The Senate has approved on third and final reading on Monday, Jan. 31, various bills that seek to grant telecommunication companies (telcos) and broadcast firms legislative franchises. Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, and sponsor of the measures, spearheaded the...
Opposition Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday lauded the Senate for approving on third and final reading the bill that seeks to expedite the proposed compensation law for those whose homes and properties were destroyed during the five-month siege in Marawi City. The Senate...
The Philippine 24-member approved Monday, Jan. 31 a record 166 bills on third reading, the most bills approved in a single day in recent Senate history, if not this past decade. “I thank our presiding officer, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, for his guidance and leadership, allowing us to...
Senator Imee Marcos is worried that mock elections held last year did not thoroughly run through COVID-19 pandemic protocols and might lead to voters losing their way at election centers and being disenfranchised in the May 9, 2022 elections. Marcos, who chairs the Senate Electoral Reforms and...
Senators on Tuesday called on the government to carefully examine and study recommendations that seek to eliminate the current COVID-19 alert system in place in favor of a more endemic mindset. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he agrees with the proposal but said the government should...
The Senate, voting 22-0-0 on Monday, January 31 passed on third and final reading a bill that would mandate large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes. Senate Bill (SB) 2425 seeks to institutionalize the Extended Producer Responsibility...
The Senate, by a vote of 21-0-0, has passed on third and final reading 14 local bills seeking the establishment of marine hatcheries in different parts of the country. These are House Bill (HB) 7435 (Libon, Albay); HB 7544 (Sta. Lucia, Puerto Princesa, Palawan); HB 7547 (Batad, Iloilo); HB 7691...
As another round of oil price increases are scheduled today (February 1), Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan called for the timely release of fuel discounts, seedlings, farm equipment, and other assistance to farmers and fisherfolk contained in the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA)....
Senate Finance Committee chair Senator Sonny Angara on Tuesday assured that health care workers are now entitled to receive benefits while the state of national emergency due to COVID-19 is in effect. Angara, sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill No. 2421 or the act granting COVID-19 benefits and...
The Senate has approved on third and final reading the bill that seeks to increase the protection and the rights and welfare of deserted and abadoned children. Senate Bill No. 2233, or the proposed Foundling Recognition and Protection Act, was approved unanimously by the members of the Upper...
Voting 23-0, the Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading the bill strengthening the Philippines’ law against human trafficking or Republic Act No. 10363, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children,...
Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno said he would push for free legal aid in every barrio to provide ordinary citizens immediate access to legal assistance at no cost. Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) During the CNN‘s “The Filipino Votes Senatorial Forum”...
