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Politics

SENATE TO PROBE QUESTIONABLE PROCESSES BEHIND RECRUITMENT OF OFWs – BINAY

Senator Nancy Binay said the Senate will look into the prevalent use of “agents” working for licensed recruitment agencies on a commission basis, citing the case of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in her employer’s apartment in Kuwait. Recently, another domestic worker was sent home by her […]

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Politics

FULL AUTONOMY FOR LGUs – ANGARA

Regardless of the outcome of efforts to amend the Constitution to pave the way for a shift from unitary to federal form of government, Senator Sonny Angara said that local government units (LGUs) should have enough power and funds to respond to the needs of their constituencies. Addressing participants to the recently concluded 2nd Annual […]

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BUDGET REFORM BILL TO IMPROVE GOV’T SPENDING, DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES – LEGARDA

Senator Loren Legarda stressed the importance of the Budget Reform Bill especially in improving government spending and delivery of services to the people. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement during the second hearing on Senate Bill No. 1450, the proposed Budget Reform Act, which she authored. “This will institutionalize budgetary […]

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‘REASONABLE’ TESTING FEES IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES – PIMENTEL

Senate President Koko Pimentel III welcomed the waiving of testing fees for the country’s state universities and colleges, lauding the development as a “step to making tertiary education more accessible to all.” “This should be a relief for parents who just want to have more options, more opportunities for their children. I hope that private […]

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EXPANDED PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL FILIPINOS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva emphasized the need for the immediate passage of a measure aimed at improving the Philhealth benefits and providing coverage to all Filipinos. Senate Bill No. 60 or the Enhanced Universal Healthcare Act of 2016 filed by Villanueva together with Senators Ralph Recto and Win Gatchalian proposes to expand the benefit packages being […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES MAGNA CARTA FOR SCIENTISTS BILL – AQUINO

The measure that will streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to Science and Technology (S&T) government personnel has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading. Via a 15-0 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1534, which seeks to amend Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Scientists to […]

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GOOD SANITATION LEADS TO BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS – VILLAR

Economic growth will thrive and more livelihood opportunities will open up in clean and healthy communities, Senator Cynthia Villar said as she led the distribution of 5,000 toilet bowls in Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila. “Personal hygiene is a key factor in making your homes a more conducive place to live in. It should be […]

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Politics

END SUFFERING OF MRT-3 COMMUTERS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to take immediate action based on the findings and recommendations of the independent auditor, as to whether the controversial Dalian trains are suitable for use on the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) rail line. “Two years have passed since the Dalian trains arrived, and yet their […]

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Politics

GENUINE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW INCLUDES RIGHT TO EXERCISE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva vowed to come up with a genuine anti-discrimination law which will protect not just the civil rights and legal privileges of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) but also the people’s rights to exercise their religious freedom. “We just want to make sure that the bill does not cause harm to our […]

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Politics

PROTECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF FARMERS VS AGRICULTURAL SMUGGLING – EJERCITO

Senator JV Ejercito has called on the government to relentlessly implement the anti-agricultural smuggling law to ensure the livelihood of Filipino farmers. “Agricultural smuggling is ‘killing’ our farmers. Sa tuwing pumapasok sa ating bansa ang smuggled na bigas, sibuyas, bawang, at iba pang produktong agrikultural, mababa ang presyong sa palengke kasi wala binayarang buwis o […]