Legarda calls for comprehensive legislative oversight and budget integration of women, peace, and security initiatives

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Senator Loren Legarda championed the call for integrating Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives into national policies and budget frameworks at the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City from October 28 to 30, 2024.

The event marks the upcoming 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 next year, which highlights women’s roles in peacebuilding and security. The Senator recalled that during last year’s Department of Foreign Affairs budget deliberations, she noticed that the request for initial seed capital for the ICWPS was listed merely as a side note and was not prioritized.

“Understanding its importance, I made it my own amendment to the national budget to ensure these remarkable women could come together,” Legarda shared.

This initiative by the four-term laid the groundwork for a whole-of-government commitment to host the conference in the Philippines.

“That is the mark of a woman when the woman looks into the details and sees the import of things which are essential. Don’t they say that what is essential is often invisible to the eye? Well, I saw it amidst their pile of unrequested requests, unasked for because there was no remaining budget,” Legarda said.

During the roundtable discussion with other parliamentarians, Legarda addressed a critical question: “How can parliamentarians better advocate for the adoption, review, and implementation of National Action Plans on WPS?”

Legarda identified two key responsibilities of the Philippine Senate. First, she emphasized the oversight role of Congress in ensuring laws are effectively funded and implemented, recognizing that many well-intentioned policies fall short in execution.

“Our role is not just policy-making but ensuring oversight on policies already enacted,” Legarda explained.

“While we have enacted so many laws in many decades, some of these laws are unfunded or underfunded or perhaps even not effectively and efficiently implemented. The oversight function of Congress, and in this respect, the Philippine Senate, is very important. The oversight function, the relevance of laws already enacted, the nuances of revising or amending it based on societal changes and global challenges, that's important.”

“Since 1998, I have seen laws with good intentions and funding, but why are people still poor, deprived, vulnerable and impoverished? Because the implementation is lacking. And this is not to cast aspersion on any administration or in any executive branch of government. It is just that we need to see the bigger and the minutest detail of the picture—in how we must pre-position goods, establish gender-responsive evacuation centers, ensure safe hospitals and schools, and in how women, peace, and security must be understood by every grade school child.”

Second, Legarda highlighted the power of legislative and budgetary influence, advocating for WPS to be mainstreamed across the national budget and emphasizing that WPS initiatives should extend beyond the traditional 5% Gender and Development (GAD) allocation.

“For two, three decades ago, we have had the GAD, where 5% must be spent. I think that needs to be updated. Why only 5%? WPS must be mainstreamed in the 5 trillion national budget, just as climate change, adaptation, mitigation and resilience, and disaster risk reduction must be mainstreamed in the whole national budget. So must Women, peace, and security are all cogs in a whole wheel that you cannot take out,” Legarda stressed.

“Yes, we need the policy. Yes, we perform oversight. Yes, we have the financing. But we must ensure that those who are implementing all the policies we do will implement it efficiently and effectively. We must have the tools to measure the impact if lives have improved well and by how many percent. It should not just be quantitative, but focused on the quality of life of Filipinos,” Legarda concluded.

Legarda’s support and participation in the ICWPS is a powerful reminder of the potential for policy-driven change in the lives of women and girls in communities. Her commitment to integrating WPS into national and legislative processes reflects her broader advocacy for peace, security, and inclusive governance, further establishing the Philippines as a global leader in advancing the WPS agenda.

Legarda commends Angara’s appointment as the new DepEd chief

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Senator Loren Legarda commended the appointment of Senator Sonny Angara as the new Education Secretary. She highlighted Angara's dedication and efficiency, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the needs and welfare of the Filipino youth.

Angara, whose second six-year term as senator expires in 2025, will succeed Vice President Sara Duterte for the post.

“I would like to congratulate Senator Sonny Angara, our new Department of Education Secretary! With a strong educational background and significant contributions as the Commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), his leadership promises a bright future for Philippine education,” Legarda said.

“Senator Sonny is one of the most hardworking and efficient senators our country has ever had,” she added.

The two share a common bond as they have both served as chairpersons of the important Senate Committee on Finance, which helps determine the yearly National Budget.

Both Legarda and Angara are also staunch supporters of local arts and culture, helping pass important legislation that has improved the cultural movement in the country.

They pushed for the improvement of the livelihood of many Filipinos seeking to better their lives through honest work.

Legarda expounded that her fellow lawmaker had significantly improved the state of education in the country with laws such as the Ladderized Education Act, the Open Learning and Distance Education Act, the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, among others.

