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Politics

Barangay Chiefs Must Show Policymakers Sincere Effort to Defeat Drug Menace – PIMENTEL

  Senate President Koko Pimentel III told barangay captains that they must clean their ranks and prove to President Duterte that there is no truth to the report that up to 40% of village leaders are involved in illegal drugs. Pimentel said this in his keynote speech to the Strategic Consultation and Workshop on Federalism, […]

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Politics

National Effort Needed in Rebuilding Marawi – PIMENTEL

  Senate President Koko Pimentel III on asked government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and concerned citizens to unite in rebuilding Marawi City. Called the Islamic City for its distinctive Islamic edifices and culture, Marawi City was brutally attacked by members of the Maute terrorist group in an attempt to establish a province of ISIS in Southeast […]

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Politics

Autonomous Region of the Cordillera Versus the Cordillera Administrative Region – BAGUILAT

  House members have expressed support for the passage of House Bill 5343, seeking to establish the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC), which is being pushed by political leaders of the present Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). In a hearing conducted by the House committee on constitutional amendments chaired by Rep. Roger Mercado (Lone District, […]

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Politics

Many People Underestimate the Capability of the Youth to Lead – AQUINO

  “More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.” Senator Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year. According to the legislator, more young Filipinos are joining the […]

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Politics

20,000 More Troops for the Armed Forces of the Philippines – TRILLANES

  In light of the current security issues in the country, Senator Sonny Trillanes IV has filed a bill providing for an increase in the standing force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the recruitment and special enlistment of Provisional Enlisted Personnel (PEP). According to Trillanes, a former officer of the AFP, “The […]

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Politics

Ways Needed to Ensure Continuous Pension Fund Viability – GORDON

  The Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises conducted a hearing on bills seeking to amend Republic Act No. 8282 to give the state-run Social Security System (SSS) more powers to enable it to grow their funds. Senator Dick Gordon, committee chair, noted that the fund life of the SSS was shortened by […]

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Politics

Entrepreneurship Program for Government Retirees Pushed – NOEL

  The House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development chaired by Rep. Peter Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental) has approved a substitute bill which seeks to provide an alternative for employees who opt to retire from the government to venture into entrepreneurial activities. In a meeting presided by committee vice chairperson Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong […]

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Government

One Million Hectares to Be Planted With Trees – PIÑOL

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will propose to President Rodrigo Duterte the leasing of government land, including watershed areas, to private companies that will engage in agro-forestry and reforestation projects. Piñol said that he will seek the President’s approval of the Bantay Kagubatan program, a convergence project with the […]

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Politics

Privatize All PAGCOR Casinos – LACSON

  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) may have to give up its operation of casinos, if a bill filed by Senator Ping Lacson is passed into law. Senate Bill 1471 aims to address PAGCOR’s “conflicting” roles of regulating and operating gambling casinos by having the agency focus on regulating the industry and giving […]

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Politics

Coop Leaders Laud Retention of Coop Tax Exemptions in TRAIN Tax Reform Package – BRAVO

  The 14-million member-strong cooperative movement represented by COOP-NATCCO Partylist Rep. Anthony Bravo thanked leaders of the House of Representatives on Wednesday after they committed to retain the tax exemptions currently extended to the country’s close to ten thousand cooperatives. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas had earlier announced that the tax exemptions of cooperatives would […]