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While the Bureau of Immigration's reshuffle of its airport personnel may be a step in the right direction, it will have little success if it does not eradicate greed and corruption.

The huge payoffs involved in the racket or scheme in the BI have been going on for quite some time. It is not a consequence of low pay and lack of overtime benefits, but of greed and corrupt attitudes of government workers who are clothed with the power and authority that go with their positions.

Suspension or termination of overtime pay and non-inclusion in the salary hike of other government employees should never be a reason for corrupt BI personnel to justify the illegal acts they commit to augment their income. That is crap, and I am not buying it.

Noong pumasok kami bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno, alam naman namin ang mga limitations, even sacrifices, as well as the benefits that go with being in public service. But even the so-called benefits are governed by rules and regulations, and should not put us above our counterparts in the private sector.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, stated Friday that an investigation on the influx of Chinese nationals in the Philippines might be scheduled next week.

"We're still preparing for the hearing. Mga next week, I'm going to call a hearing just to start it para may quorum ako. I just said, I'm going to look into it, but I'm not making any judgement," Gordon said in an interview.

Gordon also expressed concern over "inordinate amount of money" being brought into the country by the Chinese. He said, there are about $180 million in cash that was transported from China from December 2019 to February this year.

"That's too much. Sa Hong Kong nila dinadala kase walang currency control. AMLA (Anti-Money Laundering Act) should check. They declared it so, dapat lang, i-check nila. It could go to the banking system, it could go to the casino, and how much thousands are being paid by the casinos kung ganyan kalaki ang volume?" Gordon said.

Based on the records of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Chinese who brought huge amount of money claimed that they would use it for travel and casino, while others said, they would expend it for investments.

"This is very alarming. So many foreigners are coming into the country with this huge amount of money. Definitely, this is money laundering. It's tragic that we have an anti-money laundering law, but our country is used by other people," Gordon said.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go expressed his full support for the Executive Order (EO) that regulates e-cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products.

EO No. 106, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed earlier, prohibits the importation, manufacture, distribution, marketing, and sale of unregistered electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS), heated tobacco products (HTPs) and other novel tobacco products.

The EO also amends EO No. 26 issued in 2017 particularly on the (i) coverage as to include ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs, other novel tobacco products and their components; (ii) expanded list of prohibited acts; (iii) standards of designated smoking/vaping areas; (iv) expansion of duties of persons-in-charge; (v) expansion of the smoking cessation program to include vaping; and (vi) expansion of the mandate of the Smoke-Free Task Force to include vapes.

"Maganda na mayroong mas mahigpit na regulasyon na ngayon ang ating otoridad na may kaugnayan sa lahat ng uri ng e-cigarettes," Go expressed in a statement.

"Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Health, suportado ko ang mga polisiya na naglalayong mas maprotektahan ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan. Mahalaga ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino at ito ang tanging puhunan natin para sa magandang kinabukasan," Go affirmed.

The Senator, who initially spoke about recommending to the President the need to regulate e-cigarettes or vape, said that the President has already made a decision and has issued an executive order.

"Noong nakaraan, nagbigay ako ng aking stand na dapat i-regulate 'yung vape dahil para sa akin, importante po ang kalusugan. Sa ngayon, may desisyon na po ang ating Pangulo at maglalabas na ng executive order," Go said.

The Department of Health (DOH) has been pushing for a ban on e-cigarettes, stating that there is still no evidence to support claims that the devices do not cause harmful effects on human health nor are they a better alternative to conventional nicotine products, such as tobacco cigarettes.

Go explained that smoking, in all forms and manner, is a public health issue and it adversely affects almost everyone around a smoker, even those who do not smoke at all. He said that this poses serious health risks and anyone admitted for smoking-related illnesses, particularly those with limited financial capacity, also puts pressure on government resources related to healthcare.

According to Go, he supports the President's decision to regulate such products as the health of Filipinos should always be a top consideration in crafting policies regarding those products. He stressed the need for the public to be more cautious in using these products because of the limited knowledge available on its potential adverse effects.

"I echo the advice of health officials and experts for the public to refrain from using vapes or e-cigarettes as the knowledge on the products is still limited," he said.

"Klaruhin ko lang po para sa kaalaman ng publiko na ang vaping ay posibleng makasama sa kalusugan, lalo na kapag menor de edad ang gumagamit. Posibleng makasama pa rin po iyan sa kalusugan at nakakabahala rin ang epekto nito sa katabi o kasama ng gumagamit," Go explained further.

Go expressed his concern on how the unregulated use of these products easily reached the hands of minors and posed health risks to communities.

"We will not allow the unregulated use of these products and how it is easily accessed by minors. Bibigyan natin ng importansya ang kapakanan ng kabataan at karapatan ng katabi o kasamahan na apektado na mabuhay ng matiwasay at malusog. Hinihikayat ko kayo na iwasan ang paggamit ng ganitong produkto dahil ang ganitong uri ng bisyo ay sanhi ng adiksyon at posibleng makakaapekto sa katabi o kapwa tao," Go said.

The Senator also said that, as the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, it is his duty to ensure that necessary health services as well as information and regulations on health concerns are easily accessible to protect the Filipino people.

"This is one of our priorities in the Senate and I will not hesitate to sponsor such measure that would regulate e-cigarettes in the country," he said.

The senator also emphasized that between profit and health, the health safety and security of Filipinos remain his top priority.

"Between profit ng negosyante o kalusugan ng Pilipino, pipiliin ko po palagi ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin ng administrasyong ito na magiging ligtas ang kanilang buhay at hindi madadamay ang iba sa bisyo ng iilan," Go shared.

The EO also provides that all e-liquids, solutions or refills forming components of ENDS/ENNDS or HTPs shall be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Meanwhile, all devices forming components of ENDS/ENNDS or HTPs shall be subject to the product standards imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and FDA. Other novel tobacco products shall be regulated by the Inter-Agency Committee-Tobacco (IAC-T).

The EO further provides that all establishments engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing and sale of these products will be required to secure a License to Operate from the FDA.

The EO also prohibits the entry/importation of unregistered or adulterated ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs or components thereof and directs the FDA and DTI to coordinate with the Bureau of Customs on the guidelines for the regulation of the entry of products or their components into the Philippine market.

Some prohibited acts stated are (1) smoking/vaping within enclosed public places and public conveyances, except in Designated Smoking/Vaping Areas (DSVA); (2) for persons-in-charge to allow, abet or tolerate smoking/vaping in places outside of DSVAs; (3) for any person to sell, distribute or purchase tobacco products to or from minors, or ENDS/ENNDS, HTPS, or their components to or from persons below 21 years old; among others.

It also prohibits placing any form of advertisement of tobacco products, ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs, or their components outside the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments; failure to mark containers and packages of ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs, and the components thereof, with appropriate health warnings; and incorporating e-liquids, solutions and refills with flavors and additives that are proven or suspected to be appealing or enticing to persons below 21 years of age, toxic, harmful, addictive or sensitizing.



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Senator and Senate Committee on Health chair Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go shared on Friday, February 28, that children suffering from various liver diseases will no longer need to go abroad for liver transplant after a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to perform the procedure in the country was signed in Malacañan on Wednesday, February 26.

During a DZRH radio interview, Go mentioned that last year, he and President Rodrigo Duterte joined in the efforts to help babies with biliary atresia undergo liver transplant in India.

"Noong nakaraang taon maraming lumapit sa amin. May mga anak ng sundalo, baby pa at kailangan daw ng operasyon sa liver. Gusto silang dalhin sa India para doon ipa-opera kaya naman pinadala namin doon," Go said.

Go was referring to Eren Arabella Crisologo from Butuan City and Dionifer Zephaniah Itao from Cebu who are both suffering from biliary atresia.

Biliary atresia is an uncommon liver disease that occurs in infants. It can be deadly if not treated with surgery. Usually discovered shortly after birth, it affects the bile ducts.

The most common type is perinatal biliary atresia. It appears when a baby is less than a month old. Fetal biliary atresia, a rare type, develops while the baby is still inside the mother's womb.

In June of 2019, both babies Eren and Dionifer had flown together with their parents to Apollo Hospital in India for the needed medical operation.

"May mga lumapit din sa akin sa Taguig, sa Cebu. 'Yung sa Taguig, naging successful (ang operasyon). 'Yung sa Cagayan, 'di nag-survive, anak din ng sundalo. Sa kakahingi ng tulong, donasyon, kawawa ang mga kababayan natin," he further said, adding that the recent MOA gives liver patients, particularly babies and children, access to liver transplant in the country.

In 2018, Go met Xia Kazumi Ngo from Taguig City who was then suffering from biliary atresia. She underwent medical procedure in India and is in healthier state now. "Meron na rin po kaming natulungan noon, taga-Taguig, and it was a success story. Ngayon po 'yung bata very jolly, naglalakad, masaya, malusog na po," Go said.

"'Pag pumunta ang mag-asawa sa ibang bansa para ipa-opera ang anak nila, may mga anak sila rito na napapabayaan. Walang mag-aalaga. Pagdating sa India, embahada lang ang makakausap nila dun. Kaya naman nakiusap kami sa mga magagaling na doctors na kayang mag-opera at gustong tumulong," Go said.

Under the MOA, which the Department of Health (DOH) signed with the Philippine Children's Medical Center (PCMC) and The Medical City (TMC), a consortium will be formed where the government hospital will identify qualified patients for the procedure, the private hospital will perform the transplants and the DOH will reimburse the expenses through the PCMC.

"Hindi nababayaran ang lungkot dahil ang layo ng India at nandito ang mga naiwan mong anak. 'Yan ang short-term solution natin. Medyo mahal daw dito ng konti, (pero sa tulong ng Malasakit Center), makakahingi ka ng tulong sa iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno," he added.

Considered to be the most feasible immediate solution, the consortium takes advantage of an existing partnership between the PCMC and TMC and will last until National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) is capable of solely performing pediatric and adult living donor liver transplantation.

Go also shared that the government plans to further capacitate the NKTI by acquiring equipment for and developing the facilities of NKTI and sending its specialist staff to Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital (KCGMH) in Taiwan for training. This serves as part of the program's long-term solution.

"May planong ayusin ang kapasidad ng NKTI, gaya na paglalagay ng equipment at ipapadala mula sa NKTI sa Taiwan ang mga doktor dito para mag-training para mas maging maalam sa pag opera," he said.

The government will spend P58.1 million for the equipment that NKTI needs and P1.3 million for a batch of twelve specialists who will be trained for one to two months in Taiwan. Each specialist will have to serve at NKTI for two years in exchange for the training.

Go also said that children with liver disease are the primary beneficiaries of the program in the meantime, saying, "Maselan ang operasyon sa kanila. May hindi nagsu-survive. Gawin natin ang lahat para ma-operahan at gumaling sila."

Asked if the treatment is a hundred percent free, Go said that patients may seek help from concerned government agencies.

"I-assess ng mga agencies sa kanilang kakahayan ang maaari nilang maitulong. Basta huwag silang mawawalan ng pag-asa," he said.

Based on Go's previous suggestions, the PCMC will work out a possible assistance arrangement with the DOH through the agency's Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) Program. The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) will also map out other sources of assistance and arrange a meeting with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and private partners.

Go also said that the patients can avail themselves of the services of Malasakit Centers, one-stop shops that streamline medical and financial assistance from PhilHealth, DOH, DSWD and PCSO.

The Senator added that the signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 104 dated February 17, 2020, which regulates the prices of select drugs, including essential medicines most commonly prescribed to patients, will further lessen the medical expenses of Filipinos.

"Napirmnahan na ang EO 104. Dati, may mga medisina na ang mahal, ibinebenta na hihigit pa sa amount nito. Ngayon, meron na tayong (set) price, hindi pwedeng lumampas dito. Balansehin natin ang profit ang kapakanan ng pasyente," he said.

EO No. 104 imposes Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and Maximum Wholesale Price (MWP) on "select drugs and medicines totaling to 86 drug molecules or 133 drug formulas" annexed to the order.

The EO also orders representatives from DOH and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to "convene and review" the prices of the remaining 36 drug molecules or 72 drug formulas previously proposed to be included in the MRP and MWP list.

"Healthcare is a right, not a commodity," Go regularly emphasizes. He also said that he is supporting the initiative to control the prices of select drugs and medicine as "an advocate of universal healthcare access for all Filipinos" and "to ensure that our countrymen and women gain easier access to cheaper quality medicines."

Ending the interview, Go said "huwag kayong magpasalamat sa aming dahil trabaho namin 'yan. Pera n'yo 'yan, ibinabalik lamang namin sa inyo," he said.



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Senator Win Gatchalian has filed Senate Resolution No. 330 to conduct an inquiry on the electrification of public primary and secondary schools across the country.

A September 2019 data from the Department of Education (DepEd) showed that there were 1,664 public primary and secondary schools nationwide that remain unenergized, affecting a total of 380,529 students.

The lawmaker believes that the complete electrification of public primary and secondary schools in the country will result in the improvement of Filipino students' performance in schools.

According to the 2014 research conducted by the Institute of Development Studies, the electrification of school resulted in more hours of study since children and adults can read even during the evening. Also, performance indicators of schools and students tended to show direct long-term effects like better educational attainment if their schools are electrified.

A similar 2014 study conducted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs explained that the provision of electricity to previously unenergized schools have a positive effect on children due to improved comfort and improved education brought about by better lighting.

"Nararapat lamang na busisiing mabuti at pagtuunan ng pansin ng Kongreso ang electrification program ng DepEd upang siguruhin na wala nang estudyanteng magtitiyagang mag-aral sa madilim na silid-aralan sa hinaharap," said Gatchalian.

For this year, Congress has allocated around ?2,499,095,000 in DepEd's budget for the electrification of the 1,162 unenergized schools and modernization of electrical systems of on-grid schools. On the other hand, there are still 502 schools that have not been electrified.

That is why Gatchalian pointed out that it is imperative for Congress to know the status of the DepEd's school electrification program to determine the necessary legislative intervention for a total electrification of all public primary and secondary schools nationwide.

Currently, the DepEd has an electrification program using appropriations from its Basic Education Facilities Funds. Part of the program includes the upgrading of electrical connections of existing on-grid schools to comply with the electrical requirements.

"We allocated almost P2.5 billion for the electrification of public schools across the country for this year and we owe it to the public to inform them on the status of DepEd's electrification program, as well as to account every centavo that will be spent on this undertaking," he added.



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Who gets harmed if ABS-CBN is allowed to continue to operate while the matter is pending in Congress? Why are we in a hurry to close ABS-CBN?

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon posed these questions in response to the statements made by retired justices, including former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and retired Supreme Court Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) cannot grant a provisional authority for ABS-CBN to continue to operate without a franchise.

"This issue on ABS-CBN cannot be decided in a vacuum as the retired justices want Congress to do. Our conscience will not allow us to do that, because the reality is, 11,000 jobs are on the line here," Drilon stressed.

The Supreme Court, according to Drilon, has held in various cases that: "Laws and rules should be interpreted and applied not in a vacuum or in isolated abstraction but in light of surrounding circumstances and attendant facts in order to afford justice to all."

The former justice secretary said that to interpret it in a very strict legalistic manner in a vacuum like the way the retired justices were doing will cause prejudice to 11,00 workers.

"By their interpretation, we put at risk the livelihood of 11,000 employees and the future of their families, without giving an opportunity for a rational discussion," he stressed.

Drilon said that there are precedents, and it is on record, where various franchisees were allowed to keep operating with expired franchise pending renewal of their franchise, citing the case of GMA-7, Smart, among others.

"Why, all of a sudden, should we be so strict with ABS-CBN, when 11,000 jobs are on the line?" he added.

There is no harm done if ABS-CBN continues to broadcast while giving time for Congress to passionately look into the franchise renewal of the network, he said.

"Why can we not give Congress more time to decide on this? Is anybody's interest harmed by the continuation of the operation of ABS-CBN while the matter is pending in Congress?" Drilon asked.

The minority leader said that the opinion of the secretary of justice as the legal counsel of the executive department and the National Telecommunications Commission as the implementing agency in charge of telecommunications should be accorded due weight and consideration.

"The secretary of justice has ruled that there are sufficient equitable grounds to let ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting pending the process of renewal in Congress. There is no harm in letting the NTC to continue its practice of granting a provisional authority as it has done in the past," Drilon said.



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Senator Pia S. Cayetano is pushing to synchronize the country's adoption laws to hasten the process of finding a 'second home' for abandoned and neglected children across the country.

Cayetano delivered a privilege speech on Wednesday to urge her fellow senators to support her bill, the Alternative Child Care Act (SBN 61). The speech also coincided with the commemoration of February as Adoption Consciousness Month.

Citing a report from the United Nations' Children's Right and Emergency Relief Organization (UNICEF), Cayetano said about 1.8 million Filipino children remain abandoned or neglected for various reasons, including extreme poverty, natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other problems at home.

Meanwhile, the senator cited data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that only around 2,191 children in the country have been placed for domestic adoption between 2010 and 2018.

"In eight years, [that's] less than 300 children we are placing for adoption [yearly]," she pointed out.

"It is my personal conviction that we consider the state of each of these children," added Cayetano, herself a foster parent and eventual adoptive mother to her 8-year-old son, Rene Lucas.

SBN 61 seeks to codify laws on alternative child care and further improve the country's foster care programs, such that out-of-home care provided by residential facilities shall only be a last resort for abandoned and neglected children.

The bill also makes domestic adoption administrative in nature in order to streamline its procedures and make formal adoption more accessible to families who are willing to adopt a child.

"The Constitution states that, 'the State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development,'" Cayetano cited in her privilege speech.

"I leave all of you with that visual of 1.8 million Filipino children without families who will care for and love them - not a mother or father to read them a bedtime story, to tuck them in, to even ensure that they come home when the sun goes down," she added

"This is the objective of improving our law, so that we can expedite our [adoption and foster care] procedures, and we can place these children [under foster or adoptive families] faster so that they can have the home that they deserve," the senator concluded.



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The Senate of the Philippines has approved on Third and Final Reading two important bills authored/co-authored by Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr.

S. No. 1086, "An Act Creating and Establishing the Philippine High School for Sports and Providing Funds therefor" aims to provide adequate training for students with athletic abilities for competitive sports to foster the holistic development of the youth and to prepare the students for a long-term career in sports development.

On the other hand, S. No. 1083, "An Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Penalize Terrorism, thereby Repealing Republic Act No. 9372 otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007," introduced provisions that will strengthen the Philippine policy in its fight against terrorism.

As of press time, Bong Revilla has already filed 180 bills, 17 resolutions, 16 co-authored bills/committee reports, 21 co-authored resolutions, totalling to 234.

"Natutuwa po tayo sa magandang resulta ng pagsusumikap natin na maisabatas ang dalawang panukalang ito na sadyang mahalaga at napapanahon para sa paglinang ng kakayahan ng ating kabataan sa sports, at upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan at ng ating bansa laban sa banta ng terorismo," Revilla said.



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We welcome the decision of the House to finally give NTC the necessary guidance on the ABS-CBN franchise. However, I share the opinion that a concurrent resolution by the Senate and the House is needed to allow the network to operate while the 18th Congress tackles its franchise renewal.

Kailangang malinaw ito para maisarado na rin ang isyu.



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For the country to survive pandemics or epidemics such as the Coronavirus Disease - 2019 or COVID-19 scare, Senator Richard J. Gordon stressed the need for the government to stockpile on face masks, medical gowns and personal protective equipment (PPE) and other strategic medical supplies.

During the first hearing conducted by the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprise on Senate Bill No. 1347 or the Stockpiling Act of 2019, Gordon stressed that the proposed law aims to ensure that the country will have sufficient stocks of strategic supplies such as face masks, PPE, medical supplies and others when disaster strikes.

"As you know the world is challenged severely right now by the COVID-19. Sports tournaments are being cancelled. China has over 2000 people dead. Ang sekreto dito is the foresight. Stockpiling is a strategic part of our security, of the national interest, that the government look ahead. We have to anticipate so that when something happens, the government can respond. We're drafting a law para if there are epidemics or pandemics may gamit tayo. Wala tayong panlaban, wala tayong nakaimbak na gamit, magkakaroon na ngayon ng nakahandang ipamigay," he said.

The bill seeks to amend the charter of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to give the agency more authority in carrying out the proposed stockpiling.

Gordon also pointed out that if the country has sufficient supplies in stockpile, there would be no panic buying during emergencies, citing as example the sudden increase in the price of face masks during the height of the Taal eruption and more recently amid the COVID-19 scare.

"Kapag may naka-stockpile tayo hindi mahihirapan ang mga tao, katulad ng face masks - hindi tataas ang presyo, walang magho-hoarding dahil may supply. Disasters will hit you where you least expect it. Dapat malayo pa lang alam na natin ang gagawin natin," he said, and instructed the concerned agencies to submit a list of supplies that have to be stockpiled.

The senator also pointed out that if there are not enough suppliers, this could pave the way for other manufacturers to open up business here to ensure that there would be sufficient supply.

The next hearing is set for next Tuesday (March 3) at 1 pm.



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The Duterte Administration is always committed in promoting the welfare of government employees, such as through better compensation. Early this year, President Duterte signed into law the Salary Standardization Law 5, which I authored, increasing the salaries of government civilian employees.

As to the appeal of Bureau of Immigration employees for increased pay, this administration continues to provide augmentation pay in accordance with the law.

In 2018 and 2019, the Office of the President issued Memo Order 24 s. 2018 and Memo Order 39 s. 2019, respectively, allowing the use of Express Lane Fees to augment the salaries of BI personnel. And they continue to receive the same this year, subject to certain conditions, as authorized by the General Appropriations Act 2020.

The Immigration Officers Association of the Philippines Inc. is lobbying Congress to approve a pending measure to replace the outdated Immigration Act of 1940 or the salary standardization law to increase the salary grade of BI officers. As a Senator, I support this measure and will urge my colleagues to pass this immediately.

Being a worker in government for the past 21 years, I understand what government employees go through. Mahirap maging empleyado ng gobyerno. Malaking sakripisyo ito para sa pamilya dahil hindi ganun kataas ang sweldo kumpara sa pribadong sektor. Pero iba ang katuparang nadadama dahil nakapagserbisyo ka sa ating bayan.

Patuloy naming isinusulong ni Pangulong Duterte ang kapakanan ng mga empleyado, katulad ng mas magandang benepisyo, para naman maalagaan ang kanilang mga pamilya.

Gagawin po namin lahat ng pwedeng gawin basta naaayon sa batas. Ang hiling lang namin sa mga kawani ng gobyerno ay basta magserbisyo kayo ng tapat sa bayan at sa inyong kapwa.

Pumasok tayo sa gobyerno para magserbisyo. Hindi po para yumaman. Hindi rason ang mababang sweldo para maging corrupt. Prayoridad natin ang maglingkod sa tao. Kapakanan ng kapwa Pilipino ang palagi nating unahin.

Marami pong Pilipino ang gusto magtrabaho ng tapat. Para sa mga hindi kuntento sa pagseserbisyo ng tapat, mas mabuting ibigay niyo nalang po ang inyong trabaho sa ibang tao na ginugustong magserbisyo sa bayan at hindi ang magpayaman.

As the President reiterated numerous times: we are here to work for the people, for a better future for our children.



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POGO

Q: Senator Sherwin, magandang umaga po.

SEN WIN: Good morning po.

Q: Sobrang busy nyo po sa Senado, madaming dinidinig araw-araw.

SEN WIN: Oho. Medyo busy dahil naghahabol kami. March 11 ay tapos na ang session so naghahabol kami ngayon.

Q: Speaking of mga issue ngayon, dumaragsa pa rin ang mga Chinese nationals. Ano ba ang latest dito sapagkat nagtatanong rin ang ating mga viewers sa Facebook live? Ano na ba ang naging pagdinig niyo rito sa mga Chinese nationals na pumapasok pa rin sa bansa?

SEN WIN: Ako, personally, minomonitor ko itong sitwasyon na ito at nakita natin ang paglago nitong POGO sa ating bansa. Noong taong 2016, nang pumasok ang POGO sa ating bansa, maraming natuwa dahil tingin natin dito ay investment at namumuhunan sa ating bansa. Ang unang tingin natin dito ay papasok ang mga trabaho at lalago ang ating ekonomiya. Tapos nang almost four years na, parang kabaliktaran ang nangyari. Pagpasok ng POGO rito, dumami naman ang mga krimen dito sa ating bansa.

Q: Dumami ang krimen, dumami ang Chinese. Sila-sila rin naman ang naglaro diyan sa lugar na yan.

SEN WIN: Nakakatakot kahit sila-sila rin lang. ang kinatatakutan ko, ang mga krimen na naririnig natin ay baka tumawid ito at ang maging biktima ay mga kababayan din natin.

Q: Hindi malayo dahil nasa ating bansa sila no.

SEN WIN: Correct at alam naman natin na ang ganitong mga operator, magaling mag-corrupt yan eh. Nakita natin sa Bureau of Immigration, nakita natin kung gaano nila kinorrupt ang BI. Ito namang BI natin, mga walang hiya rin, tinanggap ang pera at ang nakakatakot rito ay ang mga taong dapat magbigay proteksyon sa ating bansa para hindi makapasok ang mga criminal ay nakipagsabwatan. Ngayon, lumabas doon sa hearing namin na 700 fugitives, ito yung may mga kaso sa China, ang nakapasok dito. Kapag sinabi nating mga fugitives, ito yung may mga kaso--mga mamamatay tao, mga swindler, mga criminal na may kaso sa China at nandito sa ating bansa. Hindi ka magtataka na maraming mga prostitution den, mga krimen ang nakikita natin na nagmumula sa mga Chinese workers na nagtatrabaho sa POGO.

Q: Nakarating na ba sa inyo ang mga ulat na pina-deport ang mahigit 2,000 Chinese nationals na nagtatrabaho sa POGO?

SEN WIN: Kaya nga ito naman ang nakakapagtaka. Nagsalita ang China na bawal ang POGO, hindi nila tinatanggap yan at kinansela nila ang mga passports ng mga nagtatrabaho sa POGO. Ito yung nakakapagtaka. Yung POGO na ang pinaka-customer ay China, pero China mismo ang nagsasabi na bawal ang POGO. Pero sa atin, wini-welcome natin ang bawal. Ang pumapasok rin mga bawal. Ito yung mga criminal, may kaso sa China. Kaya sa tingin ko, pinag-aaralan natin ito ng mabuti, tinitingnan natin kung ano ba ang naging dulot nitong POGO. Nakita ko walang dulot na maganda.

Q: Lahat naman yata ng empleyado nila ay puro Chinese eh.

SEN WIN: Correct. Yung POGO na nag-ooperate rito, almost 90% ay Chinese ang nagtatrabaho roon. Ang kasamaan pa, hindi sila nagbabayad ng buwis. Hindi ba't ang gusto nating negosyante na pumapasok sa bansa ay nagbabayad ng buwis at nakikinabang tayo. Pero nakita namin na kada buwan, ang nawawala sa atin ay mahigit P51 billion. Ang laki niyan. Ibig sabihin, kung ang mga nagtatrabaho roon ay Chinese, ang nawawala sa atin ay P51 billion, ano pa ang pakinabang na nakikita natin at nakukuha natin dito sa mga POGO?

Q: Kaugnay nito, meron ka bang panukala against this proliferating this incident ng pagdami ng Chinese nationals at POGO workers dito?

SEN WIN: Dalawang step ang ating gagawin. Una, ang mga criminal dapat ay ma-address agad yan. Yung pagdami ng krimen dito sa ating bansa at pagpasok ng mga sindikato, nakakatakot eh. Imbes na safe ang ating komunidad, nagiging mas delikado at hindi maganda ang environment ng ating mga komunidad. Pangalawa, tingin ko dapat ipagbawal na itong POGO at ihinto na dahil nagiging sanhi ng pagdami ng krimen at nagiging sanhi ng pagpasok ng mga sindikato. Kaya kung ipanagbabawal na ito sa China at matagal na nilang iniimplementa ito, tingin ko dapat tayo ay sumunod na rin dahil nga hindi ito mabuti sa ating komunidad.

COVID-19

Q: Sana kung anuman ang iyong ihahaing panukala ay diyan pa rin nakasalalay ang pansin para sa higit na nakararami nating kababayan. Kamusta naman po ang ginagawa nating pagdinig sa nangyayari sa pagdami ng karamdaman? Nakarating na rin ba yan sa Senado? May mga pagkilos ho ba kayo diyan dahil may mga partial ban na yata na pinatutupad. Ngayon nga ay ang South Korea.

SEN WIN: Oo, nakakabahala rin dahil noong una, nakita ko na pababa na ng pababa ang dami ng kaso ng nagkakaroon ng COVID-19. Ngayong linggo ay dumami ulit, particularly sa Korea, sa Italy at iba pang bahagi ng mundo. Nag-implement na nga tayo ng travel ban sa Korea dahil meron isang lugar doon na dumadami ang cases ng COVID-19. Ang aming mungkahi sa Senado ay dapat dagdagan pa ang budget ng DOH at siguraduhin na meron tayong sapat na budget at kagamitan. Dapat maging handa tayo. Itong ganitong mga sitwasyon, siguraduhin natin na ang ating frontline health workers natin kagaya ng nurses, doctors at ospital ay may sapat na gamit dahil sila ang gumagamot sa may mga cases. Siguraduhin natin na may sapat na proteksyon sila dahil sila rin ang gagamot sa iba pa. Ang ayaw nating mangyari ay mag-collapse ang ating health system at magkaroon tayo ng problema sa ating bansa.

ANTI-TERRORISM ACT

Q: Isa pa Sir, nabalitaan namin ang Senado ay medyo okay na kayo sa final reading ng Anti-Terrorism Act?

SEN WIN: Tama. Mas mahigpit at mas malawak itong Anti-Terrorism Act. Alam naman natin ngayon na ang terorismo ang pinaka-real and present danger sa mundo at dito sa atin, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pagpasok ng mga terrorists lalo na sa Mindanao dahil doon, mabilis makapasok eh. Maglantsa ka lang, makakapunta ka na sa Malaysia, Indonesia at doon pumapasok. Ito ngayon ang nagiging problema ng buong mundo, ang terorismo. Kaya dapat makasabay tayo at magkaroon tayo ng mas mahigpit na batas at siguraduhin na ang mga nagtatangka pa lang ay mahuli na.

Q: Alright. Ilang araw na lang po ba kayo Sir bago mag [session break]?

SEN WIN: Dalawang linggo na lang at kami ay mag-aadjourn na.

Q: Maraming salamat po Senator Win Gatchalian.

SEN WIN: Maraming salamat po.



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Q: House leaders sent a letter to the NTC telling the NCTC to grant a provisional authority to ABS-CBN

SFMD: That's good, because, then, if you look at the antecedents, there is in fact a memorandum of agreement signed by the NTC and the KBP, basically saying that while the renewal of franchise is pending in Congress, it states that they can continue to broadcast so long as the renewal of franchise is being processed.

That indicates the perception of the NTC of its power. Yes, I heard in your program former CJ Puno saying that a franchise is needed. First of all, let me emphasize that the power to grant franchise is with Congress. This is a Constitutional duty of Congress. The interpretation of the Constitution is not the exclusive monopoly of the Supreme Court. Both the Congress and the executive branch, represented by DOJ secretary, are of the common view that the NTC can issue a provisional authority pending the processing by the Congress of the renewal of the franchise.Retired Chief Justice Puno said there are Supreme Court decisions. The SC decision is different on its factual background, because in that case the applicant no longer had a franchise and there was no more franchise pending in Congress. And the SC said, yes, you need a franchise and the NTC does not possess that authority. I emphasize that in the case of ABS-CBN, it is a different situation. There is a pending application being debated upon actively. Both houses of Congress - Speaker Cayetano, Senate President Sotto and Senator Poe as chairman of the Committee on Public Services- all said that a franchise continues to be valid while we are deliberating on the renewal. And Justice Secretary Guevarra concurred with that view. Here, you have two branches of the government, who are co-equal with the SC saying, yes, we can do it. Unless otherwise it is stopped by the SC, it is our view and it must be given due consideration that ABS-CBN can continue broadcasting as long as the Congress would continue to debate on the franchise.

Q: Former CJ Puno said that we need a franchise and NTC, wala kayong karapatang magbigay ng permit.

SFMD: We respect the view of the former CJ. But we disagree and we have our own view.

Why are we so in a hurry to terminate the franchise? Remember, it is not at every instance that a franchise is necessary. I ask you a question, for example, all the bus companies, where do they get their franchise? Not from Congress but from the LTFRB as a supervising agency on transportation, in the same manner that the NTC is the supervising agency on the telecommunications. The Congress and the executive through the DOJ, whose opinion is binding on the executive, have the same view that ABS-CBN can continue to operate until this Congress expires. That is precisely what we are doing now. Of course I tried to provide a safety measure through the joint resolution. Today, we have only six session days before we adjourn. On May 4, everybody will be on pins and needles whether or not ABS-CBN can continue to operate.

Q: If you say that the Senate and the justice secretary were one that this can happen but there is a decision penned by the SC, it is as if saying, dalawa kaming ganitong opinion. Ganon po ba yun?

SFMD: That is not unusual. A law can always be subject to different interpretations. There are decisions in the SC saying that the opinion of the technical agencies should be given due consideration. The opinion of Congress, in this case, which grants the franchise, should also be given due consideration. Remember, we are not prohibited from interpreting our own powers. In fact we not prohibited from interpreting the Constitution and the laws and that happens every day. Until the Supreme Court says otherwise, that stands.

SFMD: The SC case cited by the former CJ is not squarely applicable here. Even assuming that it is squarely applicable, you examine the decisions of the SC, as we lawyers do, there are many instances that they changed their minds. The fact that the Supreme Court says so should not freeze us into inaction.

Q: For the SC to look into this, it has to be questioned again?

SFMD: That's correct.

Q: While it is not being questioned, it stands?

SFMD: Yes.

Q: The 2003 ruling of the SC?

SFMD: No. While the case has not been brought to the Supreme Court, the opinions of the administrative and political agencies should prevail.

Q: So, Congress and the Justice secretary's opinion?

SFMD: Yes.

Q: You authored both a joint resolution and concurrent resolution, why the need for both?

SFMD: A joint resolution has the force and effect of law and, therefore, once it is passed, that is processed as a law and, in fact, would be subject to the approval of the President. The concurrent resolution was borne out by the opinion of Sec. Guevarra who expressed his view that the NTC would be strengthened by a concurrent resolution. That is why we filed the concurrent resolution, which expresses the sense of the Senate.

Q: There was a statement made by SP Sotto, where he said that we could support such resolution but the SC decision cited by former CJ Puno is a game changer.

SFMD: That's a correct reaction. What I am saying is, the fact that there are three SC decisions should not freeze us into inaction, because we have our own interpretation and we can go back to the Supreme Court and say, you may want to take a second look at this. There is nothing wrong with that.

Q: But somebody has to go to the SC?

SFMD: Yes, that's correct. Senate President Sotto citing the jurisprudence is correct. What I am saying is the jurisprudence is there, but it is not etched in stone and we can ask for review. We have a strong basis because both houses of Congress and the secretary of just have said that it (to allow ABS-CBN to continue to operate while the matter is pending in Congress) can be done.

Q: On Speaker Cayetano's remarks

SFMD: We will not go down to that level of characterization, of calling a co-equal branch sipsip. We would like to think that Speaker Cayetano knows the principle of inter-parliamentary courtesy, wherein we respect each other's process. It has been made clear that we are hearing a resolution extending for a short period of time the franchise of ABS-CBN but we will not act on it until the HoR passes a similar measure.

Q: On the quo warrant and the gag order

SFMD: I think the Supreme Court will think deeply before they allow a gag order because this is very basic. We are a co-equal branch. there are Supreme Court decisions which said that no court can issue a gag order, because when we investigate, it is of different nature than that of the judiciary. We investigate in aid of legislation to enable us to craft policies. The SC would investigate in order to adjudicate competing rights. Magkaiba po. I think, hopefully, the SC will not issue a gag order.

Q: What about the quo warrant? You were a justice secretary, senator, quite a long list of credential you have. What are you thoughts on this?

SFMD: At the very least, both Congress and the Supreme Court would have jurisdiction. But I would like to think that this issues, yes, we are debating on it, but on May 4 it will become academic, because the franchise expires. What quo warranto are we talking about? The issue of whether it will be renewed is up in the air.

Q: What if the NTC grants a provisional permit, so the quo warranto stands?

SFMD: It is debatable because ABS-CBN will be operating on a basis of a provisional authority. But of course that will be disputed. According to former CJ Puno, a provisional authority must be premised on a franchise.

Q: The President accepts the apology of ABS-CBN. Do you think it has effect on how HoR will view the President accepting the apology?

SFMD: In our system, let's face it, history will tell us that the House of Representatives will always support the President. The Senate can stand more independently of the President for the very simple reason that we are elected nationwide. To your question, I'll just point to the political history of Congress. I am not saying it is bad, all I am saying is that the reality, because the HoR is usually supportive of the President.

Q: On the VFA petition to be filed by Senate

SFMD: The consensus is that, we must be armed by the sense of the Senate resolution that it is, in fact, this issue should be brought to the Supreme Court on the question that, whether or not the President, alone, can terminate a treaty. There are views by legal scholars saying that the mirror should apply, which means that the process of withdrawal should mirror the process of approval. That is a theory and even in the United States this is an open question, so the Senate President said let us ask the Supreme Court to define where we are and I have filed a resolution asking the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to back us up with a sense of the Senate resolution. I was talking to Senate President Sotto yesterday and he said he would like to see the resolution put on the floor for debate next week.

Q: Kailan po ipa-file.

SFMD: As soon as we have it (the sense of the Senate resolution that the termination of treaties needs Senate concurrence). We have to have the Senate as a petitioner, not just individual senators. Of course it will not change the legal issues, but it is better that it is the Senate as an institution which will bring the issue to the Supreme Court.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has conveyed her sincerest condolences to Vice President Leni Robredo for the demise of her 83-year-old mother, Salvacion Gerona, due to a lingering illness. "Dear VP Leni, it is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of your mother. I offer my prayers and profound sympathies to you and your family," she wrote from her detention cell in Philippine National Police-Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

"May you and the other loved ones she left behind find strength, solace and peace in your grief, always remembering her with much love and fondness," she added.

Fondly called as "Ma'am Sally" by her students, Salvacion Gerona, 83, was a career academician and had devoted her life to teaching and mentoring, including student journalists and drama and ballet student-artists.

Instead of retiring when she reached the mandatory age of 65, Robredo claimed that her mother went back to teaching after only a few months of rest. Robredo also said her mom was active in social media.

De Lima, who was granted a furlough to visit her ailing mother some time in August last year, also expressed confidence that Robredo and her family will be able to find strength amid their grief as they are examples of courage and unshakeable faith.

"Gaya ng lagi, tiwala akong patuloy kang magpapakatatag at magsisilbing huwarang lingkod-bayan, sa harap ng anumang hamon at pagsubok," the lady Senator from Bicol said.

"Ang aking taimtim na panalangin, pakikiramay at pakikidalamhati sa iyong pamilya, VP Leni," she added.

Both De Lima and Robredo, who are known leaders of the opposition party and have been critical of the Duterte administration's repressive policies, were raised by their respective mothers who are teachers by profession.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has listed down some important reasons for Congress to consider in deliberating and granting broadcast network ABS-CBN's application for renewal of its 25-year franchise despite Mr. Duterte's personal antipathy towards it.

De Lima, a former justice secretary, made the statement after the Senate Public Services Committee opened public hearing last Feb. 24 on the alleged compliance issues surrounding the ABS-CBN's franchise which is expiring on March 30, 2020.

"Unang-una: nakasalalay rito ang karapatan sa pamamahayag ng ABS-CBN. Isa itong batayang karapatan sa ating Saligang Batas na hindi maaaring ipagkait kaninuman, maliban lamang kung may exceptional at mahigpit na kadahilanan, na walang-wala naman sa sitwasyon ng ABS-CBN," she said.

"Ito ang pinakamalaking rason kung bakit dapat na maibasura ang quo warranto petition ng gobyerno laban sa nasabing network," she added.

With the impending expiration of ABS-CBN's franchise to operate, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcast network before the Supreme Court on alleged violations of its 25-year franchise deal.

Some Congress and Senate leaders, however, have regarded Solicitor General's quo warranto petition as a direct affront towards Congress' exclusive power to grant and revoke franchises to public services.

If the Supreme Court grants the quo warranto petition, De Lima explained that the constitutional right of the public to access to information might be curtailed as ABS-CBN has a big hand on delivering news and public affairs that benefit the people.

"Kaakibat din dito ang karapatan sa impormasyon ng publiko na pinoprotektahan din sa ating Konstitusyon," she said.

"Mula sa simpleng mga payo sa buhay, pamumuhay at relasyon, hanggang sa mga mabibigat na talakayan ukol sa mga isyu ng bayan at mundo, umaaasa sa impormasyon at opinyon ang maraming Pilipino sa mga programa ng ABS-CBN," she noted.

Since the House of Representatives announced it will not prioritize hearing ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, despite the resolutions filed in its Chamber, many Filipinos have voiced that the loss of ABS-CBN on public airwaves will affect their lives.

De Lima also noted that ABS-CBN has been very crucial in advancing the Filipino culture here and abroad. She said the continuous high ratings of ABS-CBN indicate that most Filipinos appreciate the network's programs.

"[H]indi matatawaran ang ambag ng ABS-CBN sa sining, kalinangan at kasiyahan ng mga Pilipino saan mang panig ng mundo. Kitang-kita at damang-dama ito sa malaking tiwalang ibinibigay ng mga manonood ng ABS-CBN, at sa yumayabong na kulturang Pilipino na patuloy na pinayayaman ng mga programa nito," she said.

The lady Senator from Bicol also argued that should Congress fail to renew ABS-CBN's franchise, it would result to the grave loss of the jobs of its more than 11,000 employees and their respective families who rely on them.

"Marami pang samu't-saring rason kung bakit mahalaga ang pagdinig ng Senado, at sana na rin sa House of Representatives ukol sa isyung ito," she pointed out.

De Lima, one of the co-authors of Senate Bill 981 renewing the franchise of broadcast network for another 25 years, called on her Senate colleagues to put the best interest of the nation instead of cowtowing to the whims of the present administration.

"Dasal ko na ang aking mga kasamahang mambabatas ay pumanig sa kapakanan ng taumbayan at hindi kumiling sa makitid at makasariling interes ng iilan. Sana rin ay mangibabaw ang integridad at kalayaan ng ating mga demokratikong institusyon sa napakahalagang usaping ito," she said.



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The Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed the ad interim appointment of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel E. Avisado. He has been Acting Secretary of the agency since August 2019.

Avisado was confirmed during the Commission's plenary session on Wednesday, presided over by CA Chairman Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri sponsored the confirmation of the Secretary in the CA Plenary. He proudly called the Surigao-born Avisado "a product of Mindanao."

Prior to the Plenary Session, Zubiri, who chairs the Committee on Budget and Management in the CA, presided over the hearing of the Committee which gave its consent and recommended to the plenary the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Avisado.

Avisado entered government service in 1986 and went on to occupy various leadership positions in the Department of Interior and Local Government and the City of Davao. He was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Council in 2010. In 2016, he began his service as Presidential Assistant for Special Concerns under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In his time as Acting Secretary of the DBM, he has seen to the swift enactment of the 2020 National Budget and of Republic Act 11466, or the Salary Standardization Law 5.

Zubiri thanked Avisado for providing assistance to the Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management of the Bangsamoro Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (MFBM-BARMM) during the crafting of the first-ever Bangsamoro Expenditure Program.

"I am pleased to know that our brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro are getting the assistance and support they need from no less than the national government's top expert on budgetary matters and fiscal management."



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Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. called on his colleagues to support the passage of S. No. 1319 which seeks to amend the Centenarians Law seeking the early availment of the benefits for Filipino elderlies.

The proposed measure, submitted jointly by the Committees on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, and Finance, provides a staggered amount of monetary gifts for our elderlies before they reach the age of 100.

If passed into law, the measure will entitle Filipino elders P 10,000 when they reach 80 years old, another P 10,000 when they reach 90 years old, and P 100,000 when they reach 100 years old. Revilla originally proposed to give P 25,000 to octogenarians, another P 25,000 to nonagenarians, and P 50,000 to centenarians, but funds would not permit such scheme.

The Senator stated that due to declining health conditions, centenarians who previously received P 100,000 can no longer understand and appreciate the benefits of this cash gift. If amended, cash gifts will be given in time when they are still able to enjoy it for themselves and use it for their food, medical care and other needs.

"Ang panukalang ito ay ating isinusulong upang mas ma-enjoy ng ating elderlies ang magagandang benepisyo na binibigay sa kanila. Kinikilala natin ang makabuluhang layunin ng umiiral na batas at gusto lamang natin na mapakinabangan ng mas nakararami ang mga benepisyo mula dito," Revilla said.

