Voting for an Autism-OK Philippines

The 2019 Philippine general election will be conducted on 13 May 2019. The following is a list of House and Senate bills on autism; including the legislators who authored them (not all of them are seeking re-election). Many have track records for working with and for the autism and disability communities -- by engaging us in meaningful discussions and by filing relevant bills in the 17th Session of the Congress and the Senate. This factual list is arranged in reverse chronology.

(This is not an endorsement. The Autism Society Philippines is a non-partisan organization working for the betterment of the lives of persons on the autism spectrum and their families.)

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the joint Senate and House session of Congress at the Plenary Hall, House of Representatives Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City Monday July 25, 2011. In the photo are Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (Photo by: Robert Vinas/ Malacanang Photo Bureau).

1. House Bill 7670, an act creating the Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Office of Autism Services was filed in Congress by Gary Alejano who is running for Senator under the Magdalo Party List. This proposed legislation has been pending with the Committee on Government Reorganization since 15 August 2018.
(http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB07670.pdf)

2. Senate Bill No. 1809, an act instituting a Philippine National Autism Care Plan for the support of persons with autism and for other purposes was filed by Risa Hontiveros.This was developed in consultation with the Autism Society Philippines. This proposed legislation has been pending in the Committee on Health and Demography since 21 May 2018.
(https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2786824177!.pdf)

3. House Bill 7538, an act instituting a comprehensive program for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of person with autism spectrum disorders and for other purposes was filed by Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. who is running unopposed for Congressman of the Second District of Camarines Sur. This proposed legislation has been pending with the Committee on Health since 15 May 2018.
(http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB07538.pdf)

4. House Bill 6934, an act instituting a Philippine National Autism Care Plan for the support of persons with autism and for other purposes, was filed by Tom Villarin who is running as a party list representative under AKABAYAN. This was developed in consultation with the Autism Society Philippines. This proposed legislation has been pending with the Committee on Health since 17 January 2018.
(http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06934.pdf)

5. Senate Bill No. 1433, Autism Care Act of 2017, an act instituting a national comprehensive program for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of persons with autism spectrum disorders and for other purposes was filed by Leila de Lima. This proposed legislation has been pending in the Committee on Health and Demography 8 May 2017.
(https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2583722214!.pdf)

6. Senate Bill No. 1403, an act establishing a Center for Autism and for other purposes was filed by Joseph Victor Ejercito, who is running for another term in the Senate. He served as the Chairperson of the Committee on Health. This proposed legislation has been pending in the Committee on Health and Demography since 2 May 2017.
(https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2577622146!.pdf)

7. House Bill 630, an act creating the Philippine Center for Autism and for other purposes was filed by Scott Davies Lanete MD, as a Congressman representing the Third District of Masbate. He is running for Governor of Masbate. This proposed legislation has been pending with the Committee on Government Reorganization since 28 November 2016.
(http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00630.pdf)

8. Senate Bill No. 589, an act creating the Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Office of Autism Services, was filed by Sonny Trillanes who is running for a seat in Congress under the Magdalo Party List. This proposed legislation has been pending in the Committee since 9 August 2016. (https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2406220712!.pdf)

9.House Bill 1457, an act requiring health insurers to provide full coverage for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders was filed by Harry Roque, as a Congressman representing the KABAYAN Party List. He is running as a party list representative under Luntian Pilipinas. This proposed legislations is pending with the Committee on Health since 01 August 2016.
(http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01457.pdf)

We must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. We must vote for people who stand for values we believe in, for people who will work towards our shared vision for an future that is genuinely autism-inclusive.

Posted in: elections,government