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Politics

PRC OPENS MOLECULAR LAB IN COTABATO CITY – GORDON

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) opened in Cotabato City its 14th molecular laboratory to help boost testing capacity for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nationwide.  The testing laboratory, established at Barangay Balabaran, is equipped with two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines and one ribonucleic acid (RNA) extractor.  “It can process up to 2,000 tests daily.” “It […]

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Politics

BOXING, COMBAT SPORTS COMMISSION GETS SENATE OK

The Senate approved on third and final reading a proposed measure seeking to establish the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission to ensure the development and safety of Filipino professional boxers and combatants. Voting 23-0-0, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2077 or the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission Act of 2021, authored and sponsored by […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFIES RETAIL TRADE ACT AMENDMENTS

The Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report for the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. The bill seeks to lower the capitalization requirement for foreign retailers from $2.5 million to $500,000, or roughly from P125 million to P25 million. This is in order to attract more foreign direct investments into the country, thereby […]

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Politics

PIDDIG TO RAISE WAGYU CATTLE – GUILLEN

As the African swine fever (ASF) continues to threaten the livelihood of local hog raisers in Ilocos Norte, some residents are now shifting to raising other livestock to survive the pandemic. In Piddig town, several residents are now engaged in cattle production as they dispose of their fattening pigs before they get infected. In support […]

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Politics

EXTENSION OF VOTER REGISTRATION GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to extend the deadline for voter registration in the country and abroad to prevent voter disenfranchisement amid the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). During a plenary session, the chamber adopted House Resolution 2231, which calls for the extension of the September 30 deadline […]

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Politics

VAXXED TEACHERS FOR FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES URGED

With the government now pushing through with pilot face-to-face classes in 120 public and private schools, Deputy Speaker Benny Abante Jr. is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) to tap teachers that have already been fully vaccinated for the said program “to help ensure the safety of the students, the teaching personnel, and their respective […]

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Politics

SENATE URGED TO OK BILL ON PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX RATE

Camarines Sur Representative LRay Villafuerte is urging the Senate to act quickly to rescue  private schools  by passing before the adjournment of this congressional session on September 30 a bill that would permanently correct the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s flawed interpretation of a tax code provision increasing the corporate income  tax (CIT) rate on […]

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Politics

SENATE OKS BENEFITS OF DECEASED PROSECUTORS BILL

The Senate passed on third and final reading a measure granting benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of deceased retired members of the National Prosecution Service (NPS). With 22 unanimous votes of senators physically and virtually present, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2373, or An Act Granting Survivorship Benefits to the Surviving Legitimate […]

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Politics

ANGARA TO STUDENTS: AVAIL OF EXPANDED SPES LAW

Senator Sonny Angara called on the Filipino youth, particularly those who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to avail of the jobs under Republic Act 10917 or the Expanded Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) law and get their education back on track. As the author of RA 10917 in the Senate, Angara said […]

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Politics

VILLANUEVA TO PRC: STOP POSTPONING BOARD EXAMS

Senator Joel Villanueva took to task the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for failing to administer more than 80 licensure exams because it was “stuck in the past.” The PRC has become a dinosaur because of its failure for 20 years to follow the mandate of the PRC Modernization Act that required the profession licensing agency […]