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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Monday, November 25, that the main reason President Rodrigo Duterte fired Vice President Leni Robredo as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) is that he has lost trust in her.

"Walang tiwala si Pangulong Duterte," Go told reporters in an interview at the Senate. "Imbes na makatulong (si Robredo) sa kampanya sa iligal na droga, mas lalong binubulabog," he added.

Go explained that Robredo had been working against instead of cooperating with the administration. "Lahat ng ginagawa ng administrasyon, mali (para sa kanya). Papaano mo pagkakatiwalaan 'yung mga pumoposisyong oposisyon at bibigyan mo ng napakasensitibong trabaho bilang ICAD chair?"

He said that Robredo has been too keen on sharing information with other countries. "Maraming sensitibong impormasyon na nandiyan na aalamin mo, tapos ipapasa mo ngayon sa ibang bansa. Mako-compromise mo ngayon 'yung mga law enforcers at saka 'yung mga nagtatrabaho labanan ang iligal na droga."

Go shared that the President expected Robredo to continue the efforts of the administration but she did the opposite. "82% na ang sumasang-ayon sa kampanya laban sa droga, pero marami siyang naririnig, so ibinigay niya po ang offer kay Vice President Leni na subukan ang trabaho. Instead na ipagpatuloy 'yung tokhang ay puro po talk lang ang nangyari."

Go also said that Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan's statement may have also contributed to the President's decision. Pangilinan recently dared the President to fire Robredo as co-chair of ICAD.

"Hiningi po ito ng isang kapwa ko senador. Sabi niya, 'Kung wala naman kayong tiwala kay Leni, you fire her.' So sinunod lang ng Pangulo ang payo ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Hiningi nila, so ibinigay ng Pangulo," Go said.

He also recalled that Robredo acted the same way when she was appointed by the President as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. "Imbes na tulungan niya si Pangulong Duterte, they positioned themselves as opposition, so nagkaroon po tayo ng opposition. Ayaw sana ituring ni Pangulong Duterte na opposition sila. Gusto niya magtulungan tayo para sa ating bansa. Sila po mismo ang nag-position as opposition."

In the same interview, Go said that he chose not to go with the President to the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit because he wants to prioritize his work in the Senate. "Bagama't imbitado ako, may trabaho po ako bilang isang senador at kailangan natin tapusin ang budget.

"Isa din sa priority ni Pangulong Duterte na pumasa ang budget this year at huwag na po maulit 'yung nakaraang taon na nagkaroon tayo ng re-enacted budget. Malaki pong kawalan sa gobyerno at sa bawat Pilipino kapag ang serbisyong maibibigay sa kanila eh mawawala dahil re-enacted ang budget."



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"Magtulungan, huwag magsisihan."

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go reminded Filipinos on Tuesday, November 26, emphasizing his call for unity and cooperation amid issues related to the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

In an interview on DZBB's radio show "Dobol A sa Dobol B", Go urged organizers of the sporting events to unite and cooperate with each other as the country officially begins its hosting of the Games from November 30 to December 11. Some matches had already been held as early as Sunday, November 24.

"Tayo po ang host dito. Hindi natin afford na mapalpak dito," said Go, adding that President Rodrigo Duterte dissuades everyone from playing the blame game.

"Gaya ng sinabi ko, ayaw ng Pangulong ngayon magsisihan. May kanya-kanyang kapalpakan. Ibig ko sabihin, ngayon, magtulungan muna tayo," he added.

As the chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go also said that there is a right time for a proper investigation on the reported issues and concerns after the Games have concluded. In the meantime, Go encouraged Filipinos to root for their athletes instead of gloating at the mistakes made.

"Nandiyan na eh. 'Wag nating palakpakan ang palpak. Palakpakan natin ang mga atleta," said Go.

The senator also said that this is the perfect time to showcase the country's natural beauty and the famous Filipino brand of hospitality.

"Napakaganda ng ating bansa. Dapat ipakita natin sa ating mga bisita ang ating hospitality," Go said.

"Let's work as one in order for us to win as one, "Go added.



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During his visit to fire victims in Zanzibar Street, Brgy. San Isidro, Makati City, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said that the Duterte Administration's fight against illegal drugs continues, emphasizing the government's commitment to put an end to the illegal drug menace in the country.

"Ang mga adik, nariyan pa rin po. Hindi pa nawawala. Kaya patuloy pa rin ang kampanya laban sa droga. Ang taumbayan ang magsa-suffer kapag hindi ito nagtagumpay," he said.

Go also warned drug lords that their "vacation is over" now that Vice President Leni Robredo has been sacked as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

"Sa mga drug lords, tapos na ang inyong bakasyon," Go said.

As for Robredo's threats to reveal what she discovered during her short stint as ICAD co-chair, Go simply thanked Robredo, adding that the drug war should not be politicized.

"Maraming salamat po kay Vice President Leni sa dalawang linggong pagsisilbi bilang co-chair ng ICAD. Marami pong narinig ang taumbayan sa iyong programang Toklang (talk lang)," Go said.

He added, "Binigay naman po niya ang lahat. Wala akong masabi. Ginawa naman niya ang gusto niyang gawin, kung ano ang pamamaraan niya. Kaya lang ang War on Drugs nahaluan ng pulitika. Ang sabi ng ibang senador, if you don't trust her, you fire her. Eh pinakinggan naman po sila ng Pangulo," he added.

Go stressed that while the government tries to be inclusive in welcoming ideas and suggestions from everyone, it is difficult to mix administration and opposition members in the fight against illegal drugs as it is a "delicate" policy matter.

"Noon, walang kino-consider na oposisyon ang Pangulo.Itinalaga siya (Robredo) bilang hepe ng housing. Pero panay batikos pa rin siya sa gobyerno. Tapos tinanggal siya. Tapos they positioned themselves as opposition. Sila, ang Liberal Party, ang nagposisyon sa kanila bilang opposition," Go said.

"Ngayon, papasok ka sa gobyerno as anti-drug czar na napaka-delicate na trabaho. Mahirap po pagsamahin ang administrasyon at oposisyon. Napaka-sensitibo nitong kampanya laban sa droga," he added.

Meanwhile, during his visit, the senator distributed relief and financial assistance to the 151 families, or 565 individuals, affected by the fire incident.

"May dala po akong kaunting tulong sa inyo, pagkain, groceries at financial assistance sa inyo, sa bawat pamilya, para po maibsan niyo ang naranasan niyong trahedya," said Go.

As for the children who lost their school uniforms and other supplies in the fire, Go added that he will replace them so their schooling will not be interrupted.

"Ako na rin ang bahala sa mga uniporme at school supplies ng mga estudyante para makabalik kayo kaagad sa pag-aaral," Go said to the delight of the students present.

Accompanied by concerned government agencies during the visit, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Go enumerated the various additional assistance that the offices may provide the victims.

"Kasama ko rin po ngayon ang iba't ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para tumulong sa inyo. Mayroon din po kayong matatanggap na financial assistance mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ang National Housing Authority naman magbibigay sa inyo ng pambili ng inyong housing materials. Ang Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at Department of Health (DOH) magbibigay din po ng tulong. Dapat lang dumaan sa tamang proseso," Go said.

For those who are in need of livelihood support, Go said that DTI will provide livelihood assistance to eligible beneficiaries. He also encouraged those who are in need of affordable housing to approach the representative from NHA.

"Magtutulung-tulong lang po ang ahensya ng gobyerno para makatulong sa inyo at muli kayong makabangon sa isang dinanas na trahedya," Go said.

In assuring those who were injured or in need of medical help, the senator added that he is willing to assist them, saying "Meron bang nasaktan dito sa sunog? Ako na po ang bahalang magpa-ospital sa inyo."

"Para po sa mga kailangan magpagamot, magpa-opera, o magpatingin sa espesyalista, lapitan niyo lang po ako. Handa po akong tumulong sa inyo," he said stressing that on top of his priorities is to provide every Filipino better access to quality healthcare.

The senator also shared with the residents the Malasakit Center which would allow the victims to request government medical assistance from concerned agencies through a more efficient and streamlined process.

"Noon, wala pang Malasakit Center. Pero ngayon may 51 Malasakit Centers na sa buong bansa. Imbes na magsayang kayo ng panahon sa kapipila, nasa iisang bahay na lang po ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng Malasakit Centers," Go said.

Ending his message, Go said that he is committed to fulfilling his promise to go around the country and listen to the concerns of Filipinos personally.

"Kahit saang eskinita po kayo ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko kayo makapag-abot lamang ng tulong at marinig ang inyong mga hinaing."

After the visit in Brgy. San Isidro and despite the rain, Go proceeded via motorcycle to check on the situation of victims in a nearby area at JP Rizal corner Varona Streets, Brgy. Tejeros, same city, who were also affected by a residential fire incident that just happened on same morning of his visit. Around 70 families were affected with no reported casualty.



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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution urging a legislative probe into the Philippines' power transmission sector amid recent revelations of foreign access to and control over the country's power grid system.

In proposed Senate Resolution No. 223, Hontiveros called on the Senate to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation and a national security audit of the operations and facilities of the National Grid Corporation (NGCP), the country's power transmission service provider. The NGCP is 40 percent owned by the State Grid Corporation of China.

During the audit, Hontiveros said, lawmakers will "review and evaluate the performance of the NGCP," as well as investigate reports that China may control and remotely shut down the country's power transmission system.

"We need to know for certain if our energy systems and infrastructure fully remain under Filipino control, and if we have implemented the technical safeguards needed to prevent foreign interference in or sabotage of our national electricity grid," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros pointed to reports of 'foreign executives' connected with the NGCP who have been hiring and deploying foreign drivers and engineers, in violation of Section 11, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution - which requires executive and managing officers of public utilities like NGCP to be Filipino citizens - and the Anti-Dummy Law.

She also noted reports claiming that only Chinese engineers have been able to troubleshoot, operate and control the NGCP's power transmission facilities "because of the currently-installed information and communication technology for the automatic and remote monitoring and control of said facilities."

At the Senate's deliberation of the energy department's 2020 budget, National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) President Melvin Matibag also confirmed that "it was possible for a hostile 3rd party to disable the country's power grid remotely." Matibag revealed that despite exercising oversight functions over NGCP, Transco's access to NGCP's facilities has been limited.

"If these reports are true, these vulnerabilities pose a grave risk to public infrastructure, to national security, and to the daily lives of our people. We must address and correct these flaws immediately," Hontiveros said.



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Senator Nancy Binay is pushing for an appointment of a tourism officer in major tourist destinations nationwide.

Binay, who introduced Senate Bill No. 1124, otherwise known as the Act Amending Sections 443, 454 and 463 of the Local Government Code of 1991, said the presence of tourism officer in major destinations would ensure sustainable tourism development in the area and boost tourism-related investments.

Binay noted that Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991" does not include permanent positions for tourism officers in its exclusive list of officers for every local government unit (LGU).

According to Binay, Section 42 of Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, mandates every province, city or municipality where tourism is a significant industry to appoint a permanent tourism officer.

"Without a specific amendatory clause in The Tourism Act of 2009, the LGUs fail to establish permanent positions for tourism officers," Binay said, adding that the measure seeks to address the matter by amending pertinent provisions of RA 7160.

The senator underscored the contributions of the tourism industry in the country's economy.

Binay said the tourism industry yielded P2.2 trillion or 12.7 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.

"These figures are still expected to rise and create a remarkable quantity of employment opportunities. Thus, it calls for the need to fortify the tourism safeguards provided by RA 9593," she said.

The bill has already been referred last Nov. 5 to the Senate committee on local government chaired by Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino.



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The Senate today approved on final reading a measure seeking to extend the validity of this year's national budget until December 31, 2020.

Sen. Sonny Angara said the passage of House Bill No. 5437, which amends Section 65 of Republic Act No. 11260, otherwise known as the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA), will greatly help all government agencies involved in relief efforts such as the recent series of earthquakes in Mindanao.

Angara, chairman of the Finance Committee, said the bill's approval will ensure the availability of over P12 billion from the Calamity Fund and other quick response funds lodged with various agencies.

"Through this measure we would be extending a big helping hand to the Executive Branch which has had to operate during the first few months of this year on a re-enacted budget and the rest under pressure to spend up to P3.687 trillion of total available appropriations in a span of seven to eight months approximately amidst the election ban on government projects this year," he said.

"We do this because under RA 11260 or the 2019 GAA and Executive Order No. 91 on the implementation of a cash-budgeting system, all appropriations that were not released, obligated or paid by the Dec. 31, 2019 shall lapse and revert to the national treasury," Angara added.

Angara said it was not the first time the Senate is sponsoring a measure seeking to extend the validity of the GAA.

"My predecessors at the finance committee, Senators (Loren) Legarda and (Francis) Escudero, also sponsored in 2013 and 2018 respectively similar measures calling for extensions in the budget validity," he said.

"The Senate is not oblivious to the travails of the Executive Branch and we must help them. We must see to it that the national budget we approved for 2019 would benefit our people in terms of better services and more efficient public spending," said Angara.

He said the non-extension of the budget's validity would have the following impact:

For the Department of Education (DepEd) : 2,900 classrooms will not be repaired and rehabilitated as scheduled; 590 schools will remain without electricity; up to 57 Gabaldon school buildings will not be restored; up to 11,677 activity sheets and modules for kindergarten and Grade 1 students will not be printed and delivered;

For the Department of Health (DOH): funding for infrastructure projects, medical equipment of 2,800 health facilities enhancement program (HFEP) will be adversely affected;

The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) supplementary feedings program will not push through;

At least P8 billion of the remaining budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will not be utilized to pay for the second semester billing under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act;

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) would not be able to place more students under the government's internship program or help workers beset with misfortune under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay program.

"Many other agencies would be able to implement their projects and provide their services to the people if the budget's validity is extended," Angara said.

Nineteen of the senators present voted to approve the measure.

News [http://senate]

Saturday, April 18

***Statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sitio Zapatera incident

Poe pushes for widespread COVID-19 testing

Villanueva appeals to DBM to replenish funds for govt's emergency employment programs

Angara: Massive and random testing will contain the spread of COVID-19 faster

Gatchalian hails ERC for staggered electricity payment; urges gov't to include electricity bills in SAP

Bong Go commends inclusion of barangay tanods, health and daycare workers in DSWD's cash aid; appeals for quick delivery of assistance to these barangay frontliners

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's reaction on the Senate Resolution calling on DOH Sec. Duque to resign

Bong Go commends implementation of wage subsidy program benefitting small businesses, middle class

De Lima urges Congress to review disparities in salaries and benefits of public health workers

Friday, April 17

GSIS online emergency loans now available as Bong Go continues appeals to government agencies to ease burden of affected Filipinos amid COVID-19 crisis

news archives...




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On Rep. Velasco saying that the delay in the budget for the SEA Games did not come from the House of Representatives.

SP Sotto: Ha? Una, nagpalit sila ng leadership. Baka nakakalimutan nila na nagpalit din sila ng chairmanship. Baka nakakalimutan nila na imbis na isubmit sa amin by October 1 yung budget, sinubmit nila nung November 24. Ano ang magagawa namin less than a month? So in other words, hindi matatapos yun, imposible. Hindi naman kami basta na lang papatol na lang sa kahit anong isubo sa amin. So pagdating ng January, tinapos namin ang interpellation, pagdating ng February, tinapos namin ang tamang...pagmamadali pa yung ginawa naming yu, and then inapprove namin, and then nagbicam kami, at pagdating ng bicam, kung ano yung napagkasunduan, niratify namin, (unclear) yung buo na, yung napagkasunduan, niratify din nila. Pagkatapos, may ginalaw sila. Baka nakakalimutan nila na merong hindi lang P75 billion ang nakita namin, P95 billion ang nakita ng Presidente, na vineto. So paanong hindi sila ang may kasalanan ng delay? I am not talking about Congressman Velasco or Speaker Cayetano, I am talking about the House of Representatives in the Third Regular Session of the 17th Congress. Yung HoR na yun.

Q: Ano ang masasabi mo sa naghahanap lang ng masisisi?

SP Sotto: Ano lang yun siguro, medyo nasaktan lang sila doon sa pintas siguro ni Senator Drilon tungkol doon sa cauldron. Siguro ganun lang yun kaya parang binabalikan nila si Senator Drilon, pero in fairness, it was the idea of Senator Drilon kaya natapos yung tinatawag na impasse nung budget, nung 2019 budget. Sapagkat sinugest niya sa akin na lagyan ko na lang ng annotation. Sabi niya pirmahan ko na, lagyan ko ng annotation at ilahad ko sa Presidente kung alin yung sa tingin namin ay naging unconstitutional doon sa (unclear) as a matter of fact I placed an addendum na nakalista kung ano yung sinasabi namin. So I and together with the other members of the leadership of the Senate during that time, were ready for a reenacted budget because we cannot, I will not affix my signature to something that is unconstitutional, ganun. So, dapat nga siguro, hindi pwedeng sisihin si Senator Drilon sa delay, Sisihin siguro yung pagkakasubmit sa amin nuong November 24.

Q: Or the Senate?

SP Sotto: Oo, pati yung buong Senado hindi pwedeng sisihin. Kaya ang sagot ko nga sa inyo, hindi raw sila ang masisisi? Sabi ko nga, ha? Baka nakalimutan na nila, o baka wala sila noon doon, kaya sinasabi nila yan. Pero I am talking about the HoR, the Third Regular Session of the 17th Congress.

Q: For the record, you do not agree with the statement of Speaker Cayetano that he was saying that it was Senator Drilon who moved the budget of the SEA Games to the PSC tapos nacut daw to one third?

SP Sotto: That is a different story, that is not part of the delay of the budget. A cut is completely different from the so-called delay. Yung cut, siguro ang sense noon ni Senator Legarda, ay tanggapin yung suggestion ni Senator Drilon na sobra yung P7.5 billion at nung ipinasa yun, pumayag naman ang House. Pumayag sila doon. Eh di sana sa bicam, sinabi nila na kulang, ano? Meron pang tinatawag na private sponsorships na makukuha naman doon, so pareho nga ngayon, nakapag-raise yung Phisgoc ng P1.5 (unclear). But let me remind you also that syempre, (unclear) pa itong paguusap natin, but in my time, during the time of the South East Asian Games, mga Asian games na nilalaruan namin na napakadami naming medalyang pinapanalo, walang ginagasta ang gobyerno sa amin. There was no appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Kami puro sari-sariling NSA, kanya-kanyang NSAs ang gumagastos. So, binigyan mo ng P6 billion, aba dapat magpasalamat sila, sapagkat kami nung araw, hindi nabibigyan ng ganun. Wala. In the 70s, early 80s.

Q: (Unclear) nakatulong din sa athletes yung PSC?

SP Sotto: In 8 events, in the 1977 SEA Games, I was part of the 8-man team. There were eight events, we won seven golds and one silver. Winipe-out nga namin ang kalaban. South East Asian Games yun. Walang government funding. Yung aming national sport association lang ang gumagastos. Dapat ganun.



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Sen. Bong Revilla is pushing for the adoption of voluntary work arrangement to help local employers and employees save time and resources, especially in saving the cost of traffic congestion.

He filed a bill (S. No 673), " An Act Amending Article 83 of the Presidential Decree No. 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines," to identify some flexible work arrangements that may be adopted by employers, including compressed workweek where the normal number of working days in a week is reduced but the total number of working hours remains, and flexi-holidays where the employees agree to avail the holidays at some other days.

The veteran lawmaker said that with the advancement in information, communication and technology, the employees can work outside the premises of the workplace and sustain working beyond eight ( hours without sacrificing its quality.

He also pointed out that kind of arrangement is recognized by DOLE through Department Advisory No. 2, "Guidelines on the Doption of Flexible Work Arrangements," and its subsequent Department Advisory No. 4, Series of 2010, "Guidelines on the Implementatuon of Flexible Work Arrangements and the Exemption From the Nightwork Prohibition for Women Employees in the Business Process Outsourcing."

Bong Revilla believes that flexible work schedule will allow employees to achieve work life balance which will make them more energized, satisfied, fulfilled and productive.



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SENATOR Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa called on the law enforcement officials to 'go the extra mile' in their efforts to win the government's "war on drugs" as he reminded them to always put God first in all the anti-illegal drugs operations to ensure preserving the precious life of every individual.

Speaking before the officials, employees and guests at the Dangerous Drugs Board's (DDB) culminating event for the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week 2019 in Quezon City recently, Dela Rosa issued the call to encourage the anti-illegal drugs operatives to work united and even harder to save more lives from the evils of the illegal substance. The former police chief who led the Duterte government's massive anti-illegal drugs campaign also underscored the crucial role of the people in efforts to win the 'drug war'.

"Paigtingin pa natin ang ating pagtutulungan, we have enough government agencies addressing the drug problem, but what matters most is the support and cooperation of every member of the community. What will help us win this war is our united and strong front against illegal drugs," Dela Rosa said.

"At higit sa lahat, ilagay pa rin natin ang Panginoon sa gitna ng pagsulong na ito kasi ang ating detractors palagi nilang pino-portray na tayo dito sa law enforcement sa war on drugs ay talagang mga mamamatay tao... ipakita natin na tayo ay maka-Diyos, makatao," he continued.

The neophyte senator added the important role of the local government units (LGUs) in the said campaign. "Very crucial talaga ang papel ng LGUs sa war on drugs, kahit sinong siga ang ilagay mo sa PDEA, kahit sinong siga na PNP chief ilagay mo, pag walang cooperation sa baba hindi tayo mananalo sa giyera na ito," Dela Rosa noted.

He said that since the launch of his brainchild "Toktok Hangyo", (knock and plead) which was later called "Tokhang," a considerable number of drug dependents have already surrendered and receded from using the illegal substance. The former drug dependents were brought back to their families as productive individuals.

"Let us stop fooling the people, yung iba gustong lokohin ang tao [na] failure daw ang war on drugs, anong standard ninyo ng failure? Baka ang standard ninyo standard ng Europe, standard ng Amerika, standard ng Colombia... as far as Filipino standard is concerned... bakit 82 percent ang approval rating ng mga tao sa ating Pangulo (at sa war on drugs)? So huwag nating lokohin ang taumbayan, let us give them the real numbers," Dela Rosa explained, adding that there is no perfect anti-illegal drugs campaign.

"With all honesty masasabi natin na yung ating war on drugs is not perfect... talagang hindi perfect. Bigyan mo ako ng isang bansa, pinakamagaling na bansa na perfect yung kanilang war on drugs," Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, assured his continued support to all the government's efforts to ensure victory against the illegal drugs. "I may no longer be at the frontlines in the war on drugs but I am making sure that I remain at the frontlines in legislative efforts to help put an end to the illegal drug problem in the country," Dela Rosa said. He also shared his priority bills relating to drugs, particularly death penalty for drug traffickers under Senate Bill no. 226, inclusion of drug education in the K12 Curriculum at grade 4 level under Senate Bill no. 228, and Senate Bill 513 seeking to strengthen the Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation in the country, which includes a provision on removing the court order requirement for drug dependents who want to undergo voluntary rehabilitation.



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Vice President Leni Robredo's removal as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) less than three weeks into her appointment is proof that Mr. Duterte is afraid to let her win the anti-narcotics campaign in the country.

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima made the assertion as she maintained that Duterte effectively admitted he was defeated in his own challenge to Robredo to rid the country of illegal drugs when he unceremoniously fired her as the country's "drug czar."

"Mga kababayan, may kumurap na po. Sa hindi naman katagalan na titigan ng ating dalawang pinakamataas na opisyales, merong isa na hindi na nakatiis at kusang bumigay sa hamunan na kung sino ang mas may tapang at may tatag," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 653.

"By firing VP Leni Robredo, he has admitted that he was caught in his own trap, defeated in his own challenge, and thoroughly exposed as a man without honor and whose word is as good as the next lie that comes out of his big mouth," she added.

Last Nov. 6, it may be recalled that the Vice President accepted Mr. Duterte's dare for her to sit as co-chair of the government's task force against illegal drugs despite well-meaning warnings from her allies that it could be a trap that is doomed to fail.

More than two weeks as co-chair of the anti-drug body, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed that Mr. Duterte decided to fire the Vice President from her post for allegedly using the post for "grandstanding."

Duterte has publicly admitted he did not want Robredo to hold a Cabinet post because he does not trust her and that he disliked how the Vice President consulted international organizations as co-chair of the ICAD.

During her 19-day tenure, Robredo has visited community-based rehabilitation centers for drug dependents and drug-infested communities and consulted officials from the US and United Nations.

The lady Senator from Bicol explained that Mr. Duterte showed the public that "Malacañang's official stationery on which appointments are written is as good as toilet paper, and that his signature is worth a 3-year-old's doodle."

"Walang kwenta. Walang saysay. Yan ang salita at lagda ni Duterte. At sa kanyang pagsuko sa sariling hamon niya kay Robredo, tinuldukan na rin niya ang matagal nang tinatanong ng marami sa taumbayan na kung ang kanyang tapang ay tunay at may paninindigan," she said.

"Kumurap na po ang Pangulo. Bahag ang buntot at nakataas ang dalawang kamay na nagsasabing hindi na siya lalaban; na ang kanyang tapang ay isa lamang kathang-isip na iginuhit sa ating guni-guni ng mga propagandistang bayaran," she added.

In her Dispatch from Crame No. 645, De Lima lauded Robredo's unrelenting spirit and determination in solving the worsening illegal drug problem in the country despite efforts by some pro-administration allies to discredit her.



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The 2019 Southeast Asian Games is off to a bad start. There is no question about that. From the corruption that attended the construction of the now infamous Golden Kaldero - undoubtedly the new symbol of corruption in the Duterte government - to the incompetent management of an inexperienced, disorganized team under Alan Peter Cayetano, we cannot hope for worse publicity, whether domestically or abroad.

What makes this fiasco doubly despicable is that despite the billions of pesos spent and skimmed off the top of the budget of the SEA Games by its corrupt organizers, disorganization and inefficiency still figured in to cause discomfort among the athletes and their support groups.

The financing and organization of this event should be subjected to a microscope investigation after the Games come to a close. Everything, from the rigmarole capitalization transaction involving the Bases Conversion Development Authority, MTD Capital Berhad of Malaysia, and the Development Bank of the Philippines, as hatched by former BCDA Chair and now Presidential Flagship Projects Advisor Vivencio Dizon, up to contracting the design of the 50-million peso Golden Kaldero to an apparently bedridden and dying national artist, cannot escape scrutiny after this is all over, if not after the whole event explodes on our faces.

Dizon and Cayetano, the rumored and favored Duterte shake down tandem for government contracts, must also be held to account for the so-called private donations they solicited from Philippine taipans - while using the authority of their public office -- which they then diverted to a private organization for expenditure without any semblance of accountability or care for government auditing whatsoever.

Until then, and while the games are being held, we must try to separate this government's rapaciousness and incompetence from our hosting of the event as a country, no matter how difficult this may prove to be. The ten billion pesos spent, of course, still produced impressive facilities and adequate venues, despite the double toilets, the hollow block / warehouse design media center, the locker rooms without lockers, the field without a scoreboard, no presentable Welcome signs, inadequate food, and last but not the least, towering above all of it in New Clark City, Cayetano's art masterpiece, the one and only, the Golden Kaldero.

Despite their corruption, the brightest stars of the Philippine political universe still cannot take away from us our spirit as a nation and our graciousness as hosts. Our people still have a hosting job to do, and we must all do it well for the honor of our nation, even if under this dishonorable regime of plunderers.

Huwag muna nating intindihin, sa ngayon, ang mga mandarambong at mga walang kwentang opisyales ni Duterte na nagpataba na ng kanilang mga pitaka gamit ang okasyon na ito. Wala na tayong magagawa pa sa kahihiyan nila. Pero maari pa nating maisalba ang kahihiyan natin bilang mga Pilipino.

Sa ating mga atleta at kanilang mga kaakabay sa pagsasanay, sa ating mga LGU volunteers na nagpapagod para mairaos ang paligsahan na ito, sa ating mga kabataan at kababayan na walang atubiling tumutulong para maging maganda ang kalagayan ng ating mga bisita, magkapit-bisig po tayo sa mga susunod na araw para siguraduhing maging tagumpay ang palaro para sa atin at para sa mga kapitbahay natin sa Timog-Silangang Asya. Kayo ang mga bayani na magtutulak para ang kaganapang ito ay maging tanyag at kaakit-akit na makita sa ating rehiyon at sa buong mundo.

Ipagdarasal ko po ang inyong kalusugan at kaligtasan habang inyong ginagampanan ang sakripisyong hindi ninyo ipinagkait sa ating taumbayan. ###



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It is a complete lie. Mr. Salo is a blabbermouth and a purveyor of fake news.

A cursory check of the records would disprove the allegations made by Mr. Salo and other members of the House of Representatives today. The journal of the Senate dated December 6, 2018 would clearly reveal that no member of the Senate slashed the budget of the SEA Games. The P7.5 billion funding for SEA Games that was mysteriously lodged in the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs - that even the Foreign Affairs Sec. Teddy Locsin disowned - was only transferred to the Philippine Sports Commission. The third reading version of the 2019 General Appropriations Bill passed by the Senate would show that the P7.5 billion budget lodged under the Philippine Sports Commission was intact. It was the bicam, which members of the House of Representatives were part of, that slashed this to P5 billion. For the record, it was not I who proposed to slash it to P5 billion during the bicam.

The current budget of the SEA Games remains at P6 billion after P1 billion was transferred from the contingent fund. I made transparent and publicized all my proposed amendments to the 2019 budget. If only Mr. Salo exercised due diligence, he would have saved himself from embarrassment. But that would be wishful thinking.



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Addressing the nation, particularly the government agencies involved in the preparation and management of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go called for Filipinos to uphold the bayanihan spirit amid issues facing the country's hosting of the sporting event.

"Maraming gustong pumalakpak, nakakalungkot sa panahong ito na ilang kababayan natin na pumapalakpak sa maling rason. Pumapalakpak dahil gusto nila tayong pumalpak. Ang kailangan nating palakpakan ang mga atleta to cheer them up and support them," Go said.

"Sanay na tayo sa bayanihan, magtulungan na lang tayo at alalayan natin," he emphasized.

In various media interviews, the senator, who is also chair of the Committee on Sports in the Senate, said that he and President Rodrigo Duterte are constantly monitoring the issues raised in the first few days of the biennial regional multi-sport event.

"Ang Pangulo, very concerned lalo na sa ngalan ng ating bansa. Kami ni Pangulo, nakatutok kami dito (sa SEA games issue)," Go said.

