15th Congress of the Philippines

• President:
• Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP), until June 5, 2013
• Jinggoy Estrada (PMP), acting, from June 5, 2013
• President pro tempore: Jinggoy Estrada (PMP)
• Majority Floor Leader: Tito Sotto (NPC)
• Minority Floor Leader: Alan Peter Cayetano (Nacionalista)

File:Jinggoy Estrada.jpg]]

::

• Speaker: Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City–4th, Liberal)
• Deputy Speakers:
• Erin Tañada (Quezon–4th, Liberal)
• Raul Daza (Northern Samar–1st, Liberal)
• Beng Climaco (Zamboanga City–1st, Liberal)
• Pablo P. Garcia (Cebu–2nd, NUP)
• Arnulfo Fuentebella (Camarines Sur–3rd, NPC)
• Jesus Crispin Remulla (Cavite–7th, Nacionalista)
• Majority Floor Leader: Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong, Liberal)
• Minority Floor Leader:
• Edcel Lagman (Albay–1st, Lakas), until January 20, 2012
• Danilo Suarez (Quezon–3rd, Lakas), from January 20, 2012

File:Representative Sonny Belmonte.jpg]]

::

• First Regular Session: July 26, 2010 – June 6, 2011
• Second Regular Session: July 25, 2011 – June 6, 2012
• Third Regular Session: July 23, 2012 – June 5, 2013

{{Politics of the Philippines}}

{{main|List of members of the 15th Congress of the Philippines}}

*for purposes of quorum and voting, the vacant seat is included.

File:15th Congress of the Philippines party standing.PNG

• Note: Doesn't include oversight committees created for specific laws.

The Senate President sits as the chair of the Commission on Appointments, who can only vote to break ties; the head of the contingent of the House of Representatives serves as the vice chairman and can vote not just only to break ties.

The chairs of the respective houses' committees of justice shall serve as ex officio members of the Judicial and Bar Council. The Chief Justice is the ex officio chairman, while the president appoints the members, with confirmation from the Commission on Appointments.

The Senate Electoral Tribunal is composed of six senators and three justices of the Supreme Court; the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal on the other hand is composed of six representatives and three justices of the Supreme Court.

{{main|List of Philippine Senate committees}}

The Senate President, Senate President pro tempore and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules.

{{main|List of Philippine House of Representatives committees}}

The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and the Floor Leaders are ex officio members of all committees; the majority floor leader is automatically the chair of the Committee on Rules.

• First Regular Session:{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisinfo/index.php?l=calendar®ses=first |title=Legislative Activities |work=Congress.gov.ph |access-date=April 25, 2011}}
• Commencement: July 26, 2010
• Adjournment: October 16, 2010
• Resumption: November 8, 2010
• Adjournment: December 18, 2010
• Resumption: January 17, 2011
• Adjournment: March 26, 2011
• Resumption: May 9, 2011
• Adjournment: June 9, 2011
• Second Regular Session
• Commencement: July 25, 2011
• Third Regular Session

{{see also|State of the Nation Address (Philippines)}}

Unlike at the beginning of the 14th Congress, the election of the presiding officers for both houses proceeded without incident as Quezon City representative Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of the Liberal Party was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives while Juan Ponce Enrile of PMP was re-elected Senate President. Alan Peter Cayetano of the Nacionalistas and Albay representative Edcel Lagman of Lakas-Kampi were named minority floor leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.{{cite news|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/268992/enrile-remain |title=Enrile remains Senate President; Belmonte voted House Speaker |first1=Hannah |last1=Torrezoga |first2=Ben R. |last2=Rosario |work=Manila Bulletin |date=July 26, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011}}

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III bared the anomalies during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo such as a budget deficit in the first half of the year, a depleted calamity fund that mostly went to Pampanga, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's home province, corruption at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Power Corporation, Metro Rail Transit Corporation and the National Food Authority. Aquino announced steps to weed out tax evaders, and asked the Commission on Appointments to be easy on his Cabinet.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597093&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913132231/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597093&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |title=Noynoy: No more tong-pats |first=Aurea |last=Calica |work=Philippine Star |date=July 27, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011 }}

{{main|2010 Philippine barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections}}

