Senate performance not affected by PDAF controversy says Drilon

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today said the Senate remains on track on its commitment to pass measures pending in the Upper Chamber, assuring the public that the institution would still be able to deliver the legislation of bills much needed by the nation.

“Despite the issues facing certain senators, we have remained focused on our legislative work so as not to derail the approval of important measures that we are deeply committed to pass for the benefit of our people,” Drilon said.

Drilon emphasized the Senate’s close coordination with the House of Representatives expedites and boosts overall legislative performance.

“Never had there been a closer working relationship between the two chambers which have resulted in a speedier passage of bills of national importance,” said Drilon.

Drilon said that records show that the Senate of the 16^th Congress has outpaced the legislative output of the Senate in the previous Congress.

During the first regular session of the 15^th Congress from July 26, 2010 to May 14, 2011, only two measures were enacted into law, five bills approved on second and third reading, and one treaty was ratified. While for the same period in the 16^th Congress, five measures were enacted into law, six were approved on second and third reading, and three treaties were ratified.

Among the bills signed into law by the President are the 2014 General Appropriations Act, the P14.6-billion supplemental budget as well as a joint resolution extending the validity of the 2013 calamity and quick response fund in order to capacitate government’s rehabilitation program on areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda, and the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Also enacted is the law establishing the Maritime Industry Authority as the single maritime administration in order to comply with international standards.

“Because of Congress’ timely intervention, we had prevented the possible loss of jobs of around 80,000 Filipino seafarers in Europe. The European Union acknowledged our efforts and gave us more time to reform our maritime industry,” said Drilon.

The Senate likewise passed on third reading four bills, including the Freedom of Information bill which, according to Drilon, “would be a strong deterrent against corruption in the government” once enacted into law. The Senate also passed the bill promoting micro, small and medium enterprises and the measure mandating telecommunication companies to send free mobile alerts to subscribers in the event of disasters and calamities. It also granted a franchise to Cotabato Light and Power Company to prevent disruption of electricity in Cotabato City and parts of Maguindanao.

Moreover, the Senate concurred in the ratification of treaties with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (UK), Spain, and India to boost government’s effort to fight criminality, especially those related to child trafficking and prostitution.

On the other hand, various measures are already in the advanced stages of legislation. The bill further strengthening the Sandiganbayan and the measure extending the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways, which shall expire by June this year, are set to be passed on third reading by Monday (May 19). Meanwhile, the Picture-based Health Warning on Tobacco Act is currently in the period of interpellations.

"Before we adjourn in June, we hope to pass 16 priority bills, including the national student loan program, an open high school system for out of school youth, and the Iskolar Ng Bayan Act," emphasized Drilon.

In light of the PDAF controversy, the Senate chief acknowledged that the only way they could regain the people’s confidence and trust is through genuine hard work: This means we must not fail in our mandated task of passing meaningful legislation that would sincerely elevate the quality of the Filipino life.

Lastly, the Senate leader emphasized that the Senate has conducted 280 committee hearings of various proposed legislation, including the hearings conducted by the Blue Ribbon committee regarding the pork barrel scam controversy. With this, Drilon said he expects that a large number of committee reports will be brought to the plenary for deliberation such as the bill increasing allowances of soldiers and policemen nationwide, as well as a bill that would increase the tax exemption limit on employees’ benefits. 

Senate lauds women for helping communities

The Senate today adopted a resolution commending the recipients of the Soroptimist Unsung Women Heroes Awards for their tireless dedication and service in improving the lives of women in their respective communities.

            Senate Resolution No. 628, introduced by Senator Loren Legarda, seeks to recognize the role of women in nation-building.  The resolution was unanimously approved by 21 senators present during the session.

            Legarda said the 10 awardees were recognized by the Soroptomist International of the Philippines for their dynamic and pro-active work in the fields of education, financial literacy, good governance and gender equality, among others.

            The awardees are Elsie Cabral, Rosalia Cervantes, Sylvia de Leon, Olivia Lucas, Emily Lundang, Marilou Portacio, Adelina San Miguel, Fe Tolentino, Julieta Torres, and Crispina Zafra.

            “For actively participating in community work and inspiring others to do the same, it is only proper that these awardees be recognized for making use of existing resources at their dismissal in order to serve the marginalized members of our society,” Legarda said in her resolution.

