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Politics

COME DOWN HARD ON PREDATORY MERCHANTS – PIMENTEL

With government set to impose suggested retail prices for rice and chicken soon, Senate Trade and Commerce Committee Chair Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is urging authorities to come down hard on predatory merchants who will continue to sell overpriced goods. The National Food Authority (NFA) Council, along with the departments of agriculture, trade and industry, […]

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Politics

ANGARA TO DOE, DOJ: FORM TASK FORCE TO PROBE UNREASONABLE OIL PRICE HIKES

Senator Sonny Angara has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assemble the task force tasked to investigate unreasonable oil price hikes in some provinces in the country, as inflation hits 6.7 percent due to high global oil prices. “The government should immediately take action if there are […]

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Politics

HOUSE APPROVES FREE TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BILL – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, welcomed the recent passage of free technical-vocational education bill on third and final reading in the House of Representatives. The counterpart version, Senate Bill No. 1431 or the proposed Tulong Trabaho Act, was approved on third and final reading in the Senate on May […]

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Politics

GIVE BARANGAY OFFICIALS P100,000 LUMP SUM RETIREMENT, CHRISTMAS BONUS INCREASE – GATCHALIAN

A lump sum retirement gratuity pay equivalent to one-year honorarium or P100,000 as well as grant of other benefits including a higher Christmas bonus for barangay officials are now being pushed anew in the Senate. In making the proposal, Senator Win Gatchalian said the existing amounts being provided under the Local Government Code of 1991 […]

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Politics

BOC SHOULD HAVE EXPERT X-RAY MACHINE OPERATORS – GORDON

With the sophistication that drug smuggling is now being conducted, Senator Dick Gordon has proposed that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) should have expert X-ray machine operators and experts on drug and other contraband detection. “The drug war has taken a different tone, not only here but throughout the whole world. Yung mga droga na […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES HIGHER DISCOUNT RATE FOR POLITICAL ADS – PIMENTEL

The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill requiring higher discount rates for political advertisements in radio and television during elections, in a bid to give more candidates the chance to share their platforms to the public and pave the way for more informed voters. Senate Bill No. 1985 was sponsored by Senator […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFIES EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE LAW – HONTIVEROS

The Senate has ratified the proposed Extended Maternity Leave bill that would provide 105 to 120 days of paid maternity leave for working mothers in both the government and private sectors. Under the proposed law, 105 days of paid maternity leave will be given to all working mothers. Of the 105, seven days are transferable […]

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Politics

SENATE OKs KONTRA-TAMBAY BILL – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva hailed the passage of Senate Bill No. 1629 or the “First-time Jobseekers Assistance Act” on third and final reading with 18 affirmative votes, no negative vote, and zero abstention. The measure exempts fresh graduates and out-of-school youth from paying government fees and charges on documents needed for their job application. Villanueva, chairperson […]

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Politics

STEP UP DISASTER READINESS – PIMENTEL

“Let’s assess our readiness to respond and to provide needed disaster relief and assistance in times of natural calamities. Our education drives and simulation drills should be sustained and continuous. An alert and informed citizenry is best equipped to deal with emergencies.” Senator Koko Pimentel III made the remark as the Philippine government sent its […]

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Politics

GORDON TO PNP, NBI: INTENSIFY MANHUNT VS SYNDICATE FINANCIER BEHIND P8.7B ROAD RIGHT OF WAY PAYMENT SCAM

Senator Dick Gordon has urged the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigations to intensify the manhunt for the alleged financier of the syndicate that has defrauded the government of P8.7 billion in road right of way (RROW) payments. During the recent hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Gordon, committee chairman, flashed […]