The minority bloc filed bills to postpone the upcoming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK; youth council) elections in October until 2011. Lakas-Kampi representative Danilo Suarez of Quezon remarked that since the barangay and SK elections were too close to the just-concluded general election, and that congressmen would run out of funds as candidates for barangay positions turn to them for financial support. The president wants the barangay elections to be held at October, but the winners' terms shall only be until May 2013 where the barangay elections will be held concurrently with the 2013 general election.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100816-287151/Minority-to-block-2010-barangay-polls |title=Minority to block 2010 barangay polls |first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819124028/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100816-287151/Minority-to-block-2010-barangay-polls |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=dead}} In the Senate, Migz Zubiri filed a bill that will postponed the elections until October 2012, with Enrile prioritizing it.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/198257/senate-to-prioritize-bill-postponing-barangay-sk-polls |title=Senate to prioritize bill postponing Barangay, SK polls |work=GMANews.tv |date=August 10, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011}}

On August 18, the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms agreed to consolidate bills that seek to postpone the barangay elections, with Commission on Elections chairman Jose Melo preferring a 2011 date since synchronizing it with the 2013 general election would be costly as it will be included in the automation project. The City Mayors League preferred postponement up to 2011, the Liga ng mga Barangay wants a 2012 election while the SK prefers any year as long as it is held in October.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100819-287605/House-wants-barangay-SK-elections-reset |title=House wants barangay, SK elections reset |first=TJ |last=Burgonio |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=August 19, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824043654/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100819-287605/House-wants-barangay-SK-elections-reset |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

In the next hearing of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, the bills deferring the elections were defeated, paving the way for the elections to be held on October 25. Committee chairman Elpidio Barzaga said that "Mr. Aquino wants elections to push through because he wants barangay officials who will serve during his term to have a fresh mandate from the people," with the ex officio members of the House of Representatives voting on Magtanggol Gunigundo's motion to "lay down all the bills on the table." This meant that any further hearings on the matter shall be suspended indefinitely.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/199402/house-panel-kills-bill-postponing-sk-barangay-polls |title=House panel ‘kills’ bill postponing SK, barangay polls |first=Amita |last=Legaspi |work=GMANews.tv |date=August 25, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011}}

{{main|Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez}}

While there had been attempts in the 14th Congress, to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, none of them passed the committee level.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524425 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131073241/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524425 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Impeachment raps vs Ombudsman junked |first=Delon |last=Porcalla |work=The Philippine Star |date=November 18, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2011 }}

In July 2010, Akbayan Citizens' Action Party filed an impeachment complain against Gutierrez.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/196728/ex-rep-hontiveros-leads-2nd-impeachment-vs-gutierrez |title=Ex-Rep. Hontiveros leads 2nd impeachment vs Gutierrez |first=Anita |last=Legaspi |work=GMANews.TV |date=July 22, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221215123/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/196728/ex-rep-hontiveros-leads-2nd-impeachment-vs-gutierrez |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=live}} A few days later in August, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) filed a separate complaint.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/197688/another-impeachment-complaint-filed-vs-ombudsman-gutierrez |title=Another impeachment complaint filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez |first=Anita |last=Legaspi |work=GMANews.TV |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011}} Both complaints were simultaneously referred to the House of Representative Committee on Justice headed by Iloilo representative Niel Tupas, Jr.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200425/house-panel-gives-full-okay-to-impeach-raps-vs-ombudsman |title=House panel gives full okay to impeach raps vs Ombudsman |first=Anita |last=Legaspi |work=GMANews.TV |date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011}}

On September 1, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in form.{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100901-289928/2-impeach-raps-vs-Ombudsman-sufficient-in-formHouse-panel |title=2 impeach raps vs Ombudsman sufficient in form—House panel |first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |work=INQUIRER.net |date=September 1, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907033857/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100901-289928/2-impeach-raps-vs-Ombudsman-sufficient-in-formHouse-panel |archive-date=September 7, 2010 }} A week later, the committee voted both complaints as sufficient in substance. On September 13, Gutierrez filed a motion to the Supreme Court saying that the two complaints violated the one proceeding per year rule.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200892/ombudsman-asks-sc-to-block-impeachment-proceedings |title=Ombudsman asks SC to block impeachment proceedings |first=Sophia |last=Dedace |work=GMANews.TV |date=September 13, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011}} The next day, the court voted to pass a status quo ante order that stopped the impeachment proceedings.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/200981/sc-blocks-impeachment-proceedings-vs-ombudsman |title=SC suspends impeachment proceedings vs Ombudsman |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2011}}

