MANILA - The Senate has 15 working days left to tackle other priority measures, including amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Law, before the start of the campaign period for the mid-term polls.

The Senate will resume sessions on Monday, January 21. It will then go on a four-month break starting February 8 for the May 13 elections.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said they will try to enact measures that will address the country’s economic and social difficulties within the limited time available.

“It is the Senate’s task to anticipate the needs of a nation. Every senator is looked upon to solve an immediate concern, proposing to solve it in a manner beneficial to all,” Enrile said.

Among the priority measures to be tackled are:

the amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Law, which seek to expand the list of covered institutions such as casinos, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals/stones, foreign exchange corporations, money changers and pre-need companies;

the proposed Competition Act, which seeks to penalize anti-competitive conduct, abuse of dominance and anti-competitive mergers;

the amendments to the Absentee Voting Act, which seek to remove the requirement on overseas Filipino workers to execute a waiver stating that they will return to the Philippines in three years time before they are allowed to vote in Philippine elections;

the amendments to the Rural Bank Act, which will allow the infusion of foreign capital in rural banks nationwide;

and, the National Land Use Act of the Philippines.