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Politics

SENATE PROBE: DEPED LAPTOP COST P26K, NOT P58K

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee concluded its fifth and final hearing on the P2.4 billion alleged overpriced and outdated laptops of the Department of Education (DepEd) that were purchased through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM). Blue Ribbon chairman Senator Francis Tolentino, revealed that documents uncovered by the committee indicate […]

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DELA ROSA, TOLENTINO VOW SUPPORT FOR MARAWI REHAB

Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino recalled the bravery of everyone involved in the Marawi City liberation five years ago and vowed support for continuing recovery efforts. Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation and Victims’ Compensation, said they will always give utmost importance to the needs of Marawi […]

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LAWYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN BLUE RIBBON HEARINGS

Senator Francis Tolentino, the chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, announced that lawyers of respondents, witnesses, and resource persons will finally be given a chance to participate in subsequent committee proceedings. Tolentino said this will be the first time that the Philippine Senate’s Blue-Ribbon Committee will give lawyers a “bigger role.” “May karapatan sila. […]

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BE GOOD SAMARITANS AT SEA – TOLENTINO

Senator Francis Tolentino filed Senate Bill No. 1388, otherwise known as the “Good Samaritan at Sea Law.” This law institutionalizes the duty to render assistance (1) to any person found at sea in danger of being lost; and (2) to another ship, its crew, and passengers, after a collision. Under the proposed legislation, the failure […]

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PINOY SCIENTISTS URGED: BRING KNOWLEDGE BACK TO PH

Echoing the message of President Bongbong Marcos in the 8th Balik Scientists Program, Senator Francis Tolentino invoked the spirit of volunteerism – that willingness to bring back home to the country one’s knowledge, experience, and expertise – while encouraging more homegrown scientists to push for the country’s development. Airing his views over a radio talk […]

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TOLENTINO BATS FOR MORE LAWS TO PROTECT WORKERS

The Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development held a joint hearing with the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development and Finance to discuss the Senate’s proposed bills to protect freelancers and workers in the informal economy. For consideration before the Committee was the legislation on the protection of freelancers covered by […]

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EMERGENCY LEAVE FOR WORKERS AFTER DISASTERS URGED

Days after Typhoon Karding ravaged parts of Luzon, feedback on the extensive damage of the typhoon was reported. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC, stated that the number of individuals affected by the said typhoon already exceeded one million individuals. The NDRRMC’s situational report states that Karding affected 299,127 families in Ilocos, […]

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AIM FOR PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE GOV’T – TOLENTINO

The Adaptive Governance and Innovation for Local Executives Program, otherwise known as “AGILE,” introduced its Indicative Course Program to the local chief executives of the Philippines. Senator Francis Tolentino spearheaded the program early this year in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – […]

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TOLENTINO TO FRASCO: FOCUS ON DOMESTIC TOURISM

The Commission on Appointments held its confirmation hearing on the ad interim appointment of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco. The former Liloan Mayor expounded on her vision to revitalize tourism in the Philippines in the hopes of propelling the country’s post-pandemic economic growth. During the confirmation hearing, Senator Francis […]

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TIME TO OVERHAUL ELECTORAL SYSTEM – TOLENTINO

In an interview over the radio, Senator Francis Tolentino shared his belief that the time has come for a total overhaul of the country’s electoral system, stating that piecemeal amendments to the Omnibus Election Code will not suffice anymore. According to Tolentino, “[The] proposal na amyendahan na ‘yung Omnibus Election Code siguro napapag-usapan ‘yan na hindi […]