A former official of the Preparatory Commission on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) has endorsed the proposal of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to amend certain  economic provisions in the 1987 Charter, saying the move would create more jobs and economic opportunities necessary to free millions of Filipinos from the shackles of poverty. 

A bill making the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as the single agency responsible for the enforcement of international agreements governing Filipino seafarers is expected to soon become a law after the measure was swiftly passed on third reading last week (February 10).

The Committee on Cooperatives Development of the House of Representatives chaired by Rep. Cresente Paez (COOP-NATCCO partylist) has unanimously approved the consolidated version of several bills which seek to expand benefits for cooperatives and strengthening the agency tasked to regulate them. 

Leaders of Philippine and foreign business groups have rallied behind the call of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to lift the restrictive economic provisions in  the Constitution to generate more jobs, lower consumer prices and increase economic productivity. 

Deputy Speaker Roberto V. Puno expressed the hope that the Congress can approve the grant of Philippine citizenship to two American athletes in time for the upcoming FIBA World Basketball Cup to be held in Madrid, Spain this year.