MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang has yet to receive the final copy of the Cheaper Medicines Bill a week after it was ratified by the Senate and House of Representatives, a Palace official said Wednesday.
In a text message sent to reporters, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would definitely sign the measure soon as the same is transmitted to the Office of the President.
"As a matter of fact, the Palace has not yet received the final (copy) of the Cheap Medicines Bill which is being printed at the Senate as of yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon," Golez said.
He added that after the printing, the copy will be signed by Senate President Manuel Villar and the secretary of the Senate afterwhich the same will go to the House to undergo the same review and eventually be signed by Speaker Propspero Nograles and the House secretary general.
"It will then be brought back to the Senate which will officially transmit it to the Office of the President for signing," Golez said.
On Tuesday last week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the "Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008," which seeks to: