Month: December 2018

Sen. Bam: Free College is Rizal’s Legacy

Ang mahusay na pagpapatupad ng ating batas sa Libreng Kolehiyo ang pinakamakahulugang parangal kay Gat Jose Rizal.
 
Sa totoo lang po, ang isa sa mga naunang nangarap ng abot-kayang edukasyon tulad ng Libreng Kolehiyo para sa mga kabataang Pilipino ay si Jose Rizal.
 
Kalidad na edukasyon para mga Pilipino ang pangarap ni Crisostomo Ibarra sa Noli Me Tangere. “Paaralan ay siyang aklat na kinasusulatan ng hinaharap ng mga bayan. Ipakita ninyo sa amin ang paaralan ng isang bayan at sasabihin namin sa inyo kung ano ang bayang iyan.”
 
Ang pangarap ni Rizal dati nagkakatotoo na. Sa araw ni Gat Jose Rizal, bigyang buhay natin ang diwa ng ating pambansang bayani sa pagtiyak na kahit kapos ay makapagtatapos.

Sen. Bam to CHED: Release full budget for TES program

While he welcomes the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) release of around P4.8 billion for its Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, Sen. Bam Aquino said the allocated budget for its full implementation should be distributed immediately to student-beneficiaries in both public and private education institutions.

“I welcome the release of the said amount as it proves the administration’s commitment to implement the program under the law,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he pushed during his term as chairman of the Committee on Education.

The CHED recently announced the release of P4.8 billion for the TES program under the free higher education law to students in 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and 78 local universities and colleges (LUCs).

However, Sen. Bam stressed that the remaining P11.2 billion fund allocated for the TES in the 2018 budget should also be released immediately for the benefit of students under the program.

“Siguraduhin natin na ang buong budget na nakalaan para sa TES ay mailabas sa lalong madaling panahon, kasama na rito ang mga scholarship para sa mga estudyante ng private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),” added Sen. Bam.

Recently, Sen. Bam convinced the CHED to issue a memorandum prohibiting state universities and colleges (SUCs) from charging mandatory fees.

During the CHED’s budget hearing, Sen. Bam informed the department that several SUCs still collect miscellaneous and other mandatory fees from students, despite the expressed prohibition under Republic Act 10931.

“Sana gawin nating New Year’s resolution ang 100 porsiyentong pagpapatupad ng libreng kolehiyo sa lahat ng state university at college. Dapat hindi na maningil ang SUC ng tuition at mandatory fees sa mga estudyante ngayong 2019,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam to youth: Libre mangarap, libre na rin mag-kolehiyo!

Sen. Bam Aquino expressed concern over a report that 70 percent of Filipino youths don’t have a dream, urging them to continue hoping and working for a better future.
 
“Libre ang mangarap at, ngayon, libre pa ang kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
 
“Nakakalungkot ang resultang ito lalo na dahil source of inspiration ko ang kabataang Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam, referring to a study by Dream Project PH showing that seven out of 10 Filipino youths don’t have a dream in life.
 
Sen. Bam said the free college law empowers Filipinos to make their dreams come true, as it opens opportunities to better jobs and a better life through education.
 
“Ngayong libre na ang kolehiyo, bukas na ang oportunidad para sa kabataang Pilipino na magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Passed during Sen. Bam’s time as chairman of the Committee on Education, the law provides free tuition and miscellaneous fees to students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and TESDA-run vocational schools. 
 
The law allows students of both public and private college and universities can also apply for scholarship grants and student loans.
 
“Sa batas na ito, hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para maabot ang pangarap. Kahit kapos, siguradong makapagtatapos,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Recently, Sen. Bam got a commitment from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that it will fully implement the law, especially when it comes to miscellaneous and mandatory fees.
 
During the CHED budget hearing, CHED chairman Prospero de Vera told Sen. Bam that he will issue a draft memorandum that will clarify and warn SUCs that students should not pay a single centavo to enroll in an SUC, LUC or TESDA-run TVIs.

