Author: teambam

Sen. Bam on Sen. Honasan’s appointment as DICT Secretary

We’ll miss Sen. Honasan in the Senate. We wish him the best in his new position as DICT Secretary. 
 
We look forward to working with him to strengthen the ICT sector in the Philippines and improve access to quality and affordable internet services for more Filipinos. 
 
As chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, we hope to get Sen. Honasan’s support in enabling more internet service providers and players in the industry, the upgrading of laws for our digital age, and in ensuring the effective implementation of the free internet in public places law. 
 
Itutuloy po natin ang trabaho para bumilis at maging abot-kaya ang internet sa bansa na matagal nang dinadaing ng ating mga kababayan.

Sen. Bam joins DA in equipping farmers, fishermen with machinery and vehicles

CASIGURAN, Aurora — Sen. Bam Aquino was invited by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to join the turnover of around P40 million worth of machinery, equipment and vehicles to farmers, fishermen and women’s organizations for the improvement of their livelihood.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ng mga kagamitang ito para mapalago ang kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka, mangingisda at kababaihan dito sa Casiguran,” said Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Finance.

As vice chairman of the Committee on Finance in the Senate, Sen Aquino included in the 2018 National Budget (General Appropriations Act) P40 million to support livelihood projects for farmers and fisher folks in Casiguran.

Sen. Bam witnessed the turnover of machinery and equipment to their respective organizations in Thursday’s mass awarding together with Mayor Ricardo Bitong, DA Regional Executive Director Roy Abaya, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Lilian Garcia and other local officials.

Among those distributed by DA to farmers were two hand tractors with trailers and implements, two rice combine harvesters with heavy duty transport trailers, two floating tillers, two rice/paddy transplanters, four mini-four wheel tractor with heavy duty trailer, five shallow tube wells, one multi-crop thresher and one multi-purpose shredder.

Fishermen, for their part, received one commercial fishing vessel, 14 payaw and one 10-wheeler refrigerated van and two light boats, while livestock raisers and indigenous people received 80 cattles.

Organic farmers and indigenous people received 72 kilos of vermiworms, two units of vermin beds and multiplier farm with 22 goats, 22 sheep and 17 native pigs. The PIGLASCA Women’s Association and Rural Improvement Club received food processing equipment, freezer and refrigerator for food product manufacturing.

Sen. Bam hopes this will boost their livelihood amid the high prices of goods, fuel and farm inputs, such as fertilizer.

“Sa pag-iikot natin, marami tayong narinig na daing mula sa ating magsasaka’t mangingisda tungkol sa mataas na presyo ng fertilizer, na dati’y P800 lang pero ngayon P1,200 na, pati na ng krudo para sa kanilang mga makinarya at bangkang pangisda” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill last May to remove taxes on petroleum products amid high prices of goods.

Sen. Bam’s law for free college also eases the financial burden of Filipino families by granting free tuition and miscellaneous fees in public universities and colleges.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Ibasura na ang buwis sa petrolyo!

Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to support initiatives that aim to stop excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, saying time is running out as lawmakers have just 15 session days remaining for 2018.

“Wala nang panahon. 47 days na lang ay Pasko na at mayrooon na lang labing-limang session days para maisulong ang ating panukala, pati na ang resolusyon ng minorya at sulat ng mayorya ukol sa pag-alis ng excise tax sa petrolyo,” said Sen. Bam.

“Nagkakaisa ang Senado sa hangaring mapababa ang presyo ng petrolyo at bilihin para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan na nahihirapan na sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill last May while minority senators filed Joint Resolution No. 15 calling for the suspension and rollback of excise tax on fuel. Majority lawmakers, for their part, wrote President Duterte asking to suspend excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law.

Congress will resume session on Monday (Nov 12), and will end its session on Dec. 12 (Wednesday).

“Bigyan natin ng konting ginhawa ang mga mahihirap na nalulunod sa taas presyo,” Sen. Bam emphasized, adding that suspending excise tax on fuel under TRAIN Law is the best Christmas gift that the government can give to the Filipino people.

“Pamasko niyo na po sa mahihirap ang pagtanggal ng TRAIN sa petrolyo. Galaw-galaw na po, magpa-Pasko na,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

The only measure in the Senate that seeks to amend the TRAIN Law, Senate Bill No. 1798 aims to add a safeguard to ensure the suspension in the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate surpasses the government’s inflation target for three consecutive months.

