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FEB
14
2019

RA 11203: Rice Tarrification Act

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Seventeenth Congress Third Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen. [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11203] AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE IMPORTATION EXPORTATION
FEB
07
2019

RA 11199: Social Security Act of 2018

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Seventeenth Congress Third Regular Session Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen. [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11199] AN ACT RATIONALIZING AND EXPANDING THE POWERS
JAN
31
2019

Senate budget provision allows critical gov’t projects to skirt election ban

I support the call of Budget Secretary Ben Diokno to exempt infrastructure projects from the election period ban on certain activities. In fact, the Senate version of the 2019 national budget contains this General provision which I sponsored: “Notwithstanding the provisions of
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JAN
30
2019

4Ps bill prioritizes farmers, shuns epal politics and weaknesses of P.5 trillion program

The Senate-approved bill institutionalizing the state’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program carries provisions which “shield it from epal politics, prioritize farmers and fishermen, reward work equity, link it to livelihood programs,” Sen. Ralph Recto said. “This is not
JAN
29
2019

Senate OKs bill tapping Malampaya fund to stave off power hikes

The Senate approved on second reading Monday a bill which will use a portion of the Malampaya collection to defray a looming hike in electricity prices caused by stranded power sector privatization costs, which will be passed on to consumers. The measure, principally authored by
JAN
29
2019

Recto: Jolo bombing is MILF’s leadership test as future Bangsamoro rulers

The bloody Sulu cathedral bombing is the first leadership test of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders who are set to assume the reins of the Bangsamoro autonomous government, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. Recto said solving Sunday’s twin explosions which
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JAN
25
2019

Recto’s bill lifts ban on motorbikes-for-hire but says safety, insurance, expert driver a must

A bill has been filed in the Senate defining which types of motorcycles may qualify as public utility vehicles, which if approved will lift the ban on two-wheel vehicles from ferrying paying passengers. Sen. Ralph Recto’s Senate Bill 2173 classifies public utility motorcycles as
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JAN
24
2019

‘Don’t make hike in car registration fees the sequel of Road Board abolition’

The abolition of the Road Board should not tempt the administration to push through with its plan to raise motor vehicle registration fees, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. “’The end’ na ang Road Board. But raising car registration fees should not be its sequel.
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JAN
23
2019

Senate budget provision blocks payment for Chinese CCTV project

The Senate has plugged a hole in the 2019 national budget, through which multi-billion-peso Chinese and other foreign-funded projects unilaterally approved by the executive can be paid, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. The “block payment” provision in the Senate
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JAN
22
2019

Senate OKs Recto amendment putting P68 B for UHC, Bangsamoro, rice tarrification, coco dev’t

The Senate version funds new laws which were not yet passed when the 2019 national budget was being prepared at the executive level. For months, we waited for the executive to propose funding for laws they themselves advocated. In the absence of such, the Senate, in bipartisan
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