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Politics

REGULATION OF VAPE PRODUCTS BILL GETS BICAM OK

A Bicameral Conference Committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday approved the bicam report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239, which would regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products. This […]

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Politics

SENIORS’ UTILITY BILLS DISCOUNT GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives unanimously approved on final reading a measure increasing the discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption and exempting such bills from value-added tax. With 203 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber passed on third and final reading House Bill 10568, which would […]

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Politics

RURAL FINANCIAL LITERACY BILL GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading a measure promoting financial inclusivity and literacy especially to those living in rural and underdeveloped areas to ensure equitable access to financial technology. A total of 204 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill 10582 or the “Rural Financial Inclusion and Literacy Act.” No lawmaker […]

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Politics

HOUSE RESUMES SESSION AMID OMICRON VARIANT THREAT

The House of Representatives returns to a post-holiday break session with strict health and safety protocols in place amid the ongoing threat of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant.Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said these protocols are necessary to protect House members and employees as the legislative chamber “continues to fulfill its mandate of producing laws […]

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Politics

FILE CASE VS RIO OVER INTERNET PROJECT – AGLIPAY

A House of Representatives panel has recommended the filing of criminal charges against former Department of Information and Communications (DICT) undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. over the alleged irregularities in the government’s Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP). The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability recommended the filing of charges against Rio for violating […]

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Politics

BACOLOD ECOZONE TO CREATE MORE JOBS – GASATAYA

The passage of the Bacolod Special Economic Zone Act is seen to bring in more investment and employment opportunities on its road to recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya, who filed the House Bill (HB) 10243 for the purpose, said the legislation aims to strengthen the local economic […]

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Politics

SOLON URGES IATF TO OK 4th COVID-19 VAX JAB

A lawmaker is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to roll out a new round of vaccination drive to protect Filipinos against COVID-19 and the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus. Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the government’s pandemic response task force should consider giving additional […]

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Politics

PREPARE PH FARMERS FOR GLOBAL TRADE – SALCEDA

The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee said the country’s agricultural sector still needs “infusions” of domestic and public investment to compete effectively even as the world’s largest free trade pact took effect for most of the 15 member countries at the start of this year. Albay Representative Joey Salceda said the Regional […]

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Politics

RELIEF GOODS DELIVERY TO SIARGAO STEADY — MATUGAS

The distribution of relief packs in the different municipalities in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte remained unhampered as support continued to grow from different sectors, both in the government and private sectors. Surigao del Norte First District Representative Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II said the number of relief packs delivered to distressed residents in the […]

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Politics

ARREST MEDICINE HOARDERS, PROFITEERS – CASTELO

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives urged authorities to run after and arrest hoarders and price manipulators of medicines used to treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms amid the rise in COVID-19 cases. Quezon City Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo said there are laws, regulations, and even local ordinances prohibiting hoarding and price manipulation of drugs […]