CHED commits to Sen. Bam 100% compliance to Free College Law

Thanks to Sen. Bam Aquino’s prodding, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will soon issue a memorandum prohibiting state universities and colleges (SUCs) from charging mandatory fees.
 
“Sa batas natin, bawal nang mangolekta ng mandatory fees ang mga SUC. Dapat ituloy ang laban para sa 100 percent compliance ng mga kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam during the CHED’s budget hearing.
 
During interpellation of the CHED budget, Sen. Bam expressed his concern that a few SUCs may still collect miscellaneous and other mandatory fees from students, despite the expressed prohibition under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
 
“Sa pag-iikot natin sa mga SUC, nalalaman naming may balak pa ang ilan na mangolekta ng miscellaneous fees,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor of Republic Act 10931 during his term as chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
“Hindi dapat ito nangyayari dahil may batas nang nagsasabi na bawal ang paninigil ng miscellaneous at iba pang mandatory fee,” added Sen. Bam. “Sa batas na ito, sinisiguro na ang kapos, makapagtatapos.”
 
Sen. Bam insisted that the law should be properly enjoyed by students and their families so they can cope with daily expenses amid the high prices of food and other goods.
 
“Halos aabot din sa daan-daang piso ang kinokolektang miscellaneous fees sa mga estudyante, pera na dapat ginagamit nang panggastos ng pamilyang Pilipino na pambili ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan,” added Sen. Bam.
 
In response, CHED chairman Prospero de Vera agreed to issue a draft memorandum that will clarify and warn SUCs that students should not pay a single centavo to enroll in an SUC, LUC or TESDA-run TVI
 
In addition, Sen. Bam sought to expand the coverage of the free college law to cover on-the-job training, affiliation fees for nursing students, and other Related Learning Experiences (RLEs). 
 
Sen. Bam also pushed for the better support for SUCs through additional plantilla position for non-teaching personnel, such as security personnel, registrar, guidance counselors, resident ombudsman, among others.
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), for its part, committed and allocated money for this endeavor and was simply waiting for the recommendation from CHED.
 
Sen. Bam said once the CHED gave its recommendation, SUCs can start hiring non-teaching personnel next year.

Sen. Bam: Ayusin ang TRAIN Law, i-rollback ang tax sa petrolyo

Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed the House of Representatives’ move to tackle measures to shelve the excise tax on petroleum under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, hoping that the Senate could follow suit and work for its complete removal.
 
“Magandang balita na kumikilos na ang Kamara para maitama ang ilang probisyon sa TRAIN Law na dahilan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.
 
“Kailangan talagang ayusin ang TRAIN Law mahihirap ang nasasagasaan nito,” he pointed out, adding that the 6 percent inflation rate for November remains above the government’s target of 2-4 percent.
 
Sen. Bam hopes that the Senate can start tackling his Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill and the minority’s Joint Resolution No. 15, which are both seeking to suspend the excise tax under the TRAIN Law and mandate the rollback of levy on fuel to December 31, 2017 rates.
 
“Hopefully, the Senate can follow suit and tackle these crucial measures before the end of the year,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.
 
Sen. Bam said the passage of these measures is crucial after Malacanang decided to implement the excise tax on fuel in 2019 after initially expressing desire to suspend it.
 
“Mas mahalagang madaliin ang pagsasabatas nito dahil hanggang ngayon, mahal pa rin ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin na ikinalulunod na ng marami nating kababayan,” said Sen. Bam.
 
Earlier, Sen. Bam called on the government to reconsider its decision to push through with the collection of excise tax on fuel in 2019.

Sen. Bam: Inflation rate still high, shelve plan to implement excise tax on fuel in 2019

The government should reconsider its decision to implement the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law for 2019 as inflation rate remains far from its original target, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Walang basehan itong pagbawi ng pangako ng gobyerno dahil mas mataas pa rin ang inflation sa sarili nilang target,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the November inflation rate of 6.0 percent, which remains far from the government’s inflation rate target of 2-4 percent range.