“I am confident that Senator Angara will drive progress and innovation, ensuring a promising future for all Filipino students,” remarked Legarda.

“Congratulations, Senator Sonny Angara! We wish you great success in your new role.”

Senator-reservist Robin Padilla overjoyed with the graduation of 48 new reservists

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Rallies the public to support and be part of citizen military training program

SENATOR Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla lauds 48 new reservists who completed their Basic Citizen Military Course (BCMC) and are now full-fledged reservists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The Sandigang Alab Batch 10 reservists were predominantly composed of Senate employees.

Padilla, together with Philippine Navy officials Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., Flag Officer in Command; MGen. Joseph Ferrous Cuison, Commander, Naval Reserve Command, and Capt. Junmar Sales, NCR Commander, welcomed the new reservists following their graduation rites last Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila.

The newly-minted reservists underwent a rigorous 20-day training where they learned the art of self-defense and a deeper understanding of the role of reservists in protecting the country and the people.

Speaking before the graduates, Vice Admiral Adaci emphasized on the crucial role of reservists to ensure national security.

“Mahalaga ang papel ng mga reservist sa ating pambansang seguridad. Sa panahon ng mga sakuna, kaguluhan, krisis, at iba pang mga hamon, ang inyong presensya at kahandaan ay nagbibigay ng dagdag na lakas at kumpiyansa sa ating hukbo. Noong nakaraang taon, sinimulan na rin ang programa para sa pagpapaigting ng AFP Reserve Force upang magkaroon ng mas mahusay na interoperability at malinaw na integrasyon ang reserve force sa ating regular force. Partikular tayo sa interoperability dahil dito nakasalalay ang epektibong ugnayan ng dalawang pwersa,” Vice Admiral Adaci said.

Celebrity reservist Major Jose Sixto G Dantes III PN, better known as Dingdong Dantes recalled his experience when he enlisted as reservist in 2006: “Isa lang po ang katanungan ko: how else can i serve the country and the people? And I learned that the best way to serve the country is by serving the organization well.” Dantes expressed his hope that the new graduates will embody intergrity honor and excellence in all their endeavors.

Senator Francis Tolentino acknowledged the sacrifices made by the reservists for the love of country.

In his video message, Tolentino extended his gratitude to the Philippine Navy and Sen. Padilla for giving the opportunity for Senate employees to be part of the reservist movement. “Muli, binabati ko po kayo at ako po ay isang masugid na tagapagtulak ng basic ROTC at nawa’y patuloy kayong maglingkod sa bayan ng may dangal,” he said.

In another video message, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, also a reservist, extended his congratulatory message to the graduates and expressed hope that the new reservists will serve the people well.

Senator Padilla who has been known to push for citizen military training highlighted on the visible reservists’transformation after their training. “Naaninag namin kung ano ang transformation na naganap sa inyo. Kami na nakapaligid sa inyo kitang- kita namin ang magandang idinulot sa inyo ng training na ito.”

“Sa inyong pinagdaanan, napakasarap isipin na ang suot nyo na uniporme ay kumakatawan sa lahat ng bagay na dati ninyong kinatatakutan subalit inyong nagawa. At iyan ang pwedeng mag umpisa ng inyong pagtatanggol sa sarili. Iyan ang basic citizen military training. Kitang kita nyo na buong-buo kayo bilang isang Pilipino,” Padilla said.

Sen. Padilla urged the new reservists to use the ranks they achieved as a symbol and motivation to influence the youth in being part of the reservist program.

Rallying the public to support and be part of the reservist program, Padilla said that the success of the civilian military training would only be successful if people would truly understand how important the role of the reservist is for the country and the people.

Inspired by Sen. Padilla's patriotism, advocacy and hope for stronger reservist movement, actress Nadia Montengro, real name Nadine M. Pla, was among the 48 new reservists who completed the basic training of the force. Nadia works at Padilla's office as a political affairs officer.

The senator expressed hope that people from Palawan, Western Mindanao and (plug here other places with low applicants) would soon enlist in the movement and eventually become reservists, noting that

the appetite for the movement in these areas could still be improved.

Padilla expressed hope that the new 48 reservists would serve as an inspiration to other people in promoting a deeper love for the country and its people.

What pushed Senator JV Ejercito continue serving the Filipinos

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Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito seek a Senate position in the 2022 elections.

(Here's  a quick and exclusive interview with the bloggers last Sunday, simple and straight question and answer)

What Pushed Senator JV Ejercito to continue serving the Filipinos?

