The Philippines’ tourism industry will experience a boost once the proposed implementation of the value-added tax (VAT) refund program for foreign tourists is implemented, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday, February 17. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said he...
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda urged for a stringent implementation of the guidelines included in the Senate resolution concurring in the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The rules were based on previous dialogues with the affected industries,...
Senators on Wednesday, February 15, called for an in-depth probe into the latest incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) involving a private aircraft allegedly being used for human trafficking. Lawmakers made the call after Sen. Grace Poe delivered a privilege speech exposing how...
In their sponsorship speeches, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Loren Legarda sought Senate ratification of the controversial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. “Let me emphasize as a premise that in a globalized economy, the Philippines cannot...
'I think you're really lying." Lilia Cruz ( HREP website) Nueva Ecija 3rd district Rep. Ria Vergara had this to say to alleged "Sibuyas Queen" Lilia Cruz during the continuation of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food's public inquiry on agricultural hoarding. Cruz, a self-described...
OF TREES AND FORESTS Former Senate President Manny Villar I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the strong earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria. As I write this column, the death toll has already passed 28,000 per the report of the BBC. The death toll regrettably includes two...
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri welcomed on Tuesday, February 14, the statement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that proposals to amend the “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution is not a priority. Zubiri thinks that the proposal of Senator...
Congress leaders hope to pass 12 priority bills before the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos by June, 2023. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva the 12 measures were agreed upon during a meeting of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) which...
A New York-based commercial bank has expressed willingness to cooperate with a Senate panel investigating the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp.’s (PAGCOR) alleged anomalous contract with a third party auditor for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). In a letter to Janice Godornes,...
House Speaker Martin Romualdez is forecasting the Senate’s passage of its very own Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Bill soon, perhaps "after Easter". (MANILA BULLETIN) "I understand I have a funny feeling in the Senate it will pass soon. Maybe after Easter, baka tapos na yan (maybe it'll be done...
Senator Nancy Binay on Friday, February 10 said most senators are lukewarm to the latest attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution. Binay explained more senators are concerned over pressing issues such as the rising inflation and the global recession. “So far during our informal talks, it seems the...
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, February 8, called on the Senate leadership to remand Committee Report No. 15 back to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality so it can reopen hearings on the SOGIE bill. Hontiveros lamented that she was all ready to...
