Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Wednesday said the Senate will tackle the proposed measure seeking the creation of the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund next year but not as a priority measure.

"We also expect to tackle the Maharlika Fund Bill soon, not as a priority measure, but as a measure for deep discussion and careful consideration," Zubiri said.

He said House Bill 6608, or the Maharlika Investment Fund bill was not included in the list of priority measures in the Senate for next year.

Before adjourning for the Christmas break, the House of Representatives approved the third and final reading of House Bill 6608 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who admitted that the creation of the sovereign wealth fund was his idea, certified the bill as urgent.

Zubiri identified the priority measures of the Senate in 2023 – Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Condonation of Unpaid Amortization and Interest on Loans of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, and the AFP Amendment on Fixed Term.

Likewise, the upper chamber will also tackle a handful of health bills, namely the Medical Reserve Corps Act, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control Act, and the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines Act.

'Productive Senate'
He said the Senate in the 19th Congress has been productive, citing the passage of the SIM Card Registration Act, which is now being implemented in the country.

"Performance-wise, the work of the Senate is already in action. This week, our telecommunications companies have already begun the process of SIM registration, as part of the implementation of the SIM Registration Act, which was the first law passed under this Congress," Zubiri said.

"With the successful implementation of this law, we will be able to cut down on the use of anonymous SIMs for criminal activities such as scams, identity theft, and even terrorism," he added.

Zubiri is proud of the "productive working relationships" between the Senate and House of Representatives, and the Executive.

"The remarkably swift passage of the 2023 General Appropriations Act is a testament to this, and hopefully sets a precedent for the smooth and unproblematic passage of laws in the new year," he said.

"With better coordination between the executive and the legislative, we will see less vetoes, and we will be able to focus our time and resources on measures that will really be of service (to) the people," he added.