            The Unsung Women Heroes Awards was first awarded in 2009. It aims to recognize women who take an active role in improving the lives of fellow Filipinos through their work at the grassroots level.  (Zherine Araza, PRIB)

Drilon urges public to guard 2015 budget against PDAF revival, be more discerning regarding pork barrel scam issue

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon challenged the public to closely monitor the Congress when it enacts the 2015 national budget to see to it that the pork barrel system will not be revived.

“Tinatanong po kami, ano ang gagawin ng Senado ngayon ang daming senador na nababanggit? Sa akin po, ipagpatuloy natin ang mga reporma na ginagawa natin at naumpisahan noong nakaraang taon. Ako po nanguna sa Senado na nagasabi, ‘Wala nang PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund), dahil ito ang pinagsimulan ng lahat ng mga alegasyon na ito,” Drilon said in Filipino in a radio interview earlier.

(We are now being asked as to what would happen to the Senate now that many of its members are being dragged to the controversy. To restore public trust then is to continue the reforms we have been committed to since this issue first broke out last year. Upon my leadership, our very first step had been the abolition of the Senate's PDAF, which has been the root of this controversy. ")

“Bantayan po natin, sa paguusap namin sa 2015 budget dapat po tingnan  ng taumbayan, lalo na ng kabataan, para masiguro natin na walang PDAF na maiisisingit. Doon sa mga kaso, sinusuportahan natin iyan,” he added.

("I then call on the public to not only join, but take a supervisory role over the budgetary process for the 2015 GAA. I am asking our people, especially our youth to join efforts to ensure that PDAF and its exploitable shortcomings would never find its way to our budget next year.)

“Ang taunang General Appropriations Act  ay batas, kaya humihiling po ako sa media, sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga kabataan, na maging aktibo sa gawain ng pamahalaan, na tingnan ninyo po kami, kung ano ang aming ginagawa,” Drilon said in another radio interview.

(The annual General Appropriations Act is a piece of legislation, a law. I am requesting then then our people, especially our bright youth to exercise their right to be involved in the legislative process. Take a look, probe and examine piece by piece the laws our lawmakers craft for this country." )

He said that while he could assure that the 2015 national budget would be free of pork barrel funds, as he vowed to take away immediately any item that would bear a resemblance to the PDAF, which the Senate decided to abolish even before the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional late last year.

 “Let us take advantage of this atmosphere of transparency implemented by the President to look at the budget and make sure that the pork barrel fund will not be included in the 2015 national budget,” stressed Drilon.

“We heard your clamor then to abolish the pork barrel – the root cause of all these scams. And from that time on, we have made a promise that we would never stop listening to our people. But we need your vigilance on this issue of pork barrel fund and corruption,” emphasized Drilon.

He said the public has the power and prerogative to examine the budget and that the doors of the Senate are open to the public who want to scrutinize how the Senate deliberates on the budget.

Meanwhile, the Senate leader urged the public to discern truth and false information regarding the pork barrel scam, amidst the brouhaha brought by the multiple lists linking a number of lawmakers to the controversy.

Drilon said he expects that the public’s growing interest in the issue would be used to launch misinformation and propaganda aimed at muddling up the issue.

“I advise the public to be more discerning. We need to filter the empty propaganda from the allegations that can indeed be supported by solid proof, because the pork barrel scam issue is very much exploitable,” said Drilon.

He said that the issue is wrongfully being linked to 2016 elections, which should not be the case “since the search for the truth behind the pork barrel scam should be free of politics and the quest for justice must be blind to political colors.”

"Let us all remember the main question here: Who are the public officials who collaborated with Napoles to misuse the PDAF? They are trying to hide it, but that is the most crucial thing we need to answer," stressed Drilon.

The Senate chief believes that continued public vigilance is vital in ferreting out the truth and in ensuring that justice will be served by punishing those who will be proven to have misused public funds.

  

“In times like this, the active participation by the people all throughout this process is very critical. I invite everyone especially the youth to keep an eye on the Senate, watch us public officials, listen to our words and probe our actions,” concluded Drilon. 

POLICE WOUNDED WHILE SERVING SEARCH WARRANT

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- Police Regional Office 3 Director PCSUPT RAUL D PETRASANTA’s directives to continuously beef up the aggressive drive to recover and seize loose firearms through continuous police operations and implementation of Search Warrants against illegal gun owners, resulted to the instantaneous death of the suspect identified as Jesus TORRES y Cabiling @ “Boy Pana” and recovery in his dwelling of assorted loose firearms.  

