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The Senate has adjourned for a two-week break and has so far passed 197 measures, six of which have been approved into law, a statement on Thursday showed.
Newly signed laws by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III include two measures originating from the Senate aimed at governing the growing use of the Internet in the country.
These are the Anti-Cybercrime Act and the Data Privacy Act, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said in the statement.
The People's Survival Fund, which allots emergency disaster funds for local governments, has also been approved into law.
Other new laws are an Act Authorizing Clerical or Typographical Errors in Birthdate or Sex of a Person Without Need for Judicial Order; an Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day; and the Act Reapportioning the Province of Cotabato into Three Legislative Districts.
Awaiting presidential approval, meanwhile, is the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
Two measures are meanwhile in the penultimate stage of legislation, as they are pending before the bicameral conference committee, where House and Senate versions are reconciled.
These are the Househelpers’ Additional Benefits and Protection Act and the Involuntary and Disappearance Act.
The Senate also submitted for the President's approval 102 measures creating additional trial courts and public schools, Enrile said.
Awaiting concurrence of the House of Representatives, meanwhile, are 86 measures already approved by third reading in the Senate, he noted.
These include the Meat Labeling Act, The Philippine Interior Design Act, The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, Strengthening the Career Executive Service, among others.
The Senate will resume its sessions on October 8.
The Philippines vowed Thursday to fight China "to the last man standing", as a Chinese warship patrolled around a remote reef occupied by a handful of Filipino marines in disputed waters.
