Senate of the Philippines

BIDA KA!: Accomplishments ng Senado

Mga Bida, noong ako’y tumakbo bilang senador, nais kong isulong ang mga polisiya at mga panukalang ­tutulong sa mga Pilipino na maka­ahon mula sa kahirapan.

Tumakbo ako dala ang platapormang “trabaho, negosyo at edukasyon” sa paniniwalang ito ang mga epektibong sandata kontra kahirapan.

Sa unang tatlong taon ko bilang senador, tumutok tayo sa aspetong negosyo bilang chairman ng Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Nakapagpasa tayo ng ilang mga batas na sumusuporta sa micro, small at medium enterprises at nagbibigay ng trabaho at kabuhayan sa mas maraming Pilipino.

Sa pamamagitan ng ating Go Negosyo Act  ang una kong naipasang batas  nakapagpatayo na ng mahigit 500 Negosyo Centers sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas na nakatulong sa mahigit 800,000 entrepreneurs.

Naipasa rin natin ang MFI NGOs Act, Philippine Competition Act, Youth Entrepreneurship Act at Credit Surety Fund Act, na kabilang sa 17 batas ko noong 16th Congress.

***

Sa bilis ng panahon, hindi natin namalayan na isang taon na pala ang bagong administrasyon at ang 17th Congress.

Sa panahong ito, natutukan natin ang edukasyon, na aking pangarap noong ako’y isang student leader at youth advocate.

Masaya po ako na naipasa na natin ang Senate Bill No. 1304 o Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act at Senate Bill 1277 o Free Internet Access in Public Places Act.

 

Naghihintay na lang ng pirma ni Pangulong Duterte ang dalawang ito at kapag naisabatas, ito na ang aking ika-18 at ika-19 na batas sa apat na taon ko bilang senador.

Nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga kapwa natin senador na sumuporta sa pagpasa ng mga panukalang ito. Mula sa mayorya, naririyan sina Senate President Koko Pimentel at Sens. Ralph G. Recto, Tito Sotto, Sonny Angara, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, Chiz Escudero, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Ping Lacson at Manny Pacquiao.

Sa minorya naman, kasama ko sina Minority Leader Franklin Drilon at Sens. Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima at Antonio Trillanes.

***

Maliban sa dalawang panukala, nakapasa rin sa Senado at naghihintay na lang ng pirma ni Pangulong Duterte ang ­Senate Bill No. 14 o amyenda sa Revised Penal Code, Senate Bill No. 1353 o Anti-Hospital Deposit Law, Senate Bill No. 1365 o Philippine Passport Act, Senate Bill No. 1449 o ang pagpapalawig ng validity period ng driver’s license, Senate Bill 1468 o amyenda sa Anti-Money Laundering Law.

Tumayong sponsor ng apat sa mga panukalang ito ay mga senador mula sa Minority Bloc. Si Sen.  Drilon ang tumayong sponsor ng Senate Bill No. 14 habang si Sen. Hontiveros naman ang nagsulong sa Senate Bill No. 1353.

Sa pagpapatuloy naman ng sesyon sa Hulyo, isusulong pa rin natin ang pagsasabatas ng Pagkaing Pinoy Para Sa Batang Pinoy Act, na layong maglagay ng feeding program sa ating mga paaralan, at ang paglalagay ng Trabaho Centers sa mga paaralan.

Bilang chairman naman ng Committee on Science and Technology, tututukan natin ang ang Senate Bill No. 1183 o ang Balik Scientist Bill, Senate Bill No. 175 o ang Innovative Startup Act at Senate Bill No. 679 o Magna Carta for Scientists.

Ang mga panukalang batas na ito ang maglalatag ng matibay na pundasyon sa paglago ng agham at teknolohiya sa bansa.

Kailangan nating tutukan ang larangang ito dahil napag-iiwanan na tayo ng ating mga kalapit-bansa sa Asya.

Sa Balik Scientist Bill, layon nitong hikayatin ang mga Pinoy scientist na bumalik sa bansa at tumulong sa pagpapalago ng research and development ng bansa.

