Can the Philippines craft its own ‘One Beautiful Bill’?

**media[27116]**In the wake of the United States’ passage of its 2025 “One Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping legislative package championed by President Donald Trump—the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (CCPI) has urged the Marcos administration to consider launching a homegrown version. The U.S. measure, which combines across-the-board tax cuts, increased defense spending, tighter immigration rules, and regulatory rollbacks, is designed to jumpstart growth and reinforce national resilience.The CCPI proposal is not simply about mimicry—it is about momentum. What the Philippines needs, the group argues, is a unified legislative reform program that fuses fiscal stimulus, security modernization, streamlined governance, and innovation-driven development. In short: a Philippine “One Beautiful Bill.”The timing is opportune. The Marcos administration, now midway through its term, has made progress with targeted reforms: the CREATE MORE Act to enhance the investment climate, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling and Sabotage Act to protect food security, the SIM Card Registration Act to boost digital safety, the Tatak Pinoy Act to champion local industries, and the Maharlika Investment Fund to support long-term development.These are substantial achievements. But they are dispersed across policy silos. What remains elusive is a high-impact, omnibus legislative push—a reform package that matches ambition with cohesion.This is where CCPI’s Economic Compass Pillar 5 (ECOMP 5)—Dynamic Innovation Ecosystem—enters the frame. Central to the administration’s long-term vision, ECOMP 5 emphasizes a future-ready economy fueled by science, technology, and innovation. A Philippine “One Beautiful Bill” could serve as the legislative embodiment of this pillar, aligning incentives for startups, expanding R&D investment, attracting global tech talent, and supporting innovation hubs across the country.A critical element in this reform mix must be government efficiency—a cornerstone of investor confidence and citizen trust. In the U.S., Elon Musk had once lobbied for a Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate bureaucratic waste and accelerate delivery of public services. A Philippine counterpart could take the form of a high-level Commission on Smart Governance, tasked with eliminating redundant agencies, promoting digital-first services, and using AI to simplify transactions.Such a body could work alongside the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to spearhead a whole-of-government modernization drive—making government leaner, faster, and more citizen-focused.The proposed omnibus bill could also integrate tax rationalization—offering relief for middle-income earners and MSMEs—while preserving fiscal sustainability. Increased defense spending, in coordination with Quad (namely, Australia, India, Japan and the US) and ASEAN allies, would not only safeguard territorial integrity but also protect trade routes and investment corridors. Meanwhile, immigration and labor mobility reforms could support sectors facing critical talent gaps, particularly in health, education, and high-tech.If done right, a Philippine “One Beautiful Bill” can unify disparate reform initiatives into a coherent national strategy, grounded in ECOMP 5, operationalized by an empowered government efficiency body, and executed through an inclusive legislative process.The moment for bold, integrated reform is now. With only a few years left in its term, the Marcos administration has a historic opportunity to craft a signature legislative package—one that shapes not only a legacy, but the future of the Filipino nation.