Five months after the order, the court lifted the status quo ante order, on February 15, 2011, thereby allowing the impeachment proceedings to resume, saying that while there are two complaints, there was only one hearing.{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110215-320401/Ombudsman-impeach-case-get-SC-green-light |title=Ombudsman impeach raps get SC green light |work=INQUIRER.net |first=Tetch |last=Torres |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218072957/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110215-320401/Ombudsman-impeach-case-get-SC-green-light |archive-date=February 18, 2011 }} The day before the committee would've met to continue the proceedings, Gutierrez filed a motion for reconsideration to reinstate the status quo ante order.{{cite news|url=http://www8.gmanews.tv/story/214141/ombudsman-appeals-sc-ruling-on-impeachment-case |title=Ombudsman appeals SC ruling on impeachment case |first=Sophia |last=Dedace |work=GMANews.TV |date=February 28, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303085249/http://www8.gmanews.tv/story/214141/ombudsman-appeals-sc-ruling-on-impeachment-case |archive-date=March 3, 2011 }} The committee met anyway, and found the two complaints sufficient in grounds.{{cite news|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/01/11/gma-allies-lose-showdown-merci-impeachment |title=Merci's allies lose in showdown on impeachment |first=RG |last=Cruz|work=ABS-CBNNews.com |date=March 1, 2011 |access-date=March 8, 2011}}

On the next hearing, Gutierrez, who had not been attending the impeachment proceeding as she had pending cases on the Supreme Court, sent a representative. The committee was about to vote on whether the two complaints had probable cause when they learned that the Supreme Court dismissed Gutierrez's petitions; after they were notified, the committee voted that both complaints had probable cause.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=664385&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906230532/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=664385&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |title=House finds cause to impeach Merci |first=Paolo |last=Romero |work=The Philippine Star |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=March 10, 2011 }}

After a marathon session that lasted into the next day, the House of Representatives on March 22 voted to impeach Gutierrez of betrayal of public trust, with 212 in favor, 46 against and 4 abstentions.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/215844/nation/house-impeaches-ombudsman-for-betrayal-of-public-trust |title=House impeaches Ombudsman for betrayal of public trust |work=GMANews.TV |first=Andreo |last=Calonzo |date=March 22, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2011}} Tupas headed the House of Representatives delegation that passed the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate on March 23.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/215977/nation/house-transmits-impeachment-articles-to-senate |title=House transmits impeachment articles to Senate |work=GMANews.TV |date=March 23, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2011 }}

Gutierrez, citing that "the President needs an Ombudsman in whom he has complete trust and confidence," resigned on April 29, 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=681008&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909114022/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=681008&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |title=Ombudsman Merci resigns, 10 days before Senate trial |first=Kimberly Jane |last=Tan |work=GMA News Online |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=May 1, 2011 }} With her resignation, the senate canceled the impeachment trial.{{cite news|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/30/11/senate-shelves-ombudsmans-impeachment-trial |title=Senate shelves Ombudsman's impeachment trial |work=ABS-CBNNews.com |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=May 1, 2011}}

The deliberations for the enactment of the national budget were opposed by several representatives from the Visayas and Mindanao as they contended that their allocation in the budget, 7.7% for the Visayas and 10% for Mindanao, were not enough. Appropriations Committee chair Joseph Emilio Abaya said while that there will be realignments done, there will be no major realignments. Another point of contention was the conditional cash transfer program, which, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, will help the country in halving poverty, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals. The inclusion of the conditional cash transfer program caused the budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development to increase 123% from PHP15.4 billion to PHP34.3 billion. The PHP1.645 trillion budget was passed by the House of Representatives on October 16 in a marathon session.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101016-297961/House-okays-P1645-trillion-budget-for-2011 |title=House okays P1.645-trillion budget for 2011 |first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=October 16, 2011 |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019163554/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20101016-297961/House-okays-P1645-trillion-budget-for-2011 |archive-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

The Senate approved their version of the budget, with the major changes from the House version include the increase in allocation for the Office of the Vice President, additional PHP590 million for the House of Representatives, additional PHP345 million for the Senate, the restoration of PHP143.107 million for public colleges, additional subsidy of PHP200 million for local government units and reducing PHP200 million from the Department of Health supposedly for the purchase of contraceptives. The PHP21 billion conditional cash transfer program was kept.{{cite news|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/292840/senate-ratifies-p1645trillion-budget-pork-vp-okd |title=Senate ratifies national budget |first=Hannah |last=Torrezoga |work=Manila Bulletin |date=December 14, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011}}

On December 27, 2010, for the first time in eleven years, President Aquino signed the national budget into law before the year ended. Aquino vetoed 13 items, including the provision that Congress should authorize borrowings in excess of the debt ceiling and legislative consultation during budget execution and project implementation.{{cite news |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2010/12/28/642922/p-noy-signs-law-p1645-trillion-budget-vetoes-13-items |title=P-Noy signs into law P1.645-trillion budget, vetoes 13 items |first=Delon |last=Porcalla |work=Philippine Star |date=December 28, 2010 |access-date=April 25, 2011 }}

{{main|2011 Armed Forces of the Philippines corruption scandal}}

The House Committee on Justice conducted hearings on the plea bargaining agreement of the Office of the Ombudsman and retired General Carlos Garcia who has a plunder suit in the Sandiganbayan (special court for government officials). The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the other hand, focused on the {{lang|fil|pabaon}} or send-off money given to generals.