Based on reports that reached this Office, in the early morning of May 13, 2014, joint elements of Lubao Municipal Police Station and Regional Public Safety Battalion 3, 1^st Maneuver Company proceeded at the residence of TORRES located at Sitio Mulang Matua, Brgy. San Roque Arbol, Lubao, Pampanga to implement Search Warrant with No. 14-100 for Violation of P.D. 1866 as amended by R.A. 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunitions) issued by Hon. Jonel S. Mercado, Executive Judge of Regional Trial Court, Guagua, Pampanga dated May 12, 2014.

Upon seeing the approaching PNP personnel, suspect concealed himself on one of the bedrooms and while operating teams started to conduct the search in the presence of Brgy. Chairman Regalado F Manalansan and Brgy. Kagawad Reynaldo G. Chavez of said barangay, TORRES suddenly opened the door of the bedroom and threw a hand grenade which resulted on an injury to the right arm of PO2 Randy N Pascasio member of RPSB 3, 1^st Maneuver Company, which was hit by shrapnel.

PO2 Pascasio was immediately rushed at Escolastica Romero District Hospital Lubao, Pampanga for medical treatment. Consequently, team from Special Weapons and Tactics, Pampanga PPO, Provincial Public Safety Company immediately responded at said place for possible apprehension of TORRES but he continued to resist by throwing hand grenades and fired several times towards the operating teams until he was killed.

SOCO team from PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 3 processed the crime scene while Inquest Prosecutor, Hon. Armando I Dela Cruz from the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, City of San Fernando, Pampanga conducted ocular inquest.

The cadaver of TORRES was moved to C.S. Velasquez Funeral Homes, Guagua, Pampanga for autopsy examination.

PCSUPT PETRASANTA commended the operating troops for a job well done. He also assured the public that PRO3 will continue its campaign to eradicate all forms of criminality within the region.

Senate will emerge stronger and more credible after pork barrel scam, says Drilon

MANILA-Contrary to the claim of former senator Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said he believed the Senate will “emerge stronger and more credible before the Filipino people once we are able to ferret out the truth behind the pork barrel controversy.”

Drilon said he disagreed with Lacson’s assessment that the Senate “might collapse” if Janet Lim-Napoles’ affidavit purportedly naming current and former lawmakers involved in the alleged pork barrel scam was made public.

“We must remember that we are a government of laws, of institutions and not a government of men, or individuals,” Drilon said. “The allegations of fund misuse are levelled against individuals, whether he is a senator or a congressman, and not against Congress as an institution.”

Drilon said he was confident that once the Sandiganbayan will be able to determine the guilt or innocence of lawmakers accused of allegedly misusing pork barrel funds, and Congress as an institution will be able to regain the trust and respect of the Filipino people.  

“I am certain that once this process is finished,-- meaning those who are guilty are punished and those who are innocent are cleared, -- the institution will be stronger than before,” he said. “Officials come and go but the institution stays. The pork barrel controversy may destroy politicians but it will not destroy the institution.”

“I am certain our democracy, our political institutions will survive this pork barrel controversy,” he further said.

Drilon emphasized that the pork barrel scam controversy was a problem of certain personalities and the allegations of fund misuse are levelled against individuals and not against Congress as an institution.

“Never is it alleged anywhere that the misuse of pork barrel funds was done as an act of Congress, be it the Senate or the House of Representatives. That is why I cannot take the view that the Senate will eventually collapse,” he said.

Drilon reiterated that Senate under his leadership will support all efforts to uncover the truth behind the port barrel controversy, regardless of the political affiliation of those involved.  

“We’ll not interfere with the judicial process. Let the truth come out,” said Drilon. “I said it before and I say it again, this pork barrel controversy, and the public outrage that came it, will serve as a cleansing process, not only of Congress, but of our entire political system.

 “When this is all over, we will finally be able to purge government of corrupt officials who abused the public trust in the implementation of the pork barrel system,” Drilon added. “We have already taken bold steps to prevent a repeat of this fraud. We abolished the pork barrel system even before the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.”

Meanwhile, Drilon said he believes President Aquino would not invoke executive privilege in order to prevent the disclosure of the Napoles list.

“I don’t think that he will ask for executive privilege. This whole scandal is brought in the open because of the policy of the President towards transparency, of not tolerating corruption,” Drilon said. “In another regime, this would have been covered up, but not in the Aquino administration. If that was the intention, to cover-up, he would have done so a long time ago.”