“Ibig sabihin, nasa gitna pa rin tayo ng krisis ng taas presyo kaya mali ang desisyong patungan ng excise tax ang produktong petrolyo sa susunod na taon,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the government should have based the suspension of excise tax on fuel on inflation rate and not on world crude prices, which he is pushing in his Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill that he filed in May 2018.

“Matagal na nating ihinain ang Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill na nagsisikap na baguhin at ayusin ang mga problemadong probisyon ng TRAIN. Ito na lang sana ang binigyan ng pansin ng economic managers, imbis na ulitin ang mga pagkakamali ng TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam lamented the decision of economic managers to implement the excise tax on fuel for 2019, days after recommending its suspension.

“Nakakapagod ang mga urong-sulong na pangako, lalo na para sa mga Pilipinong nalulunod sa taas-presyo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Pinakinggan sana ang taumbayan at hindi na gatungan ng buwis sa petrolyo ng TRAIN Law, habang alam naman ng lahat na ang pag-akyat nito ang dahilan sa mataas na presyo sa merkado,” he added.

Sen. Bam’s Privilege Speech on China issues

Magandang araw, Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, majority floor leader! Magandang, magandang  hapon po sa inyong lahat!

To quote a very popular love song, a picture paints a thousand words.

Well, this particular picture inspired a thousand memes and thousands of comments.

Several of our countrymen raised their eyebrows and voiced their confusion and outrage.

Sabi nga ho ni Defense Sec. Lorenzana “Maybe Malacañang thinks that it is correct dahil ginawa nila yun. Do not torture our minds about giving meaning to these very trivial things.”

Well, Mr. President, marami po sa mga kababayan natin, hindi naisip na trivial iyong pagkawala ng ating bandila sa pagdating ni President Xi Jinping.

Hindi naman siguro masamang tanungin kung may violation nga ba o hindi iyong ginawang pagparada sa bandila ng China, na wala po ang ating three stars and a sun.

To be honest, Mr. President, the pivot to China opened a Pandora’s Box of questions regarding the Philippines’ dealings with a powerful and more domineering neighbor.

These, dear friends, are questions and concerns that have already been raised in the past 2 years, even before the 2-day state visit of China’s president.

Hindi rin naman sigurong masamang magtanong tungkol sa sarili nating teritoryo, sa sarili po nating karagatan na mas malawak pa sa kabuuan ng ating lupain at naglalaman ng sang-katutak na isda, langis at iba pang kayamanan – kayamanang pag-aari ng ating taumbayan.

Ngayon napanalo na ng Pilipinas ang kaso laban sa China sa International Tribunal for the Law of the Seas o ITLOS at kinlaro na sa mundo ang ating exclusive economic zone sa West Philippine Sea, anu-ano ang paraan kung paano po mapoprotektahan itong sariling atin?

Just to remind everyone, based on satellite photos obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in February 2018, China appeared to be in the final stages of constructing air and naval bases in seven reefs in the Spratlys Region, including Mischief or Panganiban and Subi or Zamora Reefs, over which the Philippines has exclusive right and jurisdiction as ruled by the UN Tribunal.

Worse, last May 2018, US Intelligence reports revealed that China had installed anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles on these reefs. Again, let me clarify Mr. President, these are missiles installed within our own country – within the Philippines’ jurisdiction.

To this incident, President Duterte was quoted in saying: “In the play of politics, now, I will set aside the arbitral ruling. I will not impose anything on China.”

However, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Peter Cayetano said: “We have to put aside our territorial and sovereign rights claims but not abandon them. The preliminary agreement is based on: let’s cooperate first, and let’s talk about who owns what, and who has jurisdiction, later on.”

Clearly, Mr. President, mayroon talagang paglilinaw na dapat gawin sa ating pakikitungo sa China.

Napakahalaga rin kwestyunin ang legalidad ng militarization ng China sa West Philippine Sea.

Uulitin ko po, mayroon Chinese air and naval bases sa loob ng ating karagatan. Mayroon pong anti-ship at surface-to-air missiles ang China sa loob ng karagatan ng Pilipinas.

