, who led the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, refiled the controversial measure on Wednesday, placing it at the top of his list of 10 legislative priorities. Dela Rosa has been advocating for the return of capital punishment since 2019.
Other bills in his legislative agenda include the revival of mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), amendments to the Party-list System Act, and measures focused on anti-communist efforts and drug abuse prevention.
Fellow lawmakers also laid out their priorities ahead of the July 28 session. Senator JV Ejercito proposed a P74.4-billion supplemental fund for PhilHealth, highlighting its critical role in fulfilling the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. “Health care is a basic right, and we must protect that right, especially now,” said Ejercito, the UHC’s principal sponsor.
Ejercito also filed bills aimed at easing the public’s financial burdens, including a measure to suspend excise taxes on fuel and a proposed P250 daily minimum wage hike.
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos is advocating for nationwide wage reforms, improved crisis assistance programs, and updates to the national budget system. Her legislative priorities include the National Minimum Wage Act and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act.
The filing of priority bills began on June 30 as the country’s lawmakers prepared for the official start of the 20th Congress later this month.