According to Sen. Bam, removing the excise tax on fuel would not only bring down prices of fuel, but also prices of fares, food and other goods in the market.

Sen. Bam added that removing the excise tax on petroleum would translate to additional P87 per day income for public utility drivers (PUV), which they can use to purchase two kilos of rice for their family.

Sen. Bam urges Congress to work together on Bawas Presyo Bill as inflation remains high

With inflation unchanged and still beyond the projected target range, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that government must work together to help Filipinos still suffering from high prices of food and other goods.

“Mataas pa rin ang presyo at umaaray pa din and mga pamilyang Pilipino. Bigyan natin sila ng kahit kaunting ginhawa ngayong Pasko,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Magtulungan na tayo upang suspindihin at i-rollback ang buwis sa petrolyo. Ipasa na natin sa Kongreso ang Bawas Presyo Bill at ayusin ang TRAIN Law,” added Sen. Bam who filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill last May.

Sen. Bam renewed his call to the government to support his measure, which he believes could help lower prices of petroleum products and the prices of goods in the market.

“Pinagtulungan na natin noon ang batas na libreng kolehiyo. Ngayon, itong Bawas Presyo Bill naman sana ang Christmas gift natin sa ating mga kababayan,” urged Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill 1798 is the only measure in the Senate that seeks to amend the TRAIN Law. If passed, it will add a safeguard to ensure the suspension in the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate surpasses the government’s inflation target for three consecutive months.

The senator said that reducing the cost of petroleum products would not only affect fare prices but would also have an indirect effect on the prices of food and other goods in the market.

Also, Sen. Bam added that removing the excise tax on petroleum would translate to additional P87 per day income for public utility drivers (PUV), which they can use to purchase two kilos of rice for their family.

Sen. Bam: Pass Bawas Presyo Bill, fix TRAIN Law on top of wage increase

The P25 salary increase for National Capital Region (NCR) cannot stand alone and should be coupled with efforts to lower prices of goods, including the suspension of excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 
 
“Parehong dagdag kita at bawas presyo ang kailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Bigyan natin ng sapat na ginhawa ang mga Pilipinong nalulunod sa pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, bigas at iba pang bilihin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. 
 
“Gawing prayoridad na sana ng Kongreso ang pagpasa sa Bawas Presyo Bill para maayos naman kahit kaunti ang TRAIN Law at mabawasan ang pasan ng Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam, who is the only senator to file a measure seeking to amend the TRAIN Law. 
 
Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill in May 2018 to add a safeguard to the TRAIN Law that allows for the suspension in the collection of excise tax on fuel should the inflation rate surpass the country’s predicted target for three consecutive months. 
 
“Kung ipasa ang Bawas Presyo Bill at tanggalin ang excise tax sa petrolyo sa TRAIN Law, hanggang P87 kada araw ang dagdag sa kita ng ating mga jeepney driver,” said Sen. Bam, adding that this would be enough for PUV drivers to buy two kilos of rice per day for their families. 
 
Sen. Bam also said that reducing the cost of petroleum products would not only affect fare prices but would also have an indirect effect on the prices of food and other goods in the market. 
 
“Magandang regalo ngayong Pasko ang tulong sa pagbababa ng presyo ng bilihin. Kaya itutuloy ko sa Senado ang paninindigan para sa Bawas Presyo Bill upang ayusin ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, who continues to stand by his no-vote on the TRAIN Law.

Int’l group backs urgent passage of Sen. Bam’s compensation bill for Marawi victims

An international organization is calling for the urgent passage of Sen. Bam Aquino’s measure that seeks to provide monetary compensation to Marawi City residents who lost their homes and other private properties to the siege perpetrated by the ISIS-inspired Maute group last year.

According to Francisco Lara, senior adviser of International Alert Philippines, the enactment of the Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1816 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2018 will help hasten the rebuilding of the war-torn city and help mend the wounds created by the conflict.

“It’s very important. It’s very important in terms of healing wounds created by the war in Marawi,” said Lara.

Lara stressed that it is unfair for the people of Marawi that a compensation bill is taking this long to pass, considering the urgency of the situation.

