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Politics

HOUSE PANEL PROBES RISING PRICES OF FOOD ITEMS

The House Quinta Committee led by Albay Representative Joey Salceda resumed its hearing on the challenges affecting the agricultural sector, with members expressing frustration over the seemingly slow action over the escalating prices of basic goods.  Salceda called for swift reforms and enhanced transparency in pricing as they voiced their dissatisfaction over the retention by […]

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Politics

HOUSE PANEL PROBES NGCP TRANSMISSION CHARGES

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting, resumed its motu proprio inquiry into the operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as it sought ways to bring down electricity prices. Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo pressed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and NGCP officials about […]

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Politics

LIBANAN WANTS MORE STATE MEDICAL SCHOOLS CREATED

House of Representatives Minority Leader Nonoy Libanan has asked Malacañang to certify as urgent a package of bills that would enable the country to produce more doctors, which are badly needed to strengthen the public healthcare system. Libanan appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify at least nine House bills that seek to create […]

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Politics

HOUSE QUADCOM PROBES ‘TARA’ SYSTEM IN BOC

The House Quad Committee, led by committee on dangerous drugs chairperson and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, reconvened for its 14th public hearing, delving into Customs processes to identify loopholes and determine how illegal consignments enter the country.  Lawmakers revisited the 2017 smuggling of P6.4 billion illegal drugs found in magnetic lifters at the […]

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Politics

EDUCATION PATHWAYS ACT GETS HOUSE 2ND READING OK

The House of Representatives approved on second reading HB 11213, which seeks to offer young learners the option to complete basic education in four years of high school, or pursue an additional two years of pre-college education if they plan to proceed to higher studies.  House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chairperson and Pasig […]

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Politics

ABANTE BACKS MARCOS ON VETO OF TEEN PREGNANCY BILL

“I fully support the President’s position to veto the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023 if it is not amended. In fact, I believe this bill should not even be passed in the first place.”This was stressed by Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante Jr., who said the divisive measure would impinge on the […]

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Festivals Politics

GOV’T EYES P3B INFRA BOOST FOR KALAYAAN ISLANDS

The Philippine government is spending an additional P3.03 billion this year to bolster its infrastructure buildup in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the northeastern section of the disputed Spratly Archipelago. “Congress has earmarked an additional P1.65 billion to develop the Pag-asa Island airport, plus P300 million for the (Pag-asa) shelter port,” Surigao del Sur Representative […]

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Politics

LEYTE RESIDENTS GET ‘YOLANDA’ PERMANENT HOUSES

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez led the ceremonial turnover of Yolanda Permanent Housing Program (YPHP) projects in Leyte, proof of the government’s commitment to rebuild communities devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda 11 years ago. The event, held in Burauen, Leyte, includes the turnover of symbolic keys to local government officials from eight […]

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Politics

HOUSE TACKLES EXPANDED BENEFITS BILL FOR SENIORS

The House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Albay Representative Joey Salceda, met to discuss the revenue implications of the unnumbered substitute bill seeking to expand senior citizens’ privileges and benefits. “This bill addresses a gap in Republic Act 9994, or the ‘Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,’ which does not clearly apply discounts […]

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Politics

PHILHEALTH ASSURES: BENEFIT PACKAGES HAVE FUNDS

Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) assured members of the House of Representatives that it has sufficient funds to finance its new and expanded health benefit packages. PhilHealth officials, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., gave the assurance during a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Health chaired […]