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Politics

USE OF GSIS INSURANCE TO REHAB POST OFFICE URGED

The rehabilitation of the historic Manila Central Post Office building must have as its seed fund proceeds from fire insurance claims, Senator Chiz Escudero stressed. “That should be the financial cornerstone of its reconstruction. Before any appropriated funds are tapped, insurance should be collected first. Bago galawin ang nasa national budget, habulin muna ang insurance,” […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO FILES BILL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OMBUDSMAN

Senator Chiz Escudero has filed a proposed bill that will enable the Office of the Ombudsman to retain at least 30% of the value of the ill-gotten assets acquired from the forfeiture cases that the government won in courts against corrupt public officials as a move to augment the financial resources of the country’s graft […]

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‘RENATIONALIZATION’ TO DETER INVESTORS – ESCUDERO

Senator Chiz Escudero cautioned against the “renationalization” or reacquiring of properties formerly owned by the Philippine government, saying it might discourage foreign investors from doing business in the country. “The renationalization of formerly-owned sold state assets is a policy that the national government should be very careful about or should be more circumspect about as […]

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Politics

HIGHER COMPENSATION FOR CRIME VICTIMS PUSHED

Senator Chiz Escudero is pressing for higher compensation for victims of unjust imprisonment and violent crimes through amendment to Republic Act 7309 that created the Board of Claims under the Department of Justice (DOJ) more than three decades ago. Escudero, who filed the proposal last year, expressed hope that the three Senate committees – Justice […]

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NEW MEDICAL, VET SCHOOLS GET SENATE PANEL OK

Senator Chiz Escudero resumed the public hearing of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and tackled policies and initiatives to improve the state of the country’s higher education, including plans to establish medical colleges and veterinary schools in state universities nationwide. During the hearing, the panel approved various proposals to create five additional […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO SAYS NO TO NEW TAX MEASURES

Senator Chiz Escudero warned the government against introducing new tax measures as they would burden people who have yet to recover from the pandemic. Escudero said the government should instead boost its fight against corruption, run after tax cheats, and cut unnecessary expenditures. “Taxation should be the last resort, not the first option. You reduce […]

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Politics

GIVE LGUS GENUINE AUTONOMY – ESCUDERO

While local governments are cutting red tape, they remain victims of excessive controls by the national government, resulting in inefficiencies that slow down the delivery of public services, Senator Chiz Escudero said. Escudero is calling for “an audit of this glut of orders from the national government, so the unnecessary ones will be repealed.” Drawing […]

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Politics

BUY RESCUE BOATS, NOT SUBMARINES, SAYS ESCUDERO

Before it borrows money to buy submarines, the Philippines should first acquire locally-made ships, like floating hospitals and rescue boats, that will aid people and towns hit by typhoons, which are getting frequent and stronger, Senator Chiz Escudero said. “I am for stronger a Navy. I am a great fan of our sailors. But the […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO: DECLASSIFY GOV’T VAX PURCHASE DATA

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration that the COVID-19 global health emergency is over should also lift the secrecy on the funds spent by the government for vaccines, Sen. Chiz Escudero said. What should not however end, Escudero stressed, “is the pursuit to bring to justice those who misused pandemic funds by buying overpriced medical […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO BATS FOR PAY HIKE OF PUBLIC DENTISTS

Senator Chiz Escudero wants an increase in the salary of some 2,000 dentists employed in the public sector to attract more dentists to enter and remain in government service. Escudero made the proposal under Senate Bill 2082 or the Public Dentist Salary Modification Act, after co-authoring a measure that seeks to provide pay hikes to […]