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Politics

SENATE APPROVES REGIONAL INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATING HUB OF CENTRAL LUZON – GORDON

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking the creation of the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) of Central Luzon, in a bid to attract jobs and capital to the region and help decongest Metro Manila. Senate Bill No. 1997 was authored and sponsored by Senator Dick Gordon, chairman […]

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BICAM APPROVES 105-DAY MATERNITY LEAVE – HERRERA-DY

The congressional bicameral conference committee on Monday approved a bill seeking to increase the paid maternity leave period to 105 days for female workers in the government and private sector. The bicameral panel, under the leadership of Senator Risa Hontiveros and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, was able to reconcile the differing provisions of […]

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Politics

DEATH OF WUSHU ATHLETE UNDERSCORES NEED TO UPDATE GOVERNMENT SPORTS FACILITIES – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara said the recent death of a junior member of the Philippine wushu team underscores the need to update existing government sports facilities to ensure the safety and health of Filipino national athletes. Angara, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, also expressed his sympathies to the family of 12-year-old wushu athlete […]

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SENATE APPROVES STUDENT FARE DISCOUNT BILL ON SECOND READING – ANGARA

The Senate bill that seeks to institutionalize the granting of a 20 percent fare discount to students is set to be approved on third and final reading. Senate Bill 1597, principally authored and sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara, aims to institutionalize and expand the coverage of the student fare discount to include land, air, water […]

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LGUs DESERVE FULL AUTONOMY, MORE FUNDS – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara is backing moves that would give more power and funds to local government units (LGUs), whether under a federal form of government being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte or through changes to the 27-year-old Local Government Code (LGC). Speaking before local officials of Siquijor province, Angara said that as chairman of the […]

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DELAY PASSAGE OF TRABAHO BILL IF IT WILL CAUSE WORKER LAYOFFS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva Chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development said the passage of TRABAHO bill (Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities) should be delayed if it would only cause worker layoffs as admitted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). During the Senate deliberation on the […]

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SMALL FARMERS SHOULD HAVE CHEAPER CERTIFICATION COST FOR ORGANIC PRODUCE – VILLAR

Saying more Filipinos should have access to healthy and safe farm products, Senator Cynthia Villar has pushed for a system of organic products certification which small farmers can also afford. During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food on bills amending Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, Villar […]

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TRABAHO BILL SHOULD CREATE JOBS RATHER THAN KILL THEM – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara said the Senate committee would not proceed with its deliberation of the TRABAHO bill unless government can present definitive data on the impact on jobs. During a recent senate hearing, Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua insisted that more jobs will be created in the long run under the Tax Reform for Attracting Better […]

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Politics

BOOKS SHOULD BE TAX-FREE – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara has assured that his committee will not touch any provision that grants incentives and tax exemptions to the book publishing industry. Under House Bill 8083 or the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO), Section 12 of Republic Act 8047 or the Book Publishing Industry Development Act of 1994 […]

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SENATE APPROVES STRENGTHENED PCA LAW ON SECOND READING – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar has welcomed the approval on second reading of the bill giving greater representation to coconut farmers in the body tasked to manage the P105 billion coconut levy funds. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, authored Senate Bill 1976 or the Strengthened Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Law. The bill amends […]