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ESCUDERO: SENATE TO PRIORITIZE RIGHTSIZING BILL

Senate President Chiz Escudero said the proposal on the rightsizing of the national government will be prioritized by the Senate to ensure its passage before the 19th Congress adjourns its session in June. Escudero, author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 890 or the Rightsizing National Government Act, led a consultative meeting to tackle the […]

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ESCUDERO VOWS: SENATE TO PASS MORE BILLS IN 2025

Halfway through the third regular session of the 19th Congress, the Senate is on pace to become one of the most productive in history with a total of 72 bills already signed into law. Under the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero, the Senate was able to focus on its mandate of passing laws that […]

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ESCUDERO LAUDS SIGNING OF 2025 NATIONAL BUDGET

Senate President Chiz Escudero welcomed the signing of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which he described as a product of a truly collaborative process involving the inputs of various sectors, including the public. While the signing took longer than expected, Escudero emphasized that the thorough review of the 2025 GAA by President Ferdinand Marcos […]

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DFA URGED: GIVE PINOYS JAILED ABROAD LEGAL AID

Senate President Chiz Escudero has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to provide all the necessary legal assistance to Filipinos jailed overseas to secure their freedom, following the successful return of Mary Jane Veloso from Indonesia, where she was sentenced to death for drug trafficking. Veloso had spent more than 14 years in […]

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ESCUDERO LAUDS SIGNING OF TOURIST VAT REFUND LAW

Senate President Chiz Escudero said the value-add tax (VAT) refund mechanism for non-resident travelers is a long overdue initiative the country needs to lure more visitors and increase tourist haul. Escudero made the statement as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed the legislation amending the National Internal Revenue Code to provide for the VAT refund to […]

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ESCUDERO LAUDS STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT FREEZE

Senate President Chiz Escudero said the legislation that will allow student loan payment moratorium during disasters is a timely intervention from the government to help curb the cases of enrollees dropping out of school due to financial constraints. Escudero made the statement after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act Number 10277 or the Student […]

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ESCUDERO LEADS SENATE ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE

The Philippines has achieved a lot in the fight against corruption but a lot more has to be done to eliminate the opportunities for unscrupulous individuals and groups, Senate President Chiz Escudero said. Speaking at the 5th State Conference on the Implementation and Review of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Escudero lauded the […]

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RENATIONALIZE AGRI SUPPORT SERVICES — ESCUDERO

Senate President Chiz Escudero is renewing his push for the renationalization of agricultural support services to uplift and revitalize the sector. Speaking to stakeholders of the agriculture sector, Escudero once again raised his proposal to bring back the control and supervision over agricultural support services and facilities to the national level, particularly the Department of […]

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ESCUDERO CALLS FOR CALM AFTER VP’S OUTBURST

Senate President Chiz Escudero has appealed to all the parties involved in the events that led to the latest tirade of Vice President Sara Duterte to work on de-escalating the situation to “prevent further harm to the safety, health and well-being of everyone involved”. In a statement, Escudero said he was “deeply concerned” with the […]

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PH MUST PREPARE FOR A TRUMP PRESIDENCY – ESCUDERO

The Philippines “must be one step ahead” of whatever policy shifts that US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to implement once in office. The call was made by Senate President Chiz Escudero who said that “beyond sending congratulatory words,” the government should start “drawing up scenarios in the Trump era and preparing a response to […]