Layon naman ng Innovative Startup Act na bigyan ng karampatang suporta ang tinatawag na business startups upang mabigyan ng pagkakataong makipagsabayan sa merkado. 

Aamyendahan naman ang Magna Carta for Scientists na pabilisin ang proseso ng pagbibigay ng benepisyo at insentibo sa S&T government personnel.

Pagdating naman sa iba pang isyu, sisimulan na rin ang pagdinig sa death penalty at sa panukalang tax reform program ng pamahalaan.

*** 

Sa nakalipas na mga buwan, napatunayan ng Senado, lalo na ng minorya, na maraming magagawa kung isasantabi muna ang pulitika at uunahin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan.

Inaasahan natin na sa pagpapatuloy ng sesyon sa Hulyo, tatawirin natin ang tinatawag na party lines at tututukan ang pagpasa ng mahahalagang batas na may positibong epekto sa mamamayang Pilipino.

Senate Minority Bloc urges gov’t institutions to preserve their independence

The Senate Minority Bloc on Independence Day called on various institutions of democracy such as the Congress and Supreme Court to assert their independence.
 
“Now, more than ever, it is important for our democratic institutions to show their independence amidst the complicated and divisive political environment that we have today,” they said in a statement.
 
The Senate Minority Bloc is composed of Senators Franklin M. Drilon as the minority leader, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Benigno Paulo “Bam” Aquino IV, and Leila De Lima, all belonging to the Liberal Party; Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV; and Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros.
 
“We will not be able to protect our people if we do not preserve our independence and integrity as institutions of democracy,” they said.
 
“Let us not allow others to dishonor and disrespect our institutions, because doing so is an insult to the memory of the brave and selfless Filipinos who fought for our freedom as a nation,” said Drilon.
 
Trillanes stressed that “it is in everyone’s interest that we guard the independence of our institutions.” 
 
“As we celebrate our Independence today, let us breathe life to the liberties that were fought for us by our forerunners by defending the independence of our institutions and by keeping dissent alive in the face of tyranny,” Trillanes said.
 
Pangilinan and Aquino, for their part, said that the people should continue to guard the democracy in light of the proliferation of “fake news” and misinformation.
 
“Sa pagyabong ng social media, lumaganap din ang fake news na nagbabanta sa katotohanan at nagdudulot ng kalituhan. Nais nating mga Pilipino na maging malaya mula sa fake news at kasinungalingan,” said Pangilinan.
 
“We fought for independence from foreign rule. We fought for freedom from a ruthless dictator. Now, we fight terrorism, encroachment on our territory and our freedom to dissent.  In an era of fake news, rabid online persecution and weak political institutions, we need to fight for our democracy now more than ever,” Aquino said. 
 
Hontiveros, for her part, said that “independence and freedom will have no sense without democracy.”
 
“Our freedom can only be guaranteed by strong democratic institutions. I call on the public to honor the sacrifices of our heroes by opposing a Martial law declaration that is not compliant with the constitution. Let us always remember, the promised order of tyranny will never bring us to full democracy,” she added.

Sen. Bam: Joint session is Congress’ duty

Sen. Bam Aquino insisted that convening a joint session is a duty of Congress and a means to promote welfare of the Filipino people by enlightening them about details behind the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.

 “It is part of our constitutional requirement and important for the public to be able to listen for themselves kung ano ang sasabihin ng security managers,” said Sen. Bam during Tuesday night’s discussion on the minority group’s Senate Resolution 390, which urges Congress to hold a joint session on the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao.

“During a joint session, iyong ibang pinag-usapan natin during an executive session, kung bakit nagdeklara ng Martial Law, kung ano ang plano at kung hanggang kailan ang hangganan, puwede iyong marinig ng taumbayan,” said Sen. Bam.

 As representatives of the people, Sen. Bam said it is the duty of lawmakers to inform the public details of important issues affecting their lives and the country.

