Tag: Philippine News Agency (PNA)

Lawmakers praise PBBM’s SONA, POGO ban declaration

(PNA) MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday drew praises from lawmakers, especially with his declaration to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO). In a statement, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero described the SONA as “honest, truthful, and comprehensive.” “Highlights for me were the first 10 minutes…
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Senator: Nothing illegal in Bagong Pilipinas hymn, pledge

(PNA) MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Monday defended the issuance of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 52, saying its intention is to “foster a culture of good governance and progressive leadership across all government levels.” MC 52, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 4, directs all government agencies to include the…
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‘Divorce bill has slim chance of getting Senate approval’

(MALAYA) SENATE president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada yesterday said there is a slim chance the divorce bill will be passed in the Senate. “Dadaan yan sa butas ng karayom (It will pass through the eye of a needle),” Estrada said at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum. Estrada has conducted an informal survey among his…
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Senate bill sets stricter rules for late birth registration

(PNA) MANILA – A bill seeking to institutionalize the requirements and procedures of delayed registration of birth was filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday. Senate Bill No. 2703 or the Delayed Registration of Birth Act will likewise impose stricter penalties for false statements. “Through this measure, the procedure for the delayed registration…
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Senate panel cites ex-PDEA agent in contempt for ‘continuously lying’

(PNA) MANILA – The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Monday cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales in contempt for “continuously lying” before the panel. The motion was made after Senator Jinggoy Estrada failed to get a concrete answer from Morales about his questionable personal data sheet (PDS) that he…
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Estrada questions why ‘liar’ still allowed to testify in Senate

(PNA) MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday reminded the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs that legislative processes should always “uphold truth, integrity, and fairness,” as he questioned why disgraced Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales is still allowed to testify in the Senate. “I call upon the Senate Public Order…
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Estrada: Chinese claim on alleged recorded call plain ‘disinformation’

(PNA) MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Thursday denounced the alleged recorded audio communication between a Chinese diplomat and a high-ranking Filipino military official as “nothing but another apparent disinformation campaign by the Chinese government.” In a statement, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense further called it a “trap” to divert attention from…
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Senator renews call for new round of pay increase for gov’t workers

(PNA) MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada has called for a new round of salary increase spread over four years for approximately 1.9 million government employees. Estrada recently filed a bill for Salary Standardization Law (SSL) VI, outlined under Senate Bill (SB) No. 2611. The bill proposes a 10 percent increase in the first tranche or the…
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Estrada seeks more bed capacity, staff for PGH

(PNA) MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada is seeking an upgrade of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) by increasing its bed capacity from 1,500 to 2,200, additional staff and improved services. Under Senate Bill (SB) No. 2634, which Estrada filed on April 15, he noted that PGH, the largest government tertiary hospital in the country, serves over…
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Free financial literacy program for workers sought

(PNA) MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed a bill requiring employers to provide free financial literacy programs for their employees to help them make informed financial decisions. Senate Bill No. 2630 or the Personal Finance Education in the Workplace Act, filed on April 14, aims to equip workers with knowledge and skills to manage their…
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