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Politics

THOROUGH REVIEW OF GCTA LAW NEEDED – ABANTE

The minority bloc of the House of Representatives is calling for a thorough review of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Act law following the congressional hearings on the contentious law conducted in both chambers of Congress. In a press conference, House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. stressed the need for a review of the […]

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Politics

HOUSE APPROVES BILL RAISING TAXES ON ALCOHOL PRODUCTS, CIGARETTES

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the bill proposing to increase the excise tax on alcohol and heated tobacco and vapor products. House Bill 1026 was approved with 184 affirmative votes, two negative votes and one abstention, making it the first bill to be approved by the House in the 18th Congress. […]

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Politics

TRABAHO BILL TO BE SCRUTINIZED BY MINORITY — ABANTE

“We in the Minority will work to make sure TRABAHO works.” This was the assurance given by Minority Leader and Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante Jr., who in a press briefing said members of the Minority will properly scrutinize the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill, several versions of which […]

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Politics

LEGARDA ELECTED AS FIRST ANTIQUE SOLON TO BECOME DEPUTY SPEAKER

Three-term Senator, now Antique Representative Loren Legarda made history yet again for Antique after being chosen as one of the deputy speakers of the 18th Congress. “That alone is already a challenge for me.” Legarda, who is the first Antique representative to become Deputy Speaker, expressed her gratitude and excitement to her kasimanwas (provincemates) who […]

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Politics

HOUSE ELECTS 10 SOLONS IN LEADERSHIP POSTS

The House of Representatives has elected 10 lawmakers to fill up various leadership posts in the Lower Chamber. Named House Deputy Majority Leaders were Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, Batangas 4th District Rep. Lianda Bolilia, Manila 5th District Rep. Amanda Christina Bagatsing; Pampanga 4th District Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc and Pangasinan 4th District […]

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Politics

PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon has made clear that his statement about the term-sharing for the Speakership at the House of Representatives as a “classic compromise” was not intended to criticize members of the House but was a call to protect the Constitution. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Café Adriatico recently, Gordon said congressmen should […]

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Politics

SOLON WANTS MORE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS FOR RIZAL PROVINCE

Among the top 10 provinces in the Philippines, Rizal has the fewest number of representatives in the House of Representatives, with only four legislators representing close to 2.9 million Rizaleños. This, argues Rizal Second District Rep. Fidel Nograles, is the rationale behind his proposal to split Rizal’s second legislative district into three separate districts, “to […]

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Government

NOGRALES TO NEW LAWMAKERS: DON’T HESITATE TO CALL ME

Incumbent and former Members of the House of Representatives shared valuabld lessons with neophyte district and party-list lawmakers to give them a better understanding and appreciation of the budget process, Constitutional provisions, and the important role of the House Secretariat. Former Davao City Representative and now Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, former Marikina City Rep. Miro […]

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Politics

PDP-LABAN OPEN TO TERM-SHARING OF SPEAKERSHIP POST – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III said the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) is open to the term-sharing of the speakership post at the House of Representatives for the 18th Congress. Pimentel, president of the ruling party, noted however that the term-sharing arrangement would only be amenable if Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will hold […]

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Government

NOGRALES TO NEOPHYTE SOLONS: THE BUDGET PROCESS WILL BE YOUR BAPTISM OF FIRE

Newly-elected lawmakers poised to start their first term in the 18th Congress learned more about the budget process as well as their function and role in the House at the second day of the House of Representatives Executive Course on Legislation. The day kicked off with a discussion led by former Davao City Representative and […]