Bong Revilla also emphasized that this measure is in line with the Constitution which recognizes the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members.

"This is how highly we value our culture of taking care of our elderly. This proposed measure, therefore, is another legislative effort in testimony of this unique Filipino culture," Revilla ended.



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The Senate, voting 19-2, today approved on final reading Senate Bill No. 1083 which provides more teeth to the law against terrorism and effectively repealing the Human Security Act of 2007.

Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, Win Gatchalian, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Richard Gordon, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Bong Revilla, Francis "Tol" Tolentino, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III voted in the affirmative while Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros dissented.

The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 would provide a strong legal backbone to support the country's criminal justice response to terrorism, provide the law enforcers the much-needed tools to protect the people from the threat of terrorism and, at the same time, safeguard the rights of those accused of the crime.

"We need a strong legal structure that deals with terrorism to exact accountability, liability and responsibility. Those who have committed, are about to commit, or are supporting those who commit terroristic acts should be prosecuted and penalized accordingly," Lacson, sponsor of the measure, said.

The measure includes a new section on foreign terrorist fighters to cover Filipino nationals who commit terrorist offenses abroad.

Senate Bill 1083 introduced provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, preparation and facilitation of a terrorist act; as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit anyone to be a member of a terrorist organization.

Under the bill, any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism shall suffer the penalty of 12 years. The same jail term will be meted against those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism.

Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years. The same penalty shall be imposed on any person found liable as accessory in the commission of terrorism.

The measure not only establishes Philippine jurisdiction over Filipino nationals who may join and fight with terrorist organizations outside the Philippines but also ensures that foreign terrorists do not use the country as a transit point, a safe haven to plan and train new recruits for terrorist attacks in other countries.

The bill also removed the provision on payment of P500,000 damages per day of detention of any person acquitted of terrorism charges. But the number of days a suspected person can be detained without a warrant of arrest is 14 calendar days, extendible by 10 days.

A new provision, designating certain Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) as Anti-Terror Courts, was also introduced to ensure the speedy disposition of cases.

Also, the use of videoconferencing for the accused and witnesses to remotely appear and testify will be allowed under the measure.

The amendments also provide for the police or the military to conduct a 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists, which may be lengthened to another non-extendable period of 30 days, provided that they secure a judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals (CA).

Any law enforcement or military personnel found to have violated the rights of the accused persons shall be penalized with imprisonment of 10 years, the senator said.

To allay concerns of possible excesses by the authorities, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) shall be notified in case of detention of a suspected terrorist.

The measure also mandates the CHR to give the highest priority to the investigation and prosecution of violations of civil and political rights of persons and shall have the concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute public officials, law enforcers and other persons who may have violated the civil and political rights of suspects and detained persons.

Hontiveros and Pangilinan opposed some provisions of the bill that they feel would impinge on rights and liberty.

Pangilinan noted that the proposed definition of terrorism is vague and encompassing, making it open to abuse as simplest or common crimes can be framed by errant law enforcers as acts of terrorism.

"The prolonged detention is an impingement of rights and liberty. Why 14 days? If security officials and law enforcers are doing their job, why will it take them long to file a case? Or, is the practice of arrest and detain now, produce or invent evidence later still prevalent, as it was when opposition leader Jovy Salonga was arrested, detained, and charged in 1981? The current law is not perfect, and we, in Congress, should be working continuously to make it work for the people," he said.

"The amendments, however, are worrisome and could make the Human Security Act an even worse tool for repression instead of an instrument for thwarting terrorists," Pangilinan added.

Hontiveros expressed the same, adding that safety and security can never be at the expense of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

"While all rights permit exceptions, I fear that certain provisions of the bill - specifically those allowing the preliminary proscription of suspected terrorist organizations prior to their being given an opportunity to be heard as well as those lowering the standard for warrantless arrest and detention - go too far and might lead to a number of pernicious consequences," she said.

Dela Rosa, one of the co-authors of the bill, rallied behind the measure saying that the bill will fully equip the law enforcers not only in terms of weapons and funding but in protecting their rights as well.

"The enactment of this law will send a brave message to the world that we are in solidarity in the global fight against terrorism. I would like to extend my gratitude to our seasoned legislator and staunch ally against terror, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, for shepherding and ensuring the swift but very deliberate passage of this legislative measure," Dela Rosa said.



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With 21 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstention, the Senate on Wednesday, February 26, approved on third and final reading a measure expanding the use of a fund meant to help more than 10 million Filipinos working in foreign lands.

Filipinos abroad encountering legal issues could avail of free legal assistance from the government through the embassies and foreign posts which taps the legal assistance fund (LeAF), explained Senator Joel Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1233.

"It is only befitting that we call this fund the LeAF because it symbolizes hope for our distressed kababayans overseas. They need not look very far to seek assistance because our government will always be ready to lend a helping hand," Villanueva said in a statement.

Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, thanked colleagues for supporting the bill, which was filed under Committee Report No. 30.

The measure, which seeks to amend Section 26 of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, expands the use of the Legal Assistance Fund that the government taps to cover various costs of overseas Filipinos who initiate or is impleaded in any type of case abroad.

In 2020, a total of P201.34 million is available for the provision on legal services to help overseas Filipinos and migrant workers in distress.

Outlining the amendments to provisions on the LeAF in RA 8042, Villanueva said the measure mandates the availability of the fund at all times for the use of distressed overseas Filipinos and migrant workers abroad.

"It further clarifies that such assistance shall be given from the moment the case is initiated, or the proceeding is commenced, until its termination, promulgation, and execution. This assistance extends further to all appeals taken on these cases, thereby guaranteeing full and complete support to distressed Filipinos overseas," the senator said. Villanueva also pointed out that the measure seeks to expand the coverage of the fund to include other bonds aside from bail bonds required by foreign courts, tribunals or other agencies.

Another amendment introduced in the measure is the grant of authority to the head of mission of the Philippine Embassy concerned instead of the home office to use the fund to hire foreign lawyers to serve the needs of distressed overseas Filipinos and migrant workers.

The aim is to advance and improve not only the quality, but also the promptness of the delivery of legal assistance to our migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in distress, according to Villanueva.



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The Senate on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill creating a government think tank for the energy sector.

The proposed Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI), under Senate Bill No. 1296, will perform critical research and policy development for needed reforms in the energy sector.

"We envision PERPI to stand at the forefront of Philippine energy research and policy development, as an institution solely devoted to these pursuits," Energy Committee Chair Sen. Win Gatchalian said in sponsoring the measure.

PERPI, which will be established in the University of the Philippines (UP) and will operate under the Office of the UP President, shall be steered by an executive board, the members of which should be seasoned academicians and professionals from the fields of engineering, law, science, statistics, economics, public health.

Its executive director, a recognized expert in energy research and policy development, shall be appointed by the UP President.

PERPI will not only formulate and conduct research development on energy technology, public policy issues in energy markets and other pressing issues and problems all backed by rigorous empirical evidence but also establish linkages with government and private institutions on existing energy research and policy studies, and shall likewise link with foreign entities for energy research and development and serve as the repository of all energy-related researches and studies.

As an independent, multidisciplinary institution, PERPI shall ensure that its research endeavors shall not be influenced or constrained by political affiliations, technological bias or other presuppositions.

To fund PERPI, a special account for energy research shall be established and managed by the Bureau of Treasury which will recognize and accept grants, contributions and donations. The institute's its operations shall be initially funded P200 million appropriated out of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).



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On ABS CBN

Q: ...Yung para magbigay kayo ng provisional authority sa ABS CBN?

SP Sotto: Wala pa, nasaan ba yung bill?

Q: Papayag ba kayo? Dapat ba maglabas ang Senate?

SP Sotto: Pag-uusapan muna yun, hindi ako (unclear) doon sa sinasabi ng NTC na kailangan ng resolution ng Senate para (unclear). Ginawa ba nila yun sa Iloilo? Controversial? Doon sa Iloilo franchise na (unclear) electric? Ginawa ba nila yun sa Smart? Ginawa nila yun sa Globe? Bakit ayaw nilang magdesisyon dito? Magdesisyon sila, bakit ipapasa sa amin?

Q: So your advice to your colleagues regarding of a passage of a concurrent or a joint resolution would be?

SP Sotto: I think my advice is for us to really study and review it well because right now, I just heard that the 1994 MOU dati sinasabi ko na deemed extended ang franchise ng kahit anong franchise na terminated pag merong nakapending na bill, ay ano pala yun, it was superseded by a Supreme Court decision in 2004 and therefore, a Supreme Court decision forms part of the law of the land. Kailangang pagaralan naming mabuting mabuti yan kasi we were not aware that there was such a Supreme Court decision na kapag ang isang franchise pala ay natapos, hindi ka pwedeng mag-operate. Hintayin mo muna yung franchise mo ulit.

Q: Kasi si Sen. Drilon merong joint resolution para iextend hanggang December, ano ang plano ng Senate doon?

SP Sotto: Kaya nga ang sabi ko pagaralan. How do you react to the 2004 Supreme Court decision? It has never been brought out before, only now.

Q: Just to educate our readers and viewers, can you delineate the major difference between a concurrent resolution and a joint resolution?

SP Sotto: Again, dati yan, mas may force yung joint resolution na tinatawag. Parang ano yun, almost have the force of the law. Pero, there was again, just a few months ago, a Supreme Court decision on the matter, that a resolution or a joint resolution, a concurrent resolution, both Houses of Congress, remains that, a resolution. Hindi yun, it does not have the force of a law.

Q: And it cannot amend an existing law?

SP Sotto: It cannot amend an existing law. That's the reason na nagfile sila ng bill na gagawing batas yung gustong gawin noon. Hindi pwedeng concurrent resolution lang. Again, we go back to the thing that, a Supreme Court decision forms part of the law of the land. Kaya, kahit magpasa kami ng resolution, magpasa na lang kami ng bill imbis na resolution. Ganun na dapat.

Q: Ano po ang plano sa VFA petition?

SP Sotto: We are still filing for a question. Constitutional issue asking the Supreme Court to once and for all interpret the Constitution whether the Senate should be consulted when it comes to abrogation.

Q: Anong plano? Kailan po?

SP Sotto: Within the week, hopefully. Within the week.

Q: Hindi ninyo na hihintayin?

SP Sotto: Kung hindi maaapprove yung resolution, hindi ko na hihintayin pero kung maaapprove, mas mabuti. I am about to speak to Se4n. Pimentel now, siya yung Committee on Foreign Relations. Magawan ng paraan, sana mailabas kaagad yung resolution. If not, it will be delayed for a week, baka Monday na yan.

Q: Posible ba bukas?

SP Sotto: I doubt it.

Q: What is delaying it?

SP Sotto: Kasi nga gusto sana namin, kasama yung resolution doon. Kung hindi, magpapapirma pa ako sa mga kasama ko. So, the way things are going, the earliest possible could be Monday.

Q: Yung concurrent resolution ni Minority Leader Drilon, finile niya just now? Yung tinatanong namin sa inyo na dapat bayaan na magkaroon ng provisional authority ang ABS CBN until June 2022?

SP Sotto: Kailangang pagusapan namin yan ng mabuti kasi nga merong Supreme Court decision pala tungkol diyan and as I said, pag sinabi ng Supreme Court, it is part of the law of the land and therefore we cannot amend that law by a resolution.

Q: Hindi siya pwedeng basta irefer to the Committee on Rules, or to whatever committee not unless mapagusapan ng mga senators muna?

SP Sotto: Depende, pwedeng irefer sa Rules yan, pwedeng sa Public Services, pero again, as I said, kailangang pagusapan muna naming mabuti.

Q: Caucus yun?

SP Sotto: Malamang.

Q: Is it happening today?

SP Sotto: Well, kung gusto nila. Kung aapurahin nila, siguro mag-caucus na muna kami.

Q: Sa tingin ninyo, bakit pinapasa sa inyo?

SP Sotto: Yun ang hindi ko alam at tinatanong ko nga. My question, bakit ninyo pinapasa sa amin? Why can't you act decisively and decide whether you should or not, di ba?



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Question: Magkakaroon pa po ba ng susunod na hearing, if ever ano po 'yung i-expect natin?

Sen. Grace Poe: Sa ngayon, hindi pa naman kailangan ng isa pang hearing kasi naumpisahan na natin dito although merong concurrent resolution na pinapapirma naman, na-file si Senator Drilon, tingnan natin kung saan mare-refer 'yung bill na 'yan, anong committee mare-refer.

Q: Ma'am si Senator Revilla filed a bill extending the ABS-CBN franchise until Dec. 31, 2020, will that be a priority of your committee kasi for sure sa committee niyo po mapupunta?

Poe: Actually, hangga't hindi narereport out, tingnan muna natin kung ano pa yung ibang bills pero ako nagpapasalamat kay Senator Bong, 'yung dalawang Bong, Senator Bong Revilla at Senator Bong Go dahil very encouraging ang kanilang manifestation na, siguro dapat bigyan talaga ng sapat na oras ang Kongreso na pag-aralan ang franchise ng ABS, para huwag naman mataranta lahat. Dapat meron talagang, meron talagang pronouncement ang Konreso at Senado sa NTC na i-extend, na binibigyan sila ng authority to extend the franchise in the meantime na pinag-aaralan pa dito.

Q: Under Senate Rules is your Committee allowed to tackle Revilla's bill considering it's not a franchise bill literally but just an extension.

Poe: That's why I need to wait where it will be referred to, kung Committee on Rules, kung anong committee 'yan kasi hindi naman 'yan technically granting the franchise, it's just the sense of the Senate.

Q: You have to wait for the decision then po?

Poe: Yes, the reporting later.

Q: It's actual bill po, bill mismo to extend the franchise until December.

Poe: Alam ko yung kay Senator Bong, concurrent resolution lang.

Q: No, bill Ma'am.

Poe: Ah it's a bill. Titingnan natin, hindi ko pa nga alam. Pero ang maganda 'nun dahil sa pagdinig natin siyempre hindi naman lahat sang-ayon sa lahat ng sinabi doon pero I think both sides were represented and then the administration itself is saying kung i-eextend man namin ito, dahil sa mga tao na nangangailangan sa serbisyo, para sa mga nagta-trabaho so maganda na. I mean that in itself shows us that there's really a chance.

Q: Kung sa committee niyo po mairerefer ang bill ni Senator Revilla, kailangan pa ba ng hearing?

Poe: Kung bill 'yun, of course, but then ang maganda naman dito kung concurrent resolution lang, hindi na kailangan ng ano, magpapapirma sa mga senador, I'm quite confident that many senators will support it and I hope that Congress will be open to it as well.

Q: Is it accurate to say easier to pass yung bill ni Senator Revilla since it's just 2020 compare to Senate Minority Leader Drilon which is 2022 ang extension?

Poe: Siyempre I prefer it to be shorter kasi siyempre mas okay na may kasiguruhan na kung papasa o hindi. Kasi kung parang mas pinapatagal mo 'yung suspense 'yung pagdurusa ng iba, ano bang gagawin ko, lilipat na ba ako ng trabaho o mamalagi ako dito. Siyempre kung ikaw ay namumuhunan, iisipin mo teka maglalabas ba ako ng pondo para sa proyekto na ito, kung hindi marenew ang franchise ko papaano naman 'yun? Kung ikaw naman ang pinag-utangan, mababayaran ba ako nito kung hindi marenew ang franchise? So 'pag sinabi nating sektor, actually kone-konektado ang lahat ng sektor sa ating bayan kaya kailangan pag-aralang mabuti ito.

Q: Ma'am si Chief Justice Puno po, sinabi niya may Supreme Court ruling siya na 'pag nag-lapse na 'yung franchise hindi na puwedeng mag-operate?

Poe: Ginagalang natin si Chief Justice Puno kasi may integridad 'yan at nakakaalam pero 'yung kanyang ruling, kung 'di ako nagkakamali 2003. Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas, nong mga panahong 'yon, ang dami na ring prangkisa ang nai-file sa Kongreso, umaabot na ng daan kaya nga dahil hindi magkandaugaga ang Kongreso at Senado, gumawa ng paraan ang Kongreso na ma-cure ang kakulangan na iyon. Ibig sabihin sila na mismo ang nagsabi sa NTC na pwedeng i-extend 'pag hindi pa tapos ang deliberasyon ng prangkisa at ang tawag dito ay Congressional fiat. Ibig sabihin it's not necessarily a bill but it's by authority from Congress which actually is the intent of a franchise that the authority to grant a franchise emanates from Congress.

Q: Ma'am ano 'yung fiat na ito, ito 'yung mga nasa transcript na binasa niyo po, not necessarily resolution?

Poe: Yes, it's in the transcript of the hearings at least here in the Senate which is on record and then also a letter by Congressman Teodoro, if I'm not mistaken, to Sen. Serge Osmeña, asking Senator Serge that perhaps the franchise should be extended, so there's a lot of precedents in the past. Parang napakahirap isipin na hindi maibibigay itong parehong treatment sa isang kumpanya na isa sa pinakamalaking media company, if not the biggest in the country.

Q: Si SP po ang sabi niya 'yung Supreme Court ruling has the force and effect of law, so it would take precedent over the decision.

Poe: That's right, it takes effect of law, but in practice already there's been subsequent rulings by Congress and the Supreme Court recognizes Congress kasi doon sa franchise nila hindi naman Kongreso ang humingi, NTC, di'ba, so natural kung NTC hindi naman sila talagang pwedeng magbigay ng prangkisa o mag-authorize, it's really Congress. So in this case if there is a concurrent resolution or a resolution, or an authorization, if it comes from Congress, then it is the proper forum to issue that authority.



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Karen Davila: She heads the Senate Committee on Public Services that called for Monday's hearing on issues hounding ABS-CBN, Senator Grace Poe, I want to thank you so much for coming to the show this morning. I just have to say big news today is former Chief Justice Puno's statement that ABS-CBN can't operate beyond May 4 without a franchise stressing a 2003 Supreme Court decision between Associated Communications and Wireless Services versus the NTC. He says this 17 year old decision maintains that the NTC does not have the power to allow a network to operate without a legislative franchise. How does this affect what's been talked about in the Senate hearing and your reaction to that?

Sen. Grace Poe: First of all, with all due respect to former Chief Justice Puno, he is a man of integrity and wisdom. On the other hand, from the time that he was with the Supreme Court until now, a lot of things have changed. And in fact, hundreds of franchises go through both houses of Congress and because of that, the cure of Congress because sometimes they don't have enough time to deliberate on it, is to direct the NTC to grant the provisional license. Now, somehow it also, this act of Congress requesting the NTC to extend the franchise is also by Congressional fiat, it's by authority of Congress that's why the proposal of having either a joint resolution or concurrent resolution could cure it. On the other hand, even without that, even just by precedents of the acts of Congress in recent years should have been enough. It's been granted for PT&T, Globe, Smart, GMA 7, CBCP, Marine Broadcasting, so I was saying, if they don't do this now, in the case of ABS-CBN, it's more of an exception to the rule.

Davila: Okay, now, you have Congressman Del Mar and Sen. Franklin Drilon initiating these resolutions but you have some saying also that ABS-CBN is not still out of the dark in the sense that we have to clarify it still goes up to the President for him to approve it.

Poe: And I think that's the reason also why Sen. Franklin Drilon will file, or I'm not sure if he actually filed it, but today as we resume session, I think that he will file a concurrent resolution which means that we need to get the sense of the Senate and Congress and that alone does not necessarily mean that you don't need the signature of the President although it's not binding like a law.

Davila: Okay, can you clarify that because that might be, you may have a lot of experts debating on that. You don't need the signature of the President yet, even with the concurrent resolution?

Poe: With the concurrent resolution you don't need the signature of the President. It's almost like the sense of both Houses of Congress. With a joint resolution, that's like a regular bill. Now, what is the difference, with a joint resolution that's really a law once it is signed. With the concurrent resolution, that's not recognized, it has really no enforcement power in terms of regular law would. On the other hand, what does the NTC need? It just needs congressional fiat, authority that Congress is saying as of now, the 18th Congress has not ended so we take it at this franchise should be valid until at least the end of the 18th Congress, until we are done deliberating on it. And I think that's fair.

Davila: Okay, Congressman Del Mar was just with Christian Esguerra before this and he did say it had to go still with the President and you are saying no.

Poe: Just that, because he filed a joint resolution. Now, the cure of the Senate is to file a concurrent resolution which doesn't need it. But Karen, let's remember this, law should be flexible enough to meet the demands of a democracy. Laws should not hinder progress that's why even if you have Constitution, this is not written in stone, it has to be amended every now and then. Laws should be amended to be able to address the needs of the times.

Davila: Were you satisfied with how the NTC responded to all your questions, even Sen. Ralph Recto, it seemed that the NTC did not have a clear stand on what to do with ABS-CBN.

Poe: Because as NTC would say is they would need the authority of Congress to tell them.

Davila: Yes or the opinion of the Justice Secretary, he kept telling you.

Poe: Or the opinion of Justice Secretary. On the other hand, the Justice Secretary during our hearing said in the coming days I will issue my opinion on the matter but then that's what I recall Karen, I still have to go through the transcripts again, but after the hearing he said, 'I think a concurrent resolution might be better' and I don't think he is going to issue anymore his decision about this because maybe he would rather Congress actually have the last say on the matter.

Davila: Okay, Senator, critics have said and asked, was it right for you to hold hearings given your business relationship with ABS-CBN and just to be transparent this is what the criticism means: clearly your family receives royalties from the FPJ films that air on ABS-CBN and the fact that the FPJ films, your father's, airs on ABS-CBN merits some kind of business relationship and a contractual relationship. Number two, your mother, esteemed actress Ms. Susan Roces, is a talent.

Poe: Lola Flora.

Davila: Lola Flora also on ABS-CBN, how do you address the perceived bias, why did it had to be Sen. Grace Poe to initiate this when she clearly has a conflict of interest with ABS-CBN.

Poe: No, first of all, I did not, I really decided not to inhibit myself to make a stand on the matter. Number one, I am the chairman of the Committee on Public Services. Number two, it's no secret the relationship of my family with ABS-CBN, the business relationship. Number three, I am only one of 24 senators, whatever I say, even if I am for it or against it, if the majority will not side with my opinion, it will not prevail and then, you know, how do you determine if there is fairness in a proceeding, particularly with the chairman, the Chairman of the hearing will allow everyone to speak. We were the ones, I in particular, made sure that the FICTAP, the ones that are against the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise was invited.

Davila: The cables group.

Poe: Yes, the cable group led by Neng Tamano and I allowed them to speak and everyone else. In fact, members of the labor group of ABS-CBN, I didn't call them; Senator Angara, I think, asked�You can say what you want to say, so how is the chairman perceived as conducting the hearing; did I allow everyone to speak? I allowed Senator Bato to speak as long as he wanted and I knew from the start that he was tentative about it, he was apprehensive about giving ABS-CBN it's franchise. Sen. Bong Go you'd never know but if you ask all of my colleagues, I kept repeating, 'I'm going to have our hearing this time, I hope you can attend.' So where's the bias there?

Davila: Were you surprised that the likes of Senate President Tito Sotto or even Sen. Bong Revilla, they didn't attend. It was surprising, you did have Sen. Lito Lapid suddenly attend and speak but the other colleagues that didn't attend.

Poe: No, because there are times when the Senate President won't attend a particular hearing, maybe because the Senate President works for GMA, he is a talent of GMA, maybe. I really don't know why he wasn't there...

Davila: Senator Bong Revilla?

Poe: He is also a talent of GMA 7, so maybe that is the reason.

Davila: So you believe those are the reasons?

Poe: I don't really know why they, I haven't, from the time, we haven't meet at the Senate, and I know that it was a holiday Tuesday and really there was no session on Monday so it was not a regular session day. It was just for the hearing, so maybe that's also one of the reasons.

Davila: A Manila Times oracle asked is mass media now under the turf of public services, they claimed that the Senate never conducted public inquiries for franchise renewals in this manner, is this preferential treatment to ABS-CBN?

Poe: No, the media is just more interested in this hearing. We've conducted hearings on networks, GMA 7 we've had a hearing on GMA 7 for the franchise renewal. This was I believe in 2017, not only the franchise renewal, just recently, and you don't even remember, we conducted a hearing on the issue of Eddie Garcia. The law...

Davila: Yes, the safety of the artist.

Poe: Yes, the labor standards that are practiced in the networks. So, interesado lang kasi ang mga tao ngayon, mas interesado kasi malaki talaga ang nakasalalay dito. The franchise of ABS-CBN and other media companies, is imbued with public interest. Okay, they say, they question, 'di naman talaga 11,000 ang empleyado ng ABS-CBN, it doesn't matter, 6,000, 5,000, 11,000, all the employees are important. But not only that, information is important. And we depend on the news, we depend on entertainment. People will just wonder one day, may nagsabi, i don't know which senator, I think Senator Angara, bukas kung wala na tayong, kunwari wala na tayong service sa telepono natin kasi hindi na-renew ang prangkisa ng isang network, magtataka rin tayo, so we have the right to know. Kung wala na tayong, kung hindi na tayo pwedeng uminom ng coke o kaya San Miguel Beer. 'Yan ang mga bagay na hindi naman pwedeng basta alisin ng gobyerno. Kailangan naman may eksplanasyon.

Davila: Okay, what did the Senate hearing achieved? Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, he had a press conference and he said first, what is the purpose of that hearing? What can that hearing achieve?

Poe: You know, Speaker Cayetano is very intelligent politician and he has been a lawmaker for many years. He should know that it's in the Constitution that grants both Houses of Congress the right for oversight. Section 6, Article 21 allows us to conduct hearings in aid of legislations and to find out if, do you know the franchise holders are compliant with the agreements that they have with the government. That's number one and number 2, I don't know why they will take this as something out of the ordinary, we've conducted hearings with the budget, as well as with taxes, either simultaneously or ahead of the house.

Davila: If it is in aid of legislation, which is always is, what would you legislate that would help make the franchise law much clearer that it is today. What would you add?

Poe: You know, Secretary Guevarra had a very important point that he made. He said that there is a gap in the law when it comes with franchises, when a franchise expires in the middle of Congress, like the 18th Congress. What do you do when it expires right smack in the middle of a particular Congress. Maybe there should be an amendment that says that if it ends right before Congress adjourns, that the NTC is authorize to give a provisional permit to operate.

Davila: Okay, that's one. And also the interpretation of commercial purposes because the pay-per-view, the KBO, is one of the elements in the quo warranto petition but was also extensively discussed in the hearing, the interpretation of the essentially the cable group and also the Justice Secretary and the NTC with the pay-per-view was also not in unison. The Secretary said I interpreted it as commercial purposes so that includes pay-per-view.

Poe: Because the law is always playing catch up to technology. This is a new technology, the digital technology wherein one spectrum or one frequency can have many channels, right. Now, for commercial purposes that can be interpreted perhaps as a commercial part of the agreement of ABS-CBN to be able to conduct business for commercial purposes.

Davila: Okay, these are parts that you want to legislate or in effect, amend?

Poe: You know what? It's hard to be very specific in the wordings of the law sometimes, because it makes it not flexible enough. I think it's sufficient to say that to allow them for commercial purposes and then the NTC should come up with an implementing rules and regulations as quickly as possible.

Davila: Because they have not.

Poe: They have not. And this has been rolled out since 2016, I know that as early as the time I was in the MTRCB that is in 2010, ABS-CBN has been slowly trying to test the market, in small pocket areas, until now there is no guidelines from the NTC that's why we are in limbo. And since it's the NTC trying to catch up, again, flexibility is key.

Davila: Okay, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, also criticized Senators as sipsip sa ABS-CBN for the next elections, gustong umepal.

Poe: You know, when I deal with counterparts from the House, at least me personally and I think many of my colleagues, we try to maintain a level of respect and decorum, because name calling cheapens the debate and when you start name calling. kung gumagamit ka ng mga salitang ganun, ibig sabihin nawawalan ka ng basehan para sa tamang argumento.

Davila: Okay, so that is your response to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, but he also did say that the House doesn't see the ABS-CBN franchise renewal as urgent. In fact, he did go to the Kobe Bryant opening that very day that you were hearing this in the Senate and that he said the Senate set aside CITIRA which is a corporate income tax bill.

Poe: For the hearing, that's not true.

Davila: Okay, let's discuss that.

Poe: Because Senator Pia Cayetano already sponsored that measure on the floor and interpellations have began. I mean, that time that I had my hearing, if they really want to nitpick that was a day that we really didn't have session and that was the ruling of the majority leader, the Committee on Rules, not considering the ABS-CBN franchise because even if we had session that day, it won't start until 3 pm. So the morning was really free, what they are talking about? They could have, if they needed more time for CITIRA, they could have it simultaneously. So you know I really don't know where this is coming from. But I don't question that Congress is busy, we are busy too, but it's really time management, number one; and number two, ito nga ang sinasabi, 'Ma'am paano na 'yan kung mag-lapse ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at wala na kaming, hindi kami sigurado sa trabaho naming.' Kasi sabi naman sa House, sa May didinigin o August, mag-eenroll na ang mga anak ko, May pa ba? Baka mamaya dahil nagpipigil na ang network na maglabas ng mga bagong proyekto dahil nakabinbin ang kanilang ano, ma-eenroll ko ba ang anak ko ng May o hintayin muna natin ang Kongreso kasi hindi pa ready. So at least, kami sa Senado, walangg makakapagsabi na hindi namin ginawa ang nararapat para naman mabigyan ng tamang pagkakataon ang lahat na mag-esplika tungkol sa prangkisa. 'Yung pinakasimpleng bagay nga pinagdedebatehan natin. Ito pa kaya na makakaapekto hindi lamang sa mga empleyado ng ABS-CBN kundi sa buong bayan na umaasa sa news at sa umaasa sa entertainment. Alam ko merong GMA at magaling ang GMA 7, magaling din ang TV 5 sa news, pero hindi ba mas maganda na may pagpipilian tayo at mapagbabalanse kung anuman ang mga naririnig natin.

Davila: Okay, Malacañang has repeatedly said that this is not a freedom of the press issue. Senators clearly feel otherwise, but do you believe it's the freedom of the press issue?

Poe: It could have consequences to the freedom of the press issue. I mean, technically it does not ban the freedom of speech technically, but if you were an owner of a network or you are an employee of a network, 'Tingnan mo ang nangyari sa ABS-CBN, 'wag nating gawin 'yan kasi baka mamaya tayo rin ang masisante.' Sabihin mo hindi totoo 'yan. 'Yun nga sa ibang network nga lang.

Davila: So there's a chilling effect?

Poe: Merong chilling effect na ang nangyayari ganito, 'parang 'wag na tayong magsalita, nakakatakot.' 'Yan ang talagang unang I guess that would be the start of chipping away at our democracy.

Davila: Malacañang has repeatedly said that the President is not involved, he has no say and our Lower House will conduct its hearing, and yet no less than Senator Bong Go addressed the elephant in the room which was the personal grievance of the President is a factor in all these. At the end of the hearing he was ambushed by reporters and said 'kakausapin ko ang Pangulo' to renew the franchise for the 11,000 workers. Do you believe Sen. Grace Poe, usually franchise renewals take an hour, some say maximum a day, it's meant to be perfunctory, there's standard operating procedure. Do you think this is about the President's feelings?

Poe: I think some lawmakers are always weighing what the President, what the President's inclination is. I don't, I can't say because I have not heard it myself if the President has ordered anything, I doubt it. But maybe, you know, just how he would react to certain things. Now, I'm quite thankful that Sen. Bong Go attended and addressed the issue and said it, nagpakatotoo. Sinabi ito ang dahilan kung bakit may pag-aalinlangan ang Pangulo dito, maging fair kayo. And then, what's even better is that towards the end he said the President is doing this, if ever, not for ABS...but for the employees. And I think that's also very important. And we're also doing this not for anybody's interest except the public. Okay, ABS-CBN negosyo 'yan eh siyempre kikita 'yan, pero ano ba ang nagiging benepisyo ng negosyo na 'to. Does it far outweigh the violations that it already incurred in the past? Of course it's not tit-for-tat but my point is others have also violated their franchises and yet they were slapped with penalties. As Senator Ralph said, and I reiterate this also many times, we should not give them capital punishment. Huwag naman bitay agad kung may pagkakamali.

Davila: Another issue that was discussed, which is the heart of these all is really the negative advertisement that ABS-CBN aired against the President. Our President, Carlo Katigbak, said under the Fair Election Act, we're mandated to air negative ads. So, first I want to ask you, should that be changed? Is the Philippines frankly ready for negative ads, in the United States, this would not be an issue. But you once ran for president, Sen. Migs Zubiri said 'Let's face it, masakit din 'yun pag napanood mo, you need a chance to reply.' But at the end of the day, Senator Poe, should we allow negative ads frankly in the Philippines?

Poe: Personally as a candidate, I don't want it. Will it benefit the voter, if that would be the issue, if it's truthful and it would add the proper information to the voters, I don't know what the debate will be. But I don't think our country is ready for it. Personally, because if you allow it with candidates you allow that in products as well. And you know even products, they are being very careful. In the US and other countries, let's say, they mention the name, here it's like brand X. So I think culturally, there are few things that are nice in our culture and I think being, you know, respectful and kind to each other should be preserved. But when you think about the actual debate in a campaign, will it help viewers, if it's a truthful ad, it will be up to them to judge, but I would rather have not.

Davila: So that's the consideration, you feel that under the Fair Election Act...

 Poe: We should have a discussion on that, will it be beneficial or not, because the other recourse is that if you feel that it has malicious intent, meaning to destroy the reputation, you can file libel.

Davila: But all negative ads are that way of course.

Poe: So it could be under the libelous act, it could be a libelous act when there is a malicious intent to disrespect or to dishonor a person.

Davila: You mean to say it's worth discussing?

Poe: It is.

Davila: So, did GMA 7 aired the negative ad? So now to clarify because clearly this was under oath, the Vice-President for Legal Affairs of GMA 7, you asked her 'Did you air the negative ad' she said yes. And then GMA 7 issued a statement saying 'No, we did not air the ad.' What is the truth?

Poe: Okay. You know when you're chairing a committee, or even when you are attending a committee, several people would field questions and I'd ask. Apparently there are few witnesses during the election that actually saw an ad air in this network, I mean GMA 7. So, I mean I'm not sure because I, myself am a candidate, I was going around. I never chanced upon it. Hindi ko nakita sa GMA7 'yung ad na 'yon kaya tinanong ko. You have to verify. Now she's VP of Legal Affairs she might not really be aware of everything but she answered, she said yes. Sabi ko 'di ba nag-air din kayo ng ganoon. And she said yes and in fact I went further and said, from what I recall, I said although I didn't see the ad apparently there was also an issue of a TRO being filed and GMA 7 did not wait for the decision of the court. When they knew that the TRO was filed they pulled out the negative ad. Is it the exact negative ad, I'm not sure. But ABS-CBN chose to let the process take its course and see what the court will rule, because as you know, in the Fair Election Act, there's really no such regulation against negative campaigning, so they didn't take it out right away, 'yun ang pagkakamali siguro, politically ha ng ABS-CBN. Kasi they decided to stick by the rules. Whereas GMA 7 made a judgment call if GMA 7, indeed, did that. Pero Karen, because of what the ABS-CBN is going through I don't want any more to delve into, nag-air ba ang GMA 7 o hindi, it's counterproductive at this point. We just know that there were no laws violated.

Davila: Okay, now, before we go to a quick break, just to close the issue on ABS-CBN, two quick questions journalists have said, this should not be used, franchise renewals should not be used to settle scores and the bigger issue is editorial coverage whether one likes it or not is never a factor in renewing the franchise of a network, and yet clearly, it is a factor with ABS-CBN. What are the factors frankly for a franchise to be revoked? And is editorial coverage frankly speaking, should it be considered in the renewal of any network, any radio station?

Poe: Not at all. You know the reason why it is so, it is a very subjective authority by Congress, because the guiding principle is that a franchise is a privilege, given to you. In fact, in other countries. If you have a frequency to allocate, you have to pay for that franchise, here we just give it, because there are other costs. My point is editorializing things, that would be part of curtailing freedom of expression, if you say. If you only say, what if one day, the sentiment in Congress and in the Senate would be from now on we will only renew franchises of networks that would air the good news of government. What will happen, to what extent will we go through this criteria. So, what I believe is that we are representatives of the people, and that the most important part is public interest. It's imbibed with public interest and not personal interest. So, I don't think Congress should really use the franchise renewal as a weapon to get what they want.

Davila: Okay, last question is, has there ever been an instance where a concurrent resolution, which you said gets essentially how both Houses feel about an issue, has it ever been successful, to the point that it has not been questioned in the Supreme Court?

Poe: Yes, there are several but I think nothing as controversial as this. At the top of my head, that's also what I would like to discuss with Senator Drilon to cite precedents of concurrent resolutions, but usually it's to honor, you know, certain individual.

Davila: It's never been done.

Poe: No, it's been done.

Davila: But not in this case.

Poe: But not in the level of a franchise, no, it's not been done. But Karen, you know, I don't know why all of a sudden they're trying to be so rigid about it. Sinabi ko na nga binigay sa GMA 7, sa Globe, sa Smart, sa CBCP at marami pang iba. So, kung hindi ibibigay sa ABS-CBN, bakit. But you know what, I take it Speaker Cayetano said, 'Hindi, mawawala ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN sa end of March or kung May 4 man lang. Hindi yan matatapos agad, hindi 'yan matatanggal.' So I hope that will be translated to NTC, you know that Congress will tell NTC, we need to deliberate on this so grant them the provisional permit, and a concurrent resolution we'll put it in writing.

Davila: What is the effect Sen. Grace Poe that ABS-CBN seems to be kept on a short leash. At this point, frankly speaking, the presidential elections coming up in May, in 2022, what's the effect to press freedom, editorial judgment and independence?

Poe: Karen I don't have to spell it out. If you need something, you owe someone, or you're trying to win a project, you move heaven and earth to get that, because a lot rides in that, in what you do. So you tethered now on that balance. Will it be granted or not and, frankly, you know I have the highest respect for the CEO of ABS-CBN, and how he conducted himself during the hearing. He admitted their mistakes that you have mistakes, he's very respectful. But it's almost like having a gun to your heads until, you'll never know it, again we're going back to what are the criteria to grant a franchise. If it's hinged on emotions, and also on personal agendas, it will be very difficult to navigate objectively for the network to be able to win the franchise again. So I just hope that as Sen. Bong Go said, 'Be fair in your reporting, ilabas ang mali. Kung may mali, ilabas, huwag matakot at kung may tama huwag rin namang tipirin ang pagbibigay-pugay, so balansehin,' 'yan ang dasal ko na habang nagkakaroon ng, walang kasiguruhan ang franchise ng ABS-CBN, manatiling patas at huwag matakot.

Davila: Alright on that note, hold that, we will be having a quick break, Hot Copy will be right back. When we return, we will be talking about another issue under the committee of Senator Grace Poe, the motorcycle for hire act.

Davila: Still with us on Hot Copy, we have Sen. Grace Poe. Another issue that's been controversial in the last few months actually, the Motorcycle for Hire Act. First, the pilot study is now proceeding. This is a pilot study with Angkas, JoyRide and Move it. I think it's still six months at this point. Is it still six months?

Poe: You know what, I have to verify because they stopped it and then they extended it. So the actual date, I would have to check because they have their own Technical Working Group. Davila: I want to ask you already now, do you agree this was Angkas' petition I think with the Court, they said it is not right to put a cap on riders per platform. Should there be a cap per rider or cap per platform? Like a certain number 15,000 for Angkas, 15,000 for JoyRide, do you believe in a cap?

Poe: You know what, we can't really make a particular regulation without the proper study. First of all, when they equally divided the caps, that created a controversy because clearly Angkas is already a pioneer in the market. And then you have JoyRide and Move It. In fact, JoyRide and Move It couldn't even fill their quota. So I think it has to be, if ever LTFRB comes up with a number generally for all and then it is up to them to apply.

Davila: Where?

Poe: Pabilisan na lang sila, di'ba? Pabilisan sila, pagalingan. Because remember, these drivers are self-employed, almost. They're under Angkas, JoyRide or Move It but it's their own time, their decision, it;s app based. They can choose which company to join. Which one will provide a better benefit for them. So if they feel JoyRide is better or Angkas or Move It, they can go there and then it's up to Joy Ride and other companies to apply with LTFRB because the problem is, they give a cap to Angkas, but JoyRide and Move It couldn't even fill their quota.

Davila: Okay so that's your stand. Another thing is what kind of regulation would you want. You do have 16 senators, 16 of your colleagues, already agreed to Motorcycle Taxi Regulation. What regulations would you want?

Poe: Okay, first of all, we have to amend a 64-year old law because in that particular law, motorcycles are not allowed to transport as a public utility to transport goods or people. So we have to clearly amend that, because right now, they are going against the law. That's why it's a trial. So number two, what do we want, we have to be able to put what the specs would be. Because right now, the minimum but we have to put something like based on advancement of technology can change that should be an engine displacement of 125 cc not more than 1,000 kilograms, should be able to travel 50 kph. These are the standards that we put para hindi naman pipitsugin ang mga ito na delikado. Now, we are not going to put in the law exactly which roads they can travel because that could change. That could be, there are proposals that in the IRR, the implementing rules, the LTFRB, the DOTr should determine if they will be allowed in EDSA or national roads. So these are things that we need to consider but Karen, there's something interesting, there was a quote, to paraphrase it, something like this 'Motorcycles in itself, is not inherently dangerous, but it is definitely unforgiving for stupidity, ignorance and inattention' because isang bangga mo lang patay ka na, madalas.

Davila: As per the MMDA before, they've given them the middle lane. It is more or less what you have consider the middle lane in EDSA to motorcycles and it affects traffic, that's one even if they claim, I mean the MMDA is saying maliit lang 'yan. But the point is EDSA is as small as it is, is also dangerous, too, you might hit them. So I'm happy that it is included, are you open then that motorcycle taxi hailing, those under the app would not be allowed to fly in EDSA?

Poe: Hard to say because I need to see the study. The important thing is this, maybe they can have certain hours, because I am also thinking of the safety. I want to be able to hear what the result is of the Technical Working Group of the LTFRB and DOTr, remember, Karen, if we have 18 million vehicles in this country, I think 80% of that are motorcycle.

Davila: Motorcycles?

Poe: Yes.

Davila: Because in EDSA mostly are private.

Poe: Mostly are private but 71 percent of the 18 million are motorcycles and then one in three households have a motorcycle. 51 percent of them use it for livelihood. So, if you don't legalize them, safety standards can be compromised even further because in Metro Manila alone, apparently, there are 134 habal-habal terminals, na illegal, 6,000 minimum illegal motorcycle drivers kaya nga 'yung mga kinukuha lang sa Facebook, hindi regulated 'yan, walang insurance di'ba, so you might as well give them an avenue to legalize themselves so we can have a minimum standard. Now, allowing them in EDSA, that can be higly debatable because before we say bawal sa EDSA, let's come up first with secondary roads that's fast enough and that's actually realistic.

Davila: Another issue now is the Visiting Forces Agreement, Sen. Franklin Drilon was here and he is filing a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the unilateral abrogation of the VFA but I know so far, Senate President Tito Sotto, Senator Lacson, Senator Gordon who are joining this petition, are you joining this petition?

Poe: I signed the petition in the sense of the Senate expressing that we really need concurrence of the Senate to be able to, in order to get out also of a treaty, because you need the concurrence of the Senate, the approval of the Senate, to accept a treaty, to join a treaty, parang it's so illogical naman, in abrogating a treaty, you don't need the Senate, as well. So I will join that if there will be a petition and in fact even Malacañang said that they would like to hear what the Supreme Court would have to say about, the final arbiter, Karen because what is confusing to me, when we had that VFA briefing, hearing, in fact, all of the advisers of the President, in maybe, 80% of their statements about the VFA is more of in favor of reviewing it and not revoking it so it seems like if that were taken into consideration then the Palace will be leaning towards reviewing because there's certain provisions that I feel also could be improved. How we were treated for example a crime was committed here, why would that be in their custody and not ours. You know, things like that but even Sec. Locsin is in favor, Sec. Lorenzana admitted that the support that we get from them in times of natural calamities and disasters so it is quite scary. This is one thing that we should consider. We are trying to modernize our military, we shouldn't be dependent on other countries, but we will be spending billions of pesos, hundreds of billions out of our pocket without the support or grants from our friendly nations.

Davila: Okay, we don't have enough time. We would have another discussion at length when it comes to Visiting Forces Agreement, but before we close is there anything you would like Senator clearly it's still be ABS-CBN renewal that's a big issue right now. There's a lot of thoughts on it on where this can go, is there anything you want to close with?

