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Politics

SENATE OKs NATIONAL VISION SCREENING ACT – ANGARA

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a program for the early detection of visual problems among kindergarten pupils and a funding facility for a continuing research for eye diseases and treatments. Senate Bill No. 1706, or the “National Vision Screening Act,” primarily institutionalizes a nationwide eye screening program for […]

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I WILL PUSH FOR THE RECLASSIFICATION OF BANTAYAN ISLAND AS ALIENABLE AND DISPOSABLE LAND – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar vowed to help the residents of Bantayan Island in their quest for the island’s reclassification from a Protected Wilderness Area into an agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential area. Bantayan is among the 51 islands declared as Protected Wilderness Areas by Presidential Decree No. 2151 signed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos in […]

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GIVE BARANGAY OFFICIALS P100,000 LUMP SUM RETIREMENT, CHRISTMAS BONUS INCREASE – GATCHALIAN

A lump sum retirement gratuity pay equivalent to one-year honorarium or P100,000 as well as grant of other benefits including a higher Christmas bonus for barangay officials are now being pushed anew in the Senate. In making the proposal, Senator Win Gatchalian said the existing amounts being provided under the Local Government Code of 1991 […]

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BILL DECLARING NOVEMBER 8 AS LEYTE RESILIENCE DAY APPROVED IN SENATE – ANGARA

The Senate passed on third and final reading a bill declaring November 8 as a special non-working holiday in the province of Leyte, in honor of the “extra-ordinary courage of the unsung heroes of Typhoon Yolanda.” House Bill No. 6591 was sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government, with […]

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INCREASE BUDGET OF AFP RESERVE FORCE – GATCHALIAN

Recognizing the role of military reservists in disaster response and nation-building, Senator Win Gatchalian has vowed to fight for an increase in the budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Force (AFPRF). Gatchalian commented during the Senate hearing on the budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) that the full potential of […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES HIGHER DISCOUNT RATE FOR POLITICAL ADS – PIMENTEL

The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill requiring higher discount rates for political advertisements in radio and television during elections, in a bid to give more candidates the chance to share their platforms to the public and pave the way for more informed voters. Senate Bill No. 1985 was sponsored by Senator […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFIES BICAM REPORT ON WORK FROM HOME BILL – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva has hailed the Senate’s ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed law which will allow employees in the private sector to telecommute or to work from home. The bicam report emphasizes that telecommuting – a work arrangement that allows an employee in the private sector to work from an […]

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Politics

SENATE RATIFIES EXPANDED MATERNITY LEAVE LAW – HONTIVEROS

The Senate has ratified the proposed Extended Maternity Leave bill that would provide 105 to 120 days of paid maternity leave for working mothers in both the government and private sectors. Under the proposed law, 105 days of paid maternity leave will be given to all working mothers. Of the 105, seven days are transferable […]

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Politics

SENATE APPROVES BILL GRANTING FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP TO VETERAN INT’L BOXING REFEREE BRUCE McTAVISH

With no objection from all senators, the Senate approved on third and final reading a measure granting Filipino citizenship to veteran international boxing referee Bruce Donald McTavish. House Bill 7388, sponsored by Senator Dick Gordon as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, granted Philippine citizenship to McTavish in recognition of his […]

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Politics

ALL YEAR-ROUND FARE DISCOUNTS FOR STUDENTS COMING SOON – ANGARA

The proposed legislation expanding the coverage of the 20 percent transport fare discount for students has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading. With the backing of all of his colleagues who even stood as co-authors, the principal proponent, Sen. Sonny Angara, expressed hope that the House counterpart measure of Senate Bill […]