“I attribute this on-going cleansing process to the resolve of President Aquino to curb corruption. It was President himself who ordered that we shall bring this case to where the evidence will take us, regardless of who gets hurt,” he stressed.

Singaporean firm to pour in P7B worth of investments in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT-Singaporean firm Capilion Corporation Pte. Ltd. is set to pour in P7 billion worth of investments inside Clark Freeport.

 

“The company agreed to develop as mixed-used facility ideal for business process outsourcing, residential, commercial, or even retail enterprises in a three-hectare property,” Clark Development Corporation President Arthur Tugade disclosed.

 

“This will be the biggest contract to be signed by the new administration in terms of employment generation with a projection of 75,000 that can be accommodated within seven years. Our target of breaking the 100,000 employee barrier by the year 2016 will be achieved by 2015 because of this,” Tugade added.

 

Capilion’s development timelines will be in three phases and will be completed by the end of 2018. 

 

The Capilion Group of companies has businesses involved in private equity, corporate services, real estate, financial securities, ship ownership, shipping and shipbuilding, infrastructure development and clean and renewable energy projects.

 

The group has various stakes in countries such as Indonesia, China, Kyrgyzstan, and India. (Rosa Bianca R. Pamintuan)

Lazatin’s kin elected head of 86,000-strong farmers’ group in CL

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija–A close relative of former Pampanga congressman Carmelo Lazatin has been elected new president of the 86,000-strong farmers’ and irrigators’ group of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System of the National Irrigation Administration.

          

         Dante Lazatin won by a hairline over Jaime Laysa Sr., 8-7 to become the new  head of the UPRIIS’ Confederation of Farmers’ Irrigators’ Association (UCFIA) during its 12^th election of officers at the UPRIIS conference room here Friday.

          Lazatin will serve up to 2016, replacing Marcelo de Vera. Lazatin and de Vera fought for the presidency in 2012 which ended in a tie. Lazatin gave way to de Vera.

          Voters cast their vote through secret balloting in elections administered by the UCFIA Commission on Elections led by its chairman Armando Batongbakal and vice chairman was Juanito Adriano. Among its members were  Danilo Miranda, Danilo Boles, Cesario Miranda and Florencio Llanes.    

          Laysa was later elected vice president. Also elected were Danilo Miranda (treasurer) and Ben Gagelonia.

          Appointed were Danilo Salavador (secretary), Cesario Miranda (sergeant-at-arms), Rodrigo Jimenez, Pacifico Antalan, Danilo Bolos, Batongbakal and Llanes.

          Later, the new set of officers took their oath before UPRIIS operations manager Josie B. Salazar.

          Salazar, in her speech, cited the role played by the UCFIA in the delivery of irrigation water in the service areas of UPRIIS. She said the group helped UPRIIS attain a 75% collection efficiency when it comes to collecting irrigation services fees (ISFs) from farmers.

          She assured that UPRIIS would always support the UCFIA in its various endeavors. “Remember that we have a blood compact walang iwanan,” she said.

          Lazatin for his part, said UCFIA will always be a partner of UPRIIS and NIA, adding without them, their group will never exist.  

A relative of Lazatin, Dante, 49, is a farmer, flight mechanic and Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) all rolled into one. He was a graduate of aeronautics engineering at the Angeles University Foundation and once worked as flight mechanic of the Philippine Air Lines (PAL).

He later migrated to Barangay Nagpandayan, Guimba, Nueva Ecija where he tills a 10-hectare farm.

          UPRIIS is the country’s largest NIS. It is the operator of the giant Pantabangan Dam which irrigates over 100,000 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon.

The UCFIA is composed of 370 irrigators’ associations with 86,000 farmers ad irrigators as members. (Manny Galvez)     

NIA’s no. 2 man quits post over agency ‘anomalies’

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The second highest official of the National Irrigation Administration has resigned from his post amid purported anomalies within the agency and the designation of former senator Francisco Pangilinan as presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization overseeing NIA and three other attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture.

          Acting senior deputy administrator Felix Razo tendered his resignation to DA Secretary Proceso Alcala in a letter dated May 5. Razo is the second in command at NIA which is headed by administrator Claro Maranan.

          Maranan did not comment on Razo’s resignation. But Lorna Grace Rosario, deputy administrator for finance, said it’s Razo’s prerogative to do so if he wants. 

          In his resignation letter, Razo told Alcala that the agency is now confronted with a nationwide controversy regarding the alleged anomalies and irregularities committed by three executive officials contained in a recent manifesto and mass actions by the NIA Employees Association of the Philippines and three other groups which called for an investigation by the Office of the President.