Poe: Well Karen, patungkol sa ABS-CBN issue, ginawa naming ito dahil 'yun ang tamang dapat gawin. It's the right thing to do, to hear it dahil marami ang apektado dito sa isyu na ito at para sa akin, ang mensahe ko na lang, sa ABS-CBN huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi na mismo ng Presidente, 'You report what you need to report' and my colleagues said, 'Be fair in the news,'so ibig sabihin ng pagiging fair ay sabihin ninyo kung ano ang mali, huwag kayong matakot ang sabihin ang mali, at huwag rin naman kayo magtipid ng papuri kung may tamang ginawa. Davila: Do you have message to the House? Poe: Mahirap nang magbigay ng mensahe sa House, may sarili silang pananaw at para sa akin lamang, ang masasabi ko pasintabi na lang, hindi pagbabastos sa inyo kundi ginagawa lang namin ang aming trabaho na alam namin marami rin sa inyo ang gustong gawin 'yan.

Davila: On that note, Sen. Grace Poe, thank you so much for the day.

Karen Davila: She heads the Senate Committee on Public Services that called for Monday's hearing on issues hounding ABS-CBN, Senator Grace Poe, I want to thank you so much for coming to the show this morning. I just have to say big news today is former Chief Justice Puno's statement that ABS-CBN can't operate beyond May 4 without a franchise stressing a 2003 Supreme Court decision between Associated Communications and Wireless Services versus the NTC. He says this 17 year old decision maintains that the NTC does not have the power to allow a network to operate without a legislative franchise. How does this affect what's been talked about in the Senate hearing and your reaction to that?

Sen. Grace Poe: First of all, with all due respect to former Chief Justice Puno, he is a man of integrity and wisdom. On the other hand, from the time that he was with the Supreme Court until now, a lot of things have changed. And in fact, hundreds of franchises go through both houses of Congress and because of that, the cure of Congress because sometimes they don't have enough time to deliberate on it, is to direct the NTC to grant the provisional license. Now, somehow it also, this act of Congress requesting the NTC to extend the franchise is also by Congressional fiat, it's by authority of Congress that's why the proposal of having either a joint resolution or concurrent resolution could cure it. On the other hand, even without that, even just by precedents of the acts of Congress in recent years should have been enough. It's been granted for PT&T, Globe, Smart, GMA 7, CBCP, Marine Broadcasting, so I was saying, if they don't do this now, in the case of ABS-CBN, it's more of an exception to the rule.

Davila: Okay, now, you have Congressman Del Mar and Sen. Franklin Drilon initiating these resolutions but you have some saying also that ABS-CBN is not still out of the dark in the sense that we have to clarify it still goes up to the President for him to approve it.

Poe: And I think that's the reason also why Sen. Franklin Drilon will file, or I'm not sure if he actually filed it, but today as we resume session, I think that he will file a concurrent resolution which means that we need to get the sense of the Senate and Congress and that alone does not necessarily mean that you don't need the signature of the President although it's not binding like a law.

Davila: Okay, can you clarify that because that might be, you may have a lot of experts debating on that. You don't need the signature of the President yet, even with the concurrent resolution?

Poe: With the concurrent resolution you don't need the signature of the President. It's almost like the sense of both Houses of Congress. With a joint resolution, that's like a regular bill. Now, what is the difference, with a joint resolution that's really a law once it is signed. With the concurrent resolution, that's not recognized, it has really no enforcement power in terms of regular law would. On the other hand, what does the NTC need? It just needs congressional fiat, authority that Congress is saying as of now, the 18th Congress has not ended so we take it at this franchise should be valid until at least the end of the 18th Congress, until we are done deliberating on it. And I think that's fair.

Davila: Okay, Congressman Del Mar was just with Christian Esguerra before this and he did say it had to go still with the President and you are saying no.

Poe: Just that, because he filed a joint resolution. Now, the cure of the Senate is to file a concurrent resolution which doesn't need it. But Karen, let's remember this, law should be flexible enough to meet the demands of a democracy. Laws should not hinder progress that's why even if you have Constitution, this is not written in stone, it has to be amended every now and then. Laws should be amended to be able to address the needs of the times.

Davila: Were you satisfied with how the NTC responded to all your questions, even Sen. Ralph Recto, it seemed that the NTC did not have a clear stand on what to do with ABS-CBN.

Poe: Because as NTC would say is they would need the authority of Congress to tell them.

Davila: Yes or the opinion of the Justice Secretary, he kept telling you.

Poe: Or the opinion of Justice Secretary. On the other hand, the Justice Secretary during our hearing said in the coming days I will issue my opinion on the matter but then that's what I recall Karen, I still have to go through the transcripts again, but after the hearing he said, 'I think a concurrent resolution might be better' and I don't think he is going to issue anymore his decision about this because maybe he would rather Congress actually have the last say on the matter.

Davila: Okay, Senator, critics have said and asked, was it right for you to hold hearings given your business relationship with ABS-CBN and just to be transparent this is what the criticism means: clearly your family receives royalties from the FPJ films that air on ABS-CBN and the fact that the FPJ films, your father's, airs on ABS-CBN merits some kind of business relationship and a contractual relationship. Number two, your mother, esteemed actress Ms. Susan Roces, is a talent.

Poe: Lola Flora.

Davila: Lola Flora also on ABS-CBN, how do you address the perceived bias, why did it had to be Sen. Grace Poe to initiate this when she clearly has a conflict of interest with ABS-CBN.

Poe: No, first of all, I did not, I really decided not to inhibit myself to make a stand on the matter. Number one, I am the chairman of the Committee on Public Services. Number two, it's no secret the relationship of my family with ABS-CBN, the business relationship. Number three, I am only one of 24 senators, whatever I say, even if I am for it or against it, if the majority will not side with my opinion, it will not prevail and then, you know, how do you determine if there is fairness in a proceeding, particularly with the chairman, the Chairman of the hearing will allow everyone to speak. We were the ones, I in particular, made sure that the FICTAP, the ones that are against the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise was invited.

Davila: The cables group.

Poe: Yes, the cable group led by Neng Tamano and I allowed them to speak and everyone else. In fact, members of the labor group of ABS-CBN, I didn't call them; Senator Angara, I think, asked�You can say what you want to say, so how is the chairman perceived as conducting the hearing; did I allow everyone to speak? I allowed Senator Bato to speak as long as he wanted and I knew from the start that he was tentative about it, he was apprehensive about giving ABS-CBN it's franchise. Sen. Bong Go you'd never know but if you ask all of my colleagues, I kept repeating, 'I'm going to have our hearing this time, I hope you can attend.' So where's the bias there?

Davila: Were you surprised that the likes of Senate President Tito Sotto or even Sen. Bong Revilla, they didn't attend. It was surprising, you did have Sen. Lito Lapid suddenly attend and speak but the other colleagues that didn't attend.

Poe: No, because there are times when the Senate President won't attend a particular hearing, maybe because the Senate President works for GMA, he is a talent of GMA, maybe. I really don't know why he wasn't there...

Davila: Senator Bong Revilla?

Poe: He is also a talent of GMA 7, so maybe that is the reason.

Davila: So you believe those are the reasons?

Poe: I don't really know why they, I haven't, from the time, we haven't meet at the Senate, and I know that it was a holiday Tuesday and really there was no session on Monday so it was not a regular session day. It was just for the hearing, so maybe that's also one of the reasons.

Davila: A Manila Times oracle asked is mass media now under the turf of public services, they claimed that the Senate never conducted public inquiries for franchise renewals in this manner, is this preferential treatment to ABS-CBN?

Poe: No, the media is just more interested in this hearing. We've conducted hearings on networks, GMA 7 we've had a hearing on GMA 7 for the franchise renewal. This was I believe in 2017, not only the franchise renewal, just recently, and you don't even remember, we conducted a hearing on the issue of Eddie Garcia. The law...

Davila: Yes, the safety of the artist.

Poe: Yes, the labor standards that are practiced in the networks. So, interesado lang kasi ang mga tao ngayon, mas interesado kasi malaki talaga ang nakasalalay dito. The franchise of ABS-CBN and other media companies, is imbued with public interest. Okay, they say, they question, 'di naman talaga 11,000 ang empleyado ng ABS-CBN, it doesn't matter, 6,000, 5,000, 11,000, all the employees are important. But not only that, information is important. And we depend on the news, we depend on entertainment. People will just wonder one day, may nagsabi, i don't know which senator, I think Senator Angara, bukas kung wala na tayong, kunwari wala na tayong service sa telepono natin kasi hindi na-renew ang prangkisa ng isang network, magtataka rin tayo, so we have the right to know. Kung wala na tayong, kung hindi na tayo pwedeng uminom ng coke o kaya San Miguel Beer. 'Yan ang mga bagay na hindi naman pwedeng basta alisin ng gobyerno. Kailangan naman may eksplanasyon.

Davila: Okay, what did the Senate hearing achieved? Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, he had a press conference and he said first, what is the purpose of that hearing? What can that hearing achieve?

Poe: You know, Speaker Cayetano is very intelligent politician and he has been a lawmaker for many years. He should know that it's in the Constitution that grants both Houses of Congress the right for oversight. Section 6, Article 21 allows us to conduct hearings in aid of legislations and to find out if, do you know the franchise holders are compliant with the agreements that they have with the government. That's number one and number 2, I don't know why they will take this as something out of the ordinary, we've conducted hearings with the budget, as well as with taxes, either simultaneously or ahead of the house.

Davila: If it is in aid of legislation, which is always is, what would you legislate that would help make the franchise law much clearer that it is today. What would you add?

Poe: You know, Secretary Guevarra had a very important point that he made. He said that there is a gap in the law when it comes with franchises, when a franchise expires in the middle of Congress, like the 18th Congress. What do you do when it expires right smack in the middle of a particular Congress. Maybe there should be an amendment that says that if it ends right before Congress adjourns, that the NTC is authorize to give a provisional permit to operate.

Davila: Okay, that's one. And also the interpretation of commercial purposes because the pay-per-view, the KBO, is one of the elements in the quo warranto petition but was also extensively discussed in the hearing, the interpretation of the essentially the cable group and also the Justice Secretary and the NTC with the pay-per-view was also not in unison. The Secretary said I interpreted it as commercial purposes so that includes pay-per-view.

Poe: Because the law is always playing catch up to technology. This is a new technology, the digital technology wherein one spectrum or one frequency can have many channels, right. Now, for commercial purposes that can be interpreted perhaps as a commercial part of the agreement of ABS-CBN to be able to conduct business for commercial purposes.

Davila: Okay, these are parts that you want to legislate or in effect, amend?

Poe: You know what? It's hard to be very specific in the wordings of the law sometimes, because it makes it not flexible enough. I think it's sufficient to say that to allow them for commercial purposes and then the NTC should come up with an implementing rules and regulations as quickly as possible.

Davila: Because they have not.

Poe: They have not. And this has been rolled out since 2016, I know that as early as the time I was in the MTRCB that is in 2010, ABS-CBN has been slowly trying to test the market, in small pocket areas, until now there is no guidelines from the NTC that's why we are in limbo. And since it's the NTC trying to catch up, again, flexibility is key.

Davila: Okay, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, also criticized Senators as sipsip sa ABS-CBN for the next elections, gustong umepal.

Poe: You know, when I deal with counterparts from the House, at least me personally and I think many of my colleagues, we try to maintain a level of respect and decorum, because name calling cheapens the debate and when you start name calling. kung gumagamit ka ng mga salitang ganun, ibig sabihin nawawalan ka ng basehan para sa tamang argumento.

Davila: Okay, so that is your response to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, but he also did say that the House doesn't see the ABS-CBN franchise renewal as urgent. In fact, he did go to the Kobe Bryant opening that very day that you were hearing this in the Senate and that he said the Senate set aside CITIRA which is a corporate income tax bill.

Poe: For the hearing, that's not true.

Davila: Okay, let's discuss that.

Poe: Because Senator Pia Cayetano already sponsored that measure on the floor and interpellations have began. I mean, that time that I had my hearing, if they really want to nitpick that was a day that we really didn't have session and that was the ruling of the majority leader, the Committee on Rules, not considering the ABS-CBN franchise because even if we had session that day, it won't start until 3 pm. So the morning was really free, what they are talking about? They could have, if they needed more time for CITIRA, they could have it simultaneously. So you know I really don't know where this is coming from. But I don't question that Congress is busy, we are busy too, but it's really time management, number one; and number two, ito nga ang sinasabi, 'Ma'am paano na 'yan kung mag-lapse ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at wala na kaming, hindi kami sigurado sa trabaho naming.' Kasi sabi naman sa House, sa May didinigin o August, mag-eenroll na ang mga anak ko, May pa ba? Baka mamaya dahil nagpipigil na ang network na maglabas ng mga bagong proyekto dahil nakabinbin ang kanilang ano, ma-eenroll ko ba ang anak ko ng May o hintayin muna natin ang Kongreso kasi hindi pa ready. So at least, kami sa Senado, walangg makakapagsabi na hindi namin ginawa ang nararapat para naman mabigyan ng tamang pagkakataon ang lahat na mag-esplika tungkol sa prangkisa. 'Yung pinakasimpleng bagay nga pinagdedebatehan natin. Ito pa kaya na makakaapekto hindi lamang sa mga empleyado ng ABS-CBN kundi sa buong bayan na umaasa sa news at sa umaasa sa entertainment. Alam ko merong GMA at magaling ang GMA 7, magaling din ang TV 5 sa news, pero hindi ba mas maganda na may pagpipilian tayo at mapagbabalanse kung anuman ang mga naririnig natin.

Davila: Okay, Malacañang has repeatedly said that this is not a freedom of the press issue. Senators clearly feel otherwise, but do you believe it's the freedom of the press issue?

Poe: It could have consequences to the freedom of the press issue. I mean, technically it does not ban the freedom of speech technically, but if you were an owner of a network or you are an employee of a network, 'Tingnan mo ang nangyari sa ABS-CBN, 'wag nating gawin 'yan kasi baka mamaya tayo rin ang masisante.' Sabihin mo hindi totoo 'yan. 'Yun nga sa ibang network nga lang.

Davila: So there's a chilling effect?

Poe: Merong chilling effect na ang nangyayari ganito, 'parang 'wag na tayong magsalita, nakakatakot.' 'Yan ang talagang unang I guess that would be the start of chipping away at our democracy.

Davila: Malacañang has repeatedly said that the President is not involved, he has no say and our Lower House will conduct its hearing, and yet no less than Senator Bong Go addressed the elephant in the room which was the personal grievance of the President is a factor in all these. At the end of the hearing he was ambushed by reporters and said 'kakausapin ko ang Pangulo' to renew the franchise for the 11,000 workers. Do you believe Sen. Grace Poe, usually franchise renewals take an hour, some say maximum a day, it's meant to be perfunctory, there's standard operating procedure. Do you think this is about the President's feelings?

Poe: I think some lawmakers are always weighing what the President, what the President's inclination is. I don't, I can't say because I have not heard it myself if the President has ordered anything, I doubt it. But maybe, you know, just how he would react to certain things. Now, I'm quite thankful that Sen. Bong Go attended and addressed the issue and said it, nagpakatotoo. Sinabi ito ang dahilan kung bakit may pag-aalinlangan ang Pangulo dito, maging fair kayo. And then, what's even better is that towards the end he said the President is doing this, if ever, not for ABS...but for the employees. And I think that's also very important. And we're also doing this not for anybody's interest except the public. Okay, ABS-CBN negosyo 'yan eh siyempre kikita 'yan, pero ano ba ang nagiging benepisyo ng negosyo na 'to. Does it far outweigh the violations that it already incurred in the past? Of course it's not tit-for-tat but my point is others have also violated their franchises and yet they were slapped with penalties. As Senator Ralph said, and I reiterate this also many times, we should not give them capital punishment. Huwag naman bitay agad kung may pagkakamali.

Davila: Another issue that was discussed, which is the heart of these all is really the negative advertisement that ABS-CBN aired against the President. Our President, Carlo Katigbak, said under the Fair Election Act, we're mandated to air negative ads. So, first I want to ask you, should that be changed? Is the Philippines frankly ready for negative ads, in the United States, this would not be an issue. But you once ran for president, Sen. Migs Zubiri said 'Let's face it, masakit din 'yun pag napanood mo, you need a chance to reply.' But at the end of the day, Senator Poe, should we allow negative ads frankly in the Philippines?

Poe: Personally as a candidate, I don't want it. Will it benefit the voter, if that would be the issue, if it's truthful and it would add the proper information to the voters, I don't know what the debate will be. But I don't think our country is ready for it. Personally, because if you allow it with candidates you allow that in products as well. And you know even products, they are being very careful. In the US and other countries, let's say, they mention the name, here it's like brand X. So I think culturally, there are few things that are nice in our culture and I think being, you know, respectful and kind to each other should be preserved. But when you think about the actual debate in a campaign, will it help viewers, if it's a truthful ad, it will be up to them to judge, but I would rather have not.

Davila: So that's the consideration, you feel that under the Fair Election Act...

 Poe: We should have a discussion on that, will it be beneficial or not, because the other recourse is that if you feel that it has malicious intent, meaning to destroy the reputation, you can file libel.

Davila: But all negative ads are that way of course.

Poe: So it could be under the libelous act, it could be a libelous act when there is a malicious intent to disrespect or to dishonor a person.

Davila: You mean to say it's worth discussing?

Poe: It is.

Davila: So, did GMA 7 aired the negative ad? So now to clarify because clearly this was under oath, the Vice-President for Legal Affairs of GMA 7, you asked her 'Did you air the negative ad' she said yes. And then GMA 7 issued a statement saying 'No, we did not air the ad.' What is the truth?

Poe: Okay. You know when you're chairing a committee, or even when you are attending a committee, several people would field questions and I'd ask. Apparently there are few witnesses during the election that actually saw an ad air in this network, I mean GMA 7. So, I mean I'm not sure because I, myself am a candidate, I was going around. I never chanced upon it. Hindi ko nakita sa GMA7 'yung ad na 'yon kaya tinanong ko. You have to verify. Now she's VP of Legal Affairs she might not really be aware of everything but she answered, she said yes. Sabi ko 'di ba nag-air din kayo ng ganoon. And she said yes and in fact I went further and said, from what I recall, I said although I didn't see the ad apparently there was also an issue of a TRO being filed and GMA 7 did not wait for the decision of the court. When they knew that the TRO was filed they pulled out the negative ad. Is it the exact negative ad, I'm not sure. But ABS-CBN chose to let the process take its course and see what the court will rule, because as you know, in the Fair Election Act, there's really no such regulation against negative campaigning, so they didn't take it out right away, 'yun ang pagkakamali siguro, politically ha ng ABS-CBN. Kasi they decided to stick by the rules. Whereas GMA 7 made a judgment call if GMA 7, indeed, did that. Pero Karen, because of what the ABS-CBN is going through I don't want any more to delve into, nag-air ba ang GMA 7 o hindi, it's counterproductive at this point. We just know that there were no laws violated.

Davila: Okay, now, before we go to a quick break, just to close the issue on ABS-CBN, two quick questions journalists have said, this should not be used, franchise renewals should not be used to settle scores and the bigger issue is editorial coverage whether one likes it or not is never a factor in renewing the franchise of a network, and yet clearly, it is a factor with ABS-CBN. What are the factors frankly for a franchise to be revoked? And is editorial coverage frankly speaking, should it be considered in the renewal of any network, any radio station?

Poe: Not at all. You know the reason why it is so, it is a very subjective authority by Congress, because the guiding principle is that a franchise is a privilege, given to you. In fact, in other countries. If you have a frequency to allocate, you have to pay for that franchise, here we just give it, because there are other costs. My point is editorializing things, that would be part of curtailing freedom of expression, if you say. If you only say, what if one day, the sentiment in Congress and in the Senate would be from now on we will only renew franchises of networks that would air the good news of government. What will happen, to what extent will we go through this criteria. So, what I believe is that we are representatives of the people, and that the most important part is public interest. It's imbibed with public interest and not personal interest. So, I don't think Congress should really use the franchise renewal as a weapon to get what they want.

Davila: Okay, last question is, has there ever been an instance where a concurrent resolution, which you said gets essentially how both Houses feel about an issue, has it ever been successful, to the point that it has not been questioned in the Supreme Court?

Poe: Yes, there are several but I think nothing as controversial as this. At the top of my head, that's also what I would like to discuss with Senator Drilon to cite precedents of concurrent resolutions, but usually it's to honor, you know, certain individual.

Davila: It's never been done.

Poe: No, it's been done.

Davila: But not in this case.

Poe: But not in the level of a franchise, no, it's not been done. But Karen, you know, I don't know why all of a sudden they're trying to be so rigid about it. Sinabi ko na nga binigay sa GMA 7, sa Globe, sa Smart, sa CBCP at marami pang iba. So, kung hindi ibibigay sa ABS-CBN, bakit. But you know what, I take it Speaker Cayetano said, 'Hindi, mawawala ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN sa end of March or kung May 4 man lang. Hindi yan matatapos agad, hindi 'yan matatanggal.' So I hope that will be translated to NTC, you know that Congress will tell NTC, we need to deliberate on this so grant them the provisional permit, and a concurrent resolution we'll put it in writing.

Davila: What is the effect Sen. Grace Poe that ABS-CBN seems to be kept on a short leash. At this point, frankly speaking, the presidential elections coming up in May, in 2022, what's the effect to press freedom, editorial judgment and independence?

Poe: Karen I don't have to spell it out. If you need something, you owe someone, or you're trying to win a project, you move heaven and earth to get that, because a lot rides in that, in what you do. So you tethered now on that balance. Will it be granted or not and, frankly, you know I have the highest respect for the CEO of ABS-CBN, and how he conducted himself during the hearing. He admitted their mistakes that you have mistakes, he's very respectful. But it's almost like having a gun to your heads until, you'll never know it, again we're going back to what are the criteria to grant a franchise. If it's hinged on emotions, and also on personal agendas, it will be very difficult to navigate objectively for the network to be able to win the franchise again. So I just hope that as Sen. Bong Go said, 'Be fair in your reporting, ilabas ang mali. Kung may mali, ilabas, huwag matakot at kung may tama huwag rin namang tipirin ang pagbibigay-pugay, so balansehin,' 'yan ang dasal ko na habang nagkakaroon ng, walang kasiguruhan ang franchise ng ABS-CBN, manatiling patas at huwag matakot.

Davila: Alright on that note, hold that, we will be having a quick break, Hot Copy will be right back. When we return, we will be talking about another issue under the committee of Senator Grace Poe, the motorcycle for hire act.

Davila: Still with us on Hot Copy, we have Sen. Grace Poe. Another issue that's been controversial in the last few months actually, the Motorcycle for Hire Act. First, the pilot study is now proceeding. This is a pilot study with Angkas, JoyRide and Move it. I think it's still six months at this point. Is it still six months?

Poe: You know what, I have to verify because they stopped it and then they extended it. So the actual date, I would have to check because they have their own Technical Working Group. Davila: I want to ask you already now, do you agree this was Angkas' petition I think with the Court, they said it is not right to put a cap on riders per platform. Should there be a cap per rider or cap per platform? Like a certain number 15,000 for Angkas, 15,000 for JoyRide, do you believe in a cap?

Poe: You know what, we can't really make a particular regulation without the proper study. First of all, when they equally divided the caps, that created a controversy because clearly Angkas is already a pioneer in the market. And then you have JoyRide and Move It. In fact, JoyRide and Move It couldn't even fill their quota. So I think it has to be, if ever LTFRB comes up with a number generally for all and then it is up to them to apply.

Davila: Where?

Poe: Pabilisan na lang sila, di'ba? Pabilisan sila, pagalingan. Because remember, these drivers are self-employed, almost. They're under Angkas, JoyRide or Move It but it's their own time, their decision, it;s app based. They can choose which company to join. Which one will provide a better benefit for them. So if they feel JoyRide is better or Angkas or Move It, they can go there and then it's up to Joy Ride and other companies to apply with LTFRB because the problem is, they give a cap to Angkas, but JoyRide and Move It couldn't even fill their quota.

Davila: Okay so that's your stand. Another thing is what kind of regulation would you want. You do have 16 senators, 16 of your colleagues, already agreed to Motorcycle Taxi Regulation. What regulations would you want?

Poe: Okay, first of all, we have to amend a 64-year old law because in that particular law, motorcycles are not allowed to transport as a public utility to transport goods or people. So we have to clearly amend that, because right now, they are going against the law. That's why it's a trial. So number two, what do we want, we have to be able to put what the specs would be. Because right now, the minimum but we have to put something like based on advancement of technology can change that should be an engine displacement of 125 cc not more than 1,000 kilograms, should be able to travel 50 kph. These are the standards that we put para hindi naman pipitsugin ang mga ito na delikado. Now, we are not going to put in the law exactly which roads they can travel because that could change. That could be, there are proposals that in the IRR, the implementing rules, the LTFRB, the DOTr should determine if they will be allowed in EDSA or national roads. So these are things that we need to consider but Karen, there's something interesting, there was a quote, to paraphrase it, something like this 'Motorcycles in itself, is not inherently dangerous, but it is definitely unforgiving for stupidity, ignorance and inattention' because isang bangga mo lang patay ka na, madalas.

Davila: As per the MMDA before, they've given them the middle lane. It is more or less what you have consider the middle lane in EDSA to motorcycles and it affects traffic, that's one even if they claim, I mean the MMDA is saying maliit lang 'yan. But the point is EDSA is as small as it is, is also dangerous, too, you might hit them. So I'm happy that it is included, are you open then that motorcycle taxi hailing, those under the app would not be allowed to fly in EDSA?

Poe: Hard to say because I need to see the study. The important thing is this, maybe they can have certain hours, because I am also thinking of the safety. I want to be able to hear what the result is of the Technical Working Group of the LTFRB and DOTr, remember, Karen, if we have 18 million vehicles in this country, I think 80% of that are motorcycle.

Davila: Motorcycles?

Poe: Yes.

Davila: Because in EDSA mostly are private.

Poe: Mostly are private but 71 percent of the 18 million are motorcycles and then one in three households have a motorcycle. 51 percent of them use it for livelihood. So, if you don't legalize them, safety standards can be compromised even further because in Metro Manila alone, apparently, there are 134 habal-habal terminals, na illegal, 6,000 minimum illegal motorcycle drivers kaya nga 'yung mga kinukuha lang sa Facebook, hindi regulated 'yan, walang insurance di'ba, so you might as well give them an avenue to legalize themselves so we can have a minimum standard. Now, allowing them in EDSA, that can be higly debatable because before we say bawal sa EDSA, let's come up first with secondary roads that's fast enough and that's actually realistic.

Davila: Another issue now is the Visiting Forces Agreement, Sen. Franklin Drilon was here and he is filing a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the unilateral abrogation of the VFA but I know so far, Senate President Tito Sotto, Senator Lacson, Senator Gordon who are joining this petition, are you joining this petition?

Poe: I signed the petition in the sense of the Senate expressing that we really need concurrence of the Senate to be able to, in order to get out also of a treaty, because you need the concurrence of the Senate, the approval of the Senate, to accept a treaty, to join a treaty, parang it's so illogical naman, in abrogating a treaty, you don't need the Senate, as well. So I will join that if there will be a petition and in fact even Malacañang said that they would like to hear what the Supreme Court would have to say about, the final arbiter, Karen because what is confusing to me, when we had that VFA briefing, hearing, in fact, all of the advisers of the President, in maybe, 80% of their statements about the VFA is more of in favor of reviewing it and not revoking it so it seems like if that were taken into consideration then the Palace will be leaning towards reviewing because there's certain provisions that I feel also could be improved. How we were treated for example a crime was committed here, why would that be in their custody and not ours. You know, things like that but even Sec. Locsin is in favor, Sec. Lorenzana admitted that the support that we get from them in times of natural calamities and disasters so it is quite scary. This is one thing that we should consider. We are trying to modernize our military, we shouldn't be dependent on other countries, but we will be spending billions of pesos, hundreds of billions out of our pocket without the support or grants from our friendly nations.

Davila: Okay, we don't have enough time. We would have another discussion at length when it comes to Visiting Forces Agreement, but before we close is there anything you would like Senator clearly it's still be ABS-CBN renewal that's a big issue right now. There's a lot of thoughts on it on where this can go, is there anything you want to close with?

Poe: Well Karen, patungkol sa ABS-CBN issue, ginawa namin ito dahil 'yun ang tamang dapat gawin. It's the right thing to do, to hear it dahil marami ang apektado dito sa isyu na ito at para sa akin, ang mensahe ko na lang, sa ABS-CBN huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi na mismo ng Presidente, 'You report what you need to report' and my colleagues said, 'Be fair in the news,'so ibig sabihin ng pagiging fair ay sabihin ninyo kung ano ang mali, huwag kayong matakot ang sabihin ang mali, at huwag rin naman kayo magtipid ng papuri kung may tamang ginawa. Davila: Do you have message to the House? Poe: Mahirap nang magbigay ng mensahe sa House, may sarili silang pananaw at para sa akin lamang, ang masasabi ko pasintabi na lang, hindi pagbabastos sa inyo kundi ginagawa lang namin ang aming trabaho na alam namin marami rin sa inyo ang gustong gawin 'yan.

Davila: On that note, Sen. Grace Poe, thank you so much for the day.



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Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:

First, we thank Senator Ping Lacson for his diligence in shepherding this measure, and for his patience in answering all our questions with regard to it. We recognize the hours of reading, research, and interviews that went in the crafting, sponsorship, and finally defense of the measure.

However, this representation fears that the amendments to the Human Security Act right before us may be abused as it will, among others, allow law enforcers or military personnel to place individuals and organizations under surveillance; compel telcos to divulge their calls and messages; arrest these people without warrant; and detain them for an extended period of 14 days.

The measure also allows regional trial courts to outlaw an organization as terrorist at the requests of even foreign and supra-national jurisdictions. It likewise removes the compensation for persons wrongfully detained.

And at a time when legitimate critics and democratic dissent are being attacked, the Human Security Act could be likened to a certain extent the anti-subversion law during martial law, and may be used against critics and opposition leaders.

Certain questions now come to mind: Can the law be used against democratic opposition leaders? Can opposition political parties be outlawed and tagged as terrorist organizations? Some may say this is farfetched and most certainly some will say this is not the intent of the law.

Allow me to bring us back in time during the martial law years to remind us of how the law was used to go after the democratic opposition leaders.

The Administration then claimed that it had declared martial law in response to the "communist threat" posed by the newly-founded Communist Party of the Philippines, and the sectarian "rebellion" of the Mindanao Independence Movement.

Opposition figures of the time, including Senators Lorenzo Tañada, Jose W. Diokno, Jovito Salonga, Senator Ninoy Aquino, felt the administration was exaggerating these threats, using them as a convenient excuse to consolidate power and extend its tenure beyond the two presidential terms (allowed) by the 1935 Constitution.

Allow us to further go back to a criminal case filed against opposition leader Senator Salonga, who at that time was executive vice president of the Liberal Party and eventually became its president, in the case of G.R. No. L-59524 dated February 18, 1985, against respondents presiding judges (in) Quezon City, its fiscal, and two officers of the Armed Forces.

These key facts I am to cite, reinforce the well-founded fear of opposition leaders today of being persecuted under the Human Security Act. Given the current authoritarian climate, we face a well-grounded fear that it may be repeated.

To cite some of the facts of that case:

- A series of bombings occurred in Metro Manila from August to October 1980. After a bombing incident on September 6, 1980, military and police authorities charged Philippine-born American citizen Victor Burns Lovely Jr. with subversion, illegal possession of explosives, and damage to property.

- Former Senator Salonga was implicated in these bombings because:

Found in Mr. Lovely's possession were pictures taken in May 1980 at a party of former Congressman Raul Daza held at the latter's residence in Los Angeles, California, showing Sen. Salonga and his wife with other guests, including Mr. Lovely.

After another bombing incident (on) September 12, 1980, the brother of Mr. Lovely, Romeo, was presented in a television press conference. In his interview, Romeo said that he had driven Mr. Lovely to Sen. Salonga's house twice in August 1980.

- Arrest, search, and seizure orders (ASSOs) were issued against persons implicated by Mr. Lovely in the series of bombings.

- On October 21, 1980, military officials went to Sen. Salonga's room at the Manila Medical Center to issue an ASSO, which however did not specify the charges or charge against him.

Sen. Salonga's lawyers, for some time, were not permitted to visit him in the hospital room.

On November 2, 1980, Sen. Salonga was transferred, against his objections, to an isolation room without windows in an army prison camp at Fort Bonifacio. Sen. Salonga was not informed why he was transferred and detained, nor was he ever investigated or questioned by any military or civil authority.

On November 27, 1980, Sen. Salonga was released from military custody and placed under house arrest "still without the benefit of any investigation or charges."

- After four months of being detained, charges for subversion, among others, were filed against Sen. Salonga.

All these, while Sen. Salonga had serious health problems.

- On March 6, 1981, and I quote the court records, Salonga was allowed to leave the country for, among other things, the possible removal of his left eye to save his right eye.

- It must be recalled that Sen. Salonga almost died as one of the principal victims of the dastardly bombing of the Liberal Party rally at Plaza Miranda on August 20, 1971.

- To quote further from the records and the ruling of the court, Sen. Salonga has limited use of his one remaining hand and arms, is completely blind in the left eye, and has scar-like formations in the remaining right eye. He is totally deaf in the right ear and partially deaf in the left ear.

- Further quoting our court records, Sen. Salonga was arrested at the Manila Medical Center while hospitalized for bronchial asthma.

When arrested, he was not informed of the nature of the charges against him. Neither was counsel allowed to talk to him until the Supreme Court intervened and issued an order directing that his lawyers be permitted to visit him (Ordoñez v. Gen. Fabian Ver, et al., G.R. No. 55345, October 28, 1980).

Only after four months of detention was Sen. Salonga informed for the first time of the nature of the charges against him. After the preliminary investigation, Sen. Salonga moved to dismiss the complaint but it was denied.

Supreme Court records in the case of Salonga vs Cruz Paño again ruled in 1985, and I quote:

- The respondents admit that no evidence was presented directly linking petitioner Salonga to actual acts of violence or terrorism.

- Further quoting the court's ruling: "There is no proof of his direct participation in any overt acts of subversion."

- "Guilt by visit or guilt by association" theory is too tenuous a basis to conclude that Senator Salonga was a leader or mastermind of the bombings.

- He was indicted simply because some plotters, masquerading as visitors, have somehow met in his house.

- And court records on the testimony of Victor Lovely against petitioner Salonga is full of inconsistencies, the court said.

Senator Salonga and Atty. Renato Tañada could not have whispered to one another because the petitioner is almost totally deaf, quoting from the ruling.

Lovely could not have met Senator Salonga at the Manglapus party in Washington D.C. in 1977 because Sen. Salonga left for the United States only on November of 1978.

The pictures of Sen. Salonga and Mr. Lovely at Raul Daza's birthday, to quote again the court ruling, in Los Angeles is not proof of conspiracy. Politicians have their photos taken with many people.

- Sen. Salonga "invoke[d] the constitutionally protected right to life and liberty guaranteed by the due process clause, alleging that no prima facie case has been established to warrant the filing of an information for subversion against him."

The litany of lies and fabrications by the prosecution in that case revealed the extent of abuse of law enforcers inflicted upon an ailing opposition leader and former senator.

Our fear with an Administration that has jailed an incumbent senator on a case whose key witnesses are convicted drugs lords, that has repeatedly warned about imposing martial law all over the country, that has in fact imposed martial law in Mindanao under what we continue to believe to be questionable constitutional grounds.

These instances are more than simply déjà vu, they are more like foreboding.

The proposed new definition of terrorism is vague and encompassing, making it open to abuse in that the simplest mobilization or common crimes can be framed by errant law enforcers as acts of terrorism.

The prolonged detention is an impingement of rights and liberty. Why 14 days? If security officials and law enforcers are doing their job, why will it take them long to file a case? Or, is the practice of arrest and detain now, produce or invent evidence later still prevalent, as it was when opposition leader Jovy Salonga was arrested, detained, and charged in 1981?

The current law is not perfect, and we, in Congress, should be working continuously to make it work for the people.

The amendments, however, are worrisome and could make the Human Security Act an even worse tool for repression, instead of an instrument for thwarting terrorists.

In closing, ang batas, dapat proteksyon ng mamamayan. Proteksyon sa mga pagmamalabis at maling paggamit nito. Kaya kapag nagkamali sa pagpapatupad nito, dapat may managot, para hindi na maulit, para hindi na abusuhin ang batas, para hindi na pagmalabisan ang karaniwang tao.

Dahil sa karaniwang taong walang poder at walang kapit, maaaring maging terror ang batas.

Laws must be rights-based and must allow civil and political rights to flourish.

Without respect for rights, there can never be security. Kung walang paggalang sa karapatan, walang seguridad.

Respectfully, I vote no to the measure.



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Senator Imee Marcos has urged the government to decide immediately on measures that must be taken to keep a sudden outbreak of Covid-19 cases in South Korea from reaching the country.

"Nakatutok ang gobyerno sa pag-quarantine ng mga Pinoy crew ng Diamond Princess na kagagaling lang ng Japan, pero mukhang nadededma ang mga turistang nakakapasok pa rin galing Korea," Marcos said Wednesday.

Marcos cited that a direct flight from Daegu, where 791 of Korea's 977 cases of infection were recorded Tuesday, landed in Cebu before 11 p.m.

Direct flights from Busan airport, only 85 kms southeast of Daegu airport, have also been landing in Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Kalibo airports and were still being sold online by Air Asia, Air Busan, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Pan Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and T'way Air.

"Nag-warning na ang WHO sa mga developing countries na ang kahinaan ng kanilang mga health care system ay magigiing sanhi ng paglaganap ng COVID-19. Ang pagiging maagap ang ating best defense," Marcos said.

The Senate economic affairs committee chairman added that the government may have to temporarily forego profits from the country's largest tourist market and make the hard choice of imposing a quarantine on flight passengers from Korea, where a maximum virus alert level for Covid-19 was announced Sunday.

Some 24 countries have already decided on a travel ban or strict quarantine measures on flight passengers arriving from Korea, Marcos said, quoting a report from the Korean Herald.

An estimated two million South Koreans visited the Philippines in 2019, flying from Seoul, Busan, Cheongju, Daegu, Gimpo, Jeju, and Muan.



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SFMD: I regret the statement of Senator Bong Go. Being a neophyte senator, he may not be aware of our tradition and our rules. Precisely, a concurrent resolution does not go through the President because it has no force and effect of a law. It is just a sense of the Senate. There is no politics here. We are not depriving the President of the right to veto or approve. The right to veto or approve is in the joint resolution (SJR 11) that I filed, which has the force and effect of a law and which is also filed in the House of Representatives.

A concurrent resolution simply expresses the sense of the Senate, and therefore, it does not really need the approval of the President. It is the joint resolution that needs the approval of the President. We regret that statement, maybe because he is not aware of the tradition and the rules in the Senate.

Q: Even SP Sotto is saying that you still need to discuss the resolution given the statement made by former CJ Puno?

SFMD: We respect the position of former CJ Puno. But, the Senate, and the Congress, would also have the right to interpret the Constitution. The interpretation of the Constitution is not an exclusive monopoly of the Supreme Court. A long list of jurisprudence recognized the authority of the implementing agencies - the executive department and the Congress - to express opinions on any issue. The matter of automatic extension of the franchise, while the matter is pending debate, is an opinion expressed on the floor by the Senate and the HoR. This is an interpretation of the powers of Congress insofar as this is concerned. I, myself, have entertained serious doubts whether or not this is sufficient and that is why I filed the joint resolution, because it has the force and effect of a law. Having said that, certainly, it is the prerogative of Congress to make its own interpretation of its own power to issue franchise. Remember that this is a power of Congress and certainly, the Congress has the power to make an interpretation and until that is set aside by the Supreme Court, that stands.

Q: Doesn't the SC ruling take precedence?

SFMD: We should not be frozen into inaction by the decision of the Supreme Court. Remember we are a co-equal branch and until there is a controversy, we can interpret our powers. If there is a dispute, then the matter is brought to the Supreme Court for adjudication. Until that time, there is nothing to prevent us from interpreting our own plenary power. There is nothing wrong with that. Yes, the former chief justice has expressed an opinion and that is his opinion and he cited a SC decision. But, the history of cases would show that the SC can change its mind. I don't think there is anything wrong us taking a different position.

Sec. Guevarra said that on grounds of equity, the ABS-CBN can continue. Again, this is an opinion expressed by no less than the secretary of justice, whose opinion is binding on the entire executive branch, so this must be extended due respect

Q: Do you think you will have the support of the lower house?

SFMD: I would like to think that it should have the support, because this is an opinion expressed by no less than the Speaker of the House that the effectivity of the franchise continues while the matter is pending in Congress.

Q: SP Sotto is asking if there is a need for a concurrent resolution?

SFMD: That is up to the Senate. Yes, that is a valid question. But, my answer is: nothing wrong with it, because it is just expressing the sense of the Senate.

Q: Sen. Revilla filed a bill extending the franchise of ABS-CBN up to December this year. Are you amenable?

SFMD: Whatever is necessary in order to allow an objective debate on the renewal of the franchise, without the threat of ABS-CBN being closed.

Q: Even without the concurrent resolution, the provisional authority would still be valid?

SFMD: That is the view of Sec. Guevarra; that is the view of Speaker Cayetano; and that is the view of Senator Poe as chairman of the committee on public services



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Mr. President, esteemed colleagues,

With Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as the Subcommittee Chair and the members of the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, I wish to submit and seek the approval of the proposed Senate Bill No. 1319, under Committee Report No. 37, entitled: An Act Expanding the Coverage of the Centenarians Act of 2016, Amending for the Purpose Sec. 2. of Republic Act No. 10868 and For Other Purposes.

From the data gathered in the course of our study and public hearing, the Committee has learned the unfortunate scenario that only a very small fraction of octogenarians live long enough to become centenarians. Even more unfortunately, many, if not most, of our centenarians are already too old, sickly, and impaired to properly enjoy the blessings of the Centenarian Law. According to the World Health Organization's statistics published in 2018, the average person residing in the Philippines has a lifespan of 69.3 years. This average shows that we are three years shorter than the global average of age 72.

In 2019, the DSWD reported to us that they were only able to serve and give the ₱100,000 cash gift to 739 individuals. To note, this is still below their target of 1,000 Filipino centenarians.

To provide our senior citizens with the modest support for their needs and the motivation to live longer towards reaching their centenary age, this measure aims to expand the coverage of Republic Act No. 10868 to include those Filipinos reaching the age of eighty (80) and ninety (90) years old and grant them an acceptable cash gift for reaching this age.

With this bill, Mr. President, we will provide our dear senior citizens of a one-time cash gift amounting to ₱10,000 upon reaching milestone age of 80 and 90 years old. Upon reaching the age of 100, they will receive another ₱100,000 as currently provided by the law. Ultimately, we hope that by expanding the coverage of this law, we are able to concretely honor our elderly for their meaningful contributions and their hard-fought sacrifices to their community and the Philippine society during their years of vigor. Sabi nila, "Huwag kang magsisisi na tumanda. ito ay isang pribilehiyo na nakamtan ng marami".

As a senior citizen myself, I can start to feel and relate more with them. It is a privilege to age and celebrate the gift of life that God gave us. But as we reach old age, the decline of the Senior Citizens' productive capacity exposes this sector to various vulnerabilities, and the government must be there to afford them the support they need together with their families.

"Lahat tayo, tatanda din." In light of the foregoing, I hereby appeal to my colleagues to lend their support for this measure as a tribute to our beloved elderly. Marami pong salamat!



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Government was told to urgently craft a "resilience plan" that will allow the economy "to deftly evade" the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic and the shutdown of plants and back offices of Honda, Wells Fargo and other multinationals in the country.

The call was made by Sen. Sonny Angara as the Senate finance committee opens a series of hearings that will draw a roadmap to create world-class products and services that will proudly bear the "Tatak Pinoy" brand.

"Yes, there is no vaccine yet against the virus. But in terms of protecting our economy, in increasing its defenses, I believe that government must have a contingency plan," Angara said.

Angara said the virus can put "some vulnerable sectors of the economy like tourism in the ICU if we do not mount measures that will cushion its impact. "

Angara's committee had scheduled "all hands on deck" workshops on how "to evolve a consuming economy to one that produces and invests" long before the global crisis incubated in Wuhan, China.

"So in addition to the agenda of creating more jobs within the next decade, we are now faced with the challenge of protecting jobs within the next weeks or months," Angara said.

Angara said that while the government cannot fully control global events, providing a conducive environment for investments is one it can shape.

Angara described as "the nation's number one project this decade" the fast transformation of the economy, "preferably within our generation so that more well-paying jobs are created, especially in the countryside."

He said the Senate finance committee has decided to conduct an inventory of the "patchwork of government programs" to better "leverage the P4.1 trillion national budget into achieving the most important bottom line in spending - jobs for our people."

"We have to map out all our underutilized assets and use this as a springboard in prioritizing sectors, places and industries that can create wealth using Filipino talent," he said.

