Legarda Hails Declaration of Paredes House in Abra as Historical Site

Senator Loren Legarda hailed the declaration of the residence of Don Quintin Paredes in Abra as a national historical site, conferred by virtue of Senate Resolution 136.

“The Senate Resolution to declare the residence of Don Quintin Paredes in Abra as a national historical site, which I authored, was approved last December 12. The National Historical Institute has approved the provisions of the resolution and the inauguration and laying of the cornerstone is set on February 23. This move is only fitting to honor a great and distinguished man who lived his life in the service of the Filipino people,” she said.

Legarda remarked that from his humble beginnings in Bangued, Abra, Don Quintin went on to hold many important government positions such as Manila City Fiscal, Attorney General, Secretary of Justice, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate President Pro-Tempore, and later, Senate President. He was also a member of the parliamentary mission to the United States in 1919.

“Don Quintin authored the Magna Carta for Labor while never giving up on his advocacy in promoting vocational courses in education. He also contributed to the review of the provisions of the Revised Penal Code as a member of the Code Commission. But more than his exemplary service as a lawyer and legislator, Don Quintin championed the cause for civil liberties,” she detailed.

Legarda noted that author Frank Ephraim, in his book Escape to Manila, which documented the plight of the Jews during the Nazi regime, chronicled how Quintin Paredes chaired a local rally to denounce the persecution of Jews by Nazi in Germany.

“Even after he retired from public service at the age of 79 in 1963, he continued to be a defender of rights through his practice of law. Don Quintin's is a life from which we can draw inspiration as he exemplifies hard work and belief in the importance of every individual,” Legarda concluded.

The Son(ny) also Rises Part II

BALER, Aurora, January 27, 2013- It’s tough when you are the son of a politician. But it’s relatively tougher when you are the son of an accomplished politician, particularly one who is considered the “best president we never had.” You have to work double, even triple time perhaps to approximate the achievements of parents.

A classic example is our very own voice in Congress, Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the son of Senator Ed Angara and the former Gloria Manalang, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President during the Estrada administration.

Blessed with boyish good looks, Cong. Sonny has his pedigree as an added blessing. But will he be his own man?

The answer is yes. The Son (ny) also rises. He basks in the glory of his illustrious parents but is doing everything to re-invent himself, distinct and separate from the surname.

IMAGE MODEL 

For one, Cong. Sonny has put one (or I would say two?) over Senator Edong. For one, the congressman was named a TOYM awardee, a distinction never bestowed on the elder statesman. Maybe because the award was only for young men as the name suggests (he he) but in fairness to Cong. Sonny, his being an Angara did not make him a graduate of the London School of Economics, Harvard, and University of the Philippines. He certainly earned it and Senator Edong never had a part except perhaps sending him to school. The father was not the one who answered his test papers

For another, Cong. Sonny has become an image model of the sweet smelling eu de toilette for men, Blackwater Elite. He’s certainly in good company with Senator Bongbong Marcos, Christian Bautista and Sam Milby? That’s a milestone enough, isn’t it? Even Coco Martin manifested his support to Sonny.

Now, why go for Sonny Angara when there are so many other senatorial candidates equally qualified and competent.

         

Some may not exactly agree but the people behind Blackwater’s Elite Homme say that the congressman exudes a pleasant aura, is charming and friendly. He’s a loving and caring husband to Tootsy and father to Manolo, Ines, and Javier.

         

Needless to say, he has the looks of a movie star. In the words of Kuya Germs Moreno, “Puedeng pang ‘That’s Entertainment.”

By the way, Sonny, 40, recalls he grew up watching Kuya Germs in “That’s” and secretly desired to be part of the youth-oriented group.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON 

Sonny is like Sen. Angara in many ways, though not exactly a copycat. Both of them are lawyers, are products of UP and Harvard, are economists and are public servants.

         

The younger Angara finished grade school and high school at Xavier and studied at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Political Science.

In case you don’t know, LSE is one of the best schools in Europe.

         

While he says he is his own man, Sonny is humble enough to admit that what he is today is because of his father.

         

Here’s praying that we’ll see him delivering his privilege speech or interpellating a colleague in the august halls of the Senate later this year. (Jason de Asis)

Legarda: Senate Should Focus on Filipinos’ Pressing Needs

MANILA, January 27, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda today enjoined her fellow senators who have been engaged in heated arguments to settle their differences and stressed that the Senate should be a solid institution that is focused on addressing the more important and pressing needs of the country.

