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Interim Batasang Pambansa

The Interim Batasang Pambansa (English: Interim National Assembly) or the First Batasan was the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines from its inauguration on June 12, 1978 to June 5, 1984. It served as a transitional legislative body as mandated by the 1973 Constitution as the Philippines shifted from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government.

Events

Amendments to the Constitution

The 1973 Constitution was further amended in 1980 and 1981. In the 1980 Amendment, the retirement age of the members of the Judiciary was extended to 70 years. In the 1981 Amendments, the parliamentary system was modified: executive power was restored to the President; direct election of the President was restored; an Executive Committee composed of the Prime Minister and not more than fourteen members was created to “assist the President in the exercise of his powers and functions and in the performance of his duties as he may prescribe;” and the Prime Minister was a mere head of the Cabinet. Further, the amendments instituted electoral reforms and provided that a natural born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his citizenship may be a transferee of private land for use by him as his residence.

Lifting of martial law

After putting in force amendments to the Constitution and legislations securing his sweeping powers and with the Batasan under his control, President Marcos lifted martial law on January 17, 1981. However, the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus continued in the autonomous regions of Western Mindanao and Central Mindanao. The Opposition dubbed the lifting of martial law as a mere "face lifting" as a precondition to the visit of Pope John Paul II.

The Inauguration of the Fourth Republic

On June 30, 1981, President Marcos was inaugurated in grandiose ceremonies and proclaimed the “birth of a new Republic.” The new Republic lasted only for less than five years. Economic and political crises led to its demise.

The Aquino assassination

After seven years of detention, President Marcos allowed former Senator Benigno S. A. Aquino Jr. to leave the country for a coronary by-pass operation in the United States. Aquino agreed to the President’s request that he would not make any statements criticizing the Marcos regime. Before he left, Aquino told the First Lady: “I would like to express my profoundest gratitude for your concern …In the past, I’ve been most critical of the First Lady’s project… I take back all my harsh words – hoping I do not choke.”

However, Aquino broke his promise and called on President Marcos to return the Philippines to democracy and end martial rule. He urged reconciliation between the government and opposition.

After three years of exile in the United States, Aquino decided to return. The First Lady tried to dissuade him but in vain.

On August 21, 1983, former Senator Aquino returned to the Philippines. He was shot dead at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport while in the custody of the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM). The assassination stunned the whole nation, if not, the whole world.

In a mass show of sympathy and awe, about two million people attended the funeral of the late senator from Sto. Domingo Church to Manila Memorial Park.

Meanwhile, President Marcos immediately created a fact-finding commission, headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Enrique Fernando, to investigate the Aquino assassination. However, the commission lasted only in two sittings due to intense public criticism. President Marcos issued on October 14, 1983, Presidential Decree No. 1886 creating an independent board of inquiry. The board was composed of former Court of Appeals Justice Ma. Corazon J. Agrava as chairman, Amando Dizon, Luciano Salazar, Dante Santos and Ernesto Herrera.

The Agrava Fact-Finding Board convened on November 3, 1983. But, before it could start its work. President Marcos charged the communists for the killing of Senator Aquino: “The decision to eliminate the former Senator, Marcos claimed, was made by none other than the general-secretary of the Philippine Communist Party, Rodolfo Salas. He was referring to his earlier claim that Aquino had befriended and subsequently betrayed his communist comrades. “ The Agrava Board conducted public hearings, and invited several persons who might shed light on the crimes, including AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver and First Lady Imelda R. Marcos.

After a year of thorough investigation – with 20,000 pages of testimony given by 193 witnesses, the Agrava Board submitted two reports to President Marcos – the Majority and Minority Reports. The Minority Report, submitted by Chairman Agrava alone, was submitted on October 23, 1984. It confirmed that the Aquino assassination was a military conspiracy but it cleared Gen. Ver. Many believed that President Marcos intimidated and pressured the members of the Board to persuade them not to indict Ver, Marcos’ first cousin and most trusted general. Excluding Chairman Agrava, the majority of the board submitted a separate report – the Majority Report – indicting several members of the Armed Forces including AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Fabian Ver, AVSECOM head Gen. Luther Custodio and Metrocom chief Gen. Prospero Olivas.

