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Advocates Philippines
House Nears Half Of LEDAC Agenda As Five Priority Bills Advance In Late-Night Session
Photo credit: Congress PH
In a marathon session that stretched until nearly midnight Tuesday, the House of Representatives of the Philippines approved five major priority bills on second reading, moving closer to completing nearly half of the government’s Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) agenda.
The chamber moved swiftly under Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, even as lawmakers juggle preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The approved measures cover child protection, education nutrition, transparency, digital accountability, and infrastructure development.
Key priority bills approved
House Bill No. 9461 or the “Child Online Safety and Protection Act of 2026” strengthens laws against online child sexual abuse and exploitation, including AI-generated and deepfake materials. It expands punishable acts such as grooming, sextortion, livestreamed abuse, and image-based exploitation, while also covering digital platforms and AI systems used in abuse operations. The bill replaces Republic Act No. 11930 and imposes penalties that include life imprisonment and heavy fines, alongside stronger reporting, rescue, and victim support systems.
House Bill No. 9466 expands the government’s school feeding program into a broader national nutrition framework. It increases coverage up to senior high school learners and vulnerable groups, extends feeding days from 120 to 200 per year, and adds micronutrient support, milk feeding, sanitation, and health interventions. The measure also strengthens linkages with local farmers and fisherfolk to support food sourcing and rural livelihoods.
House Bill No. 9397, or the proposed Right to Information Act of 2026, seeks to strengthen public access to government data through an independent commission and a centralized online portal for information requests, while setting penalties for agencies that fail to comply.
House Bill No. 9465 targets the deliberate spread of false information online that causes public harm or threatens national security. It sets penalties of six to 12 years in prison and fines of up to P2 million, while also requiring stronger accountability from digital platforms.
House Bill No. 9257 strengthens the Bases Conversion and Development Authority by expanding its mandate in managing and driving major government infrastructure projects.
Broader legislative push
The child protection measure comes amid growing concern over online exploitation involving artificial intelligence, with lawmakers saying the updated law is needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving digital threats.
The expanded nutrition program, meanwhile, is seen as a long-term investment not only in student welfare but also in agricultural development, as it integrates local food sourcing into government feeding initiatives.
The transparency and anti-disinformation measures form part of a wider effort to improve governance in the digital space while balancing accountability and free expression.
House nears halfway point of LEDAC priorities
The latest approvals add momentum to the House’s legislative push, which now brings it closer to completing roughly half of the 52 LEDAC priority measures.
The chamber has also recently approved on third and final reading a bill raising the mandatory retirement age of Philippine National Police personnel from 56 to 57, and earlier moved forward the first Anti-Political Dynasty Bill to reach second reading.
House leaders said the steady pace of approvals reflects a continuing effort to advance reforms in governance, social protection, digital regulation, and economic development, even amid a packed legislative calendar and pending high-profile proceedings in the Senate.
The chamber moved swiftly under Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, even as lawmakers juggle preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The approved measures cover child protection, education nutrition, transparency, digital accountability, and infrastructure development.
Key priority bills approved
House Bill No. 9461 or the “Child Online Safety and Protection Act of 2026” strengthens laws against online child sexual abuse and exploitation, including AI-generated and deepfake materials. It expands punishable acts such as grooming, sextortion, livestreamed abuse, and image-based exploitation, while also covering digital platforms and AI systems used in abuse operations. The bill replaces Republic Act No. 11930 and imposes penalties that include life imprisonment and heavy fines, alongside stronger reporting, rescue, and victim support systems.
House Bill No. 9466 expands the government’s school feeding program into a broader national nutrition framework. It increases coverage up to senior high school learners and vulnerable groups, extends feeding days from 120 to 200 per year, and adds micronutrient support, milk feeding, sanitation, and health interventions. The measure also strengthens linkages with local farmers and fisherfolk to support food sourcing and rural livelihoods.
House Bill No. 9397, or the proposed Right to Information Act of 2026, seeks to strengthen public access to government data through an independent commission and a centralized online portal for information requests, while setting penalties for agencies that fail to comply.
House Bill No. 9465 targets the deliberate spread of false information online that causes public harm or threatens national security. It sets penalties of six to 12 years in prison and fines of up to P2 million, while also requiring stronger accountability from digital platforms.
House Bill No. 9257 strengthens the Bases Conversion and Development Authority by expanding its mandate in managing and driving major government infrastructure projects.
Broader legislative push
The child protection measure comes amid growing concern over online exploitation involving artificial intelligence, with lawmakers saying the updated law is needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving digital threats.
The expanded nutrition program, meanwhile, is seen as a long-term investment not only in student welfare but also in agricultural development, as it integrates local food sourcing into government feeding initiatives.
The transparency and anti-disinformation measures form part of a wider effort to improve governance in the digital space while balancing accountability and free expression.
House nears halfway point of LEDAC priorities
The latest approvals add momentum to the House’s legislative push, which now brings it closer to completing roughly half of the 52 LEDAC priority measures.
The chamber has also recently approved on third and final reading a bill raising the mandatory retirement age of Philippine National Police personnel from 56 to 57, and earlier moved forward the first Anti-Political Dynasty Bill to reach second reading.
House leaders said the steady pace of approvals reflects a continuing effort to advance reforms in governance, social protection, digital regulation, and economic development, even amid a packed legislative calendar and pending high-profile proceedings in the Senate.
May 27, 2026
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