On this, Angara said there is no shortage of Filipino "exemplars" whose products have captured global acclaim and markets.

"Some of these Tatak Pinoy exemplars are well-known - like furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, or the Puentespina family and their award-winning Malagos Chocolate from Davao. Then we have big brands like Jollibee, Oishi, and Bench that are known throughout the world," he said.

"But then there are other successes worth noting, like the ceramics company CSM Philippines of the Manrique family who have been exporting handmade fine bone china plates, bowls, tea cups and pots to the world," Angara said.

Other niches carved by Filipinos are in the creative sector of the knowledge economy, Angara said.

He cited Ubisoft, which developed the videogame franchise Assassin's Creed from its Laguna studio and the Makati-based SG Interactive, which prepares audiovisual presentations of Fortune 500 companies.

Angara believes that "talent is here, as well as the other ingredients, that can create great products and services that can not only compete, but win in the global market," he said.



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Is the government better prepared to address the looming water crisis this year?

Senator Joel Villanueva has sought an inquiry into the preparation of different government agencies and stakeholders to avert the negative effects of the anticipated water shortage in the summer months.

"The water shortage in 2019 caught most of our people by surprise. It's almost a year since the shortage happened so we're expecting that the MWSS and its two concessionaires are better prepared this time," Villanueva said in a statement.

Villanueva's resolution cited problems experienced by different establishments last year such as hospitals, especially those in severely affected areas that reportedly "turn[ed] away patients with less urgent cases." He also mentioned drastic water conservation efforts of businesses whose facilities resorted to streamlining toilet operations, among other incidents.

"Our experience last year shows that Metro Manila has inadequate water supply. Our regulator and concessionaires should be able to respond to this upcoming problem," Villanueva said.

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 329 pointed out that "there is a need to closely monitor the national water programs, activities, and projects being implemented and undertaken by the government to demand not only its prioritization, but also its timeliness and effectivity in recognition of the people's Constitutional right to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology."

"This is especially more so considering that Angat Dam has not reached its ideal level of 212 meters," the senator explained.

As of 6:00 AM of Feb. 25, the dam's water level is at 202.23 meters, according to the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The resolution, which the senator filed on Feb. 18, also sought updates on the accomplished, ongoing, and pipelined projects of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) including the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, the Kaliwa Dam, and the Ipo Dam 3 Project, among other issues



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ON EDSA PEOPLE POWER ANNIVERSARY

SFNP: Syempre ginugunita natin ngayon ang People Power, Feb. 25. Napakahalagang pangyayari sa ating bansa na nagkaisa ang ating mga kababayan para iwaksi ang pang-aabuso at pagmamalabis ng kapangyarihan ng isang diktador. [Napatunayan] natin na kaya nating harapin at tutulan ang pang-aabuso at pagmamalabis, ang corruption. At napakahalaga dahil sa ngayon, nakikita natin ang banta na manumbalik itong authoritarianism, manumbalik itong one-man rule, at napakahalagang sariwain natin itong -- ano ba ang lesson ng EDSA?

Ultimately, walang forever. Pangalawa, 'pag napuno ang salop, ang mamamayan na mismo ang kikilos kaya dapat tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagbabantay.

Irony na kahapon 'yung hearing sa Senado tungkol sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN. Ako'y naniniwala na ito'y isang dagok sa press freedom, dagok sa freedom of expression, at sa ating freedom bilang isang bansa. Kaya we have to learn from the lessons of People Power and accept and acknowledge na sa huling banda, ang pinakamalakas na pantabla at pinakamalakas na maaaring humarap sa pang-aabuso at sa tyranny ay ang taumbayang kumikilos at naninindigan.

ON ABS-CBN FRANCHISE

Q: Sir sa ganitong sitwasyon sa init ng sitwasyan, sa usapin sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, sa tingin nyo matutuloy, sir? Mangyayari ba o hindi? Sa March 30 or May 4, sir?

SFNP: Kung hindi maipasa ang prangkisa sa House, ako'y naniniwala, walang basehan para mag-operate ang ABS-CBN at malaking kalungkutan ito na pinabayaan at hindi inaksyunan at nung nakita natin nga sa -- maganda ang sinabi nung kanilang kakampi na mismo, kaalyado nila na si Sen. Ralph Recto. Number one, walang violation sa NTC. Number two, walang violation sa tax sa BIR. Number three, walang violation sa SEC. O bakit isasara? Bakit may death penalty? Sabi nga -- ano'ng kasalanan nila kung wala namang nagsasabing meron silang kakulangan? Ang mga ahensya na ng gobyerno na ang nagsasabi nun.

Q: Sa tingin ninyo pulitika ang [pinanggagalingan]?

SFNP: Well, maliwanag. Sabi ko nga pati kami sa Otso Diretso, nung nakaraang kampanya, milyon ang hindi nailabas at na-bump-off na mga ads sa huling mga araw, the last seven days na critical. Syempre may hinanakit din kami dahil kung nailabas sana 'yon, baka nagbago ang resulta at merong naipanalo pero hindi nangyari. Pero ang sabi ko nga, kahit na may hinanakit kami, hindi naman dapat mauwi sa may mawawalan ng trabaho ang 11,000 na empleyado.

Q: Sir, bakit daw nauna ang Senate sa pag-hearing sa isyu sa ABS-CBN?

SFNP: Alam mo, Chairman ako ng Committee on Rules in the 14th Congress, 15th Congress, 13th Congress, so tatlong Kongreso ako bilang Majority Leader at sa lahat ng mga Kongresong iyon hanggang sa ngayon, may parallel hearings lagi ang Senado kahit na ba it should originate from the House. Ginawa na natin 'yan sa budget. Dapat ang budget emanates from the House. Ginawa natin 'yan sa tax measures. Dapat mag-emanate from the House pero may hearing na kami at ganun din sa local bills. Dapat maipasa muna sa House pero naghi-hearing na ang Senado. So this is consistent with our rules and consistent with a Supreme Court ruling na sinasabing as long as wala namang committee report at walang official action ang Senate plenary, these hearings are consistent with the rules and consistent with the [INAUDIBLE].

Q: Sir, reaksyon. Bara-bara daw 'yung naging Senate hearing sabi ni Speaker Cayetano. Reaksyon po.

SFNP: Bara-bara daw? Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng ibig sabihin nyan. Baka kasi hindi siya sumasang-ayon doon sa mga resulta ng hearing kaya hindi siya naniniwala na ito'y maayos. Pero ang taumbayan naman ang nakakita eh. Sila na mismo ang naging saksi. At 'yung mga impormasyon na dapat lumabas, dahil nga iniipit ang ABS-CBN at sinasabing may mga paglabag sa batas, eh nakita namang wala, so hindi ko alam ano'ng ibig sabihin ng bara-bara.

Q: Senator, mag-i-initiate si Sen. Drilon ng concurrent resolution para makapag-operate pa rin ang ABS-CBN kahit na mag-expire 'yung franchise by May 4 or March 30. Will you support this, Sen?

SFNP: Yes. Yes. We support that joint resolution as an expression ng Senado. Baka lang ang magiging problema riyan ay hindi nga aksyunan ng Lower House. But still, mahalaga 'yan dahil maipapakita natin at tulad ng nangyari kahapon, oportunidad para mailabas at mapag-usapan 'yung mga isyu.

Q: Sipsip daw ho 'yung mga senator sa ABS, sabi.

SFNP: 'Yung mga ganyang bitiw na salita hindi na dapat patulan.

ON CHARTER CHANGE

Q: ...kasi sa DILG may mga hearing din sa local, usapan sa mga amendments sa 1987 Constitution.

SFNP: Noon pa naman may mga hearing, may mga pagpupulong ang DILG, mula pa nung 2016, 2017, 2018, pero nasaan ba ang tao rito? Nakikita ba ng tao ang kahalagahan? In fact, ang pinakahuling survey tungkol diyan ay wala pang 5% ang naniniwalang urgent ang charter change so tingnan natin. Bilang chairman ng Committee on Constitutional Amendments, syempre minomonitor natin 'yan. Maliwanag na lahat ng ating kilos ay kokonsultahin natin ang ating mga Senador.

Q: So sa tingin niyo, sir, hindi napapanahon itong pag-usapan 'yung constitutional amendments?

SFNP: Eh lalo na kung pag-uusapan ang term extension tsaka no election, 'di ba? Kumbaga, pansarili lang ang inuuna. Sabi ko nga ang kailangan ng mga kababayan natin ay trabaho. Bakit inuuna ang trabaho ng pulitiko -- paano mapapalawig, paano mapapa-extend? Unahin natin 'yung hanap-buhay at trabaho na dapat makuha ng ating mga kababayan. Maraming naghahanap ng trabaho pero ang inuuna 'yung trabaho ng pulitiko. Hindi tama 'yun.

Q: May mga umiikot na ngayong mga kilalang pulitiko. 'Yung ilan 'yung mga natalo, 'yung iba ay mga incumbent sa iba't ibang mga probinsya at ang pinag-uusapan po ay no term limits. Sa tingin niyo mangyayari 'yun?

SFNP: Kapag ganyan ang usapin, lalong mawawalan ng suporta mula sa mamamayan. Any effort at charter change, kung hindi susuportahan ng taumbayan, will fail.

Q: Senator, minority po kayo, baka ituloy ng majority.

SFNP: Tingnan natin. Pero hindi naman ako magiging Chairman ng Committee ng Constitutional Amendments kung hindi naman sinusuportahan ng majority.



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Ang lahat nag-umpisang hindi mulat. Ang totoo, mas marami ang hindi "politicized" at hindi interesado sa kaganapan sa pulitika. Believe it or not, once upon a time, isa akong "apolitical at indifferent" na UP student nung 1980s.

May nauuna sa kamulatan sa pulitikang pambansa at may nahuhuli. Ang lahat ng kamulatan nag-uumpisa sa personal level at experience. Dito sa personal level, nag-uumpisa ang pagtatanong at paghahanap ng mga sagot sa mga tanong na ito. Unti-unti dumarating ang kamulatan sa pagtatanong at pakikinig hanggang sa mauunawaan na ang mga pangyayari sa bansa at ang epekto nito sa buhay natin, ng ating mga anak, pamilya.

Kaya mula pa nung aktibista ako sa UP nung panahon ni Marcos, mahalaga na ang mga pulong-bayan, pulong-bahay, fora, symposia at education discussions o mga ED tungkol sa mga pangyayari sa bansa at sa mundo at ang ugnayan nito sa buhay ng bawat isa upang mas mapalalim pa ang pag-unawa sa mga pambansang realidad.

Sa harap ng pag-agos ng fake news, paninira, propaganda, at paglilihis, lalong kailangan ang mga symposia, fora, mga pulong-bayan upang mag-usap, makinig, matuto, umunawa, at sa huli kumilos.

At dahil anibersaryo na ng 1986 People Power ngayon, ang personal experience ko sa pagiging interesado sa pambansang realidad ay naganap nung August 21, 1983 nung walang-awang binaril sa airport si Ninoy Aquino.

"Apathetic at indifferent" UP student pa ako up to that point. Hindi pa ako sumabak sa pagiging student leader nun. Personal ito sa akin dahil fraternity brother ko sa Upsilon Sigma Phi si ex-Senador Aquino. Personal twice over dahil brod ko rin si Marcos.

Nagulo at nahati ang fraternity sa nangyari. Sa hanay ni Marcos ang mga big names na mga Upsilonian tulad nina Arturo Tolentino, Roberto Benedicto, Estelito Mendoza, General Josephus Ramas, Jolly Bugarin. Kahanay naman ni Ninoy ang mga Upsilonians na big guns naman ng opposition na sina Doy Laurel, Gerry Roxas, Joker Arroyo, Jake Almeda Lopez, Senseng Suarez, Armando Malay at pati brods na namundok tulad nina Mer Arce at Melito Glor.

Dun ako nag-umpisa sa pagtatanong at paghahanap ko ng mga sagot. Mababaw pa nga ang mga unang tanong ko tulad ng, bakit pinapatay ni Marcos ang ating brod na si Ninoy? Paano naman nakalusot ang "communist hitman" na si Rolando Galman sa 3,000 sundalo ng AFP na nakabantay at nakapaligid sa airport dahil sa kanyang pagdating? Di ba katangahan ng AFP na nakalusot si Galman? Nakalusot ba o pinalusot? Communist hitman daw ang pumatay? Etc. etc.

Maraming mga katanungan na hangad ko ang mga sagot. Nakinig ako sa mga symposium. Nag-umpisa akong magbasa ng We Forum, Mr & Ms, at iba pang independent news sources, na "Mosquito Press" ang tawag noon. At matapos ay sumabak na ako sa campus activism sa susunod na taong 1984.

Nagtanong. Naghanap ng mga sagot. Nakinig. Natuto. Namulat. Kumilos.



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Amid the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) scare which has produced a disruption in the global supply of face masks, gowns, gloves and other protective gear, the Philippine Red Cross, headed by its chairman and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Monday donated face masks to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Gordon said the donation of 25,000 pieces of face masks to the BOC is in line with his pronouncement that front-liners should be given priority in the distribution of face masks and other protective gear because they come directly in contact with infected persons or possible carriers of the disease.

"We have to provide our front-liners with face masks and other protective gear. Our doctors, nurses, and other hospital personnel come in close contact with people infected with the novel coronavirus and patients under investigation. Likewise, the personnel of agencies like the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, airports and seaports and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also interact daily with inbound travellers, some of whom may be carriers of the disease. We should protect our front-liners, it would also help prevent local transmission of COVID-19," he said.

For his part, Customs Commissioner Leonardo Guerrero, who personally led the BOC delegation to accept the donation, expressed gratitude to the PRC, under Gordon's leadership, for the face masks.

"We did not expect to be included in the list of agencies that will be given face masks. But we are very, very grateful. We give our whole-hearted thanks to the PRC and of course, to Sen. Gordon," he said.

After being given a tour of the PRC building, including the Operations Center (OpCen), where he listened to a presentation on how the PRC operates and its Blood Bank, Guerrero was very impressed by the PRC's capabilities it's state-of-the-art facilities, and its array of disaster response and management equipment and vehicles. "This is very impressive. Dapat may ganito din ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno," he said after seeing the PRC's OpCen.

Last Friday (February 21), the PRC also donated 10,000 pieces of face masks to the DFA's Office of Consular Affairs.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go visited fire victims in Parañaque City on Monday, February 24, to provide immediate assistance to those who lost their homes and properties due to a fire incident that happened at Purok 4, Silverio Compound, Brgy. San Isidro.

The incident involving a two-storey residential building affected 168 families and claimed the lives of two children--Laurence Vasquez, 8, and Andrew Edroza, 5. A woman, Nenita Nenada, was also injured during the incident.

During the visit, the Senator sympathized with the families of those who died from the fire incident and told them that he will shoulder the funeral expenses of the victims. "Sa mga namatayan, kami na po ang bahala sa mga gastusin sa libing," he said.

Go also brought relief and financial assistances to the families affected by the incident. "May dala po akong tulong sa inyong lahat. May groceries, pagkain at financial assistance sa inyo, pantawid muna ngayon. Lahat po kayo, makakatanggap nito. Bukod pa rito ang tulong mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno," Go told the affected residents.

To encourage students to immediately go back to school despite their recent mishap, the Senator said that he will help replace their uniforms and school supplies. "Sa mga estudyante, ako na po ang bahala sa inyong uniporme at school supplies. Ayokong maistorbo ang inyong pag-aaral dahil sa sinapit ninyo," the Senator said.

Go also offered to be a godfather to the future babies of the expecting women in the audience.

Explaining why he continues to go around the country to help victims of fires and other natural disasters, Go said that the election period should not be the only time for public officials to personally visit Filipinos and listen to their concerns.

"Hindi lang po sa eleksyon dapat umikot. Ngayon dapat umikot. Hindi lahat ng Pinoy maaakyat kami sa Senado. Ayokong magpalamig lang doon" he said, adding that he wants to bring government closer to the people, especially those who need government attention the most, such as victims of disasters.

"Gusto ko lang mag-iwan ng ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati," Go said.

Concerned agencies were also present to provide different kinds of assistance to the fire victims. There were representatives from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in the site.

"Nakiusap ako sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, tulad ng DSWD kung saan may programa sila na magbigay ng financial assistance sa inyo," the senator elaborated.

"Nandito rin po ang DTI naman para magbibigay ng livelihood assistance," the senator added. "Nandito rin ang NHA para magbigay ng tulong sa inyo. Pumili lang po kayo. Pwede silang magbigay ng housing materials o mag-avail kayo ng murang pabahay."

"Ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, magtutulong-tulong para sa inyo," he added.

During the visit, Go also explained to the residents the purpose behind the Malasakit Centers which aim to cut the time, money and effort spent by Filipinos in moving from one office to another just to seek government financial and medical assistances.

With the medical assistance programs coming from the four participating agencies already available in the Malasakit Center, the target is to reduce the hospital bill of indigent and poor patients to the lowest possible amount without wasting time seeking help from different government offices.

"Ubos panahon niyo, ubos din pamasahe niyo sa kapipila. Alam niyo po, kawawa 'yung Pilipino. Minsan po, sa hangarin pong humaba lang ang kanilang buhay, pipila ng madaling araw para humingi ng tulong. Sa totoo lang, pera nila iyan, kanila iyan," he said.

"So ngayon po, mayroon na tayong Malasakit Center sa loob ng ospital, naroon na yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno nasa iisang kwarto. Sa Children's Hospital, nariyan din po, magkakatabi ang DOH, DSWD, PhilHealth, PCSO," Go said.

Go also cited the newly enacted Malasakit Center Act that mandates the establishment of such centers in all 73 DOH-run hospitals nationwide and in the Philippine General Hospital.

"'Di ba meron na tayong Malasakit Center sa Parañaque City? Sa tulong po ng mga katulad nating mambabatas, batas na rin po ito ngayon," he said.

Go also emphasized that the Malasakit Center caters to all Filipinos. "Anong kwalipikasyon? Basta Pilipino ka," Go said.

As for those who were injured or sick residents in need of surgical treatment which cannot be provided by the centers, Go said that he is willing to provide assistance to them, most especially those who need to undergo medical operations.

"Kung hindi po kaya ng Malasakit Center, kung sino gusto magpagamot, ako na po sasagot. Kung kailangan niyo ng operasyon sa puso, o kidney transplant, magsabi lang po kayo, ako na mamasahe, pagamot, pa-opera hanggang makauwi kayo sa inyong bahay," he said.

Towards the end of the program, some of the victims were in tears as they became emotional when Go, together with actors Philip Savador and Victor Neri, serenaded them with the song "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako". The Senator also comforted the parents who lost their children in the tragedy.

Go also committed to help shoulder expenses for the prosthetics of Benjamin Borja, a person with disability present during his visit.

Ending his message to the victims, Go said that he will continue to give back to the Filipino people the quality of government service they deserve.

"Alam niyo, si Pangulong Duterte, isang mayor na ginawang Presidente. Ako, isang probinsyano na ginawang Senador. Wala na akong hihilingin pa sa Panginoon. Ibabalik ko sa tao 'yung serbisyong para sa tao. Magtatrabaho na lang po ako. Masaya po akong makapagserbisyo na lamang sa aking mga kababayan," Go said.

"Lahat ng tao sa mundong ito, may bisyo. Pero ako, ang bisyo ko, magserbisyo," he ended.

After his fire visit, Go proceeded to the Senate to attend a public hearing on the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation. The Senator is also set to attend the launching of the 65th Malasakit Center in the country and the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Malasakit Center Act at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City later in the afternoon.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Monday, February 24, urged fellow lawmakers to decide whether to renew or deny ABS-CBN's franchise. He raised concerns on the motives behind the approach of passing a joint resolution seeking to extend ABS-CBN's franchise until the end of 2022.

Joint Resolution No.11 aims to extend the network giant's franchise until December 31, 2022 amid "uncertainties on the fate of the network."

In an ambush interview after the Senate public hearing on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, Go raised concerns regarding the joint resolution filed by the Senate minority leader.

"Dalawang tanong lang. Bakit i-extend? Why December 2022? It has something to do with politics again," Go said, adding that the President's term would have expired by that time.

Instead of extending the franchise of the network through a joint resolution, Go said that the Lower House should just vote to approve or deny the pending bills in the Congress.

"By that time, tapos na ang termino ni Pangulo. Parang sinasabi n'yo na ayaw n'ya aprubahan kaya i-extend na lang. Pag-usapan na natin ngayon, ngayon na," he added.

"'Di pa maipasa, napapaso na nga kaya sabi ko kung nagawa ng Senado mapag-usapan, bakit 'di n'yo magawa sa Kongreso. Hintayin pa ba natin na mapaso? Sabi ko 'di na nga sana kailangan ng joint reso extending up to 2022. Either ipasa natin or hindi," he said.

As for the provisional authority being pushed to allow ABS-CBN to operate beyond the expiry date of its franchise, Go said. "D'yan tayo pupunta. Ayoko nga may mawalan ng trabaho. Ayokong maputol 'yun dahil sa kakulangan ng panahon. Kawawa ang mga trabahante."

Asked for President Rodrigo Duterte's possible reaction to the discussions in the Senate hearing, Go said, "I can't answer that, only the President, kung sakaling maghilom ang sugat."

"Hindi naman po namin masyadong pinag-uusapan pero ngayon napaintindi ko sa mga Pilipino kung ano ang nararamdaman, ano ang sakit, ngayon alam na ng mga Pilipino ang isa sa mga dahilan, 'yung sugat na iniwan," he added.

Referring to the black propaganda aired against the President during the campaign period in 2016, Go mentioned, "Nakita n'yo naman kanina ano ang inilabas at naging priority noong nakaraang halalan noong 2016."

"Nakita n'yo naman ang sulat after a year. Ano ang gagawin mo sa pera, importante 'yun during the very crucial times ng period ng election, make or break ito kapag isa kang kandidato.

"Nagtataka lang po ako bakit mas binigyan pa ng slot ang black propaganda... Paninira po 'yun sa isang kandidato. Siraan siya para bumaba ang rating that time. Very crucial 'yun kaya siniraan siya," he added.

During the Senate hearing on issues surrounding ABS-CBN's franchise, Go said that it is clear that someone went overboard in trying to malign the President by airing the black propaganda ads in 2016.

"Remember, in an election campaign, especially in a presidential campaign, there is no tomorrow. Every second matters. Isa lang ang mananalo kaya malaking bagay ang makapag-ere ng mga ads. Napaka-unfair naman kung inere yung sa kalaban mo, alam naman nating black propaganda, inuna pa iyon. Kaysa i-ere sa iyo wala, na bayad naman na," Go said during the hearing.

Asked if the President will accept the ABS-CBN's apology, Go said, "Hopefully, tanggapin n'ya ang sorry. May puso naman ang mahal na Pangulo kaya naman siya minamahal ng taumbayan."



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Discrimination of learners on the basis of their background or religion has no place in the country's education system. This is Senator Win Gatchalian's reminder to the Philippine National Police (PNP) amidst uproar on a Manila Police District (MPD) memorandum, which called for the creation of a database of Muslim students in high schools, colleges, and universities as part of efforts to counter violent extremism and strengthen peacebuilding.

While the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has already ordered the MPD to scrap the memorandum, Gatchalian denounced the move as discriminatory and insensitive. Gatchalian said that the order is tantamount to assuming that Muslim students are likely to be involved in violence, which only reinforces stigma against Muslim communities. The lawmaker added that any existing similar orders nationwide should be recalled immediately.

"Hindi natin pwedeng palagpasin ang ano mang uri ng diskriminasyon sa ating mga mag-aaral," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian instead urged the PNP to implement its community relations programs in schools using the framework of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Order No. 032 series of 2019, which promotes the concept of Schools and Learners as Zones of Peace. The Department Order emphasizes recognition and respect for the human rights of learners, their contribution to creating peace nationwide, and the role of schools in fostering peace education. It also guarantees the protection of learners from inhumane, cruel, and degrading treatment.

"Sa pagpapanatili ng kapayaan sa ating bansa, dapat tandaan ng PNP na kailangan nitong i-respeto ang relihiyon at kultura ng bawat komunidad. Kailangang matutunan ng bawat hanay ng PNP kung paano mapanatili ang kaayusan sa bansa nang hindi nagpapakita ng diskriminasyon sa anumang komunidad," Gatchalian added.

Gatchalian also urged both the DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to protect students from any acts that make them a target of any profiling activities.

Under the direction of MPD chief Brig. Gen. Bernabe Mendoza Alba, the District Community Affairs and Development Division issued the memorandum on January 31. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines shared the memorandum in a Facebook post on February 20 and sparked outrage from Muslim groups and other sectors. The Bangsamoro Parliament, for its part, passed a resolution condemning the listing, which it described as prejudicial against Muslims.



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The Bureau of Immigration "Pastillas Scandal" is just the latest in a long line of controversies surrounding Duterte's pivot to China.

The list includes the then appointment of Chinese citizen Michael Yang as presidential economic adviser; the billions in dollars of questionable infrastructure agreements entered into with China in October 2016 under China's Belt and Road Initiative; the grant of research access to Benham Rise; the proposed joint exploration deal in the West Philippine Sea; the broadcast of Chinese shows on government-owned television; the deliberate compromising of national security and state secrets with the installation of Chinese communication facilities inside AFP properties; the take-over of the strategic Fuga, Grande, and Chiquita islands by Chinese companies; the fishing agreement that surrendered our EEZ to China; the questionable award of critical projects, e.g. Kaliwa Dam, to state-owned Chinese companies with dubious records; etc., etc., etc.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we must repeat over and over again and remind our countrymen that our country is being turned into a Chinese province by the Duterte administration. This is not only a pivot to China, but the transformation of the Philippines into a Chinese satellite. We are being overwhelmed by this gigantic shift in our national policy which has been otherwise fully dedicated to fending off Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea and maintaining alliances to counter Chinese domination in the western Pacific rim.

The opening of the Philippines to Chinese POGOs signifies an aspect of this Duterte-sponsored Chinese invasion that erodes our moral, social, and cultural fabric. The POGOs of China's triads are fast transforming our society into a cesspool of vice and criminality for Chinese citizens. This is undeniable from the expos�s during the Hontiveros-led Senate inquiry on the prostitution and "Pastillas" rackets generated by the POGOs. This is not to mention the increase in kidnappings, drug-trafficking, gambling, and violence that accompany the POGO business.

The presence of POGOs has created a de facto state of national emergency in our country. The POGOs represent a national threat, both to our national security as a country and stability as a society. In so many ways, the Chinese triad POGOs represent a danger more alarming than marauding divisions of the People's Liberation Army because rather than invade us from the outside, POGOs are corroding our social fabric from the inside, much like how the Chinese COVID-19 virus destroys its host from the inside.

As in the case of the Chinese COVID-19 virus, if not more so, we must, in all seriousness and determination, deal with the Chinese POGOs. The POGOs are the virus which will gradually, but definitely kill our communities.

It is about time we face this Chinese threat head-on. Before it is too late.

Today's commemoration of the 1986 People Power revolt ought to stir us into heightened vigilance, and action, in defending once more our sovereignty as a democratic state and freedom-loving people. ###



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Sa paggunita natin ng ika-34 na anibersaryo ng 1986 EDSA People Power ngayong araw, isaalang-alang natin na lahat tayo ay Pilipino na may iisang hangarin�ang makatarungan, maunlad at malayang Pilipinas.

Nasaksihan ng buong mundo ang kahulugan ng "People Power", ang mapayapang rebolusyon ng milyon-milyon nating kababayan sa EDSA na nagpanumbalik sa ating demokrasya noong 25 Pebrero 1986.

Subalit ang mga pang-aabuso at pagmamalabis noon sa ilalim ng martial law ni Marcos ay nanumbalik sa kasalukuyang mapang-abusong pamumuno ni Duterte.

Kahapon, 24 Pebrero 2020, ang ikatlong taon ng aking pagkakakulong dahil mariin kong tinututulan ang mga patayan, pang-aabuso at korapsyon sa pamahalaan. Inosente ako ngunit nakakulong pa rin dahil hinahadlangan nila ang pagtatanggol ko sa karapatan ng mga Pilipino.

Kahapon, dininig ng Senado ang usapin ukol sa franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN, ang pinakamatagal na broadcasting network sa bansa, sa harap ng mga pagbabantang ipasara ito. Binibiktima rin nila ang malayang pamamahayag. Kinakasuhan at pinatatahimik ang mga kritiko. Pinapatay ang maralitang Pilipino.

Ang lahat ng ito ay dahil may namumunong ganid sa kapangyarihan. Pero malinaw ang mensahe ng EDSA: Walang mapang-api na nagwawagi.

Sa kauna-unahang "International Forum on Lawfare: Weaponizing the Law vs Democratic Dissent" noong 21 Pebrero 2020, nagtipon-tipon sa Pilipinas ang mga kinatawan mula sa iba't ibang sektor at panig ng mundo para labanan ang pagbaluktot sa batas ng mga gobyerno upang kitilin ang demokratikong diskurso at boses ng oposisyon.

Tiwala ako na buhay ang diwa ng EDSA sa mga Pilipino. Paigtingin pa natin ito. Magmalasakit tayo at igalang ang ating kapwa. Ipagtanggol natin ang inaapi at bigyang dignidad ang bawat isa. Magkaisa tayo sa pagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao, katarungang panlipunan, at demokrasya para sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan.

LEILA M. DE LIMA

PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame



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The Senate Committee on Finance is set to hold an inquiry tomorrow on the implementation of the government's programs on industrialization and employment-generation to determine what these have accomplished so far, which ones are working and the next steps needed to ensure its sustainability.

Finance Committee Chairman Senator Sonny Angara, in pursuing the inquiry, said there is a need to bolster Filipino or "Tatak Pinoy" productive sectors and encouraging inclusive growth across the country so that "small and medium businesses will have a greater chance to make it big, more jobs will be created for the people, and the Philippines will move closer towards becoming an industrialized country."

The inquiry will go over the various items lodged under the P4.1 trillion General Appropriations Act for 2020 that are geared towards boosting productivity and generating employment, which will provide both the executive branch and Congress valuable inputs for the crafting of the 2021 GAA and for future national budgets.

Angara said there is an urgent need to conduct an inventory of the investments government plans to make in the next five to ten years for such initiatives covering information technology and business process outsourcing, tourism, creative industries, trade, manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries, logistics, shipping, research and development and other productive sectors.

"We will assess whether such investments are in line with the constitutional mandate to promote industrialization and full employment; expand productivity; and sustain the increase in the goods and services produced by Filipino workers, craftsmen, artisans, creatives, entrepreneurs, professionals, scientists and researchers," Angara said.

"This will be a comprehensive review of everything the government is doing to help both our micro, small and medium enterprises and industries in leveling up, not just to improve their bottom line, but to empower their communities by providing jobs and sustainable livelihood," Angara added.

Among the initiatives that the committee will examine are those under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry such as the shared services facilities; support for the Foreign Trade Service Corps; the establishment of more Negosyo Centers; continued implementation and improvement of the One Town, One Product and Go Lokal!; the launching of "Digital Philippines" for training entrepreneurs about e-commerce and Industry 4.0; implementation of Republic Act 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act and R.A. 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act.

For the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the committee will look into the implementation of the Special Training for Employment Program or STEP, the Training for Work Scholarship Program or TWSP, and Republic Act 11230 or the Tulong Trabaho Act.

In the Commission on Higher Education, the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free college tuition in all state universities and colleges and select local universities and colleges will be assessed.

For the Department of Labor and Employment, the committee will look into the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged or Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, the Government Internship Program, DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DLIP) and JobStart Initiative and the continuous engagement with and monitoring of the Public Employment Service Offices across all local government units.

The Department of Agriculture's banner programs for high value crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, rice and other staples; its agribusiness incubation program; agripreneurship program; and the Young Farmers Program.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology's initiatives in promoting ICT literacy and supporting ICT industry and countryside development, as well as ensuring nationwide connectivity through its programs on Free Internet Wi-Fi Connectivity in Public Places and the implementation of the National Broadband Plan.

The research and development and technology transfer work of the Department of Science and Technology, its attached research and development institutes, the Philippine Space Agency and the major sectoral planning councils--Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.



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I understand Secretary Dominguez's frustration that COVID-19 is slowly undoing all the hard work that the Department of Finance has put in to keep the country's economy in good shape.

But COVID-19 is the enemy, not me. I plead Secretary Dominguez not to take things personally when I stand my ground that the government should suspend payment of the country's debts to fund more urgent cash aid for millions of Filipinos who will surely go hungry if the pandemic lasts longer than expected and keeps them in lockdown.

A debt moratorium is neither mendicancy, nor theft, nor hopeless indebtedness. It is a necessity, according to the International Monetary Fund, if nations with meager resources and weak health care systems are to survive this crisis. In Southeast Asia, COVID-19 has hit the Philippines the hardest.

President Duterte has emphasized that government resources are not inexhaustible. A debt moratorium can substantially stretch the lifeline of resources that must reach as many people as cry out for help, as far as the remotest barangay infected by the virus, and hopefully as long as this crisis will last.

While Secretary Dominguez and I are still lucky to have three square meals a day, hundreds of thousands if not millions of Filipinos with no access to the media are going hungry, unseen Filipinos whose patience and belief in government are being tested every single day that promised aid does not arrive.

All out na po tayo, please sir, all heart! Marami nang Pilipinong gutom. Itodo na po natin ang tulong sa ating kapwa!



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The quarantine is difficult for all of us. But it is a living nightmare for women who are trapped with their abusers behind closed doors." This was the statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday as she warned against the possible rise of domestic abuse cases in the country due to the COVID-19 quarantine.

"Because of the proximity in the home and added stress due to economic hardship brought by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Filipino women and children who are living with their abusers become more vulnerable to violence," Hontiveros said as the lockdown is extended until April 30. "This is extremely worrying," she added.

Hontiveros, who also serves as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Gender Equality, and Family Relations, cited global reports on the rising incidence of domestic abuse in cities and countries that have implemented similar measures.

"There is a pattern. For places that have implemented a lockdown, from China to France, there is an increase of domestic violence in cases reported to the authorities," the Senator said.

The extension of the ECQ is necessary, according to the Senator, but authorities must work doubly-hard to ensure the protection of women and children. "The lockdown should not allow us to become lax in securing the safety of women and children," Hontiveros said, urging the Philippine National Police [PNP] and the Philippine Commission on Women [PCW] to strengthen anti-domestic violence measures. "The challenge now is to make sure that channels are open and are readily-available to victims of domestic violence," she furthered.

Hontiveros also urged the PNP to strengthen its ties with local government units [LGUs] and barangays in the campaign against domestic violence during the time of the quarantine. "We need the LGUs, the PNP, and PCW to remain vigilant. At-risk women and children should know that they can ask for help even during quarantine," the senator added.

Additionally, Hontiveros urged PCW to coordinate with LGUs in setting up a new domestic violence helpline in all barangays. To further protect women and children, the senator also suggested that LGUs consider preparing safehouses for vulnerable women and children. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority's latest data, an alarming one in four women aged 15 to 49 has experienced sexual, physical, and emotional abuse from a husband or partner.

"There will be a surge of domestically-abused Filipino women if we turn a blind eye. We must take all necessary actions to stop any form of violence within the family," said Hontiveros. "Those who are living with domestic abusers are suffering from multiple forms of trauma during this pandemic. During this very difficult time of COVID-19, let us work harder in keeping our women and children safe," concluded Hontiveros.



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start recording]

MAYOR REX: We started doing the swabbing ng Saturday and Sunday, tuloy-tuloy yun, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. We're already coming close to 25 a day na swabbing but the key takeaway there is by this weekend, we will no longer have any backlog pagdating sa PUMs at PUIs so zero. We will have tested all 537 and then we will probably, all the results are starting to come in already. In fact, the first set is already here and today, we get the second set. Every day we are getting sets so by Tuesday next week, all 537 results would have come back already. All 537 will be fully accounted for, zero backlog when it comes to PUIs and PUMs. The first round of tests came back, it was a set of 20 of which 18 tested negative and then 2, prior to the testing positive na sila, but they are still positive up to now. This was the second test already for those two individuals.

Now the 18, what's the significance there? In fact, we invited some of them behind the cameras you can talk to them later. Some of them we put their houses on lockdown, there were barricades and we deployed resources so yesterday, when we got the results, we told them that we removed the lockdown to those houses already and we're able to redeploy the resources to other areas. Now the other two that tested positive, we have to maintain the lockdown. The key point there is we are now going to do more intense or aggressive medical intervention. One of the cases we are going to push, she confined herself in the hospital though she does not have any symptoms anymore, she is a senior citizen and there may be immunocompromised issues so just to be safe, we will take her to the hospital within the day. The second case, we already pulled her out, she's a frontliner who works for a private hospital outside the city so she tested positive again. We are going to house her in our frontliners' house for our frontliners who have been exposed. That way she's really isolated. So yun yun.

The main takeaway is we have no more backlogs this Saturday, zero. All PUMs and PUIs would have been tested already. Final results will come out on Monday or Tuesday. The 18 that tested negative, we have removed the lockdowns in their houses. We explained that they still have to wear their masks and practice social distancing. We gave them the precautionary steps. The other two that still tested positive we will maintain the lockdown in their houses but at the same time, one will be moved to the hospital and the other one to the hotel that we rented for the PUIs who tested positive already. There lies the concept--targeted resource allocation for the positives rather than just by mere suspect we are going to lockdown the entire house and just wait. Now we have aggressive intervention. Moving forward, I think we will be the only city by next weekend that can tell you that all our suspects and probable would have been tested already. So this weekend, when you see our PUIs and PUMs, zero nay un. It's either they are positive or negative.

Now, in a while, in the agenda that we sent you, we are going to sign our second memorandum of agreement with another FDA-approved laboratory. This time it's with the Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. They are the number 13 FDA-approved laboratory. We got in touch with them. Now, the significant salient points of our memorandum of agreement, for two weeks, they have allocated 90 spots for processing of our kits so meaning with the 90 that they are giving us plus the 25 that we have with the Medical City, we will have 115 tests taken and processed everyday starting tomorrow. Now, you might be wondering eh paubos na ang PUIs at PUMs niyo, what are you going to do? Remember we will going to test all frontliners in all our two public hospitals and then we are going to move our frontliners in our private hospitals and then we have our other frontliners in the security side of the endeavor which are policemen, BFP, our barangays, OFWs.

There is a new category of a vulnerable community that we identified that we must do in Valenzuela mass testing. Remember dialysis patients who are all immunocompromised but recently, a lot of the dialysis centers have been saying that all their patients tested first before they continue with the dialysis. Reason for this is, if they are a carrier, they might infect the person next to them. if there is a contamination, they have to shut down the entire dialysis center and disinfect for a couple of days which would be disastrous to other patients. So here in Valenzuela, we are also going to launch a major initiative wherein we are going to test all our dialysis patients because we treat them as vulnerable communities that must be taken cared of or else they will have difficulties if positive sila. If hindi man sila ma-test, hindi naman sila makapagpatuloy ng kanilang dialysis which will also be detrimental to them so the new capacity that Detoxicare is partnering up with us is very significant because it will move us from 25 to 40 test per day to 115 test per day. If you do the math, that's more than 700 test in a week so by next week, matatapos na namin all our frontliners and our vulnerable communities to include OFWs coming home as our dialysis patients.

As I mentioned the other day, this is another happy day for Valenzuela City. In all these things that's happening, I'd like to thank our new partner, Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. They got their accreditation last week and now we are signing with them. I think we are their first LGU partner. I do hope that they can tap other LGUs. I think they are still talking to other LGUs as well. To recap, starting tomorrow, with our new partners we can do 115 tests per day. As we swab with 115, everyday, we can get 115 results so I'd like to thank them because they are really giving us a capacity boost and then later on kapag stabilized na kami, our agreement is we are coming back to another 25 para yung capacity naman nila is makatulong sila sa ibang LGUs. Valenzuela will not sit in those capacity for a long time that's why two weeks lang ang hiningi naming capacity para matapos namin lahat ng vulnerable communities. Then we go back to our standard 25 so 25+25 that's 50 which is still very significant.

Sa hospital and health center frontliners, that's a thousand and then Valenzuela Medical Center will probably be another around 500. We have yet to talk to the three major hospitals na private - Fatima, Citicare and Allied to get their account of frontliners who are working directly with COVID patients. Tutulungan din namin sila and that will be for free. Then the policemen, firemen and the barangay who've been working on the front and the checkpoints and curfew. We have the list of all the tanods but we want to make sure that we only list those who were working on the field.

So we will meet the barangay captains in a couple of days to get the full inventory of their frontliners who are outside. The policemen, everybody was deployed and we have around 600 Valenzuela policemen. Iba pa doon, we will need to get the number ng mga downloaded sa amin ng national government na army at police. So again, by this Saturday, Valenzuela is happy to report that we have zero backlog when it comes to testing of vulnerable communities. Everybody that's been accounted for whether you are susceptible, we would have tested you already. By Monday or Tuesday next week, all results for our vulnerable for these communities will be all in already so everybody has been accounted for so we will now move onto the frontliners.

[end recording]

[start recording]

SEN WIN: Magandang umaga po sa lahat gusto ko lang ho i-translate itong nagawa namin dito sa Valenzuela to a national agenda or a national strategy dahil kung ano ang pwede naming gawin dito, kung ano yung effective, pwede nating gawin ito sa buong Pilipinas. So that's really one of the motivations kung bakit namin pinursigi itong mass testing sa local government of Valenzuela dahil naniniwala kami kung kaya ng isang local government, kaya ng 1,500 plus local governments. Ngayon na-brief kanina ni Mayor Rex at ni Doctor Exconde yung situation. Nagkaroon tayo ng initial testing of 20 patients, lumabas doon 18 negative, dalawang positive. Ngayon ang importante dito yung positive at strategy na gagawin ng local government doon sa senior citizen na 82-year old. Dadalhin na siya hospital dahil yung dalawang test niya ay positive. Yung isa naman dadalhin sa isolation center para hindi makahawa sa kanyang household, doon sa kanyang mga kasambahay, doon sa kanyang mga relatives at mga kapitbahay sa kanilang lugar. So ibig sabihin nito, at the local level nahahanap na namin kung sino yung positive at pwede na nating i-isolate yung positive na yun, at alam na natin kung ano yung isolation procedure na gagawin. Hindi na lahat kailangan i-lockdown, hindi na kailangan i-lockdown ang barangay, yung street hindi na kailangan i-lockdown, hindi na yung buong siyudad kailangan i-lockdown. Yung covid positive patient na lamang ang kailangan ilo-lockdown. Now when I say lockdown, may iba-ibang method to, pwede sa hospital, pwedeng dalhin sa isolation center. In that case, naniniwala kami kung mahahanap natin itong mga covid positive, pwede na nating dahan-dahan buksan ang ang ekonomiya ng ating bansa o ekonomiya ng lokal na pamahalaan.

So we need to translate this to a national scale. From my policy point of view, we can translate this to a national scale. Hindi po ako doctor kagaya ni Doctor Exconde at Doctor Fibra but tinitingnan namin to from a local governance standpoint at kung pano i-translate yung experience ng local government all the way to national. So ang punto ho namin dito, kung ang ating lokal na pamahalaan ay kaya mag mass testing, mahanap itong mga covid positive, kaya na nila i-isolate to sa kanilang mga isolation centers. Pwede na rin nila dalhin ang pasyente sa ospital para hindi na kailangan i-lockdown yung buong siyudad at barangay.

I raised it last time, ang tanong kasi come April 30, pwede na ba tayo magbukas ng ating ekonomiya? Pwede na ba natin i-lift ang lockdown? Sa tingin ko pwede kung itong ginagawa ng mga local governments ay magiging laganap, widely used. Mas maganda mahanap na natin yung mga covid positive para pwede na natin sila i-isolate. Yun po yung gusti ko i-translate to a national agenda. Dahil until now, to be honest about it, inaantay pa namin yung guidelines from DOH, kung pano yung local government initiated mass testing. Ano yung gagawin ng local government at yung procedures dahil hanggang ngayon wala pa rin.

So for example, all 17 LGUs in Metro Manila will undergo or will execute their own mass testing, ano yung mga guidelines and protocol na susundan nila? Importante to para hindi magkanya-kanya ang local governments. Gusto natin isang protocol, isang strategy ang gagamitin on a national scale dahil importante rin na ma-harmonize ito sa national strategy especially yung national action plan against covid. Isa pang natutunan namin at ito dapat ma-improve din through technology ay yung contact-tracing. Yung contact tracing ho napakahirap gawin. Kung kinausap mo isang tao, hindi niya maalala kung sino-sino na kinausap niya, saan siya pumunta kaya napakahirap for the local government to trace on a 100% basis. Talagang napakahirap po, so ibig sabihin dahil hindi mo ma-trace kung sino-sino mga nakausap niya, mas lumalaki yung risk nang pagkalat ng virus.