Later, the 25 military personnel, including several generals and colonels, and one civilian were charged for the murder of Senator Aquino. President Marcos relieved Ver as AFP Chief and appointed his second-cousin, Gen. Fidel V. Ramos as acting AFP Chief. After a brief trial, the Sandiganbayan acquitted all the accused on December 2, 1985. Immediately after the decision, Marcos re-instated Ver. The Sandiganbayan ruling and the reinstatement of Ver were denounced by several sectors as a “mockery” of justice.

Sessions

First Regular Session: June 12, 1978 – June 6, 1979
Second Regular Session: July 23, 1979 – June 11, 1980
Third Regular Session: July 28, 1980 – April 28, 1981
Fourth Regular Session: July 27, 1981 – June 1, 1982
Fifth Regular Session: July 26, 1982 – April 14, 1983
Sixth Regular Session: July 25, 1983 – June 5, 1984

Leadership

President/Prime Minister

His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos

First Lady

Her Excellency Imelda R. Marcos (KBL, Minister of Human Settlements/Region IV-A)

Prime Minister

Cesar E.A. Virata (KBL, Minister of Finance/Region IV-B), elected June 30,1981

Deputy Prime Minister

Cesar E.A. Virata (KBL, Minister of Finance/Region IV-B)

Jose A. Roño, Jr. (KBL, Region VIII), elected June 30,1981

Speaker of the Batasan

Querube C. Makalintal (KBL, Region IV-A)

Speaker Pro-Tempore

Datu Blah T. Sinsuat (KBL, Region XII)

Majority Floor Leader

Jose A. Roño, Jr. (KBL, Region VIII)

Minority Floor Leader

Hilario G. Davide, Jr. (Pusyon Bisaya, Region VII)

Legislation

The Interim Batasang Pambansa passed a total of 702 laws: Mga Batas Pambansa Blg. 1 to 702

Major legislation

Batas Pambansa Blg. 1 — General Appropriations Act of 1978
Batas Pambansa Blg. 2 — Repeal of Presidential Decree No. 31 and the Consolidation of Taxes of Hotels, Motels and Other Establishments
Batas Pambansa Blg. 3 — National Internal Revenue Code Amendment
Batas Pambansa Blg. 6 — Reduction of the Penalty for Illegal Possession of Bladed, Pointed or Blunt Weapons
Batas Pambansa Blg. 8 — Definition and Implementation of the metric system and instituted the Modern Philippine Standard Time
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 — The Anti-Bouncing Check Law
Batas Pambansa Blg. 54 — Setting the date of January 30, 1980 as the date for a plebiscite to ratify the 1976 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution of the Philippines
Batas Pambansa Blg. 61 — General Banking Act
Batas Pambansa Blg. 62 — Savings and Loan Association Act
Batas Pambansa Blg. 63 — Private Development Banks Act
Batas Pambansa Blg. 64 — Amending the DBP Charter
Batas Pambansa Blg. 65 — Amending the Rural Banks Act
Batas Pambansa Blg. 66 — Amending the Investment House Law
Batas Pambansa Blg. 67 — Amending the Central Bank Act
Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 — The Corporation Code
Batas Pambansa Blg. 70 — Amending the Labor Code
Batas Pambansa Blg. 71 — Amending the Revised Penal Code
Batas Pambansa Blg. 72 — National Census Act of 1980
Batas Pambansa Blg. 73 — Energy Conservation Act of 1980
Batas Pambansa Blg. 74 — Amending the Land Transportation and Traffic Code
Batas Pambansa Blg. 76 — Amending the Probation Law of 1976
Batas Pambansa Blg. 79 — Creation of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Batas Pambansa Blg. 122 — Setting the date of April 7, 1981 as the date for a plebiscite to ratify the 1981 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution of the Philippines
Batas Pambansa Blg. 222 — Barangay Election Act of 1982

Members

President/Prime Minister

Position	Ministers	Party
President/Prime Minister	Ferdinand E. Marcos	KBL

Cabinet Members

Position	Ministers	Party
Cabinet	Manuel Alba	KBL
	Baltazar A. Aquino	KBL
	Jesus Azurin	KBL
	Onofre D. Corpuz	KBL
	Jose P. Dans	KBL
	Romulo Espaldon	KBL
	Enrique T. Garcia	KBL
	Jesus Hipolito	KBL
	Alfredo L. Juinio	KBL
	Jaime C. Laya	KBL
	Melecio S. Magno	KBL
	Juan L. Manuel	KBL
	Sylvia Montes	KBL
	Roberto V. Ongpin	KBL
	Leonardo B. Perez	KBL
	Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr.	KBL
	Gerardo T. Sicat	KBL
	Juan C. Tuvera	KBL
	Vicente Valdepeñas, Jr.	KBL
	Cesar E.A. Virata	KBL

Regional Assemblymen

The members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa were elected per region on April 7, 1978.

