In a series of high-profile enforcement actions spanning nearly two months, law enforcement authorities across Luzon confiscated close to 700,000 sticks of illicit cigarettes, reinforcing the government’s campaign against counterfeit and illicit cigarettes under “Oplan Megashopper.” The...
In the Senate Committee on Finance Hearing on the proposed 2026 national budget, Senator Mark Villar urged making more national investments in the country’s tourism sector. He observed that the Philippines was already lagging behind other Southeast Asian countries, stating that it was high time...
Businesses and industry leaders should actively speak out against the increasing problem of illicit trade in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia, according to legal experts and participants at a recent forum. The forum on combating illicit trade, organized by the Financial Times in...
Senator Camille Villar is advocating the establishment of dedicated breastfeeding centers in every barangay nationwide to ensure proper nutrition for infants and provide stronger support for mothers. Villar filed the “Barangay Breastfeeding Centers Act,” which mandates the creation of...
Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 95, also known as the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act, seeking to expand pension benefits to all elderly Filipinos regardless of their social or economic status. The measure aims to amend Republic Act No. 7432, which currently limits...
Senator Mark Villar reaffirmed his commitment to championing modern public transport systems in the Philippines, underscoring the vital importance of the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and the Metro Manila Subway in addressing traffic gridlock and improving the lives of...
Senator Mark Villar pressed the government on Tuesday, Aug. 19, to adopt a unified flood control master plan, warning that fragmented projects and substandard construction are wasting public funds while leaving millions vulnerable to disasters. In a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Villar...
Senator Mark A. Villar has filed the “Teachers’ Home in School Act,” a bill seeking to provide free on-site housing for public school teachers, particularly those facing long or difficult commutes. Villar said many teachers assigned to far-flung areas are forced to rent small rooms or live...
Senator Camille Villar has called for a thorough review of the regulations governing online gambling, citing its harmful effects on minors, low-income individuals, and the broader community. In a statement issued Thursday, Aug. 14, Villar emphasized the need to strengthen the regulatory framework...
Nominations for dev’t training programs for career execs now open President Marcos has ordered the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the main training arm of the Philippine government, to offer courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to career executives. Nanette C. Caparros, Vice...
Senator Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to grant all Filipinos covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) free annual medical check-up, complete with basic laboratory tests such as blood sugar and cholesterol screening. The initiative aims to make healthcare more...
Alarmed by the recent surge in leptospirosis cases, Senator Camille Villar has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the disease and reduce related fatalities. Villar, the youngest member of the 20th Congress, urged the Department of...
