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2026 BUDGET SENATE VERSION GETS HONTIVEROS OK

Senator Risa Hontiveros voted yes to the Senate version of the 2026 budget which she hailed for “critical and timely” funding increases for programs for students, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and women and children – as she vowed to pursue proper funding for health services and the protection of the Sierra Madre. After joining other […]

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TULFO: BOOST TOURISM WITH CHEAPER LOCAL FLIGHTS

Senator Erwin Tulfo urged anew the Department of Tourism to bolster efforts in lowering the ticket prices for domestic flights to compete with neighboring Southeast Asian countries, which have been experiencing a spike in international tourists. This was earlier raised by Tulfo during the Senate plenary debates for the 2026 DOT Budget. “Our people would […]

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P1.3T DEPED BUDGET FOR 2026 GETS SENATE OK

The Senate has approved on third and final reading its version of the 2026 national budget, the first to meet the United Nations benchmark on education spending. According to Senator Win Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate version of the 2026 national budget allocates P1.37 trillion to the education sector, the […]

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LEGARDA TO PHILHEALTH: COVER NEWBORN SCREENING

Senator Loren Legarda called on government agencies to fully enforce landmark health and welfare measures she authored, stressing their vital role in safeguarding the rights of Filipinos from birth to adulthood. Speaking in plenary recently, Legarda responded to Senator Raffy Tulfo’s privilege speech on health programs and disability services, reinforcing the call through her own […]

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BERNOS TO PNP LEADERSHIP: PUNISH BAD COPS

The vice chair of the House of Representatives’ public order and safety committee has expressed his alarm over the recent spate of violence involving cops and urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership to sanction its erring members to prevent erosion of public trust in the PNP. “We expect our cops to uphold public safety, […]

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LACSON:  SAFEGUARD CONSTRUCTION OF CLASSROOMS

Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson pushed for safeguards to make sure that a bill seeking to accelerate the construction of classrooms and school buildings will not be marred by conflict of interest – or worse, create another “Napoles.” Lacson emphasized that while he fully supports the initiative to accelerate the construction of classrooms and […]

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TULFO EXPRESSES DISMAY OVER PRIMEWATER SERVICE

Senate Committee on Public Services Chairperson Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed strong dismay over the continuing complaints he has been receiving from consumers regarding the poor services of water providers in various parts of the country, including PrimeWater. During his committee’s hearing, Tulfo noted that the issues surrounding PrimeWater’s service were already raised during the September […]

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LACSON FILES BILL TO DEVELOP PH COFFEE INDUSTRY

Coffee is life for many Filipinos, but for our local growers, it’s a daily fight for survival against imports and limited support from the Philippine government. In this light, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson filed Senate Bill 1556, establishing a Philippine national coffee industry development program. Lacson’s bill also creates the Philippine Coffee Board […]

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RAFFY TULFO GIVES NBP INMATES HYGIENE SUPPLIES

Senator Erwin Tulfo distributed thousands of medical and hygiene supplies to more than 2,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the minimum-security facility in New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Tulfo provided thousands of items, including antibacterial soaps, shampoo, adult diapers, folding beds, and bath and hand towels. The legislator also gave wheelchairs and tents. “These supplies […]

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SOLID NORTH TO TESDA: HELP MORE POOR BENEFICIARIES

Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos is urging the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to fine-tune their process to ensure that more poor and disadvantaged benefit from its programs. This as a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies found that the number of poor beneficiaries participating in TESDA training had declined between […]