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Politics

SENATE PASSES BILL AMENDING PUBLIC SERVICE ACT

The Senate has passed on third and final reading the bill that would open up the Philippines to more foreign investors. Senate Bill (SB) 2094 hurdled the upper chamber with 19 affirmative votes, three negative votes and zero abstention from senators. It seeks to amend the 85-year-old Commonwealth Act No. 146, known as the Public […]

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Politics

ANGELES CITY SENIORS GET COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS

Senior citizens in Angeles City, Pampanga started to receive their booster shots against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. said the city government started giving booster shots to senior citizens under the “Sundo Bakuna sa Barangay” program as part of its continuing efforts to ensure population protection against COVID-19. “Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po […]

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Politics

LIFT LIMIT ON SENIORS’ DISPENSING MEDS — SOLON

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives urged the Department of Health to remove or suspend the limit in the dispensing of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. In filing House Resolution 2420, Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes said the limitation on dispensing prescription and OTC drugs to senior citizens has led to numerous complaints […]

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DOST URGED: INCLUDE OTHER CROPS UNDER ‘FIESTA’

The AGRI Party-list urged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to include other high-value crops aside from mangoes in its Farms and Industry Encounters through Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) program. AGRI issued the call on the heels of the first FIESTA, which highlighted such advancements in Philippine mango production while bringing together farmers […]

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BODYCAMS TO CURB SMUGGLING IN BOC — VILLANUEVA

An affordable and available gadget could save Filipino jobs lost to reported rampant smuggling of agricultural products, Senator Joel Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor and employment committee, said. Taking the lead from the police, Bureau of Customs personnel should start wearing body cameras during raids and inspections on imported food shipment, Villanueva said. “If […]

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CONVERSION, RENAMING OF 12 SCHOOLS GET SENATE OK

The Senate has approved on third and final reading several local bills that seek to convert school annexes to independent educational institutions. Senators passed on final reading a total of 12 bills from the House of Representatives, shepherded in the Senate by Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture chairperson Senator Win Gatchalian. Approved were […]

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WHY IMPORT STRAWBERRIES FROM KOREA? LACSON ASKS

“Why are you killing your fellow Filipinos? Gusto nyo mawalan ng hanapbuhay ang kababayan natin sa La Trinidad (Do you want our farmers in La Trinidad to lose their livelihood)?” Senator Panfilo Lacson directed this question at the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for allowing the “invasion” or importation of Korean strawberries […]

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QC LAUNCHES 1ST VAWC UNIFIED DATABASE – BELMONTE

Cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) in Quezon City will be easier to track and resolve as the local government now has a unified database. The QC Gender and Development Integrated Management Information System or the QC VAW Centralized Databank System is the first in the country, according to the city government. The […]

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HOUSE RATIFIES BILL RAISING STATUTORY RAPE AGE

The House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a measure raising the age of statutory rape from the current 12 years old to 16 years old to protect young people from sexual exploitation and abuse. During the plenary session, the chamber approved the final version that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of Senate […]

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SOLO PARENT ACT GETS SENATE OK – ZUBIRI

The Senate approved the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act on third and final reading. It amends Republic Act No. 8972, An Act Providing for Benefits and Privileges to Solo Parents and the Children, to improve government services for solo parents. “I thank and congratulate Sen. Risa Hontiveros for her efforts behind this, as sponsor of […]