Legarda also reiterated her support to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

“I continue to support Senate President Enrile as many other senators do. I believe in his wisdom and capability, and the Senate as a body has accomplished much under his leadership,” she said.

“What is happening in the Senate for the past days and weeks is unfortunate and has caused divisiveness. We should immediately agree on how to resolve the issues without having to set aside what we must do for our people. The Senate has to take the path of healing so that it can focus again on helping our wounded people—those who have been affected by recent disasters, especially in Mindanao; those whose crops and livelihood are affected by the cold weather, particularly in Northern Luzon; those who need support to gain better opportunities, especially in the rural areas. Filipinos need their senators as public servants, as legislators who must focus on crafting laws that would uplift their lives and push for policies that would foster unity,” Legarda stressed.

Legarda Files Bill to Improve Welfare of OFWs

MANILA, January 27, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill to better promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through a new charter for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

“This legislative measure seeks to redefine the functions of OWWA as a national government agency vested with the special function of developing and implementing welfare programs that respond to the needs of member-OFWs and their families,” she explained.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos abroad is one of the pillars of the country’s foreign policy.

“This proposed measure contained in Senate Bill 3395 is part of much needed reforms to effectively respond to the growing number of OFWs. Given the challenges that hardworking Filipinos encounter in foreign countries where their resources and avenues for protection are limited, we should certainly focus on this issue,” she remarked.

“"Through this we will also establish clear-cut guidelines for the procedure for OWWA membership registration and renewal, ensure sufficiency of the agency's operative budget to support full protection of OFW welfare, and create the OWWA Fund as a private fund held in trust,” Legarda concluded.

time of your life

Trillanes belies black propaganda linking him as author of anti-military, police measure

MANILA, January 26, 2013-Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV vehemently denied on Sunday malicious text messages circulating recently in military and police camps, tagging him as one of the key sponsors of a bill that would substantially cut back the retirement benefits of police and military personnel.

The supposed “PNP/AFP Retirement Bill” would remove several benefits that military and police personnel will receive upon reaching the mandatory age for retirement, but Trillanes said there was no such bill pending in the Senate.

   

“This is obviously a black propaganda orchestrated by my political enemies. For the record, there is no such bill filed by this senator existing in the legislative index of the Senate or would I have advocated for such bill,” Trillanes said.

According to Trillanes, he has always been supportive of the causes to uplift the plight of the men and women in uniform being a former member of the Philippine Navy with the rank of lieutenant senior grade.

Among the measures he has put forward in the Senate for the AFP/PNP welfare benefits are:

·       Senate Bill No. 204 to increase the quarters allowance of AFP personnel to P5,000 for enlisted personnel, and P10,000 to P15,000 for officers;

·       Senate Joint Resolution 5 to increase the subsistence allowance from P90 to P150 per day for AFP personnel;

·       Senate Joint Resolution 8 to increase the combat duty pay of PA and PMAR troops to 25 per cent of their base pay;

·       AFP Insurance Coverage Act to grant additional P250,000 death and disability benefits, and P100,000 medical assistance to members killed/injured in line of duty;

·       Senate Bill No. 205 to provide payment of the arrears in the veterans’ pensions and benefits;

·       Senate Bill No. 393 to increase the combat duty pay of PNP combat personnel to 25 per cent of their base pay;

·       Senate Bill No. 197 to increase quarters allowance of PNP personnel; and

·       PNP Insurance Coverage Act to grant additional P250,000 death disability benefits, and P100,000 medical assistance to members killed/injured in line of duty.

“Through the years, I have worked toward the uplifting of the lives of our military and police personnel by introducing bills which I hope would have tremendous impact on their professional and economic lives.” 

“I was one of the authors of the new Salary Standardization Law which upgraded the salaries of our military and police personnel and all government employees,” he said.

In the same year, he added, the Military Service Board was created to process pending claims of war veterans. Recently, the new AFP Modernization Law, with which he is a co-principal author, was signed into law to extend the AFP Modernization Program for another 15 years and help the armed forces improve their capabilities to deal with internal and external threats.

Trillanes, a staunch supporter of the cause of military and police officers in the country, played an important role in exposing various corrupt practices within the military organization.

This prompted him to rise against the government of then president Gloria Arroyo. He then ran and won a seat in the Senate based on a strong anti-corruption platform and with a strong support from his former colleagues in the military.