          Razo said that while Alcala’s office already conducted a dialogue with the concerned parties and the Office of the President has been investigating the allegations, the controversy is “negatively impacting on the integrity and credibility of the entire management team” of NIA.

     

     “Such unavoidable scenario has already cast serious doubt if the top management can still effectively and efficiently manage and govern the agency. Worst, there is already animosity, distrust and infraction amongst us. It appears that no solutions are in sight to mend fences among those with differing stance,” he said.

          Razo said as senior deputy administrator, the issue bothers him no end, adding it is now the defining moment to “subject ourselves to the fit and proper rule as senior executives” of NIA.     

          He said he is tendering his courtesy resignation to give Alcala a free hand in instituting the needed reforms in the agency.

          In offering to quit his post, Razo said his office has, in its little way, contributed to the policy reforms undertaken by the administration. Among which, he said, are the new strategic plan including vision, mission, objectives and strategies; the manual on corporate governance, rotation policy of NIA officials, revised delegation of authority among others.

          In a separate interview, Razo said NIA was already in a mess. “This  should come to an end otherwise it will destroy the organization,” he said.

He explained that government leaders should have the moral ascendancy to lead. “I submit myself to that protocol,” he said.

          Razo explained that his resignation was not irrevocable and that it’s up to Alcala to evaluate if he is still fit to rule. “Let’s respect his decision whatever it is,” he said.

          Asked if his resignation was meant as a shot at the leadership of Maranan, he said he was only concerned about himself. “In fact, my teamwork with Administrator Maranan and the NIA management team is okay,” he said. (Manny Galvez) 

Bataan Peninsula State U looks for private sector rep

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan-Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) Board of Regents has opened the search for a private sector representative who will be member of the university’s highest governing body.

 

“Applicants must be a resident of Bataan for the last 10 years; must have distinguished reputation in his/her profession or field of specialization within the mandate of the university; and preferably engaged in business or industries, media, cooperatives, etc. and in activities providing employment opportunities for graduates,” BPSU said in a statement.

 

Candidates must not in any way be connected with BPSU as alumni, retired faculty, employee of the university or as previous member of the board, and must not have been convicted of any administrative offense or any crime involving moral turpitude.

 

Interested applicants may submit their letter of intent with four copies of comprehensive curriculum vitae with 2x2 colored photo, pledge of commitment to attend board meetings, certificate of no pending administrative or criminal case (certification from HR department for government service, clearance from Regional Trial Court for private sector), and other pertinent documents to support the CV.

 

Applications should be addressed to Ms. Corazon Alma De Leon, chair of Search Committee for Private Sector Representative, Bataan Peninsula State University, City of Balanga 2100, Bataan.

 

Then it should be submitted to Dr. Emmanuel Macaraeg, secretary of the university and the Board of Regents, Bataan Peninsula State University, City of Balanga 2100, Bataan.

 

The deadline of application is on May 16.

 

For inquiries, please call the Office of the President at (047) 237-2350. (Jose Mari M. Garcia)

Legarda Cites PHL-US Cooperation on Climate Security

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today underscored the strengthened cooperation on climate resilience that was pronounced by both leaders of the Philippines and the United States and expressed optimism that such partnership will result in safer communities and greater climate security partnerships among nations.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that the declared cooperation between the two nations sends a strong message to other countries about the urgency of addressing climate risks, stressing that both the US and the Philippines are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change.

The Senator noted that during the recent state visit of US President Barack Obama, the American leader declared: “We’ve also committed to work together to address the devastating effects of climate change and to make Philippine communities less vulnerable to extreme storms like Yolanda.”

On the other hand, President Benigno Aquino III said: “We discussed how our partnership can be enhanced through building climate resilient communities.  These kind of strong communities are important not only in withstanding disasters, but also in fostering inclusive growth across the entire country.”

Legarda said, “We cannot deny the fact that our country is already affected by climate change. We are experiencing hotter temperatures and stronger storms, and we are expecting the El Niño phenomenon by June. But not only us, even the US, a powerful nation, is not able to escape the effects of the Earth’s rising temperature. A recent study revealed that the US is already widely affected by climate change.”

During President Obama’s visit to the Philippines, he inspected an electric jeep, the City Optimized Managed Electric Transport or COMET, which is a joint venture of Philippine and American developers. The zero-emission e-jeep is envisioned to replace the traditional jeep—an effort that would decrease carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.

