Drilon: Let’s revive people’s faith to Senate

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today appealed to his colleagues to set aside 2016 elections and focus on reviving the people’s faith in the Senate by working on legislation aimed at expanding the economy and generating more jobs, advancing workers’ welfare, and strengthening anti-graft and corruption measures, among others.

“The eyes of the people are upon us again as we open the second regular session of the 16^th Congress. I view this day as our opportunity to recover the people’s faith in their Senate, regain their trust and revive their confidence,” Drilon said in a speech during the opening of the Second Regular Session.

Drilon, however, acknowledged that the task would be difficult, as he admitted that the barrage of criticism against the Senate may have succeeded in reducing the worth and the weight of the Senate in the minds and lives of the people.

“Though not within reach, I believe with hard work and perseverance we would in time walk past the difficult path ahead,” he said.

“I recognize that as public servants we must remain receptive to and tolerant of criticism. But should we as individuals and as a collegial body allow the Senate to continue to be casually scorned”? asked Drilon.

“The Senate as an institution remains a constitutional body entitled to respect, even if some of its members may have been found to have erred through their individual acts,” Drilon stressed.

He thus called on his colleagues to defend the institution: “We owe it to this chamber to combat falsehoods concocted by cowardly minds who spread their lies through proxy voices and pens; to speak up for the Senate even when it may seem to be more politically convenient and safer for us to be silent, to just wait for the tempest to pass.”

Despite the negative attacks on the institution, Drilon said the Senate will continue to work on various measures that are important for national development.

“My esteemed colleagues, even amid this political turbulence, let us continue to weave dreams for our country,” said Drilon.  

“Let us set aside 2016 and work hand in hand for the rebirth of the Senate,” he stressed.

Drilon said that the Senate would prioritize legislation that would stimulate the economy and generate more jobs, promote fair competition in business, increase the take home pay of our workers, strengthen our campaign against graft and corruption and criminality, expand access to health and education, and protect our country’s territorial sovereignty.

He also assured that the Senate would not waive its constitutional mandate over the 2015 national budget.  

“We shall wield our power of the purse. We shall craft a budget focused on spending on the right priorities and with measurable results, keeping in mind our goal for inclusive growth,” underscored Drilon.      

Also, the Senate, Drilon added, is committed to work on the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will put an end to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.

Drilon finally requested for the public’s support in the Senate’s efforts to legislate positive and meaningful changes for society.

“Admittedly, instituting reforms to create a better society is an enormous task. We need your help and cooperation. We need your trust,” Drilon.

“To the Filipino people, be assured that your Senate will stand in solidarity with you,” he concluded. 

OVP DISTRIBUTES 33 ​​K RELIEF GOODS TO GLENDA-HIT AREAS

MANILA-The Office of the Vice President (OVP) distributed 33,700 bags of relief goods as aid to areas affected by typhoon Glenda that hit the country last week.

OVP teams went to various towns in the provinces of Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Bataan, Zambales, and Cavite, which bore the brunt of the typhoon.

"Our relief operations are still ongoing. We want to assure our kababayans that the government will help them recover," said Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

Binay visited the provinces of Laguna and Batangas over the past weekend, and told the affected residents about the housing programs that they may avail.

So far, 500 relief packages have each been distributed in the following areas in Quezon Province: Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Lopez, Gumaca, Plaridel, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Pitogo, Macalelon, Gen. Luna, San Andres, San Francisco, Malanay, Catanauan, San Narciso, and Buenavista.

In Bataan, 500 bags each were also given out for the local governments of Samal, Abucay, Orani, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, Bagac, and Morong.

The same number of relief goods was handed in Palawig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Sta. Cruz, Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, San Narciso, and San Antonio in Zambales.

In Cavite, 300 bags per town were distributed in Maragondon, Ternate, Alfonso, Emilio Aguinaldo, Magallanes, Rosario, Kawit, Trece Martires, and Dasmarinas.

In Rizal, the towns of Taytay, Angono, Binangonan, Cardona, Morong, Baras, Pililia, and Jala-Jala received 300 relief goods packages each. Tanay received 500 bags.

The following areas in Laguna also received aid: San Pablo, 1500 and Liliw, 500. The towns of Victoria, Calauan, Rizal, Nagcarlan, and Alaminos received 300 bags each.

In Batangas, the towns of Rosario and Nasugbu each received 500 bags. San Luis, Laurel, Tuy, Lian, Taal, San Pablo, and Balayan received 300 bags each. The town of Lemery received 400 bags, while Ibaan, San Nicolas, and Balete received 200.

Legarda Celebrates UNESCO Inscription of Mt. Hamiguitan in SONA Outfit

MANILA-As a tribute to the recent inscription of the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Senator Loren Legarda will be wearing a traditional Mandaya outfit at the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, said she wants to further promote her advocacies through the garments she will wear at the President’s SONA.

“My outfit represents two advocacies closest to my heart—environmental protection and heritage preservation. Since the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary is the newest addition to the Philippines’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites, I want to celebrate this triumph by wearing the traditional garments of the Mandaya, one of the indigenous communities in the area,” she said.

Legarda’s Mandaya attire was handcrafted by the Mandayas and a gift from them and Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon. It is composed of a badô (blouse) with embroidered geometric designs of colorful threads and beads, and a dagmay(handwoven skirt) made of abaca strips dyed using organic colorants from plants and herbs. The outfit is worn with various metal jewelry.

The Mandayas, characterized as brave and intelligent, are one of the three major indigenous groups of Davao. In Davao Oriental, most of them reside in Barangays Sangab and Pichon, Municipality of Caraga; Barangay Pantuyan, Municipality of Manay; and Sitio Patong Barangay Aliwagwag, Municipality of Cateel.

Meanwhile, a highlight of Legarda’s outfit at the Opening of the Second Regular Session of the 16th Congress, which will be in the morning before the President’s SONA, is the pangalapang necklace.

The pangalapang is one of the neck ornaments of the Cordillerans, particularly those in the eastern Ifugao region. It is made of at least six pieces of mother of pearl formed into flat trapezoidal shapes and connected by a thin rope of finely braided rattan.

“The outfits and accessories that I wear prove the richness of our cultural heritage and the abundance of our natural resources as these items are made of organic materials. In wearing them, I hope to convey the message that we should not take these things for granted and instead show our gratitude through responsible stewardship of our natural resources and safeguarding our heritage,” said Legarda.

In the 2013 SONA, the Senator also wore indigenous garments from the Gaddangs of Mountain Province and the Bagobos of Mt. Apo in Davao and explained that her outfits represent ‘fashionalism’—fashion and nationalism.

MESSAGE OF SEN. ANGARA FOR INC CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Malugod kong binabati si Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo at ang lahat ng kasapi ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa bansa at iba pang panig ng mundo kaugnay ng kanilang ika-100 na anibersaryo.

Nawa'y ang susunod na siglo ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay patuloy na magbubuklod sa mga Pilipino na bukod sa mga totoong alagad ni Hesukristo ay tunay na kumakalinga sa ating mga kababayan at nagmamalasakit nang lubos sa ating ikinararangal na bansa.