Region	Regional Assemblymen	Party
Region I Ilocos Region	Jose D. Aspiras	KBL
	Salacnib F. Baterina	KBL
	Lucas V. Cauton	KBL
	Andres A. Cosalan	KBL
	Roque B. De Guzman	KBL
	Felipe P. De Vera	KBL
	Victor S. Dominguez	KBL
	Conrado F. Estrella	KBL
	Vicente D. Millora	KBL
	Jermias U. Montemayor	KBL
	Joaquin L. Ortega	KBL
	Antonio V. Raquiza	KBL
	Antonio P. Villar	KBL
	Jeremias Z. Zapata	KBL
Region II Cagayan Valley	Rodolfo B. Albano	KBL
	Prospero G. Bello	KBL
	Juan Ponce Enrile	KBL
	Simon G. Gato	KBL
	Gualberto B. Lumauig	KBL
	Carlos M. Padilla	KBL
	Bejamin B. Perez	KBL
	Rolando T. Puzon	KBL
Region III Central Luzon	Vicente Abad Santos	KBL
	Rolando T. Puzon	KBL
	Felicita G. Bernardino	KBL
	Angel D. Concepcion	KBL
	Leopoldo D. Diaz	KBL
	Juan R. Liwag	KBL
	Vicente P. Magsaysay	KBL
	Baldomero T. Mangiliman	KBL
	Estelito P. Mendoza	KBL
	Narciso S. Nario	KBL
	Teodulo C. Natividad	KBL
	Blas F. Ople	KBL
	Cicero J. Punzalan	KBL
	Antonino P. Roman, Jr.	KBL
	Mercedes C. Teodoro	KBL
	Eller D. Torres	KBL
Region IV-A Metro Manila	Emilio M. Abello, Sr.	KBL
	Estanislao G. Alinea, Jr.	KBL
	Jose P. Bengzon	KBL
	Jose Conrado Benitez	KBL
	Manuel A. Camara	KBL
	Fred J. Elizalde	KBL
	Gerardo S. Espina	KBL
	Alejandro A. Fider	KBL
	Pablo B. Floro	KBL
	Edgar U. Ilarde	KBL
	Querube C. Makalintal	KBL
	Imelda R. Marcos	KBL
	Roberto M. Oca, Jr.	KBL
	Vicente T. Paterno	KBL
	Waldo S. Perfecto	KBL
	Ricardo C. Puno	KBL
	Rogelio M. Quiambao	KBL
	Carlos P. Romulo	KBL
	Januario B. Soller, Jr.	KBL
	Arturo M. Tolentino	KBL
	Rolando B. Zamora	KBL
Region IV-B Southern Tagalog	Mariano V. Agcaoili	KBL
	Helena Z. Benitez	KBL
	Leonides C. De Leon	KBL
	Soledad L. Dolor	KBL
	Gilberto M. Duavit	KBL
	Estanislao A. Fernandez, Jr.	KBL
	Nemesio V. Ganan, Jr.	KBL
	Salvador H. Laurel	KBL
	Jose J. Leido, Jr.	KBL
	Expedito M. Leviste	KBL
	Pedro T. Mendiola	KBL
	Jorge A. Nuñez	KBL
	Teodoro Q. Peña	KBL
	Carmencita O. Reyes	KBL
	Frisco F. San Juan	KBL
	Godofredo M. Tan	KBL
	Arturo R. Tanco, Jr.	KBL
	Medardo L. Tumagay	KBL
	Cesar A. Villariba	KBL
	Cesar E.A. Virata	KBL
	Luis A. Yulo	KBL
Region V Bicol Region	Jose M. Alberto	KBL
	Ricardo B. Butalid	KBL
	Socorro G. De Castro	KBL
	Emilio Espinosa, Jr.	KBL
	Arnulfo F. Fuentebella	KBL
	Carlos R. Imperial	KBL
	Augusto G. Ortiz	KBL
	Maximino A. Peralta	KBL
	Marcial R. Pimentel	KBL
	Dolores H. Sison	KBL
	Francisco S. Tatad	KBL
	Luis R. Villafuerte	KBL
Region VI Western Visayas	Teodoro U. Benedicto	KBL
	Salvador B. Britanico	KBL
	Fermin Z. Caram, Jr.	KBL
	Pedro G. Exmundo	KBL
	Alfonso A. Garcia	KBL
	Roberto A. Gatuslao	KBL
