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LEGARDA BACKS JOINT OVERSIGHT BODY ON PUBLIC FUNDS

Senator Loren Legarda has expressed her full support for the formation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures, saying it is a vital reform to ensure that every peso in the national budget is spent with integrity, transparency, and in line with the country’s development priorities. Legarda said the joint oversight body of […]

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SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM GETS FUNDING

The 2026 budget allotted P2.9 billion for the rollout of the School-Based Mental Health program and the creation of the Learner Wellness Division, Senator Win Gatchalian said.  The allocation is consistent with the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which Gatchalian authored.  The program shall manage […]

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PBBM VETO OF P92B PROJECTS IN 2026 BUDGET LAUDED

Senator Erwin Tulfo welcomed the signing of the P6.793-trillion budget for fiscal year 2026 and lauded President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s veto of P92.5 billion worth of projects under the unprogrammed appropriations. “We welcome President Marcos’ signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which we believe is the most transparent budget law in the recent history,” […]

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GOOGLE TO PUT UP CHROMEBOOK COMPLEX IN CAMSUR 

A landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of Philippine basic education and strengthening local manufacturing is moving forward, as Allied Manufacturing Corporation Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, in collaboration with Google, has confirmed plans to establish a local Chromebook manufacturing facility in Camarines Sur (CamSur). The proposed facility will be located in the […]

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PING WELCOMES ‘AYUDA POLITIKO BAN’ IN 2026 BUDGET

Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s veto of non-essential funds under the unprogrammed appropriations – as well as the prohibition of political involvement in the distribution of “ayuda” – in the newly signed Republic Act 12314, the national budget for 2026. Lacson noted two of the items that survived the […]

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VILLAFUERTE WANTS DRONES, RESTORED PLANES FOR AFP

House Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte has cited President Marcos for his renewed commitment to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as  the congressman expressed hope that our Commander-in-Chief would back this 2026 two proposals to set aside a combined P15 billion for beefing up the AFP’s defense capabilities via the rehabilitation of […]

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BATANGAS STATE U WINS AT WORLD ROBOT OLYMPIAD

Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, lauded Batangas State University for bringing pride to the Philippines after winning the World Championship at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Singapore 2025 International Finals held recently at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Manila Bay Sands. BatStateU’s Team Scarlet-Verdant BSU […]

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UNPROGRAMMED FUND LOOPHOLES IN 2026 BUDGET CLOSED

Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized that a corruption loophole previously lodged under Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) has been eliminated in the proposed 2026 national budget, as recently approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee. The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance was referring to the Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP), which previously housed […]

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ERWIN TULFO RENEWS CALL FOR REVIEW OF PWD LAWS

Senator Erwin Tulfo has intensified his call for genuine inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by filing a Senate resolution urging a formal inquiry into the implementation of existing PWD laws. Under Senate Resolution No. 186, the appropriate committee is directed to conduct an oversight of the implementation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 (the “Accessibility […]

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LEGARDA BATS FOR YEAR-END ‘DRAINAGE LINISIN’ DRIVE

Senator Loren Legarda urged all barangays nationwide to launch a year-end “drainage hanapin, drainage linisin” drive, calling on communities to locate and clean their drainage systems to prevent flooding, mosquito-borne illnesses, and water contamination in communities. “This is a gift of safety for our families and a gift of care for nature. Drainage hanapin, drainage […]