JAN
22
2019

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

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
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JAN
21
2019

On lowering age of criminal liability to 9 years old

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
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DEC
04
2018

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

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
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NOV
29
2018

Dominic Sytin was a silent worker for Philippine progress

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
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NOV
27
2018

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

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
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NOV
26
2018

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

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
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NOV
25
2018

Isang T.Y. kay George Ty

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
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NOV
24
2018

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

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
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NOV
22
2018

Recto : Cabinet men face grilling on 29 PH-China deals during budget debates

If the Senate will start floor debates on the 2019 national budget next month, then the particulars of any or all of the 29 Philippine -China deals signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit may be asked of the Cabinet member who signed the deal, or whose agency is
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