Again, we go back to mass testing and timely results. Importante pag na-test na, makuha kaagad, sana within 24 hours dahil kung makukuha mo yung test mo after 8 days, 9 days, wala na rin, posibleng nakaikot na yung possible positive patient yun at marami na rin siyang nahawaan nang walang kamalay-malay. So this is where the laboratories are very important and in fact kahapon kausap ko si Usec. Vergerie through text, ang sabi ko "Ma'am ang pakiusap namin mag-accredit pa kayo ng mas marmi pang laboratories," dahil kahit marami nga tayong test kits, kahit lahat ng LGUs may testing kit, kung walang silang madalhan ng testing kits, wala ring mangyayari. Until now ang delay sa RITM three, four days, five days, depending sa lugar, depending anong situation. Ang gusto ho natin within 24 hours makuha na ng LGU ang results para ma-isolate na kaagad yung pasyente.

Ngayon under the Bayanihan Act, vini-view ko ulit yung batas meron kapangyarihan ang pangulo para bumili ng equipment at ipamigay ito sa mga laboratories. Importante nagagamit natin ang Bayanihan Act para dumami ang laobratories. Ang next problem natin ay yung mga supplies sa testing dahil nakikita ko, kung hindi mabibili ng ating pamahalaan ang supplies, magkakaroon rin tayo ng shortage sa mga supplies na gagamitin sa mass testing. So ang gusto ko lang ipaabot sa ating mga local government units; gumawa sila ng sarili nilang mass testing, makipag-partner sila sa mga laboratories na malapit sa kanila at DOH imbes na maging regulator, maging enabler, gamitin ang Bayanihan Act, bumili ng equipment, tulungan mag set-up ng laboratories para magamit ng ating lokal na pamahalaan. So on a national scale itong ginagawa natin sa Valenzuela, pwede ho tong ipasok sa national action plan against covid at maging strategy ito. Hindi lang experiment, hindi lang isang local government yung gumagawa, gusto natin isang national strategy. At I think mas bibilis pa yung paglaban natin kung ang ating lokal na pamahalaan ay bibigyan ng kakayahan na labanan yung COVID, house per house, street per street, barangay per barangay, LGU per LGU.

[end recording]

[start recording]

Q: Sir sa possibility of lifting the lockdown after April 30, papaano po if incase ma-lift yung lockdown sa business district eh diba po yung workers natin usually are coming from other nearby provinces?

SEN WIN: Well nakikita ko na there are minimum conditions na dapat nating makita bago i-lift yung lockdown. Number one, yung tinatawag nilang 'flattening of the curve' in which I saw a lot of research. One by UP, released yesterday na malaki ang naging improvement natin in terms of reducing transmission rate in our country. Meaning the ECQ, the first ECQ is effective and its flattening the curve. So ang kanilang forecast for the next three weeks until the end of the month ay malaking improvement in terms of flattening the curve so the possibility of lifting the lockdown is very high kung tuloy-tuloy. Ang importante, I say this with a lot of caveats, importante na ang ating mga kababayan ay nasa bahay at hindi nagkukumpol-kumpol sa palengke. At yung mga Mayor dapat hinuhuli yung mga nag kukumpol-kumpol sa palengke dahil napansin ko in the last few weeks, dahil matagal yung ECQ, nagre-relax din yung mga local goverments in terms of implementing. They have to make sure na hindi ningas kugon itong ECQ natin, dapat until the very end nag i-implement tayo ng ECQ because we will lose the gains of the first ECQ if we don't implement to the policies of the ECQ kaya hindi pwedeng ningas kugon to dahil kung ningas kugon to lahat tayo damay damay dito. Nakita ko sa mga social media, sa Balintawak Market, sa Sampaloc Market, yung market nagiging hotsopot ngayon ng kumpul-kumpulan. So a reminder to the local governments, especially to our barangay captains, i-implement natin to kung hindi masasayang lang. But all things equal, meaning if it's strictly implemented, the possibility of lifting the lockdown is very high. And then with this type of interventions, meron kang mass testing sa local, may mass testing ka sa national, lalong tumataas yung possibility natin na i-lift yung lockdown. So ang importante ngayon ang national, nag ma-mass testing na rin sila, nagpapadating na sila ng maraming kits on their own and yung lokal bumibili na rin sila ng sariling kits on their own. So kung dalawang levels na ang nag te-test, mas maganda yung possibility natin ma-lift yung lockdown.

[end recording]



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Q: Senator Gatchalian, magandang umaga po.

SEN WIN: Good morning po sa ating mga listeners.

Q: Kayo po ba Senator ay naging PUM o PUI?

SEN WIN: PUI kasi meron akong direct contact sa isang COVID-19 patient pero hindi naman ganun kalapitan pero under the definition, kung kayo ay nasa kwarto at meron kayong interaction, kasama ka na sa PUI list. Matagal na ho yun kaya mababa na po ang potensyal na ako'y magkakasakit.

Q: Lampas na ho yung 14 days quarantine?

SEN WIN: Yes, lampas na po.

Q: Wala naman po kayong naramdaman ng panahon ng 14 days quarantine?

SEN WIN: Wala naman, very clear tayo at wala akong nadanas na kahit anong karamdaman. In fact, tuloy-tuloy ang pag-exercise ko during that time para lalong lumakas ang resistensya kaya sa ating mga kababayan na naka-quarantine dahil nakalockdown ang ating bansa, wag kalimutang mag-exercise dahil importante po ito sa ating pangangatawan. Hindi naman po pwedeng kain-tulog, kain-tulog lang sa bahay dahil lalo kang magkakasakit. Kung hindi ka man magka-COVID, possibleng magkasakit ka sa puso kaya mag-ehersisyo po.

School year 2020-2021

Q: Anyway Senator, bilang Chairman po ng Senate Committee on Education, balita po namin ay nakipag-usap po kayo sa DepEd, ano na po ang napagkasunduan dahil mukhang hindi na maiiwasan na maipagpaliban ang opening ng klase?

SEN WIN: Nag-umpisa na po ang consultative meeting ng DepEd at nagtipon -tipon ang mga stakeholders at lahat po ng may kinalaman sa ating edukasyon at ito ay pinangunahan ng DepEd para makuha ang opinion at suhestyon ng iba't-ibang sektor. Masyado pang maaga para magdesisyon kung ipagpapaliban natin ang pagbubukas ng klase sa June o sa mas huling buwan. Napakahalagang obserbahan ang sitwasyon this week at next week, importanteng tingnan ang data. Hindi lang pwedeng observation lang, tingnan din natin kung ano ang mga lumalabas sa data para malaman natin kung anong aksyon ang dapat nating gawin. Pero nag-umpisa na ho ang prosesong ito at sumang-ayon kaming lahat na magkaroon ng meeting every two weeks para mapag-usapan ang pagbubukas ng klase.

Q: Pero delikado pa po ba kung ipipilit natin ang June opening sa mga public schools?

SEN WIN: Merong panganib dahil kapag nagbukas tayo ng klase, hindi natin maiiwasan ang pagkukumpol kumpol ng mga magulang. Nakikita natin yan tuwing umaga at dismissal kaya ito ay pwedeng maging sanhi ng transmission ng virus. Kaya pag-uusapang mabuti kung ipo-postpone po ang pagbubukas ng klase o itutuloy po sa June. Gayunpaman, kahit tayo ay magbubukas, marami pong pagbabago ang gagawin ng DepEd. Ito po ang aming hinihikayat. Dahil kahit po magbukas tayo sa mga huling buwan, hindi natin maaalis ang pagpa-practice po ng social distancing, hindi natin pwedeng payagan ang malalaking pagtitipon kagaya ng events at activities. Marami tayong pagbabagong gagawin dahil ang vaccine ay lalabas after 18 months pa kaya sa gitna ng paghihintay, hindi tayo pwedeng gumawa ng mga aktibidad na pwedeng maging sanhi ng transmission ng virus.

Q: So paano ang gagawin dito Senator dahil alam naman natin na sa mga public schools, minsan umaabot ng 40-50 students sa isang classroom?

SEN WIN: Tama ka dyan. Yan nga ang isang concern namin dahil may mga lugar na talagang siksikan at kung gagamitin natin ang social distancing, parang imposible sa isang siksikang klase. Yan ang mga bagay na pag-aaralan ho natin, nag-umpisa na at may tinatawag na Learning Continuity Plan ang DepEd ibig sabihin, kahit anong mangyari ay itutuloy natin ang pagtuturo sa mga bata. Kaya marami tayong adjustments at pagbabagong gagawin para kahit pumapasok ang bata at tinuturuan, hindi kumakalat ang virus.

Q: Bilang magulang, gusto nating makunan ng litrato at umakyat ng entablado. Ang sabi ni DepEd Secretary Briones ay hindi daw kakanselahin ang mga graduation rites pero ipagpapaliban. Kelan kaya gagawin itong graduation rites Senator?

SEN WIN: Oo nga eh. Ang kagandahan ho dito ay hindi kinansela ang graduation rites. Tinitingnan ho natin ang sitwasyon at dapat ho ay humingi tayo ng kaunting dispensa at pag-uunawa sa ating mga magulang dahil maraming tao ang dumadalo sa isang graduation rites at nanggagaling pa sa iba't-ibang lugar. Kaya malaki ang posibilidad na pwedeng maging sanhi ito transmission ng virus. Kaya hindi natin masasbi ngayon Deo dahil ang sitwasyon nagbabago pero ang kagandahan naman dito, hindi naman kinansela. So pwede pa ring magkaroon ng graduation rites dahil alam ko mahalaga yan sa ating mga magulang.

Q: Senator, sa ibang issue po, alam namin na kayo po ay miyembro ng pamilya ng mga negosyante. Itong si business tycoon na si Tessy Sy-Coson ng SM aba'y meron siyang suggestion na magkaroon ng re-opening business at back to work kahit na 50 percent ng mga empleyado para magbukas ang negosyo at magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga empleyado after April 30. Ano ang reaksyon niyo diyan Senator Win?

SEN WIN: 'Yang mungkahi na yan masasagot lang kung epektibo po yung ginagawa nating community quarantine. Dapat tignan natin mabuti yung datos na lumalabas, yung statistika na lumalabas para makita natin kung epektibo ba o hindi dahil kahit gusto na ng mga negosyante magbukas ng kanilang mga shopping mall pero kung kumakalat pa rin ho yung virus, eh delikado to para sa lahat at para sa kanila na rin. Kaya ang importante dito, dapat tignan muna natin yung statistika at yung datos na lumalabas. At kanina lang Deo, bago ka tumawag, binabasa ko at inaaral ko yung mga research ng University of the Philippines, maganda ang kinalabasan ng kanilang preliminary findings. Ayon sa kanilang pananaliksik, itong enhanced community quarantine ay epektibo, yung flattening the curve, ito yung pagbaba ng transmission sa ating bansa ay bumabagal. Meron pa rin tayong mga kaso araw-araw, totoo yan, pero mabagal na at hindi na ganun kalala ang pagkalat nitong virus na ito. Ibig sabihin, sa loob ng 30 days, naging epektibo ang community quarantine dahil bumagal yung transmission ng virus. Pero ang tanong, ano ang mangyayari sa loob ng susunod na tatlong linggo? Tingin ko naman by the end of April bubuti na po ang magiging sitwasyon natin dahil patuloy na bumabagal ang transmission ng virus. Kaya doon lang natin malalaman kung mapapayagan na natin ang mga negosyo magbukas. Siguro by next week makikita na natin kung malinaw na yung sitwasyon.

Q: Sir isa pa, kayo pa sa Valenzuela merong tinatawag na Covid testing. Ano ba ang ginagawa niyo sa Valenzuela Senator Gatchalian, sila Mayor Rex, ayan na pinapayagan ng DOH pero si Mayor Marcelino Teodoro ng Marikina ay hindi pa rin pinapayagan ng DOH? Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng ginagawa niyo sa Valenzuela at sa Marikina na gagawin sana ni Mayor Teodoro?

SEN WIN: Napakagandang tanong yan Deo, dahil sa kasagsagan po ng enhanced community quarantine ay pinagaralan namin, ano ba ang pinakamabuti para sa ating mamayanan dito sa lungsod ng Valenzuela? At nakita ho namin hindi sapat yung ECQ o yung enhanced community quarantine. Importante din malaman natin sino-sino yung mga may sakit at ang mga PUIs dahil ang delikado dito, may mga asymptomatic PUIs na nakakagala pa rin pero linggid sa kanilang kaalaman, carriers na pala sila ng virus, kaya kinailangan na natin i-quarantine yung buong lungsod. Isa sa mga tinrabaho namin ni Mayor Rex ay magkaroon ng mass testing para lahat po ng mga PUIs, PUMs pati po yung mga doktor natin at nurses, mga frontliners po ay mate-test natin. Ngayon pinagaralan din namin, ano ba yung pinakamabilis para magawa ito. nadiskubre namin na ang paggawa ng laboratoryo ay napakamaselan at komplikado ang proseso para itayo. Kaya nakipag-partner na lang kami sa mga existing na ospital tulad ng Medical City, dahil magaling na ospital ito, para doon na namin dalhin yung aming mga test kits. Kaya ang sistema ho dito, kukuha ho kami, ang lokal na pamahalaan, kami po ang bumili ng test kits, kami po ang gagawa ng testing pero dadalhin namin sa Medical City para i-process yun sa kanilang laboratory para makita kung positive or negative. Mamaya po Deo magkakaroon po ng presscon si Mayor Rex para maipakita po sa media yung resulta noong tinatawag nating localized mass testing at pano natin gagamitin yung resulta na ito para po sa ikabubuti ng aming lungsod.

Q: Mukhang ito ang kulang ni Mayor Marcelino Teodoro ng Marikina base doon sa inspection ng DOH noong isang araw, mukhang hindi pa maayos yung testing centers nila at walang ka tie-up na ospital na merong lisensya para gumawa ng testing Senator?

SEN WIN: Magaling si Mayor Marcy Teodoro, nakasama ko siya noong Congressman pa kami. Magaling si Mayor Marcy, isa yan sa pinakamasipag at matalinong Mayor. In fact, itong localized testing, maaga pa lang naisip na niya ito. Natandaan ko February pa lang inaayos na niya yung kanilang laboratoryo. Meron na siyang partnership with UP, ito yung localized na testing kit. Kaya bago pa pumasok itong enhanced community quarantine, napagisipan na po to ni Mayor Marcy, ganun po siya kagaling. Kaso lang itong laboratory napakasensitibo at maselan at talagang napakahigpit po ng DOH sa pagbibigay ng accreditation. Sa totoo lang po inisip rin po naming magtayo ng sariling laboratoryo sa Valenzuela pero noong pinagaralan namin, baka matatagalan yung pagkuha ng accreditation kaya nag-partner na lang po kami with Medical City.

Q: Siguro ito na dapat ang gawin ni Mayor Teodoro Senator para maaprubahan na po ng DOH at hindi na kwekwestyunin. Ready sila pero ang partner na ospital na bihasa sa laboratory test, ito ata ang kanilang kulang. Senator Gatchalian maraming salamat po at magandang umaga, ingat po kayo.

SEN WIN: Thank you Deo. Maraming salamat po.



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Senator Win Gatchalian said the government needs to come up with a solution to ease the burden of Filipino households, whose electricity bills are expected to pile up after a month of reprieve especially that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been extended.

Gatchalian expressed his concern that ordinary Filipinos, especially those belonging to the marginalized sector, might not have the financial capacity to pay their two month-worth of electricity bills in full and therefore risk having their electricity disconnected.

The Senate Committee on Energy Chairman prods the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to look for solutions that will ease payment terms of consumers. He suggested to stagger the two months of electricity bills for not less than three months.

"Dahil nga marami sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi nakakapagtrabaho ngayon, lalo na yung mga 'no work, no pay', ang panawagan natin sa ERC ay gumawa ng hakbang para hindi sila maputulan ng kuryente," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian also appealed to Meralco to temporarily waive its convenience fee so that consumers may be able to pay their electricity bill using the company's mobile app without extra charges. According to Meralco, consumers who pay via the said app will have to pay an additional P47 convenience fee.

"For humanitarian reasons, let's think of ways that will make the lives of our kababayans better and alleviate their suffering as we face this pandemic," he said.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima blasts the President's use of televised late-night meetings with his COVID-19 team in order to further Beijing's propaganda to downplay its mishandling of the ongoing global pandemic.

De Lima's statement came after Mr. Duterte repeatedly praised Beijing's management of the crisis despite accusations of other governments and international experts that they be held responsible for the apparent withholding vital information regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus around the world.

"Recent history is clear on his failure to act sensibly, quickly and decisively on the COVID-19 pandemic. He tried to downplay the contagion and failed to initiate any semblance of preparation early on," she said in a handwritten statement last April 14.

"His subservience to the Chinese government should have allowed us to be informed earlier and prepared better. But it did not. The opposite happened. He bought into the China propaganda--hook, line, and sinker. By the time he appeared to be moving finally, we were already playing catch up. No amount of propaganda will change that," she added.

Last April 13, Malacañang has broadcasted Mr. Duterte's supposed meeting with his COVID-19 team regarding government efforts to aid millions of Filipinos affected by the lockdown measures implemented to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In the meeting, Mr. Duterte lauded China's President Xi Jinping for his alleged decisiveness on what he believes to be a successful strict lockdown of the Hubei province for almost three months, which - according to Chinese-controlled reports - has successfully eradicated the virus in the area.

Duterte also heaped his thanks to Xi for his commitment to "support" his administration in its fight against COVID-19. The President also believes that the Philippines will be the "priority" in receiving the vaccine, if and when China develops it.

"We are already making great strides towards extending help to our countrymen and preventing the spread of COVID-19. But instead of taking control of these efforts and focusing on ensuring that everything is implemented properly, Mr. Duterte is still finding time for Chinese propaganda," De Lima said.

"Alam na ng buong mundo ang kasinungalingan at kalokohan ng China sa nangyayaring krisis sa COVID-19. Naghahanda na ang mga gobyerno ng ibang bansa na pagbayarin ang China sa kanilang kasinungalingan. Pero si G. Duterte, tuloy pa rin ang pagyuko at pagsamba sa kanila. Pag hindi pa sya tumigil, baka madamay pa tayo sa magiging maaaring parusa sa China," she added.

Some political pundits believe that China has suppressed significant information about the virus in the early stages of the outbreak, including its human to human transmission and even censored and detained doctors and other whistleblowers who attempted to sound the alarm.

The United States of America, citing intelligence reports, has accused the South East Asian giant of lying about its published numbers of infected cases, as well as its deaths to save face in the international community.

The lady senator from Bicol also opposed the oft-repeated suggestion of Mr. Duterte to sell Philippine owned assets and properties, even after receiving special powers from Congress to gather and use over PhP500 billion to fund COVID-19 related efforts.

"[Selling off Philippine properties] should be the last resort. His economic team is already doing a decent job raising funds. Meron ba si Duterte na buyer na pinag-iinteresan ang mga ari-arian ng taumbayan? China ba yan o crony niya?" De Lima said.

"Meanwhile, as Mr. Duterte continues to spout praises and gratitude to Mr. Xi Jinping, China is plowing deeper into our sovereign waters, further undermining our hold over the West Philippine Sea," she added.

As of April 14, the Philippines has continued to observe an upward trend of COVID-19 cases with 5,223 of confirmed infected, 335 deaths and 295 recoveries despite lockdowns in Luzon and other regions around the country.

However, there are concerns that the real numbers of those impacted by the novel coronavirus could be much higher than those published as mass testing efforts have yet to be rolled out.

"In order to pursue our COVID-19 measures to complete success, we need to stop being tools to Chinese propaganda. The Chinese government placed us in this situation," De Lima said.

"We need to focus on our own efforts, and prioritize our own people and our own country. Tama na po ang pagiging pro-China. Maging pro-Filipino na tayong lahat," she added.



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Sen Nancy Binay today said government has yet to designate a point-person who will be responsible for sourcing, coordination, acquisition, consolidation, development and distribution of medical supplies necessary to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"Isang buwan na ang lockdown, but no government unit is accountable or anyone from IATF is in-charge of medical logistics. Matagal nang dapat may tao who will make sure that testing kits, PPEs, swabs, face masks, ventilators, beds, linens, all the medical components and the right equipment needed in fighting Covid are continuously sourced, provided and deployed to where they need to be. What we need a long time ago is a cohesive response to the pandemic," Binay pointed out.

Binay expressed her disappointment over the apparent lack of foresight in anticipating the required medical logistics, noting that the government's failure to factor in the medical supply chain in the fight against COVID-19 has already exposed thousands of health workers to the deadly virus.

"Di katanggap-tanggap na isang buwan na tayong ganito, wala pa rin tayong idea, or projections man lang, kung ilang ventilators ang kakailanganin natin pag dumating sa peak ang confirmed Covid patients. Ilang cot beds, PPEs, surgical gowns, face masks, body bags, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies ang kailangan ng bawat ospital o quarantine facility sa kada araw?" she said.

Based on accounts shared by medical workers in the frontlines, the failure to survey the needs of public and private hospitals has raised alarms about shortages of supplies, personnel and government support at nearly every stage of the COVID-19 treatment process.

"Doctors, nurses and health workers are ready to sacrifice and serve, leave their families behind, and risk their lives during this public health emergency. But government must also show that it truly cares--not by asking them to die for the country--but to provide them with life-saving resources necessary to allow them to save lives of thousands more," Binay noted.

As COVID-19 case numbers rise by the day, doctors, nurses and other personnel in both front and back lines have also been exposed to infection thereby hampering hospitals' ability to operate effectively in the midst of crisis.

"We lack the aggressiveness to act on time. January pa lang, the DOH said it was on top of the situation and has a P2.25 billion and P10 million budget ready to be released to purchase PPEs and masks for our 5,000 health workers? Four months na, anyare po? Protecting the health of our people, and maintaining our readiness to supporting the public health system should have been the first in the agenda. Up and down the line, government has to ensure the public that its priorities are met," Binay pointed out.

The senator added, having someone directly in-charge of logistics will ensure that medical supplies, equipment and components are timely moved, distributed, and sustained throughout the period of the public health emergency.

"Even on a smaller scale, I hope we can learn from the US' 'design response' and logistical system of its Strategic National Stockpile to deal with disasters and pandemics. Pag kulang tayo sa preparedness, at kapos tayo sa response--we risk leaving many families without any food; those in the frontlines without life-saving tools; and the poor destined to suffer the most," Binay added



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Question: Ma'am lang ang epekto kung sakaling ma-grant ang gag order ni SolGen Calida?

Sen. Grace Poe: Alam mo kasi para sa akin, sa tingin ko naman sa hinaba-haba ng panahon na ang Korte Suprema ay nagbigay ng kanilang opinyon na kinikilala nila ang mandato ng Senado o kapantay nila pagdating sa mga pagdinig, lalung-lalo kung para sa isang batas, eh hindi naman tinututulan ng Korte Suprema ang lehislatura na gawin ang trabaho nila. Kaya ngayon, finile lang naman 'yun, wala pa namang desisyon ang Korte Suprema. Pero kung babalikan natin 'yung mga naging desisyon nila noon, katulad ng mga ilang jurisprudence na lumabas eh makikita naman na pinanigan ng Korte Suprema ang Senado na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pagdinig.

Q: Ma'am considering 'yung timing, nag-announce kayo na February 27 ang hearing, do you think it has something to do with it?

Poe: Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang iniisip nila, pero sa aking ispekulasyon ay ayaw talaga nila na magsalita ang mga may kinalaman dito. Eh di'ba, paano natin malalaman ang katotohanan kung hindi makakapagsalita ang mga 'yun. Alam naman natin na pagdating sa mga proceedings sa korte, hindi naman nadidinig ng taumbayan. Hindi ba mas maganda para malaman kung talaga bang may kasalanan o wala eh bukas ang pagdinig. Kasi kung tinatago mas lalong may duda ka. Bakit tinatago, bakit kailangan itago?

Q: Sino talaga tatamaan ng gag order na ito? 'Yung ABS-CBN employees and executives?

Poe: Hindi ko nga alam kasi sabi nila ABS-CBN and other concerned persons so ibig sabihin lahat ng resource persons who can shed light o pwedeng magbigay ng eksplanasyon dito, o pwedeng magsalita. Pero nangyari na dati, di'ba may kaso na hinarap dito, Sabio vs. Gordon; Romero vs. Estrada na lahat naman sinabi ng Korte Suprema eh pwedeng ipagpatuloy ang hearing sa Senado o sa Kongreso. So, para sa akin ngayon ha, tuloy pa rin ang ating pagdinig, wala namang dahilan para itigil natin. Oo, nagfile sila ng gag order pero kung pagbabasehan natin ang mga nakalipas na desisyon ng Korte Suprema, kinikilala nila kami bilang kapantay nila at kami rin naman ay kinikilala rin namin ang kanilang kapangyarihan.

Q: Pero Ma'am kung may ruling for example lumabas ang ruling, whether favorable o hindi tuloy ang hearing?

Poe: Siyempre 'pag may lumabas na ruling, kailangan din namin tingnang mabuti kung ano ang basehan nito. Kung sinabi ng Korte Suprema na ipatigil muna ang pagdinig o may gag order ang mga resource persons, ang pwedeng gawin ng Senado ay kwestyunin din ito sa kanila para magkaroon ng linaw. Kaya 'pag ganun ang nangyari, kailangan magtipon-tipon din ang mga miyembro ng Senado at pag-usapan kung anong susunod naming hakbang. Kasi siyempre ginagalang din namin ang Korte Suprema. Kung meron silang kadahilanan dito, nais naming malaman pero muli ayokong pangunahan. Ang gusto ko lang sabihin ay ito, sa lahat ng kaso na dininig ng Korte Suprema, kinilala nila ang mandato ng Senado na kami ay hinalal ng ating mga kababayan na bigyan sila ng representasyon at boses.

Q: Kung sakaling may ruling at gag order, anong effect sa hearing niyo kasi hindi na makakapagsalita ang mga resource persons?

Poe: Tingnan muna natin kung ano ang sasabihin. Kasi ang gusto ko talaga ay makausap muna ang ating mga kasama pero sinabi na ni Senator Drilon, siyempre si Senator Drilon, mahaba na ang kanyang karanasan sa mga ganitong uri ng talakayan at sinabi naman niya na bilang co-equal branch na nasa Konstitusyon natin pagdating sa pagdinig ukol sa mga batas merong awtoridad ang Senado.

Q: So merong proteksyon pwedeng ma-accord ang hearing itself doon sa magte-testify as resource persons?

Poe: Actually we're committed to protect our resource persons kung anuman ang kanilang sasabihin. Ngayon gaya nga ng sinabi ko, meron na bang nahatulan ang Korte Suprema sa pagsasalita nila dito sa Senado, wala pa naman. Siyempre merong susubok na mag-file ng kaso para pahirapan 'yung mga testigo, pero risonable naman ako, umaasa, ang ating Korte Suprema na makikita nila na kung ang mga senador ay exempt sa pagsasalita nila sa isang hearing, parang common sense na kasama 'yung mga kausap nila di'ba, alangan naman kausapin ng Senado ang sarili nila.

Q: Ma'am you're assuring them of this protection if ever may gag order?

Poe: For whatever authority the Senate can extend we would like to offer that protection, but of course it does not prevent others from filing a case against them before our court system. Now whether or not the Court will decide in favor of the Senate, what I can say is in the past the Supreme Court has always upheld that the Senate is a co-equal branch of government.

Q: Ma'am, have you considered moving the scheduled committee hearing earlier kasi 'yung Supreme Court, they gave ABS-CBN five days to comment on the issue so if the committee hearing will be held earlier, wala pa siya sa decisison ng Supreme Court, regardless of what that decision is.

Poe: We're trying to move it earlier.

Q: How early po?

Poe: Basta earlier, ang mahirap dito mahirap kumuha ng venue kasi sa dami, totoo madaming mga bills na pending, maraming mga oversight functions ang Senado kaya makikipagtulungan kami sa Secretariat para makahanap ng venue.

Q: Ma'am you're trying to move it earlier is para hindi kayo masakop ng whatever rule ng SC on gag order?

Poe: Let's just say that alam mo ginagawan nila ng paraan para huwag magsalita 'yung ating mga resource persons, eh papaano naman kami magkakaroon ng maayos na pagdinig so siyempre kailangan din kami gumawa ng hakbang para naman maprotektahan din ang aming layunin dito.

Q: Dahil sa gag order hindi magsasalita ang resource persons, pipilitin niyo ba sila or contempt?

Poe: Alam mo kapag ayaw magsalita ng isang resource person at wala pa namang, remember five days from now hihingi pa lang ng reaksyon ang Korte Suprema so sa mga panahon na 'yun 'pag nagkaroon tayo ng pagdinig ay wala pa naman desisyon ang Korte Suprema noon. So walang dahilan bakit hindi muna sila magsasalita kasi hindi pa sila saklaw. Di'ba magsalita sila before the ruling of the Supreme Court ay hindi sila mapaparusahan sa ganun. At saka kahit na, ako ay kumpiyansa at ako'y nananalig na magiging patas rin an gating Korte Suprema at kikilalanin nila ang mandato naming bilang magkakapantay sa ating Konstitusyon.

Q: Ma'am, safe to say this week kasi five day 'yung binigay na deadline for ABS to reply?

Poe: Basta.

Q: Pero Ma'am marami na nag-confirm doon sa invited resource persons?

Poe: Basta meron namang mga nag-confirm na pero hindi ko naman masasabi lahat dahil ang iba ay, lalung-lalo na kapag pinalitan natin 'yung date, siyempre kailangan natin anuhin kung sino ang makakarating.

Q: Confirmed 'yung mga government agencies?

Poe: Siyempre kasama sila doon.

Q: Kailan malalaman Ma'am 'yung date?

Poe: Tingnan natin baka mamayang hapon malalaman ko 'yung date, kakausapin ko muna 'yung mga kasamahan natin kung ano ang palagay nila at saka 'yung lokasyon nga kung saan gagawin



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Our hearing will push through according to our Constitutional mandate. It is up to the Supreme Court to act on that motion under existing laws and jurisprudence where it recognized the jurisdiction of its co-equal branch.

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I hope the Supreme Court will not include the Senate or any of its committees in the gag order, if issued as petitioned by the Solicitor General, in deference to the settled jurisprudence that tackled similar issues in the past.

What may be covered, though, are the resource persons who will be invited to shed light on this instant case involving the franchise of ABS-CBN as they are not exempt from the sub judice rule, which covers litigants and witnesses, members of the bar and the public in general.

Thus, they may run the risk of being cited for contempt once they express their opinions that might pose a clear and present danger in the administration of justice by directly influencing the members of the Court in rendering their votes to resolve the pending petition for quo warranto



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go witnessed on Tuesday, February 18, the turnover of financial assistance from the Office of the President (OP) to the Malasakit Center at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

The assistance replenishes the fund that the OP gave the Malasakit Center when it was opened on October 8, 2018.

Go, the main author of the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, emphasized in his speech that the Malasakit Center does not discriminate anyone.

"Nakikiusap po ako sa mga medical workers, huwag pabayaan ang mga pasyente. Ang Malasakit Center naman po ay walang pinipili. Basta Pilipino ka, lalong lalo na ang mga poor and indigent patients, qualified po kayo makahingi ng tulong. Lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center, wala pong politika diyan," he stressed.

The Senator also explained that the Malasakit Center gives Filipino patients easier access to financial and medical assistances by bringing together in one office representatives from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

"Noong unang panahon po, hihingi kayo ng tulong sa apat na ahensiya ng gobyerno. Lunes, pipila kayo sa Provincial Capitol. Martes, pipila kayo sa PCSO. Miyerkules, pipila kayo sa DOH. Huwebes, DSWD. Biyernes, PhilHealth. Ubos 'yung panahon ninyo sa kakapila para humingi ng tulong na sa totoo lang, sa inyo naman 'yan. Pera ninyo 'yan," the Senator said.

"Ngayon po, meron na kayong Malasakit Center. Isang araw na lang," he added. At the Malasakit Center, the patient or the representative is asked to fill out a unified form for the four agencies, and persons with disabilities and senior citizens are entertained in an express lane. The fund from the OP is used to defray the remaining amount in the hospital bill so that it will have a zero balance.

The Malasakit Center Act, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed in December, mandates the establishment of a Malasakit Center in each of the 73 DOH-run hospitals in the country and at the Philippine General Hospital. The OP started the program in 2018 upon Go's suggestion when he was still the Special Assistant to the President.

So far, 63 Malasakit Centers have been opened, and the one at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital was the tenth in the country.

Records of the hospital show that the Malasakit Center has served more than 5,000 patients, including those who were not confined and availed only of laboratory tests, CT scans, dialysis, vaccinations, implants, and physical therapy. Some officials of the province of Pampanga, officials of the hospital and Malasakit Center beneficiaries personally thanked Go during the program for his assistance in the establishment of the Center.

Go also shared in his speech that, as the Chair of the Committee on Health and Demography, he defended in the Senate the budget of the DOH. "Muntik na nilang i-slash ang budget. Tiniyak kong hindi mawawalan ng trabaho ang mga job order. Sa mga nurses natin, 'yung desisyon ng Supreme Court na dapat mataas ang salary grade ninyo, meron na ring pondo 'yun," he said.

He also enrouraged the nurses to stay in the country. "Kung konti na lang ang diperensiya ng sahod ninyo, dito na lang kayo magtrabaho sa ating bansa. Marami pa kayong matutulungang Pilipino," he said.

The Senator earlier led the groundbreaking ceremony of the country's first hospital for overseas Filipino workers at Barangay Sindalan in the same city, and after his visit to the Malasakit Center, he proceeded to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center to attend the Barangay Officials Forum on Peace, Safety and Security



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"A healthy exercise of regulatory powers!"

This was the remark of Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday welcoming Executive Order No. 104 [EO 104] signed by President Rodrigo Duterte that sets a maximum retail price on essential medicines for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, among others.

"The President's exercise of price control and regulatory powers over drugs and medicines under the Cheaper Medicines Law is laudable," Hontiveros, who authored the said law or Republic Act No. 9502 as Akbayan Partylist Representative in 2008, said.

It can also be recalled that Hontiveros delivered a privilege speech in the Senate in November last year, urging the President to exercise said regulatory powers.

More than a decade

The Senator said that the Executive's regulatory powers to impose a price cap on essential medicines have not been exercised for more than a decade. "The President was given authority by the law to act on recommendations by the Department of Health [DOH]," Hontiveros explained.

"Isang dekada na ang nakalipas mula noong huli nating nagamit ang mandatong ito," she furthered. "The signing of this EO prioritized people's welfare over the lobbying of big pharma," she also said.

Realization of universal healthcare

Hontiveros also remarked that Malacañang's EO "is a step in the right direction to realize universal healthcare."

"It will improve access of Filipinos to essential medicines and reduce the cost of out-of-pocket expenses," Hontiveros added, noting that nearly half or 41% of all healthcare spending in the Philippines goes to pharmaceutical products, compared to other low-income countries.

Hontiveros coauthored the Universal Healthcare also signed into law by the President last year.

"Kapag abot-kaya ang gamot, mas maaalagaan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay," she concluded



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima is puzzled on why a top police officer responsible for incidents of summary execution in the administration's drug war found himself on the list of erring officers linked to the country's illegal drug trade.

De Lima said she suspects that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, the administration's poster boy in its bloody and brutal war on drugs, has fallen out of Mr. Duterte's good graces and is suddenly taken out of the anti-narcotics campaign.

"[Jovie Espenido] now in Duterte's drug list? Ironically amazing! Espenido must know a lot to make him a target himself," she said in a Dispatch from Crame.

"Has he lost his usefulness? Or is he now a threat to his top boss because of what he knows?" she added.

Espenido gained national prominence after then Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa was shot dead inside his cell in Albuera, Leyte in 2016. He was then the town's police chief.

When he was transferred to Ozamiz City in 2017, Espenido also led a series of raids that resulted to the highly suspicious death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 15 others.

Duterte himself recognized the feats of Espenido and publicly ordered him to "go, start killing" in Bacolod City where he was appointed as deputy director for drug operations.

Since Espenido was in the forefront of the controversial "war on drugs," De Lima maintained that he must know first-hand information about its sinister operations, including the conspiracy to create lies about her supposed links to the drug trade.

"I'm certain that Espenido also knows a lot about the lies thrown at me, particularly my alleged links to Kerwin Espinosa," De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner of the Duterte administration, said.

"He knows that I'm not and was never a protector of the latter self-confessed drug lord; that I was never in the so-called "blue book" or "pink book", or whatever it is, of alleged Espinosa protectors or beneficiaries of his illegal drug trade; and that he and Espinosa both lied when they claimed otherwise in the course of the Senate hearings," she added.

News accounts initially cited unnamed high-ranking sources inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) that Espenido was included in the so-called "narco-list" of 357 police officers and officials.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo denied the report and called it "fake news". Interior Secretary Eduardo Año later confirmed Espenido's name on the narco-list and vowed to have Espenido investigated for possible links to drug trade.

"If the news report about his inclusion in Duterte's drug list is true, who can now protect him? Let's see how this new mystery would unravel in the increasingly messy terrain we now have under an unstable leader," De Lima said.



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The two top international credit rating agencies, first, Fitch Ratings, and now Moody's have both given the Philippines an outlook upgrade. This signifies an upgrade from stable to positive.

This is good news because it sends a signal to the global business world that the Philippines is now a prime candidate for a credit ratings upgrade, which would mean lower borrowing costs from international creditors, both for the government and private sector investors.

The work I am currently doing on tax reforms in the Senate complements this.

Soon to be sponsored is Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA), which is made up of 2 parts: 1) gradually lowering corporate income tax from 30% to 20%; and 2) rationalizing fiscal incentives.

The CITIRA committee report I will be sponsoring is a product of numerous hearings and consultations with government representatives and the business sector. Knowing that we have reached out to all of them and have worked out very favorable terms for existing investors, the groups I have met expressed satisfaction and are now looking forward to the swift passage of the measure once it's sponsored on the floor.



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The training on aquaculture has attracted a lot of participants due to the opportunities it provides not only in the breed and culture of freshwater fishes, but also in fish processing technologies and the production of ornamental fishes.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, director of the Villar Social Institute and Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), said aquaculture training is a popular module among the programs the foundation is offering in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 4A (BFAR 4A), because of the training it provides to help start small businesses like the selling of kikiam and fishball and the selling of aquarium or ornamental fishes.

"Ang training program namin hindi lamang nandyan para magkaroon ng bagong kaalaman ang mga tao. Gusto rin namin makinabang ang mga participants sa newly-acquired skills na ito sa pamamagitan ng oportunidad na kumita at magkaroon ng sariling negosyo," Villar said.

Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, welcomed more than 30 participants from South Luzon at Vintahanan in Muntinlupa for the start of Training of Trainors on Freshwater Aquaculture.

The 5-day training program will cover topics such as biology and culture of tilapia in ponds/cages; fish health management; fish processing; aquaponics; and ornamental fish culture.

The free program will train and equip participants on the various fish processing technologies such as the making of fish ball, kikiam, embutido, patty and nuggets. It will also teach the importance of good manufacturing practices and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures in compliance to food safety.

Participants will also learn from experts how to breed and culture freshwater ornamental fishes and to culture natural/live food for fish. Training facilitators will also demonstrate mending of breeding cage and packaging techniques.

At the end of the program, participants are expected to return to their communities as trainors and share the knowledge to other people.



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The Senate of the Philippines has approved on 3rd and final reading S. No. 1224, "An Act Institutionalizing Comprehensive Values Education in the K to 12 Curriculum as a core subject including good manners and right conduct."

The bill, co-authored by Sen. Bong Revilla, will use the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) in adopting teaching values education to inculcate patriotism, nationalism, fostering of love of humanity, and respect of human rights, among others.

The DepED shall be the lead agency in implementing the provisions of the bill which facilitates collaborative action in and by the school community and other stakeholders, to foster parental involvement and develop home and school partnerships for an inclusive values education framework.

'Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao' under the K to 12 Curriculum aims to completely and coherently cover Basic Education from Kindergarten to Grade 12; include the whole school approach teaching of Values Education including Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC); and include clear, distinct, specific, and concrete Character Building Activities.

"Dapat nating palaguin ang paghubog sa kabutihang asal ng ating mga kabataan sa paaralan. Hindi lamang karunungan kundi pati magandang pag-uugali ang dapat maging pundasyon ng kanilang kaunlaran at kabuuan bilang produktibong indibidwal at kapaki-pakinabang na miyembro ng pamayanan," Revilla ended.



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Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. is optimistic that once completed, the Sangley International Airport will become the country's "newest gateway to the world."

The veteran senator expressed high hopes during the inauguration of the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP) and the presentation of the Sangley Point International Airport Project last Feb. 15, which was led by no less than Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The Lawmaker filed S. No. 74 after being re-elected, aiming to convert the US Naval Base in Cavite City into an International Logistics Hub.

The bill is in line with the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP), one of the key projects of the Duterte Administration's "Build Build Build" program aimed at decongesting the worsening condition of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) located in Pasay City.

In 1998, during his first term as Governor of the Province of Cavite, Bong Revilla launched "Cavite Vision: 2020," a comprehensive development plan for the Province which includes both the Sangley Point International Airport construction and the LRT Line 1 Extension Project.

Upon the completion of the Sangley Point International Airport in 2023, the government targets its full operation as a commercial airport facilitating local and international flights.

"Sa wakas, after 20 years nang una natin itong ma-conceptualize, tuloy na tuloy na po ang pagsasakatuparan ng Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP). Bahagi po ito ng pagsusulong natin ng kaunlaran ng Cavite, kasama na ang mga proyektong ito. Hindi lamang nito maiibsan ang congestion sa NAIA, magbibigay din ito ng bagong pag-asa at oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan," Revilla ended.



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Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. is optimistic that once completed, the Sangley International Airport will become the country's "newest gateway to the world."

The veteran senator expressed high hopes during the inauguration of the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP) and the presentation of the Sangley Point International Airport Project last Feb. 15, which was led by no less than Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The Lawmaker filed S. No. 74 after being re-elected, aiming to convert the US Naval Base in Cavite City into an International Logistics Hub.

The bill is in line with the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP), one of the key projects of the Duterte Administration's "Build Build Build" program aimed at decongesting the worsening condition of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) located in Pasay City.

In 1998, during his first term as Governor of the Province of Cavite, Bong Revilla launched "Cavite Vision: 2020," a comprehensive development plan for the Province which includes both the Sangley Point International Airport construction and the LRT Line 1 Extension Project.

Upon the completion of the Sangley Point International Airport in 2023, the government targets its full operation as a commercial airport facilitating local and international flights.

"Sa wakas, after 20 years nang una natin itong ma-conceptualize, tuloy na tuloy na po ang pagsasakatuparan ng Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP). Bahagi po ito ng pagsusulong natin ng kaunlaran ng Cavite, kasama na ang mga proyektong ito. Hindi lamang nito maiibsan ang congestion sa NAIA, magbibigay din ito ng bagong pag-asa at oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan," Revilla ended.



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Elementary and high school students in public and private schools will soon be required to take a mandatory Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) subject under the K to 12 curriculum.

The Senate today approved a bill seeking to institutionalize values education, including GMRC, as a core subject in the K to 12 curriculum.

Under Senate Bill No. 1224 or the Comprehensive Values Education Act, values education, including GMRC, will be taught to elementary and senior high school students for an hour daily. In the case of kindergarten students, values education shall be integrated in their daily learning activities. GMRC was removed as a regular subject and was integrated with other subjects, including Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao and Araling Panlipunan under the K to 12 curriculum.

In the said curriculum, values education is taught for 30 minutes daily in primary education and an hour twice a week in secondary education.

Educators deplore the neglect of the subject in the teaching practice. A position paper by Ma. Antoinette Montealegre of the Philippine Normal University noted that currently, values education has not "reversed the rapid moral deterioration and fading Filipino values."

Since values education was not given priority unlike academic subjects such as mathematics, english and science, studies showed unfavorable attitude towards the subject, according to Montealegre.

She said the limited time accorded to values education, 30 minutes, is not enough for "both cognitive and action-oriented learning in character formation."

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, sponsor of the bill, said the amount of time allotted to values education has been found to be inadequate. He said the current 30 minutes does not provide enough time for teachers to engage students in meaningful discussions and exercises on values formation.

He said SBN 1224 mandates values education curriculum to include clear, distinct, specific and concrete character building activities such as role playing in the classroom, community immersion activities, teacher-parent collaborative learning activities, school initiated values formation activities, simulated activities and other forms of experiential learning activities.

"This will allow students to gain real-life experiences in applying their values to difficult situations, but in a controlled environment where experienced educators will help them process the lessons they learned in a constructive and nurturing way," Gatchalian explained.