“It’s unfair that a compensation bill is taking this long to pass. This is the only thing the victims have to look forward to,” said Lara.

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1816 on May 22, 2018, pointing out that the monetary compensation will give Marawi residents with means to immediately recover from the damage and destruction to their homes and private property caused by the Marawi siege.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang paraan upang mabigyan sila ng tulong mula sa gobyerno na katumbas ng kanilang personal na ari-arian na nawala at nasira sa bakbakan,” said Sen. Bam.

“Ang tulong na ito’y isang hakbang upang masiguro ang kapayapaan at ang daan tungo sa kasaganaan  sa Marawi at sa buong bayan,” he added.

Based on earlier computation by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the rehabilitation of Marawi City will come with a tag price of around P51.7 billion.

As member of the member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 661 last February 26, 2018, asking the committee to look into the government’s moral and ethical obligation to provide financial assistance and support to victims of the siege. However, Sen. Bam’s resolution was not acted upon.

On May 23, 2017, the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City, destroying public infrastructure, private properties and holding hundreds of civilian hostage.

The attack displaced thousands of Marawi residents from their homes and forced them to seek shelter in evacuation centers or live with their relatives in nearby cities. The attack also destroyed business establishments that served as source of income, livelihood and employment for many Marawi residents.

After government forces successfully regained control of the city and killed known international terrorist Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, the administration declared Marawi City liberated from ISIS-inspired forces on Oct. 17, 2017.

Sen. Bam still eager to help Filipino families after free college law and 30-plus laws passed

TARLAC CITY — Sen. Bam Aquino visited his hometown of Tarlac on Monday, days after filing his certificate of candidacy for a second term in the 2019 elections, to attend the flag ceremony with Tarlac City officials, led by mayor Cristy Angeles.

In his visit, Sen. Bam reiterated that he’s still eager to help his countrymen and serve the country while making his fellow Tarlaqueños proud. 

“Doon po sa Senado isa po sa pinaka-proud moments ko, kapag tinatawag po akong Senator Aquino the Gentleman from Tarlac. Ginaganahan ako magtrabaho para maging proud din po kayo sa amin at sa aming nagagawa sa Senado,” said Sen. Bam, who hails from Concepcion. 

Sen. Bam has passed over thirty laws in his first term in the Senate, including the law granting free tuition and miscellaneous fees in public universities and colleges. With the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, students from state universities and colleges in Tarlac will save anywhere from P10,000 to P15,000 every year. 

Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor of the free college law and defended the measure in the Senate. He also worked to upgrade the Tarlac College of Agriculture to the Tarlac Agricultural University, so they may offer even better quality education with improved facilities as a state university. 

Sen. Bam is currently pushing to pass the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill to remove the excise tax on fuel products from the TRAIN Law. He hopes this will ease the burden of high prices, especially for jeepney and tricycle drivers. 

“Marami pa rin po akong nakikilalang Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong. Kaya gusto ko pang magserbisyo para sa inyo at sa ating bansa,” said Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam also lauded the unity and cooperation between local government units (LGUs) in Tarlac, earning it the identity as one of the model provinces in the country. 

He was scheduled to meet with municipal, barangay officials and non-government organizations from the 1stDistrict of Tarlac in a gathering organized by Cong. Charlie Cojuangco.

Sen. Bam: Additional 87 pesos per day for jeepney drivers if TRAIN excise tax is repealed

Sen. Bam Aquino stands by his “No” vote on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, continuing to push for the repeal of the excise tax on fuel for the benefit of drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) and commuters.

“Hindi sapat ang suspension. Lubusin na natin ang pagtanggal ng excise tax sa petrolyo ng TRAIN Law. Nalulunod na sa taas presyo ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mga driver ng mga jeep, tricycle at iba pang PUV,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of TRAIN Law.

“Kung tatanggalin ang excise tax sa petrolyo sa TRAIN Law, hanggang P87 kada araw ang dagdag sa kita ng ating mga jeepney driver,” added Sen. Bam.

The added income is enough for PUV drivers to buy two kilos of rice per day for their families, Sen. Bam pointed out.

Since May 2018, Sen. Bam has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law through his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill.

The measure aims to suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In addition, the bill also seeks to roll back the excise tax on petroleum products to December 31, 2017 levels or before the TRAIN Law was implemented.