Ang isa sa mga tinayuan ng Chinese military base ay ang Mischief o Panganiban Reef na 250 kilometers lang ang layo sa Palawan. Ito’y kasing layo ng Baguio sa dito ngayon sa Senado – a 4-hour drive ang layo.  In fact, kung iisipin natin, 250 kilometers mayroon nang missiles at armas dito.

I will also clarify that Article XVIII, Section 25 of our 1987 Constitution it states that – and I quote – “…foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.” – end quote.

That said, is it not prohibited under the Philippine Constitution to consent to the presence of Chinese air and naval bases, now armed with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, unless a treaty is signed with China? Hindi naman siguro masamang usisain ang legalidad ng mga military base na ito.

Ito pong isyu na ito, diretso po sa tingin po namin, ang contradiction sa ating Saligang Batas. Mahalaga po na maklaro agad kung mayroon ngang violation sa ating Constitution ang pagpayag dito sa China air bases sa ating teritoryo.

This leads us to even more painful and personal questions – mga tanong tungkol sa pang-aabuso ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino, sa pananakot sa ating media at mga reporter, at sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa mga Tsino imbis na mga Pilipino.

Just last November 8, China stopped a Filipino TV crew from conducting interviews in the West Philippine Sea, stating that the Filipino reporters cannot proceed without the permission of China.

Ang sabi ng isang miyembro ng Chinese Coast Guard kay Jun Veneracion ng Reporters’ Notebook: “Without the permission of China, you cannot carry out the interview here.”

Earlier this year, on May 20, a video showed two men boarding the boat of a Filipino fisherman.

Sinabi po ng ating mangingisda: “Wala po silang paalam. Halungkatin nila ‘yun, basta maghalungkat sila, Sir. Kukunin nila ‘yung gusto nila. Ilagay nila sa plastic, magaganda pa ang kunin nila.” I’m assuming that he’s talking about the fish na hinuli ng ating mangingisda.

Sabi pa ni Manong Rony, na isa ring mangingisda: “Sa tingin ko po parang sila rin ang boss dito. Sila po ang nasusunod eh. Wala po kaming magagawa kung sabihin nilang aalis kami. Wala kaming power na ipaglaban ‘yung sarili namin. Batas din nila yung nasusunod dito sa Scarborough.” (Reporter’s Notebook)

Hindi naman po masamang tanungin kung tama ba itong nangyayari sa ating media, kung tama ba ang nangyayari sa ating mangingisda, sa ating mga kababayan sa sarili po nating teritoryo.

Punta rin tayo Build-Build-Build na malaki ang koneksiyon sa China.

Ilang proyekto na ang nabigyan ng go-signal?

Ilan na po ba ang nasimulan na?

Kailan po ba matatapos ang mga ito?

Anong part ng Build-Build-Build program ang uutangin sa China?

Ano ang napagkasunduang terms at interest rate?

Kasama ba sa kontrata na mga Tsino at hindi Pilipino ang magtatrabaho sa mga proyektong ito?

Ilang trabaho ba ang nakalaan talaga sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino?

So far, Mr. President, this is what we do know:

One: In 2016, the President visited China and came home with $24 Billion of Chinese loans and investment pledges for Build Build Build. So far, only 2 bridge projects worth 62.28 million U.S. dollars, and these are grants, and one irrigation project worth 62.09 million U.S. dollars are ongoing.

Second: The government’s Pipeline of Programs and Project for Official Development Assistance as of September 28, 2018 includes 16 projects that will be funded with loans from China amounting to a total of 740.45 Billion Pesos.

Three, Mr. President: Chinese loans are not only “tied” loans or loans with conditions, but they have a higher interest rate roughly anywhere up to 3% than the “untied” loans we are getting from other countries like Japan.

Isang Pandora’s Box po talaga ang nabukas dito po sa ating pagkiling natin sa China.

At mga kaibigan, kailangan talagang maklaro sa ating mga kababayan ang mga sagot sa mga tanong na ito.