Go urged all government agencies to work double time and reminded everyone that they will be answerable to not only the President but most especially to the Filipino people.

"In fairness kay Speaker Cayetano, talagang nagdo-double time naman sila ngayon. Talagang ginagawa nila ang lahat at para maayos ito, nagre-report siya. Wala nang mangyayari kung magsisihan pa tayo," he said.

Go, who also advocates for the development of the country's grassroots and long-term sports program, said that it is normal to have hiccups when hosting events. However, he emphasized that instead of pointing fingers, Go urged Filipinos to unite and cooperate for the events to become a success.

"Normal na may mga maging problema pero imbes na magsisihan, magtulungan nalang po tayo. (Four) days to go before opening. Ano magagawa ng sisihan ngayon?," Go said.

"Sa dami-dami nating naririnig na reklamo, magtulungan na lang tayo; may panahon d'yan," he added.

Go urged everyone to help in ensuring the success of the country's hosting, adding that the whole Southeast Asia has its eyes on the country. The senator further said that Filipinos should set aside political differences and participate in rallying support for the country's competing athletes.

"Tulungan nalang po tayo. Sanay tayo sa bayanihan. Ceasefire muna tayo, 'wag mag-away ang mga opisyales. Nakatutok lahat sa atin. Huwag natin hayaang pumalpak ito. Lahat tayo ay hosts dito," he said.

Instead of spreading negativity, Go asked the public to consider the impact of these news to the morale of the athletes who should be focused on their respective competitions.

"Isipin rin natin morale ng athletes. Hindi na dapat nila problemahin 'yang issues para maka-focus sila sa kanilang competitions," he said.

"Nakataya rito ang pangalan ng Pilipinas at huwag nating hayaang pumalpak ito dahil sinabi ko noon, karangalan ng ating atleta nakasalalay sa darating na Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Ang reputasyon at pangalan ng ating bansa ang nakataya rito," he added.

The senator said that the President, who will attend the formal opening of the Games on November 30, fully supports the event and the national athletes, saying that aside from the usual incentives an athlete receives when they get a medal finish, the President may also consider providing additional separate incentives.

"Knowing the President, full support po siya sa mga atleta natin. Kung ano man po maitutulong to motivate them, ibibigay po natin," he said.

Highlighting the world-famous Filipino hospitality, the senator added that he and the President have always taken good care of their guests.

"President Duterte is a very good host and Filipinos are known for our hospitality," Go said. "Sa 21 years ko kay Presidente, sa Davao, lahat inaalagaan ang bisita. Nakakain na ba? Kumot at matutulogan, ok ba... si Pangulo concerned dyan," Go said, explaining how the President values how guests should be treated.

Go also addressed allegations that issues in the SEA Games preparation are due to delays in the current year's budget. He asserted that the reason why Senate and the House of Representatives are working hard to pass the budget for next year is in order to avoid another reenacted budget that would lead to delays in the provision of basic services.

"Kaya andito na tayo. Ngayon iniiwasan natin ang reenacted budget para maiwasan maulit iyan. All services affected pag nadelay ang budget," Go asserted.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon stated on Tuesday that a right balancing system is essential in the plan to increase the taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.

During the interpellation for Senate Bill No. 1074 or the Sin Tax Reform Bill sponsored by Senator Pia S. Cayetano, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Gordon pointed out that while he supports having more resources for the country, public health should also be considered and be given importance.

"We should look for a balancing system wherein we can allow the alcohol and tobacco. But with higher taxes, our people will somehow be discouraged to consume both products. The objective is to make them not easily accessible to the public, especially to the minors, and to curb the vices. In the realm of the capitalist society, it is really trying to make the business strive, and at the same time, trying to protect the public. So, while we allow the use and selling of cigarettes and alcoholic drinks, we also earn revenue that we can use to fund our government's programs," he said.

He also said that the sin tax should be put in the context of how the country's interests are guaranteed. He said that he wants more finance opportunities for the government not just because the country needs more infrastructures and funding for social services, but because "we need more tools for national defense", as well.

"The point I want to make here is that we have to be very sensible and clever with how we impose taxes. If we are going to tax, let's tax wisely and be direct to our people that this is a revenue measure for us to combat other issues," he said.

SB No. 1074 aims to amend the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. If passed, the new set of taxes for alcohol and cigarette products is expected to produce P40 billion to P50 billion in revenues. Part of it will be allotted for the implementation of the Universal Health Care law.



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Senator Imee Marcos said Senate sports committee chairman Bong Go must get to the bottom of the numerous foul-ups in hosting the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that are embarrassing the Filipino people even before the biennial sports event has begun.

Marcos added that she backs Go's promise to conduct a probe and that he would be the best person to do so, to prove that the government does not cover up anomalies committed by those close to the President.

"If Senator Go will really conduct an investigation, and I hope he does, he would prove that the government is not afraid to go up against President Duterte's allies," Marcos said.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who chairs the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), and Philippine Sports Committee chairman William Ramirez have come under fire for various logistical blunders exposed in mainstream and social media.

Team coaches and athletes from Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and even the Philippines' women's football team have complained about delayed transport and hotel accommodations, meals served in small portions and that lacked nutrition or that were not halal for Muslim athletes, and sports venues that have not been completely built days before the games begin November 30.

"It's just so sad that Alan himself as Phisgoc chair admitted to the blunders that occurred upon the arrival of athletes from various countries participating in the SEA Games," Marcos said.

Complaints of nepotism and favoritism in national sports associations (NSAs) have also surfaced among bemedalled Filipino athletes in karate and skateboarding who were excluded from the list of SEAG participants.

Marcos stressed that although it was premature to pin blame, the people are sure to demand a reckoning for the billions spent in hosting the SEA Games and that someone should be made accountable.



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Q: Magkakapihan ka bukas?

SP Sotto: Hindi ako pwede. Meron akong Batangas bukas.

Q: Anong oras yung Batangas mo po?

SP Sotto: Alas-siyete.

Q: (Unclear)

SP Sotto: Coconut farmers.

Q: Sa SEA Games po, hindi lahat ginagastos?

SP Sotto: That's not my point. Ang sinasabi ko, parang sumosobra tayo ng ating pananaw. Yung pananaw natin, ng mga kababayan natin tungkol dito na para bang kailangan ay napaka-hospitable natin, na ang mga preparasyon para sa mga pagkain, sa mga lodging at kung anu-ano, ay kailangan maganda at sagot natin sila. Hindi. Dapat yung bansa na nagpapadala ng team nila, sagot nila yung team nila. Ganun yung mga nakaraan. Ganun lahat yung mga napuntahan kong mga, yung games mismo ang sagot natin. Yung tournament ang sagot natin. Kaya nga madalas ang mga host countries, sila ang nagcha-champion, kasi lamang sila lagi. Kontrolado nila kung ano ang gusto nilang venue, kontrolado nila kung anong oras ang gusto nila, ganun lagi yun every year kaya lang nakakatakot nito, imbis na ang mangyari encourage natin ang mga athletes natin para mag-gold medal, hinahighlight natin yung mga petty details na hindi naman dapat. Kung umaangal itong mga kalaban, sana matalo sila. Yung mga kalaban, I mean, di ba? Atin na yung gold medal. Ganun ang ginagawa sa atin. Ang sinasabi ko, ginagawa sa atin yun, every two years ng iba't-ibang mga bansa. Kasama sa laban yun. Itong (unclear) palakasan na ito, parang gyera din yan. Parang laban talaga yan, hindi pwedeng mabutihan yan pag dating sa laban.

Q: Pero yung food daw, parang automatic na dapat sagot natin as host country?

SP Sotto: Bakit? Bakit nung kami, hindi? Bakit nung kami, yung NSA namin gumagastos sa pagkain namin.

Q: Saang bansa yun?

SP Sotto: Iba't-iba. Ang Malaysia, may Thailand, may Indonesia. Itong South East Asian Games na ito, hindi lahat all the time dapat sagot ng host country. Dahil kung sagot, okay, hospitable ang Pilipino, kaya siguro ginagawa natin yan, yung ibang bansa ginagawa rin yan pero not all the time. At hindi pupwedeng yung puro five star ang accommodation ng pagkain na ibibigay mo. Ibigay natin yun sa mga atleta natin, wag sa mga kalaban.

Q: Yung accommodation hindi natin sagot?

SP Sotto: Merong mga bansa na minsan nananagot nun, pero nung kami ang sinasagot, dinadala kami sa mga dormitory ng mga unibersidad. Pati dormitory, libre ng mga unibersidad, then ang ginagawa pa nga, ang paliguan namin, yung common. Common ang paliguan, merong para sa mga lalaki, merong para sa mga babae, ganun lang.

Q: Bakit kaya ganun? Ano yun, strategy na parang kinakawawa kayo?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman, pero palagay ko may kasama ng ganun yun. Kailangan ang mentality ng iba, whatever it takes, we want to win the gold. Ganun, ganun ang mentality ng ibang NSAs. Merong mga NSA na mababait, sa ibang bansa din, okay lang, sige tutal talo naman kayo sa amin, parang ganun, pero pagka yung mga NSA na medyo masikip, itong sinasabi ko, I am sure hindi aaminin ng ibang mga NSAs yan. Sasabihin nila hindi, hospitable kami, pero deep down inside them, they want to win. They want to win the gold for whatever it takes.

Q: You are saying yung mga reklamo nila ngayon, sinasadya nila yon to derail us?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman. Pwedeng strategy yan, bakit mag-iipon ipon ang mga coach, gagawa ng presscon, magrereklamo?

Q: Para mawala tayo sa focus?

SP Sotto: Parang ganun, Tingin ko, may suspetsang ganun.

Q: (Unclear) na pagdating nila nagcomplain sila (unclear)?

SP Sotto: Palagay ko gatong yun, may mga nanggagatong doon. Gatong yun, hindi tama yun. Nagrereklamo pala sila, eh di talo na sila. Gusto nilang ano, nagrereklamo pala sila, di wag silang sumali. Atin na yung gold.

Q: Hindi ba parang bastos yun for a guest to complain?

SP Sotto: Hindi na (unclear) masasabi yan bagamat gusto kong sumang-ayon sa iyo, kasi every other year, nangyayari ito sa South East Asian Games. Noon pa, nagrereklamo din naman kami. Pasok sa kaliwang tenga, labas sa kanan. Ang isasagot sa amin ng mga organizer, sige, we'll look into it, we'll look ito it. Pero wala, hindi nila gagawin yun. They are looking at their gold medal. So I think the focus now sa atin, ng mga atleta natin, at tayong mga kababayan, iencourage natin ang mga athletes natin na manalo ng gold. Wag nang Pakinggan yung mga reklamo ng kung sino-sino.

Q: Pero si Presidente parang disappointed dito sa mga issues, sa mga complaints, gusto niyang paimbestigahan?

SP Sotto: Imbestigahan natin. Ang problema kasi doon, kung ano yung nakarating kay Presidente, ano ang mga report na nakakarating sa kanya? Dapat naman talagang imbestigahan, lalo na pagdating doon sa funding. Meron tayong nilaan na budget para diyan, at the end of the day, dapat malaman natin kung paano ginastos yan. Okay tayo doon. Ang sinasabi ko, itong laban. Nandito tayo sa laban ngayon. Medyo alert tayo, wag tayong masyadong hospitable.

Q: Pero hindi ba malinaw na medyo fault natin na pinakain daw ng hindi halal food yung mga Muslim athletes? Kasi isa yun sa mga reklamo.

SP Sotto: Nangyari na rin yan sa ibang mga bansa na nangyari sa amin sapagkat hindi lahat ng caterer, hindi lahat ng nagseserve ng food ay alam na Muslim or hindi Muslim yung kanilang mga guests. Every now and then, nangyari yan. It should have been incumbent upon the NSA ng let's say a Muslim team, na may mga Muslim kami dito, we don't want food... Dapat sinabi nila. Kasi alam ko nung araw, tayo may atleta tayo na vegetarian, pinapaalam din nila kaagad na vegetarian yung ibang mga player namin, dapat maghanda kayo ng pagkain na... katulad ng mga reklamo na yan, nangyayari yan. There has always been complaints in all SEA Games to all host countries. Pero bakit kailangan dito sa Pilipinas, ihighlight natin yan?

Q: Ginawa na ba yun dati, ginawang strategy yung pagrereklamo para mawalan ng focus yung host country?

SP Sotto: Madalas. Madalas yan. Strategy ng (unclear) yan, na talagang pasakitin ang ulo ninyo.

Q: So both strategy ng host country and (unclear) yung pagrereklamo?

SP Sotto: Don't you recall the other SEA Games, yung basketball team ba natin o yung football team natin, late nilang pinadala yung bus? Pagdating doon, hindi nakawarm-up? You remember that? Strategy yun.

Q: So what you are saying, let's not be too kind?

SP Sotto: Hindi yun, I am not saying that we should not be too kind, I am saying that when it comes to the battle for the gold, we should not be too hospitable.

Q: Yung mga reklamo ng mga players, pwede silang magdahilan pag hindi sila makakuha ng gold, (unclear)?

SP Sotto: Oo. Totoo yan. Pagka hindi sila nanalo, sabihin nila, kasi ganito, kasi ganyan.

Q: We should not be too hospitable meaning?

SP Sotto: Kung ano yung dapat lang na ibigay na sagot natin, yun lang. May reklamo kayo, hindi ninyo gusto? Sorry. Gawin ninyo pagdating sa (unclear) kung ano sa tingin ninyo ang hindi namin ginagawa, pag dating sa host country, pag kayo naman ang host, then gawin ninyo rin.

Q: (Unclear) ang sagot natin as a host country?

SP Sotto: We want to win the gold.

Q: For them, for the foreign athletes?

SP Sotto: Syempre, ang sagot natin diyan, okay, we will ask the Phisgoc to trouble-shoot. To trouble-shoot all the problems. Syempre, ganun ang sagot. And we will ask of course the organizing committee to look ito these complaints but we should not allow it to anchor us down because of these complaints. Kung minsan, strategy yan.

Q: Hindi ba tayo ang pinaka-palpak na host?

SP Sotto: Hindi, tayo ang pinaka-hospitable. Tayo ang pinaka-hospitable na host.

Q: Yun ang mali sa pagiging hospitable natin?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman, hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na mali yun, ang sinasabi ko, whatever is happening, kung ano man yung lumalabas na yan, wag masyadong pansinin yan, importante manalo muna tayo ng gold medal. At kung pwede, manalo tayo ng over-all sapagkat host country usually wins the over-all championship.

Q: May experience tayo na normal talaga ito sa lahat ng host?

SP Sotto: Very normal. Lahat ng naghohost, laging may reklamo. Merong blunder. Lahat ng naghohost na country, every two years, tingnan ninyo, and every four years sa Asian Games, and every World Cup, and every President's Cup that I have attended, laging may complaint sa host country. Hindi nawawalan yan, hindi rin nawawalan ng blunder. This is not limited to the Philippines. Kaya ang sinasabi ko, meron naman tayong organizing committee to address these complaints but we should all focus and encourage athletes to win the gold for the country, doon tayo magconcentrate.

On what the government should do now that the vice president was relieved from ICAD?

SP Sotto: Wala namang pagbabago because the appointment of Vice President Robredo was co-chair of the inter-agency committee. The inter-agency committee works with or without a co-chair, so wala akong nakitang pagbabago.

Q: What should be done? Leni is saying na hindi daw siya titigil...

SP Sotto: Hindi, kasi hindi yata nabigyan ng talagang focus kung ano ang dahilan, kung bakit inappoint ang VP na co-chair. Ako, ang tingin ko, and in my opinion, the real reason of the President is for her to see the extent of the drug problem up close and personal kaya ganun. Kaya siya inappoint doon, hindi para maging executive doon sa anti-drug abuse program ng gobyerno or the control policy program of the government.

Q: (Unclear)

SP Sotto: I will leave it to the constitutional amendments or the constitutional convention or a constituent assembly if ever he so decides.

Q: Magandang idea ba yun?

SP Sotto: Depende. It works for the United States, I do not know if it will work for us. Medyo iba ang kultura natin.

Q: Pero pag ganun, amendment sa Constitution?

SP Sotto: Amendment sa Constitution yun kaya hindi madaling idea yun. We can only realize that kung magkakaroon tayo ng con-con or con-ass.

Q: Naalala ninyo kung ano yung worst experience ninyo sa SEA Games sa ibang bansa nung nagcompete kayo?

SP Sotto: Pagkain. Pangit ang pagkain, kaunti pa. Malamig.

Q: Malamig yung pagkain?

SP Sotto: Oo. Kaya nangyayari, yung NSA namin ang nagpoprovide. Yung Philippine Bowling Congress during that time, which is now the Philippine Bowling Federation, during that time, (unclear) namin yun. Bibili kami or papakainin kami ng iba dahil yung available na pagkain ay hindi namin gusto. Tapos sa venue, yung mga bowling lanes, ayaw ipakita sa amin yung oiling condition. Hindi raw kami pwedeng magpractice, pero sila nagpaparactice. Yung oiling condition, which is very crucial in a bowling tournament, hindi pakikita sa amin, malalamannamin yun during the day of the tournament. Mga ganung mga sistema.

Q: Paano kayo nakapagpractice noon?

SP Sotto: Nagpapractice kami dito, pagdating doon, hindi kayo pagprapractesin sa bowling center, so mangyayari sa amin, just to warm up magpapractice kami sa ibang bowling center, pero magkaibang lane condition yun so mahirap. Agrabyado kaagad kami. Meron pa ngang panahon, hindi ko na babanggitin kung sinong bansa yan baka magreklamo pa, pero alam nila yan, they would know who I am talking about, yung five man team event, Magkakaiba ng lane yan, pair-pair, lahat ng lipatan namin na lane, nagre-rerack yung lane ng kanila. Pinapalitan ng magaan na pin. Yung sa amin mabibigat. Mga ganun, yun ang mga experiences, if you are asking me for experiences ng host countries, na napuntahan ko.

Q: What about transpo, sagot dapat ng host countries syempre?

SP Sotto: Hindi rin. Usually ilalagay ka sa malapit sa venue. O kaya, kayo ang kukuha. Kung ayaw ninyo, Kunyari, may reklamo ang NSA nung ibang bansa, hindi nila gusto yung accommodation, eh di kumuha kayo ng accommodation ninyo. Lumipat kayo sa malapit sa venue or whatever. Ganun ang ginagawa namin and it happens to us. Wala pang social media noon kaya walang pumapatol sa mga reklamo namin. Katulad ngayon, kaunting merong kibot, nakasabog na yung reklamo, pero ang totoo niyan, lahat niyan ginagawa nung araw.

Q: Over-all the visitors are treated better compared to the previous games (unclear)?

SP Sotto: Oh yes. Treated much better.

Q: Dapat grateful pa sila...

SP Sotto: I am sure they are not. Ang focus nila, manalo. Yan ang nakakalimutan natin, ang focus nitong mga bisitang ito, manalo kaya dapat yun din ang focus natin at yung mga reklamo, pasok dito, labas dito. May trouble-shooter na organizing committee para ayusin yun.

Q: Kasi ang reklamo din daw po we spent around P17 billion for this and yet ito lang yung binigay natin?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman P17 billion.

Q: P11 billion infra, P6 billion operations.

SP Sotto: That is a different story. That is an internal issue that we can handle and we can tackle later on. Pwede nating malaman kung paano ginasta yung P6 billion na galing doon sa 2019 GAA.

Q: You also support an investigation?

SP Sotto: Syempre. Makikita naman natin, there will always be a report. There should be a report. Paano nangyari, paano ginasta yan. That is different from what I am talking about. That's completely different, wag nila imimix yan, baka akala nila ay pinoproteksyunan ko yung gastos, hindi. I am talking about the social issues na pinag-uusapan.

Q: Kasi sinasabi we spent so much and yet sa food, kikiam lang daw...

SP Sotto: Doon ko nirerelate, di ba? Yan ang sinasabi ko, wag ihalo yung gastos doon sa mga nangyayaring ganun kasi for example, yung caterer nung sinasabing nagpakain ng kikiam, baka alam niya gustong gusto niya yung kikiam niya, masarap yung kikiam niya lkaya yun ang hinain niya. Katulad noon, may naghahain ng dinuguan, ayoko, hindi ako kumakain ng dinuguan, kung hindi si Helen ang nagluto, paano yun, magrereklamo ako? Irereklamo ko ngayon? Dinuguan lang ang pinakain sa amin? Wag ganun. Wag natin patulan yung mga ganun. Tapos irerelate sa P6 billion. Hindi ganun. Ang isasagot ko sa NSA na yun, eh di bumili kayo ng pagkain ninyo. Ganun ang ginagawa sa amin. That's why pag sila na ang host, ganun din ang gawin nila dahil ganun ang ginagawa sa amin.

Q: Pero naglilista na kayo nung mga sinasabing mali?

SP Sotto: Minsan niraraise namin during the event itself pero ang nangyayari, hindi naman kami pinapansin. Oo lang, after the games wala na, nakakalimutan na lahat yan pag may mga medalyang nakasabit na diyan, kalimutan na.

Q: Dapat stop muna nila yung mga paninisi?

SP Sotto: Asikasuhin muna nila kung paano manalo yung mga atleta, yun ang importante. Yung mga reklamo ng mga bisita, pasensiya kayo, talo kayo. Ganun ang mentality ng champion. Gusto natin magchampion, wag natin tulungan ang kalaban. Yung bare minimum ng dapat nating ibigay, yun dapat ang ibigay natin, wag natin i-OA.

Q: Ano yung mga games na personally papanoorin ninyo?

SP Sotto: Bowling, malamang swimming, and then golf.

Q: Magsessesion tayo?

SP Sotto: Oo.

Q: Budget mamaya?

SP Sotto: Kasi kailangan tapusin namin ang amendments next week, tapos bicam, and then we need to pass the anti-terrorism act.

Q: Paano natin gagawin yung amendment?

SP Sotto: Yung mga nabanggit na during the period of interpellations, pwede nang isubmit at tatanggapin na ng Committee on Finance yun, ililista na nila yun. Yung mga hindi pa, pwedeng gawin on the floor. Pwede ring isubmit nila in writing. Basta iaapprove namin on the floor.

Q: Madugo pa ba yung period of amendments?

SP Sotto: Depende kung may mga reklamo doon sa mga amendment, hahaba yan. Kung hindi naman, okay na yun.

Q: Walang assurance of approval ngayon?

SP Sotto: Today? No, not today.

Q: Kailan ang target?

SP Sotto: Next week siguro, baka Monday. I doubt it, I don't know, ask Senator Angara.

Q: Kasi ang target, bicam is first week of December?

SP Sotto: Oo nga eh first week of December, December 6. Hindi naman December 1.

Q: Yung sin tax maihahabol?

SP Sotto: Priority? Oo. Inaayos lang namin yung mga figures.

Q: Sin tax, anti-terror, ano pa?

SP Sotto: Baka yung coco levy. Ewan ko kung gusto ni Cynthia pagusapan yung rice tariffication.



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MANILA - Senator Francis Pangilinan has filed a bill seeking to augment the 2019 budget with P6 billion to immediately provide unconditional cash transfer to rice farmers.

Senate Bill 1191 proposes a P6-billion supplemental budget for direct cash transfers to vulnerable rice farmers who are planting one hectare or less, "as compensation for the reduction or loss of farm income arising from the influx of imported rice."

At the House of Representatives, Quezon City Rep. Christopher 'Kit" Belmonte, also on Tuesday afternoon, filed House Bill 5629 as a counterpart measure, saying that the cash assistance will encourage rice farmers to continue farming.

Pangilinan is Liberal Party president while Belmonte is the party's secretary general.

"Ang buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga magpapalay ay nasa panganib, at dapat nating tratuhin ito bilang isang emergency situation na nangangailangan ng agarang atensyon (The life and livelihood of our farmers are in peril, and we should treat this as an emergency situation that needed immediate attention)," Pangilinan said.

The cash transfer will give them a lifeline to continue farming while we try our best to fix the law, Pangilinan added, referring to Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Act.

The law imposes a minimum 35-percent tariff on rice imports in lieu of quantitative restrictions (QRs).

The liberalization of rice imports, while intended to give the country a steady supply, has led to declining palay farmgate prices in many rice-producing areas.

Eight months since the passage of the law, farmgate prices of palay have plunged to as low as P7 to P10 per kilo in some provinces, while the price of rice dropped by 2.9 percent, and the price of palay by 17.48 percent.

The drop in farmgate price of palay has resulted in huge income losses for rice farmers and the industry, now estimated around P60 billion, and projected to double by yearend.

Pangilinan said releases from the proposed supplemental fund will be made by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) directly to the Department of Agriculture (DA), which shall make available the fund to the farmers.

The fund will be effective until December 31, 2020.

Earlier, both the Senate and the House approved on third and final reading their respective bills extending the validity of the 2019 budget until December 31, 2020.

This would allow agencies to spend funds for capital outlays and maintenance and other operating expenses in the 2019 budget until next year.

According to Pangilinan's bill, the DBM will submit to Congress and the Commission on Audit quarterly report on the utilization of funds.



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On the budget for the SEA Games 2019

SP Sotto: Ang balita ko nung pinag-uusapan yan, doon sa period of interpellation pa lang, hindi maliwanag yung pag-gagastusan nung P7.5 billion. Yun ang intindi ko doon, hindi ko exactly, hindi ko amendment yun, amendment ni Senator Drilon kaya hindi ko matandaan yung details pero ang tanda ko is yung ang malamang na kakailanganin is about P6 billion kaya yun yata ang pinasa namin, P6 billion. And true enough, nakapag-raise sila. Yung Phisgoc nakapag raise ng P1.5 billion from sponsors, yung ganyan, at saka itong on going na yan, siguradong magkakaroon pa rin ng sponsorship at makakapag-raise pa yan, pero perhaps the committee then or the Committee on Finance headed by Senator Legarda thought it best na tama yung amendment na yun lang ang kakailanganin nila.

Q: Hindi ba atrasado since two years in the making ito. 2017 alam na natin, tayo.

SP Sotto: 2015.

Q: 2015 pa?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman panahon ng administrasyon na ito (unclear) yan.

Q: So dapat pala nung panahon pa nila Senator Drilon nasimulan na yung preparasyon nito? Dapat siguro hindi ganitong ka-belated ang preparation kung ganun pala, 2015 pa pala nalaman?

SP Sotto: Nasa preparasyon yan, hindi sa pera yan, kasi kung pera may (unclear). Kailangan mo magprepare, pera kulang mo, di utangin mo. (Unclear) ang daming pwedeng ano yan kung sa bayan, ang daming tutulong diyan, hindi yan ang issue diyan, at saka wag nila pagbintangan ang Senado nagdelay ng budget. November 24 nila sinubmit sa amin, and I am not talking about Speaker Cayetano, or sina Mikee Romero, we are talking about the previous administration of the 17th Congress which was, ang nangyari, pinalitan nila si Bebot Alvarez. Nagpalitan sila, si GMA, tsaka pinalitan nila yung mga chairman ng iba't-ibang committee. So imbes na isubmit nila sa amin by October, before October yung entire budget ng gobyerno, yung GAB na tinatawag, November 24 nila sinubmit. What can we do in one month? Hindi naman kaming pwedeng pikit-matang iaapprove namin yung inapprove nila, di ba? So period of interpellation pa lang yan, ubos na sa December yan, irereview pa ng committees namin yan.

Q: At saka totoong may nasilip yata ang Senado noon na kinailangang (unclear) sa punto ng budget pagdating doon sa pork barrel issue?

SP Sotto: Oo, hindi lang ganun, parang magaan pa ngang issue yan, hindi ganun yung nangyari. Ang nangyari, pagkatapos namin mag-interpellate ng bandang January namin natapos, after Christmas break. Sumunod yung period of amendments namin, naipasa na naming, nakipag-usap kami sa kanila, nag bicam kami around March. Nung nagbicam kami, we agreed already on the GAA, what will be the General Appropriations Act. So niratify namin sa Senate, niratify din nila sa House. Nung piniprint na, nagsingit ng kung sinong ponso-pilato ng P75 billion.

Q: Natatandaan ko yan.

SP Sotto: Bakit ko pipirmahan yung pinapadala sa akin? Yung pinirmahan ni GMA? Pinadala sa akin, bakit ko pipirmahan? It's unconstitutional, wala sa usapan, hindi yun ang tamang proseso. Pag may sumita sa amin nung araw nun, ako yung makakasuhan.

Q: Nagsingit post-reenactment na di ba?

SP Sotto: Oo. Kaya nga ang nangyari, talagang nagkaroon ng impasse, dahil hindi ko pipirmahan yun, bawiin ninyo yan, sabi ko. Ayaw nilang bawiin. Ang nagsuggest, si Senator Drilon, siya ang nagsuggest sa akin, sabi niya pirmahan mo, pero lagyan mo ng annotation, tapos isumbong mo kay Presidente. Ginawa ko nga at nilagyan ko ng ano yun, kauna-unahan sa history ng Pilipinas na merong budget na sinubmit sa Presidente na yung Senate President eh may reklamo. Nandoon, nakalagay. Nilagay ko yung annotation, sinama nga addendum, nakita namin yung P75 billion na biglang idinagdag. Dinagdag sa kung saan-saang distrito na hindi ko na babanggitin ngayon tutal wala na sila sa pwesto. Nung vineto ni Presidente at naniwala naman siya doon sa nakita namin, meron pa siyang nakitang P20 billion. P95 billion yung vineto niya eh.

Q: Nabanggit mo kanina hindi issue ito ng atrasadong budget? Alin ito?

SP Sotto: Atrasadong preparasyon at saka may kasama rin yang reklamo ng maliliit na bagay na hindi dapat ireklamo. Pag kinumpara mo yung preparasyon natin at saka yung nangyayari ngayon dito sa atin at saka sa ibang bansa, maganda pa yung atin. Ilang beses ako napunta sa ibang SEA Games sa Asian games, nung mga naghohost ibang bansa, atleta ako nung araw, ten-pin bowling. Marami nga kaming medalya nung araw. Pinapabayaan kami nung ibang bansa, gusto nga matalo kami. Tayo nga napaka-galing na host. (Unclear) kung dayain kami ng Thailand.

Q: So sinasabi ninyo, napalaki lang ito?

SP Sotto: Oo, napapalaki siguro ng mga kontra kay Presidente Duterte, kontra sa grupo nila Alan Cayetano.

Q: Sa tingin mo dapat hindi sinisisi ang Phisgoc dito?

