INTRODUCTION
I would like to dedicate these signing ceremonies today to Congressman Tito Espinosa, who — his colleagues in the legislature and now, the Filipino nation, know — had been a staunch advocate of free suffrage and electoral reforms. He had set aside his personal interests to take on the lonely crusade for election reforms, particularly by broadening the people’s representation in Congress.
THE PARTY LIST SYSTEM LAW
Through the Party List System Law, we strengthen our democratic system by broadening, in a fair and equitable manner, the selection base in electing members of the House of Representatives. By this, we deepen the empowerment of our people, especially the marginalized and under-represented sectors who have little or no voice in Congress as their choices were limited to candidates who could have been indifferent to their sectoral interests.

Under this law, the individual votes for the congressional candidate of his choice as well as for the party that best reflects his interests. The parties, in turn — which may be composed of duly-accredited national and regional political or sectoral parties, sectoral organizations, or coalitions — will provide the Commission on Election (COMELEC) with their own fixed listing of party nominees ranked accordingly. The party — or parties –that garner at least 2% of the total number of votes will be assigned a seat for its top nominee in the House of Representatives, provided that no party is assigned more than three (3) seats.

Inasmuch as this law will take effect only during the 1998 elections, we are assured of more time to educate and inform our people of the mechanics of voting under the party list system. And, for cynics who may harp on the so-called undue advantage of the major national parties this new law expressly prohibits, for the 1998 elections only, the participation under the party-list system of the country’s top five major political parties, as measured from the number of their representatives in the house.

Thus, there will now be better opportunities for lesser-known political parties and sectoral groups to campaign for their respective parties in accordance with their party platforms.

There is no limit to the number of parties to be accredited, for as long as the party complies with the requirements as set forth by this law. As such, the various sectoral groups are encouraged to register with the COMELEC.

By promoting proportional representation, we make sure that the basic sectors of society — especially those who lack political constituencies or other election-related resources — are provided a fair chance in helping to craft the laws that will govern our future course as a people.

With this law, we fulfill the Constitution’s mandate as stated in Paragraph 1, Section 5, Article 6, and take significant step to ensure our political stability and achieve the level of political maturity and development necessary for our aspirations to unity, peace and progress.

When he was about to leave his congressional office for the last time, the late congressman Tito Espinosa was overheard to have told his staff in reference to this new law: “tapos na tayong lahat dyan. Wala na tayong utang sa kanila.” he regarded this law as a debt he owed the Filipino people, and he had duly delivered as he promised.

It is for us to ensure that we deliver what we owe our people by implementing this and other election laws in the letter and spirit that they were drawn up, and by making our elections the symbol of our people’s hope in a peaceful and progressive democracy. Hope is what we want for this may: honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE).
A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE MINING INDUSTRY
Today also, we establish a landmark for the mining industry as we sign into law this bill which updates the provisions of the last Mining Act which was passed in 1936 yet.

This new law will revitalize the Philippine mining industry. It functions both as a competitive advantage in our bid to join the more progressive economies of Asia and as a safety net for the over half-a-million Filipinos engaged in mining.

In the post-UR-GATT world trading order, our country must sharpen its competitive edge for it to qualify as an aspirant to NIC-hood. To be competitive calls for an export and investment-led strategy — which are the main concerns of the mining industry. The abundance of Philippine minerals can guarantee a steady supply for the foreign market while we are assured that enough is left for domestic use under a conservative policy based on sustainable development.

This law becomes the go-signal for the entry of foreign capital into mining. Many investors have signified interest in our mining industry but have waited for the passage of more equitable and globally competitive arrangements. The law addresses these by providing for four kinds of agreements available to investors as well as fiscal and other incentives for the mining companies, including foreign-owned ones.

Of importance too are the provisions that call for the social responsibility on the part of mining companies and for environmental protection and sustainable development of our resources. The social component will bring livelihood jobs and social development to mining communities and contiguous localities. The protection of the environment is ensured by several provisions, highlighted by the mandate to establish the Mines Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) to restore mining-affected areas to pristine conditions.

The passage of this law is the fruit of government and private sector cooperation. We recognize the constant collaboration particularly of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines which is composed of representatives of various mining companies.

With this law, therefore, we are confident that Philippine mining will regain its stature as one of the major contributors of foreign exchange towards the achievement of “Philippines 2000!!!”.
LOCAL BILLS
We also take pride in signing into law six (6) local bills that will advance our social reform agenda by their establishment of more schools and a hospital in certain parts of the country.

To deliver better health services in the province of Lanao del Sur, there is the Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

For the people of Siquijor, Masbate, Guimaras, Cebu and Camarines Sur, we offer our congratulations for the improved educational opportunities they will now receive through the transformation of smaller schools into larger and more capable ones, namely:

* The Siquijor State College;

* The Dr. Emilio Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology;

* The Guimaras Polytechnic College;

* The San Roque National High School in Cebu province; and,

* The Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences.
CLOSING
If there is only one thing that our Filipino people should give credit for, it should be for the productivity of the 9th Congress.

On behalf of the Filipino people, therefore, I thank the leaders and members of the legislature once more for their commitment and dedication to effect change and reform.

My special thanks go to Senate President Edgardo Angara and to House Speaker Jose de Venecia in pushing their respective houses to achieve such a commendable record.

But this is not a final goodbye nor a final expression of gratitude to the 9th Congress — because the best is yet to come!

Maraming salamat at magandang hapon.