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

22 January 2019, Comment are Off
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...

On lowering age of criminal liability to 9 years old

21 January 2019, Comment are Off
The proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) calls for evidence-based legislation. It should be grounded on facts, supported by studies. Not on whims, and unproven theories. We need to read the scholarship behind the proposed policy. In the absence of...

On the urgent need to fund certain measures in the 2019 budget

04 December 2018, Comment are Off
There are gaps in the proposed 2019 budget which the Senate can address in a transparent, legal way. No one is to be blamed for the oversight, as these unfunded mandates arose from laws passed after the 2019 national budget has been prepared in the executive branch. In addition...

Dominic Sytin was a silent worker for Philippine progress

29 November 2018, Comment are Off
Dominic Sytin was a silent worker for Philippine progress. His niche was not in fancy cars that ferry people from point A to B, but in vehicles which move the economy forward. He made heavy equipment affordable to the small businessman, the countryside trader, to the promdi...

Salient features of Universal Health Care (UHC) bill and amendments introduced by Recto

27 November 2018, Comment are Off
The Bicameral Conference Committee approved today the consolidated version of the Universal Health Care (UHC) bill principally authored in the Senate by Senator Ralph Recto. Salient features of the UHC bill: 1. Automatically enroll all Filipinos under the National Health...

Approved Senate bill requires Palace men to render biannual State of Debt Address

26 November 2018, Comment are Off
As the government piles up debts without congressional review, a law requiring the country’s lead economic managers to make a biannual appearance before a joint committee of Congress to report on the country’s debt and finances “has become more urgent.” “Kung may Ulat sa Bayan...

Isang T.Y. kay George Ty

25 November 2018, Comment are Off
George Ty’s motto in life are in the letters of his name: T.Y., or Thank You, and he spent the better part of his life and wealth in showing his gratitude to his country for giving him the breaks and the blessings. If he is more known as a generous philanthropist than a genius...

Oil deal off to good start with positive review from Carpio, del Rosario

24 November 2018, Comment are Off
In a joint statement, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del have said that our interests are “safe” and that “nothing is being given away” by the Philippines in its oil exploration agreement with China. This seal of a good agreement...