Ejercito, who is eyeing a comeback at the Senate, to continue the "Unfinished business’, wants to focus on 3 important things when winning again as a Senator. These are the following:

*Universal Healthcare

*Human Settlement or Housing

*Infrastructure Development

His re-run is the promise of a better life for the people and this is the proof of some resolutions and bills that he has served until they are enacted.

* Universal Healthcare

Ejercito said he will continue his fight to provide the Filipinos a better healthcare system, strengthening the implementation of Universal Healthcare Law (UHC), which he authored.

Ejercito expressed hope he could "pick up where he left off" while working at the Senate. He said

"Sayang, especially with this pandemic, I feel that it is my obligation and my duty all the more to push the Universal Healthcare Law, which I sponsored and authored while I was still at the Senate,"

Senator JV Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 1458, also known as the "Universal Healthcare for All Filipinos Act" which has been approved just recently into law, signed by the President.

"Ito'y aking passion, obligasyon na maisakatuparan ang isang tunay na healthcare system na ang bawat Pilipino ay makikinabang at hindi na mahihirapan without the financial burden."

"Now more than ever, the UHC (Universal Health Care), which is still a work in progress, has to be prioritized and implemented properly."

* Human Settlement or Housing

Senator JV Ejercito also filed Senate Bill No. 1578 or the "Creation of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development".

Ejercito said the government, for the last 30 years, has no rational and systematic way of addressing the nation’s housing needs.

“We continue to be challenged with problems of overcrowding, restrictions in unlocking land for human settlements, increasing number of homeless people and multiplying families living in slums, riverbanks and danger zones."

What we need is one housing department with one board working towards one direction, creating the roadmap for housing and urban development, leading its implementation, setting the general direction for everyone and able to follow through each and every project with clear functions, policies, budget and financing.”

The lawmaker said the creation of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development would combine the administrative functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

The department would be responsible for all housing and urban concerns, including planning, policy-making, regulations, program coordination, and performance monitoring.

*Infrastructure Development

Ejercito also vowed to prioritize creating a Philippine Comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan should he get elected again in the Senate.

This master plan, according to Ejercito, will serve as a blueprint for major infrastructure projects in the country that would be in operation for decades.

“Regardless kung sino ang uupong Pangulo, ito ay magiging master plan ng ating bansa for major infrastructure projects. Maaaring tumagal ito ng ilang dekada, ” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRvmMPMkB98

Ejercito noted that when he was in the Senate, he was one of the most vocal advocates of major transportation infrastructure projects, like the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul in Southern Luzon and the Mindanao Railway System.

Ejercito also said the nation needs major transportation projects like, railway system for economic growth by spreading the development to the countryside.

Ejercito, (with the tag as The Good One)  believes that the aspirations he started will not remain just a dream if he is given another chance to serve our nation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcZu1PPVcFU&t=58s

Antique Rep. Loren Legarda leads Manila Bulletin-Tangere’s February senatorial survey

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Three-term Senator, Deputy Speaker, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda topped the latest Manila Bulletin-Tangere senatorial preference survey for the May 2022 elections.

Conducted from Feb. 25 to 27, 2022, with 2,400 respondents, the survey results showed Legarda with 51.92 percent of the voter preference.

Ranking 2nd and 3rd were former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (46.04 percent) and Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (46 percent).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (45.58 percent), Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero (41.71 percent), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (37.79 percent), and Senator Joel Villanueva (34.67 percent) ranked 4th to 7th.

Completing the top 12 were Senator Risa Hontiveros (30.13 percent), actor Robin Padilla (28.63 percent), Taguig-Pateros 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (27.54 percent), former Senator Jinggoy Estrada (22.04 percent), and former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (20.83 percent).

The survey results showed former Vice President Jejomar Binay (20.79 percent) at 13th place.

At 14th to 16th places were former Senator JV Ejercito (20.29 percent), Senator Richard Gordon (18.83 percent), and former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (18.08 percent).

The Manila Bulletin-Tangere survey was conducted among 2,400 mobile application users—552 in Northern and Central Luzon, 552 in Mindanao, 528 in Southern Luzon and Bicol, 480 in the Visayas, and 288 in the National Capital Region.

Legarda is the first national candidate to file COC at 8 am, seeks re-election as Senator

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Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker , Loren Legarda filed her candidacy as Senator at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City early morning on October 1.