JINGGOY: SENATORS ARE NOT SUPERHUMANS

MANILA, January 25, 2013-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada sees no problem with senators delegating certain tasks to their respective chief of staff, as he himself admittedly does the same.

 

“Considering the voluminous number of documents that need to be seen, read, studied, signed and released by every office, each senator will necessarily delegate some of these tasks to his or her right hand man or woman and trusted employees. I see no problem with that. Senators are not superhumans,” Sen. Estrada explains.

 

Sen. Estrada says this is understandable given that apart from being legislators and national representatives of the people, senators being the titular heads of their office also oversee and carry out administrative and finance work.

 

Jinggoy further asserts that the work process does not diminish the stature of senators as nationally-elected public servants nor a strategy to escape accountability and responsibility, but actually an effective way to accomplish more work and ensure everything gets done.

 

On a related note, Sen. Estrada defended Atty. Gigi Reyes, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s Chief of Staff, saying that she is a “hardworking, trustworthy and exceptionally brilliant” lawyer.

 

“I have known Atty. Gigi for a long time. I have seen her work during late hours. Every senator would wish to have a staff and chief like her,” Jinggoy continues.

 

“I personally hope that she reconsiders her resignation. The Senate needs her,” Estrada concludes.

Legarda Celebrates Ratification of PTV4 Bill

MANILA, January 25, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda celebrated the ratification of the PTV4 Bill as a timely resuscitation of the national television network.

“PTV4 has great potential, not for propaganda, but for information dissemination of the advocacies of our various departments of government. As it was ratified by the Senate last Tuesday, January 22, we can now bid goodbye to the ten-year-old charter which would not allow them to sell commercial spots for revenues,” said Legarda, a former broadcast journalist.

Senate Bill No. 3316, co-sponsored by the Senator, amends the PTV Charter to allow the network to generate funds from advertising and airtime sales, and the same shall be utilized by PTV solely for its operations and capital expenditure. 

“The network shall also be allowed to adopt other measures that will help restore the viability of the network operations. The passage of this measure is very important as it addresses the urgent need to regenerate and improve the national television channel,” she added.

“I am elated that our efforts for this bill have paid off, because it is inexcusable if we do not find ways to address the urgent need to improve the information mechanisms of government,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda Hails New Kasambahay Law

MANILA, January 24, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda hailed the signing into law of the Kasambahay Bill, noting that it is one of the foundations of inclusive growth that the Philippines as a nation aspires for.

“Republic Act No. 10361, or An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers was signed into law on January 18. This is a major step in according decent working conditions, fair compensation, and sufficient benefits to our domestic workers,” said Legarda, co-sponsor of the measure.

The Senator earlier remarked that according to the ILO Report entitled Domestic Workers Across the World, a domestic worker in the Philippines worked 52 hours a week in 2010, the 7th longest work hours among the 39 countries with available data. The report also found that Filipino workers are paid less than half of the national average of incomes of the country’s total paid workers.

In a related move, Legarda, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, spearheaded last August the Senate’s concurrence in the ratification of ILO Convention 189, known as the Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers. The Philippines was only the second country to ratify the Convention.

“It is important that we treat our kasambahays as workers, not servants. This is a clear yardstick for equality in the country, and this heralds better things to come for other marginalized sectors,” Legarda concluded.

Crucial push for 2 bills adding relief to income earners & ushering era of clean & green vehicles

MANILA, January 24, 2013-Relief for taxpayers and relief from dirty air.

This was the gist of the twin legislative initiatives launched this week by Sen. Ralph G. Recto, hoping that the two proposed measures would get enough numbers to pass before election break sets in.

Recto’s Senate Bill (SB) 2856 or the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act (AFVI) breezed through the crucial second reading Tuesday night, which if enacted, would usher in the era of cheap e- vehicles that puke on gas and don’t pollute the air.

The senator said the AFVI would lessen dependence on oil and promote use of alternative fuels such electricity to power vehicles.

“The bill promotes clean energy, clean air, green jobs, reduce prices of e-vehicles and also reduce import cost through tax incentives,” Recto said.

The AFVI bill rolls out tax incentives to people or groups, which will import, convert, manufacture or assemble the pioneering fleet of electric vehicles in the country, including hybrid and other motor vehicles using alternative fuel.

AFVI “converts” will be exempt from paying excise taxes and VAT for nine years to bring down the cost of importing and converting E-vehicles and their hybrid types, which should result to lower sticker price or dealer's price for buyers.

