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For steadier, sturdier ship
The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis wiped out the jobs and savings of millions of working Filipinos, 3.96 million of whom were driven into poverty. I felt that my experience in the financial sector made it my duty to help guide the hands that steer the ship of State, to whomever those hands might belong. So, I launched my political career. A steadier, sturdier ship of State has been my life’s work. In 2001, with the looming financial collapse in the power sector, I helped craft the Energy and Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA. That reduced the sector’s liabilities from P1.23 trillion in 2003 to P346 billion last year. In 2004, with imminent fiscal disaster, I crafted President Gloria Arroyo’s administration’s “Roadmap to Fiscal Rehabilitation,” P166 billion in reforms preventing widespread government austerity. That paid for the economic stimulus program I proposed in 2007-2009, putting us ahead of the curve with positive growth in 2008 and 2009 while the rest of the world retreated. For nine years between terms in Congress, I served as governor of Albay after the most traumatic event in its recent history: Supertyphoon “Reming.” Here are the numbers for Albay: We reduced the poverty rate from 32 percent in 2006 to 24 percent in 2015 (when the national figures were from 25 to 21 percent over the same period). We went from No. 177 in the National Achievement Test to No. 19; from 18,000 to 172,000 covered by PhilHealth; from 8,700 foreign tourists in 2006 to 374,000 in 2015, with total tourists from 123,000 to 1.4 million; from 74 percent rice self-sufficiency to 104 percent; from 6,300 hectares of forests in 2003 to 26,000 in 2006 to 53,000 in 2015. With 88,444 college scholars, we crafted the basis for the Free College Tuition Law, which I principally authored later. We established the Zero-Casualty Doctrine and pioneered local climate change adaptation, gaining us global acclaim and helping elect me co-chair of the United Nations Green Climate Fund. Under President Rodrigo Duterte, I shepherded the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the economic liberalization reforms. Continuing my chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I led structural reforms, including the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the Public-Private Partnership Act, and the Center for Disease Control Charter — all set to become law soon. In time, I hope they will prove their value. For now, the work of nation-building continues. The post For steadier, sturdier ship appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
President’s 6-year term ‘too long’
Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday said he is planning to push for amendments in the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution like limiting the term of the president and elected officials to four years. Padilla revealed his “alternative plan” after failing to gain support from his colleagues to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution via a constituent assembly or con-ass. “We have another bill about the extension of terms, the reelection of (former) presidents, four-year term for local officials,” he said. “If they don’t want (amendments) on the economic provision, we will try political (amendments),” he added. “Six years are not enough for a wise president, but for a foolish president, it is too much.” The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines, which was in effect from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1945 to 1973, allowed the President to be re-elected for a second term. However, the 1973 Constitution, in effect from 1973 to 1986, did not allow for re-election. The present 1987 Constitution also does not allow for re-election. Manuel L. Quezon was the only President of the Philippines who was reelected under the 1935 Constitution. Quezon was elected President in 1935 and re-elected in 1940. However, he died in office in 1944. Padilla, who chairs the Senate panel on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, insisted that his aspiration for Charter change is “not yet dead.” He admitted, however, that cha-cha may be as good as buried with the rift in the House of Representatives. Padilla was referring to former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being demoted from senior deputy speaker to one of several deputy speakers. Arroyo promptly denied reports she was penalized for allegedly mounting a leadership coup against Speaker Martin Romualdez. The post President’s 6-year term ‘too long’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Padilla wants four-year term limit for president
Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday said he is planning to push for political amendments in the 1987 Constitution such as limiting the term of the president and elected officials to four years. In a press conference at the Senate, Padilla said this is his “alternative plan” after failing to gain enough support to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution via constitutional assembly. “We have another bill about the extension of terms, the reelection of [former] presidents, four-year term for local officials,” he said in Filipino. “If they don’t want [amendments] on the economic provision, we will try political [amendments],” he added. Asked about the basis of his plan to allow former presidents to run for office again, the neophyte senator answered: “Six years are not enough for a wise president, but for a foolish president, it is too much.” ‘Cha-cha not dead’ Padilla, who chairs the Senate panel on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, insisted that his aspiration for charter change (cha-cha) is “not yet dead.” “Maybe the [amendments on] economic provision but not cha-cha,” he said. The lawmaker is advocating for the amendment of the economic provisions through a constitutional assembly or con-ass while the House of Representatives is pushing for a constitutional convention. He explained that one of the reasons cha-cha in Congress “died” is due to the issue of Speakership in the House of Representatives. “It ultimately died after the row in the lower chamber,” he said. Last week, reports about the speakership row emerged after former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her title as senior deputy Speaker. Arroyo was replaced by Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio Gonzales. The move fueled speculations that it was related to a failed attempt by the former president to oust Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The veteran politician had admitted that she was gunning for the speakership last year but that is “no longer part” of her “political objectives” at this point. The post Padilla wants four-year term limit for president appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Charter stumbling block in joint oil search
