Senators started filing their priority bills for the 18th Congress starting July 1st.
This is ahead of the opening of the Congress session on July 22.
Senate President Tito Sotto was the first one to file his priority bills–the Medical Scholarship Bill, Anti-Drug Penal Institution Bill, Drug Enforcement Authority Bill, Dangerous Drugs Court Bill, SIM Card Registration Bill, Anti-Fake News Terrorism Prevention Bill, Hybrid Election Bill, 14th Month Pay Bill, and a bill increasing the penalty for perjury.
The 14th Month Pay Bill states that all non-government rank-and-file employees shall be entitled to 14th month pay.
Sotto also filed a bill lowering the criminal age of responsibility or liability to 12 years old.
Sotto also filed a bill seeking stiffer penalties on the proliferation of fake news.
Meanwhile, detained Senator Leila De Lima will continue filing bills for Human Rights defenders.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan will re-file his Coco Levy Fund Bill.
Senator Sonny Angara is set to file a bill increasing the salary of teachers.
