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Politics

FDI RESTRICTIONS TO BE RELAXED UNDER NEW BILL – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the removal of barriers of entry for foreign firms in the retail trade sector that would boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and develop a more progressive investment climate in the country. Under his Senate Bill No.1639, the existing equity and capitalization requirements under the Retail Trade Liberalization Law (RA7042) […]

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Politics

PRIORITIZE INCREASE OF TEACHERS’ SALARIES – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian encouraged his fellow legislators to consider increasing the salaries of public school teachers, saying this should be a top priority of the government, as it begins the process of crafting the 2019 budget. “For much too long now, the modest salaries of teachers have not been commensurate to their critical contributions to […]

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ELECTRICITY PROCUREMENT BILL TO GENERATE P13-B SAVINGS FOR CONSUMERS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1653, otherwise known as the Electricity Procurement Act of 2018 – a measure which proposes the implementation of a competitive, transparent, and uniform electricity procurement process that is poised to save consumers as much as P13-billion annually in electricity charges. Gatchalian, the chairman […]

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Politics

SENATE COMMITTEES SETTLE SUPERVISORY AND DISCIPLINARY POWERS DISPUTE – GATCHALIAN

The Senate has concluded its mediation of the dispute between the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (BUSECO) concerning the former’s supervisory and disciplinary powers over the latter. During the second consultative hearing on the issue led by Senator Win Gatchalian (chairman, Senate Energy Committee) and Senator Migz Zubiri (chairman, Senate […]

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‘LOCK-IN’ PROVISO BY MOBILE TELCOS TO BE NIXED – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill No. 1643, also known as “Network Freedom Act”, a measure which prohibits mobile telecommunications companies from locking their mobile devices, whether sold as a unit or under a service contract, to their respective networks. Typically, the mobile communications service contract between the service provider and the mobile user […]

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Lifetime Cellphone Number Act Will Encourage Entry of New Telcos – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is optimistic that the Lifetime Cellphone Number Act will encourage entry of new players and stimulate healthy competition within the telecommunications industry. “Ang pinakamahalaga dito ay ang pagpasok ng bagong players. Kung may papasok na third, or fourth, or fifth player, hindi na sila (telco companies) mahihirapang kumuha ng customer dahil dala-dala […]

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Politics

Senate Must Use Oversight Powers to Ensure Implementation in an Equitable Manner of New Tax Reform Law – GATCHALIAN

  Now that the Senate has approved the government’s requested tax reform package, Senator Win Gatchalian is reminding the Department of Finance (DOF) to “keep its end of the bargain” in helping poor families cope with expected price increases of essential commodities. “The government has promised to roll out an expanded cash transfer program to […]

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Politics

Anti-Red Tape Measure to Drive down Electricity Costs – GATCHALIAN

  The Senate has approved on third and final reading a landmark anti-red tape measure poised to drive down electricity costs and provide significant savings to power consumers by modernizing and streamlining the permitting process behind the construction of power plants. Senate Bill No. 1439, also known as the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS) […]

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Politics

Foundation for Meaningful Change Built – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian commended President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine diplomatic corps for leading the Philippines to a successful run as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017. “Through the able leadership of President Duterte, the ASEAN member-states and their dialogue partners were able to build the foundation for meaningful […]

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Politics

Provide Consumers Freedom to Easily Switch Network Providers – GATCHALIAN

  Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1237, the Mobile Number Portability Act, which aims to provide consumers the freedom to easily switch network providers while retaining one’s mobile number. “Our phone numbers are already an extension of people’s lives. We use them to communicate and synergize. This is […]