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Politics

COMPUTERIZED PRC EXAMS LONG OVERDUE – VILLANUEVA

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva expressed concerns about the “long overdue” status of the computer-based licensure examinations (CBLE) project of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8981) was enacted more than two decades ago. This was Villanueva’s reaction after PRC Commissioner Dr. Jose Cueto Jr.’s statement […]

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Politics

DEATH PENALTY RETURN AMID ‘JAIL CONSPIRACY’ URGED

“If a prison cell cannot stop a criminal from plotting and ordering the murder of another person, then the death penalty may be the only way to prevent the murder of innocent citizens and journalists like Percy Lapid.” This was stressed on Wednesday by Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante Jr., who called for the […]

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Politics

ANAKALUSUGAN HOLDS MEDICAL MISSION IN ANTIQUE

“If the number of beneficiaries here is any indication, PhilHealth needs to update their case rate packages to include dental and optical services to address the treatment burden in rural areas.” This was the observation of ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Representative Ray Florence Reyes as he expressed his surprise at the turnout of patients seeking medical help thru […]

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Politics

AIRTIGHT FINDINGS ON DEPED LAPTOP CASE – TOLENTINO

In an interview over radio station DWIZ, Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said he believes that the five hearings conducted in connection with the questionable procurement of laptops for the Department of Education (DepEd) through the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in 2021 have already established an “airtight” […]

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Politics

SOLON URGES BIGGER BUDGET FOR WITNESS PROTECTION

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel wants Congress to provide a bigger budget to the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (WPSBP), amid the spate of violent crime, including the Oct. 3 contract killing of veteran radio commentator Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid. “The WPSBP seems to be working well. […]

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Politics

SENATE PROBE: DEPED LAPTOP COST P26K, NOT P58K

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee concluded its fifth and final hearing on the P2.4 billion alleged overpriced and outdated laptops of the Department of Education (DepEd) that were purchased through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). Blue Ribbon chairman Senator Francis Tolentino, revealed that documents uncovered by the committee indicate […]

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Politics

DELA ROSA, TOLENTINO VOW SUPPORT FOR MARAWI REHAB

Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino recalled the bravery of everyone involved in the Marawi City liberation five years ago and vowed support for continuing recovery efforts. Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation and Victims’ Compensation, said they will always give utmost importance to the needs of Marawi […]

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Politics

GOV’T MUST DECIDE ON POGO REGULATION – NOGRALES

The government will have to decide whether it can root out the bad to preserve the good in the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) industry. This was what House Committee on Labor and Employment chair and Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles had to say after his committee’s first meeting on Wednesday on an inquiry, […]

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Politics

PADILLA TO BSP: FEATURE HEROES IN PESO BILLS

To make sure we will not forget our debt of gratitude to them, it is proper that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas feature Philippine heroes in our peso bills, Senator Robinhood Padilla said. Padilla said it is important to continuously educate Filipinos on our heroes by using money, which all Filipinos – regardless of age […]

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Politics

IMMIGRATION, TAX CASES JUSTIFY POGO BAN — ABANTE

Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante on Wednesday stressed that reports of overstaying Philippines offshore gaming operator (POGO) workers and POGOs failing to remit the proper taxes to the government are “red flags” that the industry cannot be regulated and should be shut down. “The irregularities that have been reported and revealed in legislative inquiries regarding […]