SP Sotto: Ang tingin ko, kung gusto nilang magkaroon ng sisihan, after the games. Pero ang gawin muna nila, ikumpara nila ito sa mga nakaraan. Meron pang isang South East Asian Games na yung basketball team natin ba yun o football team natin? Delayed pinadala yung sasakyan. Hindi nakapag-warm up. Pagdating doon, mag-uumpisa na yung game. Style nila yan, style ng mga ibang bansa yan, gusto nilang manalo. .

Q: So kung gustong magpakain ng kikiam?

SP Sotto: Ako nga naisip ko nga kung totoo man yun, baka naman yung caterer eh (unclear) yung cater, sa tingin niya masarap yung kikiam niy, di ba? Sa tinginniya masarap yung kikiam niya, magugustuhan nila ito. Parang tayo, meron akong kalaro sa golf, ang hilig-hilig sa dinuguan. Laging dinuguan ang hinahanda sa amin, eh ayoko ng dinuguan niya. Ganun lang yan.

Q: May commitment na po ba ang liderato ng Senado na right after SEA Games, maglulunsad kayo ng imbestigasyon dito sa lahat ng controversy sa palarong ito?

SP Sotto: Oo, kung makikita nating talagang malala yan, magkakaroon ng imbestigasyon yan. At saka yung parang report. Ayaw mo mang tawaging imbestigasyon, magkakaroon sigurado ang Senate Committee on Sports ng reprt. Ano ang nangyari, para in the future, mapapaghandaan pa natin ito ng mabuti, pero believe me, malala yung ibang bansa. Maniwala kayo sa akin, ilang beses ko nang nakita yan, yung sa atin parang gusto nating sobrang hospitality ng Pilipino. Gusto natin na parang mga napakaganda, hindi ganun ang ginagawa sa atin ng ibang bansa. (Unclear) saan kami pinapatira, university. Yung mga dormitory. Hindi pa yun, yung mga dormitory pinapaalis ang mga estudyante, at doon kami matutulog sa mga kama nila. Yung mga estudyante, nag-iiawan pa ng sulat sa amin doon, (unclear) ganun lang.

Q: Dito may pa-hotel pa?

SP Sotto: Dito pa-hotel, ang pagkain (unclear), lahat. Dapat nga yan wala tayong pakialam sa sasakyan. Kami pagdating namin doon kami na.

Q: Dapat sila na mag arrange ng sasakyan nila.

SP Sotto: Dito nga inarrange lahat. Medyo naover nga ang preparasyon. Kung tutuusin, kumpara sa mga ibang bansa, dinadaya nga kami. Dito palagay ko baka magpatalo pa tayo sa hospitality natin. Sobrang hospitable yung Pilipino, baka magpatalo pa.

Q: At least that's a different point of view coming from you.

SP Sotto: Oo.

Q: Abangan namin yung development Titosen, salamat sa oras.

SP Sotto: Sige. Babantay din tayo. Panonoorin natin lahat yan.



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We welcome the recent operation of the Bureau of Internal Revenue this morning at Parañaque City where it shuttered a service provider in the Philippine offshore gaming operations sector for failing to register its branch offices in the city to pay taxes. We credit our finance department for their relentless effort to keep business in check especially in settling their obligations to the government. The Philippines is always open for business as long as companies conform with prevailing requirements and pay its correct taxes due to the government.

We could only hope that the BIR's steely determination rubs off on the inter-agency task force assembled to stem the tide that is the influx of illegal workers. Since its organization in May, it has yet to mount a single round of joint inspections similar to the BIR's effort. Agencies concerned like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in particular should be at the forefront of inspections such as this. They should be coordinating with the member-agencies of the inter-agency task force consistent with their mandate.

Had representatives from the DOLE and BI joined the BIR's operation this morning, a proper labor inspection in the office premises could have been done, while immigration officials could have inspected the work visas of the employees. We could have maximized the opportunity that BIR already had.

We expect DOLE to stay committed to its mandate under the Labor Code to only accept foreign workers in the country if there are no other capable, able, and willing Filipino to do the job. For its part, we look forward to the fruit of BI's commitment during the Senate's deliberation on their budget to issue guidelines clarifying the its working definitions of the 14 occupations for which it could issue special work permits.

We hope that the inter-agency task force gets to fulfill the mandate they are supposed to do, and that is to prevent illegal foreign workers from coming into our country and take jobs away from Filipinos.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called for sobriety among Filipinos to ensure the country's successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games despite the growing controversies ahead of its official launch on Nov. 30.

No matter how difficult it may be, De Lima said the Filipino public should try to separate "the government's rapaciousness and incompetence" from hosting of the event as a country while the games are being held.

"Sa ating mga atleta at kanilang mga kaakabay sa pagsasanay, sa ating mga LGU volunteers na nagpapagod para mairaos ang paligsahan na ito, sa ating mga kabataan at kababayan na walang atubiling tumutulong para maging maganda ang kalagayan ng ating mga bisita,

"Magkapit-bisig po tayo sa mga susunod na araw para siguraduhing maging tagumpay ang palaro para sa atin at para sa mga kapitbahay natin sa Timog-Silangang Asya. Kayo ang mga bayani na magtutulak para ang kaganapang ito ay maging tanyag at kaakit-akit na makita sa ating rehiyon at sa buong mundo," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 655.

Before the opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA games, organizers of the event have been met with complaints ranging from poor coordination for the transportation and accommodation of visiting athletes, insufficient food and failure to provide halal food to Muslim athletes, to the unfinished game venues, among others.

The Duterte administration also drew flaks for allocating an exorbitant amount, or a whopping 50 million pesos, for a 50-meter tall cauldron-type structure for the lighting of the SEA games flame.

The unrelenting backlash on social media received by the government due to the country's hosting of the event eventually forced apologies from the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chaired by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and the Palace.

While the country still has a hosting job to do, De Lima said Filipinos should do their part in praying for and supporting the success of the 2019 SEA games for the honor of the nation, and not focus on the dishonorable regime of plunderers in the meantime.

"Despite their corruption, the brightest stars of the Philippine political universe still cannot take away from us our spirit as a nation and our graciousness as hosts," she said.

"Huwag muna nating intindihin, sa ngayon, ang mga mandarambong at mga walang kwentang opisyales ni Duterte na nagpataba na ng kanilang mga pitaka gamit ang okasyon na ito. Wala na tayong magagawa pa sa kahihiyan nila. Pero maaari pa nating maisalba ang kahihiyan natin bilang mga Pilipino," she added.

Once the games finally come to a close, the lady Senator from Bicol maintained that is important that the financing and organization of the 2019 SEA games be subjected to a microscopic investigation.

"[F]rom the rigmarole capitalization transaction involving the Bases Conversion Development Authority, MTD Capital Berhad of Malaysia, and the Development Bank of the Philippines, as hatched by former BCDA Chair and now Presidential Flagship Projects Advisor Vivencio Dizon, up to contracting the design of the [G]olden Kaldero to an apparently bedridden and dying national artist, cannot escape scrutiny after this is all over..." she said.

The 2019 SEA Games will feature 56 sports and 530 events in 44 venues across the country from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Wednesday, November 27, that President Rodrigo Duterte wants to give additional incentives to Filipino athletes who will bag medals in the coming 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in addition to the incentives provided by law.

"Maliban doon sa mandated by law, willing po ang Pangulo na bigyan sila ng award to encourage them," Go told reporters in an interview at the Senate, recalling his conversation with the President the previous night.

"I suggested to him na bigyan ng awards and incentives ang athletes natin nang maengganyo namang lumaban despite the controversies. I-boost natin ang kanilang morale para manalo tayo," Go explained.

The Senator said the President will make good on his plan because he has done it recently. "Noong nakaraan nga, 'yung limang atleta, including Hidilyn Diaz at 'yung gold medalist sa gymnastics (Carlos Yulo), binigyan niya ng separate incentives."

In a meet-and-greet with the President in Malacañang on October 16, recent gold medalists Yulo, Ernest Obiena (pole vault), and Nesthy Petecio (boxing) received P1 million each, while silver medalist Eumir Marcial (boxing) and bronze medalist Diaz (weightlifting) received P500,000 each.

The rewards were given in addition to what the five athletes received under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Go clarified, however, that the President has not mentioned the amount for the SEA Games medalists. "Wala pa pong binibigay na amount ang Pangulo," he said.

The Senator added that the President is considering giving the Order of Lapu-Lapu awards to winning athletes. "I cannot speak on behalf of the President, pero nabanggit niya sa akin na bibigyan niya ng Lapu-Lapu award ang mga mananalo," Go said.

The President created the Order of Lapu-Lapu in 2017 to be conferred on individuals who have significant contributions to the administration's advocacies.

Go also shared his hopes for the Philippine Team to have an excellent performance. "Sixth place tayo noong nakaraang Southeast Asian Games. Sana po ay maging top three naman tayo, with hometown crowd. Nandidito lahat ng Pilipino, willing to cheer, willing to help, willing to volunteer. Andami pong volunteers natin."

The national government has already spent more than a billion pesos for the trainings of athletes, including sending them abroad and bringing in foreign coaches to ensure international competitiveness of the national sports pool.

Athletes from participating countries have arrived in the Philippines, and the 30th SEA Games will formally open on November 30 and end on December 11.



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Beginning next year, nurses working in public health institutions of the national government will be enjoying a salary increase of not lower than Salary Grade 15 after the Senate Committee on Finance approved needed appropriations pursuant to Supreme Court decision upholding Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said that the long overdue proper compensation for government nurses is now within their reach as the salary hike they deserve will be implemented early next year.

"I also want to commend the Committee on Finance and our distinguished colleagues for taking measures that would allow us to implement the Supreme Court decision upholding the validity of Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which provides that the 'minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not be lower than Salary Grade 15,'" Go said.

"This is a long overdue compensation denied to them. Hindi na natin sila paghihintayin pa...magkakaroon na sila ng increase sa kanilang sweldo...next year," he added.

Go's statement was part of his explanation of vote during the third and final reading for the 2020 national budget.

With the Senate's approval of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020, P3.173 billion has been appropriated to upgrade the salaries of Nurse I and II positions.

In his speech, Go emphasized that "public health should be one of our priorities."

"As Chairman of the Committee on Health, I commend this chamber for approving the additional P7 billion for the Human Resources for Health Deployment Program. This is to ensure the continued employment of our health workers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and economically disadvantaged municipalities. Wala pong mawawalan ng trabaho, tuloy-tuloy po ang serbisyo," he said.

Go has also commended the Senate Finance Committee for the increase in the budget of PhilHealth, which will be of big help to progressively realize universal health care in the country and to ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care.

With sufficient funds for the health sector, Go urged DOH and PhilHealth to "ensure judicious and prudent use of public funds" as he expressed his trust and confidence that the government agencies involved will institute reforms to improve its efficiency in spending their funds.

Go also said that he will prioritize the passage of a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) which will provide for the increase in the current salaries of all government workers.

He filed in July Senate Bill (SB) 200 or the proposed "Act Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel" which seeks to increase the salaries of all government workers, including nurses and teachers.



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SAYS 'THEY DESERVE IT'

Through the efforts of Senator Richard J. Gordon, the Senate approved on Wednesday the basic salary increase for Filipino nurses, wherein Php 3.173 billion shall be appropriated to upgrade the salaries of Nurse I and Nurse II positions.

As he lauds the Senate for "not been sleeping on the job", Gordon stated that nurses deserve the approval to properly implement Section 32 of Republic Act 9173 or The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

The law states that the minimum base pay for nurses working in the government hospitals and health institutions should start at salary grade 15 or P31,545 per month.

"For a long time, the nurses of the country have been clamoring for the adjustment of their salaries. They are given low paying jobs with no benefits, and hospitals have taken advantage of this system in a way that these hospitals become stepping stones for nurses to work abroad," he said.

Gordon has been very supportive of the nursing sector as he recognizes its vital role to public health and realizes the need for healthcare workers in the country especially in the countryside.

Last July, he filed a bill amending Republic Act No. 9173 or The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 that proposes a new comprehensive policy for Filipino nurses that will give them opportunities to advance themselves in the nursing field while they serve the country's growing needs for healthcare professionals.

"We're so much closer to giving that justice not just to our nurses, but to our people in need of better health care," said Gordon



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Government nurses' hope for a much-needed wage increase is one step closer to reality, after the Senate adopted one of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson's proposed amendments to the P4.1-trillion national budget bill.

The Senate version of the national budget bill now includes a special provision proposed by Lacson - one of the vice chairpersons of the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee tackling the budget bill - to increase the salary grade of government nurses.

Under the new special provision, "Increasing the Salary Grade of Government Nurses," the base pay of government nurses shall be Salary Grade 15 (P30,531 a month), in compliance with the Supreme Court's decision (G.R. 215746).

"The implementation of the salary adjustment shall take effect when the decision of the Supreme Court had become final and executory, but not earlier than the start of Fiscal Year 2020," read the provision.

Lacson had also specified that the amount needed to fund the implementation of the Supreme Court decision shall be sourced from appropriations for staffing modifications and upgrading of salaries.

During his interpellation of the Department of Health's 2020 budget last Nov. 19, Lacson noted P3.173 billion is needed for the salary upgrade of government nurses, so they can attain Salary Grade 15.

"We can introduce a special provision and source the P3B from the P12.469B under that particular item (Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund)," he said.

As the funds are already there under MPBF, government nurses need not wait for the passage of legislation or the availability of funds to be provided by the Department of Budget and Management, he added.

"They don't have to wait six months or another year. By January once we enact the GAA for 2020, ang salary upgrade nila is taken care of," Lacson noted.



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Government nurses' hope for a much-needed wage increase is one step closer to reality, after the Senate adopted one of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson's proposed amendments to the P4.1-trillion national budget bill.

The Senate version of the national budget bill now includes a special provision proposed by Lacson - one of the vice chairpersons of the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee tackling the budget bill - to increase the salary grade of government nurses.

Under the new special provision, "Increasing the Salary Grade of Government Nurses," the base pay of government nurses shall be Salary Grade 15 (P30,531 a month), in compliance with the Supreme Court's decision (G.R. 215746).

"The implementation of the salary adjustment shall take effect when the decision of the Supreme Court had become final and executory, but not earlier than the start of Fiscal Year 2020," read the provision.

Lacson had also specified that the amount needed to fund the implementation of the Supreme Court decision shall be sourced from appropriations for staffing modifications and upgrading of salaries.

During his interpellation of the Department of Health's 2020 budget last Nov. 19, Lacson noted P3.173 billion is needed for the salary upgrade of government nurses, so they can attain Salary Grade 15.

"We can introduce a special provision and source the P3B from the P12.469B under that particular item (Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund)," he said.

As the funds are already there under MPBF, government nurses need not wait for the passage of legislation or the availability of funds to be provided by the Department of Budget and Management, he added.

"They don't have to wait six months or another year. By January once we enact the GAA for 2020, ang salary upgrade nila is taken care of," Lacson noted.



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Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid is pushing for a senior citizen sectoral representative in all local legislative councilsin order to provide an avenue for the elderly to participate in local governance and legislation.

According to Lapid, there is no better way to address the country's ageing population than to involve our senior citizens in policy-making and agenda setting from the grassroots-level to the highest levels of local governance.

Senate Bill No. 1169, filed by Lapid, provides for the mandatory sectoral representation of senior citizens in all local government legislative councils, from the barangay level up to the provincial sanggunian. The bill aims to institutionalize the presence and voice of senior citizens in the local sanggunian.

Lapid further said that senior citizens can still be productive members of the society and that local government units should involve them more in crafting of local ordinances and local government-led initiatives that cater to their needs and concerns.

"Ang ating mga senior citizens ay marami nang kaalaman at pinagdaanan sa buhay na maari nilang maibahagi sa ating mga sanggunian. Gusto natin silang bigyan ng boses sa mga konseho upang mas marinig ang kanilang mga hinaing at gayundin nang mas maramdaman nila na sila ay nananatiling mga produktibong kasapi ng ating lipunan," Lapid said.

Under the proposed measure, there shall be one senior citizen representative in every barangay sanggunian, municipal or city sanggunian and provincial sanggunian. Moreover, the Senior Citizen Representative to the Sangguniang Barangay shall be elected by the duly recognized association of all senior citizens in the said barangay.

On the other hand, the Senior Citizen Representative to the Sangguniang Bayan o Panglungsod shall be elected by the senior citizen representatives of all the sangguniang barangay in the said municipality or city, while the Senior Citizen Representative to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be elected by the senior citizen representatives of all the sangguniang bayan in the said province.



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Duterte boasts that his drug war is eliminating drug lords. He says he has killed a number of them and that in fact, he threw their bodies in Manila Bay or into the ravines of the Cordilleras. He wants to give the impression that the drug war is being silently won because these summary executions are not publicized by his administration and are kept secret because, after all, they are illegal and he can be prosecuted by the ICC for these killings.

But the show-off that he is, Duterte cannot resist boasting that he has in fact personally disposed of the bodies of drug lords in Manila Bay and the Mountain Province. Amidst the criticism that his drug war has not brought down a single drug lord, and because VP Leni Robredo was doing a good job before he fired her as she was looking more presidentiable every day she stayed on as ICAD co-chair, Duterte explained that Mayor Parojinog of Ozamis and Mayor Espinosa of Albuera are just some of the drug lords he has eliminated. This is of course a tacit admission that he had them summarily executed under the pretense of arresting them or searching their persons and property.

The problem with Duterte's EJK strategy in the drug war is we can never measure its "success" by his mere boasts that he has dumped bodies in Manila Bay and the Cordilleras. How do we know that they were really drug lords if there was no trial to establish their guilt?

Drug lords nga ba ang mga pinagyayabang ni Duterte na itinapon niya sa Manila Bay at sa mga bangin ng Cordillera? Because of the variety of people Duterte had ordered killed, according to no less than his DDS right hand Arturo Lascanas and hitman Edgar Matobato, how do we know if those he had ordered killed are drug lords or just ordinary people he thinks he has a score to settle with? We will never know. He asks that we simply trust him by his honor and take his word for it. We all know what both are worth. Nothing.

Drug lords or not, they were human beings. And to kill a human being is the greatest crime of all. There are no ifs or buts about this.

This man is indeed pure evil! Two years ago, Duterte told boy scouts during the World Scouts Foundation Day to become policemen so they can kill drug addicts. In the same year, at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa, he talked about eating terrorists' liver in front of young athletes. And now, he spewed his usual rhetoric about violence at the awarding of the 2018 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities yesterday.

Wala siyang pakialam kung sino ang nakakarinig ng mga mura, karahasan, at kababuyan niya - bata, matanda, mga kababaihan, ang Santo Papa.

This is how violence is normalized in the minds of young people by the President who swore with his life to protect them. Kung hindi sila pinapatay o inuulila, tinuturuan naman silang lumaking maging marahas at walang pagrespeto sa karapatang pantao. Children should be kept away from this evil incarnate lest he completely poisons them with his vileness.

And oh, Mr. Duterte, you also said that being on the other side of the establishment is vogue, a fad. You are wrong. As long as there is injustice spawned by the likes of you, there will always be people standing up against the establishment. Ikaw yung uso lang. Hindi nagtatagal.



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We are optimistic that the 2020 national budget will be passed on time as we kicked off the bicameral conference proceedings on the disagreeing provisions on the general appropriations bill this morning. The committee's sentiment to finalize the national budget immediately is unanimous, and we appreaciate the determination of our colleagues from the House of Representatives to work on one of the most important piece of legislation Congress is mandated to pass. Our sustained economic growth depends on the swift passage of our national budget, and we hope for its immediate signing as soon as it is sent to the President for his approval.

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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima today urged Filipinos to emulate the values and patriotism of the country's hero, Gat Andres Bonifacio, by reawakening their sense of bravery in calling out the flawed and oppressive policies of the government.

In the 156th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine revolution, De Lima underscored the need to step up the Filipinos' fight for truth and genuine freedom amid the killings and rampant corruption happening in the country.

"Subukan po nating isipin kung ano ang gagawin ng isang Andres Bonifacio sa nangyayari ngayon sa ating bansa. Kung sasabihin po ba sa kanya na ang pagtuligsa o hindi niya pakikiisa sa maling ginagawa ng pamahalaan ngayon ay kataksilan o isa lamang huwad na nasyonalismo, mananahimik na lang ba siya sa mga katiwalian ng mga mandarambong, at sa pagpatay sa mga inosenteng bata at libo-libong maralita?" she asked.

"Kung nakikita ni Bonifacio ang pagpapasakop ng mga itinuturing na lider ngayon sa interes ng dayuhan, o ang pambubulsa ng pondo sa halip na suportahan ang mga atletang Pilipino, tatalikuran na lang ba nya ang kanyang tungkulin na itaguyod kung ano ang tama at makatarungan?" she added.

Bonifacio founded the Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Katipunan) - the first nationalist revolutionary movement in Asia - in 1892 to put an end to the Spanish rule.

While the Philippines is a democratic country, Duterte's rise to power continues to threaten the genuine freedom of Filipinos as bullying of the press, killings, corruption and human rights abuses remain unprecedented under his reign.

De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said her fellow Filipinos should continue to look at Bonifacio as their inspiration for choosing to stand up, uphold the truth and enlighten his countrymen in the face of atrocities and reign of terror.

"Sa panahon ng karahasan, pang-aapi sa kapwa, at laganap na katiwalian ng pamahalaan, pinili ni Gat Andres Bonifacio na imulat ang marami sa katotohanan, punahin ang mga baluktot na kalakaran, at ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan. Alam niyang kung hindi siya kikilos at magsasalita, lalo lamang dadami ang naaapi, at lalong mang-aabuso ang mga nasa puwesto," she said.

"He could have chosen to keep silent and be one of those who served at the pleasure of an oppressive regime. But he opted to fight to unchain his motherland from violence and injustice," she added.

In commemorating the birth anniversary of Bonifacio, the lady Senator said she hopes that Filipinos would be enlightened about the importance of speaking out against the wrongdoings of the officials under the present administration.

"Ito nga po ang iniiwan sa ating hamon ni Andres Bonifacio. Sa ilalim ng isang marahas na gobyerno, sa termino ng isang Pangulo at ng mga kaalyado nitong binabaluktot kung ano ang tama at walang isang salita�magtitiis na lang ba tayo at magbubulag-bulagan sa kanilang mga kapalpakan, pang-aabuso sa kaban ng kaban ng bayan, at paglapastangan sa ating mga karapatan?" she asked.

"Sa pagbabalik-tanaw natin sa araw na ito sa dakilang ambag ni Gat Bonifacio, nawa'y magising na tayo sa katotohanan, imulat pa ang maraming Pilipino, at ipaglaban ang tunay at ganap nating kalayaan," she added



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Senator Win Gatchalian wants to make Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course mandatory in all levels, a move that can boost financial literacy nationwide.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 1192 or the "Economics and Financial Literacy Curriculum Act of 2019" which requires public and private school students in elementary, secondary, tertiary and technical-vocational education levels to complete EPF as a prerequisite for graduation. According to Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, the proposed measure will instill good money management habits so that students can become financially responsible adults.

Making spending decisions, budget preparation, and savings management are among the lessons that will be taught in elementary. At the secondary, tertiary, and technical-vocational education levels, the course will cover more complex topics such as credit, investments, mortgages and retirement planning.

"Halos 18 taon o higit pa ang ginugugol ng mga bata para sa pag-aaral, ngunit nagtatapos silang kapos ang kaalaman sa tamang paggamit ng salapi. Pag nagtatrabaho na sila, ginagawa nilang biruan ang petsa de peligro, pero hindi biro ang kakulangan nila ng kaalaman pagdating sa paghahanda sa kanilang kinabukasan," said Gatchalian.

According to financial services company Standard & Poor's latest Global Financial Literacy survey, only 25 percent of Filipino adults are financially literate.

"Sa paghahain natin ng ganitong batas, matuturuan natin ang mas maraming kabataan na maging mas responsable at handa lalo na't darating ang panahon na aako sila ng mas maraming responsibilidad," the lawmaker added.

Gatchalian said that while government agencies such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are already offering programs on financial literacy, these efforts may not be sustainable if they are not institutionalized.

"Magandang meron na tayong mga programa tungkol sa tamang paggamit ng salapi pero sa ating panukalang batas, palalakasin natin ang mga programang ito para maturuan nang husto ang mga kabataan," said Gatchalian.

The bill also provides for the EPF teachers' capacity-building to ensure that the course is taught well to students. Under the proposed measure, DepEd, in coordination with the Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy of the BSP, will develop and offer a professional development course for EPF teachers.

Employees from both the government and the private sector will also be required to undergo a professional development course, a recognition of their role as partners in the youth's financial education. This course shall be developed by the Local Government Academy and the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Gatchalian also hopes that the passage of the bill will help foster a culture of saving in the country's consumption-driven economy.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go assured nurses on Friday, November 29, that he will continue to prioritize their welfare and push for initiatives to improve quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the country.

"Malaki ang diperensiya ng suweldo sa abroad at dito, pero nais kong dito na kayo magtrabaho para hindi kayo malayo sa mga pamilya ninyo," Go said in his speech at the 39th foundation anniversary and 38th annual convention of the Mother and Child Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MCNAP) at the Manila Hotel.

The Senator shared that as the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he defended the budget increase for the Department of Health (DOH) during the budget deliberations to ensure quality and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos, as well as to safeguard the welfare of health workers including nurses.

"Just this week, the Senate approved on third and final reading the 2020 budget. We made sure that the DOH would have enough budget for its operations and health care professionals would not lose their jobs," he said.

"Pinaglaban ko po 'yan kasi magkakaroon sana ng slash sa hiring ng mga (health) workers. Hindi po ako pumayag," he added.

Members of MCNAP also cheered when the Senator shared that the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget includes the amount that is needed to implement the Supreme Court decision that the salaries of government Nurses 1 and 2 should be at salary grade 15 and 16, respectively.

"We allotted 3.173 billion pesos to upgrade the salaries of Nurses 1 and 2, in accordance with the recent Supreme Court decision," Go said.

He also said that he has filed a bill that seeks to increase the salaries of civilian government employees, including nurses. "Iba pa po 'yung para sa desisyon ng Supreme Court. Para ito sa lahat," he explained, adding that he will prioritize the passage of a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) which will provide for the increase in the current salaries of all government workers.

Go filed in July Senate Bill (SB) 200 or the proposed "Act Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel" which seeks to increase the salaries of all government workers, including nurses and teachers. The bill will be discussed in the Senate plenary before the year ends.

Go also added that some of the other bills that he filed will surely help nurses further in their professional development and in protecting the health of mothers and children.

"These bills seek to amend certain sections of the Philippine Nursing Act to provide for an advanced nursing education program; expand the coverage of the mandatory basic immunization program, institutionalize an Emergency Medical Services System and mandate the appointment of at least three barangay health workers in every barangay."

Go also mentioned that his proposed legislative measure that will institutionalize Malasakit Centers will soon be enacted into law. He recalled that the Malasakit Center, which has been opened in 51 hospitals all over the country, started as an idea when he was still the Special Assistant to the President and was inspired by his experiences serving in Davao City for then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

At the Malasakit Center, patients or their representatives can apply for financial assistance from four government agencies, namely the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Go also informed the nurses that President Duterte will sign the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 as soon as both houses of Congress finish the Bicameral Committee discussions. The Senate passed it on third and final reading last Wednesday, November 27.

"Hopefully, bago mag-end ang second week (ng December), maibigay na po sa Pangulo ang bagong budget," the Senator said.

"Ayaw na naming maulit ang nangyari noong nakaraang taon, kung saan nagkaroon tayo ng re-enacted budget. Inaprubabahan April na, so effective ang budget natin July. Losses po 'yun sa gobyerno araw-araw, at ang basic services po na pwedeng ibigay sa mga tao (na hindi naibigay) ay malaking kawalan po 'yun," he explained



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Beginning next year, nurses working in public health institutions of the national government will be enjoying a salary increase of not lower than Salary Grade 15 after the Senate Committee on Finance approved needed appropriations pursuant to Supreme Court decision upholding Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said that the long overdue proper compensation for government nurses is now within their reach as the salary hike they deserve will be implemented early next year.

"I also want to commend the Committee on Finance and our distinguished colleagues for taking measures that would allow us to implement the Supreme Court decision upholding the validity of Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002, which provides that the 'minimum base pay of nurses working in the public health institutions shall not be lower than Salary Grade 15,'" Go said.

"This is a long overdue compensation denied to them. Hindi na natin sila paghihintayin pa�magkakaroon na sila ng increase sa kanilang sweldo�next year," he added.

Go's statement was part of his explanation of vote during the third and final reading for the 2020 national budget.

With the Senate's approval of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020, P3.173 billion has been appropriated to upgrade the salaries of Nurse I and II positions.

In his speech, Go emphasized that "public health should be one of our priorities."

"As Chairman of the Committee on Health, I commend this chamber for approving the additional P7 billion for the Human Resources for Health Deployment Program. This is to ensure the continued employment of our health workers in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and economically disadvantaged municipalities. Wala pong mawawalan ng trabaho, tuloy-tuloy po ang serbisyo," he said.

Go has also commended the Senate Finance Committee for the increase in the budget of PhilHealth, which will be of big help to progressively realize universal health care in the country and to ensure that all Filipinos are guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care.

With sufficient funds for the health sector, Go urged DOH and PhilHealth to "ensure judicious and prudent use of public funds" as he expressed his trust and confidence that the government agencies involved will institute reforms to improve its efficiency in spending their funds.

Go also said that he will prioritize the passage of a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) which will provide for the increase in the current salaries of all government workers.

He filed in July Senate Bill (SB) 200 or the proposed "Act Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel" which seeks to increase the salaries of all government workers, including nurses and teachers.



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Let's celebrate workers, athletes in SEA Games: Pangilinan

"As the country kicks off the SEA Games on the 156th birthday of Andres Bonifacio, we are reminded of the toil and sacrifice of the thousands of workers and athletes of working-class roots who make the country's hosting and participation possible.

The Great Plebeian is hero of the regular Filipino working person. Like many Filipino workers, Bonifacio had to work at an early age. It fell on him to raise his siblings after they were orphaned when he was 14.

Bonifacio's strong sense of responsibility and optimistic attitude are traits that many Filipino workers and athletes live by. Sa kabila ng maliit na suweldo at madalas ay hindi kanais-nais na mga kondisyon sa paggawa o sa sports, patuloy ang mga manggagawa at atletang Pilipino na nagsusumikap, madalas di lang para sa sarili kundi para rin sa pamilya.

Sa likod ng pagtatayo ng New Clark City at renovation sa Rizal Memorial Stadium at iba pang mga venues para sa pagho-host ng Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) ay ang madalas nag-o-overtime na mga manggagawa sa construction, hospitality, transportation, at logistics. One worker had an accident and is recuperating in the hospital. We hope that assistance will be extended to him for the duration of his recovery.

