The unprecedented government borrowings to offset the impact of the pandemic-induced recession have driven public debt to nearly P11 trillion in April this year. Based on the Bureau of the Treasury report on Thursday, June 3, the national government’s debt burden zoomed 28 percent to P10.991...
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday, June 3, appealed to the government to forego the mandatory 14-day quarantine for fully-vaccinated individuals entering the Philippines. Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III "Calling on IATF/DOH (Interagency Task Force on the Management of...
Senator Francis Tolentino proposed the mandatory use of the names "West Philippine Sea" or "Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas" to refer to the western part of the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). TIGHT WATCH – Crew members of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cabra monitor the...
As Metro Manilans and residents in the NCR-plus bubble settled into another fortnight of general community quarantine (GCQ), they as well as those in the rest of Luzon from the Ilocos region to Bicolandia were greeted by rotational brownouts that are expected everyday during the first week of...
Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Alfredo Garbin, Jr. on Wednesday, June 1, expressed belief that President Duterte fully supports the passage into law of the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2 which seeks to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. House of Representatives (Alvin...
The Department of Finance (DOF) bucked assertions that the Philippines will be the “laggard in Asia” in a post-pandemic world. Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Gil S. Beltran assured the country’s stamina to endure its marathon towards inclusive and sustainable development after the...
The Senate local government committee on Wednesday, June 2, started discussing proposals for the creation of a Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA). Senator Francis Tolentino (Senate of the Philippines) Similar bills were filed by administration Senators Imee Marcos, Ronald "Bato" dela...
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) commended on Wednesday, June 2, the House of Representatives for the passing in the third and final reading some key amendments on the economic provision of the 1987 Constitution. “We congratulate Speaker (Lord Allan) Velasco for proving...
Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate still does not seem to think that revising the Constitution is an urgent measure amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate of the Philippines (Senate PRIB) Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that senators may tackle their counterpart's proposed economic...
GOVERNANCE MATTERS Former Vice President Jejomar Binay We seem to be hearing more bad news than good news these days, and these do not bode well for government’s optimistic scenario of a jumpstarted economy by the second quarter of the year. The scenario is dependent on two factors. One is the...
The House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation approved on Tuesday, June 1, the bill that would regulate the use of vintage vehicles. 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Eric Pineda reported to the committee the contents of the substitute bill to House Bill No. 8244, or the proposed "Vintage...
OF FORUM Jun Concepcion If not for more foreign loans, where else can the government turn to for huge funds needed in its fight against COVID-19 and to mend the country’s battered economy? Unknown to many, overseas Filipinos (OFs) hold a strategically vital key. How so? Fairly simple, easy –...