Recto, meanwhile, said his Senate Bill (SB) 2855 or the “Additional Benefit to Families Act” should put more cash in the take-home envelopes of income earners by expanding the number of qualified dependents to include parents and disabled persons.

“The bill strengthens the Filipino tradition of taking care of parents and person with disability (PWD),” he said.

The bill, which was formally sponsored for approval on the floor Tuesday, also shatters the cap on the number of child dependents.  

Recto said it is cheaper allowing families take care of their aging members and PWDs through tax relief instead of passing the buck to government.

He said the measure likewise corrects the virtual discrimination against a fifth or a sixth child, who under the tax code are not “tax deductibles” as qualified dependents.

At present, a maximum of only four qualified dependents may be claimed by taxpayers as additional exemption at P25,000 per capita. This means that a fifth or sixth child is not anymore tax deductible.

“We find support from economists that setting a limitation on the number of dependents has no bearing on the decision of couples to beget children,” Recto stressed.

The senator said the two measures have better chances of passing both chambers for its non-controversial features.

“The Senate is offering relief to our taxpayers and also relief from dirty air through affordable e-vehicles. After a divisive vote on sin tax and RH, I hope my colleagues will get onboard to support the twin measures,” he said.

The Senate has until the first week of February to put to bed some priority measures before Congress takes a break for the May mid-term polls. 

Senate ratifies bicam report on international carriers and shippers tax

MANILA, January 23, 2013-The Senate on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report removing the taxes currently being imposed by the Philippine government – the only country imposing such taxes – on international carriers and shippers.

Under the measure, the 2.5 percent Gross Philippine Billings Tax (GPBT) (GPBT) for carriage of persons and their excess baggage that international carriers and shippers are mandated to pay under the current tax code will be waived provided that the home country of these foreign carriers will agree to give a similar tax exemption to Philippine carriers.

Further, the 3 percent common carriers’ tax (CCT) insofar as it concerns the revenues on the passengers and their excess baggage would not be applied.

“We hope to spur capacity growth of the passengers’ traffic in our country both in international air transport and sea transport. We are targeting 10 million arrivals by 2016. To be able to achieve this goal, we need available capacity of 15 millions seats, but, currently, we only have 6 millions seats. Therefore, we need nine million seats more. We hope that this bill will be catalyst for capacity growth,” stressed Drilon.

“The removal of these taxes will improve the present situation where our tax policies seem to directly contravene our tourism goals,” said Drilon earlier, adding that the bill, once become a law, will result in increased tourist arrival and lower and more affordable fares.

“The Department of Tourism estimates that the increase in tourist arrivals will generate P455 billion in 2016 and will provide six million jobs,” said Drilon. He noted that, with passage of the bill, international arrival is expected to increase to 5.55 million in 2013, 6.75 million in 2014, 8.126 million in 2015 and 10 million in 2016.

He added that the enactment of this measure will translate to lower traveling costs for overseas Filipino workers who will be enjoying lower fares to the country. It will also lower business costs for domestic carriers with foreign operations as soon as the tax exemptions on their gross billings are reciprocated by other countries, ended Drilon.

Senate Bill 3343 – which was certified urgent by the President – was passed on third and final reading in the Senate last December 19 with 16 affirmative votes, zero negative vote.

“The measure will be effective by the middle of February. We will have it ratified by both Chambers this week. Next week, the enrolled copy will be endorsed to the President for signing. After signing, it will take effective 15 days from the day of publication,” ended Drilon.

Legarda Seeks Inquiry on Tubbataha Reef Damage

MANILA, January 23, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda has filed Senate Resolution 928, seeking inquiry into the reported grounding of the USS Guardian in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), the country’s prime marine protected area and World Heritage Site.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that there should be full disclosure and accounting of the total damages arising from the incident which will help strengthen existing mechanisms to prevent a future similar occurrence.

“This incident highlights the need to ensure full protection of the Philippines’ marine resources by all vessels, foreign or domestic, within territorial waters amidst geo-political developments in the region,” she stressed.

On January 17, after completing its port of call in Subic, Olongapo City, the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian reportedly ran aground on Tubbataha reef while en route to its next port of call in Indonesia.

Even as its ship remained aground within the protected area, the park rangers of the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) were reportedly barred by the US Navy ship commander from assessing the situation by deploying armed personnel on the dock of the ship.

“We have received reports that the personnel of the US Navy ship failed to coordinate closely with the personnel of the protected area even as their ship had already destroyed an estimated 10 meters of corals,” Legarda noted.