To make the subject more accessible and user-friendly to students, the bill calls for a mother tongue-based multilingual education approach to be adopted in teaching values education. The bill mandates the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Commission on Filipino Language and in collaboration with education academic and research institutions to formulate a mother tongue-based multilingual framework for teaching and learning.

Teachers with certification, diploma and training in the field of values education and other allied disciplines shall be given preference in the teaching of the subject. At present, educators noted that 70 to 90 percent of those who teach values education are not certified values education teachers. "DepEd shall conduct an annual review of the institutionalization of comprehensive values education in the K to 12 program curriculum to ensure its proper implementation and assess student learning outcomes for the purpose of determining its efficacy," the bill said.

"The DepEd shall also establish linkages and provide the necessary support to strengthen parent-teacher partnerships to enable parents to perform their vital role in the effective institutionalization of the values formation education," it added.

Aside from Gatchalian, the bill was introduced by Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Senators Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Panfilo Lacson, Sonny Angara, Ronald dela Rosa, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Christoper Lawrence Go, Risa Hontiveros, Manuel Lapid, Imee Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino and Senate President Vicente Sotto III.



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On ABS CBN

SP Sotto: Ihehear yung committee niya, pwede yun. The issue that Sen. Lacson is apprehensive about, the issue on sub judice, because of the quo-warranto, might not be a problem as long as it's in aid of legislation. Ngayon, kung si Grace, gustong maghearing, yung resolution niya to look into the allegations against ABS CBN, it's part of the mandate of her committee, okay lang yun. It does not have anything to do with the franchise, approval or disapproval.

Q: (Unclear) about the franchise?

SP Sotto: Hindi ko alam yan.

Q: Franchise na mismo.

SP Sotto: Franchise na mismo? Eh kung wala pang bill sa amin eh.

Q: (Unclear) there are instances na nauuna ang Senate, mga tax measures, franchise...

SP Sotto: Tax measures always emanate from the House.

Q: Like the CTRP daw?

SP Sotto: To be honest about it, I have to look into that. I cannot agree or disagree, but alam ko basta't a bill of local application must emanate from the House. Pwedeng maghearing yun pero hearing lang yan, pero it's...

Q: Walang committee report pero (unclear).

SP Sotto: mas mabuti pa, ako ang suggestion ko, pag ako ang tatanungin, yung resolution niya ang ihearing. What is the franchise that she will be hearing, if there is no franchise bill to us? Merong nagfile, pero it does not have any legal stand at the moment until it comes from the House.

Q: Yung binabanggit po ni Senator Grace na pwedeng simultaneous like in other...

SP Sotto: If you will recall, di ba yung akin, nagfile ako ng bill for the franchise of ABS-CBN and then I withdrew? Winithdraw ko yun. Hintayin na lang dapat yung ano...

Q: Yung joint resolution ni Sen. Drilon? Giving a special permit extending until 2022?

SP Sotto: NTC yun.

Q: Pero joint resolution yun, is that necessary?

SP Sotto: Pwede, that is possible.

Q: Sa VFA po, may (unclear) na po yung filing?

SP Sotto: Oo, inaayos na yung wording because I would (unclear) a simple petition asking the Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution on whether it should pass the Senate or not, when an agreement or a treaty is abrogated.

Q: How many senators will you have?

SP Sotto: Petitioner pa lang kami. The petitioners will be myself, Sen. Lacson, Sen. Drilon, Sen. Tatad and Sen. Biazon. Sen. Tatad and Sen. Biazon were the sponsors of the VFA in the 11th Congress and we have discussed it already.

Q: Are there other senators who will join you?

SP Sotto: Siguro. I hope so.

Q: Macocover yung VFA kung ganoon ka-general yung petition?

SP Sotto: Oo. Particularly, yung VFA nga ang tinatanong namin, (unclear) kasi Executive agreement.

Q: (Unclear) sa Executive branch?

SP Sotto: Hindi naman. Pagka finile namin petition for (unclear), yun ang sinasabi mong head-to-head. Hindi naman yun ang finafile namin. Ang finafile namin is for the Senate to assert its right.

Q: This will not lead to a Constitutional crisis?

SP Sotto: I don't think so.

Q: It will not result to a shaky leadership of yours?

SP Sotto: I don't think so, but whatever it is, leadership ang paguusapan, okay lang yun, walang problema sa akin yun.

Q: Sa principle?

SP Sotto: Oo.



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Lawmakers called for a national evaluation policy that will ensure evidence-based budgeting for all government programs and the accountability of civil servants.

"Clearly there has been limited attention, budgetary support, provision of personnel for monitoring and evaluation and only lip service has been given all these years to M&E," Sen. Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, said at the National Evaluation Policy (NEP) Forum in the Senate.

She noted that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), which conduct monitoring and evaluation, are understaffed with only 12 research fellows keeping an eye on a budget of over 4 trillion pesos. Evaluation in particular should be more comprehensive and better financed, she added.

"It is important that evaluation results be established as a requirement for the national budget or for any budgeting for that matter and that no fund releases can be made without monitoring and evaluation first," Marcos said.

"Digital technology has made evaluation simpler so there is no excuse not to evaluate government projects and programs comprehensively and well," she added.

Bills have been filed in the Senate (Senate Bill No. 788 by Sen. Risa Hontiveros) and House of Representatives (House Bill No. 3293 by Rep. Alfred Vargas) in an effort to put together a national evaluation policy. The NEP forum--the first in a series on crafting such policy--discussed evaluating the Department of Education's (DepEd) K to 12 Program.

Marcos said given K to 12's cost to the government and parents, it is imperative to at least determine the program's tangible results and accomplishments.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, stressed that monitoring and evaluation are important to exert accountability.

"Accountability is very important for all of us, especially for civil servants," he told the forum. "It's also very important to make sure that our schools deliver the goals that we need to deliver. We need to deliver performance."

But to do that, he added, accountability must be ensured, and the measure of school performance must also include grades, particularly in national achievement tests.

Gatchalian earlier filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the state of basic education in the country after the global study in 2018 of the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA showed the Philippines ranked lowest in reading comprehension and second lowest in science and math out of 79 countries.

The lawmaker commended the DepEd for acknowledging that quality is a big challenge facing the basic education sector and for starting a process to review the K to 12 curriculum.

He called for the reform of what educators admit to be a congested curriculum. Gatchalian quoted an education official as saying that during the school year, students need to learn 200 competencies or about one competency per day.

There is also a disconnect between textbooks and the curriculum guides, he added.

"To me, the low-hanging fruit - and I hope the DepEd could also acknowledge this later on - is to reform the curriculum as fast as possible," Gatchalian said. Cascading the reform to teachers is a bigger challenge because of the many levels within the huge department, he added.

The senator urged the bureaucracy to work fast on tweaking the curriculum so reforms can be cascaded down to teachers in time for school year 2020-2021, which starts in June.

He warned that if reforms are not implemented soon, no dramatic change can be expected in the Philippines' score in the next assessment of PISA in 2021.



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Question: Hindi na kayo magko-caucus?

Sen. Grace Poe: Wala akong alam na caucus. Wala namang sinasabi ang liderato ng Senado na kailangang magpulong. Meron ibang caucus pero hindi tungkol sa committee ko.

Q: Ma'am anong mangyayari, on your own, magde-decide diretso ang hearing about ABS-CBN?

Poe: Sa tingin ko naman, nirerespeto ng aking mga kasamahan ang prerogatiba ng chairman ng isang Kumite, kung inaakala nito na kailangang magkaroon ng pagdinig. Ngayon, kung meron man na isa sa amin na nais klaruhin eh bukas naman ako na makipag-usap. Pero sa ngayon, wala namang sinasabi na dapat kaming magkaroon ng executive session o caucus.

Q: Kailan ang target?

Poe: Kinakausap ko nga aking mga kasamahan na magpa-schedule na ng committee room para magkaroon na ng hearing. Sa ngayon, nakikipag-coordinate pa kami sa Senate Secretariat.

Q: 'Yung House habang wala pa silang balak na ikalendaryo ito, bakit niyo naisipan dito sa Senate na umpisahan na. Though to be clear, this is not about franchise yet di'ba, issues lang ito about ABS.

Poe: Actually, alam mo nagpalit na ang isip ko. Sa tingin ko, diringgin na natin about prangkisa. Alam mo bakit? Hindi lamang mga isyu dahil ang mga isyu na 'yan kasama sa oversight kung kinakailangan ba or meron bang dahilan bakit irenew o huwag irenew ang franchise. Makatwiran ba na irenew ang franchise, makatwiran ba na huwag irenew ang franchise. Papaano mo malalaman 'yun kung walang pagdinig. Ngayon, ang franchise kasi o ang prangkisa, ay parang local bill. Ito ay dapat nagmumula sa Mababang Kapulungan o sa Kongreso pero alam naman natin na sa ganitong bagay, lalung-lalo na kapag ito ay kailangan nang maipasa, katulad ng budget, katulad ng buwis o taxes, simultaneous naman ang pagdinig sa House at sa Senado. Kahit na wala pang nata-transmit na bill dito ang Kongreso, naghe-hearing na tayo dito para sa TRAIN, naalala ninyo. Basta lamang hindi pa magsusumite ang aming committee ng isang committe report hangga't hindi pa namin natatanggap 'yung galing sa Kongreso na version nila ng bill.

Q: Have you talked to your counterparts in the House na you will do this baka kasi isipin nila na stepping on naman, na nauuna kayo sa kanila?

Poe: Hindi naman, mga kaibigan naman natin sila sa Kongreso. Unofficially, meron naman tayong nakakausap na miyembro ng Kongreso ukol dito at sinabi ko naman sa kanila na hindi naman ito paglabag rin ng kanilang kapangyarihan sapagkat nangyari na ito ilang beses na nagkaroon ng hearing ang Senado na hindi pa naman nata-transmit galing sa House, katulad nga ng GAA, at saka pagdating na rin sa TRAIN at ngayon, wala pa namang, marami pa tayong pinag-aaralan na batas kahit local bills ay nauuna na rin dito sa Senado.

Q: Should this prompt the House to act on several bills filed?

Poe: It is our hope that they will act on it already because as we know, the franchise of ABS-CBN will end this March. However, it's the prerogative of the House, whether or not, they will hear it. But in the case of the Senate, I think we should be able to exercise our mandate, otherwise we are not fulfilling our responsibility. Malinaw naman 'yun.

Q: What happens once you finish your hearing here in the Senate and the House hasn't finished it? Wala rin, tengga pa rin?

Poe: Wala ring mangyayari, 'yun ang totoo. 'Yun ang mapait na katotohanan. Pero ito naman ang nangyayari sa mga pagdinig. Unang-una, nabubusisi natin ang kwalipikasyon ng isang nag-aapply ng prangkisa. Eh 'di malalaman ng ating mga kababayan dahil bukas ang pagdinig sa Kongreso, sa Senado, bukas ang pagdinig. So kung hindi man maipasa 'yan sa Mababang Kapulungan, at least dito sa Senado, naisiwalat namin ang aming pag-unawa dito sa isyu na ito at maintindihan din ng ating mga kababayan. Kasi, alam ko maraming prayoridad ang nais nating maipasa sa Kongreso man o sa Senado pero pwede naman sigurong gawan talaga ng pagkakataon kung ginugusto na madinig ito. So dito sa amin, 'yung aking mga kasamahan, marami talaga gustong maliwanagan ang isyu at kaka-file lamang ni Senator Drilon din ng bill para ma-renew ang franchise. So, eh 'di pagkaisahin na natin dahil meron na rin na-file si Senator Recto.

Q: With the limited time, can we still go beyond to conduct hearings?

Poe: Alam mo kasi pagdating na ng recess halos tapos na rin kasi ang kanilang prangkisa dahil kung hindi ako nagkakamali hanggang March 13 ba tayo dito, March 12, 'yun ang Miyerkules. Kung mamadaliin natin dito pero wala rin naman counterpart sa Kongreso, hindi rin ako makakapagsubmit ng committee report. Pero di'ba ang talagang pakay dito ay ito: Higit sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, ang ating ipinaglalaban dito ay ang awtoridad at mandato ng lehislatura, ng legislative branch. We should be able to exercise our authority and that mandate. Kasi bakit pa tayo hinalal ng ating mga kababayan kung hindi rin natin gagawin ang ating mga responsibilidad? At para sabihin na ang bagay na ito ay hindi mahalaga, mahalaga ito sapagkat lahat naman ng media, hindi lamang ABS-CBN, lahat naman ng media ay importante para bantayan ang mga nangyayari sa ating lipunan. Kaya hindi natin winawalang bahala ito at isinasantabi. So ABS-CBN man 'yan o ibang media company, kailangan magkaroon ng pagdinig at sana bago matapos ang prangkisa.

Q: May concern po si Sen. Lacson na baka kapag nag-conduct ng committee hearing baka 'yung ibang resource persons, hindi sila makasagot dahil baka i-contempt ng Korte dahil ang focus ng investigation, 'yun mismo ang substance ng quo warranto petition?

Poe: Hindi naman siguro sa ganun kasi unang-una, nasa Konstitusyon natin, Article 12 Section 11 na nakalagay na ang pagbibigay talaga ng prangkisa ay mandato ng Kongreso, ng Senado, ng legislative branch. Pangalawa, 'yan ay nasa rules din ng Senate na ang franchise ay karapatan ng Senado, ng Public Service pagkagaling dito sa Kongreso. At pangatlo, mismo ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN ay nakasaad doon na kung anuman ang amyenda na kailangan ay dapat Kongreso, Senado, ibig sabihin din, angy may kapangyarihan dito. Ngayon, papaano natin matatalakay 'yan kung hindi naman natin didinigin dito? Pagdating naman dito sa sub judice, tatlong kaso na ang nagpatunay na may karapatan ang Senado dito. Unang-una, 'yung sinasabi na kaso ng Sabio vs. Gordon; tapos meron din isa na Romero vs. Estrada at 'yung pangatlo Divinagracia vs. Consolidated Broadcasting Industries, lahat 'yan sinasabi na 'The legislative branch is not precluded from conducting a hearing even if there are judicial proceedings.' Di'ba malinaw naman 'yun. Tapos pagdating naman sa Macalintal vs. Comelec, sinabi din dun sa kaso na 'yun na may oversight function talaga ang Senado o ang Kongreso. Kasi papaano mo ieexercise, how would you be able to have or how will you able to do your oversight function if you do not conduct hearings, if you do not invite resource persons? Ngayon kapag sinabi papaano na resource persons, baka sila ang walang immunity. Siguro common sense naman 'yun kung mga senador na nagtatanong may immunity, at sinabi doon sa mga resource persons, sagutin ninyo. Kasalanan ba nila 'yun? Ilang beses na nangyari 'yan dito na sabay ang hearing ng Senado sa judicial proceedings, hindi naman nakulong ang mga resource persons. Merong mga nagsasampa ng kaso, hindi naman pinipigilan na magsampa ng kaso laban sa mga resource persons pero, maybe we should cite meron na bang nakulong na resource person dahil nagsalita dito sa Senado habang nagkakaroon ng judicial proceedings; parang wala pa naman akong nalalaman. Kung meron man, marami rin naman akong nalalaman na nagsalita na, na hindi naman nakulong. At alam mo kung anuman ang sasabihin ng Korte Suprema, pagkatapos magkaroon ng isang pagdinig, ginagalang natin dito bilang kapantay natin, di'ba. So sila rin naman siguro maraming beses na nilang naibigay ang kanilang opinyon na kinikilala rin nila ang equal branch of government, ang legislative branch.

Q: Kailangan ba magkaroon in writing na magsasabi na buhay pa kayo hanggang sa ganitong period?

Poe: Traditionally kasi, as I mentioned before, giving a provisional permit to operate is just a courtesy or practice, or a tradition done by Congress or the NTC. This has been done many times with the CBCP, I believe with Smart, Globe, if I'm not mistaken. Lahat naman sila, nag-lapse na ang kanilang franchise habang may naka-file pa na bill sa Kongreso kaya inextend ng NTC or NTC was silent about it, hindi naman sila pinatigil ng operation. But because this has reached a level of discussion, there are certain controversies involved here, I think, that it would be prudent for us, particularly Congress to put in writing, exactly the request to extend the validity of the license to operate while their franchise is still pending in Congress. It's been done before, so I'd like to know, if this will not be granted in this case, what the reasons will be. Why grant it to other franchises when the franchises haven't been approve, they were given provisional permit to operate, why not do the same in this case. Please spell out the reasons, if it will not be granted.

Q: Congress or Senate ang susulat sa NTC?

Poe: I think in this case, it has to be Congress because as it is, they have to start the hearings traditionally. We can't really pass any bills when it comes to local bills or franchise bills if it does not emanate from Congress. However, it does not prevent the Senate to hear the issue simultaneously.

Q: What is the danger without this provisional permit or license po in writing?

Poe: Because it's not actually written in any implementing rules and regulations or in any particular agreement, NTC can just decide otherwise and say, 'Well, we are not going to extend it.' And that maybe, that will be very problematic because when your franchise is cancelled, my understanding is, particularly for media, you can't broadcast anything anymore with that frequency. So anong ibig sabihin niyan, blackout. Sa March 30, 11,000 people will have to walk out from their jobs. Does it mean that at the end of March, without the provisional permit and the NTC just says, 'No, sorry but the license is revoked because Congress failed to act on it that they won't be able to broadcast anything.' Hindi ko naman sinasabi na ABS-CBN is the primary source of news, hindi naman. It won't necessary mean that we won't know what is happening in the country. It doesn't mean that freedom of expression is absolutely removed, but it can also send a message that somehow, in certain cases, other media outlets might be a little bit worried about their own situation because without going into details of the complaint of the quo warranto, because that is the subject of the hearing, whatever allegations they have on ABS-CBN, most definitely, will affect other franchises as well. So if ABS-CBN is found to have violated the franchise, other media franchises who have the same situation will also be called for violating franchises, meaning it can also be cancelled.

Q: Is there a hidden message of the quo warranto case, sending to other media outlets?

Poe: Ayokong pangunahan kung ano'ng mensahe kasi karapatan yan ng OSG kung gusto niyang mag-file pero para sa akin sinisiguro ko lang na Senado ay nandyan pa rin para maging patas na batayan.

Q: Ma'am doon sa hearing ninyo will you be seeking the opinion of the President since he's one of the complainants and he's been very vocal sa mga sinasabi nyang violations ng ABS, will you inviting him also?

Poe: I don't think it's necessary. I think the president has his representatives to speak on his behalf. If Congress is very busy to tackle this bill I'm sure the President also has other responsibility to attend to at this point. I heard his going around the country which is good to allay the fears of our countrymen regarding NCOVID19, but I hope that whoever his representatives will be, if he decides to send one, will be able to articulate what the concerns are. And not just from the president, but others, 'yung mga ibang may katwiran na laban sa pag-renew ng prangkisa ng ABS CBN ay bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon na magsalita.

Q. Ma'am you mentioned about the precedent involving those operating beyond the expiry date, don't you think this ABS-CBN is not similarly situated with others considering na ang kalaban nila is presidente? They're in a most difficult situation.

Poe: Ganito na lang. Let's just put it this way, other franchises have been renewed without much discussion, and here you are all very interested in this particular franchise, so that should answer the question.

Q. Your committee has to do this only because the people in the House have not done their job as quickly as they should...

Poe: Of course, we respect Congress and their mandate to hear local bills including franchises and that should emanate from them, that's why I respectfully delayed the hearings here in the Senate to give way to that and hoping, like many of you, that they would already calendared it. But since I think it's reasonable for us to be worried at this point because the end of the franchise is already the end of March and we only have until the 12, I believe of March, to really have a hearing where most senators will be present or will be able to attend. That's why pagbibigay galang sa Kongreso na hindi naman tayo agad-agad na nag-hearing pero siguro naman at hinihiling ko rin ang kanilang pag-unawa na trabaho rin namin ito sa Public Services sa Senado kung ano-ano ngang mga isyu ang hini-hear natin dito 'di ba? Pagdating sa, mamaya may sponsorhip ako dito sa motorcycles taxis, hindi lamang 'yan pati pagdating na rin sa pagkakaroon ng kung ano-anong mga issues tungkol sa ating lipunan, pagdating sa tubig. 'Di ba? So bakit hindi natin tatalakayin ito, ito naman ay mahalaga rin sa ating lahat.

Q: Ma'am sino po yung kinokonsider nyo na ipatawag sa hearing, kasama ba si Solgen Calida?

Poe: Maganda sana kung makaka-attend siya at bibigyan din namin siya ng imbitasyon. Ngayon kung siya ba'y makakadalo, malalaman natin, kung sasaguting ba n'ya 'yung mga tanong, hindi rin natin alam 'yon hanggang pagdating sa pagdinig.

Q: Ma'am since ang NTC is under the executive branch, are you really optimistic that the agency will extend that same courtesy it gave to other franchise holders na paso na 'yung prangkisa? Poe: I would like to remain hopeful that the agency under the executive branch will remain fair, and that executive itself will allow the free discussion of this particular issue, as well as give the same opportunity as was given others to be able to continue operation until the franchise issue is resolved.

Q: Ma'am ano 'yung assurance ng continuous operation ng ABS kapag naisyuhan ng provisional authority kasi sinasabi ni Sen. Drilon anytime pwede 'yan i-withdraw ng NTC kahit mag-issue ng provisional authority?

Poe: Totoo, pwede talaga.

Q: Walang assurance?

Poe: Walang assurance pero uulitin ko, nangyari na ito ilang beses noon. Binigyan nila ng provisional permit to operate ang mga prangkisa na dinidinig pa sa Kongreso, so kung hindi nila ito ibibigay sa kaso na ito, dapat idetalye nila bakit di'ba. Kapag sinabi nila na kasi mas malubha ang mga violations nito, kung iisa isahin natin hindi 'yan sa degree ng pagiging malubha, ikaw ba'y nag-violate o hindi. At masasabi nating walang perpekto, at uulitin ko, walang perpektong prangkisa. Lahat naman ay merong pagkukulang so timbangin nating mabuti.

Q: Ma'am 'yung sinasabi na parang nag-violate ba talaga ang ABS-CBN, hindi naman kailangan na closure agad 'yung iimpose na sanction sa ABS, parang ganun po?

Poe: Kasi doon sa mga prangkisa na nada-draft naming, malinaw na malinaw doon na may multa, o merong suspension pero 'yung para sabihin na pugutan na ng operasyon, parang napakalubha naman noon. Pero hindi ko sinasabi na sa pagkakataon ng ABS ay sigurado na ang kanilang prangkisa kapag na-determine na natin lahat ng diumano'y pagkukulang, kaya nga kinakailangan nga ng pagdinig para sabihin na patas tayo di'ba. Kasi kung walang pagdinig, papaano natin malalaman ang mga isyu ukol dito.

Q: Ma'am by experience, ano 'yung mabibigat na violation na nakita niyo before sa mga previous franchises na inimbestigahan ninyo.

Poe: Sabihin na lang nating ganito, pagdating sa telco, di'ba lahat tayo gusto natin na mabilis ang internet natin, maganda ang service natin; eh dalawa lang ang nagpo-provide ng ating telecommunication service so ang administrasyon na ito sinabi kailangang ng third telco player or more telco players, so ipinasok dito iyong Mislatel pero 'yung Mislatel na 'yan, binili nila ang prangkisa nila sa isang existing franchise pero 'nung inimbestigahan namin 'yung existing franchise na 'yun, marami rin silang violations; at ang isa doon ay meron na silang prangkisa pero hindi nila kaagad agad ginamit ang kanilang prangkisa within the three years, I believe, na mandated that you should be in operation within three years and you should offer, they should have a public offering of the stocks within a certain number of period. Lahat 'yun parang na-violate but because of the urgency of the situation, the House or yung Kongreso, pinayagan nila na ma-transmit dito. In short, in spite of the violations, nakarating pa rin dito ang prangkisa na 'yun, 'yung bill na 'yun so dininig natin kasi galing sa House, they approved it. So dito, we have to look at other issues moving forward pero kung talagang ayaw, kung talagang sabihin mong merong pagkukulang, mabigat na pagkukulang 'yun.

Q: Should you get to proceed with hearing the ABS-CBN franchise, will that pressure the House counterpart to act on the pending bills?

Poe: May intention is not to pressure them to do anything that is against their will because that's their right. On the other hand, as a lawmaker and as a citizen, we expect our representatives to act on our behalf in a timely manner.

Q: Have you consulted SP Sotto about this, your new decision to hear the franchise kasi last week your decision was really to evaluate, to check if the network really violated the franchise but this time it's hearing the franchise itself?

Poe: Of course, I will give due respect to the Senate President, his opinion matters to me and to my colleagues. On the other hand, my colleagues as well as the Senate President has proven in the past that they respect the authority of the committee chairman to determine which issues will be heard.

Q: Ma'am granting that there were violations committed by ABS-CBN, do you think that the non-renewal of the franchise if ever, is it a drastic measure?

Poe: I will not speak on the merits first of the allegations against ABS or pass judgment. I'm just saying that generally cancelling a franchise without sufficient hearings is not fair. I think that we should continue with the hearings to really be able to determine if there was indeed a violation and it merits a cancellation.

Q: 'Yung bagong decision niyo na i-hear na mismo ang franchise, is it because nagwo-worry na rin kayo na baka hindi na umabot sa March 30? Poe: Hindi naman kasi meron ng bagong finile kanina di'ba tapos nasabi ko naman sa inyo na meron ng mga pagkakataon katulad ng General Appropriations Act, 'yung budget; or 'yung TRAIN dahil prayoridad ito ng ating administrasyon na isinabay ang hearing para nga, malay mo di'ba, libre naman mangarap, matapos agad ng Kongreso. Kasi nakikita naman natin kapag meron silang gustong ipasa, nagagawa naman nila kaagad agad. Eh kung biglang bulagain tayo, 'O ito na 'yung bill' tapos walang pagdinig dito tapos March 12 na, biglang kasalanan pa ng Senado na hindi kami nag-hearing.

Q: So Ma'am when do you intend to hold the hearing?

Poe: Kukuha pa kami ng venue dahil sa ngayon madaming naghe-hearing dito, kung pwede sa hallway kahit na kailan pero hindi.

Q: Si Senate Minority Leader has filed a joint resolution for both chambers of Congress to extend the life of the ABS-CBN franchise until the end of 2022, how will this affect 'yung magiging proceedings ng committee?

Poe: I think that it will actually bring it to a better level of discussion because aside from just discussing the possible violations committed, we will also see the track record of service for them to be able to merit the privilege of having a franchise because with the extension bill, because before you renew a franchise you'll see, number one, do they have the capability to provide the service that they promised to provide; number two, aside from the capability, do they have the track record that proves that they have the capability to do it; and then number three, that we will be able to hear, if any violations are enough to overturn the renewal of the franchise.

Q: Ma'am once ma-approve ang joint resolution filed by Sen. Franklin Drilon, assurance na 'yun na continuous operation ng ABS-CBN hanggang 2040?

Poe: Hindi ko alam kasi resolution 'yan eh. Hindi naman 'yan mismo ang franchise, I have to go into the legality of that.

Q: Extending the validity of the franchise.

Poe: So kung extending the validity, hindi lang resolution, so 'yung bill mismo niya. Kailangan din ng concurrence, obviously ng House di'ba. Actually, ang nangyayari dito sa kay Sen. Drilon, fina-file lang niya 'yung counterpart naming dito sa Senate pero again, it has to emanate again from the House and then we have to jointly approve on it.

Q: Sino 'yung aside from the executives of the corporation, sino pa 'yung likely to be invited during the hearing?

Poe: Pwede bang ibigay ko na lang sa inyo ang listahan bago 'yung hearing kasi ayoko rin na kulang kulang, ayokong matakot 'yung iba o kaya biglang makahanap ng dahilan. Ibigay na lang natin kapag malapit na ang pagdinig.

Q: Ma'am clarification lang, you can hear but you cannot release a committee report, tama ba?

Poe: Yes.

Q: Ma'am ina-assure naman natin ang public na if ever you'll find violations ng ABS-CBN, their attention will be called and they'll have to correct it.

Poe: Of course.

Q: Hindi naman sila maka-influence kasi giant network sila?

Poe: Kasi marami 'yan di'ba, kapag may pinapatawag rin tayo dito sa Senado na nag-violate ng franchise nila, ayusin ninyo 'yan o magbayad muna kayo ng multa o kausapin niyo 'yung department ukol diyan. So, anyway, basta ayoko kasi baka kung ano pa masabi ko rito.

Q: Pero nasabi niyo wala pa kayo sa listahan napagmulta?

Poe: Alam mo hahanapin ko, kasi mahaba na ang history ng public services eh. Dito sa amin 'nung nirepaso namin ang franchise ng GMA 7, tinaasan naming ang multa ng violation pero hindi pa naman ako, hindi ko pa napag-aalaman kung meron ng direct violations na nagbayad ng mga multa, kailangan kong i-check 'yun.

Q: Ma'am, on another issue, there are some moves by the Senate President and some of your colleagues to file before the Supreme Court on the VFA, particularly on whether or not the Senate should be sought for permission if anything is to be abrogated, do you support it?

Poe: I support is because the Supreme Court is a co-equal branch of the government and it's a necessary part of the checks and balances to be able to clarify the issue once and for all because the law is silent on abrogation. It only says that the Senate has to be able to concur on that but it didn't say that to get out of a particular treaty, you need the concurrence of the Senate but it doesn't say either that the Senate is not needed kaya once and for all, not just for the VFA, I think it would be good to have the opinion of the Supreme Court.



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Magandang umaga sa lahat. I'd like to acknowledge my fellow Senators.

Nung nakaraang linggo, sinamahan ko si Ivy, isang Taiwanese national na naging biktima ng human trafficking ng kanyang mga boss na Chinese nationals. She was promised an advertising job, pero natakot siya nang nalaman niyang POGO pala, at fly-by-night pa. Tinanggalan siya ng passport, pinagtrabaho halos 24 oras kada araw, at minolestiya din. In her own words, "they touched my body and laughed at me". Ang kuwento din ni Ivy ay kuwento ng maraming mga kababayan nating OFW na inaabuso sa ibang bansa.

Dito ngayon sa Pilipinas, kahit saan ka magpunta, maraming mga Chinese nationals, at karamihan sa kanila ay mga POGO workers.

Ok lang naman kung legal ang lahat at sumusunod sa batas, pero parang may dala pang krimen kagaya ng prostitusyon, trafficking at illegal detention. Hindi pa nagbabayad ng buwis. At dinuduraan pa ang mga kapulisan natin.

Gusto kong siyasatin sa hearing na ito kung paano nakakapasok sa bansa ang napakaraming mga Chinese workers, at mga Chinese women na biktima ng human trafficking, na nabibiktima na rin ang mga sarili nating mga kababayan.

Sentro sa usaping ito ang Bureau of Immigration, na may responsibilidad na i-secure and ating national borders. Sabi noong nakaraang hearing, and I quote, "even the Chinese embassy and some Chinese officials are raising some concerns because ang ating mga Immigration officers ay napakahigpit."

Totoo kaya ito?

Kamakailan lamang, may nakilala ang aking opisina na gustong isiwalat ang isang napakalaking modus na sa tingin ko ay dapat bigyang pansin dito sa hearing ngayon. Ang video na ito ay galing sa aming informant.

Uunahan ko na kayo. Wag na wag niyong lolokohin ang taumbayan. Hindi standard procedure yan! Wag niyong idedeny na ang mga nakita natin sa video ay wala lang.

Bakit parang may VIP escort itong mga Chinese nationals papasok ng bansa?

Sa katunayan, may guest list nga ng mga Chinese nationals na pumapasok. Ito ang ilang mga screenshots sa viber group ng mga immigration officers.

Ito ay dating viber group ng mga immigration officers kung saan pinapadala ang mga pangalan ng paparating na Chinese nationals, kasama ang flight details, at minsan may kasama pang picture. Bakit parang ang ating mga immigration officers ay ginawang welcome committee sa mga papasok na POGO workers?

Yung mga Pilipino ang hirap hirap makapunta sa ibang bansa, pinapahirapan sa immigration. Pero ang satin, parang karinderyang bukas sa lahat? Sabi nila maraming dalang investments itong POGO. Pero imbes na investments, bakit parang naging invasion?

Ayon sa aming informant, mas lumakas ang ganitong modus dahil sa libu-libong mga POGO workers na dumarating sa bansa araw-araw. Dati, pinapadala ang mga pangalan at flight details sa isang viber group. At dahil minanmanan ito, ang ginawa ay sa mga boss nilimitahan ang listahan ng mga Chinese nationals. Nakita natin ito sa video kanina. Ngayon, ang modus daw ay balik-viber ang listahan, pero secret group chat at nag-eexpire ang mga messages para mas secured at hindi ma-screenshot.

Let's follow the money. Ayon sa aming informant, ang bawat Chinese national, marami ay POGO workers, ay nag-aapply bilang tourist visa. Pero dagdag sa kanilang visa fee, ay ten thousand pesos na "service fee": paniguradong hindi ka masisita sa immigration ng Pilipinas at mayroon ka pang welcome committee.

Sa sampung libo, dalawanlibo ang nakakarating sa ating mga airport, pinaghahatian sa level ng airport. Nasaan yung 8,000? Ayon sa aming informant, distributed na, bago pa man makarating sa airport: sa Chinese tour operator, sa ka-kontratang local tour operator, sa sindikatong magdodownstream sa airport.

During the last hearing, it was shared that 1.8 million Chinese nationals have entered the country in recent years. This actually tallies roughly with what our informant said that around 2000 Chinese nationals enter the country every day. Sabihin na natin sa 1.8 million, 800,000 ang totoong turista o estudyante o nagapply ng totoong work visa, at 1 million ang pumapasok gamit ang sistemang 10,000 "service fee". Ibig sabihin - general estimate only - 1 billion pesos na ang nabayad sa kickback. At kung sa 10,000 pesos kada pasahero ay 2000 pesos ang napunta sa airport operations, that means two hundred million pesos kulang kulang na ang pumapasok sa airport galing sa Chinese.



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"Traydor sa bayan (traitor to the country)."

This was the remark of Sen. Risa Hontiveros as she exposed the 'pastillas' modus within the Bureau of Immigration [BI], a system allegedly centralized by agency higher-ups where Chinese nationals are allowed seamless entry into the country for a 'service fee' of PhP10,000.

During a committee hearing on Monday investigating the link of the boom of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO to prostitution and trafficking in the country, the Senator showed a video of an immigration officer escorting Chinese nationals to BI's inner office, seemingly validating the Chinese nationals' identity against a list with a supervisor.

"Bakit parang may VIP escort itong mga Chinese nationals papasok ng bansa?" Hontiveros asked during the hearing. The Senator also showed screenshots of Viber groups containing names, flight details and photos of Chinese nationals.

"'Wag na 'wag niyong lolokohin ang taumbayan. Hindi standard procedure yan", Hontiveros remarked. The Senator said that the materials were sourced from an informant within the BI itself.

'Pastillas'

The senator also exposed photos from the whistleblower of the cash distributions, called 'pastillas', within the BI. "Tinanong ko bakit pastillas ang tawag. Dati daw kasi, wala pang mga sobre so nilalagay sa bond paper at niro-rolyo na parang pastillas," she said.

"Ngayon, mas professional na: may sobre parang legit na pasuweldo, may bonus pag perfect attendance, at may pa-lunch pa mula sa mga Chinese," Hontiveros added.

"Ayon sa aming informant, mas lumakas ang ganitong modus dahil sa libu-libong mga POGO workers na dumarating sa bansa araw-araw," she also added said.

The Senator detailed that of the 10,000-peso service fee per Chinese national entering the country, only 2,000 pesos actually trickle down to airport immigration.

"Nasaan na yung 8,000 pesos? Ayon sa aming informant, distributed na, bago pa man makarating sa airport: sa Chinese tour operator, sa ka-kontratang local tour operator, at sa sindikatong magdodownstream sa airport," Hontiveros claimed.

Chinese bribery endangers PH border

The Senator also said that around a billion pesos may have already been disbursed as kickbacks to corrupt officials. "Somebody sold our country's borders for Chinese money," Hontiveros claimed.

"Kung sasabihin nating 1 million ang pumapasok gamit ang 'pastillas' system, one billion pesos na ang nabayad na kickbak," the Senator explained. In the last hearing, BI revealed that 1.8 million Chinese nationals have entered the country in recent years.

"The lion's share goes to the bosses," Hontiveros told BI officials during the hearing. "Somebody rigged the system, centralized the operations, and made this into a billion-peso enterprise.

Pinapapasok ang mga Chinese nationals kapalit ng pera, effectively making us borderless," she also added.

Further investigation

The Senator also vowed further investigation into the 'pastillas' system to weed out corrupt officials within the BI and propose policy changes.

"Hindi magiging ganito ka-systematic ang operasyon sa loob ng Bureau of Immigration kung walang padrino ang mga ito . Hindi magiging ganito ka-garapal ang mga ilegal na POGO operations kung walang protektor at kumikita ng milyon-milyon," the Senator said. "Kailangan natin matunton kung sino ang pinaka-pinuno nitong scam na ito," she aadded.

"Sabi nila maraming dalang investments itong POGO. Pero imbes na investment ang dala nitong POGO, bakit parang naging invasion?" the Senator concluded.



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Though the Department of Education's (DepEd) Special Education (SPED) program received a budget allocation for the first time under its current administration, Senator Win Gatchalian underscores the need for adequate and dedicated funding to address current gaps in the program including the shortage of teachers.

Citing estimates from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), a 2018 report from the United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed that one out of seven or around 5.1 million Filipino children are living with disabilities. The figures grew from 3.5 million in 2016. And while DepEd's records show that currently there are 14,009 regular schools that cater to SPED students and separate SPED centers nationwide, there are only 4,000 SPED teachers.

Gatchalian hopes to secure dedicated funding for SPED through Senate Bill 171 or Inclusive Education for Children and Youth with Special Needs Act. The proposed measure seeks to establish Inclusive Education Learning Resource Centers in all divisions of public schools nationwide. The bill also mandates the DepEd to have a separate line item for learners with special needs.

For 2020, SPED received a P100 million allocation, which is still way below the original proposal amounting to P500 million. During the passage of the 2019 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rejected DepEd's proposal to have a special budget line item for SPED worth P562 million. SPED funds were instead included in the department's budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

"Kung mabibigyan natin ang mga kabataang may kapansanan ng dekalidad na edukasyon, matutulungan natin silang mahasa ang kanilang mga abilidad upang makapag-ambag sila sa ating lipunan. Ngunit hindi ito magagawa kung kulang ang ating pondo para mabigyan ng kaukulang suporta ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro sa SPED," said Gatchalian.

The shortage of qualified SPED teachers forces regular teachers, some of them are on an entry-level, to handle learners with disabilities despite their lack of expertise. These regular teachers also lament that though they handle learners with disabilities, they don't receive the same compensation as that of the SPED teachers. Under the first tranche of the Salary Standardization Law 5, entry-level teachers are paid P22,316 per month, which falls under Salary Grade (SG) 11. SPED teachers' salaries fall under SG 14, which makes them entitled to a starting salary of P29, 277.

"The reality is that there are regular teachers who refuse to accept children with disabilities in their classrooms because they are not paid with the appropriate wages. Some would tell the students to instead go to school that caters primarily to SPED students. And this is the sad state of our education system," said Dr. Therese Bustos, director of the Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman.



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Q: On ABS-CBN franchise

SFMD: It is almost certain that on April 1, 2020, the Solicitor General will question the continued operation of ABS-CBN with the expiration of the franchise on March 30, 2020. With that eventuality then it is a legal debate. In the meantime, there is no franchise. On March 30, you have 11,000 families who would have no livelihood. Therefore as a temporary measure, we filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 that will allow the ABS-CBN to operate at least for the next three years or up to December 2022 in order to have time to deliberate on the franchise of the ABS-CBN. If you do not do this, in six weeks time the continued existence of the ABS-CBN is open to question. I am conscious that in Congress there is a view that the pendency of the franchise renewal can be the basis for the continued existence of the AS-CBN. That is the view that has to be confirmed by the Supreme Court, and, in the meantime, there is no franchise come April 1.

Q: Itong resolution, kailangan ng concurrence ng HoR?

SFMD: Yes, because it will have the effect of the law. As I said, there is a view in Congress that the franchise can continue to exist until June 30 of 2022, but there is no final judgment on that by the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court will say that the franchise can continue up to June of 2022, well, good. But if not, we will have problems.

Q: How hopeful are you that you will get the support of the HoR knowing na inuupuan nila ito?

SFMD: I am not certain that they will support. That is a responsibility that they have to bear with 11,000 people losing their jobs on March 30.

Q: If you get the concurrence, ma-extend na po yung franchise?

SFMD: When we get the concurrence, then the franchise will be extended unless the President vetoes it.

Q: Kailangan pa yung signature ng Presidente?

SFMD: Yes.

Q: On the view that ABS-CBN can continue to operate beyond March 30.

SFMD: That's a view that is expressed in Congress, but the legal basis must be passed upon by the Supreme Court. There are views that say that the extension of up to June 2022 would need a temporary permit from the NTC and the NTC is part of the executive branch under the supervision of the President. Given the position of the President, I doubt whether the NTC will allow that extension.

Q: With the VFA, anong steps na po yung na-take ng Senate?

SFMD: The Senate President has advised me that he has started working on the petition and we support that petition, because it has never been settled in our jurisdiction. The petition that we filed two years back questioning the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC is still pending in the SC.

Q: Are we questioning the withdrawal from the VFA of in general na?

SFMD: The ruling on the VFA, or even the ruling on the ICC for that matter, will set the rule or will set the standard.

Q: May mga ibang senator na hindi raw supportive?

SFMD: The Senate President, to my understanding, has decided to go to the Supreme Court and that is why I am asking our colleagues to support our Senate President.



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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation up to the end of 2022, citing the need for more time for both houses of Congress to review the application for renewal of the network's franchise.

Drilon filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network when its 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.

Drilon, in his resolution, stressed that both the Senate and the House of Representatives need additional time to review, assess and determine whether or not ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation shall be granted the renewal of its franchise.

He noted that there are only 12 session days left before the next adjournment of Congress scheduled on March 14, 2020.

Drilon thus seeks to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until December 31, 2022 in order to give Congress enough time to study the various bills seeking the renewal of the franchise granted to the network.

"On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 families will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately, I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution," Drilon said.

Republic Act 7966, enacted into law on March 30, 1995, grants the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation a franchise "to construct, operate and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the country. The term of the franchise is for 25 years, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

SJR 11 also states that 12 bills filed in the House of Representatives seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation remain pending in the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

Last February 10, about 50 days before the franchise expires, the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court to forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.

The resolution also cited Senate Resolution 322, which was filed by Senator Grace Poe, seeking to inquire, in aid of legislation, the operations of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation to determine compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise.

The former justice secretary earlier said that "it is the Congress, not the Supreme Court, that has jurisdiction to review compliance by ABS-CBN of the terms of the franchise granted by Congress, especially that there are pending bills seeking to renew its franchise."



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After the so-called "ninja" cops, now the celebrity cops. They are the police officers the PNP has generously gifted with a graceful exit through optional retirement as a way of glossing over their involvement in illegal drugs.

Ano ito fan club? Nasaan ang pananagutan sa batas? Hindi nireregaluhan ng magarbong retirement plan ang taong-gobyerno na nagkasala sa batas at uniporme, kundi pinananagot sa husgado.

Bakit kapag pobre ang naligaw ang landas dahil sa droga pinapatumba agad? Pero kapag pulis o opisyal ng gobyerno ang kumikita sa droga ay ginagawaran pa ng maagang retirement. Tanggalin sa serbisyo at sampahan ng kaso, hindi pinagreretiro na para bang walang nangyari at walang buhay at komunidad na sinisira ang mga protektor ng droga.

This is not a simple case of setting an example for the police force. This is a serious case of coddling illegal drug activity, and the law must hold those involved to account.

Naging talamak ang droga dahil sa mga ganitong mapagsamantala at ulupong na gawain sa gobyerno. Sa halip na isuot ng may dangal ang uniporme, ginagamit pa ang tsapa para maging protektor ng sindikato. Ito ang sumisira sa imahe ng kapulisan at sa moral ng mga pulis na tapat sa serbisyo. Kung tutuusin, dapat unang lansagin ang droga sa hanay ng gobyerno. ###

(Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 719, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_no._719)



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Sen. Grace Poe exhorted her fellow lawmakers to ensure that broadcasting network ABS-CBN would continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension to protect the over 11,000 workers from displacement.

"Kahit sabihin pa nila na pwede naman 'yan i-extend hanggang 2022, maganda siguro kung in writing o kaya at least verbally sabihin ng Kongreso, 'We commit to give ABS-CBN through the National Telecommunications Commission a temporary permit to operate' kasi hindi naman 'yan nakasulat sa batas. 'Yan ay kortesiya lamang na ibinibigay ng Kongreso at NTC," Poe said.

