The Senate has approved on third and final reading the measure prohibiting the export of raw minerals in a bid to develop local industries, create higher-value goods, and generate more jobs in the country. Senate Bill No. 2826, if signed into law, will take effect after five years,...
The Senate has adopted a resolution commemorating the life and legacy of veteran actress Gloria Romero, who passed away on January 25 at 91 years old. Senator Grace Poe, sponsor of Senate Resolution No. 1287, described Romero as a “cultural institution” when the measure was...
The Senate has approved the bill resetting the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections from May 12 to October 13, 2025. Eighteen (18) senators voted in favor of Senate Bill No. 2942 under Committee Report No. 466; Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko”...
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia is hoping that the two new poll commissioners that will be appointed by President Marcos will be knowledgeable about the challenges and issues faced by the poll body, especially with the upcoming May 2025 polls. "Ang pinaka-importante...
OF TREES AND FORESTS I congratulate the Manila Bulletin as it celebrates its 125th founding anniversary! It is amazing to think that the Manila Bulletin started as a shipping journal on Feb. 2, 1900 with its avowed purpose of giving “the public accurate and reliable shipping and commercial...
Senator Joel Villanueva urged President Marcos on Friday, Jan. 31 to certify the legislated wage hike bill in the Senate as urgent, emphasizing the need to improve the standard of living for Filipino workers. Villanueva, who serves as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and...
Eight candidates endorsed by President Marcos are leading the 2025 senatorial race, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. (SWS) The Stratbase-commissioned SWS survey, conducted from Jan. 17 to 20, showed that eight administration-backed candidates are among the top 12:...
The necessity of Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, has once again sparked heated discussions. (SANTI SAN JUAN / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO) This comes after the Department of Health (DOH) expressed reservations about the measure, arguing that the...
OF TREES AND FOREST (Part II) I do not consider myself an alarmist. In fact, I almost always see the glass half-full than half-empty. But I also think that a good manager, whether in government or the private sector, needs to be aware of certain situations that may impact the...
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday, Jan. 28, said that the agency can make do with a temporary suspension of the controversial Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) while it is under review. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian presides over the Committee on Basic Education...
With 21 affirmative votes, the Senate approved the bill seeking to provide free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel (MUP) facing charges arising from incidents related to the performance of their duty. Senate Bill No. 2814 or the proposed Free Legal Assistance for...
The Senate has approved the proposed E-Governance Act, which seeks to enhance government operations and promote transparency in state transactions, on third and final reading. Twenty-one senators gave affirmative votes on Senate Bill No. 2781, no negative votes and no abstentions during the...
