Recto presses Medal of Valor for SAF 44, MILF retraction of false report

18 September 2015, Comment are Off
What’s the best prologue to President Aquino’s unequivocal declaration that it was the SAF group that killed Marwan? First, for the government to expedite the evaluation of the recommendation that some, if not all, of the Fallen 44, plus some of their surviving comrades be...

Recto seeks Palace action on EDSA-like pace classroom construction

16 September 2015, Comment are Off
One way to solve the “EDSA-like” pace in building classrooms is to list down in the national budget the names of the schools where they will be built, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto proposed today. Recto made the proposal after the Department of Education (DepEd)...

Good luck and Godspeed to Grace, Chiz, Allan, Sonny, BongBong

16 September 2015, Comment are Off
The more aspirants for the presidency, the better for our country. The bigger the field, the more choices for us. Better to have a surplus of aspirants than a shortage. It is within this context – of how pluralism in politics will do us good – that I welcome Sen. Grace’s...

Without proof, new Mamasapano theory “assassinates” memory of SAF 44

13 September 2015, Comment are Off
If unsupported by facts, the claim is slanderous. It has the effect of devaluing the heroism of the SAF 44. Those who are peddling a revisionist take on what happened in Mamasapano should come up with solid proof. Because if what they are alleging will be later proven false, the...

250,000 more seniors to get pension due to hike in program budget

10 September 2015, Comment are Off
Almost a quarter-million more indigent senior citizens will receive the P6,000 annual pension from the government next year, the chair of the Senate Finance Sub-Committee that reviews the budget for that program said today. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto, who...

As Customs sets 2016 seizure targets, Recto wants clear rules on OFW boxes

08 September 2015, Comment are Off
One in seven incoming shipments that will be inspected by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) next year could be seized, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said, citing the agency’s performance target for 2016. Recto said that in the proposed 2016 national budget, BoC stated as...

P250 additional duty per balikbayan box looms

03 September 2015, Comment are Off
The cat is out of the bag. The additional charge that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has imposed on a container of balikbayan boxes is now out in the open. First it has been confirmed that the amount of duties and taxes on a shipping container has been increased from P80,000 to...

PAGASA Modernization Bill Palace-bound as House OKs Senate version

26 August 2015, Comment are Off
The House of Representatives approved yesterday the Senate-version of the PAGASA Modernization Bill, foreclosing any need to convene a Bicameral Conference Committee, and sending the bill to President Aquino’s desk, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto said today. Recto...