 “The people need to know what it is we also know as much as possible, without breaching any national security matter,” the senator said, adding that Congress must follow its constitutional mandate whatever the outcome of the vote.

 In an earlier interview, Sen. Bam emphasized that a joint session will give security managers a chance to enlighten the public about the situation and address misinformation and fake news circulating online at the same time.

“The people are contradicting each other. Agencies are contradicting each other in terms of facts and in terms of what’s really happening. We need to hear it straight from the security managers,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

 Nine senators voted in favor of the resolution while 12 voted against it. Aside from Sen. Bam, those who voted in favor were Sens. Franklin Drilon, Chiz Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto and Antonio Trillanes.

Those who voted against it were Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, JV Ejercito, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Tito Sotto, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.

Sen. Bam: Gov’t, private sector no more excuses for poor Internet quality

With the imminent passage of the Free Internet in Public Places Act, the implementation of the Philippine Competition Act and the proposed National Broadband Plan (NBP), the government and the private sector will have the necessary platform to improve the country’s internet quality and access.

“We’re breaking down barriers to improving the Internet through our policies. Now, the ball is in the executive and private sector’s court,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. He also pushed the measure in the Senate as principal sponsor and co-author.

 “Our hearings have exposed the lack of infrastructure that we have. So we’re reducing red tape for the private sector and we’re also allotting the necessary budget para ang gobyerno mismo ang mamuhunan sa internet infrastructure sa ibang lugar,” said Sen. Bam.

 The senator said the challenge of implementation now falls on the shoulders of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the private sector.

“The DICT needs two-and-a-half years for the NBP while the sector needs to be opened up to new players to strengthen competition in the market,” said Sen. Bam.

The final version of the Free Internet in Public Places Act has been approved by the bicameral conference committee. After the final version is ratified by both houses of Congress, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’ signature.

 Sen. Bam also believes that the Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act will encourage the entry of more players in the telecommunications industry, leading to improved Internet service at affordable prices.

“The Philippine Competition Act will usher in such competition for the benefit of Filipino consumers for the long term,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and co-author of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act

 If finished quickly, the NBP can hasten the rollout of the implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. It will be put up starting 2018 and expected to be fully operational by 2020.

Bam: Ensure resiliency of structures, houses against strong tremors

Due to its density, an estimated 23,000 people will perish if the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that struck Surigao del Norte in February happened in Metro Manila.

According to Sen. Bam Aquino, around half of that number belong to the so-called informal settlers, whose houses are not structurally sound to withstand strong tremors.

Nine people were killed in the Surigao del Norte quake that occurred last February 10, 2017.

“Kung nangyari sa Metro Manila ang lindol na tumama sa Surigao, nasa 23,000 ang namatay. Ang nakakabahala pa rito, karamihan sa mga iyon ay mga kababayan nating informal settlers,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

 Sen. Bam emphasized that this could be avoided if structures and residential houses will only comply with the Building Code, enabling them to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 to 9.

 “We need to conduct a periodic review of the resiliency of our structures, especially houses, to ensure that it can withstand strong tremors and avoid loss of lives,” he said.

The senator called on concerned government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to make sure that buildings, houses and other structures can withstand strong earthquakes.

 PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum echoed Sen. Bam’s statement, saying he has been pushing for inspection and periodic evaluation of buildings and houses for resiliency.

Sen. Bam also called on Congress to conduct a periodic review of Republic Act 10121 or the Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System to make it attuned to present needs.

 “Kailangang ang mabilis na aksiyon upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga istruktura sa ating bansa upang maiwasan ang pagkawala ng buhay at malawakang pinsala,” said Sen. Bam.

By virture of Sen. Bam’s resolution, the SciTech Committee conducted the hearing to ensure if scientific data gathered by PHIVOLCS is effectively disseminated to allay fears and combat the prevalence of false information online.

In addition, the probe was aimed at better preparing communities in the occurrence of destructive tremors.

