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Politics

VILLANUEVA WANTS TO EXPAND USE OF SPED FUND

Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing for a measure which seeks to expand and maximize the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to assist schools in their needed resources and pave the way for better learning outcomes. Senate Bill No. 2845 proposes to amend the Local Government Code to empower local school boards to use […]

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ZUBIRI EYES PH AS GLOBAL DEFENSE MARKET EXPORTER

With the signing of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act (SRDP Act), the Philippines is now ready to take long strides toward strengthening its defense manufacturing capabilities, ready to achieve self-reliance in defense before aiming to become a key player in the global defense market. This is according to Senator Migz Zubiri, the father of […]

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Politics

LEGARDA: FOOD SECURITY WITH LAW VS AGRI SMUGGLING

Senator Loren Legarda lauded the signing of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, into law, which will establish new measures against rampant smuggling. The law seeks to curtail smuggling, profiteering, and hoarding of agricultural products. “We welcome the signing of this priority measure, which seeks to make food products more affordable […]

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LEGARDA PROMOTES FILIPINO FOLK LULLABIES

Continuing her steadfast commitment to uphold the Philippines’ dynamic arts and culture, Senator Loren Legarda advocates for the provincial leg of the ‘Himig Himbing: Ang Mga Ambahanun Natin – an event that highlights the country’s rich indigenous and folk lullabies – at the University of Antique in the Municipality of Sibalom. ‘Himig Himbing’ is a […]

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BONG GO BATS FOR AWARENESS ON INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

Senator Bong Go, member of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, joined the nation in celebrating October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, underscoring the importance of raising awareness and supporting the rights and welfare of the country’s Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or Indigenous Peoples (IPs). The observance, which is celebrated annually in October, aims to […]

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POE FILES BILL FOR STARLINK GRANT OF FRANCHISE

Senator Grace Poe filed a bill seeking the grant of franchise to Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. to allow it to provide internet services, especially in far-flung communities. Senate Bill No. 2844 said the franchise is needed for the company to construct, maintain and operate satellite ground stations for the provision of broadband internet services. […]

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CYNTHIA VILLAR BATS FOR PH BLUE ECONOMY

The “blue” must stay blue, stressed Senate committee on environment and natural resources chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar. During the celebration of the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) 2024 at the Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) recently, Villar related the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had chosen the theme “Clean Seas for a […]

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LEGARDA: MAGNA CARTA OF MARINERS A WIN FOR WORKERS

Senator Loren Legarda lauded the signing into law of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which she called a huge win for foreign and domestic workers. The new law aims to secure seafarers’ rights to decent, just, and humane conditions aboard sea-going vessels, as well as filling the deficiencies in laws that have threatened overseas […]

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Politics

VAT REFUND FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS GETS SENATE OK

The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the proposed value-added tax (VAT) refund measure for non-resident tourists that would hopefully attract more tourists. With 20 affirmative votes, one negative vote and no abstention, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2415 or An Act Creating a Vat Refund Mechanism for Non-Resident Tourists, adding a New Section […]

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Politics

BILL EYES TREE PLANTING FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS

Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored a bill which seeks to institutionalize tree planting as a “civic duty” for all graduating senior high school and college students nationwide. Villar’s proposed measure- Senate Bill No. 2834. or the “Tree Planting Legacy of Graduates Act of 2024,” under Committee Report No. 330 intends to address environmental challenges, particularly the […]