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Politics

HOUSE LEADER BUCKS POGO REOPENING AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK

House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. has slammed plans to allow Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) to operate in the country as it grapples with the Covid-19 outbreak, categorizing the move as “premature and unwise given our experience with this industry.”“The reopening of POGOs, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), is contingent […]

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PREVENTING MASS LAYOFFS SHOULD BE GOVERNMENT PRIORITY – ABANTE

House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Labor Day urged the government to step up programs to prevent mass layoffs as a result of the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.According to Abante: “Labor Day reminds us of the critical role of workers in our country; our economy is built on the backs of labor, […]

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Politics

CONGRESS MUST CREATE POLICIES TO ADDRESS LABOR CRISIS DUE TO PANDEMIC — REP. NOGRALES

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles lauded all workers who are working to ensure Filipino families are protected against the threat of COVID-19 on Labor Day.“Nagbibigay-pugay tayo hindi lamang sa frontliners natin. A lot of industries are working triple-time so that the country can cope with the crisis we are currently facing.” “Congress must take […]

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SAMAR ISLAND TOWN PASSES COVID-19 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE – TAN

The island town of Zumarraga, Samar province has passed ordinances that will protect its residents from the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The town council recently approved two ordinances to fight the spread of the virus — Municipal Ordinance No. 47-2020 or the ‘No Mask, No Entry’ policy and Municipal Ordinance No. 46-2020, which […]

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DEFER OPENING OF CLASSES TO SEPTEMBER – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a measure authorizing the Secretary of Education to postpone the start of the school year in case of a declaration of a state of emergency, state of calamity or similar occurrence. Villanueva said Senate Bill No. 1452 seeks to amend RA 7977 to allow the Secretary of Education, in case […]

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OWWA SHOULD PROVIDE RETURNING OFWs WITH DECENT QUARANTINE FACILITIES – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with decent accommodations to ensure their health and safety as they undergo mandatory quarantine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. Gatchalian said a video of the deplorable conditions of repatriated migrant workers who share a […]

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CREATE A CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION – GORDON

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the outbreaks of other communicable diseases in recent years, Senator Dick Gordon is proposing the creation of an independent and competent Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In filing Senate Bill No. 1440, or the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Act (Philippine CDC Act), Gordon […]

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FAST-TRACK RELEASE OF FINANCIAL AID TO COVID-19 QUARANTINE-AFFECTED FARMERS – PANGILINAN

Senator Kiko Pangilinan suggested that the government fast-track the release of financial aid to COVID-19 quarantine-affected farmers by decentralizing disbursement from Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). Malacañang’s fifth report to Congress submitted 27 April 2020 showed that the Department of Agriculture’s financial subsidy to rice farmers (FSRF) reached only 53,881 (or 9.11%) out of […]

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Politics

NEW LAWYERS MUST JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FRONT LINER DISCRIMINATION — REP. NOGRALES

As news of the 2019 Bar exam results broke out on Wednesday, a Harvard-trained lawyer and lawmaker has called on the new lawyers to help turn the tide of discrimination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) front liners. “Of course, congratulations are in order. Pinaghirapan ng mga bagong abogado ang tagumpay nila ngayon. But as we always […]

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Politics

DOJ OK ON STREAMLINED PROCESS FOR PAROLE, EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY AMID COVID-19 SPEAKS OF COMPASSION – REP. NOGRALES

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles lauded the Department of Justice for giving the go-signal for the implementation of new rules easing application for parole and executive clemency to facilitate the decongestion of jails amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOJ recently approved a resolution by the Board of Pardons and Parole on the Interim Rules […]