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Politics

THE 2020 GAA IS THE FIRST LEGACY BUDGET OF THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara said the signing of the P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2020 by President Rodrigo Duterte signals the start of the implementation of more flagship projects that are meant to improve the lives of the Filipino people. “The 2020 GAA could be described as the first legacy budget of the Duterte administration. In […]

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JUDGES-AT-LARGE POSTS TO PROVIDE SWIFT JUSTICE – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara has welcomed the announcement of the Supreme Court on the creation of 50 judges-at-large posts as a significant step towards providing swift justice in the country. Angara, the principal author of Republic Act 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act, said the implementation of the law will help ensure that justice is served swiftly […]

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Politics

IMPOSE TAX ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS – PANGILINAN

Senator Francis Pangilinan is urging the Senate to start deliberations on proposals seeking to impose an excise tax on single-use plastic bags. Pangilinan made the call after the House of Representatives committee on ways and means approved House Bill 178 which seeks to impose a P20 excise tax per kilogram of single-use plastic bags. “Malacañang […]

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‘PARTIAL BAN’ NOT ENOUGH AFTER MAID’S DEATH IN KUWAIT – ACTS-OFW Partylist

ACTS-OFW Partylist expressed outrage on the recent killing of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Kuwait and called on the Philippine and Kuwaiti governments to implement a total ban on the deployment of Filipino workers in the Gulf nation.  Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende, a 26-year old woman from South Cotabato was declared dead on arrival after […]

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CA CONFIRMS DAR AS AGRICULTURE SECRETARY – PANGILINAN

The Commission on Appointments (CA) recently confirmed the ad interim appointment of William Dar as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA). President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Dar as DA chief in August after former Secretary Emmanuel Piñol was named chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority. Senators Cynthia Villar and Francis Pangilinan were among those who […]

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Politics

DOTR TEST RUN FOR MOTORCYCLE TAXIS NEEDS DEBATE – MARCOS

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is putting thousands of commuters in danger and thousands of motorbike drivers out of work because It had imposed new limits for the extended test run of motorcycle taxis “without proper consultation or debate,” Senator Imee Marcos said. The DOTr has conducted a series of closed-door meetings since November on […]

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MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE SHOULD REVIVE DEATH PENALTY – MARCOS

The death penalty’s revival should be given serious thought “for crimes of an unimaginable level of brutality and inhumanity, as in the Maguindanao massacre,” Senator Imee Marcos said. “The scope of the Revised Penal Code at present does not fathom the horror suffered by the relatives of the brutally murdered victims, specially of the Mangudadatu […]

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MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE JUDGE DESERVES COMMENDATION – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon has commended Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes for finally bringing to a close, the decade-old Maguindanao massacre case. “Judge Reyes deserves to be commended for continuing with the case to its conclusion after she took over from another QC judge. The lady judge displayed her commitment to fulfilling her […]

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Politics

SENATORS LAUD GUILTY VERDICT IN MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE CASE

Senators lauded the guilty verdict handed down by a Quezon City court against several members of the Ampatuan clan who were involved in the massacre of 57 people – including 31 members of the media, in Maguindanao in 2009. “Justice won today,” Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said in a short statement. Senator Joel Villanueva […]

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Politics

BICAM APPROVES BILL RAISING TAXES ON ALCOHOL, E-CIGARETTES – SEN. CAYETANO, REP. SALCEDA

The bicameral (bicam) conference committee approved the proposed measure seeking to increase taxes on alcoholic drinks, heated tobacco products, and vapor cigarettes. In an interview after the bicam meeting, Senator Pia Cayetano and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said the reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 1074 and House Bill No. 1026 is expected to give […]