Legarda currently serves as member of the House of Representatives, representing the Lone District of the Province of Antique. Prior to her election to the current position in May 2019, she was a three-term Senator and chaired the Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, economic affairs, environment and Climate Change, among others. She has authored numerous laws currently being used during the pandemic, and, as Finance Chair for four years, ensured the funding of vital government programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos and making such programs more accessible to the people.

“Our pandemic recovery should respond to the health needs of our people and on our economic recovery and should be attuned to the climate pathway as we are also dealing with the climate crisis. With my 20 years of experience as Senator and my stint as Representative of the Lone District of Antique, I am confident that I can do much more to help solve the twin crisis, for the welfare of the Filipino people,” Legarda said

Legarda, who previously topped the Senate race twice, in 1998 and 2007, explained that she will be campaigning for the future generations and will continue to push for the advocacies she has always espoused for decades now.

“More jobs and livelihood, quality education, efficient healthcare system, stronger environmental protection and cultural preservation – these are what I have always championed since I was first elected Senator in 1998 and these are what I will continue to prioritize, given a fresh start in the Senate in 2022. I would like to continue what I have started and do much more – provide for the needs of all Filipinos, bring the government programs closer to them especially to the marginalized and vulnerable, and ensure an inclusive, equitable, resilient and sustainable growth and recovery for all,” Legarda concluded.

Excluded TWG members urge Congress and Senate to intervene

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Amid the recent announcement of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend the test run for motorcycle taxis for another six months and include new motorcycle taxi companies supposedly as per the recommendation of the previously convened technical working group (TWG), original members of the TWG who were not included in the decision-making process for this sought the intervention of Congress and Senate to exclude the new players from participating in the extension.

Certain members of the TWG constituted in December of 2018 were taken by surprise with the recent news from the DOTr stating that the TWG already decided to extend the motorcycle taxi test run and include six new motorcycle taxi players.

The excluded TWG member has also called on Congress and the Senate, from which the original directives to conduct a technical working group assessment last year came, to look carefully into the matter.

In a press briefing, Toix Cerna, spokesperson of the commuters’ group Komyut, revealed, “Since August, we have been seeking for the TWG to be convened to discuss the initial data, and experience of Angkas, but to no avail.” Cerna added, “Our task was also to monitor and assess the results of the pilot so that we are informed of what to recommend for the legislative measures pending in Congress.”

Raymond Gascon of Move Metro Manila said in a separate statement, “In principle we agree with the need for the motorcycle taxi safety protocols to be extended to and applied to other motorcycle taxi service providers. Competition is good and should be a welcome development. We are just concerned with the process through which this decision was made without us having been call into a meeting at all.”

Move Metro Manila is a group of policy advocates organizing policy discussions on mobility.

In turn, Atty. Ariel Inton of the Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection (LCSP), also a member of the TWG, revealed, “Since the start of the pilot run, I have never been invited to meetings and discussions and now I heard that they have decided on something critical, which is not only irregular but rather suspicious and unacceptable.”

Inton added, “And it seems this exclusion from the recent decision-making process also involves many other critical members of the TWG and we are just wondering why this was the case.”

The LCSP earlier filed a petition for injunction with application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and/or Writ of Preliminary Injunction against five motorcycle taxi companies: We Move Things Philippines Inc. (Joyride), Habal Rides Corp., I-Sabay, Sampa-Dala Corp., and Trans-Serve Corp. The petition stated that their operations are unauthorized and may cause grave and substantial damage to the public.

“Our objective in the LCSP is to ensure the safety and protection of the riding public,” Inton, a former Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) member, said. “And we are worried that the new motorcycle players who will join the test run may just endanger the lives of commuters because they do not have the same stringent safety standards as what the riding public has been accustomed to in the initial test run,” he added.

“We in the LCSP call on the DOTr to ensure that the welfare of the riding public is given priority by ensuring that the new players the agency is considering to include in the announced test run extension undergo a thorough review and assessment much like what the TWG did back then for Angkas,” Inton stressed.

“We have requested an immediate restraining order to prevent grave and irreparable damage to the riding public in general, and to the pilot program in particular,” stressed Atty. Raymond Fortun of LCSP declared. “Moreover, any accident during this critical period will also sabotage the pilot program,” he added. 

Early this year, the House of Representatives passed Resolution No. 2449 urging the DoTr to implement a pilot program allowing, monitoring, and regulating the operation of duly registered and organized motorcycles-for-hire as an alternative public transport utility.

