My deepest condolences to the family and friends of our former colleague, Sen. Rodolfo G. Biazon. I had the privilege of working alongside Sen. Pong Biazon during the 13th and 14th Congress while my mother, former First Lady and Sen. Luisa “Loi” Ejercito Estrada were his contemporary in the 12th and 13th Congress. We witnessed firsthand his…
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Having a permanent secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) is crucial for several reasons. It ensures continuity and stability, expertise, effective coordination, policy implementation, accountability, and representation in defense and security matters. These contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the defense sector in safeguarding the nation’s security. As the third civilian…
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I am honored and grateful to President Marcos for signing into law the bill on the fixed term of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers, Republic Act No. 11939 which amended RA 11709 or the Act Strengthening Professionalism and Promoting the Continuity of Policies and Modernization Initiatives in the AFP. This is a significant…
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It’s lamentable that only 49.31% of the 168 million subscribers have complied with the law. We’re hoping that in the next 90 days, the 100% target registration will be met. Isang malaking katanungan ay kung bakit mababa ang bilang ng mga tumatalima sa batas na ito. Base sa nakalap ko na impormasyon, hindi user-friendly ang…
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Not only will it put the country in bad light but claims that there are trafficked foreigners being forced to work in cryptocurrency scam operations are very serious allegations that merit investigation by concerned agencies. Under RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, law enforcement agencies are mandated to immediately initiate…
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Two-thirds of this year’s budget of the newly-established Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) or P10.6 billion had been earmarked for welfare services of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), including the Emergency Repatriation Program. This is more than enough to cover the repatriation of an estimated 200,000 OFWs currently in Taiwan, if the government is forced to…
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Even without the enactment of a law, our police force can and should make it a requirement to have those involved in anti-drug operations use body-worn cameras since the Supreme Court already promulgated a ruling in 2021 necessitating law enforcement agents to have these recording devices when serving arrest and search warrants. Kung sa mga…
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No one can tell us how to run our country and undermine our judicial system, especially a treaty-based international organization in which the Philippines is no longer a state party. As an independent nation, sovereignty resides in the Filipino people. I stand by our government’s position that we have the first responsibility and right to…
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As early as 2014, I have been pushing for an enhanced apprenticeship program in a fervent bid to promote skills acquisition and youth employment. I have re-filed this measure, Senate Bill No. 1083, or the proposed Apprenticeship Training Act in August last year. Youth employment has been one of the major concerns of the government.…
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I, along with some of my colleagues, have filed proposed legislation to address the fiscal hemorrhage that the current pension system for military and uniformed personnel retirees is causing our government coffers. Indeed, we are facing a ballooning pension requirement without viable funding sources. The MUP pensions are way higher than the budgetary requirement for…
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