"Hindi biro kung matigil ang operasyon dahil alam naman natin 11,000 trabaho ang apektado rito," she added.

Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 322 directing the Senate committee on public services to conduct an inquiry to determine ABS-CBN's compliance to the terms of its franchise.

Several senators are supporting the resolution.

Poe said the hearings would aid the senators in making judgment when the franchise bill is transmitted to them for their deliberation.

The House of Representatives has yet to begin deliberations on the application. House leaders, however, assured that ABS-CBN could continue operating until 2022 or the end of the 18th Congress while its franchise is being discussed.

Poe said the Senate inquiry would focus on the network's alleged violations. All parties will be given an opportunity to air their side for the public to know the real issue.

"Walang perpekto. Ako ang isip ko diyan ay bukas dahil maraming nag-a-apply ng prangkisa, wala namang perpekto," she said.

"Walang duda na may serbisyong ibinibigay ang network ng ABS-CBN pero ito timbangin natin--ang serbisyo ba na ibinibigay ng ABS-CBN ay akma o kayang isantabi ang mga kakulangan nito." Poe said.



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The Bureau of Customs (BOC) donated to the Philippine Red Cross two truckloads of assorted items for the families affected by Taal Volcano's eruption last month

Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, accepted Thursday afternoon, the donation composed of various food and non-food relief items, gathered by the BOC from their relief operation drive.

"We thank you for your patriotism, your dedication to service and the caring for your fellow Filipinos that you displayed in coming up with this donation," Gordon told the BOC officials and personnel, led by Customs Officer Mimel Talusan, BOC-NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) head, who delivered the donations.

For her part, Talusan said they chose the PRC for their donation because they know that donations coursed through the Red Cross really reach the target recipients.

"We want to help our kababayans displaced by Taal Volcano's eruption that' why we launched a relief operation drive in the BOC. Naisip namin mas maganda kung sa Red Cross namin papadaanin 'yung naipon naming donations para talagang makarating sa mga nangangailangan. They also know the areas that need these items the most, we don't. The Red Cross will know where to distribute these donations," she said.

The donations included food items such as noodles, water, instant coffee, rice, canned goods, milk, Milo and biscuits; while the non-food items included styro cups and plates, assorted medicines, face masks, assorted clothes, underwear, slippers, alcohol, sleeping mats, blankets, bath towels, face towels, hand towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary napkin, diaper, panty liners, baby wipes, whistles, flash lights, and stove, among others.



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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he will join Senate President Vicente Sotto III and other administration senators in filing a petition that will question in the Supreme Court the President's decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) without the concurrence of the Senate.

"This will be a bipartisan move to assess the Senate's role in foreign policy. While the President is the chief architect of our foreign policy, the Constitution is clear that such a very critical role is shared with Congress, particularly the Senate," Drilon said in a statement on Sunday.

In an interview with radio station DWIZ on Saturday, Drilon said that Sotto relayed to him that the he is already preparing the petition and asked him to be a co-author. Drilon confirmed that he would join the petition as a co-author.

Drilon said that since the Constitution is silent on the termination of treaties and internation agreement, it is only the Supreme Court that can rule with finality on the issue.

"The Supreme Court should rule on this issue once and for all. We cannot continue putting the fate of critical treaties such as the VFA, which termination has far-reaching consequences, in the hands of one man," he stressed.

"It is our firm belief that if treaties and international agreements the President entered into cannot be valid without the approval of the Senate, the termination of, or withdrawal from, the same should only be effective with the concurrence of the Senate," he stressed.

Once ratified and concurred in by the Senate, a treaty or an international agreement becomes part of the law of the land. Hence, a treaty may not be undone without that shared power that put it into effect, he added.

In 2018, Drilon and minority senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to declare the Philippines' withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) "invalid or ineffective."

The former justice secretary explained that once the SC ruled in favor of the ICC petition, the termination will be deemed invalid and the membership of the Philippines in the ICC will continue, saying that the VFA will benefit if the SC upholds the power of the Senate.

Lastly, the four-time Senate President reiterated his call on Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by administration senator Aquilino Pimentel III to finally report out Senate Resoultion 305, a measure that he authored seeking to assert the role of the Senate in treaty termination or withdrawal



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Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for a review of the various programs for the country's youth to see if these have been effective and to determine the next steps needed to further empower this sector of society.

As the chairman of the Committee on Youth, Angara filed Senate Resolution No. 320 to evaluate the efficacy of all existing government programs for the country's youth "so that we'll have an idea which one's are working and relevant and which are not."

The hearing of the Committee on Youth, which is chaired by Angara, is scheduled on Tuesday morning, Feb 18.

"We want an inventory and evaluation of the laws and programs for the youth because we have to know whether these are still worth continuing. There may be some laws that are no longer relevant and may have to be amended or even repealed already," Angara said.

"On the other hand, I'm certain many of these laws are working well and we could provide them with more support either by providing additional funding or strengthening them through legislation," added Angara, who is also chairman of the Committee on Finance.

The Senator, who is among the younger members of Congress, emphasized the importance of "investing in our youth" because the number of Filipinos aged 15 to 30 is projected to reach 30 million this year, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

This is one-third of the total population of the Philippines and as such, Angara said the country's direction will heavily rely on the capacity and potential of our youth.

Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act, which created the National Youth Commission, defines youth as persons aged 15 to 30 years old.

Even the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) highlights the need to focus on youth participation, empowerment and/or well-being.

In line with the United Nation's vision of investing in the youth in order to harness productive potential, the Philippines has enacted several laws aimed at empowering the Filipino youth.

These include R.A. 10931 or the Free College Law, R.A. 10647 or the Ladderized Education Act, R.A. 10687 or the UniFAST Act, and R.A. 10665 or the Open High School System Act.

There are also existing government programs aimed at improving the standing of the Filipino youth, especially those who are employed or are seeking meaningful employment.

Among these are the Government Internship Program, the JobStart Philippines Program, the Special Program for Employment of Students, Labor Education for Graduating Students, and the Youth Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Program.

"With several government programs for the youth already in place, it is only fitting that the next step would be to evaluate its existence in order to determine its impact among its beneficiaries and how it can be more beneficial to more Filipino youth," Angara said in his resolution.

"We'll find out if these are aligned with the SDGs. The youth are now more aware and involved in the efforts to improve the lives of the people and the health of the planet. They are the critical-thinkers, change-makers, innovators, communicators and future leaders of our country and as such the government should help ensure that they reach their full potential," Angara said.



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While supporting the proposed creation of a Philippine High School for Sports, Senator Richard J. Gordon said that it should be part of a national program for sports which would inculcate the value of teamwork and discipline among athletes at a very young age to produce a community of people who are inspired and motivated to excel and to compete.

"It is convenient to maximize the usage of the sports complex that would be built. But what I want to see as you maximize the usage, is that this is part of an entire national program...I would like to see a purpose. What is the end-game? Are the students coming out there very skilful in a particular sports event?" Gordon asked during the interpellation for Senate Bill No, 1086, which proposes to create and establish the Philippine High School for Sports.

"That's why I said it should be the end-game, dapat nakapag-aral na 'yung bata, at least hanggang high school and this is going to be an elitist program where you can now maximize the talent of the kid developed through the national sports system. Rationalize all the government-funded schools providing sports training and create a national program. Perhaps we should change the title of the bill to Philippine high school for sports system. I suggest you create a very good system out of this," he added.

Gordon also suggested that the school should focus on developing athletes for team sports, as he noted that the country's athletes are more into individual sports.

He also proposed that the said school for sports should strive to be No. 1 by getting the best of the best to inspire others.

"We have to make sure that we get the best of the best and that must be strictly enforced so that you will create a tradition of excellence that must be followed every year," he said.

Gordon co-sponsored SBN 1086, which was principally sponsored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.



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Discrimination is not right. And Filipinos ought not to be discriminatory. This is what Senator Win Gatchalian stressed in the wake of increasing negative sentiments towards China and the Chinese nationals in this time of the novel coronavirus scare.

Gatchalian, who has always believed that discrimination in the country is very low, reiterates that the Filipino people draw strength from being one of the most diverse in terms of race and nationality.

The lawmaker pointed out that this is the best opportune time to unite and bury our differences towards a common goal - to put an end to this emerging plague.

Since the authorities announced the first case of nCov in the country, many Chinese-looking individuals were ostracized. Cab drivers, for instance, have refused to pick them up.

It's no different in some schools. Adamson University have earlier advised Chinese students to immediately postpone all transactions in the school until they have observed self-quarantine for 14 days. The university later on apologized for such decision.

Even the social networking sites have been bombarded with anti-China (and anti-Chinese) sentiments, with some saying "Chinese should all be banned in the Philippines". Online photos were captured in other countries wherein some restaurants post signs at their doors not to allow Chinese from entering their establishments.

"Nakakalungkot isipin na sa gitna ng isang krisis ay ngayon pa tayo magkakawatak-watak. Ang kailangan natin ay magsama-sama para sugpuin ang tunay na kalaban", said Gatchalian.

"Of paramount concern is the continuing spread of nCov which spares no one, whether the victim is Chinese, Filipino or any other nationality. Let us not allow ourselves to get sidetracked by the culture of hate", Gatchalian pointed out.

Gatchalian says it is not fair for some misinformed people to propagate their anti-China racist sentiments especially that there are a number of legit Chinese business owners here in the country.

Health officials themselves have earlier called for the public to put a stop to the issue of racism, adding it does not help in containing the virus.

"This mounting discrimination against the Chinese is counter-productive. Hence, like the coronavirus, the spread of hate must be contained", Gatchalian ended.



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Q: Si Sen. Trillanes ay mayroon ng warrant of arrest, mas makabubuti po ba na mag-post siya na siya ng bail para hindi na siya arestuhin pagdating sa airport?

SFMD: Hindi po, dahilan sa kung sinoman ang akusado ay dapat iharap sa husgado. Ang husgado ang magpapasya ng bail ngunit kailangan humarap si Sen. Trillanes. Hindi pwede na wala siya rito.

Q: May nagsasabi kasi na baka pagdating niya sa airport arestuhin na siya.

SFMD: That's possible. Karapatan din ni Sen. Trillanes dahil ito po ay bailable offense. Uulitin ko, bailable ito at ma-serve man ang warrant ay pwede kaagad siyang dumeretso sa court para mag-post ng bail. Ginawa na ito noong umuwi si dating First Lady Imelda Marcos, pagdating niya sa NAIA ay ise-serve ang warrant at ang usapan naming noon ng kaniyang abugado ay dederesto siya sa Sandiganbayan para mag-post ng bail.

Hindi kailangan iposas. Although baka gusto ng mga pulis iposas si Sen. Trillanes, pero hindi naman kailangan. Bigyan naman ng respeto bilang dating senador. Hindi naman tatakbo iyan. Iyan lang ay ipapahiya si Sen. Trillanes. Ang ibig lang saibihin ang pakay ay to humiliate him.

Q: Ito bang sedition ay mahirap patunayan?

SFMD: Nasa ebidensya iyan.

Q: Pagdating naman sa VFA, plano ba ulit ng senado na dumulog ulit sa SC katulad ng ginawa ninyo noon nang mag-withdrew sa ICC?

SFMD: Totoo iyan, noong panahon na nag-withdraw tayo sa ICC ay idinulog natin bilang minority ang issue sa SC kung pwede bang umalis ng walang concurrence ng senado. Iyang kaso ay pending sa SC. Tungkol naman sa VFA, nakausap ko si SP Sotto, inihahanda na raw niya ang petition at hiningi sa akin kung pwede akong sumama bilang co-petitioner, ang sabi ko oo sasama ako.

Q: Parehas ba ang intention?

SFMD: Parehas ang legal grounds na karapat-dapat ang concurrence ng senado sa pag-withdraw sa anumang international treaty.

Q: Hindi poi yon duplication?

SFMD: Hindi po, iyang kasong isasampa ay para sa VFA at iyan ay hiwalay na kaso.

Q: Itong pagdulog ninyo sa SC, ano yung pinagbabasehan nito dahil bas a nakalagay ito sa Constitution o hindi malinaw ang nakalagay sa Constitution?

SFMD: Walang malinaw na nakalagay. Ang malinaw ay ang concurrence ng senado ay kailangan bago maging epektibo ang isang treaty at ito ay magiging part of the laws of the land. Iyan po ay hindi magiging part of the laws of the land kung walang concurrence ng senado. Sa aking tingin, kung kinakailangan ang concurrence ng senado bago maging epektibo ang isang tartado, kapang nag-withdraw, iyan din ay kailangan ang pahintulot ng senado. Iyon po ang aming basehan. Sa katunayan, 20 international treaties na ipinasa ng senado ay nakalagay na dapat may concurrence ang senado kapag iyon ay na-terminate.

Q: Once na kayo ay paboran, sinasabi raw na hindi retroactive?

SFMD: Kapag pinaboran kami ng SC, bigi sabihin ang termination ay hindi valid.

Q: So kahit nag-served na tayo ng termination, mababalewala iyon?

SFMD: Tama po iyan. Iyon ang aming theory.

Q: Hanggang ngayon wala pa ring ruling ang SC?

SFMD: Wala pa pong ruling.

Q: Sa tingin po ninyo maipapasa na yung resolution ninyo expressing the sense of the Senate na kailangan ang concurrence ng senado sa pag-withdraw sa isang treaty?

SFMD: Hinihingi ko sa isang session na hinihimok ko ang committee on foreign relations na i-report out na kung anoman ang opinion ng komite. Sumang-ayon si SP Sotto na dapat aksyunan na yung aking resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the withdrawal from any treaty or international agreements should have the concurrence of the Senate.

Q: Hindi na siguro haharangin ni Sen. Pacquiao?

SFMD: Hindi ko alam kung ano yung ilalabas nilang report. Ngunit yung dating resolution ko, 14 ang pumirma doon at si Sen. Pacquiao yung humarang noon. After noon, nag-ratified kami ng mga 20 treaties at nakalagay doon na dapat kailangan ang concurrence ng senado.

Q: Ang sabi ninyo ang pag-terminate sa VFA ay death sentence na ito sa EDCA. Ang sabi ni Sec. Panelo baka i-terminate na rin yung ibang treaties with the US.

SFMD: Ang pinakaimportanteng tratado sa ngayon ay ang MDT at ang EDCA. Yung EDCA, sinabi ng SC hindi kailangan ang ratification ng senado dahilan ito ay base sa VFA na na-ratified na ng senado. Kaya hindi pwedeng manatili ang EDCA kung walang VFA. Ang EDCA iyan yung nag-authorized ng gma tropa ng Amerikano na magkaroon ng exercises, intelligence sharing; kapag may bagyo sila nagbibigay ng assistance. Hindi na po pwede iyan kung walang EDCA. Kung wala ang VFA at EDCA, ang sabi nga ni Sec. Locsin useless na itong MDT and I agree with him.

Q: Sinasabi ng AFP chief of staff we can survive without the VFA.

SFMD: Sana po mangyari iyan. Kung mayroon tayong kakayahan na ma-gather ng intelligence information without the help of the Americans, matutuwa ang taumbayan.

Q: Expected na po ba yung reaction ni US Pres. Trump?

SFMD: Iyan ay consistent lang siya sa mga policy niya sa ibang bansa.

Q: Ang sabi ng iba magpapalakas ito sa China?

SFMD: Iyan po ang tingin natin. Ang karamihan sa mga nakakaintindi ay sinasabi na medyo hirap ang bansa na magsarili lalo na at may efforts yung China na agawin yung ibang island tulad ng Spratlys at kailangan ang deterrence ng presence ng America.

Q: Ito ba bang quo warranto ay pag-encroache na rin sa jurisdiction ng senado?

SFMD: Iyan po ang aking paniwala. Itong na-filed ay hindi dapat sa SC. Kung mayroong reklamo, dapat dalhin sa Kongreso na siyang magdidinig sa application ng ABS-CBN. Bilang abugado, walang jurisdiction ang SC under the circumstances na malapit nang matapos ang franchise ng ABS-CBN ay mayroong pending bills to renew it. Dapat dito dalhin sa Kongreso. Dahilan pagdating sa March 30, may mga nagsasabi na hindi na mag-operate ang ABS-CBN at kung iyan ang susundin, magiging academic yung kaso. Hindi aaksyunan ng SC ang petion bago mag-March 30. Hindi dahil sa ayaw nila kung hindi wala ng panahon.

Q: Suportado ninyo itong resolution ni Sen. Poe na imbestigahan itong allegation sa ABS-CBN?

SFMD: Sinusuportahan ko ang resolution ni Sen. Poe. The fact na pending sa SC ang quo warranto will not stop us from exercising our oversight function. Ang Kongreso ang may karapatan na suriin kung natutupad ang condition ng franchise na ipinagkaloob nito sa ABS-CBN. Itong resolution ay in aid of legislation.

Q: Ang concern ni Sen. Lacson, baka raw walang mangyari sa investigation, kasi ang iimbestigahan ay yung meat of substance, baka raw po hindi magsalita kasi baka i-contempt daw

SFMD: Nasa kanila iyan kung ayaw nilang magsalita. May ibang testigo na haharap. Pwede ring pag-aralan from the legal standpoint kung ano ang dapat susundin. Kung sasabihin nila na hindi sila magsasalita, okay lang iyan dahilan iyan ay question of fact at pwede namang kunin sa ibang sources.

Q: Possible ba na hindi sila sumagot kasi itong ABS-CBN binigyan na ng 10 days ng SC para sumagot?

SFMD: Wala pong makakapigil sa ABSCBN na sagutin ang tanong ng senado dahil iba naman ang purpose ng senado, ito ay in aid of legislation. Ito po ay oversight function ng senado at hindi handling ang proseso sa SC. Malaya ang network na magpahayag at sumagot. I can assure them that we can defend a petition for contempt with the Supreme Court.

Q: Dapat po isalang na at i-report out na itong franchise ng ABS-CBN?

SFMD: To be honest, maraming opinion tungkol sa issue kung kailangan ba ng franchise bago mag-operate ang ABS-CBN. Ako po bilang dating secretary of justice, noong June 20, 1991, nagbigay ako ng opinion na hindi kailangan ang franchise para magpatuloy mag-operate ang isang radio station noon. However, ang SC sa isang kaso ng Associate Communications, ang sinabi ay kailangan ay franchise. May opinion naman na habang pending ang bill for renewal of the franchise, pwedeng magpatuloy ang ABS-CBN at ang pwedeng gawin ng NTC ay magbigay ng provisional authority para mag-operate ang ABS-CBN, mag-issue ng certificate of convenience at public necessity. May mga nagsabi naman na hindi pwede mag-operate ng walang franchise. Kaya ang sinasabi ko ay dapat aktuhan na ito.Kung hindi pwede, eh di hindi pwede. Habang nakabinbin ito, ABS-CBN's continued broadcast will always be questioned lalo na kung they will continue to operate on the basis of the provisional authority by the NTC, na pwedeng i-withdraw anytime ng NTC.

Q: Ang sabi ni Speaker Cayetano, gusto munang ibinbin habang mataas pa yung metion, pahupain muna, tama po ba iyon?

SFMD: Mayroon tayong tungkulin.nakabinbin ang franchise application, March 30 ang deadline, it is in the public interest that it should be acted upon.

Q: Tama po ba na basta-basta na lang mag-imposed ng travel ban?

SFMD: Sa akin, unang-una, ako naman nakikita ko na sinisikap ng pamahalaan na hindi mag-spread ang corona virus. Lahat naman ay ginagawa nila. Ako ay nasa opposition. I have to give credit to the administration for their efforts. Having said that, dapat po health issue ito. Ang DOH ang magsasabi kung ano ang sitwasyon. Ang nangyari sa Taiwan, para sa akin pinasukan ng pulitika. Hindi ko alam kung saan galing ang advisory - kung sa WHO o sa mga advisers ng administration, ang importante rito ay wala namang kaso sa Taiwan, ngunit isinama sa ban. Ang tanong ng Taiwan ay ito ba ay dahilan sa position ng China na parte sila ng Taiwan? Ako nakikita ko na nagsisikap ang DOH na pigilan, dapat DOH lang ang magsakita at huwag sanang pasukan ng pulitika kagaya ng nakikita ko rito sa ginawang pag-ban sa Taiwan.

Q: Itong sa POGO, dapat bang ipasara na?

SFMD: Sa akin dapat rebyuhin iyan. Ako yung unang nagbunyag niyang issue sa POGO. Dapat imbestigahan iyan lalo na yung mga violation of our immigration laws, hindi pagbabayad ng buwis. Huwag nating kalimutan na sa China illegal ito. Kaya dito sila nagpupunta. Dapat suriin nang husto.



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More at: https://pinglacson.net/2020/02/14/on-jovie-espenido-what-happened/

I have always believed that the real test of character of public officials like P/Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido is power or money. Give them the opportunity to lay their hands on either one or both, and they will reveal who they really are.

I remember then PO1 Espenido during our PAOCTF days as someone who consistently performed his duty with integrity and dedication. At least that was how I knew him in the many instances that he faced those challenges. But that time, he was just a non-commissioned officer at the bottom of the salary grade of police personnel. Rising from the ranks, he held several positions of higher authority until his relief recently.

This morning, I sent him a text message with a simple question: "What happened?" He has not replied, unlike before when he would even text me with early morning bible quotes.

It is a pity because no less than President Duterte took notice of his performance by publicly acknowledging his contribution to the government's war on illegal drugs, easily making him the poster boy of the campaign.

Espenido's case, if true, could be one big reason why the war against illegal drugs is failing.

Being his former superior, I hope he can acquit himself and convincingly disprove this very serious allegation against him. Otherwise, he is just one of the many others I personally knew to have succumbed to the pressure.



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Just like the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Philippine government's travel ban to Taiwan is a policy decision implemented by the executive department which may not necessarily be correct, health-wise and politically.

Politically, it seems that the China lobby has become a very powerful force under this administration. Only time will tell if this major shift in the country's foreign policy will benefit our people in the medium and long term - even as in the immediate term, the travel ban may already have potentially dire consequences for our Filipino workers there.

We elected a President who does not appear to give much importance to counsels and consultations with sectors that could very well help him arrive at well-informed decisions. While I do not question his sincerity in trying to solve the problems besetting our country since the time the millennials of the world were not even born, I still hope he can leave his own legacy worth remembering.

Having said that, I continue to support his leadership but I will not stop calling him out on major decisions which I don't think serve the best interest of our country and people.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon has called upon the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to reconsider the ban on Taiwanese coming to the Philippines and Filipinos travelling to Taiwan.

"The people of Taiwan have been long-time friends of the Philippines. The two peoples have long-standing cultural and economic ties. Some Taiwanese people have made the Philippines their homes and many Taiwanese businesses have opened investments here. There is no justifiable reason to include the Taiwanese in the travel ban", Gordon said.

To stress the point of Taiwanese confidence in the investment climate in the Philippines, Gordon stressed that in October of last year, a Taiwanese company launched the P15-billion Tipo Hightech Eco Park project in Subic which sought to develop a 200-hectare property to accommodate light industrial factories, commercial facilities, high-end residential buildings and a nature park. He also pointed out that even in tourism, the Philippines has benefitted from Taiwan, with 241,000 Taiwanese tourists arriving here in 2018, with more than 60 percent of them here on a repeat visit.

Gordon also pointed out that the lone manufacturer of face masks and other personal protective equipment that donated face masks is a Taiwanese firm.

He also mentioned that the Philippines is the third largest source of overseas workers to Taiwan, with a total of 157,487 Filipino migrant workers deployed there as of the end of 2019.

The good Senator from Olongapo expressed his concern on the adverse impact that a travel ban against the Taiwanese could have on our country and our people.

"This travel ban may imperil the hundreds of thousands of Filipino workers in Taiwan, jeopardize the economic initiatives already started here and affect our tourism industry," Gordon said.

"It would certainly affect our people to people relationship", he added.

He called on the government to reconsider the inclusion of the Taiwanese in the travel ban.

"While there may be may 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taiwan, it is not really among the countries badly hit by the disease, which is why no other countries in Asia, aside from the Philippines, issued a travel ban against it. We should reconsider for humanitarian considerations. It would be unfair if the ban was imposed because we fear China," Gordon explained.



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Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said during an ambush interview on Thursday, February 13, that the Department of Health (DOH) is doing its best to prevent the local transmission of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"Ginagawa naman ang lahat ng ating health officials," Go said in an interview during his visit to fire victims in Jolo, Sulu.

"Sa ngayon, hindi locals ang tinamaan kundi tatlong foreign nationals. Hopefully po, walang locals na mahawa," he added.

Go's statement came after DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo also said in a press conference that all three confirmed cases in the Philippines are "imported." That said, the Undersecretary also told that preparations are in place in case of a local spread of COVID-19 at the community level.

"Sa ngayon, there is always a possibility (ng local transmission)," Go stated during the interview. "Hindi naman maiiwasan na maaaring kumalat. Let us cross our fingers na hindi kumalat. Ang importante ay maging handa tayo."

Go also urged the public to follow advisories issued by health authorities to deter the spread of any virus.

"Sundin natin ang payo nila. Maghugas tayo ng kamay. Pa-check up tayo agad kung may nararamdaman tayo," he said.

As chair of the Senate health committee, Go added that he is closely monitoring the developments on the said global health concern.

"Ako, bilang legislator at chairman ng Committee on Health, nakatutok ako rito na dapat ginagampanan ng ating health officials ang kanilang trabaho para sugpuin ang pagkalat nito," he said.

He urged the public to remain calm and help the government protect the country and its people from the virus.

"Sundin lang po 'yung tama, 'yung mga payo ng ating mga health authorities. Magtulungan na lang po tayo. Huwag na tayong magsisihan," he said, adding that this is the time when Filipinos should exhibit their "bayanihan" spirit.

To prevent the possible spread of diseases and as preparation for similar situations that may occur in the future, Go is also pushing for the establishment of more quarantine facilities all around the country.

"I'm planning to file a bill na maglalagay tayo ng separate quarantine facilities. Paghahanda ito hindi lang sa posibleng pagkalat ng nCoV. Kung saka-sakaling meron pang dumating ay handa na po tayo at hindi na po tayo magtuturuan sa ibang lugar... at para magkaroon na rin po ng peace of mind ang bawat isang mamamayan natin sa kanya-kanyang lugar," Go added, referring to the difficulty of the government in finding quarantine facilities for the Filipinos from Hubei province in China who decided to return home.

The Filipinos from Hubei are currently staying at the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for a fourteen-day quarantine. "Ngayon nagagamit pa ang Athletes' Village. Para po 'yun sa mga atleta. Ginagamit natin sa quarantine purposes sa ngayon. Kung meron na tayong separate quarantine area at facilities, ang mga ito ay primarily for that purpose only," Go said



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At the conclusion of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the need for a comprehensive "Human Trafficking Preventive Education Program" to help protect Filipino children and youth from online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said that this proposed program will arm the youth with vital information and protection measures against OSEC and other forms of trafficking. The lawmaker added that the program will put grassroots reporting mechanisms in place, which will empower communities to pursue decisive action against heinous criminals.

Research compiled in the United States Department of Labor's report "2018 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor" show that the Philippines is the top global Internet source of OSEC. Victims of OSEC are induced to perform sex acts at the direction of paying customers, both foreigners and Filipinos, for live internet broadcasts set in small internet cafes, private homes, and "cybersex dens."

Citing data from the International Justice Mission Philippines, the same report from the US Labor Department revealed that the median age of OSEC victims at the time of rescue was 12. In 2018, cybertips of sexual images of Filipino children reported to the Department of Justice's Office of Cybercrime increased from 45,645 to at least 600,000, an increase of more than 1000 percent.

"Sa buong mundo, tayong mga Pilipino ang naglalaan ng pinkamaraming oras sa Internet at dahil din dito kaya ang ating bansa ang may pinakamaraming kaso ng online sexual abuse na sangkot ang mga bata. Nakakabahala ito kaya nais nating magkaroon ng programang magbibigay sa kanila ng proteksiyon at kaalaman para na rin sa lahat kung paano masugpo ang ganitong klaseng mga krimen," said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian last year filed Senate Bill 735 or the Human Trafficking Preventive Education Program Act, which will orient the youth about their rights, government protection measures, and the dangers of trafficking's different forms such as sexual exploitation and prostitution.

The proposed program has two components: the school-based and the community programs. The school-based program covers junior high schools, senior high schools, colleges and universities, and technical or vocational education programs. The community-based program, on the other hand, will be implemented at the barangay level.

The measure also assigns guidance counselors and support staff to identify and protect human trafficking victims, at-risk students, and at-risk out-of-school youth



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On the Visiting Forces Agreement

Q: According to Panelo, after the VFA, no more negotiation. Ano po ang paninindigan dito ng Senado?

SP Sotto: Meron akong pinagawang study kahapon. Una sa lahat, nagpasa kami ng resolution na sinasabi namin na dapat ireview muna at kung maaari ay hindi naman sa pinangungunahan namin ang Executive Department, pero sana ay ireconsider muna ng Pangulo bago iabrogate. Anyway parang may epekto pa rin naman yan kasi may 180 days pa bago totally terminated na based on the agreement itself. Pero kahapon, meron kaming pinagawang study sapagkat merong thinking doon sa Senado na kahit anong tratado at agreement na pinasukan ng gobyerno, at hindi magiging effective kung hindi nararatify ng Senado, ay dapat din, kung ito ay bibitawan or ititiwalag, ay dapat yan ay may concurrence din ng Senado, nung nagratify na body. So, kahapon, pinagawa ko na yung study doon tungkol dito mismo at lumalabas na sa rules namin na nakapaloob yan. So, baka yuon kasing, tungkol doon sa ICC, kung natatandaan ninyo, nung bumitaw tayo sa ICC, kinuwestiyon yan ni Sen. Drilon, ang aming Minority Leader noon, a few months ago. Kinuwestiyon niya sa Supreme Court yan. Nagfile siya ng certiorari at ang pagkakaalam ko, kahapon, nakarating sa aking balita doon sa Supreme Court ay meron ng, they are ready for a decision. Hinihintay ang decision ng Supreme Court. Pero, kasi ang plano ko sana kahapon was to file an addendum doon at idamay na ito. Pero kung nakasubmit na ito for decision pala, apparently, ang dating sa amin ngayon nito na after the studies na I will probably review later, ay magfifile kami ng panibagong petition na concerning VFA. Kung sa tingin ng, kung baga sa ano ay ano ang basa ng Supreme Court dito sa abrogation na ito, kung ito ay kailangan ng concurrence ng Senado o hindi, once and for all. Pero sa amin, sa pag-aaral namin sa rules namin, lumalabas na merong concurrence namin.

Q: So ang gusto lamang ninyo dito ay kung ito nga ay isa pong tratado na dumaan sa inyo, bagamat ito pong VFA nga ay tinuturing din ng Amerika na executive arrangement or agreement. At least man po, sa inyong pagkakaalam, sapat din na ito ay idaan sa concurrence, sa pagsang-ayon po ng Senado?

SP Sotto: Oo, sapagkat yoon ay nakalagay sa ating Constitution. Kahit agreement, kahit executive agreement, sa atin, dadaan sa Senado. Baka sa Amerika, hindi kaya hindi ratified ng Senate nila, pero it's an executive agreement as far as they are concerned. As far as my concern, based on our Constitution, ay sinasabi sa atin na dapat dumadaan sa Senado.

Q: Kung sakaling itutuloy ni Sen. Drilon at ng Senado ang pag-kuwestiyon dito sa Supreme Court, maging madali ang decision, bago mag lapse yung 180 days na effectivity?

SP Sotto: Palagay ko naman kasi nga yung original na finile ni Sen. Frank ay submitted for decision na. Yung ICC yun, pero it will have an effect sigurado sa amin dito sa VFA na ito. Malamang by next week ay magfile kami ng petition doon sa Supreme Court mismo.

Q: Yun pong review ng mutual defense treaty na pinirmahan, ito ay 1951, panahon ni President Quirino, tingin ba ninyo panahon na rin para ito ay ireview, para lang natin masiguro na klaro yung mga malalabong probisyon gaya ng kapag binanggit ang pag-atake, kung kailan po obligadong tumulong ang Estados Unidos sa atin sa panahon na merong pagsakop o pagpasok sa ating teritoryo, things like that?

SP Sotto: Matagal ng nirereview yan sana pero ang nangyari nga, dumating yung Visiting Forces Agreement, ito ay, ang operative document ng lumang MDT ay yung Visiting Forces Agreement eh, yung VFA. So ang lalabas diyan, kahit sa briefing namin kahapon sa Commission on Appointments kasama si General Santos, yung Chief-of-Staff na, ganoon nga. Ang epekto nung pagbitaw natin sa VFA, magiging hindi na effective yung MDT at hindi rin naman magiging effective na yung EDCA. Ang operative agreement nung VFA ang nagdadala doon sa dalawa, yung ang nagpalakas at nagpaandar nung dalawa, nung MDT at nung EDCA, which is the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement.

Q: Pero kasi yung mutual defense treaty na ito, 1951 pa nga. Ang binabanggit ng ilang bihasa sa usapin ng defense analysis, is yung provision tungkol sa, kung baga, 1951 pa ito, hindi pa napapaginipan yung VFA. Wala pa itong China-Scarborough issue na ito. Again, palagay ba ninyo na panahon na para ireview natin ito kahit na magkaroon man o wala ng VFA?

SP Sotto: Siguro, baka pwedeng yan ang maging sandata natin kung saka-sakali, pero kailangan talagang hindi lang ireview yan, iupdate yan, sapagkat ang pagkakaalam ko diyan, correct me if I am wrong, but ang pagkakaalam ko diyan ay kasunduan lang ng magkaibigan yan. Katatapos lang ng giyera noon eh. Ano tayo ha? Pagka may gumulo sa inyo, sasalo kami, kayo rin, pag may nanggulo sa amin, kakampi kayo sa amin. Ganoon lang yun, hindi specific eh. Hindi specific kung ano ang pwedeng gawin. Ngayon, walang problema nung mga panahon na yun kung maalala ninyo, sapagkat meron tayong bases dito. Nandito yung mga bases ng mga Amerikano. So okay na yun, basta merong treaty na ganoon, okay na yun. Ganun eh, pero wala nung operative function kung paanong gagawin sapagkat meron sila dito. Nung mawala yung bases dito, biglang parang balewala kaya nagkaroon ng VFA.

Q: Nabanggit ninyo yung US military bases, kayo ay kasama doon sa mga bumoto? 1992?

SP Sotto: Hindi, vice mayor pa lang ako noon pero kasama ako doon sa mga nagrally doon sa Luneta na kung maaari huwag nilang bitawan sana. (Unclear) kami doon kay President Cory sapagkat kami ay kapartido nila noon, PDP-Laban, nung 1991-1992, ganyan.

Q: Meron daw naifile na resolution si Senator Grace Poe na umano ay pinaiimbistigahan ang umano ay mga alleged franchise violations ng ABS CBN, Senate Resolution No. 322. Ito o ba ay nakaabot na sa inyo?

SP Sotto: Pinakita niya sa akin kahapon bago niya finile. Sabi ko, maganda para nga magkaroon din ng pagkakataon ang ABS CBN na maeksplika at hindi kung ano yung naririnig lang, para maeksplika kung ano ang sinasabi nito. Ano itong alleged violation na ito. At saka parang ano na rin yun siguro, ang naisip ni Grace, kung makakarating sa amin yung franchise galing sa House, mas madali na ang hearing, hindi na siya mahihirapan.

Q: Kung baga yung mga issues na posibleng iraise doon sa franchise hearing, nairaise na po dito para po mas bumilis po yung proseso?

SP Sotto: Correct. Ako, ang tingin ko, ganun yung idea niya doon kasi para hindi na humaba ang usapin, at saka hindi naman siya pwedeng maghearing tungkol sa franchise dahil wala pa sa amin. Pero a resolution looking into the allegations is in order.

Q: Will pave the way din for the discussion and then lahat ng may concern ay matugunan din sa tamang forum.

SP Sotto: Correct, tama yun.

Q: Before kayo mag-break, di ba ang break ninyo ay March 16, kailan po ba?

SP Sotto: March 12 yata ang last day namin.

Q: Mahahabol ninyo ang TRAIN 3 at TRAIN 4?

SP Sotto: Malabo. Yung CITIRA at yung PIFITA? Medyo, yung committee report kasi prineprepare ni Sen. Pia Cayetano, ways and means committee chair namin, nitong mga two days ago, nung brining-up niya sa amin, sa caucus niya brining-up, mas mabilis, mas madali kesa sa plenary, brining-up na niya bago niya buuin yung committee report, sinasabi na niya sa amin yung mga intricacies, at saka yung mga kalamnan, medyo ang daming questions. Maraming tanong pa yung mga kasama namin so malabo. By next week, hindi rin siguro. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, meron ding mga meeting na mangyayari sa Lunes ng gabi, leadership ng Senado at saka Executive Department and then meron ulit sa Wednesday, leadership naman ng finance, at saka leadership ulit ng Senado. Siguro matatalakay din namin yan.

Q: Ano po ang inyong maihahabol bago kayo magrecess po?

SP Sotto: Yung anti-terrorism. Yung Anti-Terrorism Act, patapos na kami. Tapos yung Bamboo Industry Development, na napaka-haba na. Ang tawag nga namin doon, walang kamatayang bamboo bill. Parang simple lang pakinggan, pero matindi ang laman dahil ito yung nagbubuo ng at least 25 percent ng greening program ng buong bansa, ay magconcentrate sa bamboo. Sapagkat itong paggawa ng mga silya, ng mga mesa...

Q: Para po sa industriya at sa pagpapaunlad, pagtatanim o pagpapatubo ng mga kawayan, napaka importante po.

SP Sotto: Oo. Koordinasyon.

Q: Yung Department of Disaster Resilience?

SP Sotto: Baka hindi umabot, nasa committee level pa and we have only nine days, merely three weeks. Baka hindi umabot. (Unclear) meron pang dalawa, tatlong naka-pending na medyo mahahalaga. Kagabi nga, medyo natagalan kami doon sa Philippine High School for Sports, may mga ganoon. So may mga (unclear) iba doon dapat tapusin na namin pero pinakamahalaga para sa amin, Anti-Terrorism Act.

Q: Opo. Yung Human Security Act.

SP Sotto: Oo.



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Government offices should give preference to the purchase of locally-manufactured materials as well as Filipino suppliers of services, Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino on Thursday said.

Tolentino introduced Senate Bill no. 1102 seeking to institutionalize the "Filipino First" policy in the government procurement system. The measure seeks to amend a provision in Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The measure, which shall be known as "Gawang Pilipino, Para sa Pilipino Act of 2019," is in line with the constitutional mandate promoting the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic materials and locally produced goods.

Article 12, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution states that the "State shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic materials and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them competitive."

"It is imperative that the government ensure that Filipinos are always first in the choice of labor and supplier of goods. In order to give life to this constitutional mandate, promote the ingenuity and creativity of Filipinos as well as encourage Filipino scientists and inventors to create more beneficial products and services, this bill seeks to institutionalize the Filipino first policy in the government procurement system," the senator said.

The enactment of the bill into law, however, does not bar any government agency from tapping the services and avail of goods from foreign suppliers.

"There must be a certification or clearance that there is no existing domestic and Filipino supplier who can supply and satisfy the procurement need," Tolentino said.



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The resolution on ABS-CBN Corporation initiates the discussion of the Senate Committee on Public Services on the compliance of the grantee with the terms and conditions of its franchise and to allow all parties to air their side.

This is part of the Senate's oversight function over any franchise and not just ABS-CBN, as mandated by the Constitution and the Senate Rules.

Due to the gravity of the allegations and its possible effects, the Committee has deemed it appropriate to lay the groundwork for a possible inquiry in the spirit of public interest.

The discussion in the Senate does not preclude any action in the House of Representatives or the Supreme Court. The issue on subjudice regarding legislative inquiries has long been resolved by the Supreme Court in Sabio vs. Gordon and in the cases that reiterate it: "On-going judicial proceedings do not preclude congressional hearings in aid of legislation".



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The Senate committees on public services and local government have released the report allowing the use of motorcycle taxis to transport passengers all over the country.

Signed by 16 senators, Committee Report No. 46 of Senate Bill No. 1341 or The Motorcycles-for-Hire Act now classifies motorcycles-for-hire as among the public utility vehicles regulated by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

"We are inching closer to having a law that will make motorcycle taxis a part of our public transportation system," Poe, head of the public services panel, said.

Aside from Poe, the other authors of the bill are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Sen. Francis Tolentino.

The bill defines motorcycles-for-hire as any two-wheeled motor vehicle registered with the Land Transportation Office, which transports passengers and goods on a for-hire basis, and which may utilize online ride hailing or pre-arranged transportation platforms.

The motorcycle shall weigh less than 1,000 kilograms, can travel faster than 50 kilometers per hour, has a minimum engine displacement of 125 cubic centimeters, and a backbone-type built.

Along with the vehicle registration, the motorcycles for hire shall secure a certificate of public convenience or a special permit issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The motorcycle taxis fall under a classification of public utility automobiles along with public utility trucks, taxis and auto-calesas, garage automobiles, hire trucks and trucks owned by contractor and customs brokers and customs agents.

The bill seeks to amend a provision of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

"We will continue looking for ways and means to improve the people's mobility and assure their safety," Poe said.



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"Sa halip na bouquet of flowers, mas mabuti pa sigurong isang sakong bigas na lang ang iregalo sa Valentine's Day!"

Ito ang sinabi ngayon ni Senador Imee Marcos, matapos mapag-alamang halos umabot sa P2,500 hanggang P4,000 ang presyo ng isang 'bouquet of flowers' sa mga pamilihan partikular sa bagsakan ng mga bulaklak sa Dangwa, ang sentro ng pamilihan ng mga bulaklak sa Maynila.

Ayon kay Marcos, ang dating P1,000 - P1,800 na isang bungkos ng rosas nito lang nakaraang Enero ay umabot na sa P2,5000 habang ang Ecuadorian roses ay naglalaro na ngayon sa P2,500 hanggang P4,000 mula sa dating P2,000 kada bouquet.

Ang Indian rose na dating P400 kada boquet ay umaabot na ngayon sa P600 hanggang P800.

"Josko ano ba yan, mukhang hindi na praktikal ang pagbibigay ng bulaklak kung ganyan rin lang naman ang presyo. Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, mas mabuti siguro kung ibang bagay na lang ang ibigay tulad ng bigas," paliwanag ni Marcos.

Sinabi pa ni Marcos na ang kada piraso ng bulaklak na rosas na galing sa Baguio City ay umabot na sa halagang P100 - P150 mula sa dating P50, at ang Malaysian mums mula rin sa Baguio City ay nasa P150 hanggang P200 kada isang piraso sa dating P100 hanggang P120.

Bukas, Valentine's Day, inaasahang mas lolobo pa ang presyo ng mga bulaklak sa mga pamilihan at lalu na sa Dangwa.



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The Filipino people are resilient and our soldiers are no different. We will survive, no doubt. We know how to improvise and we can adapt to crises the way we did many times before.

But in the meantime, we remain exposed to terrorist threats, both domestic and foreign, not to mention the continuing security threat in the West Philippine Sea posed by China, and even the need for timely humanitarian response and assistance that the US is capable of deploying during disasters, natural or man-made. Also affected by the VFA's abrogation is the maintenance and repairs of military hardware, mostly air assets provided by the US under the AFP modernization program.

Exploring other options like inking similar defense treaties with other nations as posited by the AFP Chief of Staff is fine but the reality is, it doesn't happen overnight. It will take a series of back-and-forth negotiations in pursuit of the concerned parties' self and national interests before going through lengthy deliberations for ratification by the Senate.

While admittedly, the VFA is not perfect for the Philippines as far as equitability is concerned, the timing and reasons for its abrogation are way off the mark.

The thing is, it is not the smartest move of the President to expose ourselves naked first before looking for other options for cover.



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In a press conference led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Lai Yu Cian a.k.a. Ivy, the 23-year-old Taiwanese woman trafficked into the Philippines to work for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) company, revealed that her abusive Chinese employers claimed that there are Philippine government officials protecting them.

Ivy was illegally recruited to work for a Chinese-run POGO company in Makati. Her passport was also confiscated by her employers. She recounted that when her bosses would threaten her, they would say that if she escaped, she would still be found because there are government officials on their side.

"I even tell them all the thing I want is my passport, if you don't give my salary, it's okay. But they still keep lying to me ... and they always say that there are government people, or a government person to protect their business," she recalled. "They mention Michael Yang but I don't know who [he is] ... my boss only says that when he shouts at me."

Hontiveros called for this accusation to be taken seriously. "We have to look into the possible links of POGO operations to our government officials," she said. "Hindi pwedeng may mga protektor itong mga ilegal na POGO, lalung-lalo na at nagdadala yung operasyon nila ng sankatutak na krimen."

