By CNN Philippines, August 3, 2022

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/3/Congress-lapse-law-.html

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — Over 110 national and local bills passed by the 18th Congress submitted at the tail end of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term have lapsed into law.

Senate President Migz Zubiri shared a list of the bills that are now laws after failing to get signed or vetoed by Duterte and current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Below is a list of the notable national bills that have lapsed into law:

Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Children (OSAEC) Law

The law amends the Anti-Pornography Act or Republic Act No. 9775 to give more teeth to the law to protect minors against online sexual abuse and exploitation, disregarding any form of consent from the child.

Producing, willingly accessing, and knowingly sharing any form of child sexual abuse and exploitative material (CSAEM) are considered punishable under Republic Act No. 11930.

Grooming, or an adult communicating with a minor online to have a sexual or romantic relationship or produce sexual materials — provided that grooming takes place online as a prelude to violations — is also against the law.

Those who stream any form of child sexual abuse and willfully subscribe to watch or support the channel will be penalized. It also covers individuals who sexualize children by presenting or talking about them as objects of sexual fantasy online.

It also puts pressure on electronic service providers, internet intermediaries, financial intermediaries to step up efforts to block sexual materials on their platforms. It directs them to preserve the illegal content and cooperate with law enforcement agents.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who authored the bill, however clarified that the law cannot yet penetrate the dark web and private conversations online.

Extended Producer Responsibility Act

The Extended Producer Responsibility Act will now mandate large corporations to process their single-use plastic packaging waste.

Big companies have to ensure the proper and effective recovery, treatment, recycling or disposal of their products after they have been sold and used by consumers to reduce packaging waste generation and improve the recyclability and reusability of packaging wastes.

Under Senate Bill No. 2425, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would not be required to have EPR programs.

Creative Industries Charter of the Philippines

The new law orders the creation of a Creative Industries Development Council (CIDC) to implement a long-term plan for the development and promotion of the country’s creative industries through various programs aimed at creating opportunities and employment, nurturing human resources, ensuring financial-enabling mechanisms and providing incentives to encourage and sustain Filipino excellence in the creative industries.

Creative industries whose members produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services will benefit from the law.

PDIC Charter

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) charter will now be an attached agency of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) after the bill lapsed into law.

Prior to the law, PDIC was an attached agency of the Department of Finance. The transfer of PDIC to BSP is seen to provide better policy, program coordination and collaboration, and regulatory efficiency.

Private Security Services Industry Act

RA 11917 or the Private Security Services Industry Act will guarantee professionalization of security guards and require the registration and licensing of private security agencies.

Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act

The Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act aims to prepare the Filipino workforce for jobs of the future through education and training on digital skills.

It requires the establishment of an Inter-Agency Council for Development and Competitiveness of Philippine Digital Workforce that will lead the promotion, development and enhancement of the competitiveness of the country’s digital workers through various initiatives.

National Music Competitions for Young Artists Act

The law institutionalizes the National Competitions for Young Artist (NAMCYA) by designating it as the Philippine National Youth Development Program.

Under the law, NAMCYA will establish a training program for music leaders, experts, and teachers to cultivate the highest standard of musical training for the youth.

Separate Facility for Heinous Crimes Inmates Act

The lapsed law seeks to create a separate penitentiary for heinous crime convicts in a secured and isolated place in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, ensuring no unwarranted contact with those outside of the penal institution. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa says the measure is seen to ease the problem of congestion and prevent criminal activities inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Willful and Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms

A higher penalty awaits those who will willfully and indiscriminately discharge firearms, even those authorized to bear arms like law enforcement agencies or soldiers.

The Senate measure states that individuals who will willfully and indiscriminately discharge their firearm will suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period or six months “unless the facts of the case can be held to constitute any other offenses of which a higher penalty is prescribed.”

For security forces, they may be charged administratively.

Among the other bills that have lapsed into law are vape bill, increased social pension for indigent senior citizens, and lifetime validity of birth, death, and marriage certificates.