Pagdating sa paglaban sa ating teritoryo, pagdating sa paglaban para sa ating mangingisda, pagdating po sa mga proyekto na posible pong pumasok sa ating bansa at narinig na rin natin ng debt trap gaya ng Sri Lanka na kung saan iyong mga bansang nabaon sa utang ay nangangailangan na magbigay o magpaubaya ng kanilang kasarinlan.

Isa pong Pandora’s Box ng mga tanong mga kaibigan, at tingin ko po ang Senado ay may kapangyarihan at mayroong tungkulin na isara ang isyung ito , na sagutin ang mga isyung ito tungkol sa China sa pamamagitan ng paghanap at paghingi ng makatotohanang mga sagot.

The Senate does not only have the power and privilege to search for these answers; we have a duty to shed light on these issues and ensure that the government is in the favor of the Filipino people and not in favor of China in its dealings.

Mr. President, let me share a short history lesson. In September of 1991, Philippine senators made history by ending years of U.S. military presence in the Philippines, even when many believed that the presence of U.S. bases was good for livelihood and for the economy, and, therefore, in the best interest of the Filipino people.

It was a difficult decision then, Mr. President. Sen. Gordon is here, my aunt President Cory Aquino was on the side of retaining the US bases. But the Senate at that time, Mr. President, made a fateful decision.  To this day, that decision is lauded as one that upheld the independence of our country.

Ngayon po, tinatawag tayo muli ang Senado na mamuno at pumanig sa kapwa nating Pilipino. We are again called to take the lead in terms of transparency, sovereignty and national security.

Umaasa po kami na kaya po ng Senado na klaruhin ang mga tanong na ito upang mapanatag naman ang kalooban ng ating mga kababayan na sa ating teritoryo, para sa ating kabuhayan, trabaho, imprastruktura, mga kontrata at mga benepisyo – sigurado po na dapat una ang Pilipino at panalo ang Pilipino dito sa sarili nating bansa at sa anumang pakikitungo sa anumang bansa dito sa ating mundo.

Umaasa ang ating mga kababayan na dito sa Pilipinas, mauuna ang Pilipino.

Let the Senate hopefully, Mr. President, take the lead and shed light on the myriad issues on China for fellow Filipinos, for our country, and, of course, for the future of our children. Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. Thank you.

Sen. Bam: No to secret deals with China, put Filipinos first

Sen. Bam Aquino maintained that the administration should not enter into secret deals with China and ensure that the welfare of Filipinos is prioritized in its agreements with the Chinese government.
 
“Wala po dapat secret deals, dapat malinaw iyan. Pagdating sa teritoryo, pagdating sa ekonomiya, pagdating sa trabaho,” Sen. Bam said in a senatorial forum hosted by CNN Philippines. 
 
“Hindi naman masamang mangarap na sa ating bansa, ang Pilipino ang una at hindi dayuhan,” added Sen. Bam.
 
Sen. Bam lamented the government’s unclear policy when it comes to its relationship and dealings with China, especially when it comes to our territory in the West Philippine Sea and the agreements entered into during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
 
“Ano sa mga build, build build projects ang natuloy na? Magkano ba yung interest rate ng bawat proyekto? Ilang Chinese workers na ba talaga ang nandito? Lahat iyan, hindi malinaw sa atin,” Sen. Bam pointed out.
 
Sen. Bam added that the country’s economy has not improved since the government decided to pivot to China.
 
“Kasama sa kanilang pangako, gaganda ang ekonomiya natin if we pivot to China. Gumanda nga ba? Hindi naman. Darami raw ang trabaho. Dumami ba? Hindi naman,” Sen. Bam emphasized.
 
Sen. Bam challenged the Senate to take the lead in investigating the government’s dealings with China and look into whether the country will benefit from them.
 
On September 19, 2016, Sen. Bam filed Resolution No. 158 seeking to clarify the country’s foreign policy direction and determine the administration’s position on several issues, including the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise and other dealings with China.
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