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Politics

WAR VETERANS TO RECEIVE 300% INCREASE IN PENSION – HONASAN

A bill seeking a 300 percent increase in the monthly old-age pension of Filipino senior war veterans has been transmitted to Malacanang and is now just waiting for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. In all likelihood, it will be implemented early next year, providing the more than 6,000 World War II, Korean and Vietnam […]

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Politics

RETURN OF BALANGIGA BELLS IS A SIGN OF GOODWILL, SOLIDARITY – LEGARDA

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, welcomed the return of the Balangiga bells to the Philippines and said that it is a sign of goodwill and solidarity between the country and the United States. On Tuesday, the Balangiga bells, the three church bells that were taken by the US Army […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFICATION OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE BILL A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO FILIPINOS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva welcomed the Senate ratification of the Universal Health Care Bill which seeks to expand the benefit packages being offered by PhilHealth by increasing the amount of benefits to lessen the out-of-pocket expenses on the part of the members. “The UHC Bill is only one step closer to becoming a law. Once enacted, […]

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Politics

SUSPEND SCHEDULED FUEL EXCISE TAX HIKES FOR 3 MONTHS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the move of the House of Representatives to review the fuel excise tax is a welcome development as it would give lawmakers the opportunity to carefully study if the scheduled hike is necessary in light of the current rate of inflation. “Magandang nire-review ng lower house ang excise tax para lumabas […]

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Politics

PIMENTEL TO COMELEC: RESOLVE DISQUALIFICATION CASES IMMEDIATELY

Senator Koko Pimentel III has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately resolve the disqualification cases filed against him in connection with his candidacy in the May 2019 polls. “It is to the benefit of the people that these cases be resolved immediately. Or else, votes may be put to waste come the elections,” […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFIES NEW CENTRAL BANK ACT – ESCUDERO

The Senate has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a bill increasing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) capitalization from P50 billion to P200 billion and strengthening its regulatory powers. “The bicameral conference committee adopted en toto the Senate version except for one amendment. They removed the tax provision that will go to the […]

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Politics

PIMENTEL’S GROUP IS THE LEGITIMATE PDP-LABAN – COMELEC

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has recognized the group of Senator Koko Pimentel III as the legitimate faction of the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban). In a five-page decision, the poll body declared the senator’s organization as the authorized signatory for the political party and not the group of […]

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Politics

PARTY ISSUE RESOLVED, PDP-LABAN NOW FOCUSED ON WINNING – PIMENTEL

Senator Koko Pimentel III on Sunday welcomed the COMELEC’s En Banc Resolution declaring that the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) under his leadership was the “legitimate” wing of the ruling party, saying that “we can already focus on 2019 and winning in the elections now that this confusing distraction has been resolved.” […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES JOINT RESOLUTION EXTENDING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS – GORDON

Voting 16-0-0, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Joint Resolution No. 13 extending the availability of funds for victims of human rights violations during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos. Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee chair Senator Dick Gordon has endorsed for plenary approval without amendments Committee Report 495 containing […]

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Politics

BICAM PANEL APPROVES CHILD RESTRAINT IN MOTOR VEHICLE BILL – EJERCITO

A measure giving protection to infants and young children from deaths and serious injuries arising from road crashes and other traffic-related incidents breezed through the bicameral conference committee recently with no major disagreements on the provisions being pushed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by […]