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Politics

RESTORE FUEL SUBSIDY FOR PUV DRIVERS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva backed calls that fuel subsidies to public utility vehicles be taken out of the election public spending ban list. “The call of the hour is to step on the gas in distributing this aid, and not to step on the brakes,” Villanueva said. The veteran legislator also said that the similar distribution […]

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Politics

PLAN FOR NO BROWNOUT ON ELECTION DAY — ESCUDERO

Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero is asking the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to present its contingency plan in case of a power outage during the May 9 voting, and the period of counting and canvassing. With power supply barely keeping up with demand during the summer months, Escudero said the COMELEC cannot leave anything to chance […]

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Politics

ALLOW WATCHERS TO OBSERVE BALLOT PRINTING – SOLON

Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles is backing the call for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow observers to witness the printing of ballots and the configuration of secure digital cards for voting machines to be used in the upcoming national elections. This as the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said the Comelec […]

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AVOID JOB LOSSES IN PUBLIC WORKS BAN – VILLANUEVA

The 45-day public works ban that will take effect on March 25 should be implemented in a way that it “will not affect jobs nor delay the completion of infrastructure projects in calamity areas,” Senator Joel Villanueva said. “Employment should not be a casualty of election. And pandemic recovery should not take a back seat […]

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COMELEC DISMISSES DISQUALIFICATION CASE VS PICHAY

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has junked the disqualification case against Deputy Speaker Representative Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur for his congressional bid in the upcoming May 2022 elections. In a resolution rendered on February 15, the Comelec’s former First Division dismissed the petition filed in November last year to cancel the Certificate […]

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Politics

ELECTION SPENDING BAN EXEMPTION FOR DSWD URGED

A lawmaker urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to petition the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt all the aid transactions of the department from the ban on public spending under Comelec Resolution No. 10747. In a letter addressed to DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, Albay Representative Joey Salceda said the prohibition has […]

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Politics

REVIEW BILLS ON POLITICAL DYNASTY – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon has vowed to revisit and review proposed measures pending in the Senate meant to enable the Constitutionally-mandated prohibition against political dynasties to flourish in the country. Gordon, who chairs the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee, offered some solutions that could stem the proliferation of the constant shuffle of elective positions among […]

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Politics

SIAO: EXEMPT SOME PROJECTS FROM POLL SPENDING BAN

A leader of the House of Representatives urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt select few projects from the election spending ban that comes with the 2022 polls. Civil Service and Professional Regulation Committee chair and Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao said the still undisbursed special risk allowance (SRA), compensation, and benefits of healthcare […]

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Politics

TIME TO BAN CANDIDATE SUBSTITUTIONS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian filed a bill banning the option to substitute an electoral aspirant who voluntarily withdraws candidacy in any forthcoming elections. Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Senators Nancy BInay, Grace Poe, and Joel Villanueva are co-authors of the bill. While Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code allows the substitution to replace an official […]

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Politics

OWN FIELD OFFICES FOR COMELEC, OMBUDSMAN URGED

A lawmaker said it is necessary to construct distinct field offices for constitutional bodies separate from the local executive and legislative offices to show the constitutional independence and autonomy of these offices. Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao said the constitutional independence and autonomy of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission […]