14 February 2014 – Halfway into the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, there is still much uncertainty on whether the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill will be able to get through the legislative mill.
CongressWatch Report
5 December 2013 – In the 2013-2014 Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines ranked 59th overall out of 148 covered economies—a significant improvement from rank 85 out of 139 in 2010-2011. However, a closer look at the figures reveals that our competitiveness numbers might have been better had they not been dragged down by certain indicators, particularly those related to customs and trade facilitation.
25 September 2013 – The PBG-JFC1, a coalition of Philippine business groups that includes the Joint Foreign Chambers, held a series of consultations to put together a list of key issues and propose recommendations for consideration by President Benigno Aquino III entering the second half of his administration. A letter outlining eight priority measures common to all participating organizations was submitted to the President last 19 June 2013.
31 July 2013 – Prior to President Benigno Aquino III’s fourth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), both the House of Representatives and the Senate elected their respective leaders. Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City, 4th district) was given a fresh mandate as speaker of the 292-member House of Representatives, while Senator Franklin Drilon took over as president of the Senate.
17 June 2013 – The 16th Congress will open on 22 July, the same day that President Benigno Aquino III delivers his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA). The Senate will likely have a complete roster for the first time since the 12th Congress.