Tuloy-tuloy rin ang ating mga atleta, lalung-lalo na yung mga galing sa grassroots tulad nina Efren Bata at Hidilyn Diaz, sa pag-e-ensayo at pagpapagaling sa kanilang piniling sport para sa ikagagaling ng sarili at ng bayan.

Inaasahan din natin na ang lahat ng mga manggagawa at atleta ay mabayaran nang maayos, mabigyan ng mga safety gear at tamang mga kasangkapan, at makatanggap ng mga nararapat na benepisyo at karangalan lalo na para sa sakripisyong kanilang ibinahagi para sa SEA Games na ito.

Araw-araw ay pagkakataon na maging Bonifacio, si Bonifaciong walang balak maging bayani, ngunit dahil sa pagkamakabayan at pagkamasipag ay nagbago sa landas ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas."



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To close the gap of doctor-patient ratio in the province, a move is underway to build a state-funded medical college in Cebu.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III backs the proposal to establish the Cebu Normal University - Vicente Sotto Medical Center College of Medicine in the province to address the lack of doctors in every hospital in Central Visayas.

"Putting up CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine in Cebu is a welcome development. I will definitely support its funding through the General Appropriations Bill that will be submitted and approved in the Senate," Sotto said upon hearing the move.

VSMMC medical center chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino said the doctor-patient ratio in Central Visayas (Region 7) is 1:28,341, which is far from the ideal 1:100 ratio for Primary Health Care delivery, which is also the goal of the Universal Health Care Act.

"Most of the doctors would opt to work in urban centers, leaving many in the rural areas unable to see a medical doctor easily," said Aquino.

The CNU and VSMMC administrators met last year to establish the College of Medicine, which is currently in the process of applying for a permit under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its five-year degree program in Doctor of Medicine with Masters in Public Health Governance.

"We target to begin classes in August 2020 at the Medical Center's Cancer Center while we await for the approval of the budget allocation under the General Appropriation Act in the coming years," said Aquino

Aquino said they have met with the CHED Technical Committee for Medical Education as part of the school's application process.

Secretary Michael Diño, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, in a letter to CHED chair Prospero De Vera III dated September 17, 2019, said the establishment of a medical college in Cebu is one of the solutions for the shortage of doctors in the region.

"With the establishment of a medical state college, we can steadily close the gap of the doctor-patient ratio that is ideal for the primary health care of the country, especially for public health care in the countryside," Diño said.

The first state-funded medical College in Central Visayas will be built at the VSMMC in Cebu City.

The 5-year program of Doctor of Medicine with Masters in Public Health Governance degree is expected to produce doctors who are not only experts in delivering services but also transformative leaders in health governance, Diño said.

Students who can avail of the program are the less fortunate and must render a five-year return of service for rural areas government facilities or health centers in exchange for the free admission in the medical school.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has underscored the need for social workers, non-government organizations and institutions in working together to raise awareness and improve the living standards of poor Filipino families, especially those in rural areas.

As the nation observes the Social Welfare Week which kicked off last Nov. 25, De Lima also encouraged every Filipino to show compassion to poor families, especially those who have been neglected or forgotten due to government's inaction or apathy.

"Bilang mga lingkod-bayan at mamamayan, hangga't mayroon pa ring mga gurong tumatawid ng mga ilog at bundok para makapagturo sa mga maralita, hangga't may mga batang nakikipagpatintero sa mga sasakyan sa kalsada para lamang mamalimos at magtinda,

"Hangga't may mga kababayan tayong kapos pa rin ang inihahaing pagkain para sa pamilya sa kabila ng doble-kayod na pagsasaka, pangingisda at pamamasada, nagpapatuloy ang ating obligasyon na siguruhing makahabol at sa kalauna'y makasabay sa pag-unlad ang mga matagal nang naaapi at naisasantabi," she said.

Observed from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1 every year by virtue of Proclamation No. 1205, Social Welfare Week highlights the responsibility of social workers and other groups and individuals engaged in social-economic development to enhance their efforts in creating a society "that attains the full economic and social development of our people."

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, lamented that the citizenry has witnessed how the Duterte regime miserably failed the Filipino people with its broken promises for the past three years.

"Instead of uplifting the plight of our poor countrymen, they were victimized by violence and killings, and were continuously taken for a ride by the plunderers, thieves, and traitors in government to further propel themselves to power," she said.

As part of her effort to help improve the plight of the poor, the lady Senator from Bicol assured that she will closely monitor the strict implementation of recent laws that seek to improve services to sectors which have long been neglected by authorities.

"I am pushing for legislative measures that seek to improve our services to sectors that have long been neglected by authorities on top of those already enacted into law, such as the Magna Carta of the Poor Act, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act and the Community-Based Monitoring System Act," she said.

"With these measures, and with the help of our social workers, non-government organizations and institutions, let us continue to work hand in hand to provide more and better opportunities that will redound to inclusive growth, rising standards of living and lasting national development that will benefit all," she added.

The Magna Carta of the Poor Act mandates the government to establish a system of "progressive realization" to provide the requirements and opportunities for the full enjoyment of the fundamental rights of the poor while the 4Ps Law institutionalizes the 4Ps as one of the government's regular anti-poverty programs for the poor.

Meanwhile, the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act provides a body composed of heads of different government agencies dedicated to handle the concerns of senior citizens while the Community-Based Monitoring System Act institutionalizes a Community-Based Monitoring System to provide field-based data in designing the government's anti-poverty programs.



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The more Duterte insults VP Leni, the more it shows how threatened or insecure he is.

Duterte knows that VP Leni's dignified courage and genuine big heart for the masses make her a formidable and appealing leader.

At ayaw lang kasi nyang nasasapawan ng isang babae. He's so unhinged!



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"We need to enhance drug prevention education and strict monitoring in schools." This is the call of Senator Win Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, to the Department of Education (DepEd) after receiving reports that some high school students were hospitalized for using psychedelic mushrooms or 'magic mushrooms'' as illegal drug substitutes.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones last week reported that some high school students are turning to psychedelic mushrooms which are easily accessible in rural areas. The DepEd chief added that these mushrooms could be more dangerous since they are not forbidden by law.

"Nakakabahala itong ibinahagi ng DepEd na pagkakasakit ng mga bata dahil sa magic mushrooms at marami rin tayong dapat malaman. Gaano na karami ang naiulat na ganitong uri ng insidente? Paano natuklasan ito ng mga mag-aaral? Saan ito laganap? At ano-ano ang naging mga epekto nito sa ating mag-aaral?" Gatchalian said.

"Kung alam natin ang mga detalyeng ito mas madali para sa ating mag-isip at magpatupad ng mga solusyon para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng kabataan," Gatchalian added.

Psychedelic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a substance that falls under Schedule I of the United Nations' Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971, which the Philippines ratified in 1974. Drugs and substances that fall under Schedule I are not used for medication and have a high potential for abuse. Among the undesired acute effects of psilocybin are muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination and fatal poisoning.

Despite the risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms, some studies abroad also suggest that psilocybin may provide therapeutic benefits supporting its development as a new drug.

The Global Drug Survey 2019, which generated data from more than 120,000 people in 30 countries, found that only 0.4 percent of participants reported seeking medical treatment after using magic mushrooms.

"Ang mahalaga sa puntong ito ay ma-protektahan natin ang kabataan mula sa panganib na maaaring idulot ng mga magic mushrooms na ito. Ngayong sinusuri ng DepEd ang kanilang preventive education program, mahalagang masuri kung paano ba ito tatalakayin sa mas mabisang paraan para manatiling ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral," Gatchalian said.

The DepEd started providing drug prevention education in 2016 specifically to those in grade 3 or aged nine.

Last year, the DepEd rolled out detailed lesson plans as part of its efforts to integrate drug prevention education in the curriculum.

Now, there are ongoing efforts to align to international standards.



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The 1st of December marks World AIDS Day. This year, we highlight the role of our schools and communities in the fight against the disease.

More younger Filipinos being diagnosed with HIV means a bigger role for families, educators, counselors and healthcare providers in reversing the trend. Access to community-based healthcare and provision of age-appropriate sexuality education go hand-in-hand in turning the tide of HIV and AIDS epidemic in the country.

I authored the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Law or Republic Act No. 11166 with the hope of seeing an end to HIV and AIDS in this generation. The law's passage last year also calls for robust action and more effective implementation from the government's part.

Today, we begin shaping a future that thrives, nourishes, and heals.



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Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson has filed a bill creating the Philippine Judicial Marshal Service to safeguard the judiciary, by securing its officers and personnel so they can do their jobs independently and without fear of retaliation.

Lacson noted no less than Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta emphasized the need for judicial marshals to serve as the law enforcement arm of the Court, similar to the Supreme Court of the United States Police and United States Marshal.

"This legislative measure seeks to create a Philippine Judicial Marshal Service under the control and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court whose primary function is to protect, safeguard, watch over, provide security, and ensure the safety of justices, judges, court officials and personnel, and the various halls of justice, courthouses and other court buildings and properties all over the country," he said in Senate Bill 1209.

He noted at least 31 reported killings of members of the judiciary in the last two decades, including five during the Duterte administration.

Lacson's bill also mandates the Philippine Judicial Marshal Service to investigate allegations of irregularities, including graft and corruption, committed by justices, judges, court officials and personnel. The Philippine Judicial Marshal Service shall likewise assist in the execution and implementation of court orders.

Heading the service shall be the Chief Marshal, who shall have the same rank of a Court of Appeals associate justice. Assisting the Chief Marshal are three Deputy Marshals - one each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Each Deputy Marshal shall have the same rank as a Regional Trial Court judge.

The Chief Marshal and Deputy Marshals must be a lawyer and must have been at least a full Colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police. They shall be appointed by the Supreme Court en banc and shall serve until age 65.

An initial funding of P50 million from the National Treasury will be appropriated for the wages and other expenses of personnel, and for supplies and equipment



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Sen. Grace Poe is hopeful that children as young as two years old will soon get free meals with her proposal to raise the appropriations for the Supplementary Feeding Program in the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020.

The increase in the budget of the program from P3.6 billion to P6.6 billion was one of Poe's amendments that were approved during deliberations by the Senate.

A bicameral panel composed of senators and congressmen will review the bill for a final version that will be ratified by Congress and sent to the President for signature.

"Nutrition during pre-school years is important for kids' growth and learning, and to provide energy for high activity levels. This budget increase is about putting children on the right path to a healthy start in life," Poe said.

According to Poe, the budget increase will expand the program to include two-year-old kids. It currently covers three to five-year-old children.

"Dalawang taon ang edad na kadalasan ay purong solid food na ang kinakain ng mga bata. Pero hirap ang ibang pamilya na maglagay ng pagkain sa mesa," Poe said.

"Sa murang edad, bigyan na natin sila ng masustansyang pagkain. Ang malusog na simula ay magiging yaman ng ating bansa," she stressed.

The Supplementary Feeding Program is one of the components of Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilpino Act, which Poe authored.

It provides undernourished children from three to five years of age in day care centers with one fortified meal for not less than 120 days in a year. This is being implemented by government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The second component, School-Based Feeding Program, provides undernourished children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 with at least one fortified meal for not less than 120 days in a year. This is being carried out by the Department of Education.

The third component, Milk Feeding Program, gives fortified meals and cycle menu including fresh milk and fresh milk-based food products. It is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Carabao Center and the Cooperative Development Agency.



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To ensure the financial viability and continuous operation of local water districts (LWD) around the country, Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the grant of a one-time condonation of the interest arrearages and penalties on the loans they incurred with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

Over the years, several LWDs have accumulated debts, which they have not been able to settle on time. These loans have since incurred interest and penalties that have been added on top of the principal amounts.

"If these arrearages are not to be collected and paid, LWDs would be faced with the difficult choice of recovering their substantial loss either by increasing the water rate charged to their clients or by contracting new loans from LWUA. Either way, the quality of services offered by LWDs will be seriously affected," Angara said.

Angara has filed Senate Bill 1161 granting a one-time condonation of outstanding interest arrearages and penalties assessed by the LWUA on qualified LWDs.

Qualified LWDs are those which "do not have enough financial capacity to pay on time their loan amortization as may be determined by the LWUA."

The condonation will be undertaken only once "to assist qualified water districts in updating their loan amortizations to LWUA."

After the said condonation, the LWDs that benefited would no longer be qualified to another condonation of similar nature in the future.

"We are not encouraging the non-payment of debts with this measure. Our intention is to keep these water districts afloat by providing them with some form of relief from their financial burdens," Angara said.

"These water districts play an important role in our communities so we must find ways to ensure their continuous operation," Angara added.

Water districts are local corporate entities that operate and maintain a water supply system in one or more provincial cities or municipalities. There are over 500 water districts nationwide.

The LWUA provides loans to water districts for the comprehensive development, repair or rehabilitation of new or existing water supply systems, new service connections, and watershed management among others.

In 2010, Republic Act 10026 was enacted to grant of income tax exemptions to LWDs and the condonation of their outstanding tax obligations from August 1996 up to the time the law took effect.



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I receive the International Criminal Court's report on its preliminary examination into Mr Duterte's war on drugs as timely, significant, and highly notable news. With this report, a status report actually, our collective cause for justice and human rights has made considerable strides and ends the year for all the victims and their families on a positive, hopeful note. In like measure, we can take an optimistic view as the ICC concludes its examination in 2020.

The ICC can square with the enormity of serious information, evidence and realities on the ground, and restore the sovereign standing of justice wanting now in the country under this regime.

The dark clouds overhanging us are now wearing thin, so as those who abuse their power and mandate. They cannot simply twist the fabric of justice and expect it not to turn back at them.

May katapusan ang lahat, at sa huli, katarungan ang mananaig.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed solidarity with media organizations calling for an open and live coverage of the Dec. 19 promulgation of the court ruling on the criminal cases involving the 2009 Ampatuan massacre.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, said the proposed live media coverage of the ruling would allow the entire Filipino public to see the court process and witness how the long overdue case will pan out.

"I support the calls of media organizations for the open and live coverage of the scheduled promulgation of the decision in the Ampatuan Massacre case on Dec. 19," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 661.

"This case is the single, most horrific crime - multiple murder - in modern Philippine history, in terms of the number of victims which include media practitioners and the beastly nature of the killings," she added.

Last Dec. 3, journalists representing different media organizations filed before the Supreme Court a petition for an open coverage of the landmark decision on the Ampatuan Massacre case.

The petition, led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, was co-signed by executives and editors of ABS-CBN, GMA, News 5, Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, among others.

The promulgation of the verdict against those charged for the massacre, which left 50 people dead, including 32 journalists, will be held inside the courtroom of Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

Note that members of the powerful Ampatuan clan are among the 101 people who are on trial for the carnage on Nov. 23, 2009. The principal accused in the case are brothers Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., Zaldy Ampatuan and Datu Sajid Islam Ampatuan.

As someone undergoing "an undeserved trial" for trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the government, De Lima said she understands the importance of publicizing every single detail of the verdict of the case, which dragged on with the defense stalling the procedures.

"We need to remain vigilant as the court proceedings come to a close, 10 years after that gruesome Monday in 2009. The notoriety of this crime is known all over the world, and the world needs to know, in real time, the verdict. Will true and complete justice be served? Or will impunity continue to reign in this country?" she asked.

A victim of political persecution under the vengeful Duterte regime, De Lima was illegally detained since Feb. 24, 2017 based on trumped-up charges that were all based primarily on perjured testimonies of convicted criminals and manufactured evidence.



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MANILA WATER AND MAYNILAD CONCESSION AGREEMENT

Q: Other news na lang Senator, merong mga panawagan na repasuhin ang concession agreement ng Manila Water at Maynilad.

SEN WIN: Ang puno't dulo nito ay, kung matatandaan natin, mga four or five years ago, itong mag concessionaires ay ipinapasa ang corporate income tax sa mga consumers. Para sa akin, unfair poi to dahil nga kahit mga maliliit na negosyo gaya ng maliit na salon o tindahan, kung ang sales mo ay mataas, magbabayad ka ng income tax. Ang maliliit na negosyo nga ay nagbabayad ng income tax, yan ay obligasyon mo bilang isang negosyante. Ngunit dito sa concession agreements ay ipinapasa ho ito sa consumers so ang concessionaires, kukuha sila sa atin ng pera sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta ng tubig at ginagamit yun sa pagbayad ng obligasyon, ang corporate income tax which is unfair naman dahil halos wala ka nang babayaran sa gobyerno. Dapat ho i-renegotiate at gumawa ng mga hakbang legal para maging fair ang concession agreement. Itong dalawang concessionaires ay binigyan natin ng pribilehiyo para mag-supply sa atin pero may obligasyon rin sila na magbayad po ng corporate income tax.

Q: May kakayahan ba ang gobyerno to take over na lang sa ganitong public utilities?

SEN WIN: Kung kakailanganin ho talaga, kaya naman ho i-take over yan. Dati ay gobyerno naman ang nag-ooperate ng mga yan. Ang pinakamahalaga ay wag nang maulit itong one-sided na kontrata at maimbestigahan kung sinong mga taong involved kasi dalawa yan, may mga kawani ng gobyerno na pumayag sa ganitong hindi tamang kontrata at sa pribadong kompanya naman, may mga tao rin na nakipagsabwatan dito. Kaya dapat imbestigahan rin at maparusahan ang mag taong nakipagsabwatan para pumasok sa ganitong lopsided na kontrata.

Q: Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo ay dapat patawan sila ng economic sabotage.

SEN WIN: Oo like I said, ultimo yung pinakamaliit na negosyo, nagbabayad ka ng corporate income tax so ibig sabihin wala na silang binabayaran. Kasi ang tax na binabayad nila ay galing sa ating mga consumer.

Q: At ang daming hidden charges.

SEN WIN: Yes, kaya nga po ang nangyari noong mga nagdaang taon, hindi na pinayagan ng gobyerno na taasan ang kanilang sinisingil sa atin dahil ang sabi ng ating mga regulator ay wag mong ipasa sa amin ang corporate income tax niyo dahil siningil mo na yan noong unang panahon kung kaya't nagkaroon ng arbitration case.

PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESSMENT (PISA) RESULT

Q: Magandang umaga sa'yo, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. Papaano ho ang gagawing reporma ng ating concerned government agencies lalo na po ang DepEd sa naging resulta ng pagsusuri ng PISA?

SEN WIN: Good morning. Unang-una sa lahat, ito ang kauna-unahang pagsali natin sa PISA o Programme for International Student Assessment at ito ay isang international assessment na napaka komprehensibo at may pagka-komplikado rin sya. Ito ay magandang hakbang para sa atin para makompara natin ang ating mga sarili sa ibang bansa at malaman din natin kung anong ginagawa ng iba. Yung best practices ay napakalaking bagay yan para sa ating improvement at nakakalungkot dahil kahit na ini-expect natin na mababa tayo, yung National Achievement Test natin, dalawang taon ng nakaraan noong nag hearing tayo sa Senado, nasabi natin na dumudulas tayo sa grado ng NAT. Pagdating sa elementarya, nasa 50% na lang tayo, pagdating sa high school, nasa 40% na lang tayo at pababa kaya naalarma na ho tayo at nasabi natin ito sa DepEd. Pero hindi ko aakalain na tayo ang magiging huli sa PISA out of the 78 countries. Kaya ang unang hakbang ay dapat i-recognize natin na may problema kasi may mga pagkakataon na in denial pa tayo at maraming dahilan.

Ang kagandahan naman sa DepEd, nire-recognize nila na may problema tayo at hindi sila gumagawa ng dahilan. Handa sila na harapin ang problemang ito at gumawa ng mga solusyon. Ang pangalawa nating dapat gawin ay maghanap ng solusyon at i-implement. Maghanap tayo ng pwedeng solusyon at i-implement ng mabilisan. Isa sa mga lumalabas na problema natin sa ating bansa ay ang curriculum natin, masyadong masikip at masyadong maraming itinuturo sa bata. Dahil dun, ang bata ay hindi naa-absorb, kumbaga may absorption capacity rin ang isang tao at hindi naa-absorb ng lubusan ang itinuturo sa kanya kaya pagdating sa exam, mababa ang kinalalabasan.

Q: So ang ibig sabihin po ba nito ay isusulong mo ang repaso sa curriculum ng DepEd?

SEN WIN: Isa sa mga pag-uusapan natin sa committee ay ang resulta ng PISA. Iimbitahan natin ang maraming eksperto, kailangan natin ng iba't-ibang eksperto rito upang makapagbigay-linaw sila sa pag-aanalisa. Dapat gumawa tayo ng mga bagay na ma-improve agad, ito ang tinatawag nating low hanging fruits na kapag inimplement natin ay mabilis ang positive results. Pangalawa, ay ang teacher's training. Yung pagbibigay pokus sa mga guro natin, hindi lang sa sahod kung hindi ay ang kanilang training at improvement of skills. Malaking bahagi ng problema natin ay ang kakulangan sa suporta para sa ating mga guro. Isa ito sa mga bagay na dapat nating bigyang-diin.

Q: So kailangan din ng retooling ng ating mga teacher Senator Win?

SEN WIN: Correct. Yun ang tamang term na ginagamit ng DepEd--retooling, reskilling, upscaling.

Q: Kung napaaga ba itong resulta ng PISA, pwede bang hindi muna isulong ang K-12? May impact ba itong result ng PISA sa on-going implementation ng K-12 ng DepEd?

SEN WIN: Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na kailangang bumalik sa 10-year schooling. Noon pa man, nung tayo ay nasa 10-year schooling, mababa na ang ating NAT so kung babalik man tayo doon, hindi nito malulutas ang problema natin sa kalidad ng edukasyon. In fact, itong K-12 ay ginawa para ma-decongest ang curriculum, para lumuwag. Hindi lang nagagawa, kaya nga isa sa mga napagtanto namin ay ang decongestion ng curriculum, pero dahil nga sa K-12 kaya hindi nagagawa.

Malaking reporma ang gagawin natin sa curriculum. Dapat ito ho ay maumpisahan kaagad at isa po sa lumabas sa mga konsultasyong ginagawa natin ay i-decongest lang natin ang curriculum natin, paluwagin natin ang curriculum natin ay malaking bagay na yan dahil magkakaroon na ng panahon ang ating mga guro. For example, Math - instead of one hour gawing one hour and a half, malaking bagay na yan dahil ang mga guro ay hindi na magmamadali at ang mga estudyante, maabsorb kaagad ang mga itinuturo sa kanila. So yung ganitong mga policy adjustment at policy reform, kakailanganin natin para mag-improve ang performance ng ating mga estudyante.

Q: Dapat din ho tutukan kasabay diyan ay ang pagbibigay ng proper nutrition sa mga mag-aaral natin. Karamihan sa mga nag-aaral sa public schools, karamihan dyan ay kumakalam ang sikmura. Malaking factor ang hindi nila naa-absorb ang itinuturo sa kanila dahil wala pa silang kinakain.

SEN WIN: Tama, kapag ang isang tao ay kumakalam ang sikmura, hindi mo maa-absorb talaga ang itinuturo. Malaking bagay din ho ang nutrition, hindi lang pagkain kundi ang nutrisyon ng bata ay napakahalaga. Ang kanyang kalusugan ay mahalaga rin, kung ang isang bata ay may bulate, kuto - nakakaapekto talaga ito sa bata. Kaya't maraming local na pamahalaan, ang kanilang tinututukan muna ay ang kalusugan ng bata, may mga deworming, nagbibigay ng gamot sa kuto. Yung katagang it takes a village to raise a child, napakahalaga nito dahil hindi lang ito trabaho ng DepEd, trabaho rin ito ng magulang, ng lokal na pamahalaan, ng komunidad at mga negosyante. In fact, sa Valenzuela ay pinaupo naming ang mga negosyante sa School Board at sinasabi namin na kung magaling ang ating mga estudyante, kayo rin ang makikinabang dito kaya kailangang magtulong-tulong tayo. Ito ay isang mahalagang katotoohan hindi lang sa DepEd kundi para sa buong bansa natin at ating komunidad.

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM (ALS)

Q: Isa pa sa na nakakaalarma ay ang 24 million na wala pang basic education at nakatutok ka yata rin sa alternative learning system o ALS?

SEN WIN: Yes, nakakaalarma. Biro mo dun sa isang pagdinig natin, lumalabas na 24 million ang hindi nakapagtapos ng high school o wala silang any formal education. Sa panahon ngayon, kailangan na talaga ng mga college diploma or vocational certification. Kung ikaw ay hindi nagtapos ng highschool, ang trabaho at sweldo mo ay mababa lang at hindi rin yan magiging maganda para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Isa sa mga itinutulak natin ay ang ALS para mabigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga hindi nakapagtapos na magkamit ng equivalency ng high school at pwede silang mag patuloy ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo o magpa-certify sa techvoc.

Q: So paano ang proseso ng ALS natin Senator?

SEN WIN: Lahat ngayon ng lokal na pamahalaan at DepEd schools, meron tayong ALS, pwede silang pumunta doon, at mag-enroll. Ten months yun at meron silang equivalency test. Ibig sabihin, kung ikaw ay kumuha ng test, equivalent yan sa isang high school diploma. Hindi lang ang equivalency ang mahalaga rito, tuturuan ka ring magbasa dahil lumalabas rin ho sa statistical data, na halos 24 million ng mga kababayan natin ay hindi marunong magbasa at magsulat. Malaking hamon ito dahil importante ang literacy sa tao at kasama yan sa ALS.

Q: 24 million pa ng mga kababayan natin ang walang formal education.

SEN WIN: Correct. Kung iisipin mo, may katotohanan to dahil marami tayong mga kababayan na nasa bundok, nasa isla, mga liblib na lugar na hindi maabot ng mga eskwelahan kaya ang unang mekanismo rito ay mabigyan sila ng ALS.

PHILIPPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPORTS

Q: Ang ating Team Philippines ay maganda ang performance sa 30th Southeast Asia Games at mukhang mas inspirado kang isulong itong High School for Sports?

SEN WIN: Correct, nasa momentum tayo ngayon. Makikita natin na magagaling ang mga atletang Pilipino natin, may potential tayo hindi lang sa ASEAN kundi pati sa buong mundo. Dahil nga naipatayo na itong napakagandang facility sa New Clark City, itong world class facility, gamitin natin sa pagsasanay ng mga kabataan natin. Isa sa mga proposal natin at gusto ko rin hong magpasalamat kay Sen. Bong Go na maipatayo itong Philippine High School for Sports para ho mag-umpisa sa murang edad ang pagsasanay sa ating mga atleta. Magkakaroon ho tayo ng grassroots training para sa ating mga kabataan. Kung ikaw ay highschool at kapag ikaw ay potential athlete, dadalhin ka sa Philippine High School for Sports, iti-train ka doon, bibigyan ka ng tamang pagsasanay, tamang nutrisyon, tamang pag-aaral para pagdating ng panahon ay pwede kang sumabak sa pandaigdigang labanan. Ang pinakamahalaga dito ay ang pagsasanay na ibibigay sayo.

Q: Sana ay matagal na natin itong isinulong Senator dahil marami tayong potential sa iba't-ibang larangan ng sports. Di ba sa ibang bansa, kapag nakita nila gradeschool na magaling sa swimming, tini-train na yan para may mga future athlete silang isinasabak sa Olympics, ASEAN games, etc.

SEN WIN: Tama. Kasama talaga sa national building ang sports development, nagbibigay yan ng national pride sa ating bansa. Ngayon sa SEA Games, mayaman o mahirap ay nagkakaisa tayo at sinusuportahan ang ating mga atleta. Kaya maganda na magkaroon tayo ng Philippine High School for Sports para ipagpatuloy ang pagsasanay sa ating mga atleta. Dahil nariyan na ang pasilidad sa New Clark City dapat magamit yan ng tama. Kung gusto natin ng world class athletes, dapat meron din silang world class training facilities at world class experience dahil kapag meron sila nun, pagdating nila sa ibang bansa, may kompyansa silang labanan ang ibang atleta. Ang kulang na lang diyan ay classrooms, may dormitory na, may track and field, swimming, ang kulang na lang ay classrooms at yun ang kakailanganin nating ipatayo sa susunod para habang nag-aaral ang bata, nakakapagsanay din sa kani-kanilang mga sports.

Q: Meron ka bang nakikitang figure, magkano ang ilalaan sa pagtatag ng Philippine High School for Sports?

SEN WIN: Hindi na ganun kalaki, estimate lang naming para makompleto is another P1 billion kasama na rito ang classrooms at iba pang sports facilities. Importanteng makompleto ito para sa pagsasanay ng ating mga atleta.

Q: Kaya bang ihabol ang P1 billion pesos para sa Philippine High School for Sports sa on-going deliberation budget sa bicam?

SEN WIN: Kaya naman, dahil may commitment ang BCDA na sila po ay maglalaan po ng pondo para magpatayo ng High School for Sports. Napag-usapan namin ito sa hearing at gusto rin nilang i-sustain ang momentum at ang sports development program.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go witnessed the opening of the country's 53rd Malasakit Center at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, on Friday, December 6, three days after the ceremonial signing of President Rodrigo Duterte of Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019.

Initiated by the President and Go when the latter was still the Special Assistant to the President, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for medical financial assistances from various government agencies and offices.

"Nandidiyan na po ang apat na ahensiya ng gobyerno," Go said in his speech. The agencies are the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

"Noon kailangan pa ninyong magsangla ng kalabaw para may pambayad sa ospital. Ngayon dahil may Malasakit Center na tayo, magtutulungan (ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno) para sa inyo," Go also said.

"Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center," he added.

The Senator also said that senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be prioritized through an express lane.

The Malasakit Center in Maguindanao is the second in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The first in the region was opened at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City on November 19, 2018.

Go also shared that more Malasakit Centers will be opened soon as part of the implementation of RA 11463. "Tuloy-tuloy po ito sa lahat ng mga DOH-run hospitals. Ayon po sa batas, 73 na DOH-run hospitals ay lalagyan ng Malasakit Center," he said in an interview after the event.

He added that the law allows local government units (LGUs) to establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet the standards and criteria to ensure sustainability and consistency in the services provided by the centers. "We have set criteria para sundin nila para hindi po bungi-bungi ang mga Malasakit Center."

RA 11463 mandates the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and PhilHealth to issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 90 days after the President's approval.

During an interview, the Senator was also asked about his plans as chair of the Senate Committee on Health regarding a report that more than 400,000 cases of dengue have been recorded in the Philippines since January 2019.