Sen. Bam sees more access to higher education, high-paying jobs for Filipinos

If measure on free tuition in SUCs is enacted into law

If enacted into law, the measure providing free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) will lead to more college graduates and higher paying jobs, giving underprivileged students a chance at a brighter future, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“We’ve already passed the Affordable Higher Education for All Act in the Senate and we’re confident it will become law within the year,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of Senate Bill No. 1304.

“Kapag ito’y naisabatas, mas malaki na ang pagkakataon ng ating mga estudyante na makatapos ng kolehiyo at magkaroon ng magandang trabaho,” he added.

During his short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam defended the measure on the floor during plenary debates and interpellation. The measure was approved by the Senate on third and final reading via an 18-0 vote.

After the House passes its own version of the bill, a bicameral conference committee will be held to consolidate both versions. If the final version is ratified by both Houses, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for the President’s approval.

The measure aims to institutionalize free tuition in SUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

Sen. Bam clarified that the measure is different from the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) released recently by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Budget and Management.

The senator said the IRR issued by the CHED and DBM was for the P8 billion earmarked in the 2017 budget for the free tuition fees in SUCs. 

The senator stated that under the currently allotted budget, only around half of the students in SUCs stand to benefit from free tuition.

However, if Senate Bill No. 1304 is passed into law, every SUC student can avail of free tuition. There will also be a mechanism for more financially-abled students to opt to pay for their tuition fee.

Sen. Bam on CA vote on DENR Secretary Gina Lopez

Iyong LP senators nag-decide kami na suportahan si Sec. Lopez, kasama po sina Sens. Drilon, Recto at Pangilinan.  Unfortunately, natalo po kami sa boto at marami pong nag-decide na i-reject po siya.

 Kakaiba po ang nangyari dahil ang oposisyon pa ang sumuporta kay Sec. Lopez, parang baliktad.

Ayaw ko pong pag-usapan iyong mga hindi bumoto sa kanya dahil may sarili silang isyu. Pero para naman sa amin, even if we’re in the opposition, kung tingin naman namin ay makatutulong iyong tao at makabubuti sa ating bayan, bakit hindi natin susuportahan.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s speech during necrological service for Former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani

Senate President Pimentel, the former Senate Presidents here, my colleagues former and current members of the Senate, distinguished colleagues, of course, the members of the Ramos and Shahani families, mga kaibigan, mga kababayan, magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.

Before anything else, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the loved ones of former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani.

The country has lost another brilliant and emphatic legislator, public servant and advocate.

Today, the Senate of the Philippines and everyone gathered here mourns the passing of an esteemed Filipina who served the Philippines as a diplomat, a lawmaker and an educator.

I am deeply humbled to be speaking before you today as we remember her legacy and embed her ideals within our hearts.

My first memory of Tita Letty was back in 1987, when a 9-year old Bam Aquino joined the campaign for the Lakas ng Bayan slate many of whom are still here.

Who could forget her catchy jingle? I would say one of the most famous and best political jingles ever. “Sha, sha, sha, Letty Ramos siya.”

Who could forget that jingle? I think it is embedded in all of our minds until today.

I may not have known it then, but today, more than ever, we realize the significance of electing a true advocate for women’s rights and gender equality into the Philippine Congress.

Even before she served as a senator, Letty Ramos-Shahani was already a champion for women in the Philippines and all around the world, serving as assistant secretary general for social development and humanitarian affairs in the United Nations from 1981 to 1986.

She was co-author of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and was given the chairmanship of the UN Commission on Women and the National Commission on the Role of the Filipino Women in 1987. Thankfully, she took her zeal from the United Nations into the Senate of the Philippines where she passed legislation that, in her words, “contributed much to raising the status of women in our country.”

In her two terms serving as a senator, she authored, among others, the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 and the Shahani Law – which strengthens the fight against gender discrimination among others.

More than just exhaustive pieces of paper signed by our country’s leaders, these laws have made a real and palpable impact on the lives of Filipinas and, in fact, every Filipino.

Just last year, our country ranked as the world’s seventh most gender-equal society, number one in Asia according to the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Global Gender Gap Report – a great achievement for our country, thanks in part to the contributions of the fierce women’s advocate who is Tita Letty.

