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Politics

TAX-FREE TEACHERS’ POLL DUTY ALLOWANCE URGED

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives urged Congress to exempt the election duty allowance of public school teachers from income tax. Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo said teachers play an important role during elections, noting that they exert time and energy to protect the sanctity of every ballot and facilitate the conduct of peaceful […]

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Politics

BILL FOR HEALTH WORKERS’ BENEFITS GETS HOUSE NOD

The House of Representatives approved on second reading a measure granting mandatory continuing benefits to public, private, and barangay health workers during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and other future public health emergencies. The chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 10701, which aims to promote the welfare of health workers by providing mandatory benefits […]

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Politics

COOPERATIVE BANKS BILL GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives approved a measure that provides for the registration, regulation, and operation of cooperative banks. During the plenary session, a total of 156 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill 9541, which provides for the establishment, management, and regulation of cooperative banks under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as a […]

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Politics

GIVE STUDENTS LOW-INTEREST LOANS – SALCEDA

A lawmaker pushed for the full implementation of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) under the Free College Tuition Law, which is a low-interest student loans program, in which students will amortize their tuition loans only when they reach a certain income level. Albay Representative Joey Salceda said the scheme will ensure that every student […]

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GULLAS BACKS COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE PROPOSAL

House Assistant Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas said he is in favor of the proposal of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for all able-bodied Filipinos to render compulsory military service upon reaching 18 years old. “Military service for our youth is great for nation-building,” Gullas, who represents Cebu province’s first district in Congress, […]

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Politics

SARA DUTERTE BACK IN SIARGAO FOR ‘ODETTE’ VICTIMS

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and members of her “UniTeam” went back to Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte to check the situation and oversee the continuing relief and rehabilitation efforts being undertaken for the victims of Typhoon Odette. Duterte was welcomed by Surigao del Norte 1st District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas and municipal mayors […]

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Politics

REGULATION OF VAPE PRODUCTS BILL GETS BICAM OK

A Bicameral Conference Committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday approved the bicam report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239, which would regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products. This […]

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Politics

SENIORS’ UTILITY BILLS DISCOUNT GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives unanimously approved on final reading a measure increasing the discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption and exempting such bills from value-added tax. With 203 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber passed on third and final reading House Bill 10568, which would […]

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Politics

RURAL FINANCIAL LITERACY BILL GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading a measure promoting financial inclusivity and literacy especially to those living in rural and underdeveloped areas to ensure equitable access to financial technology. A total of 204 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill 10582 or the “Rural Financial Inclusion and Literacy Act.” No lawmaker […]

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Politics

HOUSE RESUMES SESSION AMID OMICRON VARIANT THREAT

The House of Representatives returns to a post-holiday break session with strict health and safety protocols in place amid the ongoing threat of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant.Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said these protocols are necessary to protect House members and employees as the legislative chamber “continues to fulfill its mandate of producing laws […]