The Senate Committee on Finance has approved the proposed budgets of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the National Security Agency for next year. NICA has a proposed budget of P1.432-billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2024, higher than its...
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has successfully pursued the conviction of six individuals involved in an investment scam operated by GDM Finance SARL, marking the 22nd conviction for violations of the country’s securities law. In a joint decision dated April 17 but transmitted...
Sen. Raffy Tulfo said on Wednesday, Sept. 6 that he supports the idea of increasing the confidential funds of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), stating that P1 million is not enough for the agency. Sen. Raffy T. Tulfo speaks with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) during the hearing of the...
The joint Senate Committees on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, Justice and Human Rights, Finance, Ways and Means has approved a bill that would define the crimes of agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel as economic sabotage. Once enacted into law, the said bill would...
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, September 6, criticized Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s for pushing for a national competitive examination among students who wish to qualify for college tuition subsidy instead of supporting the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary...
The government's chief economic manager said the Marcos administration's inflation assumption for the year is still feasible despite the rise in consumer prices last month. In a statement, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the government is determined to minimize the impact of inflation and...
The Department of Finance (DOF) warned that keeping rice prices artificially low for a long time could have negative effects. Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said implementing price ceilings on rice could help control rising prices in the short term, but such intervention should only be...
Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno's recent statement regarding the need to review the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) gained mixed reactions from lawmakers. Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara believes that the review should be made from the perspective of making richer...
The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday, September 4 approved the proposed P2.3-billion budget of the Office of the Vice President for 2024, including its controversial P500-million proposed allocation for confidential and intelligence funds. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the Senate...
Given the strain on public funds caused by high dropout rates, the Department of Finance (DOF) suggested that the government's free tertiary education program be reserved for deserving students. Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said that offering free tuition to all students in government-run...
The Department of Finance (DOF) has stated that simplifying regulations and procedures for infrastructure projects will lead to quicker approvals for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said that prompt evaluation of projects is crucial in creating a...
The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Bureau of Treasury (BoT) over its purchase in 2022 of more than P5.24 million worth of grocery items which were distributed to its officials and employees despite lack of proper authorization. In its audit report, COA said that the purchase of the...