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Politics

HOUSE REPS BACK LEGALIZATION OF MOTORCYCLE TAXIS

Several lawmakers at the House of Representatives pushed for the immediate passage of a measure that would legitimize the regulation and operation of motorcycle taxis (MCTs) as public utility vehicles (PUVs). The lawmakers made the call in light of the increased demand for efficient public transport and livelihood during this pandemic. Navotas City Representative John […]

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Politics

POWER LINEMEN WELFARE BILLS GET HOUSE PANEL OK

A House of Representatives panel approved several measures seeking to enhance the knowledge, skills, and working conditions of lineworkers in the power utility industry. During a virtual meeting recently, the House Committee on Energy, chaired by Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo, approved the substitute bills to House Bills 471, 472, and 3247. HB 471 aims to […]

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Politics

BILL ON LINEMEN TRAINING SCHOOL GETS HOUSE OK

The House Committee on Energy approved the draft substitute bills authored by the Power Bloc Representatives honoring the invaluable contributions and promoting the interests of lineworkers.Previously deliberated during a Technical Working Group held last March 15, the draft substitute bills include House Bills No. 471, 472, and 3247. After presenting the draft substitute bills, the […]

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AMNESTY RESOLUTIONS GET HOUSE PANELS OK – TUPAS

Two panels of the House of Representatives have approved the committee reports on four concurrent resolutions granting amnesty to members of four major rebel groups. In a joint hearing, the House Committees on Justice and on National Defense and Security, chaired by Leyte Representative Vicente Veloso III and Iloilo Representative Raul Tupas, respectively, approved the […]

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Politics

FREELANCE WORKERS BILL GETS HOUSE NOD – DE VENECIA

The House of Representatives has approved on third reading House Bill No. 8817 or the proposed Freelance Workers Protection Act. “It’s about time we started protecting our freelancers who comprise around 2 percent of our population. This is actually the biggest figure per capita in the world,” Pangasinan fourth district Representative Christopher De Venecia, one of […]

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Politics

BILLS FOR DISASTER PREPS, EMERGENCIES GET HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, passed several measures before going on recess. The House approved on third and final reading House Bill 8999 or the proposed “Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Act.” It garnered 195 affirmative and six negative votes, without any abstention. HB 8999 seeks to organize a […]

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Politics

BILL REGULATING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC GETS HOUSE OK

The House Committee on Ecology chaired by Zamboanga del Norte Representative Glona Labadlabad approved the substitute bill that would regulate the production, importation, sale, distribution, provision, use, recovery, collection, recycling, and disposal of single-use plastic products. The substitute measure consolidated 38 bills — one of which was authored by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco –and four […]

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Politics

STIFFER PENALTIES FOR DRUNK DRIVING GETS HOUSE OK

Making strides towards the road safety of Filipinos, the House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 8914, which provides for stiffer penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and other similar substances. The bill would amend Republic Act 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.” It garnered 203 affirmative […]

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Politics

P50B SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET EYED FOR PENSION FUND

The chair of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations said Tuesday he would file a P50-billion supplemental budget to augment the Pension and Gratuity Fund (PGF) for retired uniformed personnel in the 2021 national budget. ACT-CIS party list Representative Eric Yap made the statement after Anakalusugan party list Representative Mike Defensor, a known ally […]

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Politics

VACCINE PROCUREMENT BILL GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a vaccine indemnity fund and expediting the purchase of vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). With 225 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and six abstentions, the chamber passed on third reading House Bill 8648, or the proposed COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act. […]