The DoTr then instructed various agencies to form a Technical Working Group (TWG) composed of stakeholders and experts from the government and the private sector to discuss issues attendant to the prospect of two-wheel vehicles operating as public transport. 

The TWG was tasked to identify motorcycle types eligible to be licensed, taking into consideration factors like engine displacement, carrying capacity, operating speeds, routes, seat and helmet requirements, and training requirements for drivers, who will eventually need to obtain a public utility vehicle (PUV) registration.

Upon the recommendation of the TWG, the DoTr allowed the six-month pilot test for motorcycle taxi operations in the Philippines starting in July of this year. Since only the motorcycle ride-hailing app Angkas had been established and operating with an eight-month track record at the time, Angkas became the sole subject of the pilot program which will end in December.

"Three months to the pilot could have been a good time for the House and Senate to hear the proposed bills already, using initial results," noted Jason Salvador, Managing Director of LEADER (Legal Engagement Advocating for Development and Reform). "The pilot was just for a period of six months. After that, what will happen to the commuters?" he added.

Inton, Cerna, Gascon, and the rest of the excluded TWG members are asking for greater transparency in the TWG’s procedures and asking Congress and Senate to intervene in this regard. “Transparency in the decision-making process of the TWG is very important so that the decisions do not look suspect,” noted Gascon “It is very curious that at this crucial stage in the TWG, non-government members were completely sidelined,” he added.

Inton also asked why the DOTr is planning to extend the test run. "Why are they extending it? If they are convinced that the test run was successful, why not just direct the Congress to come up with a law to regulate this service?" Inton asked.

Villar Vows to Pursue Husband's Anti No Exam No Permit Bill

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The former congresswoman, Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar on has vowed to pursue the proposed measure filed by her husband, outgoing Senator Manny Villar, which prohibits colleges and universities from preventing students to take examinations over unpaid tuition and other school fees. 

Villar, who is running for senator under the Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy, said this will among her priorities in case she wins a senate seat in the coming May elections. 

Sen. Villar belongs to the so-called “graduating senators” whose term of office ends in June 2013 filed the bill to keep higher educational institutions from implementing “no permit, no exam” policies, saying it amounts to depriving students the right to take examinations.

The bill, however, allows schools to withhold grades and clearances of students and keep them from enrolling again until they settle their accounts. Villar’s bill, however, allows schools to withhold grades and clearances of students, and keep them from enrolling again until they settle their accounts. But Villar’s bill was not passed in the Senate although it was referred to the Senate committee on education chaired by Senator Edgardo Angara. It’s counterpart bill was approved on third reading in the House of Representatives. 

The proposal seeks to allow students with dues, unpaid tuition and other school fees to take the midterm or final examination. Students should not be required to secure from school authorities a permit before being allowed to take the midterm or final examination.

The proposal also prevents schools from requiring the payment, upon enrollment, of a down payment or first installment of more than 30 percent of the total amount of the tuition and other school fees for the entire semester or duration of the course.

Villar said he ask his wife Cynthia to pursue the passage of the measure if she wins her senatorial bid this May. 

As the senator’s wife, widely-known as “Misis Hanep Buhay,” said it is lamentable this ‘unfortunate’ incident happened to a young “Iskolar ng Bayan” at UP Manila, who could be the ‘key’ to take out of poverty her parents and four younger siblings. 

“Another life was wasted due to poverty,” said Villar who has also been advocating jobs for everybody to lead a comfortable life. 

To avoid another case of Kristel Tejada, who committed suicide after she was forced to file a leave of absence (LOA) due to unpaid tuition fees, former Rep. Villar also underscored the need to revisit and review the policies of our State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to which UP Manila belongs, and the other educational institutions in the country. 

“What happened to Kristel is very regrettable especially since she was enrolled in a government-subsidized institution mandated to provide high quality education to “poor but deserving” students. Just like other SUCs, UP has a regular annual appropriations from the national government. So it is necessary to look into the need to expand the government’s study and scholarship programs in SUCs. Do we need to give them additional budget so that students like Kristel would no longer be burdened to cough up money for her tuition fees?” said she said. Kristel, considered a “Iskolar ng Bayan,” being a student of UP, a state university, killed herself as she has no money to pay her tuitions fees. It’s indeed sad and a total dismay,” she added.

She said there should also be a review of the SUCs policies for non-payment of tuition fees. 

“Perhaps, it’s about time to review these policies,” she further stated. She said Tejada’s suicide also showed the lack of access to education in the country.