	Rodolfo S. Layumas	KBL
	Leopoldo H. Locsin	KBL
	Jaenito Q. Madamba	KBL
	Narciso D. Monfort	KBL
	Jose Y. Montalvo	KBL
	Remo J. Montelibano	KBL
	Arturo F. Pacificador	KBL
	Jose T. Tumbokon	KBL
	Neil D. Tupas	KBL
	Jose Y. Varela, Jr.	KBL
Region VII Central Visayas	Natalio B. Bacalso	Pusyon Bisaya
	Bartolome C. Cabangbang	Pusyon Bisaya
	Eutiquio C. Cimafranca	Pusyon Bisaya
	Alfonso N. Corominas, Jr.	Pusyon Bisaya
	Hilario G. Davide, Jr.	Pusyon Bisaya
	Filemon L. Fernandez	Pusyon Bisaya
	Jorge M. Kintanar	Pusyon Bisaya
	Valentino L. Legaspi	Pusyon Bisaya
	Mariano R. Logarta	Pusyon Bisaya
	Enrique L. Medina, Jr.	Pusyon Bisaya
	Dominador M. Pernes	Pusyon Bisaya
	Jesus L. Villegas	Pusyon Bisaya
	Julian B. Yballe	Pusyon Bisaya
Region VIII Eastern Visayas	Damian V. Aldaba	KBL
	Victor A. Amasa	KBL
	Edilberto A. del Valle	KBL
	Artemio E. Mate	KBL
	Emiliano J. Melgazo	KBL
	Benjamin T. Romualdez	KBL
	Jose A. Roño	KBL
	Alberto S. Veloso	KBL
	Fernando R. Veloso	KBL
	Nicanor E. Yñiguez	KBL
Region IX Western Mindanao	Antonio M. Ceniza	KBL
	Joaquin F. Enriquez, Jr.	KBL
	Manuel M. Espaldon	KBL
	Guardson R. Lood	KBL
	Hussin T. Loong	KBL
	Celso J. Palma	KBL
	Ulpiano P. Ramas	KBL
	Kalbi T. Tupay	KBL
Region X Northern Mindanao	Edelmiro A. Amanta, Sr.	KBL
	Reuben R. Canoy	Mindanao Alliance
	Concordio C. Diel	KBL
	Carlos O. Fortich	KBL
	Constantino C. Navarro	KBL
	Liliano B. Neri	KBL
	Emmanuel N. Pelaez	KBL
	Henry Y. Regalado	KBL
	Antonio R. Tupaz	KBL
Region XI Southern Mindanao	Alejandro D. Almendras	KBL
	Benjamin V. Bautista, Sr.	KBL
	Rodolfo P. Del Rosario	KBL
	Teodoro P. Palma Gil	KBL
	Jose G. Puyat, Jr.	KBL
	Jorge P. Royeca	KBL
	Felicidad C. Santos	KBL
	Rogelio M. Sarmiento	KBL
	Manuel M. Garcia	KBL
	Jose T. Sison	KBL
Region XII Central Mindanao	Jesus P. Amparo	KBL
	Anacleto D. Badoy, Jr.	KBL
	Tomas B. Baga, Jr.	KBL
	Abdullah D. Dimaporo	KBL
	Ahdel S.T. Pangandaman	KBL
	Ernesto F. Roldan	KBL
	Datu Blah T. Sinsuat	KBL
	Estanislao V. Valdez	KBL

Sectoral Assemblymen

The sectoral members of the Interim Batasang Pambansa were elected at large on April 27, 1978.

Sector	Region	Sectoral Assemblymen
Youth	Luzon	Danilo L. Concepcion
	Luzon	Rogelio C. Peyuan
	Visayas	Luisito R. Patalinhug
	Mindanao	Nurodin M. Mamaluba
	Any Region	Macairog G. Aznar
	Any Region	Judy V. Carunungan
Industrial Labor	Luzon	Ruben O. De Ocampo
	Luzon	Eulogio R. Lerum
	Visayas	Januario T. Seno
	Mindanao	Princess Porti A. Pacasum
Agricultural Labor	Luzon	Luis M. Taruc
	Luzon	Jose M. Cervantes
	Visayas	Rolando N. Bayot
	Mindanao	Jiamil Ismael Dianalan