Categories
Politics

MAKE MEDICINES FOR MENTAL ILLNESS VAT-FREE – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III is seeking the expansion of the list of value-added tax (VAT)-exempt medicines to include those prescribed for the treatment of mental health conditions. Senate Bill No. 2193 filed by Pimentel seeks to further amend a provision in the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, particularly Section 109. “While the Mental Health […]

Categories
Politics

9 OF 10 ARRESTED ILLEGAL FOREIGN WORKERS ARE CHINESE NATIONALS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva is planning to resume the committee hearing on the influx of illegal foreign workers in the country after receiving information from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that 95 percent of its arrests last year involved Chinese nationals. Of the 167 foreign nationals either arrested or charged in court for various offenses […]

Categories
Politics

‘JUSTICE SERVED’ IN COMELEC DISMISSAL OF DISQUALIFICATION CASES – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision that declared him eligible to run for senator in the midterm polls in May, saying that “justice was served.” In its 12-page ruling dated Februry 13, 2019, the Comelec’s First Division dismissed the two petitions for disqualification filed against […]

Categories
Politics

PIMENTEL TO PNP: SOLVE SANTILLAN MURDER

PDP LABAN president and Senator Koko Pimentel III, lamented the seemingly slow probe into the death of an aide of election lawyer and former Biliran Rep. Atty. Glen Chong as he called on the PNP to solve the crime immediately. “It’s about time that the PNP steps up its capability to investigate and solve crimes. […]

Categories
Politics

INSTITUTIONALIZE COMMUNITY-BASED MONITORING SYSTEM TO FIGHT POVERTY – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the institutionalization of a system that will best equip policymakers and program implementers with reliable and evidence-based information in their fight against poverty at their respective communities. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, recently filed Senate Bill No. 2184 or the “Community-Based Monitoring System Act,” which […]

Categories
Politics

INTERAGENCY EFFORT NEEDED TO COMBAT MEASLES – PIMENTEL

“Let’s stop the blame game and vaccine fearmongering. What we urgently need now is close cooperation between the DOH, DSWD, DILG and even the DepEd in stemming the measles outbreak.” This was the statement made by Senator Koko Pimentel III as he called on various government agencies to coordinate with one another to ensure that […]

Categories
Politics

GREEN PARTY NEEDED IN CONGRESS TO PREVENT FUTURE BORACAY, MANILA BAY DISASTERS – LUNTIANG PILIPINAS

With the kick-off of the campaign period for national candidates and party-list Luntiang Pilipinas Party-list (Luntian) first nominee Michael Ubac on Tuesday said it is time to elect a green party to Congress to champion the cause of the environment and prevent environmental disasters that necessitated the cleanup and rehabilitation of Boracay Island and Manila […]

Categories
Politics

END ‘ENDO’ – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III reiterated the urgency of passing an “anti-endo” law, saying that a measure banning the hiring of workers for fixed-term arrangements or end of contract (endo) schemes should be considered “highest priority” before the May 2019 elections. “Ensuring job security is one of the goals of the current administration. A law, a […]

Categories
Politics

STOP OUTBREAK, GIVE CHILDREN VACCINE VS MEASLES – GORDON

With the measles outbreak spreading to Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas, Senator Dick Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, called on parents to have their children vaccinated to stem the spread of the outbreak. “Sa mga magulang, wag natin isawalang-bahala ang kalusugan ng ating mga anak. Pabakunahan na natin sila bago pa lumalaganap ng […]

Categories
Politics

SENATE RATIFIES BICAM REPORT ON 1ST TIME JOB-SEEKERS ASSISTANCE BILL – VILLANUEVA

The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill seeking to exempt fresh graduates and out-of-school youth from paying government fees and charges on documents needed for their job application. Approved by the Senate was the reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 1629 and House of Representatives Bill No. 172, or the […]