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Politics

SENATE ADJOURNS FOR LENTEN BREAK – ZUBIRI

The Senate wrapped up its session Wednesday, March 11, to go on its annual Lenten break. Regular sessions will resume on May 4, 2020. “We are adjourning during this First Regular Session on the heels of increasing COVID-19 incidents wherein the Senate itself suspended Session since Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon and instituted skeletal force […]

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Politics

THOUSANDS OF FILIPINOS WORKING ON CRUISE SHIPS BEING SENT HOME — ACTS-OFW

Thousands of Filipino workers are being sent home by global cruise ship operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACTS-OFW Coalition of Organizations said on Friday. “There is widespread uncertainty now among Filipino staff on short-term contracts with cruise ships, considering that (cruise) operations around the world have virtually ground to a halt,” said ACTS-OFW chairperson […]

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Politics

EXTEND DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT OF QC TAXES AMID COVID-19 THREAT — BELMONTE

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has asked the City Council to extend the payment of business, real property and transfer taxes amid the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019) in the city. “We have requested the City Council to enact a resolution or ordinance extending the payment of taxes. This way, local residents have more […]

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Politics

AVERT POSSIBLE ROTATING SUMMER BROWNOUTS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution to look into the initiatives of all energy agencies and stakeholders in ensuring the reliability, security and affordability of electric power supply during the summer season. Gatchalian said that during summer, peak demand increases by 5.45% in Luzon and 3.19% in Visayas because of heightened use of refrigerators […]

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IMPLEMENT EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO WORKERS LAID OFF BY COVID-19 OUTBREAK – VILLANUEVA

With the threat of unemployment looming as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread in the country, Senator Joel Villanueva urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to expedite the implementation of programs that will help affected workers weather it out and transition to new jobs. Villanueva noted that the labor department […]

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Politics

REGULATE DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES OF FINANCING, LENDING COMPANIES – GATCHALIAN

To protect ordinary Filipino borrowers from harassment and unethical practices perpetuated by predatory lenders, Senator Win Gatchalian has moved to regulate the debt collection practices of financing and lending companies. Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, has filed Senate Bill No. 1366 (SBN 1366) or “The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” […]

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Politics

HOUSE APPROVES CREATION OF OFW DEPARTMENT – SPEAKER CAYETANO

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill creating the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment (DFO). With 173 affirmative votes, 11 negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber passed House Bill 5832, which seeks to create a new department that shall be the primary agency tasked to protect […]

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STOCKPILE ON STRATEGIC SUPPLIES – GORDON

To avert shortages arising from disasters such as the reported shortages of supplies in different parts of the globe due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scare, Senator Dick Gordon reiterated the need for the government to stockpile on strategic supplies. Gordon reiterated this during the continuation of the hearing conducted by the Committee on […]

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Politics

GIVE SELF-QUARANTINED EMPLOYEES ADDITIONAL PAID MEDICAL LEAVE BENEFITS – PANGILINAN

Senator Kiko Pangilinan called for additional paid medical leave benefits for COVID-19-vulnerable employees as this would encourage self-quarantine among those suspected to be infected with the disease. In an interview with Bombo Radyo Naga, Pangilinan said the legitimate self-quarantining employees is helping their workplace community and should not be penalized with pay cuts for doing […]

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Politics

SENIORS SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY ON COVID-19 TESTING — REP. ABANTE

With the government still in the process of securing more test kits to screen potential carriers of the COVID-19 coronavirus, a Manila lawmaker on Thursday urged the Department of Health (DOH) to consider amending its testing guidelines so that senior citizens are to be given priority. “Individuals 60 years and older should be prioritized as […]