Salalima resignation should not lead to “low-batt, offline” implementation of ICT projects, reforms

22 September 2017, Comment are Off
The resignation of DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima should not lead to the “low-batt, offline” implementation of projects and reforms in the ICT (information and communications technology) sector, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. “After power and water,...

Recto: DepEd needs new procurement ‘lesson plan’ to avoid failing grade

20 September 2017, Comment are Off
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he feels sorry for his former teacher, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, as the “latter had inherited a culture of underspending and a broken system of procurement which delays the delivery of equipment and books.” “The present...

At least 3,827 Pinoys in jail in 52 countries

19 September 2017, Comment are Off
At least 3,827 Filipinos were languishing in jails in 52 countries and territories as of the end of last year, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said, citing a 1,084-page Department of Foreign Affairs report to the Senate. But the figure could go up to 4,452 if 625...

No need for CHR funds to buy bodycams—Recto

18 September 2017, Comment are Off
There are enough sources in the 2017 national budget which could fund the immediate purchase of police body cameras, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. “If the need is urgent, why wait for the enactment of the 2018 budget? There is also no need to rechannel the...

Statement of Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto on Speaker Alvarez’s comments

15 September 2017, Comment are Off
Relax lang. Government says EJK is not state-sponsored–then it should not be afraid of providing more resources to CHR, the duly constituted office whose mandate is to protect human rights. It cannot be denied that there are too many killings including children. I believe...

Use tokhang budget to address PNP lack of 24,647 vehicles, 91,804 guns

11 September 2017, Comment are Off
Senate President Pro -Tempore Ralph Recto said the P900 million proposed 2018 “tokhang” budget of the Philippine National Police should remain with the agency but “rechanneled for the purchase of needed equipment.” Recto said that the PNP itself has admitted that it lacks 12,399...

Gov’t drug treatment centers poised to get P2 B cut

09 September 2017, Comment are Off
The proposed Department of Health budget for next year’s operations of government-run drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers will get a massive P2.31 billion cut under the 2018 national budget bill. The DOH has a proposed gross 2018 budget of P164.8 billion, 9 percent up...

Body cams to cut body count, stop bounty killings

07 September 2017, Comment are Off
‘Every move you make, every law you break, every ops you fake, they’ll be watching you’ Body cams will bring down the body count and stop the bounty killings. The government has the money and the mandate to purchase vest- and car dashboard-mounted cameras for...