"Tuloy-tuloy naman po ang programa ng ating Department of Health sa dengue. Sundin natin 'yung apat na reminders ng DOH," Go answered.

The DOH advises the public to apply the 4S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds, seek early consultation when symptoms appear, self-protection measures such as wearing protective clothing, and saying yes to fogging in hotspot areas.

"Pag mayroong mga sintomas, punta kayo kaagad sa DOH. Ipa-ospital niyo kaagad. Huwag niyo na po antaying lumala pa. Ito naman pong dengue, kailangan po dito is hydration, ma-hydrate 'yung katawan ng bata," Go added.

According to the Dengue Surveillance Report of DOH, there were a total of 402,694 cases of dengue that were documented from January 1 to November 16. The number has since plateaued. There were a total of 209,335 cases of dengue last year during the same period.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the number is already going down and that the epidemic is going to end soon. Last August, DOH declared a national dengue epidemic, resulting to heightened awareness and more aggressive and sustained efforts to combat dengue nationwide.

In a bid to further improve government vaccination program, Senator Go filed last July a bill that seeks to expand the coverage of the mandatory basic immunization program of the government. If approved, the program under Republic Act 10152 will soon include rotavirus, Japanese encephalitis, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and other types to be determined by the DOH Secretary.

Presently, the program only covers tuberculosis; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; poliomyelitis; measles; mumps, rubella or German measles; hepatitis-B; and H. Influenza type B (HIB).



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said on Friday, December 6, that the Martial Law in Mindanao might no longer be extended.

"Sa ngayon, as a Senator, (tingin ko) hindi na po mae-extend 'yung Martial Law. Sumulat naman po si National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (kay President Rodrigo Duterte). Hindi na po yata kailangan ng Martial Law," Go said in an interview in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

The Senator was in town to witness the opening of the 53rd Malasakit Center in the country at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital. The Malasakit Center, initiated by the President and Go when the Senator was still the Special Assistant to the President, is a one-stop shop for medical financial assistances from the government.

Go agrees with the decision of the military to recommend if the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao is still necessary or not. "Ako naman, kung ano pong para sa kabutihan ng karamihan. Wala naman pong abuses ang ating militar dito sa Mindanao. In fact, nakakatulong sila sa peace and order dito sa kalye. Suportado ko po ito. Kapag sinabi naman po ng military na hindi na po kailangan ng Martial Law ay suportado ko po ito."

The Martial Law, which President Duterte declared in response to the Marawi siege, is set to expire on December 31, 2019, two years and seven months since it was declared and extended twice.

Go added that the Martial Law may no longer be necessary if the proposed amendment to Human Security Act of 2007 becomes a law. "Baka pumasa naman po ito sa Senado. I am a member of the Committee on National Defense. Pinag-uusapan namin ito," he said. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the country's anti-terrorism law.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier recommended to the President for the non-extension of Martial Law in Mindanao, citing findings of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on the matter. The strength and capability of threat groups, including Maute Group, have been substantially reduced and several hundreds of loose firearms have been surrendered. Security authorities also noted a significant drop in crime rates in strategic areas and that the Abu Sayaff in Basilan and Sulu are being slowly defeated.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also backed Lorenzana's recommendation, saying in a statement last December 5 that "(T)he purpose of Martial Law has been attained based on the assessment of military and police forces as normalcy has returned to the entire region and the peace and order situation in the area has remarkably improved since the Marawi Siege of 2017."

Nevertheless, the Senator believes that should there be intermittent armed clashes between some rebel groups and government troops, the government wants to ensure the welfare of civilians affected in these conflict areas.

"Sana po ay magkaroon na tayo ng permanent evacuation centers hindi lang po sa panahon ng disaster kundi sa panahon ng digmaan. 'Yan po ang planong gawin ni Pangulong Duterte sa buong bansa, magkaroon ng maaayos na evacuation center," he said.

He also said that the President prioritizes peace-related initiatives and is focused on instilling long lasting peace and development especially in Mindanao.

"Si Pangulong Duterte ginagawa po ang lahat para ma-attain natin ang long-lasting peace dito sa Mindanao. May schedule nga po siya makipag-usap kay Chairman Nur Misuari sa December 13 sa Davao. Nag-create po siya ng Peace Coordinating Committee para po pag-usapan. Lahat po ng grupo ay gusto niyang kausapin," Go said.

He also emphasized his trust in the military in ensuring the security in Mindanao saying, "alam na po ng militar ang kanilang ginagawa."

Go thanked his fellow Mindanaoans for the continued support and trust given to the Duterte administration and encouraged them to participate in nation building in order to bring long lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

"Salamat po sa inyong suporta at tiwala sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte. Patuloy po akong magiging tulay ninyo para marinig at mabigyan ng pansin ang inyong mga hinaing. Magtulungan tayo para maabot ang tunay na pagbabago sa ating bansa," he said.



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"May batas na laban diyan!" This was the warning issued by Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday as the Department of Health (DOH) investigated complaints against hospitals that may have violated Republic Act 10932, otherwise known as the Strengthened Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, when they allegedly asked for cash deposits from patients.

"Panatag ang loob ko na hindi pinapalampas ng DOH ang pagiging abusado ng ilang mga ospital," Hontiveros said as reports revealed that as many as 77 cases are now being investigated by the health department.

Hontiveros, who authored the law, explained that in cases of emergency which can lead to a patient's death, hospitals should not "request, solicit, demand or accept any deposit or any other form of advance payment" before administering basic emergency care.

"Tandaan po natin: walang katumbas na pera ang buhay ng isang tao. This law exists precisely to protect every Filipino from hospitals that prioritize profit over care," she added. The said measure became law in August of 2017.

Hontiveros is urging the public to 'test the law'

"May tinalagang Sumbungan Board ang DOH para sa batas na ito. Isumbong natin ang mga abusadong ospital para matigil ang mga ganitong pangyayari," Hontiveros reminded the public.

Under the law, complaints are filed with the Health Facilities Oversight Board (complaints can be coursed through the hotline 165-364 or e-mailed to callcenter@doh.gov.ph).

Should any hospital be found guilty of violating the act, guilty practitioners may be fined up to Php300,000 and face imprisonment of up to two years and four months. If hospitals create and implement a policy of asking for deposits even in emergency cases, they will face fines of up to one million pesos and a prison term of up to six years. Three repeated violations can result in the revocation of the offending hospital's or clinic's license.

"Pinapaalala ko sa lahat na walang katumbas na kita ang buhay ng isang tao. Profit will never trump people's right to healthcare," Hontiveros concluded.



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More than 150 kids were treated to a holiday get-away during the annual Christmas party and gift-giving sponsored by the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) at Crosswinds Resort Suites in Tagaytay.

During the activity, the kids from Baseco, Tondo and Bgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay bonded with Santa Claus, played in the artificial snow and had a wonderful time playing games and watching magic shows and mascot performances.

The kids also personally received gifts from the Villar Family--former Senate President Manny Villar, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Vista Land CEO Paolo Villar, Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar, and Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar.

Now on its 9th year, the annual gift-giving activity is the Villars' way of giving back to Tondo where the former Senate President was born.

"This is one of the yearly activities we look forward to because this is a time where we spend time with kids. It really warms our hearts seeing how happy the kids are and how they enjoy the activities and gifts that we prepared for them," Senator Villar said.

The kids, aged 2 to 13 years old, were treated to fun-filled activities at the Crosswinds Christmas Village where a Christmas Store and Santa's House were built. Various toys such as inflatables were also made available to them around the area.



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Coming together as a national team took a lot of effort, resources and motivation from all Filipino arnisadores. Our underlying strength comes from a deep history kept alive by our present day Grandmasters. The present crop of Arnis athletes and coaches drew a lot from the legacy of all Arnis styles from all parts of the country.

In 2009, it was declared the national martial art and sport (R.A. 9850). In 2017, we organized the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, which eventually won the nod of the Philippine Olympics Committee as the National Sports Association (NSA) for Arnis. After a year, we launched a search for the finest & fittest through regional qualifiers that concluded with the National Battle of the Champions. Promoting grass roots development our participation of the PSCs Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games, as well as the Palarong Pambansa.

We also worked with the standards set by an International Governing Body for Arnis, the WEKAF ( World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation). With the passage of the law and the organization of PEKAF, Arnis will be a true grassroots martial art & sport.

We campaigned for the PSC & POC to include Arnis as a competition sports. Then, the selection of competitors for the SEA Games commenced with a Team A and Team B both well prepared to fight for medals. We did our best with 14 golds, 4 silvers and 2 Bronze medals to show for it. Being the most be medaled sport of this 30th SEA Games for the Philippines.

Post-SEA Games, we will spearhead the promotion of Arnis in more countries with upcoming international matches to further strengthen our athletes' competitive edge.



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The Senate today honored the Philippine National Arnis Team (PNAT) for its sterling performance in the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Senator Sonny Angara filed the Senate Resolution No. 247 recognizing the historic feat of the PNAT, which further solidified the Philippines' mastery of the sport and the martial arts discipline.

The PNAT delivered 14 gold, four silver and two bronze medals for the Philippines, for a total of 20 medals. The gold medal haul of the PNAT represents 10 percent of the total gold medal tally of the Philippine contingent in the SEA Games.

A separate resolution, PSR No. 248, was also filed by Angara to recognize the contributions of Majority Leader Migz Zubiri to the PNAT and to Arnis as a sport.

"We congratulate our Philippine National Arnis Team for bringing honor and glory to the country. It is only fitting that they delivered the most gold medals for the Philippines, considering that arnis is the national martial art and sport of the Philippines," Angara said.

"Under the stewardship of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) president and chairman Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, the PNAT has demonstrated how Filipino athletes can excel against international competition. After 14 years of being absent from the SEA Games, Arnis is back and hopefully it is here to stay," Angara added.

Arnis was included as a demonstration sport in the 2005 SEA Games, which was also hosted by the Philippines.

In the current SEA Games, a total four countries competed in Arnis, namely Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The Arnis events were divided into live stick, padded stick and anyo categories for men and women.

For the live stick events, the PNAT members who won medals were Dexter Bolambao, Sgt. Niño Mark Talledo, T/Sgt. Vilardo Cunamay, SSG Mike Bañares, Jezebel Morcillo (gold); Jude Oliver Mae Rodriguez (silver); Eza Rai Young and Erlin Mae Busacay (bronze).

For the padded stick events: Jesfer Huquire, Elmer Manlapas, Carloyd Tejada, Sheena del Monte, Jedah Mae Soriano, Ross Ashley Monville and Abegail Abad (gold); and Billy Joel Valenzuela (silver).

For the anyo events: Mary Allin Aldeguer (gold); Mark David Puzon and Ryssa Jezzel Sanchez (silver).

The coaching staff, consisting of Richardson Gialogo, Regie Sanchez, P/Capt. Reneto Tuñacao, Reignerose Esquierra, Rodolfo Jay Garcia Jr., and Aniano Lota Jr. were also honored in the resolution.

"The overwhelming success of the PNAT at the 30th SEA Games is an inspiring testament to the level of excellence that Filipino athletes can achieve, with proper government support," the resolution stated.

Zubiri was credited for his efforts to strengthen and preserve the practice of Arnis as a martial art and sport.

As president and chairman of PEKAF, Zubiri hosted regional competitions and training camps "to push our arnisadors to excellence in preparation for international competitions."

"The performance of the Philippine Team for Arnis has been a success, not only in its bountiful harvest of medals, but also in its effectiveness in inspiring appreciation and interest in Arnis among Philippine and international audiences alike," the resolution stated.



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"World-class!"

This sums up what two Filipino athletes who won gold in the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games think about the country's newly built sports facilities in New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.

Olympics-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena and long-distance runner Christine Hallasgo were all praises for the sprawling sports complex, which is hosting athletics and swimming events in the biennial games that will run until Wednesday, December 11. It will also be the venue for the closing ceremonies of what has been described as the biggest SEA Games to date.

Inside the complex sits the 14,000-meter Athletics Stadium, which has been given Class 1 Certification by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The NCC sports complex likewise features the 2,000-seating capacity Aquatics Center, which has likewise been certified by the world aquatics governing body, Fédération Internationale De Natation (FINA) as fully compliant with global standards.

Meanwhile, athletes from the 11-nation games are also being given proper accommodations at the 2,100-bed Athletes' Village.

"Masaya po ako na meron na po tayong [world-class sports facilities] sa Pilipinas kasi malaking tulong po siya sa aming mga atleta," said women's marathon gold medalist Hallasgo in a Facebook video posted by former national athlete and now Senator Pia Cayetano.

"Ang mga facilities, lalong lalo na ang [track] oval, ang standard niya ay parang sa ibang bansa. Nakaka-inspire po mag-training kapag ang mga ginagamit namin na equipment ay world-class," she added.

Men's pole vault gold medalist and new SEA Games record holder EJ Obiena also had great things to say about the country's new sports facilities.

"First time ko pong makakita ng indoor track in Southeast Asia... It's really a pride and honor to have these facilities in the country," he said in the same video posted by Cayetano.

Obiena, who is set to represent the country in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has had the opportunity to train with the best coaches and sports facilities in Europe.

When asked how well our own facilities compared with the stadiums he trained and competed in abroad, Obiena replied: "It's world-class, like the best I've seen and played in in Europe. Now I can tell my friends to come and train with me!"

Cayetano, for her part, stressed the importance of sustaining government support for all Filipino athletes beyond this year's hosting of the SEA Games.

"People forget that you are athletes 365 days a year. All-out support is really required all year round. Now, you have these training grounds available for you throughout the year," she told Obiena and Hallasgo.

"I commit to you that I will continue to work with our decision-makers to find more ways to support our country's athletes. Personally, that would also be a dream come true for me," added Cayetano, who herself is a former national volleyball player.

The senator is among the authors and co-sponsors of Senate Bill No. 1086 or the 'Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) Act,' which seeks to establish a national academy for sports in the country that can train talented young athletes in their respective sports while still allowing them to pursue other educational tracks.

"We need to insist that sports is a priority [and] send a strong message to decision-makers, including my fellow legislators, [to] support our athletes and put in the funding... I hope that our fellow Filipinos also rally behind this initiative because I am such a believer of sports changing lives," Cayetano stressed.



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I support former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario in their decision to pursue their case against Chinese President Xi Jinping in the commission of crimes against humanity on Filipinos and Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.

The decision of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) published in its report dated 5 December 2019 denying due course to the Morales-Del Rosario communication against Xi Jinping relied mostly on its preliminary, if not premature finding that the situs of the alleged crimes did not take place within the territory of the Philippines. In reaching such conclusion, the OTP apparently did not consider the fact that the Philippines is in complete control and possession of several islands in the Spratly Islands known as the Kalayaan Group of Islands, and that these were already declared Philippine territory under Philippine law as early as the 1970s.

It is clear that most of the acts complained of as committed by China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping occurred within these PH-occupied or PH-claimed territory in the Spratly Islands, and which the Philippines has long considered as part of its territory as the Kalayaan Group of Islands.

The Philippines continues to exercise complete control and authority, if not dominion and sovereignty, over the Kalayaan Group of Islands. For all intents and purposes, these are already considered Philippine territory by the Philippines. Under international law, these islands that are controlled and occupied by the Philippines, and which never previously belonged to any other country before such occupation by the Philippines, can be considered Philippine territory by right of occupation.

Unlike the Philippines, China has no occupied islands in the Kalayaan Group of Islands. What it has done instead is to illegally create artificial islands on top of submerged reefs in international waters, in violation of international law and the UNCLOS. The Permanent Court of Arbitration has already ruled in the case of Philippines v. China that such activity by China is illegal under the UNCLOS and therefore cannot give rise to any territorial claim over such artificial islands, including any claim to a 12-nautical mile territorial sea, or much less, an exclusive economic zone.

In this light, subject to the OTP's further review and consideration of the issue of territoriality in the case of former Ombudsman Morales and former DFA Secretary Del Rosario against Xi Jinping, the latter and China can still be hailed to the ICC for their continuous acts of violence against Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the areas surrounding the Philippine-occupied Kalayaan Group of Islands. This I humbly submit. ##



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Convicted felons were granted immunity. Some of them transferred to military camps, presumably with more comfortable quarters than hell hole Bilibid. God knows what other concessions were promised them in exchange for perjured testimonies. Pardon perhaps or other forms of executive clemency for their early release, and non-freezing or non-sequestration of their assets?

Duterte operators and complainants and their lawyer in the cases filed against me in the DOJ were appointed to government posts. Sandra Cam. Dante Jimenez. Atty. Eduardo Bringas. Ruel Lasala.

Rafael Ragos and Jovencito Ablen, despite being exposed for corrupt or illegal activities, were retained at the NBI, never charged administratively or criminally, and placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) with its concomitant benefits, in exchange for their own lies against me.

Worse, Ragos was eventually excluded as a co-accused in one of the drug cases despite revelations of his illicit dealings with Bilibid drug lords. Most appalling is the recently reported reinstatement of Ragos to his former position as NBI Deputy Director, to the chagrin of NBI old-timers.

Here comes another former NBI Deputy Director, Reynaldo Esmeralda. Another shameless liar who, like Ragos, Ablen and convicts, lied under oath. In his testimony last Friday, Esmeralda ostensibly "corroborated" the ludicrous claim of alleged delivery of money to my residence on 2 occasions in 2012, saying that Ablen called him up immediately after such deliveries and reported the alleged incident.

Clearly hearsay and an absolute lie! Ablen never mentioned in his own testimony months ago that he made such a call to Esmeralda. He never mentioned Esmeralda at all. In fact, in the Complaint-Affidavit filed with the DOJ, with Esmeralda as one of the complainants, nowhere is such allegation about Ablen confiding in Esmeralda found. Esmeralda, for his part, never reported it or raised such disturbing matter to anyone in any forum. He kept mum about it until now, or seven (7) years later. Malinaw na isa na naman itong pahabol na imbentong kuwento.

This guy, like most of the inmates-witnesses, has an axe to grind against me. He blames me for his and Lasala's removal and replacement as then NBI Deputy Directors by then President Aquino due to integrity issues.

And guess what? Per a recent media report, Esmeralda, like Ragos, is set to be reinstated to his former post as NBI Deputy Director. Reward na naman!

Kawawang NBI. Nagiging tapunan ng mga basura, rats of the institution.

I hope that, by now, the NBI has realized that it too was used in this malevolent scheme when it acted as the public complainant in the case before the DOJ, blindly accepting the bogus stories of the convicts and other perjured witnesses, without the benefit of a legitimate independent probe.

What a sad and disgusting state of affairs!

Ganyan kadesperado ang mga persecutors ko. All they care about is making sure that I "rot in jail," as forcefully and repeatedly proclaimed by their master. They don't care about the havoc this whole charade called the De Lima trial has brought to our justice institutions. A blatant abuse of power!

I say to them: Truth will ultimately catch up on them. And there's nothing more dangerous than the Truth. ###



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Following a higher inflation rate in November, we expect inflation to pick up further in December as we head closer to Christmas. December is usually a consumption-driven month as Filipinos tend to shop for more goods in time for the holiday festivities. We also have to take into consideration the possible supply deficiency in the offing after Typhoon Tisoy destroyed agricultural crops. Prices of fish have also gone up.

Kaya naman tinatawagan natin ang Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture na bantayang mabuti ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin sa merkado ngayong buwan para maiwasan ang mga mananamantala at para mas maging masaya ang kapaskuhan ng mga mamimili.

In the latest Philippine Statistics Authority report, prices of widely used goods rose by 1.3% in November, which was slightly higher than the 0.8% October inflation rate but lower than the 6% inflation rate in the same month last year. The uptrend in inflation for November was mainly brought about by a higher annual increase in alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

The November inflation rate remains within the government expectation of 0.9% - 1.7% range.



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During his visit to victims of Typhoon Tisoy in Daraga, Albay, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Saturday, December 7, urged his colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to expedite the passage of the proposed measure providing for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) as calamities such as earthquakes and powerful typhoons frequently occur in the country.

"Ang DDR dapat lang po maipasa ito. Bilisan na po natin sa Kongreso. I urge my colleagues sa Senado at sa mga Congressmen na sana po ay bilisan na natin to para ma-certify as urgent (ng Pangulo)," Go said during an ambush interview, adding that the measure has been taken up in the Senate on committee level and can be certified as urgent by the President once a committee report is filed.

"Tapos na kami sa isang committee hearing, napag-usapan na namin ito. Bilisan na natin, huwag na nating maghintay na magkaroon ng bagyo, sunog o earthquake," Go said.

"Para meron nang isang departamento na nakatutok na lalapitan ng tao at makikipag-coordinate (with) all agencies," he added, emphasizing that the country's geographic location makes it prone to natural disasters, hence the need for government to be more responsive in mitigating the impact of these natural occurances.

The senator filed in July Senate Bill (SB) No. 205 or the "Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019" which proposes for the creation of DDR, "an empowered, highly specialized department with clear unity of command and primarily responsible in ensuring safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities."

The bill seeks to establish a clear system of responsibility for disaster preparedness and response in all levels of the government, given the increasing number and devastation brought about by various disasters.

Through the proposed measure, the existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices will be renamed as Local Disaster Resilience Offices. A Disaster Resilience Fund will also be established to finance DDR's operations, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and activities formulated in the national level.

The National Disaster Operations Center will be established, with its corresponding Alternative Command and Control Centers, while a Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute will also be created to provide training and to collect, consolidate, manage and share knowledge and information resources to boost disaster resilience.

Currently, disaster-related responsibilities are shared among various government agencies.

In an interview during his visit in Albay, the senator added that the bill will provide for the creation of permanent evacuation centers all over the country equipped with features to ensure safety and comfort for evacuees.

"Isa rin po sa aking mga isinusulong ang pagtatayo ng permanent evacuation centers kapag may nasusunog o earthquake. Para may maayos silang paglalagyan habang hindi pa sila nakakauwi sa kanilang pamamahay," Go added.

Meanwhile, during his visit, the senator distributed relief and financial assistance to 150 families in Daraga, Albay who were affected by the destructive typhoon. Go also said that he and the local government will replace the school supplies and uniforms of children who lost theirs in the disaster so they can immediately resume schooling.

"May dala po akong konting grocery items at ako na rin po ang bibili ng uniporme ng mga bata para makapabalik agad sila sa kanilang pag-aaral," Go said.

During his visit, Go was also joined by representatives from concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local Social Welfare and Development office, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Housing Authority (NHA) to provide additional assistance to the victims.

"Nandito rin po ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para magbigay ng tulong kaagad tulad ng DSWD may programa tayo. Ang NHA naman po, may programa rin tayo. Ang PAGCOR at PCSO, bibigyan din sila ng financial assistance. Ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, kanya kanyang tulong sa mga biktima including DTI, may livelihood assistance," Go said, also mentioning that President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a directive for the creation of housing units in the region.

As for areas experiencing electricity loss, Go said that he will talk to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi for the immediate restoration of power supply.

"I will talk to Seretary Cusi kung pwede mabalik kaagad sa normal. Titingnan muna natin kung mayroon talagang nasirang mga linya. Talagang napakalakas ng bagyo," he said.

Go also reiterated the directives of President Rodrigo Duterte during their earlier visit to Albay last Thursday for the Department of Education to start immediate repair of damaged classrooms, the Department of Public Works and Highways to restore damaged road sections and bridges, the Department of Energy to continue restoration of power supply, and the Department of Information and Communication Technology to immediately restore communication systems.

Typhoon Tisoy, internationally known as Typhoon Kammuri, hit the Bicol region on December 2, leaving 12 people dead and an estimated economic damage worth PhP 811 million, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

After his visit to Daraga victims, the senator proceeded to Gubat, Sorsogon to extend similar assistance to typhoon victims in the province.

"Kahit saang sulok po ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko po kayo hanggang sa makakaya ko para magbigay ng tulong at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati," Go told the victims, explaining that he regularly visits victims of calamities to listen to their concerns and provide solutions to their daily struggles.



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I extend my warmest congratulations to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle for his appointment as the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith or Propaganda Fide. I am very happy for him being named head of this dicastery, which is one of the top posts in the Vatican.

Tagle's appointment brings pride and joy to our country because it is another manifestation that the world recognizes the ability and talent of Filipinos. Tagle is the second Filipino to become prefect of a dicastery, following the late Cardinal Jose Tomas Sanchez, who served as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy from 1991 until 1996. Their appointments show that the leadership abilities of our Cardinals are recognized by the Popes.

Tagle deserves this new post. Aside from leading his diocese, the Diocese of Manila, he has also been serving since 2015 as president of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of Catholic charities around the world. As Caritas head, Tagle travels throughout the world to visit Caritas projects.

Personally, I am happy for my cousin and very proud of him. Chito's, as we fondly call him, new post would see him moving to Rome from where he would oversee the Roman Catholic Church's work in many developing countries. As a news report noted, the appointment is likely to increase his chances of being elected pope one day.



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In a privilege speech on Monday, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed documents showing Chinese nationals exercising leadership and management roles in the country's power grid, amid concerns about foreign control of the country's electric power system.

Hontiveros belied National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Inc's [NGCP] claim that Chinese participation in its operations is limited to advisory roles. "Chinese nationals have been appointed to key and sensitive positions in the nation's power transmission service provider," the Akbayan Senator claimed.

Documents presented to the Senate revealed that a Chinese national, Wen Bo, was named NGCP 'Chief Technical Officer', while a certain Liu Zhaoquiang was appointed 'Assistant Chief Technical Officer for Operations and Maintenance.' Another document showed Lui Zhaoquiang formally representing the NGCP in an event with the Bureau of Fire Protection.

"Kasinungalingan ang pagsabing 'advisory role' lang ang Tsina. China is in charge of the nuts and bolts of our country's power grid, with full control of operations and maintenance," Hontiveros remarked. It was earlier revealed that NGCP's Chairperson is Chinese national Zhu Guangchao, State Grid Corporation of China's director-general.

"NGCP has also awarded various procurement contracts to different Chinese firms," Hontiveros furthered. "Nakakabahala kasi at least 43 projects under construction at new projects sa bansa para sa ating power grid ay nasa Tsina. Materials for the infrastructure of the transmission lines have been supplied by Chinese firms using Chinese designed technology," she added.

"Ang chairman Chinese, halos lahat ng contractors Chinese, ang systems software made in China, at ang training sa China. Saan dito ang Filipino-run?" Hontiveros asked.

The Senator also hit what she called an 'onerous concession agreement favoring big income to China and the NGCP.' "The government is losing money while NGCP is raking in profits," she claimed referring to financial data showing that as of 2018, the corporation has achieved its return of investment (ROI) of PhP 180 billion due to profits from its transmission business alone with 15 more years left in the 25-year lifespan of the concession agreement with tax-exemption. "PhP7.4 billion taon-taon ang nawawala sa gobyerno dahil sa tax exemption," she furthered.

The senator from Akbayan also called for an immediate inspection and audit, including a cyberaudit, of NGCP facilities and a source code review of its systems software. "Kung walang tinatago, wala namang dapat ikatakot, 'di ba? This audit should be done immediately by government officials and independent experts, with a view towards looking at national security implications," Hontiveros urged.

"The primary issue is national security. We need to assert our sovereignty. Bilyones ang kita ng NGCP, exposed pa ang pambansang seguridad. Para naman tayong ginigisa sa sariling mantika niyan," she concluded.



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More at: https://pinglacson.net/2019/12/09/dapat-tularan-lacson-resolution-exalts-hero-cop-jason-magnos-selflessness/

The selflessness showed by the late Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Magno, who shielded with his own body a grenade in order to save innocent lives in Misamis Oriental, should be emulated not only by the Philippine National Police but by the entire country.

On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson commended and exalted Magno for showing "extraordinary bravery, heroism and instinct" to fulfill his sworn duty "To Serve and Protect," even at the cost of his own life.

"Whereas, this selfless act of Police Master Sergeant Jason Magno should be emulated and recognized not only by the Philippine National Police but by the entire country," Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in Senate Resolution 229, which was filed on Monday.

"He was the best among us. The PNP leadership must lose no time in recognizing this cop's heroism made more significant by his instinct to save the lives of people he may not even know," Lacson said in a tweet last Nov. 30.

Magno, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist of the PNP, along with Police Master Sergeant Alice Balido - both of the Initao Police Station in Misamis Oriental - were the first responders in an incident last Nov. 28, when one Ibrahim Ampaso Basher ran amuck at Initao College and endangered the lives of the students and people there.

Despite Magno and Balido's efforts to subdue Basher, Basher lobbed a grenade at them. Magno instinctively covered the grenade with his own body before it exploded.

"Had it not been for his bravery, heroism, and instinct to save lives, students, teachers, as well as his fellow policemen would have perished on that fateful day," Lacson said in his resolution.

Lacson also noted Magno, who entered the police force in 2000, had received various medals from the PNP such as the Medalya ng Kagalingan, Medalya ng Kasanayan, Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Mindanao, and Medalya ng Paglaban sa Manliligalig. PNP Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa recently awarded him posthumously the Medalya ng Katapangan.



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Sen. Lapid: Salamat po, Mr. President. Nais ko lang pong susugan ang sinabi ng aking mga colleagues na sina Senator Villanueva, lalo na ang aking kasamahan [Senator Zubiri]. Kung natatandaan siguro ano, congressman palang siya [Senator Zubiri] sa Lower House, siya po ang nag-sponsor ng batas na ito [Republic Act No. 9850] at ako naman po sa senado, ako rin ang nag-ano dito. Ten years na po ang nakaraan--December 11, 2009, kaya tamang tama po, sampung taon ang Arnis ay nagkaroon ng gold medal--labing-apat na ginto, apat na silver, dalawang bronze medal. At siguro may bumubulong kanina sa akin dahil ang ginawa kong pelikula ay iyong Kamagong. Sabi nila baka gusto kong gawing Part 2, kasi ang natatandaan po nilang dialogue ko doon ay "Lumipad ka na parang isang ibon, dumapo ka na parang isang dahon na tuyo sa lupa."

Senate President: So have you... Nagamit mo na ba ang Arnis sa pelikula?

Sen. Lapid: Kumita na po ako doon. Tatlo kasi po ang alam kong Arnis dahil nagturo, pero hindi po ako kamukha ng ating Majority Leader Migz Zubiri na lumaban po siya ng Arnis. Ako sa matatandang ano lang po ako, single mutton ang alam ko po, espada y daga at double mutton. Alam mo 'yun? Kaya nga po nakikita ko kanina, iyong mga ginawa niya, ay ginawa ko na rin sa pelikula iyon. Kaya po iyong lahat ng mga nanalo, umasa kayong gagawin natin iyong Kamagong Part 2. Kayo ang bida! Congratulations sa inyo.



