MANILA – The bicameral conference committee has agreed to defer the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections, rescheduling it for October 13, 2025.

Originally, the BARMM elections were set for May 12, alongside the national and local elections.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this after the bicameral conference, saying, “Ang in-adopt five months [postponement]. October 13 ang halalan. Pumayag ang Kamara. May mga pagbabago ring pinanukala ang Kamara na inadopt din ng Senado.”

The proposal to postpone the BARMM elections is expected to be ratified in the Senate and House plenary this afternoon. Once ratified, it will be submitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for signing.

Escudero expressed concern about the one-year delay, suggesting a shorter postponement would be preferable to ensure the elections can be held in October.

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By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — A bill seeking to impose harsher penalties on hospitals and medical facilities that refuse to discharge patients due to unpaid bills has been filed in the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 11329, authored by Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, proposes that violators face imprisonment for up to two years and fines of up to three hundred thousand pesos.

The bill also suggests the cancellation of the hospital’s operational license, effectively turning the patient into a “prisoner.” The director or implementing officer could face up to six years in prison and fines of up to one million pesos.

Cendaña called it “outrageous” for hospitals to detain patients simply because they cannot pay their bills, emphasizing that “being sick is not a crime.”

“Ang ospital ay lugar gamutan, hindi kulungan. Hindi krimen ang magkasakit. It is outrageous for hospitals to detain patients over unpaid bills. Hospitals and medical facilities’ primary concern must be to provide care and treatment. Hindi krimen ang magkasakit. Kaya bakit natin sila ikukulong?” Cendaña said.

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By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to establish Muslim prayer rooms in public offices and establishments.

Villar proposed Senate Bill No. 2288, known as the Act Mandating the Establishment of Muslim Prayer Rooms in All Public Offices and Establishments.

The bill mandates that all public offices and establishments nationwide designate and set up at least one separate Muslim prayer room within their premises. These offices and establishments would also be responsible for maintaining these prayer rooms.

Villar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present the bill before the Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs.

“It is my honor to be a catalyst of change for our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Villar said in a statement.

“The Islamic faith requires our Muslim brothers and sisters to pray five times a day. Senate Bill No. 2288 seeks to ensure they have designated prayer rooms where they can pray in a quiet, clean, and dry space,” the senator added.

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MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros emphasized the importance of passing Senate Bill No. 1979, or the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, to help address teenage pregnancy.

“Ang pangunahing layunin po ng Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill ay maturuan, masuportahan, at maprotektahan natin ang ating mga anak, ang ating mga estudyante laban sa maagang pagbubuntis,” Hontiveros said on Friday (January 17, 2025).

“Layunin din po ng Comprehensive Sexuality Education sa bill na kung, sa kabila ng lahat ng ating preventive measures, ay maaga pa rin silang mabuntis, at least mag-provide ng social protection sa kanila, para makabalik at makapagtapos sa pag-aaral, maturuan at masuportahan silang alagaan ang kanilang mga babies at mapigilan ang repeat teenage pregnancy,” she added.

However, the senators’ positions on the matter are divided.

Earlier, Senator Joel Villanueva stated that he is “rejecting” the bill, adding that he does “not feel it is important.”

“I just can’t believe that we’re even entertaining this idea. Why should we follow international standards? We have our own culture,” Villanueva said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Chiz Escudero has also expressed opposition to the bill.

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