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SEP
11
2018

Statement on the House of Representatives’ approval on 3rd reading of TRABAHO Bill (TRAIN2)

I support the objectives of TRAIN 2 to lower income taxes by rationalizing incentives, although I question the timing. TRAIN 2 may be inflationary because it increases taxes on domestic industries such as housing, power, petroleum, among other things. It will also increase taxes
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SEP
10
2018

Gov’t told: Brace for typhoons Neneng and Ompong

Government should brace for typhoon Neneng instead of being focused on political storms. It should be able to distinguish between a tempest in a teacup involving a few and a Category 5 storm which may put millions in harm’s way. Communications-wise, what the public ought to hear
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SEP
04
2018

Statement on the Revocation of Amnesty Granted to Senator Trillanes

When I lost my 2007 re-election bid, one of the first congratulatory calls I made was to the detained Sonny Trillanes. In my mind, here was a guy who, without setting one foot out of prison, was granted amnesty, not by one person but by 11,189,671 people. When he won the
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SEP
04
2018

Recto : Suspend “third of triple whammy” that will hit motorists

Government was urged to freeze its plan to raise motor vehicle (MV) registration fees as it could be the third of the “triple whammy” against owners of 10.4 million vehicles in the country who are still reeling from higher taxes on oil and cars. Compounding the two TRAIN-imposed
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AUG
30
2018

SBN-1970: Establishment of Timbangan ng Bayan Centers

An Act Providing For The Establishment Of Timbangan Ng Bayan Centers In Public And Private Markets Nationwide, Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 7394, Otherwise Known As The “Consumer Act Of The Philippines,” And For Other Purposes This bill seeks to mandate local
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AUG
29
2018

With NAIA past peak capacity, gov’t must announce ETA of new airport

NAIA is near if not past peak capacity that government has no choice but build a new main gateway to the country, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. Recto said NAIA’s passenger volume had doubled from 20.4 million in 2007 to 42 million last year. “If it is increasing
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AUG
28
2018

Sponsorship Speech on Murang Kuryente Act

I am pleased to join Senator Win in sponsoring this bill, which provides a “win-win” solution to a looming power rate increase that will further burden consumers who are already reeling from inflationary shocks. One good thing about the hardworking gentleman that I’ve noticed is
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AUG
15
2018

On the Implementation of HOV lanes in EDSA

Kung kulang ang premium buses sa gilid ng EDSA, at walang MRT sa gitna, ano ang alternatibo? Ang sasakyan parang tubig-baha, kung barado ang lagusan, hahanap ‘yan ng ibang malulusutan. Cars, like water, will seek their own way out. Ang nangyari, inilipat lang ang volume ng
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AUG
14
2018

Flooding exposed need for gyms, rescue boats, no cuts in MMDA budget—Recto

Climate change – and the frequent and fiercer storms it causes – is now a macroeconomic assumption of the budget as weather swings wreak havoc on many fronts, from farm harvest to child schooling when schools are used as evacuation centers. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph
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AUG
12
2018

House move to call off hearings must not lead to delayed or reenacted budget

It is the prerogative of the House to suspend hearings on 2019 national budget. We can only hope that after this pause, they can fast-forward their review so that the budget will arrive in the Senate as scheduled and will not jeopardize the traditional timetable of an enacted
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