The Constitution of the Philippines, ratified by plebiscite on Feb. 2, 1987, has been in force for 36 years, the longest period of uninterrupted democratic governance in the history of the Republic. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has declared that changing the Constitution “is not a priority,”...
The Supreme Court (SC) can ask Congress to pass laws to address allegations of corruption in the judiciary, Senator Francis Escudero said on Saturday, Feb. 18. This can be done through the JELACC (Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC), Escudero said. Another way...
Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez announced on Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day the refiling of his signature bill allowing both same-sex and opposite sex couples to enter into a civil partnership in lieu of marriage. Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Facebook)...
Congress leaders hope to pass 12 priority bills before the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos by June, 2023. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva the 12 measures were agreed upon during a meeting of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) which...
The House Committee on Economic Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 7, approved, subject to style and corresponding committee report thereof, a proposed bill amending The Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Act of 2009 to ensure the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of REIT shares in the Philippines....
Aiming to avoid delays in the implementation of public works projects, the House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 6, passed on the third and final reading a bill expediting the acquisition of right of way (ROW) for various national government infrastructure projects that would bring development...
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has explained why the House of Representatives is pursuing Charter Change or Cha-cha this early in the 19th Congress. Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook) Speaking in a recent radio interview, the pro-administration lawmaker...
Deputy Speaker and Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto on Sunday, Feb. 5, trumpeted Congress’ work to boost to P1.56 billion the line-item funding for two cancer funds in the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA). (PIXABAY) In a statement, the veteran lawmaker lauded the insertion—from zero...
HOTSPOT Tonyo Cruz If House ways and means committee chair Rep. Joey Salceda would have his way, a new tax would be slapped on luxury watches, cars priced above ₱5-million, private planes, residential property above ₱100-million per unit, liquor costing above ₱20,000 per bottle, and leather...
House Speaker Martin Romualdez sees warmer relations between the Philippines and the United States (US) under the Marcos administration that will bring economic gains to the two nations. Speaker Martin Romualdez (right) speaks during a luncheon caucus of the US-Philippines Society at the Manila...
The House of Representatives unanimously passed on third and final reading Tuesday, Jan. 31 a bill that would condone unpaid loan interests, penalties, and surcharges incurred by farmers, fisherfolk, and other agrarian reform beneficiaries from government-led lending agencies. (File photo/MANILA...
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, called on Congress to support the government’s housing initiatives, as well as for housing interest support, by including them in the national budget in the coming years. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center), joined by (from...