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The bill authored by Sen. Grace Poe creating the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was approved on third and final reading at the Senate.

"The NTSB is long overdue considering the transportation mishaps that have happened in the past that claimed innocent lives," Poe said.

"With thorough, timely and substantial investigation, we will be able to prevent those accidents from happening again and give justice to the victims and their families," Poe stressed.

Poe, chairperson of the public services committee, said Senate Bill No. 1077 or the proposed National Transportation Safety Board Act will create a board that will focus on investigating air, highway, railroad, pipeline and maritime accidents.

The report of the body's investigation will be submitted to Congress within 60 days from completion and will be used to appraise and assess existing practices and regulations related to safety measures.

"Ang NTSB ay mayroong visitorial power para makapasok sa lugar ng mga aksidente at masiyasat ng husto ang anumang parte ng motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, o pipeline na naging sanhi ng accident. Kapag maayos ang imbestigasyon, palagay ko wala ng kaso ng nahulog na bus o lumubog na barko ang itatambak na lang sa filing cabinet na wala man lang resulta o solusyon," she said.

Poe cited records from the Metro Manila Accident and Recording Analysis System of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority which showed 116,906 road accidents in 2018, or an equivalent to 320 accidents every day or 13 accidents every hour.

Poe said all transportation accidents carry hefty price tags, citing a 2005 study by the University of the Philippines that a road accident could cost up to P3.47 million in terms of damage to property and lost productivity.

She said the 2018 World Health Organization Global Status Report on Road Safety revealed that road traffic injuries cost the Philippines about 2.6 percent of the entire gross domestic product.

"Hindi puwedeng tapatan ng presyo ang mga buhay na nawala," Poe said.

The NTSB will also proactively conduct studies on making the transport sector as safe as possible by looking into the causes and determinants of accidents, among others, to guide the government in crafting policies and regulations which will prevent them from recurring.

"The NTSB can save lives that should not be lost in the first place. It can avoid preventable accidents. It can avert injuries. It can keep properties intact. The NTSB is our road to safety," she stressed.

Poe thanked her fellow senators for giving their nod to the bill.



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Fr. Hernandez, my esteemed colleagues, Senate officials and employees, ladies and gentlemen.

There is nothing much to say after what we have heard. Here in the Public Assistance Center, with the Malasakit Counter, actions speak louder than words. The picture speaks for itself. I am simply overwhelmed, very happy and honored, to be leading a group of compassionate and generous people.

The original or the perennial Senate President of the Senate, Senator Franklin M. Drilon, who has been Senate President many times over, started this a long time ago. Thank you, Sir, thank you, Senator Frank.

This indeed was a milestone as far as the Senate's help is concerned, because you all know that the Senate is simply for legislation but there are people with such compassion as Senator Frank who have agreed to put up something like this, for so many reasons. Then again, the important thing is that we are able to extend our help to the people who seek and need the help of the Senate.

And then, come along a new Senator, who again showed his compassion and malasakit, and that is why I would like to call him now, starting today, I would call him Senator Bong "Malasakit" Go because of his brainchild, of coming up with this wonderful and beautiful public assistance center of the Senate, complete with a Malasakit counter.

All these were possible because of the generosity of a wonderful lady, Senator Cynthia Villar. I have to say this, magaling naman na Senador si Manny, pero parang mas magaling ka. I am sure he won't mind, he might even admit it.

So again, my congratulations to you all, thank you so much. To the people, napakarami pong makikinabang dito. Katulad ng bilang na sinabi ni Senator Drilon, Minority Leader Frank, from that time on ilang libo, ilanpung-libo ang mga natulungan dito. Kasama na rin po yung mga nanghihingi lang ng pamasahe, pero still, meron pa rin tayong nakahanda kahit paano dito sa public assistance center na ito.

Again, to all of you, thank you. Ito ay isang napakagandang addition sa Senado. Siguro hindi na rin nakapanghihinayang kasi pagdating naman siguro sa 2021, paglipat ng Senado sa BGC, meron pa rin ito, baka mas maganda pa, pero ito pa lang ay napakaganda na.

Maraming salamat sa inyo.



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With 20 senators voting in favor, zero against and no abstention, the Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading a measure seeking to extend the validity of the license to possess firearms and ammunition from two years to five years.

Senate Bill No. 1155, under Committee Report No. 19, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10591 or the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act" extending the renewal of firearm registration from four years to five years.

The measure was filed in substitution of Senate Bill No. 275 introduced by Senate President Pro-tempore Ralph Recto and Senate Bill No. 1023 filed by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The report was prepared by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chaired by Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa. It was approved on second reading without amendments on November 27, 2019.

Under the measure, the registration of a firearm shall be renewed every five years from the birthdate of the licensee.

"Failure to renew the registration of the firearm on or before the date of its expiration shall cause the revocation of the license. The said firearm shall be confiscated or forfeited in favor of the government after due process," according to the bill.

The measure further extends the validity of permit to carry firearms outside of residence from one year to two years "from the date of the approval of the application, unless sooner revoked or suspended."

Dela Rosa, in his sponsorship speech, noted that a lack of practical renewal policies hinders gun owners from renewing their firearms because "license renewal means complying with voluminous documentary requirements and conditions."

"In a country like ours, gun ownership is a privilege that is hidden behind numerous documentary requirements and countless conditions that must be met; then and only then can one avail of such privilege," he said.

From the data provided by the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police, Dela Rosa noted that before the enactment of Republic Act No. 10591 in 2013, the number of registered firearms was 1,650,353 which eventually increased to 1,869,684 after the enactment of the said law.

The same data also showed that as of August 31, 2019, 45 per cent or 837,758 of the 1,869,684 previously registered firearms were not renewed, and 7,073 were accounted as loose firearms.

"This is exactly why we say that a mere increase in the number of registered firearms upon the implementation of RA 10591 is not considered an achievement, especially when a sizeable number of the owners choose not to renew their licenses despite the possible risk of imprisonment," the former PNP chief said.

"To set the validity period of our firearms registration from four to five years is a practicable and obvious solution. It would serve us well if renewing our license to possess firearms comes at the same time that we renew the licenses of the firearms themselves. In effect, we are not just extending the validity of our firearms licenses; we are, more fundamentally, extending our capacity to be responsible, our capacity to defend ourselves and those whom we love," Dela Rosa said.

"We are for the promotion of safety measures. We are for the protection of our people. But surely, and that is what this bill ensures, it would be better if it would not take a mountain of work for us to do so," he added.



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The Senate today passed on third reading a bill granting night shift differential to government employees whose work requires them to perform their duties beyond regular working hours.

"The Labor Code of the Philippines defines night shift differential as "not less than 10% of his regular wage for each hour of work performed between 10 o'clock in the evening and 6 o'clock in the morning," Revilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation, said.

This wage-related benefit is given to private employees as mandated by the Labor Code.

Senate Bill No. 643 proposes to grant night shift differential to government employees who work beyond regular hours and extend their schedules to better serve the people.

Under Senate Bill No. 643, government employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, whether they are permanent, contractual, temporary, or casual, shall be paid night shift differential at a rate not exceeding twenty percent (20% ) of the hourly basic rate of the employee for each hour of work performed between 6 pm to 6 am.

According to the measure, funding for the night differential of workers coming from the national government will be charged against the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Funding for the night differential of local government workers shall come from their respective funds, the measure also said, while government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries shall get their funding from their respective corporate funds.

"Public sector employees also deserve the benefit we give to their private counterparts," Revilla said.

This proposed measure seeks to recognize government employees' unselfish service, Revilla added, saying that as important as it is for the private sector, the granting of night differential to government employees will also go a long way in helping to ensure their safety, security, and productivity, "since working at night takes a toll on any person's health, property, and life."



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The Senate today adopted a resolution lauding and commending a police officer in Misamis Oriental for sacrificing his life to save the lives of students and teachers at the Initao College in Misamis Oriental last Nov. 28.

President Rodrigo Duterte posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu Magalong and the PNP Medal of Valor or Medalya ng Kagitingan to Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Janog Magno last Dec. 5 for his selfless act when he covered a lobbed grenade with his body and saved the lives of those around him.

Adopted was Senate Resolution No. 229, taking into consideration Senate Resolutions 231, 237 and 253 introduced by Senators Panfilo Lacson, a former head of the Philippine National Police, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Ramon Bong Revilla and Sonny Angara respectively.

Magno, a police explosive ordnance disposal specialist, and Police Master Sergeant Alice Balido responded to a distress call from the Initao College about a man brandishing a grenade inside the educational institution.

Magno and Balido tried to subdue a certain Ibrahim Ampaso Basher, who was brandishing a knife and a grenade at the students and teachers, but the suspect pulled out the pin and threw the grenade at the police officers.

According to the resolution, Magno covered the grenade with his body and saved the lives of those around him. Not less than 10 people were injured in the incident but no other lives were lost.

"The selfless act of Police Master Sergeant Jason Magno should be emulated and recognized not only by the Philippine National Police but by the entire country," Lacson said.

"The Senate honors and commend the late Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Janog Magno for his extraordinary bravery, heroism and instinct to protect and save the lives of his fellow men at the cost of his own going beyond his sworn duty to serve and to protect," he added.



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Bagging more than 10 percent of the country's total gold medal haul in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine National Arnis Team (PNAT) today received commendations from senators.

Their staunch supporter, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, was likewise given due recognition by his colleagues for his role in ensuring the success of the team, a resounding victory bringing in 20 medals -- 14 gold, four silver and two bronze.

Zubiri described PNAT's feat as heroic and historic, a matter that his colleagues couldn't agree more as the athletes turned out to be the most bemedaled Philippine team in the biennial event.

Senate Resolution No. 240 taking into consideration Senate Resolution Nos. 243, 247, 249 and 252 noted the overwhelming success of the PNAT at the SEA Games.

"The PNAT will go down in history as the team that brought arnis back to great acclaim on an international stage, 14 years since the sport was last seen at the SEA Games," Senators Nancy Binay, Manuel "Lito" Lapid and Sonny Angara said in their respective resolutions.

The overwhelming success of the PNAT at the 30th SEA Games is an inspiring testament to the level of excellence that Filipino athletes can achieve, with proper government support, they said.

Senators said the men and women of PNAT not only brought pride and honor to the country but also reignited local and international interest and appreciation for the sport through their excellent showcase.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Sen. Win Gatchalian co-sponsored the resolutions commending Zubiri's invaluable contribution to the sport and the whole arnis team, while Sen. Joel Villanueva led in sponsoring the resolutions congratulating PNAT.

"This win sealed our title as the overall champion," Sotto said in his sponsorship speech, referring to the Philippines' medal standing in the 30th SEA Games.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also gave due recognition to their colleague, a former arnis champion.

"I want to thank my colleagues for honoring me and the team. It is an honor for me to be given those accolades by the Senate President, Senate President Pro-Tempore and the Minority Leader," Zubiri said.

"It means a lot to me that the leadership and my peers recognize what we have done. But all that I have done is nothing as compared to what the players have done," he added.

Zubiri, a gold medallist in the Arnis World Championship of the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation in 1989, spearheaded in 2009 the passage of Republic Act 9850 or the Act Declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines.

He also founded the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) in 2017 which strengthened the practice of arnis and unified arnissadors across the nation by hosting regional competitions and training camps to push them to excellence in preparation for international competitions.



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We commend the decision of the Makati local government to indefinitely stop the issuance of business permits to POGO service providers citing how the social costs of its operations affect the city.

Like the city government of Makati, we also believe that no amount of revenues can reverse the effect of rising criminality brought about by this sector.

Revenues earned from this sector only end up funding crime-prevention efforts of police, who run after prostitution and human trafficking dens, among others, instead of channeling these scarce resources to social welfare programs and services, such as improving the quality of education, greater subsidy for health needs, and training for skilled workers.

We hope that other POGO hotspots in Metro Manila and other areas take heed of this significant step of Makati City and implement a similar ban until we clearly see the benefits of this growing sector.

Last Congress, we raised concerns on the ill effects brought about by the influx of illegal foreign workers, especially in POGOs. At the start of the 18th Congress, we filed a resolution calling on various committees in the Senate to investigate, in aid of legislation, whether the benefits brought about by POGOs outweigh its direct and indirect negative effects, such as influx of illegal foreign workers, tax evasion, rising criminality, including money laundering, rising property prices, among others. We expect to commence hearing on this matter in January of next year.



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Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, it is my honor and privilege to sponsor Senate Resolution No. 252, "Congratulating the Philippine National Arnis Team and Their Coaching Staff for Grabbing a Total of 20 Medals at the 30th South East Asian Games" and Senate Resolution No. 251, "Commending Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and the Philippine National Team for Arnis for its Resounding Victory in the 30th Southeast Asian Games".

Hawak ko po ngayon ang isang arnis stick na gawa sa rattan. Magaan, simple pero napakatibay. Pero sa atin pong mga pinalaki sa "palo", medyo nakakatakot po ang bagay na ito dahil kapag nahagupit ka, talagang mag-iiwan po ito ng latay sa iyong katawan.

Mr. President, alam ko po na bawal magpasok ng pamalo o anumang combative weapon dito sa loob ng session hall pero ngayong hapon, ang mga arnis stick na ito ay hindi lang armas pandigma kundi simbolo ng katapangan, pagkamalikhain at tagumpay ng lahing Pilipino.

Hindi po ba't mga arnisador ang sinasabing nagpaatras sa mga sundalo ni Ferdinand Magellan sa "Battle of Mactan" - dahilan ng pagkabigo ng mga unang bugso ng mga conquistador na masakop ang Pilipinas noong ikalabing-anim na siglo.

Arnis, Kali o Eskrima ang nagpakilala sa bangis ng ating mga mandirigma noon, ito rin ang nagpakilala sa tikas ng ating mga atletang Pilipino na nakakuha ng 20 medalya sa SEA Games ngayon.

Mr. President, the Philippine National Arnis Team bagged 14 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals across the live stick, distaff, padded stick, and anyo categories -- it's by far the most bemedaled Philippine Team in the 30th SEA Games.

Tulad ng mga mandirigmang nagtagumpay sa isang digmaan, nais po nating kilalanin ngayon ang ating mga arnisador na nagwagayway ng ating bandila sa SEA Games:

For the Live Stick Events:

1. Dexler Bolambao - Gold; Bantamweight (M)

2. Sgt. Niño Mark Talledo - Gold; Featherweight (M)

3. Technical Sgt. Villardo Cunamay - Gold; Lightweight (M)

4. SSG Mike C. Bañares - Gold; Welterweight (M)

5. Jezebel Morcillo - Gold; Bantamweight (W)

6. Jude Oliver Mae Rodriguez - Silver; Featherweight (W)

7. Eza Rai Yalong - Bronze; Lightweight (W)

8. Erlin Mae Busacay - Bronze; Welterweight (W)

For the Padded Stick Events:

9. Jesfer Huquire - Gold; Bantamweight (M)

10. Elmer Manlapas - Gold; Featherweight (M)

11. Carloyd Tejada - Gold ; Welterweight (M)

12. Sheena del Monte - Gold ; Bantamweight (W)

13. Jedah Mae Soriano - Gold; Featherweight (W)

14. Ross Ashley Monville - Gold ; Lightweight (W)

15. Abegail Abad - Gold; Welterweight (W)

16. Billy Joel Valenzuela - Silver; Lightweight (M)

For the Anyo Events:

17. Crisamuel Delfin - Gold; Non-Traditional Open Weapon (M)

18. Mary Allin Aldeguer - Gold; Non-Traditional Open Weapon (W)

19. Mark David Puzon - Silver; Traditional Open Weapon (M)

20. Ryssa Jezzel A. Sanchez - Silver; Traditional Open Weapon (W)

Kinikilala rin po natin ang kanilang mga tagasanay. The complete dedication of our coaches ignited their passion and motivated the team to win as one:

1. Richardson C. Gialogo, Head Coach

2. Regie Sanchez, Assistant Coach for Live Sticks

3. P/Capt. Reneto E. Tuñacao, Assistant Coach for Padded Sticks

4. Reignerose Esquierra; Assistant Coach for Anyo

5. Rodolfo Jay Garcia Jr.; Strength and Conditioning Coach

6. Aniano Lota Jr.; Mental and Spiritual Wellness and Discipline Coach

As you can see, Mr. President, as government support to athletes increases, so is the level of excellence that Filipino athletes can achieve. Tunay na kapag binigyan natin ng sapat na pag-aalaga at suporta ang ating mga atleta, kayang-kayang nilang makipagsabayan sa mga tinitingalang manlalaro mula sa iba't ibang panig ng mundo.

Mr. President, there is no doubt that Philippine National Arnis Team will go down in history as the team that brought Arnis back to great acclaim on an international stage, fourteen years since the sport was last seen at the SEA Games.

Subalit hindi po natin mararating ang araw na ito at hindi rin siguro magniningning ang Pilipinas sa SEA Games kung hindi dahil sa mga taong nagtaguyod at patuloy na nagpapayabong ng Arnis bilang isang sports.

Ang Arnis, Kali at Eskrima ay sariling atin at tumutukoy sa Filipino native martial arts. Marami pa pong ibang katawagan ang Arnis, Kali at Eskrima alinsunod sa mga umiiral na dayalekto sa bansa.

Makalipas ang napakahabang panahong kinandili at pinalaganap ang Arnis ng ating mga ninuno at pinagpasapasahan hanggang makarating sa kasalukuyang panahon, kinikilala na po ngayon ang Arnis bilang "National Sport and Martial Arts of the Philippines".

And this would not have been possible without the passion, consistency and determination of our colleague, Majority Leader and an accomplished arnisador himself, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In 1989, when Senator Migz was only 20 years old, he emerged as Gold Medalist and Champion in the 1989 Manila Arnis Eskrima World Invitational Tournament.

In 2009, he spearheaded the passage of Republic Act No. 9850, or the Act Declaring Arnis as the National Martial Art and Sport of the Philippines to promote this sport among our people.

In 2017, he founded the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) to strengthen the practice of Arnis and unify its many practitioners across the nation, during which time he was also installed as President and Chairman of the Federation.

Early this year, 2019, PEKAF was declared the National Sports Association for Arnis by the Philippine Olympic Committee, making it the regulating body for the practice of Arnis across the country.

The Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation also launched a search for the finest and fittest through regional qualifiers that concluded with the National Battle of the Champions, promoting grassroots development through their participation to the PSCs Batang Pinoy and the Palarong Pambansa. PEKAF also worked with the standards set by the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, the International Governing Body for Arnis.

Mr. President, Arnis, which was last featured in the Southeast Asian Games as a demonstration sport in 2005, has finally been recognized as a regular sport for the 2019 SEA Games, with competitors from the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Sa lahat po ng ito, hindi nawala ang presensya at suporta ni Senator Migz. At habang unti-unting nakikilala ang arnis bilang isang sports sa Asya at sa buong mundo, nakikilala rin ang katangi-tanging kultura at pamana ng lahing Pilipino.

Mr. President, Senator Zubiri's steadfast support to the Philippine National Arnis Team throughout their preparation for the 30th SEA Games, and during the event itself, is remarkable and truly deserving of this recognition.

Alam po nating lahat na hindi magtatapos dito sa SEA Games ang mga adhikain ni Sen. Migz para sa sports na ito dahil ngayon pa lang tiyak na ang plano niyang dalhin ang Arnis sa international stage at lalo pang mapalutang ang galing ng mga arnisador na Pilipino.

Thank you and congratulations to our Majority Leader and to the Philippine National Arnis Team. Truly, you have exceeded the expectations of the entire Filipino nation. Saludo po ang sambayanang Pilipino sa inyong husay, katapangan at pagkamakabayan.

Mabuhay po kayo and may God bless you all.



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Mr. President, my esteemed colleagues,

It is my privilege and honor to sponsor Senate Resolution no. 258 - congratulating and commending the hero of the 30th South East Asian Games, Filipino surfer Roger Casugay.

Mr. Casugay represents the true spirit of sportmanship. He has inspired every Filipino, and we couldn't be more proud to see him carrying the Philippine flag tomorrow, on the closing of the 30th SEA games.

Nakita natin ang pagbabayanihang hindi lang sa larangan ng surfing at sports. Masisilayan natin ito sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong handang magbuwis ng sarili nilang buhay para sumagip ng isang buhay.

Ipinamalas ni Roger ang kaniyang kabayanihan nang sagipin niya ang katunggali niyang Indonesian surfer na si Arip Nurhidayat.

Para sa akin, siya ang tunay na bayani at kampeon. He is a winner a thousand golds over. You can always have a chance to get a crack at the gold - but you will never have a chance to get a person's life back.

Sobrang inspiring na makita in action ang ganitong klaseng kagitingan, at konkretong halimbawa ito na maaari nating ipakita sa ating mga kabataan.

Dahil sa kabayanihan ni Roger Casugay, karapat-dapat lang na siya ang naitakdang flag-bearer sa closing ceremony ngayong Miyerkules.

In view of the foregoing, it is with utmost pride that I sponsor this resolution commending Roger Casugay for the honor he has brought to our country. Nawa'y magsilbi siyang inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan na handang kalimutan ang sarili para sa ikabubuti ng marami.

Mabuhay ka, Roger! Mabuhay ang lahat ng mga atletang Pilipino!



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has chided former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos' reported reinstatement to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as a reward for implicating her in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the present administration, attributed Ragos' recent appointment as the "best example" of how Mr. Duterte has used the rewards-system to encourage individuals to falsely testify against her.

"Ragos knows that his claim, in his testimonies before the House of Representatives, the RTC (Regional Trial Court) and the Senate, of alleged delivery of money to my residence on two occasions is a BIG LIE," she said.

"But he (Ragos) knows also, as he has reportedly bragged, that his perjured testimony is a vital thread in this administration's fabricated tapestry," she added in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 660.

Based on news reports, insiders at the NBI confirmed that Ragos has been reinstated as Deputy Director upon the orders of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, as a reward for his testimony against De Lima.

It may be recalled that Ragos, De Lima's former co-accused in the drug case, testified against the Senator before Muntinlupa RTC Branch 205 in Case 17-165 last June 7, 14, 28 and July 12 of this year.

Note that that the government prosecution filed an Amended Information that changed the crime imputed against De Lima from "illegal drug trading" to "conspiracy to trade illegal drugs", a move questioned by her and her legal counsels.

De Lima maintained that it was not a mere "amendment" but in fact replaced and substituted an entirely new Information made worse by the sudden exclusion of Ragos as a co-accused in the case.

"Kaya malakas ang loob ni Ragos na hingin kay Duterte na ibalik siya bilang NBI Deputy Director dahil na rin sa kanilang napagkasunduan ni dating Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II na ibabalik siya sa posisyon at hindi siya kakasuhan kapalit ng mga kasinungalingan niya laban sa akin," she pointed out.

The lady Senator from Bicol said the questionable move to reinstate Ragos to the NBI post only shows the desperation of the Duterte administration to pin her down on an obviously politically-motivated and trumped-up illegal drug charges.

"Notwithstanding the discovery of his money-making ventures as OIC-BuCor, Ragos was given immunity and retained in NBI, drawing salary and benefits as NBI official and benefits from the Witness Protection Program and now, he is reinstated to his previous post as Deputy Director," she said.

"From the time the DOJ withdrew Ragos's name from the Information filed in court, in exchange for a belated and newly-embellished affidavit, it was already a given that he successfully struck a deal with Duterte through Aguirre," she added.

De Lima also pointed out that the NBI, as one of the country's premier law enforcement agencies, deserves better than to be another victim of Duterte's policy of recycling discredited and corrupt public officials.

"I am sure the old-timers and honest officials and agents at the NBI don't like having Ragos around their office once again," she said.

"In the first place, the NBI was adamant in its position that Ragos should be included in the Information originally filed against us, and they protested his eventual exclusion as an accused in the fabricated drug charges filed against me," she added.

The Duterte administration has filed trumped-up charges against De Lima, a known prisoner of conscience, in an effort to prevent her from speaking up against the abuses and extrajudicial killings happening under this regime.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged Filipino youth to inspire genuine change by continuing to stand up against injustices and by using their voices to speak truth to power as disregard for human rights continue to run rampant in different parts of the world, including the Philippines.

In her message on International Human Rights Day today, De Lima said the younger generation has the power to fight against oppressive regimes like that of Mr. Duterte's administration because they were born into an era when you can easily be educated about pressing societal issues.

"Let us celebrate our young people not only because they are our hope for a just and peaceful society, but also because at an early age, they are already making strides in the promotion of democracy, equal rights and participation, freedom of expression, and sustainable development," she said.

"I call upon you [youth] to open your eyes to the truth. Inform yourselves about the issues that matter. Seize every opportunity to get involved in social causes. You are never too young to speak truth to power. Defend the victims of injustice. Stand up for human rights for your sake, and that of the generations to come," she added.

Every December 10 of every year, countries around the world commemorate International Human Rights Day, which is the same day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

UDHR is a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, and national or social origin, among others.

De Lima, a known human rights defender, however, pointed out that Filipinos should work together in defending youth from abuses and making sure that their voices are heard to ensure that they can actively and consistently participate in social causes.

"Rising authoritarian regimes and increasing vulnerability to climate change are among the signs of the times that confront the youth to speak out in defense of human rights. We should do all that we can to ensure they are heard and included. But how can the youth participate when their childhood is cut short?" she asked.

In the Philippines, the lady Senator from Bicol noted that reports confirmed that 74 children were killed in the government's so-called war on drugs, while up to 32,000 were left orphaned.

"Pushed further into poverty and carrying the stigma of losing a loved one in the extra-judicial killings, some children drop out of school, their future made more uncertain. How can we expect the Filipino youth to rise above the oppression and violence?" she asked.

With this year marking the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, De Lima called for concerted efforts among Filipinos and the government to "address the gaps in our commitment to uphold every child's right to grow up with security and happiness



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Rising authoritarian regimes and increasing vulnerability to climate change are among the signs of the times that confront the youth to speak out in defense of human rights. We should do all that we can to ensure they are heard and included.

On International Human Rights Day, let us celebrate our young people not only because they are our hope for a just and peaceful society, but also because at an early age, they are already making strides in the promotion of democracy, equal rights and participation, freedom of expression, and sustainable development. But how can the youth participate when their childhood is cut short?

In the Philippines, 74 children were killed in the government's so-called war on drugs, while up to 32,000 were left orphaned. Pushed further into poverty and carrying the stigma of losing a loved one in the extra-judicial killings, some children drop out of school, their future made more uncertain. How can we expect the Filipino youth to rise above the oppression and violence?

Instead of seeing them as victimized and exploited, children in conflict with the law are considered undeserving of better opportunities amid moves by Philippine lawmakers to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 9. What kind of national consciousness is forming inside them when society has failed to protect their rights?

With this year marking the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, let us address the gaps in our commitment to uphold every child's right to grow up with security and happiness.

To our youth, you were born into an era when you can easily become the most educated generation. I call upon you to open your eyes to the truth. Inform yourselves about the issues that matter. Seize every opportunity to get involved in social causes. You are never too young to speak truth to power. Defend the victims of injustice. Stand up for human rights for your sake, and that of the generations to come.

(Sgd.) LEILA M. DE LIMA

PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame



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Senator Leila M. de Lima is elated over today's signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11310 institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as an anti-poverty program for qualified poor Filipino families.

In her message read by her Chief-of-Staff Fhillip Sawali during the signing of 4Ps Act's IRR, De Lima said she is honored to spearhead the passage of this measure under the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development she chaired during the 17th Congress.

"Nakikiisa po ako sa inyong lahat sa mahalagang araw na ito - ang paglagda ng Implementing Rules and Regulations ng RA 11310 - 4Ps Act. Ito'y isa na namang tagumpay sa lahat ng tagataguyod ng pagsasabatas ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)," she said.

"After almost five years, the 17th Congress finally passed this measure in 2018. This would not be possible without support of the Senate leadership and the eight authors of the bill in the Upper Chamber, including my dear colleague Senator Ralph Recto as principal author of the bill," she added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held the ceremonial signing of the 4Ps Act's IRR at Park Inn Radisson in Quezon City, attended by key officials from national government agencies, international development partners, and other key Pantawid Pamilya program stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The 4Ps Act, which was signed by President Duterte last April 17, provides conditional cash grants to an estimated 4.8 million qualified indigent families for a maximum of seven years to improve their health, nutrition, and the education of their children aged 0-18.

As the principal sponsor of the 4Ps bill in the Senate, De Lima sought the invaluable inputs from various local government units and other stakeholders to ensure the measure's successful signing into law.

De Lima, who shared her and her colleagues' feat with their counterparts in the House of Representatives, also acknowledged the efforts of Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pantawid (SNPP) in tirelessly advocating for the 4Ps Act.

"Let me [a]cknowledge the efforts of one of the inspirations and drivers of this effort to institutionalize the 4Ps: Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pantawid or SNPP who closely worked with us, and who tirelessly and relentlessly advocated for this law. Masayang-masaya po akong kasama kayo sa labang ito," she said.

The lady Senator from Bicol maintained that 4Ps Act is capable of making tangible and lasting interventions in the lives of its beneficiaries and empower them to achieve the quality of lives that they deserve because it enhances opportunities, such as employment and livelihood, to qualified indigent Filipinos.

"Napakahalaga ng batas na ito. Tunay itong makakatulong sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan sa iba't ibang dako ng bansa na maitaas ang antas ng kanilang buhay, na isang malaking hakbang sa paglunas ng kahirapan," she said.

"More than any regular infrastructure investment, I strongly believe in this program because we invest in our people - in their family's health, in the education of their children and in development programs that will uplift them towards a better life that everyone deserves," she added.

De Lima said she considers the 4Ps Act as "4Ps Version 3.0," saying that the official institutionalization of 4Ps as one of regular government anti-poverty programs came with necessary reforms in program implementation.

"We broaden the sectors covered by the program, designed a more responsive cash grant scheme, put in place a streamlined and clear system of inter-agency coordination, and promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the program, among others," she shared.



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Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. called on his colleagues to support the passage of Senate Bill 1219 under Committee Report No. 26, or the "Salary Standardization Law of 2019" jointly submitted by the Committees on Civil Service, Government Organization and Professional Regulation; and Finance.

In his sponsorship speech, the veteran legislator defended that the bill will address the issue of inequality in the previous Salary Standardization Laws where majority of government employees received negligible increase while high-earning employees received hefty increase.

The proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2019 is set to benefit more than 1.4 million government employees especially those under Salary Grade 11 to 19.

This comprises 79 percent of the total government employees, including teachers and nurses.

