Lawmakers approved the measure after nearly 14 hours of continuous debate, marking the most significant policy overhaul in over a decade

Lawmakers passed a sweeping reform bill early Wednesday morning after a marathon 14-hour debate session, capping months of contentious negotiation over what officials are calling the most significant policy overhaul in more than a decade.

The Civic Modernization Bill passed by a vote of 218 to 196, following last-minute amendments that secured support from several previously undecided members. The legislation introduces major changes to public administration procedures, expands oversight mechanisms for government spending, and establishes new standards for digital service delivery across public institutions.

“This bill represents years of work to modernize systems that have simply not kept pace with how people live and interact with government today,” said Speaker Miriam Castellano following the vote. Castellano’s remarks are illustrative of the broader sentiment among bill supporters who pushed the legislation through despite strong opposition resistance.

A Contentious Path to Passage

The debate, which began Tuesday afternoon and stretched past midnight, saw opposition lawmakers introduce more than 40 amendments, many aimed at narrowing the bill’s scope or delaying implementation timelines. Several of the amendments were rejected in close votes, with party leaders reportedly negotiating behind closed doors through much of the night to secure the final tally.

Opposition leader Daniel Okonjo criticized the bill’s rushed final stages, arguing that key provisions had not received adequate scrutiny. “Passing legislation of this scale at three in the morning is not how meaningful reform should happen,” Okonjo said in remarks framed as illustrative of broader opposition concerns.

What Comes Next

The bill now moves to the upper chamber, where it is expected to face additional debate before a final vote in the coming weeks. Government officials say implementation, if approved, would begin in phases over the next 18 months, with the first changes affecting public records access and digital service standards.

Analysts following the legislation say its passage signals a broader shift toward modernization efforts that have gained momentum following years of public pressure for administrative reform.