//
DEC
20
2016

Recto: Digong’s foreign policy motto should be “Friend to all, subservient to no one”

The Philippines would be better off pivoting to an independent foreign policy position than siding with any of the big powers. “Our motto should be : ‘Friend to all, but subservient to none.’ In other words, amity to all, hostility to no one,” Recto said. Recto said foreign
COMMENT Off
DEC
18
2016

Senate hikes by P1 B DSWD budget for free daycare meals

The Senate had added P1 billion to the children’s feeding budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, raising the amount to P4.427 billion, to enable the agency to serve one hot meal daily to 1.74 million 2 to 4 year olds for 120 days next year. Although he was
COMMENT Off
DEC
18
2016

Recto: CHED row won’t affect easy-to-implement 8B tuition fund

The senator who sponsored the free public college tuition clause in the 2017 national budget today assuaged fears of “unenlightened bureaucrats” that it will may be hard to spend the P8 billion allocation to cover basic matriculation of close to 1 million students of state
COMMENT Off
DEC
14
2016

Free WiFI is ‘Liberation Technology’ Which Must Prod Urgent Telecom Reforms

When the Senate first convened in a rented house near Malacañang 100 years ago, its 24 members were summoned by telegram or by post which took days to arrive. Communication was so bad that a Navy boat had to be dispatched from Zamboanga to inform and fetch Senator Buto from Jolo.
COMMENT Off
DEC
13
2016

Statement on the Bicameral Conference Committee Approval of the National Budget for 2017

We are pleased to note that the General Appropriations Bill for 2017, which the Bicameral Conference Committee has approved for ratification by both chambers, carry the amendments initiated by the Senate minority leader. Foremost is the P8 billion Free College Tuition Fund that
COMMENT Off
DEC
13
2016

On the Confirmation of the Appointment of DPWH Secretary Mark Villar

Mr. President, my dear colleagues: The nominee is the perfect specimen which proves how true the saying “the present generation is always better than the previous one” is. He is more handsome than his father, brighter than his mom, and more generous than the two combined. He
COMMENT Off
DEC
07
2016

On the Confirmation of the Appointment of NEDA Director General Ernesto M. Pernia

Mr. President, my dear colleagues: It has been said that if the ship of state were an ancient balangay, then it is the president who steers; the Cabinet men, row; but it is the head of NEDA who charts the course. Or if you want an analogy millennials can understand, he is the
COMMENT Off
DEC
02
2016

Recto: Signing of IRR on PWD law “strongest indicator that Palace has abandoned tax plan to revoke PWD privileges”

Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto has hailed today’s signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10754 “as a good gift to this sector this season.” Recto is the Senate principal author of the measure which grants tax breaks to persons with
COMMENT Off
DEC
02
2016

Problem hiring? Tap millennials to fill 6,000 COA vacancies—Recto

The Commission on Audit (COA), the taxpayer’s whistleblower, should be promoted as a “premier destination” for “talented and idealistic millennials” who would like “to do good by going into government service.“ Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto suggested this “recruitment tack”
COMMENT Off
DEC
01
2016

Free tuition looms for 1 M state college students; Recto amendment gives P5.7 B to SUCs for new bldgs

Close to a million students of state colleges and universities (SUCs) will not pay tuition next year if Minority Leader Ralph Recto’s amendment to the 2017 national budget to exempt them from basic matriculation will be carried in the final version of the P3.35 trillion spending
COMMENT Off