On January 26, retired Col. George Rabusa exposed the alleged {{lang|fil|pabaon}} or send-off system in the military, which gives at least PHP50 million (USD4.64 million) to retiring chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP){{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110127-316946/Reyes-got-P50M-as-send-off-money-says-AFP-exec |title=Reyes got P50M as ‘send-off’ money, says AFP exec |first=Maila |last=Ager |work=INQUIRER.net |date=January 27, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130062047/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110127-316946/Reyes-got-P50M-as-send-off-money-says-AFP-exec |archive-date=January 30, 2011 |url-status=dead}} On January 30, Rabusa further said that former AFP chiefs of staff Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu were also given send-off money, and former military comptrollers Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot were instrumental to the transfer of funds; Garcia and Ligot had earlier been charged already due to the anomalies.{{cite news|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110201-261479.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206171644/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110201-261479.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2011 |title=Whistle-blower says former Chief of Staff got $4.64 million send-off money |work=AsiaOne News |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=April 25, 2011}}

On a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice, former Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Heidi Mendoza testified that she uncovered irregularities in funds by the military. Among the irregularities she found was the 200 million peso AFP Inter-Agency Fund, and the US$5 million United Nations (UN) reimbursement for Filipino peacekeepers.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110202-317912/Former-auditor-details-money-trail |title=Former auditor details money trail |first1=Cynthia |last1=Balana |first2=Gil C. Jr. |last2=Cabacungan |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 2, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204125148/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110202-317912/Former-auditor-details-money-trail |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

Early morning of February 8, Reyes died in an apparent suicide. Later in the day, the House of Representatives Committee on Justice voted to continue the hearing.{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110208-319131/House-probe-on-Garcia-plea-deal-proceeds-amid-Reyes-death |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225231243/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110208-319131/House-probe-on-Garcia-plea-deal-proceeds-amid-Reyes-death |title=House probe on Garcia plea deal proceeds amid Reyes' death|first=Lira |last=Dalangin-Fernandez |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011|archive-date=February 25, 2012|url-status=dead}} Mendoza testified that the military's modernization fund was diverted for the purchase of office supplies, and disputed former COA chairman Guillermo Carague, who denied that he ordered Mendoza to "go slow" in the Garcia case.{{cite news|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/02/08/11/mendoza-details-more-misuse-afp-funds |title=Mendoza details more misuse of AFP funds |first=RG |last=Cruz|work=ABS-CBNNews.com|date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}}

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee summoned Ligot's wife Jacinta on the February 24 hearing; however, she was skipped as she was confined in Veterans Memorial Medical Center. Her brother, Edgardo Yambao, was also summoned but invoke his right against self-incrimination when asked about his wealth.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20110224-322020/Senate-probe-shifts-to-Ligot-brother-in-law |title=Senate probe shifts to Ligot brother-in-law |first=TJ |last=Burgonio |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227110836/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20110224-322020/Senate-probe-shifts-to-Ligot-brother-in-law |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}} On the March 21, hearing, Erlinda showed up but just like her husband and her brother, she refused to answer questions that were related to her husband's pending cases, invoking her right against self-incrimination.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110321-326789/Wife-of-former-military-comptroller-testifies-finally |title=Wife of former military comptroller testifies, finally |first=Maila |last=Ager |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=March 21, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324182046/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110321-326789/Wife-of-former-military-comptroller-testifies-finally |archive-date=March 24, 2011 |url-status=dead}} The Ligots did not appear in the March 25 hearing and was cited for contempt; Jacinto was detained at the Senate while Erlinda's detention was suspended for humanitarian reasons.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110325-327515/Senate-holds-Ligots-in-contempt |title=Senate holds Ligots in contempt |first=TJ |last=Burgonio |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=March 25, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326161538/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110325-327515/Senate-holds-Ligots-in-contempt |archive-date=March 26, 2011 |url-status=dead}} On the March 29 hearing, Erlinda cited "Dara" (Kapampangan word to denote "aunt") as her frequent travel companion in her overseas trips; Senator Jinggoy Estrada had earlier said that she had traveled with Reyes' wife Teresita.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216452/nation/ligot-wife-cites-dara-as-frequent-travel-buddy |title=Ligot wife cites ‘Dara’ as frequent travel buddy |work=GMA News Online |date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}} Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Teofisto Guingona III ordered the release of General Ligot after the hearing.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216442/nation/senate-releases-ex-afp-comptroller-ligot |title=Senate releases ex-AFP comptroller Ligot |work=GMA News Online |date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}}

