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OCT
13
2018

On the appointment of Ambassador Locsin as DFA Secretary

“This is one of the rare times that “the best and the brightest“ rule in presidential appointments has been followed. If diplomacy is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip, Teddy Boy has this skill in abundance. Rarely can you
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OCT
12
2018

On Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law

I will be introducing a bill that will repeal Republic Act 10912, or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law. Like many pieces of legislation, its intention was good, but not its implementation. It is not the first time that what was appealing in theory, failed in
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OCT
11
2018

Casino, lotto, sin tax income to finance UHC

“Tax on vices to fund virtue of health-for-all” Multiple sources of finances underpin the Senate-approved Universal Health Care (UHC) bill so that its many mandates will not go unfunded, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. Among government revenues that will be
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OCT
10
2018

Explanation of Vote on Universal Health Care Act

There is a Chinese saying that there are 1,000 prescriptions to a disease, but only one cure. And this bill, after diagnosing what ails the Philippine health system, collates the cures in one catalogue. The truth is, there is no cure-all, fast-acting miracle pill on how to make
OCT
10
2018

On Rice Tariffication

This is a tough balancing act. We must hit the sweet spot that will protect farmers from bankruptcy and spare consumers from high rice prices. Hindi pwedeng busog ang isa, gutom naman yung isa. We should give what the rice consuming poor want without harming the rice producing
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OCT
09
2018

SSS agrees with Senate on ‘endo’ insurance for workers

Social Security System members who will find themselves jobless will soon be entitled to unemployment insurance—if this Senate proposal will be included in the SSS Reform Bill that will soon be sent to President Duterte for signature. The provision’s sponsor, Senate President Pro
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SEP
21
2018

Sanduguan ng One Batangas at Nacionalista Party

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Sa ating mga panauhin, tuloy po kayo sa Batangas. Ito ang duyan ng magiting, tahanan ng masisipag, balwarte ng mga astig, at lugar ng mga magaganda at makikisig. Sa araw pong ito, lilikha tayo ng kasaysayan. Pero bago po natin gawin iyon,
SEP
20
2018

Recto: Duterte right in putting rice “under one conductor”

Bringing the NFA under the control and direction of the DA Secretary is the right move. There should be no two separate orchestras, with a conductor each, when it comes to rice. Para isang kumpas, it should be one symphony under the baton of one conductor. I hope that this move
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SEP
19
2018

Sponsorship Speech on Senate Bill No. 1998: Replacing Quantitative Import Restrictions on Rice with Tariffs

Mr. President, dear colleagues: I have always said that there’s an unli-rice loving gene in our DNA. It shows in our per capita rice consumption, which is 108 kilograms a year. But for most people, like me, it shows up in our abs. Allow me to illustrate my point further, Mr.
SEP
11
2018

Recto: No need for a regime change, only a refocusing of government priorities

People should rally behind the President and let him finish a term he won fair and square. There is no need for a regime change, only a refocusing of government priorities. It must re-pivot to the gut issues of jobs, prices, income. Criticisms are par for the course. The mandate
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