(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — The fate of the divorce bill remains uncertain in the Senate, with five senators – including the Senate president – so far against it, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. Estrada surveyed 24 senators on their stance on the divorce bill. Among those who replied, Senate President Francis Escudero,…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — Annulment should be made free of charge if the absolute divorce bill faces rough sailing at the Senate, Rep. Janette Garin said yesterday. “Why don’t they make annulment free of charge? We’re looking at something where both parties will no longer spend money for it,” Garin said. “Couples who are locked…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — A group of doctors who own a pharmaceutical company has been giving rebates of up to P2 million, luxury cars, travel and other perks to doctors who prescribe the firm’s medicines, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada disclosed yesterday. In a privilege speech, Estrada called for a Senate probe, in aid of legislation, on…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — Making both houses of Congress vote jointly and not separately on amending the 1987 Charter would be “unconstitutional,” Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday. Speaking to reporters on Viber, Estrada also said congressmen might be setting up a trap for the senators with their insistence that the two chambers jointly tackle Resolution…
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(PHILSTAR LIFE) The Senate has approved the “Eddie Garcia” bill, which seeks to protect movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions. Garnering 22 affirmative votes and no negative and abstentions, the upper house approved on Monday, Feb. 19 the Senate Bill No. 2505, or the “Eddie Garcia” bill on the third…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said yesterday he received information that 50 percent of the P100,000 cash assistance for decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members was diverted to their former commanders. Estrada, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation, made the revelation as the Senate…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — The Senate yesterday approved on third and final reading the so-called Eddie Garcia bill, which seeks to protect movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions. With 22 affirmative votes and no abstention, senators passed Senate Bill 2505 or the Eddie Garcia Act as part of the Senate’s commitment…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — Senators yesterday defended their legislated salary increase recently passed on second reading, following a comment from an Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) official who called the P100 wage hike a “catastrophe.” The comment of ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luiz Jr. describing the wage hike as a “catastrophe” is expected of someone…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — A senator proposed replacing imprisonment with fines as the penalty for libel cases involving journalists. In Senate Bill No. 2521, submitted by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada on January 22, the lawmaker expressed concern that the existing legal framework, which poses the threat of imprisonment for journalists while they carry out their duties,…
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(PHILSTAR) MANILA, Philippines — Heftier fines, longer jail times and perpetual bans in leagues are being eyed for unscrupulous persons who will engage in game-fixing. These are the deterrents against game-fixers identified during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports presided by Sen. Bong Go recently. The panel is discussing five bills authored…
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