{{main|2013 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao general election}}

On February 3, 2011, President Aquino asked Congress to postpone the general election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and synchronize it with the 2013 mid-term election. The officials that would end their terms in 2011 would be replaced by appointments by Aquino. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that aside from ensuring clean elections, a synchronized ARMM election would be cost-effective.{{cite news |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110207-319025/Aquino-asks-Congress-to-postpone-ARMM-polls-to-2013 |title=Aquino asks Congress to postpone ARMM polls to 2013 |first=Christine O. |last=Avendaño |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=February 7, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225231249/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20110207-319025/Aquino-asks-Congress-to-postpone-ARMM-polls-to-2013 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |url-status=dead}} On March 22, the House of Representatives passed the bill before Congress went on recess,{{cite news|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/310930/palace-lauds-swift-passage-armm-poll-postponement-bill |title=Palace lauds swift passage of ARMM poll postponement bill |work=Manila Bulletin |date=March 22, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011}} while the Senate would take up the measure after the recess.{{cite news|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/06/11/senate-tackle-bill-postponing-armm-polls |title=Senate to tackle bill postponing ARMM polls |work=ABS-CBNNews.com |date=April 6, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011}} On May 3, the Supreme Court ordered the executive and Congress to file comments on a petition from ARMM residents questioning the postponement.{{cite news |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=682175&publicationSubCategoryId=200 |title=SC orders Palace, Congress to comment on ARMM poll postponement |work=Philippine Star |date=May 3, 2010 |access-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603102156/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=682175&publicationSubCategoryId=200 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}

{{main|Reproductive Health bill}}

On November 24, 2010, the House of Representatives population committee acted on the bills about reproductive health. However, Cebu representative Pablo P. Garcia disputed the committee's jurisdiction on the bills, saying it should have been referred to the Committee on Health. Committee chairman Rogelio Espina reasoned out that no one objected when the bills were referred to his committee.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206760/house-panel-starts-tackling-controversial-rh-bill |title=House panel starts tackling controversial RH bill |first=Amita |last=Legaspi |work=GMA News Online |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2011}} On January 31, 2011, the committee unanimously approved a consolidated version; the approval meant that for the first time after similar bills were created in 1998, that a reproductive health bill would be tackled in plenary session.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/211916/house-panel-approves-rh-bill-for-plenary-debates |title=House panel approves RH bill for plenary debates |first=Andreo |last=Calonzo |work=GMA News Online |date=January 31, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}} On February 16, the House of Representatives appropriations committee approved funding for bill, with the Department of Health and the Population Commission receiving additional budgets.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/213142/house-panel-okays-proposed-initial-funding-for-rh-bill |title=House panel okays proposed initial funding for RH bill |first=Andreo |last=Calonzo |work=GMA News Online |date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}}

The measure would have been tackled in plenary session on March 8, but questions on quorum and proper attire delayed the proceedings.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/214785/questions-of-quorum-dress-code-stall-rh-bill-debates-in-house |title=Questions of quorum, dress code stall RH bill debates in House |first=Andreo |last=Calonzo |work=GMA News Online |date=March 8, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}} The authors of the bill agreed to amend some provisions, such as making sex education optional, removal of an "ideal family size" of two children, removal of the provision that orders business to provide reproductive health services to their employees, among others. Primary author Edcel Lagman said that this would not water down the bill, as the "central idea" of the bill was not touched.{{cite news|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/216021/rh-bill-authors-agree-to-make-sex-education-optional |title=RH bill authors agree to make sex education optional |first=Andreo |last=Calonzo |work=GMA News Online |date=March 23, 2011 |access-date=May 25, 2011}}

Laws passed by the 15th Congress:

{{Main|Laws of the 15th Congress of the Philippines}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090928114714/http://www.comelec.gov.ph/modernization/2010_natl_local/resolutions/res_8670.html COMELEC Resolution 8670]. Accessed on December 10, 2009.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110718094344/http://comelec.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/com_res_8700.pdf COMELEC Resolution 8701]. Accessed on December 10, 2009.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091205214949/http://www.comelec.gov.ph/modernization/2010_natl_local/resolutions/res_8705.html COMELEC Resolution 8705]. Accessed on December 10, 2009.

{{15th Congress of the Philippines senators}}

{{Philippine legislative periods}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:15th Congress Of The Philippines}}

Category:Congresses of the Philippines

Category:Fifth Philippine Republic