Anti-crime advocate Teresita Ang See affirmed Ivy's testimony, sharing that she also rescued a Chinese national who, when brought to the Department of Justice (DOJ) after the rescue, was bribed and threatened by a Chinese broker who went to the DOJ with a bag filled with money. Ang See shared this broker even proclaimed that policemen and fiscals are in their pockets.

Hontiveros said she will raise this concern during the upcoming Senate hearing on POGO-related prostitution on Monday, February 17. "Sabi ko nga, POGO brings a whole spectrum of crimes into the country: illegal recruitment, illegal detention, sexual harassment, prostitution, at iba pa," she explained.

"Sa hearing, kailangan malaman natin kung meron nga bang kinalaman ang ating mga government officials, ating mga pulis at mga piskal. We need to a stop to these crimes," she concluded.



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Senator Richard J. Gordon said the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which he chairs, approved bills proposing to increase the penalty for the crime of perjury to ensure that the justice system will be respected and no one will make a mockery of it.

During the committee hearing conducted Wednesday, Gordon pointed out that offenders are not deterred from making false testimonies and committing perjury because the crime is currently meted a low penalty, or only a jail term of six months to two years and four months and a penalty of P6,000. He added the low penalty also discourage victims from prosecuting.

Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code defines perjury as an act when any person knowingly makes untruthful statements, testifies under oath, falsely incriminates someone, or makes an affidavit, upon any material matter before a competent person authorized to administer an oath in cases in which the law so requires.

"Sometimes people do not want to prosecute because of the low penalties, which to them is a real waste of time. So there may be a reason for us indeed to punish it at a high penalty... These crimes of false testimony in perjury have serious consequences. These persons have made the government render an unjust judgment against the innocent. This is an obstruction of justice. We are therefore proposing to increase the penalty of perjury and false testimonies for the deterrence of these crimes in the Philippines and to ensure that justice will be served. In other words, we are sending a shot on the bow of liars. You lie, you pay," Gordon said.

Under the proposed measure, perjury will now be punishable with prision mayor in its minimum period to its medium period. The duration of the penalties of prision mayor and temporary disqualification shall be from six years and one day to twelve years, except when the penalty of disqualification is imposed as an accessory penalty, in which case its duration shall be that of the principal penalty.

The measure also proposed to impose a fine not exceeding P1-million if the person responsible for the commission of the felony is a public officer or employee and "perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in the government or in any agency, entity or instrumentality thereof."



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True to his promise to reach out to Filipinos anywhere in the country, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go travelled to one of the southernmost and isolated parts of the country, Sulu province, on Thursday, February 13, to deliver assistance to fire victims there.

Over 2,227 families comprising of 11,225 individuals lost their homes due to electric overload that razed their houses and properties last February 3. Because of the incident, the families have been temporarily evacuated to the nearby sports complex and tennis court in Jolo.

"Sa mga kababayan kong nasunugan, 'wag po kayong mag-alala, nandito po ang gobyerno, andyan si Allah, Panginoon handang tumulong," Go said.

"Importante po walang nasaktan. Trabaho po namin na magserbisyo sa bawat Pilipino, at gaya ng ipinangako ko noon, kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas ay pupuntahan ko po kayo hanggang kaya ng aking oras at katawan," the senator added.

Go, whose advocacies include ensuring immediate government response to calamities and natural disasters, brought relief and financial assistance to each family.

"May dala po akong pagkain, groceries at financial assistance sa bawat pamilya. Ito po ay immediate na tulong muna para pantawid niyo ngayon," Go added.

The senator also offered to provide new sets of school uniforms and shoes to each student affected by the incident. According to Go, the schooling of the students should not be interrupted due to incidents like this. He also strongly encouraged the students to go back immediately to their respective schools so they would not miss any of their classes.

"Para sa mga estudyante dito, ako na ang bahala sa inyong mga uniporme at school supplies. Kahit sa panahon ngayon na may aksidente, dapat makakapasok pa rin kayo sa paaralan. Dapat hindi mapabayaan ang inyong pag-aaral dahil importante ito sa inyo," Go said.

In his message to the fire victims, Go emphasized that it is not only his duty to be a legislator. As a public servant, he said that it is also his duty to visit Filipinos, most especially those who live far from Metro Manila, in their times of need in order to listen to their concerns and provide solutions to their daily struggles.

"Trabaho namin sa Senado ang legislation, constituency at representation. Hindi naman lahat ng mga Pilipino ang makakapunta ng opisina namin para humingi ng tulong. Kaya kami na ang bababa sa inyo at pakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing at makapagbigay ng solusyon sa inyong mga problema," he said.

Meanwhile, concerned government agencies also went to Sulu to assist the victims. Representatives of the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) were present to provide additional assistance to the residents.

"Kasama ko rin po ngayon ang mga representatives ng iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. Narito po ang NHA para magbigay ng housing materials sa inyo, DSWD at PCSO para sa mga pinansyal na tulong. May iba pa pong ahensya ng gobyerno na laging handang magserbisyo, lalo na sa oras ng sakuna," he said.

NHA provided cash assistance initially to 100 families whose houses were fully damaged. The rest will be distributed next week. DSWD's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program was also provided as financial assistance to each family while PCSO distributed grocery packs.

For individuals interested in skills training, TESDA offered a carpentry training program for them.

Meanwhile, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan told members of the media during an ambush interview that he appreciates the efforts of the senator to bring service to Filipinos, especially in this time of need.

"Talagang sarili talaga ni Senator Bong Go na pumunta dito para ipaabot ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan," Tan told reporters.

He further added, "Dati, wala namang tulong na dumarating dito sa ating lalawigan. Sabi nga noon, neglected ang ating probinsya, ngayon, nakita niyo naman walang sunog dito sa Pilipinas na hindi pinupuntahan ni Senator Bong Go, kaya dito nararamdaman ng ating taumbayan ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan at ni Senator Go."

Go also thanked Tan and the rest of the people of Sulu for the support they have given to the senator and to the Duterte Administration.

"Salamat din po kay Governor... sa lahat ng taga-Jolo, Sulu sa suporta ninyo sa akin noon, at ngayon andito ako, handa akong magserbisyo sa inyo," Go said.

"Di po ako pulitiko pero sa abot ng aking makakaya, magseserbisyo ako sa inyo," he added.

The Philippine Army, Coast Guard and Philippine National Police were also hands on in assisting the senator and the government agencies while providing aid to the fire victims. Private groups, such as the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, were also present to support.



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PISA

Q: Ano po ang naging agreement tungkol sa PISA?

SEN WIN: Good news. Nag-umpisa ng mag reporma na pwede nating gawin para tumaas ang grades natin sa PISA. Ang importante rito ay ang performance ng ating mga estudyante. Mahalaga na tumatalino sila at gumagaling. First, ang curriculum reform. Nakita natin na ang curriculum natin ay napaka-congested. Ang tinuturo sa bata on the average ay 300 competencies. There are only 200 school days. Ibig sabihin, isang competency per day, sobra-sobra pa. Para sa mga bata, mahirap yun dahil iaabsorb nIya. Isa sa mga reporma na ginagawa ng DepEd ngayon at sang-ayon tayo, i-decongest ang curriculum at ayusin pa ang curriculum natin sa pagtuturo sa bata at ang bata mas maganda ang kanyang pag-aaral.

Q: Ano po ang recommendation nIyo kung magtitake tayo ng PISA next year?

SEN WIN: Dahil nag-uumpisa pa lang ang mga reporma na dapat nating gawin, umpisa doon ang curriculum reform at teachers' training, it will take time. Yung first implementation ng enhanced curriculum, this coming June pa lang. So hindi sapat ang oras dahil ang next PISA ay March of next year. It will take time para matuto ang bata at ma-absorb niya ang bagong curriculum kaya ang recommendation ko ay huwag munang kumuha ng PISA next year para magbigay tayo ng mas mahabang oras para maayos ang curriculum at ma-implement ng tama ang mga reform.

Q: Ganun din po ba ang gusto ng DepEd Sir?

SEN WIN: Pinag-uusapan nila ngayon yan. In fact, ang DepEd management ay nagkakaroon ngayon ng pag-uusapa tungkol sa kung kukuha pa tayo ng PISA o hindi. One PISA exam is one million dollars o P50 million kaya hindi mura ang PISA. Kung kaya't kung hindi tayo gumawa ng reporma, siguradong ang resulta ng PISA next year ay pareho lang sa nakita natin last year.

Q: Probably, yung one million dollars ang gagamitin dun sa exam, pwede nating i-enhance--?

SEN WIN: Pwede muna natin ngayon tipirin ang one million dollars at gamitin ssa research at sa iba pang bagay na dapat nating ayusin. Hindi naman kailangang nine years dahil alam na natin ang mga dapat gawin, mabilis nating ginagawa yan at suportada naman ang Senado pagdating sa budget. Nagtataas tayo ng budget every year. Pag-aralan muna natin ang 2021 PISA at sa next PISA na ang kunin natin, after three years so 2024.

Q: 2024 tayo advisable na kumuha?

SEN WIN: Yes.

Q: Bago sumalang ulit sa PISA, may evaluation muna sa capacity ng students?

SEN WIN: Correct. On-going concern to so ibig sabihin, pag-implement natin ng mga reporma, ititesting natin ang reporma, test natin kung effective ba ang reporma. Meron tayong national achievement test every year. Kung ang mga repormang ito ay effective, kung ito ay nararamdaman natin sa ating mga eskwelahan, makikita natin na mataas rin ang ating national achievement test. Makikita natin, ang PISA at NAT, hindi nagkakaiba yan eh. Almost pareho ang kanilang lebel kaya matitesting natin kung effective ang reporma kung mataas ang NAT natin sa Grade 6 at Grade 10.

Q: Yung French resource person kanina, may mga sinasabi siya na dapat i-improve, etc. so ang concern din ng teacher kanina is kulang ang oras. Tsaka syempre, di ba dapat bigyan din ng additional incentive ang mga teachers?

SEN WIN: Actually, tugma ang sinabi ng OECD, ng French expert doon sa sinasabi ni Mrs. Herrera na ang isang guro, hindi lang nagtuturo, maraming assignments na binibigay. Kanina, ang example ni Mrs. Herrera ay deworming. This is outside of teaching kaya ang kanilang oras imbes na ibigay sa pagtutok sa bata at makipag-usap sa parents, napupunta ito sa other activities ang trainings. So ito ay inaayos ngayon ng DepEd para makapagbigay pa ng mas maraming oras sa guro na makipag-usap sa bata, tingnan kung anong problema ng bata at makipag-usap sa parents para matulungan ng parents ang mga teachers natin.

Q: Pero you acknowledge na talagang overworked at over extended ang binibigay sa ating mga teacher?

SEN WIN: Definitely, dahil kahit na merong DepEd memo na limited lang ang kanilang oras sa pagtuturo pero maraming activities na binibigay. So isa ito sa mahahalagang aspeto na ang pagtuturo ay hindi lang na ipapa-memorize mo sa bata. Dapat siguraduhin mo na naiintindihan niya at nagagamit nya. Kanina ay lumabas sa French expert na magaling tayo sa memorization, walang problema doon. Ang problema natin ay kung papaano natin gagamitin ang natutunan natin. Yung application ang nagiging problema. Dun tayo bumabagsak.

ABS-CBN Franchise

Q: Si Senator Poe, nag-file siya ng resolution para magkaroon na ng investigation as oversight committee yung Committee on Public Services sa ABS-CBN na parang alleged violation sa Appropriations Act.

SEN WIN: Para sa akin, ang media outfits such as ABS, kailangan yan ng franchise at ito ay parte ng check and balance role ng ating sistema. Ang pagbibigay ng impormasyon ng media sa publiko ay sobrang mahalaga yan kaya kailangan rin ng check ng balance. Dito pumapasok ang papel ng kongreso sa pagbibigay ng franchise. Mahalagang mapag-usapan natin kung itong allegations against ABS ay may basehan. This is through an oversight function of the Senate. Assuming, pagdating dito ng franchise ng ABS, ganun din. Pag-uusapan rin namin ang performance ng ABS, kung ano ang pagkukulang ng ABS at kung merong tumututol, ano ang kanilang allegations? This is a good venue para Makita natin kung may katotohanan talaga ang kanilang allegations.

Iba ang takbo sa kongreso dahil independent body yan, co-equal ng Senado at dapat nga itong oversight, mag-umpisa sa kanila eh. Ito ang magiging basehan nila sa pag-approve at ita-transmit sa Senado.

Q: Sinasabi ni Senator Ping na baka ma-violate ang sub judice rule dahil babangga sya sa...basically kasi, yung allegations ng violation laman ng COA report.

SEN WIN: Not necessarily. That's part of our oversight function dahil yung pagbibigay ng franchise, may basehan yan. Tinitinginan din kung meron kang nilalabag sa franchise. Kung meron kang nilabag, it goes without saying na pwedeng i-revoke ang franchise mo o hindi i-extend ang franchise mo dahil may obligation ka sa franchise eh. Yung mga in-allege ng SolGen, parte doon ay violation ng mga franchise. It's an oversight function ng Senado. Ibig sabihin, iimbitahan doon ang mga tumututol at ang mga nag-aallege at ang ABS para magbigay linaw sa allegations so it will be a neutral ground to discover and analyze whether the allegations are true or not. This is a venue para mapag-usapan.

Q: This is different from the hearing of franchise renewal?

SEN WIN: Correct. Dahil itong gagawing oversight hearing, hindi ibig sabihin maa-approve ang franchise dahil manggagaling pa yan sa Kongreso eh. Kung anuman ang lumabas sa oversight, doesn't mean maa-approve ang franchise. In this particular case, ang franchise ay mag-uumpisa yan sa Kongreso at aakyat sa Senado.

Q: Ano ang magiging end-point Sir?

SEN WIN: Ang kalalabasan niyan ay the committee report may contain recommendation to remain or revoke the franchise, recommendation to amend the franchise.

Q: In other words, it will help somehow in the franchise?

SEN WIN: It will be a venue to clear things up.

Q: Sir, walang conflict kasi same committee ang tatalakay?

SEN WIN: Wala namang conflict. Ang Kongreso pwede silang magpatawag ng hearing, kami pwede rin magkaroon ng sariling hearing. Not necessarily we will agree, it will have different views but ang Committee on Public Services, magiging very detailed at sisiguraduhing ang lahat ng kanilang allegations ay may ebidensya.

Q: When you say amend the franchise, what do you mean by that?

SEN WIN: It can be the franchise for mass media. For example, radio, TV so it can be a recommendation for the general amendment. Ang importante roon, ano ba ang nakita nating violation? How do we correct the violation? How do we prevent that in the future and is this violation can be grounds to revoke the franchise or not to renew the franchise? This is a check and balance process, hindi lang naman ang ABS ang nagpapa-renew ng mass media franchise, madaming radio stations ang nagpapa-renew and this is the check and balance power ng Kongreso.

Q: Pwede ba humarap si President kasi vocal sya na meron naman talaga syang reklamo sa ABS?

SEN WIN: Anyone. As a general rule, anyone can participate.

Q: Should the Senate invite the President? With courtesy of course.

SEN WIN: As a general rule, the committee can invite anyone.

Q: Is it advisable?

SEN WIN: The committee can request from the President his opinion regarding this oversight hearing. As a rule, anyone who can help shed light in the allegation and can substantiate the allegations, pwedeng imbitahin. It can be through a letter, through a council. Nakita naman natin in the past that President and Secretaries can be represented by their councils.

Q: Pero the Senate can invite him?

SEN WIN: The Senate can invite kung gugustuhin ng committee.

Q: Sa resolution ni Sen. Poe, involves existing franchise ng ABS ang reso niya, kung compliant sila sa--?

SEN WIN: Hindi usurpation, trabaho ng Senado yan. In fact, it can have a hearing outside the congressional hearing. Pwedeng sabay. Pwedeng iba rin ang kanilang resulta. Ang mangyayari diyan, the Committee on Franchises can have their own hearing. Kami, pwede kaming magsariling hearing dito pero hindi ibig sabihin, the Senate will approve the franchise. In fact, the Congress can use the oversight hearing to use as a basis for them to approve or not approve.

Q: May jurisprudence na yata ang SC na in aid of legislation, you are free to--?

SEN WIN: Yes, in aid of legislation. This is a legislative measure. A franchise is a law and we are exercising our legislative powers.

Q: Do you still see an appropriate time?

SEN WIN: Actually, kung gugustuhin, kaya. Kung matatandaan niyo ang pag-increase ng sahod ng ating mga kapulisan at sundalo, that was done in one week. We also have to remember that kahit na i-approve yan ng Senado, the President has veto powers. So for example, i-approve ng Senado at House, the President has veto powers.

Q: Paanong posibleng one week?

SEN WIN: Masikip talaga. But in theory, kakayanin. Assuming, walang magtatanong.

Q: Kailan matatapos, di ba March 31 dapat ang kanilang franchise? May nagsasabing hanggang 2022?

SEN WIN: In my opinion, based on my analysis, kapag end ng franchise, wala ka nang legal basis to operate. Kasi the franchise gives you the legal basis to operate. In fact, ang kanilang permit, manggagaling yan sa franchise. In other words, kung wala kang legal basis to operate, hindi ka pwedeng mag-operate.

Q: Yung provisional authority Sir, is that allowed?

SEN WIN: Yung provisional authority, dapat meron yang basis. For example, kung matatandaan niyo sa Iloilo nagpalit ng utility, binigyan sila ng temporary permit to operate dahil nagtatransition siya sa bagong utility. Ibig sabihin, hindi ka pwedeng biglaang magpalit. Dapat may transition period. That's the only time na nagbigay sila ng temporary permit.

Q: In cases na mapaso ang prangkisa, tapos yung gagamitin mo is provisional authority from NPC, March 30 onwards, pwede yun?

SEN WIN: Pwede yun. Pwede ang provisional authority in cases na merong transition. Dapat may basis. There must be a reason why you're given a provisional authority. Provisional lang yun eh. Hindi naman pwedeng provisional pero forever kang nag-ooperate. It has to be toward something.

Q: Eh kung pending yung bill sa Congress? Pwede bang reason yun?

SEN WIN: Hindi pa ako nakakita na ganun ang dahilan eh. Typically, the provisional authority is intended to transition to something. For example nga, para hindi maputol ang serbisyo, bibigyan ka muna ng provisional authority para ang next entity, maka-cooperate ng walang putol. That is the essence of a provisional authority. Pero ang importante roon ay may legal basis.

Q: Pero sa tingin niyo, lumambot na ang stand ng Presidente kasi Presidential Spokesperson said na kaya lang naman nasabi ng Presidente yun because of his displeasure. Kung pababayaan yan, magkakaroon sila ng independence...sya pa yung nag-offer ng remedies na just in case na ma-veto, pwede namang ma-override. Second option is for the ABS to secure another franchise.

SEN WIN: We don't know what the President is thinking. Ang magandang mangyari is to exercise the oversight para makita rin natin kung may violation in the franchise kasi trabaho ng Senado tignan kung may violation ang franchise kung may violation ang franchise ano yung next action? Pareho yan sa NGCP actually, the franchise concept of NGCP and ABS-CBN is exactly the same.

Q: In the investigation the over sight should happen within?

SEN WIN: It can happen soon, it can happen this week kung magpapatawag ang Committee on Public Services, pwede this week, pag na-file na yun pwedeng this week.

Q: Sir, yung 11,000 na pwede mawawalan ng trabaho is that a ground, provisional, kasi you mentioned about transition?

SEN WIN: The Committee on Public Services look at this at a holistic manner, kabuaan ang titignan natin, titignan natin ang aspeto, for example, pagbibigay ng impormasyon, aspeto ng pagibibgay ng entertainment dahil marami namang tao ang natutuwa sa entertainment. Value, the employment na ginegenerate. So para sa akin yung importante din tignan dito yung kabuaan na kabutihan na binibigay ng network dahil in my opinion, dahil sa sobrang tagal na rin ng history ng ABS-CBN, naging parte na ito ng kultura ng maraming manonood at naging parte na ito ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino kaya dapat tignan rin natin yung value na binibigay sa publiko pero kung meron man aligasyon sa pag violate ng franchise, titignan na rin natin to. Dapat ito yung check and balance na dapat ginagampanan ng Kongreso.

Q: Pagdating ng franchise will you support the franchise of the ABS?

SEN WIN: Nakita ko yung list of allegation but honestly I haven't really gone through the details of the allegations. Pag-aaralan muna natin ng kabuuan.

Q: Philippine Depositary Receipt (PDR) would this amount to foreign?

SEN WIN: The PDR hindi ownership, there is no ownership in the PDR parang ang ginawa nila, nag issue sila ng isang instrument para ma-enjoy mo yung kita ng isang kumpanya pero hindi ibig-sabihin na ikaw ang may-ari ng kumpanya. In my interpretation it's not a violation of ownership. From my knowledge of financial instruments, halimbawa, profitable ang isang company, isang foreigner gusto mag-enjoy ng profits niya, PDR ang ibibigay mo sa kanya pero hindi ibig sabihin ikaw may-ari ng kumpanya kasi wala kang share, it's a PDR, it's not a share, it's a depository receipts, it's an instrument to enjoy the financial benefit.

Q: Companies are allowed to do that?

SEN WIN: A lot of companies are doing that, GMA 7 is doing that, other media outlets are doing that-- Meralco is doing that, Meralco is a utility, punto ko lang it's a normal instrument.

VFA

Q: Sir sa VFA?

SEN WIN: Two things about the VFA; number one, ang bansa natin ay resilient at marunong tayo mag-adopt, and I know we will adopt, ibig-sabihin, kahit wala na yung VFA, mag a-adjust tayo at mag a-adjust tayo sa situation kaya ng Kongreso ngayon at Senado handang magbigay ng mas malking pondo para sa ating Arm Forces para makabili tayo ng mas maraming gamit at bumili tayo ng mas modernong gamit. So we will survive and adopt but at the same time, pangalawa, this is a good opportunity to negotiate for a better VFA if in case gusto natin pumasok ulit sa VFA dahil talagang may provision doon na pabor lang sa Amerika at hindi pantay at siguro alam niyo na ito nangyari sa Subic, which is not fair dahil kung ang isang Pinoy may nangyari sa Amerika, kaagad yan kulong, wala tayong negotiation, ito [VFA] may negotiation and custody sa kanila which is not fair to our judicial system. Magandang oportunidad ito para magkaroon ng re-negotiation at makakuha tayo ng mas magandang provision para sa atin.

Q: So yung Resolution na 305 na gusto ng ibang mga kasama niyo, magkaroon kayo ng assertion ng power, do you support it? Concurrence.

SEN WIN: The review, I signed it, we need to review it. Yung assertion I support it as an institution.

Q: pero yung plan to bring before the Supreme Court, you also support that?

SEN WIN: There is no other way to test it eh, the only way to test it is to bring it to the Supreme Court, kahit na sabihin namin ganito, kung walang mag rurule, wala rin.

Q: Valentine's na Sir sino daw ka-date niyo?

SEN WIN: Syempre meron na kong date, nag-improve na tayo, nag-level up na tayo.



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Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) to have clear and definite guidelines for an improved implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931) or the free tuition law.

Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of the law, cited a discussion paper by state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which identified unclear and delayed guidelines as "birthing pains" in the implementation of the landmark education reform measure. According to the study, this resulted in issues on disbursement, billing, and the processing of documentary requirements.

A component of the law that suffered from a lack of clear guidelines is the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), which provides additional funding for education-related costs. These include books, transportation, board and lodging, and allowances for disability-related expenses among others. In the initial call for TES application, vague and incomplete guidelines led to a second call for submissions and changes in documentary requirements, which tend to be voluminous and redundant.

The delay in the release of guidelines was another major issue raised by higher education institutions (HEIs). When the detailed guidelines for TES was released in October 2018, enrollment for the first semester has already ended in most HEIs. For students who could have been given the chance to benefit from this subsidy missed the opportunity.

"Dahil sa lawak ng pagbabagong dulot ng free tuition law sa ating sistema ng edukasyon, naging isang malaking hamon para sa CHEd ang unang taon ng pagpapatupad nito. Ngayong malinaw na sa atin kung aling mga bahagi ng programa ang kinakailangang ayusin, mahalagang matutukan natin ang mga ito upang maging mas maayos na ang pagpapatupad ng batas sa mga susunod na taon," Gatchalian said.

"Kung walang malinaw na pamantayan sa pagpapatupad ng programang ito, ang ating mga mag-aaral ang pangunahing maaapektuhan at marami ring kabataan ang maaaring hindi makinabang sa libreng kolehiyo," he added.

Gatchalian also urged the CHEd and UniFAST to ensure that the manpower in charge of rolling out the free tuition law has adequate technical capacity.

As of December 3 last year, 1.2 million students from state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges benefited from the free tuition law.



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In the exercise of its oversight function, the Senate can look into the compliance of the ABS-CBN of the terms of its legislative franchise, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday.

"The Congress, not the Supreme Court, has jurisdiction to review compliance by ABS-CBN of the terms of the franchise granted by Congress, especially that there are pending bills seeking renewal of the franchise," Drilon said.

"Given the gravity of the allegations against ABS-CBN and its implications, it would be a total disservice to the Filipino people if we fail to perform our oversight function," he said.

Drilon threw his support behind Senator Grace Poe who filed Senate Resolution 322, which seeks to look into ABS-CBN's compliance with its franchise following the allegations made by the Solicitor General against the network. Drilon said that while reviewing the network's compliance with its franchise, the Senate could look into the allegations raised by the Solicitor General that ABS-CBN violated the terms of its legislative franchise as part of the oversight functions of Congress.

"The hearings on the resolution can also be justified not only based on its oversight function but also by virtue of its power to investigate in aid of legislation - the investigation will enable the Senate to make a judgment on the proposed renewal of its franchise when it is transmitted by the House of Representatives," Drilon said.

The four-time Senate President also said taking up Senate Resolution 322 would not be a violation of the sub-judicerule.

He explained that under the resolution, the Senate is simply being called to exercise its oversight functions.

Citing jurisprudence, Drilon said, "it has long been settled that the power of oversight has been held to be intrinsic in the grant of legislative power itself. Broadly defined, the power of oversight embraces all activities undertaken by Congress to enhance its understanding of and influence over the implementation of legislation it has enacted."

"The Congress is a co-equal branch that is simply performing its mandated and independent oversight functions," he added.

"As the one that granted the franchise to ABS-CBN, the Congress can carry out its oversight functions at any point in time. Our role does not end with enacting laws. We have constitutional duty to monitor compliance with the law that Congress enacted," he concluded.



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Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido now in Duterte's drug list? Ironically amazing!

Espenido must know a lot to make him a target himself. Has he lost his usefulness? Or is he now a threat to his top boss because of what he (Espenido) knows?

I'm certain that Espenido also knows a lot about the lies thrown at me, particularly my alleged links to Kerwin Espinosa. He knows that I'm not and was never a protector of the latter self-confessed drug lord; that I was never in the so-called "blue book" or "pink book", or whatever it is, of alleged Espinosa protectors or beneficiaries of his illegal drug trade; and that he and Espinosa both lied when they claimed otherwise in the course of the Senate hearings.

If the Rappler news report about his inclusion in Duterte's drug list is true, who can now protect him?

Let's see how this new mystery would unravel in the increasingly messy terrain we now have under an unstable leader.

As I always say, this regime can never defeat or destroy the Truth.



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Senators on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, honored veteran journalist Gabino "Gaby" Tabuñar for his "exemplary and outstanding contribution to journalism and press freedom."

Sen. Richard Gordon, author of Senate Resolution No. 317 honoring "a father, a true friend to many, and mentor to countless journalists," said Tabuñar exemplified the highest ideals of courageous, compassionate and committed journalism.

"He was a proponent of honest and accurate journalism exemplifying the highest ideals of courageous, compassionate and committed journalism in his coverage of the news through the ever-changing landscape of the Philippine history from the post-World War II era to the various political transition in the succeeding decades," Gordon said.

Tabuñar died on February 4, 2020 at the Makati Medical Center after a bout of pneumonia. He was 94.

Tabuñar worked at Philippine Liberty News after World War II, at the War Information Office of the US government in Manila in 1945-46, and as a media director for Winthrop Sterling Company, an American pharmaceutical company.

He co-founded Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in 1974 "to fight for freedom of the press and civil liberties" during the martial law era of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

He was a former Manila correspondent of the US broadcast network CBS News from 1986 until he retired in 2008.

Even in his retirement, he was still active in FOCAP activities as he guided young journalists to run the association's activities.

Gordon said Tabuñar showed his commitment to responsible and fearless reporting in his coverage of news, including the 1991 cataclysmic Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption and the closure of U.S. military bases in Subic Bay, among others.

"His dedication to providing legitimate platform and source of real and accurate news was instrumental in the rapid transformation of Subic in the early 1990's, as well as in addressing the political challenges faced by the tourism industry through his coverage of SARS, terrorism and Abu Sayaff kidnappings from 2001 to 2004," the resolution stated.

A copy of the resolution, which was adopted by 20 senators present in the plenary session, was presented to Tabuñar's relatives during the session.



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Magandang hapon po. For the first time in the history of the Navy, and we certainly hope that this instance won't be the last, it has opened its doors to its first female Commodore.

But this title we are bestowing upon her today pales in comparison with the rest of Camacho's achievements including being the first woman to command a Navy ship and the first female commander of Philippine peacekeepers deployed to the United Nations.

Clearly, Commodore Camacho has paved the way in her field before we were even privileged to meet her. Hers is a story of pure grit. Ang kaniyang kwento ay hindi nalalayo sa karamihan ng mga babaeng tahimik ngunit masigasig na nagtatrabaho upang umangat sa kanya-kanyang larangan. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay tagumpay nating lahat.

More than the grant of this title, this appointment signifies bigger and better things to come for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Putting the right leaders at its helm is only the start of better capacitating our Navy in these uncertain times.

I have no doubt that we are nearer to this goal with the appointment of Commodore Camacho. As Margaret Thatcher famously said, "If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." The rise of female leaders in the AFP welcomes a new era of feminine values which will ultimately redound to the benefit of the nation. Ang tagumpay ng babae ay tagumpay ng buong bansa.

Ikinagagalak ko pong i-endorso ang appointment ni Commodore Luzviminda Camacho.

Maraming salamat po.



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We call on the Department of Health to clarify the reason behind the inclusion of Taiwan in the travel ban.

With the restriction, thousands of Filipino travelers have been affected -- including an estimated 154,000 overseas Filipino workers who earn their living from Taiwan.

Is the ban due to the novel coronavirus? Are there health risks posed for Filipinos going to and coming from Taiwan?

Averting the spread of the virus and protecting the health of the Filipinos are the only justifiable reasons for the prohibition, not political considerations to China, which counts Taiwan as one of its Special Administrative Regions.

The administration's adherence to the so-called One China Policy should not be above the welfare of our OFWs in Taiwan who stand to lose their job and their only source of income.



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Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.

Around the globe, 16 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years old give birth every year. Over the same period, approximately one million young girls aged 15 years old and below have given birth. In the Philippines, 24 babies are born to young Filipino mothers every hour, Mr. President. At the end of every day, 504 children have born a child.

Girls as young as 9 were reported to be pregnant. They still have a body of a child that threatens to break under the pressure from the one inside of them. Have these girls ever doubted if they would survive the birth? I fervently hope that they did, Mr. President. The alternative is just too harrowing to think of but is a reality we cannot afford to ignore.

In 2012, 2,815 girls aged 15-19 years gave birth to their third child; 12 girls younger than 15 years have also borne three children. In the same year, 302 girls aged 15-19 years old have given birth to their 4th child and 60 girls in the same age range are already mothers to 5 children. In an age where they should be busy going to school and worrying about school projects, they are burdened with the heavy responsibilities of parenthood

However, some girls are not as lucky. One of the youngest reported maternal death in the Philippines was a girl who died of child birth at the age of 11, a child in every sense of the word. In the Philippines, 128 per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 have died while giving birth while 255 per 1,000 girls aged 20-24 died in birthing rooms across the country. The gift of life shouldn't have to come at the cost of another, Mr. President.

In light of this, the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender equality presents to this chamber Committee Report 45 or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2020. This committee report consolidates Senate Bill 414 and 649 by Senator Marcos and Senator Revilla, respectively and Senate Bill 161 by yours truly.

This committee report was carefully written in order to ensure that it is a legislation that pushes for the rights of adolescents and their evolving capacities, one that is rooted in the principles of human rights and supported by interventions backed by evidence.

This bill pushes for the social protection of young parents by ensuring that our young mothers are getting the health care necessary at all stages of her pregnancy. Workshops and counseling services are also to be made available for them to ensure that they can get the all help and counsel they need when it comes to raising their child. By providing them with much needed guidance and information, we can prevent repeat pregnancies among our young mothers while we ensure their physical and mental well-being as they take on the heavy responsibilities of parenthood.

Special care is also accorded to first time parents, especially those who are economically disadvantaged and those who are in marginalized and hard to reach groups who may have limited access to healthcare and life-saving information.

The bill also provides strong protection for young girls and pushes for their right to continue their education despite the barriers presented to them. Flexible learning options are proposed in order to minimize the chances of disrupted education and to encourage young parents to continue and finish their education. Disrupting a girl's education because of her pregnancy exacerbates poverty. Low educational attainment adversely effects the lifelong earnings of a girl for the rest of her life. Education is so important, Mr. President. So much so that if we do not take our girls back to school, we stand to lose 33 billion pesos in lost income.

Moreover, the bill recognizes the fact that young Filipinos are heaving earlier sexual initiations, sometimes unwanted and usually unprotected. The 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study reported that 23% of Filipino youth are having sex before the age of 18. This bill recognizes this reality and has made measures to equip our children with the knowledge and guidance to make choices that they believe are the best for themselves. Schools, parents, and guardians are recognized as important sources of unbiased and scientifically accurate information on sexual and adolescent reproductive health and as such, are respectively capacitated and trusted to deliver the correct and necessary information to our teenagers.

We cannot afford to have more and more children having children, Mr. President. The problem of adolescent pregnancy is completely preventable and doing little to prevent will end up in a lose-lose situation. It perpetuates the intergenerational cycle of poverty and robs our children of their childhood. It is our duty as legislators and as parents to provide them with the knowledge they need and to empower them to making good choices and informed decisions as they grow into adulthood.

Maraming Salamat po.



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"Tama na. Sobra na. We need an immediate crackdown on fly-by-night POGOs," said Senator Risa Hontiveros as she presented Lai Yu Cian or Ivy, a 23-year-old Taiwanese national trafficked into the country to work in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators company.

Ivy, who was forced to work for Chinese nationals in Makati, said she was recruited to work in advertising but was scared when she found out it was a POGO operation. The Taiwanese national said that her passport was confiscated and that her Chinese employers mentally and physically abused her.

"They touched my body in front of other men, and they laughed at me," Ivy said to the media. She said that since her rescue early this month, she has received numerous threats to her safety.

The senator underscored that Ivy's story is one of the many stories of workers, especially women, who are illegally made to work in the Philippines by POGO companies.

"We can't add more crimes being committed to the country. We need to stop these illegal POGO companies immediately," urged Hontiveros. "Maraming krimen ang nakatali sa POGO: illegal recruitment, illegal detention, at sexual harassment. Kailangang matigil na ang mga ito," she concluded.



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The Philippine Senate adopted Senate Resolution No. 317 "Honoring and Remembering Gabino "Gaby" De Guzman Tabuñar, Jr. for His Exemplary and Outstanding Contribution to Journalism and Press Freedom" sponsored by Senator Richard J. Gordon.

The resolution states that Tabuñar, who passed away on January 4 due to pneumonia, "was a proponent of honest and accurate journalism exemplifying the highest ideals of courageous, compassionate and committed journalism in his coverage of the news through the ever-changing landscape of the Philippine history from the post-World War II era to the various political transition in the succeeding decades."

It also recognizes Tabuñar's commitment to "responsible and fearless reporting" during his stint as a journalist. Among the major events that he covered were the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991, the Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, and the U.S. military bases turnover in Subic Bay.

An official copy of the resolution was personally received by Tabuñar's family at the Senate.

In his sponsorship speech, Gordon said that Tabuñar is one of the country's most respected journalists in the country, who rose from the ranks and became one of the pillars of journalism.

"I had the privilege of knowing Gaby throughout my career; very fatherly, very courageous, full of integrity, and certainly the embodiment of what a media man should be. He was a true friend to many and a mentor to countless journalists," he said.

Gordon added that Tabuñar's experience as intelligence officer during the guerilla movement against the Japanese gave him "strong passion for courageous exercise for freedom that is responsible."

"Here is what he said that remained in my heart and in my mind: Character is the basis of all virtues; you talk about kindness and generosity it all to character. Character is the main driver of a man whether for good or for bad," Gordon said citing a quote from Tabuñar.

Tabuñar is one of the co-founders and served as Chairman Emeritus of the Foreign Correspondence Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), established in 1974 to fight for freedom of the press and civil liberties during the Martial Law era, where he remained active as he guided young journalists even if he was already retired.

He was a longtime correspondent for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News in America from 1986 until 2008. Prior to that, he worked for the Philippine Liberty News after World War II, served at the War Information Office of the US government in Manila in 1945-1946, and worked as Media Director for Winthrop Sterling Company, as well.



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The Senate on Tuesday adopted the recommendation of Senator Richard J. Gordon to file charges against officials of the Bureau of Corrections and the New Bilibid Prison after conducting an investigation and uncovering other anomalies activities inside the NBP, aside from the abusive and capricious implementation of Republic Act 10592 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance law.

"The BuCor, alas, is manned by rotten apples, and corrupt officials. It is rotten to the core--and, from top to bottom. If we are to improve its functions, if we are to have the Bureau regain the trust of our people, no less than a massive change in personnel and in character is required. Mere lancing of the boil will not be sufficient; putrefaction in that agency is so far advanced, only a total replacement of the whole bureaucracy will allow us to see a new, honest, sincere, serious, and effective agency," he stressed when he sponsored Tuesday Committee Report No. 42, which was also adopted on the same day.

Recommended charged were 1. Former Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) for committing nonfeasance in not complying with the requirements of Department Order No. 953; 2. Ramoncito "Chito" Roque (Chief of the Documents and Record Section of BuCor); Ma. Benilda "Mabel" Bansil (Corrections Senior Inspector); and Veronica "Boday" Buno (Corrections Officer) for accepting money for the promise of early release of prisoners; and 3. Dr. Ernesto Tamayo (Director, Directorate for Health Services, New Bilibid Prison Hospital); Dr. Ursicio D. Cenas (Medical Officer); and Ms. Meryl Benitez (Nursing Attendant) for accepting money in order for PDLs to be confined in the New Bilibid Prison Hospital.

To reform the penal system, Gordon recommended the following, among others,: a. There should be a Model System of Penology; b. There should be full digitalization of the carpetas, which should be accessible to the public or the families of the concerned parties; c. There should be transparency, especially with regard to the computation of time allowances and release of prisoners; d. Full digitization of all prisoner records is a must; e. digitalizing records of BuCor and BJMP employees and personnel for easy monitoring and filing; f. The New Bilibid Hospital should be maintained and be well-equipped with adequate medical services; g. There should be an operations center which can monitor every prisoner; h. The use of artificial intelligence, digital and video analytics with command center independent from each other, inside our prison facilities to ensure that the PDLs, guards, employees are constantly monitored; and i. There should also be a Code of Conduct followed.

"The New Bilibid Prison became a place of vulnerability. Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), while they deserve to be in prison because of their crimes, does not mean that they should be exploited and be taken advantage of. Their vulnerable situation makes them prone to the many extortions done inside the Bilibid," he pointed out.

During the investigation that the Committee on Justice and Human Rights conducted jointly with the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon), Gordon uncovered, aside from the GCTA being for sale, several other anomalous activities inside the NBP that exploit and take advantage of the vulnerable situation of inmates. These activities include prostitution, sale of hospital confinement passes, allowing entry of contrabands, allowing the construction of kubols and favouring caterers to the detriment of the inmates.



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2/12/20

Duterte's termination of the VFA is epically wrong. It is a gigantic geo-political blunder, and a grievous misstep that may further unsettle the functioning of our very own government -- one that is supposedly built on constitutionalism and the principle of checks and balances.

VFA is an important cog in a whole system of defense and security arrangements with the US that includes the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from which the Philippines has benefitted for many years, particularly in the matters of joint training and exercises of our soldiers, the modernization program of the AFP, and the ready assistance to our countrymen during calamities. We also have a working partnership with the US in countering terrorism and cyber attacks, and in checking the inflow of trafficked persons and illegal drugs to the country. This set-up with the US, of which the VFA is an integral part, has likewise allowed us preferential treatment in foreign military financing and procurement of defense equipment from the US.

While indeed it may be timely now to review certain provisions of the VFA -- or even the MDT and EDCA - its sudden termination without benefit of evaluation by the legislative branch and the defense and foreign affairs departments smacks of deliberate intent to set aside any generally beneficial agreement with the US or any other foreign Western power, especially if we are to seriously consider the aggressiveness of China in grabbing our territories in the West Philippine Sea and in threatening the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

I join former SFA Albert Del Rosario in his warning of a domino effect of the VFA abrogation on other security pacts with the US (and probably with other governments as well) that "would only serve to actualize our pivot to China against the strong and vehement objections of our people." It really looks like the endgame for Duterte in all of these is to align the Philippines more closely with China and Russia, away from the US and our other old allies.

Worse, the unilateral - nay, dictatorial - move of Duterte to abrogate the VFA is a stinging slap to the institution of the Senate, which has the shared treaty-making power under the Constitution. In Senate Resolution No. 289 in the 17th Congress, which was authored by Sen. Frank Drilon and signed by a significant no. of the senators, including myself, we emphasized that "the principle of checks and balances, historical precedent and practice accepted as law in most jurisdictions require that a termination, withdrawal, abrogation or renunciation of a treaty or international agreement can only be done with the same authority that gave it effect - executive ratification with Senate concurrence."

I am praying for the spirit of independence and the sense of statesmanship to prevail among my colleagues at the 18th Congress as they are being called to assert the institutional role and prerogatives of the Senate in this current crisis, and in the face of an overreaching autocrat. I hope they affirm the language and spirit of the Drilon resolution.

I hope also that this time around, should a proper case be filed with it, the Supreme Court, will act and act urgently, on the same core issue that was raised previously in the minority Senators' petition questioning the constitutionality of Duterte's unilateral withdrawal from the Rome Statute. SC cannot afford to remain passive when confronted with such issues of transcendental importance to our system of government and the running of our major institutions of power.

Hindi pwedeng pabayaan lang ang isang Pangulo -- lalo pa ang ganitong klaseng panggulo -- to decide all by himself on vital matters like this that impinge on our national life and our standing in the international community.

Sana ang pambansang interes at ang kapakanang panlahat -- na siyang kabalintunaang ginagamit na rason ni Duterte (ayon kay Panelo) sa pagsantabi sa VFA - ang siyang tunay na manaig sa isyung ito at sa lahat ng usaping sangkot ang sambayanang Pilipino. ###

(Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 717, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_717)



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Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Pia S. Cayetano welcomed the wide support coming from different stakeholders in favor of the immediate passage of the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA).

The panel on Wednesday (February 12) held its second hearing on 'Package 4' of the government's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which seeks to make passive income and financial intermediary taxes in the country "simpler, fairer, more efficient, and more regionally competitive."

During the hearing, various stakeholders from government, business organizations, industry groups, and private companies expressed their support for the measure, with only a few concerns raised regarding specific provisions.

Manifesting general support for PIFITA were representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), Capital Market Development Council (CMDC), Insurance Commission (IC), Association of Global Custodians (AGC), Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA), and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), among others.

"I am very happy to hear that most [stakeholders] are supportive [of PIFITA], and there are just a few issues that need to be resolved," Cayetano stressed in an interview on the sidelines of the hearing.

On the other hand, the senator noted that the concerns raised by various sectors would also be taken into account when the committee drafts its version of the bill.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua, for his part, said the administration remains open to endorse the amendment of certain provisions that are worrisome for industries.

"When you think of passive income, there are many other areas that are affected, like trust corporations, thrift banks, microfinancing, insurance corporations, non-life and life. The objective of the administration is to simplify it... So we have to hear everybody so that we are sure about the effect on all of these sectors," Cayetano stressed.

"Ang objective talaga natin is to provide a market so that the Filipino citizens - hindi lang mayayaman kundi ang mahihirap - can invest their money and have access to these markets. Para hindi naman mauubos ng taxation ang kanilang mga iniipon," she added.

The senator said the panel is planning to conduct at least two technical working groups (TWG) to discuss and address specific concerns on certain provisions of the measure.

"At this point, everything is open. I understand the [stakeholders'] concerns. They want a level playing field. We don't want to create a situation where we are discouraging investments in certain sectors. So we take note of [those concerns and] we want to study them properly," Cayetano said.

"We just have to [make] clear with everyone that we can try our best to address their concerns," she further noted.



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