“We look forward to more of such partnerships to cut down on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce fossil fuel consumption and promote the use of renewable energy. We also hope that this PHL-US cooperation would encourage other nations, especially industrialized ones, to assist developing nations that are most vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation and climate change,” Legarda concluded.

Drilon lauds improved PH credit rating, bats for gov’t attention to unemployment

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today applauded the latest credit upgrade rating given to the Philippines by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) as “an indication that the improved economic policies and reforms are working,” while saying that such progresses must propel similar advances by the country in terms of job creation and shared economic development.

The Senate leader made the statement following the announcement by S&P that the Philippines’ credit rating has advanced to “BBB” – or one notch above minimum investment grade - from the previous “BBB-” rating. The grade is the highest the Philippines has received from the three major international credit rating agencies - S&P, Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service.

The S&P made the upgrade following its recognition of political and economic reforms implemented by the Aquino administration, which have enabled the Philippines to report an economic growth rate that is superior to nearby Southeast Asian economies.

Drilon welcomed the credit rating jump, saying that it is a sign that even international observers are noticing the extensive efforts by the government to effect structural changes towards good governance and sustainable macroeconomic development.

“This feat is a reflection of the soundness of the fundamental aspects of our economic strategy, which have led to many successes that were achieved despite drawbacks such as the wave of natural and man-made disasters that hit the country,” he said.

The senator stressed that a key consideration for these improvements is the visible steps taken by the government to achieve transparency, accountability and efficiency in public service: “The monumental initiatives we have taken to eliminate corruption and malfeasance from our bureaucracy is good not only for our democratic health, but also for our economic condition too.”

The senator also said that a contributing factor to the upgraded credit outlook is the improved revenue collection of the government. In 2013, P103.8 billion out of the total P1.217 trillion revenues collected by the state was made possible by the implementation of the Sin Tax Act on tobacco products.
    
He however said that the state must ensure that such economic gains translate to financial progression for the citizens through more jobs and other financial opportunities.

The former Labor Secretary noted the dismal unemployment numbers of 7.5 percent in January 2014 and 7.3 percent in 2013 - the highest unemployment rate in the Southeast Asia region, according to the International Labor Organization.

“All these historic credit rating upgrade and rosy economic figures would only be appreciated by our people if they are translated into more jobs and food on the table of every Filipino family,” he said.  

“It remains the government’s responsibility to ensure that the fiscal advantages and benefits that come with this investment upgrade should be utilized to further eradicate poverty and to generate economic opportunities for ordinary Filipinos,” emphasized Drilon.

For their part, the Senate Chief then said that a comprehensive list of economic and pro-consumer bills that would aid such thrusts towards shared economic growth is among the priority measures of the senators. "These proposed measures include bills on the Consolidated Investments and Incentives Code of the Philippines, the Anti-Trust Act, the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act, the Consumer Protection Act and a bill that will increase the tax exemption limit on employees’ bonuses,” Drilon said. 

Legarda: Vigilance, Partnership with Int’l Agencies Needed to Combat Trafficking in Yolanda-hit Areas

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call to Philippine authorities for greater vigilance and continued partnerships with foreign agencies in combatting trafficking especially in areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

Legarda, principal sponsor of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, said that with rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Yolanda-affected areas still underway, survivors continue to be at great risk of falling prey to human trafficking syndicates.

“We understand that rebuilding lives and communities is already a daunting task in itself. But the scale of devastation and grief that Yolanda left requires greater effort from our law enforcers to ensure that while the survivors overcame the wrath of the typhoon, they will not fall victim to other tragic events such as human trafficking,” the Senator stressed.

“We see here the intersecting forces of natural hazards and human greed, and how they threaten those who are already marginalized. This is an issue of utmost importance,” she added.

Legarda also said that since trafficking is a transnational crime, close coordination with international law enforcement agencies is crucial.

She noted that several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, are already helping Philippine authorities through the conduct of joint operations, assistance on investigation and training of law enforcers and social workers.

“Human trafficking is a complex crime and many syndicates are using technology to intensify their operations. Heightened vigilance, strict enforcement of the law and close coordination with local agencies and international organizations are needed to combat trafficking. There should also be massive information and education campaign against trafficking,” said Legarda.

Republic Act 10364, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, improves institutional mechanisms and responses to human trafficking by strengthening policies, improving enforcement and enhancing inter-agency coordination both at the local and international levels.