And though there is still a lot of work to be done to rid our country of discrimination and to truly achieve social equity among Filipinos, I am grateful for the foundation laid down by Tita Letty.

Many regard the 8th and 9th Congresses, spanning the late 80s to early 90s, as a bright spot in Philippine legislation.

Personally, members of this batch many of whom are here today serve as my personal heroes.

For many of us who have come after this esteemed batch of senators, we feel deep gratitude for many of them because they charted the course that many of us are leading today.

May Tita Letty’s excellence, her experience, and her grace inspire and encourage more Filipinos to break through glass ceilings, and push our country forward to achieve equality for all.

Paalam po, Tita Letty.

It was an honor to campaign for you in 1987 and it is my distinct honor and privilege to pay homage to you today.

Maraming salamat, Senador Letty Ramos-Shahani.

Maraming salamat po.

Bam lays down priority measures of SciTech committee

Sen. Bam Aquino met with scientists and other stakeholders to tackle and iron out the priority measures of the Committee on Science and Technology, which he chairs.

 “Ngayong naipasa na ng kumite ang libreng internet sa mga pampublikong lugar, sunod naman nating tututukan ang Balik Scientist Bill at Innovative Startup Act para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan sa larangan ng agham at teknolohiya,” said Sen. Bam.

 During the round-table discussion, Sen. Bam presented Senate Bill 1183 or the Balik Scientist Bill, Senate Bill No. 175 or the Innovative Startup Act and Senate Bill No. 679 or the Magna Carta for Scientists to help address the issue as priority measures of his committee.

 Before the Senate went on a session break, it passed Senate Bill No. 1277 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act on third and final reading via 18-0 vote.

 “There are initiatives that should be beyond politics. As Chairman of the Committee on SciTech, we need to lay the foundation of a modern and prosperous society. Proper utilization of SciTech will be crucial in this aspiration,” added Sen. Bam.

 The Balik Scientist Bill seeks to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.

 The measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.

 The Balik Scientist Program provides financial incentives for overseas Filipino scientists and facilitates their return to work on either a short-term or long-term basis.

 “We also want the Balik Scientist Program to involve our schools and the private sector. Let’s exhaust all efforts to repatriate our talented Filipino scientists,” Sen. Bam said.

The Innovative Startup Act, for its part, seeks to give necessary support for business startups to help them thrive and compete in the market.

The amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists aims to streamline the process of providing benefits and incentives to S&T government personnel.

Sen. Bam hopes to craft a working draft before session resumes on May 2 for the amendments to the Magna Carta for Scientists (RA 8439) and the institutionalization of the Balik Scientists Program.

During the round-table discussion, stakeholders also raised several issues that hamper the development of science and technology in the country, including lack of support from government.

Sen. Bam said the government’s science and technology initiatives must be fine-tuned to address these problems.

Bam: Ensure full implementation of Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act

With the graduation season coming up, a senator called for the strict implementation of the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act to ensure fair treatment and opportunities for everyone.

 “Mauuwi lang sa wala ang layunin ng batas na ito kung hindi lang ito maipatutupad nang husto,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, a co-author of the measure in the Senate during the 16th Congress.

“With graduation season coming up, more Filipinos, young and old, will be competing for available jobs. Let’s ensure that there is equal opportunity for all,” added Sen. Bam.

Republic Act 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act seeks to promote equality in the workplace by mandating companies –including national and local government, contractors and organizations — to hire workers based on their competence, and not on their age.

The law prohibits printing or publishing any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, limitations, specifications, and discrimination based on age

 It also prohibits job applicants to declare their age during the hiring process and other acts such as declining an applicant, providing less compensation and benefits and denying promotions or training opportunities.

Republic Act 10911 also outlaws forced dismissal of older age workers, imposing early retirement and reducing wage of all employees to comply with RA 10911.

According to Sen. Bam, violators will be fined between P50,000 and P500,000, and will be imprisoned from 3 months to two years, at the court’s discretion.

Scroll to top