Categories
Politics

P6.35T 2025 NATIONAL BUDGET GETS SENATE OK

The Senate approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 10800, or the proposed General Appropriations Bill (GAB) appropriating P6.352-trillion national expenditure for fiscal year 2025. The proposed measure was approved with 18 affirmative votes, and no negative vote. Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III abstained. The budget bill was approved on second and third […]

Categories
Politics

BATO LAUDS P50B AFP MODERNIZATION FUND RESTORATION

The Senate’s restoration of the P50 billion original proposed funding for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program is essentially fighting for the country’s sovereignty. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa made this remark as he lauded the Senate for standing firm that there is a need for the AFP to continue its modernization […]

Categories
Politics

BATO: HIKE FUNDS OF PEACE PROCESS, AMNESTY BODIES

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is pushing for sufficient budgetary support to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) to ensure the full reintegration of former rebels to the communities. Dela Rosa stressed this during the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed P6.352 trillion national […]

Categories
Politics

TULFO EXPOSES DAM ANOMALY IN NIA BUDGET HEARING

Senator Raffy Tulfo blasted anew the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) for collecting ₱261 million yearly for repair and maintenance costs of unfinished and non-operational Balog Balog Dam project Phase 2 in San Jose, Tarlac. During the hearing of the Senate Finance Committee for the proposed budget of NIA for 2025, Tulfo asked the agency why they […]

Categories
Politics

LIBANAN TO SENATORS: BACK BIGGER ‘AYUDA’ FUNDING

House of Representatives Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan is counting on the Senate to support the larger funding allocations for the government’s targeted cash aid programs for poor and low-income families in the proposed 2025 national budget. “We have very high hopes that the Senate will endorse the P114 billion allocation for the 4Ps, as well […]

Categories
Politics

HONTIVEROS TO SENATE: PROBE MOBILE FINANCIAL SCAMS

Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a Senate resolution seeking an official investigation on the recent spate of unauthorized transactions, scams and other irregularities involving mobile financial services. In the proposed Senate Resolution No. 1234, Hontiveros said that the Senate must review existing rules and regulations governing the financial technology or ‘fintech’ sector, since there is […]

Categories
Politics

PIMENTEL WANTS PROBE ON CITEM’S BUDGET

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III called for reforms at the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), after raising concerns over several operational issues within the export agency, including high costs for exhibitors and a long-term lease agreement he described as “grossly disadvantageous” to the government. In a resolution, Pimentel cited the agency’s […]

Categories
Politics

SENATE TO SCRUTINIZE GOV’T FLOOD CONTROL PROGRAM

Senate President Chiz Escudero expects to see intense scrutiny on the flood control programs of the government when the Senate begins its plenary debates on the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget. With so many parts of the country devastated by the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine, Escudero is certain the flood control budget will be […]

Categories
Politics

KEEP POLITICS OFF SENATE DRUG WAR PROBE – PADILLA

Let’s not insert politics into the Senate’s investigation into the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.” This was the plea made by Senator Robin Padilla at the hearing on the matter. Padilla said the threat from illegal drugs and drug syndicates cannot be denied, as drugs were even manufactured in the New Bilibid Prison where he […]

Categories
Politics

DELA ROSA TO BARE TRUTH IN SENATE DRUG WAR PROBE

“No holds barred.” Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is ready to share the truth on the war against illegal drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee launches the investigation. “I don’t need to prepare. Andiyan naman ‘yung truth. Hindi naman ‘yan mapapalitan. I know the truth kaya hindi nila ako […]