Under the proposed measure, the salary adjustment will be given in four (4) tranches which will start in January 2020 and upon full implementation, it will increase the basic salaries by a weighted average of 23.24 percent by 2023.

In effect, it will grant the highest increase ranging from 20 to 30 percent for employees under SG 10 to SG 15, and the lowest of 8 percent for government workers under SG 23 to 33.

He added that the salary increase will help motivate government workers to improve and excel in their respective fields, and provide a sense of pride leading to more dignified responsibilities and greater accountabilities.

"Lahat ng empleyado na may mababang antas ng sahod ay hindi kumikita ng sapat para matustusan ang pangangailangan nila at ng kanilang pamilya. Gusto po naming siguruhin na maipatupad ang batas na ipapasa natin at maibibigay sa ating mga kawani ang inaasahan nilang pagtaas ng suweldo," Revilla stated.

The proposed measure adopted the DBM recommendation as approved by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte



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MANILA - Following the aftermath of Typhoon Tisoy that left P3.7 billion in damages, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Wednesday said that taxing single-use plastics is a "step in the right direction."

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved the passage of House Bill (HB) 178 or "An Act Imposing Excise Tax on Single-use Plastic Bags."

"Nakita natin kung gano kalala ang patuloy na epekto ng pabago-bagong klima dulot ng global warming at climate change, lalo ngayon matapos ang pagsalanta ng Bagyong Tisoy sa Bicol at iba pang parte ng bansa," Pangilinan said.

"Totoong problema ang climate change, lalo na sa isang pulo-pulong bansang kagaya ng Pilipinas. Kaya dapat ay bilisan natin ang pagpasa ng mga batas na makakatulong mabawasan ang epekto nito. Isa na rito ang pagpataw ng buwis sa mga single-use plastic at ang pagbabawal sa paggamit nito," he said.

If passed, HB 178 will impose a P20 tax per kilogram of plastic bags. According to the House Ways and Means Committee Chair Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, this could generate P4.8 billion in revenues for the government within a year of its implementation.

"Maaring magamit ang revenues na ito sa pagpapaigting ng Disaster Management and Risk Reduction initiatives sa ating bansa, o kaya naman ay pagpondo sa mga pag-aaral kung paano natin mapapabawas ang epekto ng climate change," Pangilinan said.

"Ngayong tapos na ang budget hearing, mayroon pang ilang nalalabing araw ng taon kung kailan maaring dinggin ang mga inihaing batas ukol sa single-use plastics dito sa Senado," he said.

Pangilinan, in July of this year, filed Senate Bill 40 or the "Single-Use Plastics Regulation and Management Act of 2019." It proposes a ban on the manufacture, importation, and use of all single-use plastics, particularly disposable plastics commonly used for plastic packaging and food items such as grocery bags, food packaging, films and bags, manufacturing water bottles, straws, stirrers, containers, Styrofoam/styros, cups, sachets, and plastic cutlery.

Recycling single-use plastics will also be incentivized.

"Malacañang na mismo ang nagsabi na pinag-aaralan na nila ang pagbabawal sa single-use plastics kung kaya't kailangan na talagang simulang dinggin ito sa Senado," Pangilinan said.

SB 40 is currently pending with the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Filipino public, especially event organizers, from ditching single-use plastics which will mostly end up in the ocean or in landfill and worsen the country's garbage problem, during Christmas parties and other gatherings this Yuletide season.

De Lima, who has consistently pushed for the nationwide ban of single-use plastics, maintained that one-time use plastics remain to be every party's biggest offenders because they not only contribute heavily to the country's garbage problem but also remain harmful for the environment and the people.

"Christmas parties and other gatherings are part of the joys of celebrating Yuletide season, but organizing festive events should remind us to consider eco-friendly alternatives in our get-togethers, especially since using single-use plastics, from straws to plastic cups to stirrers, sounds tempting for its convenience," she said.

"With more parties coming as Christmas draws near, let's all 'give love' to our environment by ditching all single-use plastics in our events and parties and instead opt for greener alternatives, such as reusable items, including those that are already available at your venues," she added.

Based on a 2017 Ocean Conservancy report, Philippines, along with China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, dump more than half of the eight million tons of plastic waste that end up in oceans every year.

The environmental group Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), meanwhile, found in its study published early this year that 60 percent of non-recyclable waste collected in several cleanup drives belong to some of the biggest manufacturing companies in the Philippines.

It may be recalled that environmental activist and former president of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa earlier warned that there would be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050, and that "microplastics are now confirmed in table salt, in fresh water, each person on the planet is believed to have plastic in their bodies."

The lady Senator from Bicol said she hopes Filipinos would not take the dangers posed by the continued use of single-use plastics for granted and try to strike a balance between having fun this holiday season and staying conscious about the roles each of us has in saving the environment. "Let's listen to Greta Thunberg," De Lima added.

"No matter how big or small our parties are this season of loving and giving, it pays to help contribute in saving our environment by reducing our party waste," she said.

"Whatever small steps or efforts we do today for our environment, as long as it is a step in the right generation, will surely benefit us and the younger generations in the years to come," she added.

Last month, De Lima welcomed the Duterte administration's decision to ban single-use plastics in the entire country to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and address the worsening nationwide garbage problem.

In expressing support for the idea, she called for concerted efforts between the government and the Filipino populace in saving the environment and mitigating climate change by eliminating the consumption of single-use plastics nationwide.



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With the sudden surge in Grab fares, Senator Win Gatchalian wants to see a logical basis why the ride-hailing firm imposes such fare matrix.

Gatchalian not only asks the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to make sure rules on surge pricing is being followed, the lawmaker also wants the transport regulator to re-assess Grab's fare matrix.

"The high fare is killing the festive mood of many Filipino commuters. We don't want to let Grab play the Grinch who stole Christmas from Juan de la Cruz because of high fare," he said.

Based on the fare matrix approved by the LTFRB last August 1, 2019, Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) companies shall charge a flag down rate of up to PHP40 for car sedans, up to PHP50 for premium Asian utility vehicles/sport utility vehicles (SUV) and up to PHP30 for hatchbacks/sub-compact vehicles.

The LTFRB also allowed a PHP15 additional charge per kilometer for sedans, PHP18 for SUVs, and PHP13 for hatchbacks--aside from the PHP2 charge per minute of travel. It also allowed TNVS companies to double their per kilometer and per minute charge through surge pricing.

Grab has explained that the company is currently "working on a very limited number of drivers to serve an exponentially high demand." On the other hand, Gatchalian wants Grab to explain why it has to impose surge pricing even in the wee hours of the morning when the demand is low and there are fewer vehicles on the road.

As a long-term solution to the problem, Gatchalian cited the importance of having and promoting real competition in the ride-hailing industry. By having real competition in the industry, Gatchalian said, Grab may be forced to lower its surge pricing as commuters will have the option to choose which service provider they will take.

While there are small players in the industry, Gatchalian admits that they cannot effectively compete with Grab's resources. That's why he encourages big players with deep pockets to enter the TNVS space in the country.

"Without competition in the hail-riding industry, our poor commuters will always be at the mercy of high fares. Kaya naman sinusuportahan natin ang pagpasok ng ibang players sa industriyang ito, gaya na lamang ng TNVS GoJek, upang may pagpipilian ang ating mga commuters at hindi sila nagtitiyaga sa mataas na singil ng pamasahe ng Grab," the senator said.

Since the departure of Uber in the country, commuters have constantly complained of high fares as a result of Grab's dominance in the industry

Delivered by Hon. Win Gatchalian, Senator of the Republic:

Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, good afternoon.

I am in high spirits as I stand before all of you this afternoon. Only a week has passed since the Philippines clinched the overall championship at the 30th Southeast Asian Games but up to now we are still elated with the historic win that our athletes delivered for our country.

By the time our athletes have hauled 149 gold, one 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals, we all knew how it felt to WIN AS ONE Mr. President, today I am proud to pay tribute to Valenzuela's athletes who took part in making history and showed our Southeast Asian neighbors that Filipino talent is truly world-class.

Let us recognize my fellow kababayans from Valenzuela who are here with us this afternoon, two of them bagged gold medals- Fernando Jose Casares in the Triathlon-Mixed Relay and Jeniel "Haze" Bata-Anon in E-sports. Four Valenzuelanos also clinched bronze medals - Noelito Jose, Jr. of the Philippine Fencing Team; Brandhon Kyrielle Aquino of the Sailing International Men's Event; Baby Jessica Canabal of the Taekwondo Women's Team; and John Michael "Amay" Pasco of the Men's Beach Handball Team.

Bilang isang mamamayan at dating alkalde ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, lubos kong pinagmamalaki ang tagumpay ng aking mga kababayan sa nagdaang SEA Games. Commending our players from Valenzuela is not just an acknowledgement of their talent and triumph but it also proved to us that hard work, determination, and love for sports have led them to greater heights. Hindi po biro, Mr. President, and pinagdaanan nilang sakripisyo sa pagsasanay para lang maiuwi ang medalya. Mas lalong hindi biro ang maging malayo sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay para lang mag ensayo.

Hindi lang po sila ang nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa akin. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa lahat ng mga taga Valenzuela na taos pusong nagbibigay ng suporta sa ating mga manlalaro.

Our very own players received an outpouring of well wishes and other forms of support from our local government officials to every kababayan on the streets of Valenzuela City. At sa kanilang pagwawagi, hindi lamang sila nag-uwi ng karangalan para sa kanilang sarili. Ang kanilang tagumpay ay tagumpay ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela at ng buong bansa.

Mr. President, our winning athletes remind us that it is time for us to write a new chapter in the history of sports development in the country. They inspire us to create a nurturing environment that will help them develop their talents, exceed their limits, and achieve their dreams.

I strongly believe that the greatest honor we can give them is to boost sports development in this country so athletes like them could reach their full potential and be well-equipped for the world stage. Let us both maintain and sustain the enthusiasm and energy we showed at the SEA Games and support the next generation of Filipino athletes.

Looking forward to the new year, I am bullish on our proposed Philippine High School for Sports that will help us develop more world class Filipino athletes.

And it is my dream to see more young Valenzuelanos develop their talents and become global athletes.

Sa mga kapwa kong Valenzuelano ng nagdala ng karangalan sa aming mahal na lungsod at sa buong bansa, alam kong malayo pa ang inyong mararating upang makapaguwi ng mas marami pang karangalan. Sa pagpapatuloy ng inyong paglalakbay, makakaasa kayong katuwang ninyo ako.

Mr. President, dear colleagues, I urge you to join me in congratulating and commending our SEA Games medalists from the City of Valenzuela who brought honor and pride to our country.

Mabuhay ang mga atletang Pinoy! Mabuhay ang mga manlalaro ng Valenzuela City!

Maraming salamat, Mr. President.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon pointed out that Senate Bill No. 1055 or the Separate Facility for Heinous Crimes Inmates Act, which was unanimously passed on third and final reading on Monday, would promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of every prisoner incarcerated in the national penitentiary.

Gordon, principal author and sponsor of the law, said that establishing a separate facility for heinous crime convicts would ensure that they would serve their sentence separately from the general population of prisoners and hence would not exert influence on them.

He added the proposed facility would also ensure the personal safety of prisoners convicted of heinous crimes, as well as the safety of other prisoners, the guards and the public.

"Heinous crime convicts should serve their sentence and be reformed separately from the general population of prisoners. Hence, this Heinous Crime Penitentiary will house the most dangerous, vicious and violent criminals. This facility will ensure the control of these criminals and give the general public a sense of security and peace of mind that they are away from those who have proven themselves depraved of basic moral aptitude necessary to live in a peaceful community," the chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights said.

Under the proposed law, the Heinous Crime Facility shall be a state-of-the-art facility with surveillance cameras, latest information and security system capable of 24/7 monitoring of prisoners, and enhanced and extensive security features on locks, doors, and its perimeters.

The facility shall be maintained and habitable at all times. Sanitary and hygienic comfort rooms shall be provided and maintained. Due regard shall be given to the mental health issues and needs of inmates. Prisoners shall have access to necessary health care services without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status.

"While it will be located at a safe and remote place that has minimal contact with civilian communities to ensure its safety and security and prevent it from possible intrusions or intruders, family and immediate relatives shall be allowed to visit the inmates, subject, however, to further rules and regulations imposed," Gordon said.



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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged an infrastructure program for the agriculture sector as part of the government's 'Build-Build-Build' program.

"Kung gusto nating maging rice self-sufficient, mamuhunan dapat tayo sa rural infrastructure bilang parte ng 'Build-Build-Build' program ng gobyerno," Hontiveros said during the Commission on Appointments confirmation hearing for the appointment of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar.

"Investment in rural infrastructure is needed to jumpstart rural development. I hope that the leadership of Sec. Dar will bring in more support for the agriculture sector to realize its full potential," she added.

The Akbayan senator detailed that rural facilities that help farmers such as irrigation maintenance, flood retardation infrastructure, farm-to-market roads, and food terminals have to be further developed to increase farmers' income and productivity.

"Expand Irrigation"

Hontiveros also backed the DA's plan to expand its irrigation programs, saying that rice sufficiency efforts will be futile if the country's irrigation systems are not able to secure adequate water supply for farmers.

"Kung walang patubig, matutuyot din ang kita at ang kabuhayan ng ating mga mamamayan. Government should not hesitate to pour more funding into programs which not only expand, improve, and rehabilitate our irrigation infrastructure, but also make it more resilient given the ongoing water crisis in many parts of the country," she said.

"Kailangan din i-repair ang mga existing irrigation systems kasi natatapon ang tubig at 'di nakaka-abot sa dulo," the Akbayan Senator also added.

DA previously reported that 1.2 million hectares of land planted to rice are yet to be irrigated. "If these lands are irrigated, we can achieve rice sufficiency. Pwedeng umani ng dalawang beses sa isang taon. Madodoble ang ani ng ating mga magsasaka," Hontiveros explained.

Given the shortages in water supply and the looming El Niño next year, Hontiveros said that intersectoral negotiations must be held so that the water needs of the agricultural sector, as well as everyday households and industries, are all met.

Hontiveros also agreed with Dar that government should immediately fix the problem of wastage of water in open canal systems used by farmers: "Every drop of water is important. Our water supply is already insufficient, so let us not waste what we have."



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Nanawagan ngayon si Senator Imee Marcos sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ipatupad ang isang unilateral ceasefire para higit na maipagdiwang ng mga sundalo na nakabase sa mga kanayunan, kabilang na ang mga sibilyan, ang darating na Kapaskuhan.

Iminungkahi ni Marcos na maaaring gawin ang unilateral ceasefire ng AFP ng dalawang araw simula sa Disyembre 24 hanggang 25 para mabigyan ng daan ang mapayapang pagdiriwang ng Pasko.

"Malaking bagay ang dalawang araw na ceasefire sa mga sundalo natin. Ang makapiling nila ang kanilang mga pamilya kahit sa loob na barracks ay sapat na para maipagdiwang nang mapayapa ang Pasko," pahayag ni Marcos.

Sinabi pa ni Marcos na kung hindi magsasagawa ng sariling ceasefire ang New People's Army (NPA) ngayong Kapaskuhan, at maglunsad pa rin ng mga pananambang, tiyak na magdudulot ito ng negatibong epekto sa kanilang hanay at magagalit sa kanila ang taumbayan.

"Walang simpatyang makukuha ang NPA kung hindi sila magsasagawa ng sariling ceasefire. Magagalit sa kanila ang taumbayan na naniniwala sa kapanganakan ni Hesu Kristo at ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko," sabi pa ni Marcos.

Kinatigan din ni Marcos ang pahayag ng Palasyo na malamang na hindi na matuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng CPP at ng pamahalaan kung patuloy na magsasagawa ng mga pananambang ang NPA na kalimitan ay ang mga sibilyan ang naaapektuhan at nadadamay.

Kaugnay nito, kinondena rin ni Marcos si Jose Maria Sison, pinuno ng mga Komunista, sa ginawa nitong pagpuri sa grupo ng NPA matapos ang pananambang sa Eastern Samar na ikinasawi ng dalawa katao at ikinasugat ng 15 iba pa na karamihan ay pawang mga kabataan.



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Fellow members of the Commission on Appointments, magandang hapon po.

Yesterday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced that beginning Monday, December 23, farmers in 33 rice-producing areas, farmers who are most affected by low palay prices due to the Rice Tariffication measure, will get an initial 5,000-peso cash grant from the government.

Mas gusto nating tawagin itong cash compensation dahil bayad ito sa pinsalang hinaharap ng mga magsasaka ngayon.

This representation has sought various relief initiatives, including this much-needed compensation, starting August - when we delivered a privilege speech on the plight of the men and women who feed the country here in the Senate.

From four months ago, we have repeatedly called attention to the calamitous effects of the Rice Tariffication Law in two resolutions, a supplemental budget bill, and a number of public statements -- all seeking to urgently address the emergency situation that has befallen our rice farmers.

This cash compensation is a good start and hopefully a start of much-needed interventions to support our farmers. We thank the man of the hour, Agriculture Secretary Willy Dar, as well as Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, for sitting down with us several times to figure out where to get the money to address this crisis they now face -- and more programmatically later.

We believe that Secretary Dar's background -- both in his personal history and in his professional experience -- would do well in the job for the benefit of millions of Filipinos who work in agriculture.

Ladies and Gentlemen, colleagues in the Commission, we stand here to co-sponsor the appointment of William D. Dar as Secretary of Agriculture.

Ipinanganak sa isang nagsasakang pamilya sa Ilocos Sur at Tarlac si Secretary Dar, bunso ng isang tatay na nagtatanim ng palay at gulay, at isang nanay na nagbebenta ng mga inani nito. The hardships and rewards of agriculture to the families who live off the land are in Secretary Dar's blood. Dahil galing sa pamilya ng mga magsasaka, may pagpapahalaga siya sa kalagayan ng ating mga nagbubungkal ng lupa at sa kanilang napakahalagang kontribusyon sa lipunan. Nabanggit kanina ni Sen. Cynthia Villar na nung bata si Sec. Willy Dar nagbebenta po siya ng kamote. Heto ang halimbawa ng isang nangangamoteng nagtagumpay.

Pero hindi lang nasa dugo ni Secretary Dar ang agrikultura, ito rin ay nasa kanyang isip at gawa, sa kanyang pinag-aralan at pinagtrabahuhan.

Secretary Dar graduated with a degree in Agricultural Education from the then-Mountain State Agricultural College, now the Benguet State University. Three years later, he graduated with a Master of Science in Agronomy from the same university. And a mere four years later, he earned his PhD in Horticulture from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños -- the youngest PhD graduate of UPLB at that time at the age of 27.

Secretary Dar is both teacher and public servant. He started his career in government service as a management technician for the DA's Bureau of Agricultural Extension in the Benguet Province, where he was also hired as a teacher at the Baguio City High School from 1973 to 1975. He likewise spent 12 years as a faculty member of his alma mater, Mountain State Agricultural College.

Malayo ang narating ni Secretary Dar sa agriculture research and development. His background in the academe fostered an appreciation and expertise in research and development. He became the first research coordinator and consortium director of the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), where he served for nine years.

He was also the first director of the Philippine Bureau of Agricultural Research. Reportedly, then Agriculture Secretary and now Finance Secretary Dominguez was so impressed by him, he was hired after a five-minute interview. In his seven years of service at the Bureau, he effectively directed the flow of the science of agriculture both as input and output.

He eventually returned to PCARRD and served as its fifth Executive Director. In this post, Secretary Dar became the Godfather of the Magsasakang Siyentista or the Farmer-Scientist Program that empowers farmers as co-developers of technology. Kinilala niya ang angking kaalaman at talino ng ating mga magsasaka.

At, hindi ito ang unang pagkakataong naging pinuno si Secretary Dar ng Department of Agriculture. He served as Acting Secretary from 1998 to 1999, whereby as earlier mentioned and we will reiterate, Philippine agriculture grew by an unprecedented 9.6%, as well as experienced a commendable 87% drop in graft and corruption incidence at the Department.

Pero hindi lang Pilipinas ang bansang nakinabang sa kahusayan ni Secretary Dar. He was named the fifth director-general of the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India, where he served for 14 years. He is the first Filipino and the first Asian to hold the said position, and he is the only Filipino who served as the head of a global agricultural research institute.

As Director-General of the ICRISAT, Secretary Dar rebranded the center from being under the bottom to a top-performing institution, receiving an Outstanding over-all performance rating from the World Bank. World Bank took notice of ICRISAT's quadrupling of income and investments from 21 million US dollars in 2000 to 85 million US dollars in 2014.

Sama-samang pagkilos at agham ang basehan ng mga solusyong isinulong ni Secretary Dar. At ICRISAT, he championed Inclusive Market-Oriented Development for the benefit of smallholder farmers, 'yung pinakamaliliit. He also advocated for a Grey to Green Revolution through Science with a Human Face in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. Kung kaya niyang magpatubo, magtanim at makapagtubo sa Africa at Asia na semi-arid na halos walang tubig, palagay natin dito sa Pilipinas mas marami siyang aanihin, ika nga. He strengthened strategic partnerships with national agricultural research systems, research institutes, NGOs, development agencies, and the private sector.

His stint in ICRISAT benefitted millions of farmers in India, Africa, and other dryland countries in the world including areas in the Philippines. Because of his service and dedication to the sector, Secretary Dar has received many awards, including The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award in 2016.

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, the good secretary requests our legislative support for his agriculture paradigm of increasing the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, an advocacy that we both share and believe will be key to addressing poverty in the counrtysides.

Since his appointment, we have worked with the DA under him for the Implementing Rules and Regulations of our Sagip Saka Act of 2019. At pareho kaming naniniwala na walang ibang batayan ng tagumpay sa agrikultura kundi ang pagtaas ng kita at kalidad ng buhay ng mga nagtatrabaho rito, ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, na siyang nagpapakain sa ating bansa.

Like a nurtured plant, this experience strengthened our belief that we can work closely and effectively with Secretary Dar as we aim to rebuild Philippine agriculture; secure the livelihood and increased incomes for our farmers, fisherfolk, and agriculture workers; and ensure that no Filipino family will ever go hungry.

With this, we support wholeheartedly the confirmation of Secretary Willy Dar. Thank you.



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Tomorrow, we celebrate International Migrants Day with special gratitude to the over 10 million OFWs who live and work in some 200 countries and territories around the world.

In many parts of the world, Filipino workers are preferred for their talent and industry. And thanks to them, we have US$27.6 billion remittances in the first ten months of the year*. This contributes to stabilizing our local economy.

Many of our countrymen abroad return home for Christmas. Because nothing is sweetest than to live in one's own country. Where is there applause on plane's landing? Only in the Philippines, because our compatriots long for homeland and loved ones.

Let's repay their sacrifices with a progressive nation so they don't need to leave their family to earn enough for their future."



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ISOLATING hardened criminals from the rest of persons deprived of their liberties (PDLs) is the best disciplinary sanction, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said as the Senate approved on final reading the bill seeking the creation of a separate facility for heinous crime inmates.

Sotto said: "It is about time that we let these hardened criminals feel the pain of isolation, the pain of being alone. This will also put a stop from these criminals from operating even behind bars."

Sotto noted that when death is imposed on criminals convicted of heinous crimes, it is their loved ones who suffer and feel the pain. "When these people die, their families are the ones who suffer. This should not be case. They should also be made to suffer from the crimes they have committed," he said.

Likewise, the Senate President said heinous crimes offenders should be deprived of the possibility, no matter how small, to continue their evil acts and influence inmates who have committed lesser crimes.

Senate President Sotto has filed a bill seeking the re-imposition of the death penalty for high-level drug traffickers.

The Sotto bill was used as the working draft for committee discussions for Senate Bill No. 1055 which the Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday.

SBN 1055 is a consolidated measure co-authored by Sotto and Senators Richard Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri proposing the establishment of a separate jail facility for criminals sentenced to life imprisonment for heinous crimes.

The proposed penitentiary shall be put up preferably within a military establishment or in an island separate from the mainland. The location should be in a secured and remote area to cut the inmates' contact from the outside world.

Three heinous crimes facilities will be put up in the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The facilities shall have modern surveillance cameras, high-tech information and security system capable of 24/7 monitoring of prisoners, and complicated security features on locks, doors, and perimeters.

Hardened criminals will be moved to the facility within a period of 30 days after the completion of the construction of the penitentiary.



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The Sin Tax Bill has moved a step forward towards becoming a law.

Members of the joint panel of the Senate and the House of Representatives approved this afternoon the bicameral conference committee report reconciling the disagreeing provisions of the sin tax bill, which seeks to raise excise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarette products in the country beginning January 1, 2020.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Pia S. Cayetano, along with House Ways and Means Committee Chair and Albay Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, led the bicam discussions held in the Senate on Wednesday that lasted for more than four hours.

Based on estimates of the Department of Finance (DoF), the approved bicam version will generate P22.2 billion in incremental revenues from alcohol and ecigs during the first year of implementation. But due to an amended provision exempting specific prescription medicines from value added tax (VAT), revenues from the measure will decrease by P5.2 billion, for a total of P17.1 billion worth of net incremental revenues for 2020.

Earmarking of revenues from higher sin taxes would be undertaken as follows: 60 percent will go to the Universal Health Care (UHC) program, 20 percent to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health, and the remaining 20 percent to programs seeking to attain the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The tax rates approved by the bicam panel are the following:

- Fermented Liquor (specific tax rate): P35 in 2020, P37 in 2021, P39 in 2022, P41 in 2023, and P43 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter.

- Distilled Spirits (specific tax rate with 22 percent ad valorem tax): P42 in 2020, P47 in 2021, P52 in 2022, P59 in 2023, and P66 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter.

- Sparkling and still wines (specific tax rate): P50 in 2020, with a 6 percent indexation thereafter.

- Heated Tobacco Products or HTPs (specific tax rate): P25 in 2020, P27.50 in 2021, P30 in 2022, and P32.50 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter

- Salt Nicotine (specific tax rate): P37 in 2020, P42 in 2021, P47 in 2022, P52 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter

- Free Base (specific tax rate): P45 in 2020, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, P60 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation thereafter

For her part, Cayetano admitted that she would have preferred the higher tax rates originally proposed under Senate Bill No. 1074. Nevertheless, the ways and means committee chair stressed that she respects the democratic deliberations that happened during the bicam, which paved the way for the bill's approval.

"As a health advocate... I have two roles: increasing the tax for purposes of UHC [and using taxation] as a deterrent to the consumption of a product that is not healthy... I had hoped [for higher tax rates], but that is how democracy works, that is how we work as a bicameral house, so the figures we have are what they are and they will still go a long way," the senator said.

"At the end of the day, I pushed [for this measure] until the very end. Pagkatapos nun, move on na. [We will] try to do a better job next time, [and] try to find additional sources," she added.

"I am the kind of person who really sets my standards high. I really wanted to find enough funding to continually support UHC and to use the price imposed on sin products, whether it's alcohol, ecig, or HTP, as a deterrent," she explained.

"My next goal will be to really have advocacies and health campaigns to help people switch to healthier alternatives, because we don't want young people, or even not so young [ones], to become addicted to a new bad habit," she continued.

Senate members of the bicam panel included Senators Imee Marcos, Ronald Dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Koko Pimentel, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.

They were joined by their House counterparts, including Deputy Speakers LRay Villafuerte, Raneo Abu, and Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Representatives Estrellita Suansing, Jack Duavit, Sheena Tan, Sharon Garin, Teodorico Haresco Jr., and Jose Antonio Alvarado.



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Mr. President, as Chairperson of the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee that discussed the proposed sin tax reform measure, I now have the privilege to report to you the approved bicam version of our bill.

These are now the rates that the bicam committee adopted:

For fermented liquor, the specific tax rates will be raised to P35 in 2020, P37 in 2021, P39 in 2022, P41 in 2023, and P43 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation in the following years.

For distilled spirits, the specific tax rates will be raised to P42 in 2020, P47 in 2021, P52 in 2022, P59 in 2023, and P66 in 2024, with a 6 percent indexation in the following years. There will also be an ad valorem tax rate of 22 percent beginning next year.

For sparkling and still wines, the fixed tax rate will be P50, with a 6 percent indexation in the following years.

For heated tobacco products or HTPs, the tax rate will be P25 in 2020, P27.50 in 2021, P30 in 2022, and P32.50 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation in the following years.

For salt nicotine, the tax rate will be P37 in 2020, P42 in 2021, P47 in 2022, P52 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation in the following years.

For free base vape products, the tax rate will be P45 in 2020, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, P60 in 2023, with a 5 percent indexation in the following years.

These rates are expected to generate P22.2 billion worth of revenues from alcohol and ecigs during the first year of implementation, minus the VAT exemption on specific prescription medicines (P5.2 billion), which will bring the net incremental revenues from the measure to P17.1 billion.

Mr. President, I would like to put on record that as Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, I had pushed for substantially higher sin tax rates under our Committee Report to meet the funding requirements for universal health care. Moreover, it is my firm belief that taxation can be an effective tool to deter the consumption of products that are deemed harmful to our people's health. All this, while balancing the interests of the various industries involved.

But we also recognize that as a bicameral body, Congress works on the principles of fair, democratic deliberations and consensus building. Having said this, I thank my fellow legislators for their input and cooperation, which will now pave the way for the ratification of this meaningful measure. I remain confident that, albeit lower than what we originally proposed, the revenues to be generated under this sin tax measure would go a long way in protecting our people's health and welfare.

Note: As manifested on the floor, the speech has been inserted into the Senate records



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Q: on Cha-cha resolution introduced by House of Representatives

SP Sotto: Ngayong 18th Congress madaming nakasalang sa aming priorities eh. Wala yan. Hindi napapag-usapan. Narinig lang namin na gusto raw ng House mag Constituent Assembly. Ang pinaka general pagkakaalam natin is pag sinabi mong Constituent Assembly, ang sinasabi sa Constitution, yung House of the Senate and House of the Representatives. Dapat ganun di ba? Pero ngayon kung umaamin naman sila na voting separately at ang gusto nila magkaroon ng Constituent Assembly katulad ng naririnig ko sa kanilang chairman na sila'y pwedeng mag Constituent Assembly sa kanila lang, eh hindi naman namin sila mapipigilang gawin yun kung gusto nila, eh di transmit nila sa amin kung anoman yung mapag-usapan nila pagkatapos. Siguro yun ang pinaka ika nga'y matino naming gawin sa usapan.