“A full investigation should be conducted by concerned agencies in order to strengthen existing mechanisms for protecting the World Heritage Site. Republic Act 10067, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act, clearly states that any damage to the reef shall subject the responsible person or entity to the payment of administrative fines set by the TPAMB based on current valuation standards, as well as the cost of restoration. As such, those responsible for the damage on the Tubbataha Reef should own up and pay up,” she concluded.

Legarda Leads Turnover Ceremony of Rapid Deployment Tent to DOH

MANILA, January 22, 2013-Senator Loren Legarda will lead today the turnover ceremony of a rapid deployment tent donated by the French company UTILIS to the Department of Health (DOH).

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia–Pacific, said that the tent will be used for disaster response and management.

“UTILIS is a private company that has chosen to donate this rapid deployment tent to us which will be useful especially during emergency medical missions in devastated areas,” she said.

The Senator added that she is pleased at the clear convergence of efforts among sectors.

“We are acting swiftly, more wisely, and more decisively to build resilience to disasters. We must continue to encourage participation across borders, and build networks among entrepreneurs, public servants, and everyday people in order to find simple but effective ways to face disasters,” she remarked.

“This tent, which will be turned over to the Department of Health today, symbolizes strengthened partnership across sectors and across national borders in the name of disaster adaptation,” Legarda concluded.

US, PH ELECTION EXPERTS GATHER IN MANILA FOR ELECTORAL REFORM FORUM

MANILA, January 22, 2013-Two esteemed scholars from the United States are coming to Manila next week to speak at a roundtable discussion on Electoral Reform to be hosted by the Angara Centre for Law and Economics on January 29, 2013.

Dr. John VC Nye of George Mason University will present research on the automation of Philippine elections, while Dr. Alberto Simpser of the University of Chicago will present a paper on electoral fraud across the globe.

They will be joined by the who’s who of Philippine elections—Chairman Sixto Brillantes of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Chair Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and Social Weather Stations (SWS) President Mahar Mangahas, who will participate in the discussion.

“Electoral reform is a very timely and relevant issue, and one where we need to do plenty of work as a coutry,” said Dr. Emerlinda Roman, former president of the University of the Philippines and current Chair of the Angara Centre Board.

“As we continue to modernize the practice of Philippine elections, we must remember to couple this with careful research and study. Looking into the experience of other countries and tapping the expertise of international scholars can help us in this process.” added Roman.

The Angara Centre for Law and Economics is the Philippines’ first private-sector law, regulation, and economic policy think-tank, where the country’s best intellectuals will work in tandem with global economic and legal experts to design constructive policy reforms and institutions for Philippine development.

The roundtable will be held in Park Metro, Pasay City from 9:00AM to 12:00NN. For more information, please contact Averill Pizarro at 09178981707 or mail@averillpizarro.com. 

KIKO TO US GOVERNMENT: US PERSONNEL INVOLVED MAY BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE; THE GUILTY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

MANILA, January 21, 2013-Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today says that the United States government is liable to pay damages incurred when their USS Guardian (MCM 5) ran aground on the Philippines protected Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"Apologies are not enough. The damage has been done. Every day that the USS sits on top of our protected reefs is a day too late as far as the damage being done is concerned. We have laws that explicitly express accountability on persons or entities found to have caused damage to the Tubbataha reef."

RA 10067, an act establishing the Tubbataha Reefs as a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act and the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act, provides that no person or entity shall enter, enjoy or utilize any portion of the Tubbataha Reefs and Natural Park and the resources therein for whatever purpose without prior permission from the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB). Section 19 says that a violation shall be subject to imprisonment of not less than 6 months but not more than one year of imprisonment and a fine of P100,000 but not more than P300,000 as may be determined by the TPAMB. Section 20 says that damages to the reef shall subject the responsible person or entity to the payment of fines set by TPAMB based on current valuation standards and to the payment of the cost of restoration.

"We urge Philippine government officials to also conduct their own inquiry of the incident and be forthright in discussing the matter with the Filipino public. For what was the US Navy doing in a protected environment? Surely, the technological prowess of a US Naval ship would be able to tell them they were on top of a reef? The TPAMB, together with the Department of Justice, must impose the appropriate penalties for this incursion. Friends who thrash their friends' treasured possessions must be held liable for their actions. The U.S. cannot expect us to bear the damages still being done by their Navy ship."