Sen. Bam also joined other minority senators — Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon and Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes and Leila de Lima – in filing Senate Joint Resolution No. 15, which seeks to suspend the excise tax under the TRAIN Law and mandate the rollback of levy on fuel to December 31, 2017 rates.

 

Beneficiaries of Sen. Bam’s reforms celebrate his filing for Senate candidacy

Over 250 supporters of Sen. Bam Aquino flocked to Intramuros to celebrate his accomplishments and express full support behind his bid for a second term in the 2019 elections.

Among those who expressed backing for Sen. Bam’s candidacy were Vincent Penaflor and Giovani Valdez, who are currently enjoying free tuition and miscellaneous fees in their respective colleges thanks to the law pushed by Sen. Bam as principal sponsor in the Senate

“Ni piso wala na ako ang babayarang tuition fee na aabot dapat sa P13,000 dahil sa batas na libreng kolehiyo ni Sen. Bam. Kaya ngayon ako naman ang tutulong sa kanya na makabalik sa Senado,” said Penaflor, a student of Batangas State University, during a short program while the senator was filing his certificate of candidacy.

“Sa halip na ipambayad ko ang P6,000 sa tuition and miscellaneous, ilalaan ko na lang iyon para sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin sa eskuwelahan at pamilya,” said Valdez, a student of Northern Luzon Philippine State College.

Amid cheers from fellow supporters, others shared their personal stories of how Sen. Bam helped change their lives through his work and over 30 of his laws.

Mary Jane Enciso, a beneficiary of Sen. Bam’s Hapinoy Program from Camarines Sur, said she received free business training in 2009 on how to start her own sari-sari store.

“Sa tulong ni Sen. Bam, dati nakatira lang ako sa paanan ng bundok. Ngayon, mayroon na akong sariling kabuhayan,” said Enciso.

Aside from supporters, Sen. Bam’s family was also in full force, led by his wife Timi and her daughters Rory and Coco. 

After the filing, Sen. Bam thanked his family, friends and supporters who joined him in the beginning of his next chapter as public servant.

Knowing that it will be an uphill climb, Sen. Bam said good fights need to be fought, no matter the risk and high costs.

Sen. Bam: Excise tax suspension is a win for Filipinos, illustrates value of independent voice

The government’s plan to remove the excise tax on petroleum products in January 2019 is a win for Filipinos and an indication of the importance of having an independent voice in government, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 

“Panalo ang pamilyang Pilipino sa pagsuspindi ng dagdag buwis sa gasolina, diesel at iba pang produktong petrolyo sa Enero,” said Sen. Bam, who has been pushing for the suspension of excise tax since May 2018. 

“Patunay din ito sa halaga ng pagkakaroon ng magkakaibang boses sa gobyerno – pati na ang minorya o oposisyon. Mahalagang pakinggan ang iba’t ibang panig na mayroong solusyon sa problema ng bayan,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his call for suspension and rollback of the TRAIN Law despite the hardline defense of the administration’s economic managers. 

Sen. Bam stressed that there’s more to be done as he reiterated his push to rollback the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law to December 31, 2017 rates. 

“Magandang unang hakbang ito. Pero kailangan nang aksyunan ang Step 2 – tuluyan na nating alisin ang buong excise tax sa petrolyo na pinataw ng TRAIN Law. Ipasa na ang Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill at joint resolusyon ng Minority Bloc,” stressed Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program. 

On May 10, 2018, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill, seeking to suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

Sen. Bam’s measure also seeks to rollback the excise tax on petroleum products to December 31, 2017 levels or before the TRAIN Law was implemented. 

In addition, Sen. Bam and other minority senators — Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon and Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes and Leila de Lima — submitted Senate Joint Resolution No. 15 seeking to suspend the excise tax under the TRAIN Law and mandate the rollback of levy on fuel to December 31, 2017 rates. 

In their resolution, the minority senators urged their fellow lawmakers to support their initiative to alleviate the plight of Filipinos, especially the poor. 

“Magtulungan na tayo’t magtrabaho para lutasin ang krisis sa presyo at bigyan ng ginhawa ang mga kababayan nating nalulunod sa gastos,” said Sen. Bam, who also delivered three privilege speeches on the negative effects of TRAIN Law and excise tax on fuel.

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