Q: Ano ibig nyo sabihin? SP Sotto: Matinong usapan. Ibig sabihin dadalhin nila sa amin eh, eh di pag-uusapan namin kung ano yung dadalhin nila sa amin, dadalhin namin sa committee , pag-uusapan dun. Ganun lang. Ibig sabihin hindi namin siguro naman babastusin yun or sasabihin pag dinala dito "ayaw namin." Gagawin naman namin yung procedure na tama. Q: Ang sinasabi ninyo, ano man ang opinyon nyo dito sa Cha-cha, susunod pa rin kayo sa proseso?

SP Sotto: Oo susundin namin yung proseso, yun ang ibig kong sabihin. Pero it's for us to, tinatanong nyo ako kung priority sa amin or napag-uusapan, hindi.

Q: Ngayon pa lang sinasabi nyo mas marami kaming dapat pagtuunan ng pansin kesa dyan. Tama ba basa naming?

SP Sotto: Oo. Ipapasa na lang namin sa committee yan na namamahala dyan, yung committee on Constitutional Amendments. Doon namin dadalhin yung usapin kung dadalhin nila sa amin yung transmittal.

Q:Sino ba namumuno nung inyong committee dyan sa Senado tungkol dito?

SP Sotto: Si Sen. Pangilinan, nasa minority.

Q: Papano ito, parang basketball ito, Pag pinasa ninyo, idi dribol yung bola, ganun ba yun?

SP Sotto: Wala namang 8-second, 24 seconds violation sa mga ano, sa committee. Pero meron huh, ibig sabihin, not this particular issue. What I mean is, as far as the rules are concerned, ganito yun. Kapag may isang bill or resolution, dinala sa committee mo, in this case let's say Constitutional Amendments, at yung committee mo hindi kumikilos, a certain time, like para kang basketball eh 24 seconds violation eh, kung hindi ako nagkakamali 60 days ata yun or 90 days na hindi kumikilos yung bill na yun sa iyo, 5 senador pwedeng pumirna ng isang sulat para i-discharge ka, i-ddischage yung bill, dadalhin sa plenary.

Q: Wala ng committee, committee pa?

SP Sotto: Wala. Isa sa 5 ang pwedeng mag sponsor nung bill or resolution. Yun ang mga paraan sa rules na, protection sa rules natin nakalagay para yung may mga gustong umupo sa isang bagay ay hindi pwede nyang gawin.

Q: Isa sa dinadahilan nung mga kongresista na nagsusulong, yun daw ating Constitution napag-iwanan na daw ng mga kapitbahay natin dito sa rehiyon at ibang panig ng mundo.

SP Sotto: Kung economic provisions lang ang pag-uusapan, marami sa mga senador na sasang-ayon, I'm sure. Kung yan ang mga pag-uusapan kasi marami na talagang pangangailangan tungkol dyan. For example, ano isa sa pinakamagandang gawin natin dito sa bansa natin ngayon, mas matindi ang development. Gumawa ka ng high-speed train or modern railroad from Pagudpod to Matnog, Sorsogon. Sino may pera para gawin yun? Let's say may mga British companies na handa, pero hanggang 40% lang sila. Sino-sinong kayang mag push ng 60% noon eh bilyon bilyones na dolyares yun. Yung mga ganun. It's just an example pero that's one of the...tapos isang bullet train from Manila to Clark, palagay mo ganun. Tapos isang matinding ship-building in the Visayas dahil puro islands dun. Yung mga ganun. Tapos bullet train in Mindanao. Puro growth corridors ang gagawin mo ngayon pero may pera ba tayo? Hindi kaya. Pero maraming handing mag-invest. Maraming foreign investors. Dito lang sa atin yung airport sa Bulacan handing-handa na yung San Miguel eh. Ewan ko kung sinong Poncio Pilatong pumipigil eh.

Q: Sabi nyo may iba kayong prayoridad at hindi kasama yan, ano-ano yun?

SP Sotto: Unang-una na dun yung Human Security Act tapos yung iba't ibang mga batas na naka-file sa amin ng mga iba't ibang mga senador na patungkol o makakatulong sa ekonomiya, sa mga pagtataas ng suweldo ng mga emplyeyado. Sa akin lang, yung pagdagdag nung 14th month pay sa mga private employees. Ang dami. Pag binasa ko sa iyo yun ay hindi bababa ng isang libo ang batas...

Q: Parang nyo ng sinabing aabutin kung hanggang kalian yang Cha-cha na yan, iba na president natin eh hindi pa mangyayari yan, pwede ba nating sabihin yun?

SP Sotto: Kung economic provisions lang ang tatargetin nila, may pag-asang mapag-usapan sa amin yun. Pero pagka pinag-usapan mo kaagad yung term limits...with due respect to them, baka naman mag-aksaya tayo ng panahon kasi sa plebisito iboboto ng tao ng "no" yan. Garantisado, magpa-survey ka. Tingnan mo, tanong mo sa taongbayan kung sino may gusto na baguhin ang term limits ng mga senador, congressmen. Self serving eh. Kung pag-uusapan yung mga term limits, form of government, mas maganda yung Constitutional Convention para hindi self-serving sa amin. Sa akin, personal ko lang na ano ito.

Q: Ang gusto yata ng mga kongresista Con-Ass eh, Constituent Assembly na kayo kayong mambabatas ang magbabago ng Constitution.

SP Sotto: Pwede nga yun kung economic provisions lang ang pag-uusapan.

Q: Legal yun, nasa Constitution ang Con-Ass

SP Sotto: Yes correct pero yun nga as I said, kung ang mga economic provisions ang pag-uusapan, pwedeng pwede talaga yun. Walang problema. O katulad nung sina-suggest dati ni Speaker Belmonte na lagyan daw, sa economic provisions, ng isang phrase na "as maybe provided by law," para pwedeng ibatas na kung ano dun yung mga pwedeng tamaan. Yung mga ganun. Pero kung hahaluan natin ng political kaagad, maraming matu-turn off eh. Yun ang problema eh. Kaya hindi magiging priority sa amin yun.

Q: Sa mababang kapulungan may timetable pa sila, narinig nyo na yun? Pagpasok daw ng Enero, Con-Ass na raw sila.

SP Sotto: Madali kasi sa kanilang gawin yun, pwede nilang gawin talaga yun kaya lang ang sinasabi ko nga, ang priorities nila ay yung kanilang mga distrito eh. Sa amin kasi, pagka nasa Senado ka na, bigla mong mare-realize na ano ka eh, nananagot ka sa mas malawak na mga kababayan natin. Kaya nga yung isa sa mga proposal nila na gawing by district yung mga senador, pakikinggan okay lang. Pero gagawin mo rin parokyal yung senador eh. Yung mga senador, kahit na mga bagong salta, bila nila nare-realize na "teka kailangan pala ang decision ko ay hindi lang mabuti para sa Ilocos Norte. Kailangan mabuti para sa Sultan Kudarat." Ganun eh. Hindi yun katulad nung "safe yung distrito ko, wala na akong pakialam sa ibang lugar, basta't magaganda sa distrito ko, pwede na, okay na ko." Yung ganung mentality, mapupunta yan doon sa gusto nilang per district din na senador. Magiging parochial ang mentality imbis na national.

Q: Salamat sa paglilinaw nyo. Sa ngayon, walang masyadong pag-asa dyan sa Senado, tama ba yun?

SP Sotto: Kung masyadong malawak ang pag-uusapan, medyo malabo sa amin. Kung ang pag-uusapan economic provisions lang, may pag-asa. Ganun lang.

Q: Babaguhin ang Constitution pero economic provisions lang?

SP Sotto: Hindi babaguhin ang Constitution. Ang ibig sabihin nun constitutional amendment lang. Yung Amerika madalas gamiting example ng mga kababayan natin, sa Amerika ganito, ganyan. Sa Amerika kahit kailan hindi pa nila ginalaw yung Constitution nila eh, ilang daang taon na yun. Ang ginawa lang nila, ina-amend nila, nag-a amend sila dun sa parang tinatawag nilang Bill of Rights, parang ganun. So pwede sa atin yun, isang mag a-amend ng Constitution, may pag-asa. Pero yung papalitan mo yung buong Constitution at ang makikinabang yung kami na mga legislator, medyo hindi gusto ng mga kababayan natin yun. We have to be sensitive with what our people want.

Q: Meron pong nagsasabi na kahit araw-araw baguhin yung Constitution, nasa pagpapatupad yan eh.

SP Sotto : Magaling yung nagsabi sa iyo nyan sapagkat noon ko pa sinasabi, hindi kailangan ng Cha-cha. Ang kailangan natin ka-cha, pareho spelling "cha cha" - character change. Yun ang kailangan natin hindi Charter change, character change.



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The Senate today adopted three resolutions congratulating and commending a number of Filipino atheletes for winning medals in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Senate Resolutions 245, 246 and 281were introduced by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Win Gatchalian respectively.

According to Zubiri, Christine Hallasgo brought honor to the country after she brought home the gold in the women's marathon held in Capas, Tarlac last December 6. He said Hallasgo added to the country's increasing gold medal harvest in the sporting meet.

Likewise, Zubiri said Sarah Noveno Dequinan made the country proud when she won the gold medal in the women's heptathlon also in Capas, Tarlac last December 8. He said Dequinan "improved the country's gold medal tally in the sporting meet."

He said Dequinan's feat had claimed a win that has eluded the Philippines since the legendary Elma Muros had achieved it in 2001.

Zubiri said both women deserve to be acknowledged for their astonishing feat in bringing honor and glory to the country by becoming champions in international sporting competitions.

"By delivering gold medals to the country in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Hallasgo and Dequinan deserve to be recognized and commended for bringing pride and inspiration to the Filipino people and for showing to the world the unrelenting spirit of Filipino excellence," Zubiri said.

For his part, Gatchalian said six athletes from Valenzuela made the Filipinos proud when they hauled in medals during the Southeas Asian Games.

He named the Valenzuelanos as Fernando Jose Casares, gold medalists, Philippine triathlon-mixed team relay; Jeniel Bata-Anon, gold medalists, Philippine Esports team-mobile legends: Bang-bang; Brandhon Kyrielle Aquino, bronze medalist, sailing international 420 men's event; Baby Jessica Canabal, bronze medalist, taekwondo women's under 53 kgs; Noelito Jose, Jr, bronze medalist, fencing men's individual epee; John Michael Pasco, bronze medalists, beach handball.

"These Valenzuelano athletes are an inspiration, not only to our people but also to our leaders who shall continue to build a city and a home that will allow them to develop their talents, exceed their limits and achieve their dreams," Gatchalian said.



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The Senate, on Monday night, passed on third and final reading a measure increasing taxes on alcoholic drinks, heated tobacco products and vapor cigarettes.

With 20 senators voting in favor, the Body approved Senate Bill No. 1074, which is projected to yield an additional P20 billion to P24 billion yearly, on top of the more than P100 million being collected from taxes on so-called "sin products."

In the approved Senate version, P26 will be the specific tax for distilled spirits and alcopops in 2020 plus 50 percent of the net retail price (NRP). By 2021, the specific tax will be P30 plus 50 percent NRP. It will be adjusted to P33 plus 50 NRP in 2022; P37 and P41 plus NRP in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

For sparkling wines, the measure seeks to impose a specific tax of P50 for 750 milliliter bottle with a NRP of P500 or more beginning next year. By 2021 onwards, the P50 rate will be increased annually by six percent.

For still wines and carbonated wines, the same P50 specific tax rate will be imposed next year and it will have a six percent increase beginning 2021.

In the case of fermented liquor, a+ specific tax rate of P35 per liter will be imposed next year and it will have a yearly P2 per liter increase until it reaches P43 in 2024. By 2025 onwards, it will have an annual increase of six percent. The Senate version adopted the amendments made by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto on the excise tax rates of heated tobacco products (HTPs), imposing P22.50 per pack next year, P25 in 2021, P27.50 in 2022 and P30 in 2023.

From 2024 onwards, the P30 excise tax rate for HTPs will have an annual increase of five percent.

For vape products, proposed rate is P45 per 10 milliliter and the rate is to increase by P5 per year until it reaches P60 in 2023.

By 2024 onwards, the P60 tax rates will be increased annually by 5 percent under SB 1074.

The measure will have vape products in the same tax rates as conventional tobacco products which will have a P45 per pack excise tax next year.

Senators moved to scrap the proposed imposition of excise taxes on the tobacco heating systems and vapor products device as they viewed this difficult to implement administratively.

Amendments also introduced during Wednesday night's deliberations include the imposition of higher penalties to those who will engage in illicit trade of HPTs and vape products.

The penalties will be 10 times higher than what is provided in the existing laws or from P50,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment of two years to four years.

Senators also included a provision restricting the selling of vape products to those 21 years old and below.

The approval came less than a month after President Duterte certified the immediate enactment of the measure, citing the urgent need to generate additional revenue to support the effective implementation of Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act that he signed into law last Feb. 20.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, Senate Ways and Means Committee chair, underscored the need to augment funds for the UHC Law which the Department of Finance (DOF) projected to have a funding gap of P63 billion in its first year of implementation.



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Senate Committee on Civil Service Chairman Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. today expressed his gratitude to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte after he certified the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 as "urgent."

The veteran legislator who principally sponsored the measure last week garnered the support of his fellow lawmakers in passing Senate Bill 1219 under Committee Report No. 26 jointly submitted by the Committees on Civil Service, Government Organization and Professional Regulation; and Finance.

Bong Revilla, in sponsoring the bill, expressed that it will address the issue of inequality in the previous Salary Standardization Laws where high-earning employees greatly benefitted while the majority of government employees receiving basic take home pay only received little increase.

The proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2019 is set to benefit more than 1.4 million government employees especially those under Salary Grade (SG) 11 to 19, comprising 79 percent of the total government employees, including teachers and nurses.

Under the proposed measure, the salary adjustment will be given in four (4) tranches beginning January 2020. It will increase the basic salaries by a weighted average of 23.24 percent upon completion by 2023.

In effect, it will grant the highest increase ranging from 20 to 30 percent for employees with SG 10 to SG 15, and the lowest of 8 percent for government workers under SG 23 to 33. This means that the base pay of government employees under SG 11 to 19 will increase to as much as P 6,000 after the implementation of SSL within a span of four (4) years.

"Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa ating mahal na Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte dahil ang pagsertipika niya ng "urgent" dito sa SSL V ay isang patunay ng kanyang tapat at seryosong paninindigan na patuloy iangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan tulad ng kanyang ipinangako noong kanyang



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Hindi sapat ang aksyon ng mga sangay ng pamahalaan na dapat tumutok sa problema ng Banaue Rice Terraces sa Ifugao.

Ito ang sinabi ni Senator Imee Marcos matapos lumabas ang ulat ng United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization o FAO na umabot sa "very critical stage of deterioration" -- ang Banaue Rice Terraces na dating isa sa mga ipinagmamalaking yaman ng Pilipinas.

"Nananawagan ako sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Ifugao, sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources, sa Department of Tourism at maging sa Department of Agriculture, magtulungan tayo rito. Pangalan ng bansa ang nakataya rito," giit ni Marcos.

Nagpahayag din ng pangamba si Marcos, chair ng Senate Comittee on Cultural Communities, na baka tuluyang mabura sa mapa ng Pilipinas ang Banaue Rice Terraces na isa sa napapabilang sa UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"Aksyunan ninyo agad! Kailan pa tayo kikilos, kung tuluyan na itong nawasak? May panahon pa tayo, gawan natin ng paraan! Ipaalam natin sa publiko kung anu-ano ang gagawin nating habang, " pagdidiin pa ni Marcos.

Lumabas sa ulat ng FAO na ilan sa mga dahilang nakita kung bakit nasisira ang Banaue Rice Terraces ay ang environmental degradation o pagkasira ng kalikasan, unregulated development at neglect o napapabayaan dahil sa urbanisasyon.

Batay pa sa datos, mula sa 1,670 ektarya nito na mga lupang pang-agrikultura, 600 ektarya rito ay abandonado at ngayon ay nangangailangan ng rehabilitasyon.

Iminungkahi ni Marcos ang paglalatag ng isang komprehensibong plano at paghingi ng tulong sa mga eksperto para matalakay at masolusyunan ang problema rito.

"May paraan kung talagang aaksyunan. Magsabi kayo kung kailangan niyo ng tulong, may pondo ang gobyerno. Wag band-aid solution! Yung pang-matagalang solusyon dapat."

"Kultura at kasaysayan natin ang posibleng mawala pag tuluyang pinabayaan at masira ang Banaue Rice Terraces. Pinagmamalaki nga natin yan! Tinuturo pa sa mga aklat ng mga estudyante. Eto nga, wag naman sana umabot na sa huli tayo magsisi," hirit pa ni Marcos.

Delayed justice is not necessarily justice denied in the Maguindanao massacre case.

Considering the number of respondents involved, not to mention the power and influence of local politics with undeniably strong connections with the national government at least at the time the ambush-slaying of 58 victims was perpetrated, the judge who conducted the trial deserves high commendation and gratitude from the judiciary and the whole nation as well.

Without doubt, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has immensely contributed to a renewed trust and confidence in the people of the administration of justice in our country. I am certain that she went through tremendous pressure and threats during the conduct of the trial. I therefore take my hat off to Judge Reyes for her courage and integrity.



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Delayed justice is not necessarily justice denied in the Maguindanao massacre case.

Considering the number of respondents involved, not to mention the power and influence of local politics with undeniably strong connections with the national government at least at the time the ambush-slaying of 58 victims was perpetrated, the judge who conducted the trial deserves high commendation and gratitude from the judiciary and the whole nation as well.

Without doubt, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes has immensely contributed to a renewed trust and confidence in the people of the administration of justice in our country. I am certain that she went through tremendous pressure and threats during the conduct of the trial. I therefore take my hat off to Judge Reyes for her courage and integrity.



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Those behind the daily killings in the brutal drug war launched by this Administration should take today's Ampatuan Massacre Guilty Verdict to heart.

The killing of the innocent, the slaughter of the hapless, mass murder must be, will be punished.



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Justice came to the families of the victims and the Filipino people with this initial victory after 10 excruciating years.

We hail the court for siding with truth. We salute the prosecution team and the witnesses for their unwavering courage. We stand with the families of the victims and support groups for their fortitude.

The case is proof that no one can escape the long arm of the law.

Let us continue to be vigilant to see through this case to its final judgment.



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The Senate adjourned its Session Wednesday, December 18, to go on a one-month legislative break during the holidays. Regular sessions will resume on January 20, 2020, Monday.

Topping the list of the Senate's accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress, is the passing of the P4.1 trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which the Upper Chamber ratified and adopted last week.

"We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record number of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget," Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said.

"The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared from the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year. The re-enacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019," he added.

From the start of the 18th Congress last July 22 till December 17 of this year the senators had filed a total of 1,241 bills and 281 resolutions.

The Senate successfully passed Republic Act No. 11462, the first law passed by the 18th Congress, principally sponsored by Sen. Marcos. It postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections formerly scheduled for next year and moved these to December 5, 2022 for which the government would have allocated P5.77 Billion, according to the Commission on Elections. This was followed by the Malasakit Center Act (R. A. No. 11463), principally sponsored by Sen. Bong Go, that will establish Malasakit Centers in all government-owned hospitals of which 54 have been established, the most recent was in Antipolo, Rizal.

The Senate passed the following on Third and Final Reading: the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Act (SBN-1122), the Night Shift Differential Pay (SBN 643), the National Transportation Safety Board Act (SBN 1077), an Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own, Permit to Carry and Registration of Firearms (SBN 1155), the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SBN 1219) and Establishment of Separate Facilities for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes (SBN 1055), Amending the National Internal Revenue Code by Increasing the Excise Tax on Alcohol, Heated Tobacco and Vapor Products and for other purposes (SBN 1074), among others.

Also approved by the Senate was House Bill No. 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).

It also adopted 35 Resolutions, noteworthy of which is Senate Resolution No. 22 that expressed the sense of the Senate opposing liberalization of the sugar industry in order to protect the livelihood of millions of sugar workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries; SRN 18 recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and Republic of Korea relations; SRN 8, reconstituting the special committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.

"We went head on against negative issues by steadfastly tackling serious issues afflicting the country's jails, the illegal drugs problems, rising HIV cases and the decline in incomes of rice farmers and hograisers due to calamities, diseases and import liberalization. However, the first four months also saw the Senate positively united in support of the stellar performance of our athletes with Resolutions filed to honor athletes in windsurfing, arnis, weightlifting, wushu, among others, during the recently concluded South East Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. Indeed, it was a productive six months of 2019," concluded Zubiri.



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This decision restores faith in the justice system. I salute Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes for her dedication and her courage to stand for what is right and just.

We hope that our authorities continue to account for the other accused who have yet to be arrested and tried



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has asserted that the unwavering support she is receiving from US lawmakers condemning her continued illegal detention is another strong proof that the drug charges against her by the government are bogus and politically motivated.

De Lima, a known prisoner of conscience, pointed out that the US senators who denounced her unjust detention and vouched for her integrity "are learned and well-informed statesmen and women" who will not support her if they doubt her innocence.

"I say with utmost candor that this strong, and resoundingly unanimous and bipartisan support for me and my causes from the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and earlier, from the Appropriations Committee, is further proof of the fakeness of the charges against me," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 675.

"Kung may natitira pang duda na ako ay inosente, at biktima lamang ng pamumulitika at personal na paghihiganti ng mga tinamaan ng aking pagganap sa aking tungkulin at pagsisilbi sa Bayan nitong nakaraang mahigit sampung taon - burado na po iyon dahil sa malinaw, matapang at matinding suportang ito," she added.

Senate Resolution 142, principally authored by Sen. Edward Markey and unanimously passed by 21 bipartisan committee members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, calls on the Philippine government to "immediately release Senator De Lima, drop all charges against her, [and] remove restrictions on her personal and work conditions."

The resolution also adopted amendments introduced by US Sen. Benjamin Cardin that involved the call for US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to government officials responsible for orchestrating De Lima's arrest and prolonged detention, among others.

Last April 4, Markey filed SR 142, along with Sens. Marco Rubio, Richard Durbin, Marsha Blackburn, and Chris Coons. It was also sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley, Tina Smith, Patrick Leahy, Brian Schatz, Dianne Feinstein, Cardin, and Cory Booker.

"The unanimous support of all the 21 bipartisan members of the US Foreign Relations Committee puts the final nail on the coffin of the blatant lie that Duterte uttered, and shared with certain Philippine Senators during a dinner in 2017, that the intel reports about my alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade came from the US. He lied to the Filipino people to their face," said De Lima.

Last Sept. 27, it may also be recalled that the US Senate Appropriations Committee also approved an amendment to the US Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that seeks to deny entry to US of any Philippine government official involved in De Lima's "wrongful imprisonment." The amendment was filed by Sens. Durbin and Leahy.

De Lima maintained that top US policy and law makers from both the Democratic and Republican parties are well-aware about the fakeness of the drug charges against her because they have access and are privy to critical and confidential information affecting US relations with other countries.

"[They] would not set aside their political differences and unanimously go out on a limb to support me, and stake their reputation, if they harbored even a hint of doubt about my innocence," she said.

"[They] have access to considerable networks of contacts and sources of information. Hindi sila tataya para sa isang nakakulong na Senadora mula sa Pilipinas kung may katiting silang duda na baka totoo ang mga paratang sa akin," she added.

De Lima said she believes that the US lawmakers have come together to support her not just because of the injustice done to her, "but more importantly because of the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, and its impact on our democracy."



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the government to strengthen international cooperation and foster a culture of solidarity in the country to ensure lasting peace, security and prosperity for the entire Filipino populace.

In her message on International Human Solidarity Day today (Dec. 20), De Lima also encouraged Filipinos to always show kindness to other people and not be indifferent towards the issues other people, including those suffering from poverty, are facing.

"As we mark the International Human Solidarity Day, let us remind ourselves that pressing challenges such as climate change and growing inequality confront us to take collective action. We need to be able to count on each other, that those who are capable are always ready to help out those in need," she said.

"Lagi po nating ipamalas ang pagbubukas-palad at mabuting pakikipagkapwa-tao. Sapagkat sa ating malasakit at matibay na pagbubuklod, mas naitatama ang mali, at mas lumalakas ang ating hanay para labanan ang mga tiwali at mapang-abuso," she added.

The United Nations' (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is held every Dec. 20 of every year to celebrate unity in diversity, remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements, and raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity, among others.

It is also celebrated to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty eradication, and encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

Amid the issues confronting the nation, De Lima said she hopes Filipinos would always remember to practice in their own simple ways the popular local custom of "bayanihan" or the communal spirit of working together to achieve a common end.

"As in the image of rural folks helping a family relocate their traditional house by putting bamboo poles underneath it, lifting it on their shoulders and moving together as one, let us stand united in realizing our shared goals," she said.

"In the wake of recent disasters in the Philippines, Typhoon 'Tisoy' (Kammuri) and a series of earthquakes in Mindanao, we have seen Filipino volunteers, both young and old, offer assistance to the affected communities. Such acts of kindness and compassion bolster our faith in humanity," she added.

Whenever people exert efforts to strive for equity and social justice for everyone, De Lima, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, shared that "a just and better world" is achievable.

"Given the interconnectedness of global issues--rapid population growth, food and water scarcity, infectious diseases, refugee crisis, and poverty--we cannot afford to be short-sighted and narrow-minded," she said.

"Let us not be indifferent to the plight of others nor risk the future of succeeding generations," she added.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go told members of the media today, December 19, that President Rodrigo Duterte continues to closely monitor the situation in Davao del Sur as aftershocks still occur after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the region on December 15.

"Parating naka-monitor ang Pangulo dahil tuloy tuloy ang paglindol doon," Go said adding that national government agencies have already been deployed in quake-hit areas.

"Handa silang (national government agencies) makipag-coordinate sa mga LGUs doon," Go shared.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's (NDRRMC) report as of 4:00PM of December 18, a total of 826 aftershocks were already recorded, 86 of which were felt.

The report also indicated that a total of 29,592 families in 105 barangays in the Davao region have been affected, of which 3,076 families are currently taking temporary shelter in 24 evacuation centers. As for casualties, eleven people have been reported dead and one is still missing, while 195 are injured. Hundreds of buildings and infrastructures were also damaged.

On his end, Go plans to visit again evacuation centers this coming weekend and check on the situation of the families affected by the disaster.

"Ako naman, plano kong pumunta doon pag-uwi ko sa weekend para bumisitang muli," Go said. The senator also expressed his concern for the affected kids and their welfare.

"Traumatized talaga ang mga bata doon. Plano ko sila ipasyal sa Davao para makalimutan ang traumang nangyari sa kanila," Go added.

The senator has been advocating for the establishment of a dedicated and enhanced department that will deal with disaster preparedness measures and policies in the country. Earlier this year, Go filed Senate Bill 205 which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience that is empowered, highly-specialized, responsive and with clear unity of command in times of calamities and natural disasters. In previous interviews, the senator constantly reiterated the need for the country to have a solely dedicated department that will have proper and efficient planning with quick response in conducting rescue operations.

Go will also bring immediate relief assistance to the families in the evacuation centers. Previously, his office extended support to the victims of series of earthquakes in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur since November, such as tents, food packs and other relief assistance. He also offered to help children cope with the trauma by bringing them to Davao City.

"Magdadala din ako ng kaunting tulong at pakinggan ang mga hinanaing nila," Go shared. He added, "Gusto kong mag-iwan ng ngiti at saya sa mga kababayan kong apektado kahit alam kong nagdadalamhati sila at nahihirapan sa sitwasyon ngayon."



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Despite challenges, 2019 is still a year for women and health.

This was the statement of Akbayan Risa Hontiveros on Friday as the Senate adjourned its Session for the holidays. "Marami man ang naging hamon, mas maraming batas ang napagtagumpayan para sa kababaihan at sa kalusugan," Hontiveros claimed, noting the passage of landmark laws for women's rights and better health services.

In 2019, during the tail-end of the 17th Congress, Hontiveros successfully led the passage of eight ( new landmark laws. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Hontiveros ushered the passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law or Republic Act No. 11210 which expanded working Filipinas' paid maternity leave from the original 60 days to 105 days.

"It is now the policy of the State to give mothers our due. Mas makakapagpahinga mula sa panganganak, mas maaalagaan si baby", Hontiveros declared. The law, signed by President Duterte in February this year, was an 'historic legislation', she also added. "Mula sa pagiging kulelat sa Southeast Asia sa bilang ng paid maternity leave days, tayo na ngayon ay pumapangalawa, kasunod ng Vietnam", she explained.

In July this year, the Philippines also passed the Bawal Bastos Law or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313) which penalizes gender-based harassment and abuse in public spaces. "2019 is the year we say goodbye to boy bastos", Hontiveros, who served as the law's principal author and sponsor, declared.

This year also saw the passage of the Universal Healthcare Act or RA 11223, signed by the President in February. The measure institutionalizes universal healthcare coverage for all Filipinos.

"Ang mga Pinoy hindi dapat namumulubi kung may sakit," urged Hontiveros who co-authored and co-sponsored the measure with former Senator JV Ejercito. "The law will primarily close the gaps in the health service delivery in the country. Ngayon, lahat na may PhilHealth, may kayang magpatingin sa doktor, at mas mura ang pagpapagamot", she also added.

Some of the laws authored by Hontiveros that passed this year are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act (RA 11310), the act on mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disabilities (RA 11228), the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act (RA 11188), the Simulated Birth Rectification Act (RA 11222), and the Speech Language Pathology Act (RA 11249).

During the year, Hontiveros also secured the provision of billions of pesos of public funds to expand government programs on health and other basic services following her interventions in the 2020 General Appropriations Act.

"We're putting our money where our mouth is. Sinigurado nating sapat ang pondo para matugunan ang mga problema sa kalusugan", Hontiveros said, noting that her efforts led to the allotment of P400 million for purchase of anti-retroviral drugs against HIV, P250 million additional funding for anti-tuberculosis treatment programs, and P50 million for polio and pneumonia surveillance programs.

"Inayos din nating may pondo para matulungan ang ating mga magsasaka at mga informal settler families", she added. Her interventions led to at least P3 billion assistance to rice farmers as direct financial assistance, and the provision of up to 18,000 housing units for informal settler families.

For the 18th Congress, the Akbayan Senator filed a total of 48 Senate bills, including the Strengthened Anti-Hospital Detention Bill, and 22 Senate resolutions covering various issues and advocacies, including urging immediate assistance to rice and sugar farmers and the protection of indigenous communities.

"This year was tough, but Filipinos are tougher", Hontiveros said. "We have achieved so much, pero tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho. Sa 2020, dadamihan pa natin ang mga batas na talagang tutulong sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino," she concluded.



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