13th Congress of the Philippines

The 13th Congress of the Philippines (Ikalabintatlong Kongreso ng Pilipinas), composed of the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives, met from July 26, 2004, until June 8, 2007, during the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's presidency. The convening of the 13th Congress followed the 2004 national elections, which replaced half of the Senate membership and the entire membership of the House of Representatives.

Charter Change
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her several State of the Nation Addresses has repeatedly called on Congress to pave the way for the amending of the 1987 Constitution to provide for a unicameral–parliamentary–federal form of government. On December 8, 2006, the administration-dominated House of Representatives, bypassing the Senate, passed in haste House Resolution 1450, which called on Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) to propose amendments to the Constitution. The House move however, was faced with stiff opposition from the outmaneuvered members of the opposition and all but 1 member of the Senate, which was later bolstered by support from several sectors of the civil society and the influential Roman Catholic Church, which threatened to hold nationwide protest rallies to denounce the House move. Succumbing to the mounting opposition and the apparent withdrawal of support of the President, House Speaker Jose De Venecia later on scrapped the entire resolution and called instead for a constitutional convention, challenging the Senate to concur it in 72 hours. But this too was rejected by the Senate, which preferred to hold a constitutional convention after the 2007 elections. Efforts to amend the constitution during the 13th Congress were eventually shelved.

Sessions

 * First Regular Session: July 26, 2004 – June 7, 2005
 * First Special Session: January 5 – February 10, 2005
 * Second Special Session: March 1 – April 1, 2005
 * Second Regular Session: July 25, 2005 – June 5, 2006
 * Third Regular Session: July 24, 2006 – June 8, 2007
 * Third Special Session: February 19 – 20, 2007
 * Special Centennial Session: June 7, 2007

Legislation
Laws passed by the 13th Congress: 149 (Republic Act No. 9333 to 9495), as of September 7, 2007

Major legislation

 * Republic Act No. 9334 — Increase of Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products
 * Republic Act No. 9335 — Attrition Act of 2005
 * Republic Act No. 9337 — Expanded Value-Added Tax Law
 * Republic Act No. 9341 — Rent Control Act of 2005
 * Republic Act No. 9343 — Special Purpose Vehicle Act of 2002 Amendments
 * Republic Act No. 9344 — Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006
 * Republic Act No. 9346 — Death Penalty Abolition
 * Republic Act No. 9347 — Rationalizing the Composition and Functions of the National Labor Relations Commission
 * Republic Act No. 9359 — Appropriation of a Standby Fund for the Guimaras Oil Spill Clean Up, Mayon Volcano Relief Operations, OFW Repatriation
 * Republic Act No. 9367 — Biofuels Act of 2006
 * Republic Act No. 9369 — Amending the Election Modernization Act
 * Republic Act No. 9372 — Human Security Act of 2007
 * Republic Act No. 9379 — Handline Fishing Law
 * Republic Act No. 9396 — Redefining the term "Veteran"
 * Republic Act No. 9399 — One-Time Amnesty for Businesses in the Special Economic Zones and Freeports
 * Republic Act No. 9400 — Amending the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992
 * Republic Act No. 9406 —Reorganization and Strengthening of the Public Attorney's Office
 * Republic Act No. 9416 — Unlawful Cheating in the Civil Service Commission Examinations
 * Republic Act No. 9417 — Strengthening the Office of the Solicitor General
 * Republic Act No. 9418 —Institutionalizing Strategy for Rural Development
 * Republic Act No. 9422 — Amending the Migration Workers and Overseas Act of 1995
 * Republic Act No. 9433 — Magna Carta for Public Social Workers

Senate

 * President:
 * Franklin Drilon (Liberal), until July 24, 2006
 * Manny Villar (Nacionalista), from July 24, 2006
 * President pro tempore: Juan Flavier (Lakas)
 * Majority Floor Leader: Francis Pangilinan (Liberal)
 * Minority Floor Leader: Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (PDP–Laban)

House of Representatives

 * Speaker: Jose de Venecia Jr. (Pangasinan–4th, Lakas)
 * Deputy Speakers:
 * Luzon:
 * Emilio Espinosa Jr. (Masbate–2nd, NPC)
 * Benigno Aquino III (Tarlac–2nd, Liberal), November 8, 2004 – February 21, 2006
 * Eric Singson (Ilocos Sur–2nd, Liberal), from February 21, 2006
 * Visayas: Raul del Mar (Cebu City–1st, Lakas)
 * Mindanao: Abdulgani Salapuddin (Basilan, Lakas)
 * Majority Floor Leader: Prospero Nograles (Davao City–1st, Lakas)
 * Minority Floor Leader: Francis Escudero (Sorsogon–1st, NPC)

Senate
The following are the terms of the senators of this Congress, according to the date of election:


 * For senators elected on May 14, 2001: June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007
 * For senators elected on May 10, 2004: June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010