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Politics

BILL CREATING BODY TO DEVELOP BAGUIO, BENGUET TOWNS TO BE RE-DRAFTED – GORDON

The Government Corporations and Public Enterprises Committee of the Senate recently conducted a public hearing on the proposed creation of the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA), which the Department of Tourism (DOT) sees as an opportunity to come up with a sustainable plan covering Baguio City and its adjacent […]

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Politics

TAKE CONCRETE ACTION VS DUMPING OF FOREIGN TRASH IN PH – PIMENTEL

“We’re not someone else’s dumping ground. The Philippines should assert its dignity and co-equal standing as a sovereign state in the community of nations. We should not be seen as a recipient, officially or unofficially, of waste material coming from other countries.” Senator Koko Pimentel III made the statement on Sunday after the Philippine government […]

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Politics

ENSURE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF VAT-FREE MEDICINES – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara lauded government for coming out with regulations on the value-added tax (VAT) exemption of medicines but urged authorities to ensure that it is fully implemented to make essential prescription drugs accessible and affordable. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has issued Revenue Regulations No. 25-2018 recently exempting medicines for diabetes, high cholesterol […]

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Politics

STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY’S DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – POE

Senator Grace Poe said there is an urgency to pass the bill that would create the Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management, saying the people’s safety needs cannot wait. Poe’s Senate Bill 1735 that was filed in March 2018, seeks a new agency which will have the authority in the policy-making, planning, coordination, implementation […]

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Politics

MAKE BARANGAY OFFICIALS REGULAR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara has vowed to pursue legislation that would make barangay officials regular state employees who are entitled to fixed salaries and benefits in recognition of their role as frontliners of government service. “Panahon na para bigyan natin ng pagkilala at importansya ang serbisyong inihahatid ng ating mga opisyal sa barangay sa pamamagitan ng […]

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Politics

RIZAL’S INFLUENCE, IMPACT STILL FELT 122 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara urged Filipinos to follow the teachings of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on education and human dignity as the country continues to struggle against poverty and ignorance. More than 120 years since Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park), Angara lamented that unifying the country remains an uphill battle because many […]

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Politics

SENATE PROBE ON ‘PORK PARKING’ SCAM SET IN JANUARY – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar said the Senate could also hold a parallel probe on the “pork parking” scam issue, which involved billions of alleged funds insertion in the proposed 2019 budget. Villar stressed, however, that Senate would not want to preempt the outcome of the investigation being initiated by the Lower House. “We still don’t know […]

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Politics

FAST-TRACK RELEASE OF IMPLEMENTING RULES ON VAT-FREE MEDICINE – ANGARA

Senator Sonny Angara has called on government to fast-track the release of the implementing guidelines on the value-added tax (VAT) exemption of medicines under Republic Act 10963. Under the law, “sale of drugs and medicines prescribed for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension” shall be exempt from VAT beginning January 1, 2019. Such provision was introduced […]

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Politics

COUNTRY WAS ABLE TO FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO PROTECT MARINE LIFE – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar was recognized by the Department of Agriculture for her role in the enactment of the law against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF). During the First Command Conference of the Philippine Committee against IUUF at the Philippine International Convention Center recently, Villar was recognized “for her pivotal role in the enactment of […]

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Government

EVEN WITH RICE TARRIFICATION, NFA SHALL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE RICE – NOGRALES

Even with rice tarrification, the National Food Authority (NFA) will continue to provide the public, especially the poor, with affordable and safe rice, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has assured. “The President will ensure that even with the tarrification of rice and liberalization of the industry, the NFA shall continue to provide the public, particularly the […]