Senator Robinhood Padilla on Thursday said the “outdated” economic provisions of the Philippine 1987 Constitution are a “stumbling block” to the Philippines and China’s possible joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea. “For so many times, the limitations in our Constitution have been an issue in discussions on oil and gas exploration,” Padilla said in a statement. “Thus, with the upcoming resumption of the talks, does this mean our DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) is open to amending outdated economic provisions of our Charter, particularly Sec. II, Art. XII that states the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State?” he continued. Earlier this month, the DFA announced that the Philippines and China will hold their “preparatory talks” in Beijing for the possible joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea in May. Padilla, who is pushing for an economic charter amendment through a Constitutional Assembly, also cited the recent Supreme Court ruling which invalidated and declared unconstitutional the 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking as one of the “stumbling blocks.” “Another stumbling block is the decision of our Supreme Court last January, ruling as unconstitutional the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking,” he said, referring to a tripartite agreement signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that allowed the Philippines with China and Vietnam to conduct explorations for oil resources in the South China Sea. Padilla stressed that time should not be wasted in amending the Constitution. “There is no time to lose. Filipinos have long felt the effects of a shortage of oil: joblessness, lack of sufficient income, and rising transport costs and prices of basic goods,” he said. “Because of these, I am one with those hoping for the success of the discussions, as well as a solution between the Philippines and China to end the suffering of ordinary Filipinos,” he added. The DFA previously said that the Philippines is open to restarting negotiations with China, so long as discussions fall within the limits stipulated in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. In 2018, the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China on joint oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea during the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. However, Duterte, a week before stepping down from office in June last year, ordered then Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to terminate the discussion on joint exploration with China, citing that “three years on and we had not achieved our objective of developing oil and gas resources so critical for the Philippines but not at the price of sovereignty; not even a particle of it”. The post Charter stumbling block in joint oil search appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
88% of Pinoys oppose Cha-cha – Pulse Asia
Public opinion on Charter change, which last year was roughly divided among Filipinos, is now largely skewed toward those opposed to changing the country’s Constitution, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed......»»
House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Yogi Ruiz: Salaries, incentives for City Hall employees must be paid on time
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Job order (JO) employees at the Cebu City Hall have not been paid their salaries from January to March 2024. They have not also received their share of the Charter Day incentive amounting to P5, 000 each. Councilors Noel Wenceslao and Nestro Archival have raised a concern on the delay in.....»»
Most Filipinos reject Charter change, lifting foreign ownership restrictions
An overwhelming majority of Filipinos oppose changing the 1987 Constitution at this time, according to a new Pulse Asia Survey, with results showing Filipinos in all regions and all socio-economic classes did not support the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions in key industries......»»
From the Newsrooms: March 17 to 23, 2024
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: March 25, 2024, 8:00 amUpdated on: March 25, 2024, 1:00 am THIS WEEK, "From the Newsrooms" looks at the media coverage of two events. On March 20, a hearing in the House on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that Chinese nationals were included in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA). On March 21, Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind of the Pamplona.....»»
House arrest warrant vs Quiboloy moot – lawyer
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s lawyer says the arrest warrant issued by a House of Representatives panel is moot as the panel’s hearings are already adjourned......»»
‘Senate rules on Cha-cha on the right track’
The Senate rules on amending the 1987 Constitution are “on the right track” and ready even before the sub-committee wraps up its discourse on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 pushing Charter change, a senator said......»»
Solon bats for expansion of motorcycle taxis outside Metro Manila
A House lawmaker has voiced his support for expanding the government's allotment of motorcycle taxis outside Metro Manila as the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board is set to greenlight the participation of more players in its pilot study......»»
Digital connectivity space tackled in amendments to National Building Code
A pending legislation at the House of Representatives amending the 47-year-old National Building Code of the Philippines would make it more responsive to the broadband connectivity demands of a digital economy, a citizen advocacy group said......»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 17 to 23, 2024
By: CMFR StaffPosted on: March 25, 2024, 8:00 amUpdated on: March 25, 2024, 1:00 am THIS WEEK, "From the Newsrooms" looks at the media coverage of two events. On March 20, a hearing in the House on the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that Chinese nationals were included in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA). On March 21, Arnolfo Teves, the alleged mastermind of the Pamplona.....»»
Just seven of 116 SUCs offer medicine programs — lawmaker
House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4PS Partylist) said that Congress should allot more funding to support "highly advanced" SUCs in establishing their own medical schools to subsidize the schooling of aspiring doctors......»»
SamPan: Making her mark
Samantha Panlilio, eldest daughter of Jose Marcel “Jocel” Panlilio, is embarking on an ambitious career path to revitalize and expand the family’s real estate investments as chief operations officer of both the family’s publicly listed Boulevard Holdings Inc. and Puerto Azul Land Inc., even as she sets a parallel course to build her own beauty line, photography studio, and a furniture business under the brand “House of Marrakesh.”.....»»
Japan policy paper to focus on US, Philippines to counter China
Tokyo [Japan], March 23 (ANI): Japan released a draft of its annual foreign policy report stating that it will pay attention to the importance of boosting collaboration with the United States and the Philippines to counter China's assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, Kyodo news reported on Thursday. The Diplomatic Bluebook for 2024 will also underscore that Tokyo "cannot afford to waste even a moment" to solve.....»»
‘Quiboloy warrant stands despite SMNI franchise revocation’
Despite the revocation of the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the arrest warrant issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy by the House of Representatives committee on legislative franchises still stands......»»
Medical marijuana bill reaches Senate plenary
The bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines has reached the Senate plenary, the first time in the history of the upper chamber, according to a cannabis lawyer......»»