By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, that they are awaiting the approved General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from the House of Representatives to begin deliberations in the Senate plenary.
“As of now, the Senate committee hearings are on schedule, and we expect the bill to be approved with enough time for the President to review the line items before it is signed into law by the end of the year,” Escudero said during a Palace briefing.
The GAB outlines the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez confirmed that the House will pass the GAB on Wednesday night.
“Tonight, we will pass it on third and final reading and have it ready for transmission to the Senate,” Romualdez stated.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero commented on Wednesday (Sept 25, 2024) that the heated argument between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Migz Zubiri is something that can happen, especially when lawmakers have differing “beliefs.”
“We’re only human. Sometimes emotions run high when it comes to what we believe in, fight for, or advocate,” Escudero told reporters.
He also noted that the two senators quickly resolved the issue just minutes after the argument.
“They made up, apologized to each other, and reached an understanding,” Escudero added, explaining that the incident was not officially recorded as it occurred during a suspension of the session.
Meanwhile, Zubiri described the incident as a result of “miscommunication” and “misunderstanding.”
“We’ve already made up, no hard feelings. But for me, they were passing something that we weren’t aware of, something not on the agenda. I realized it was important to him because it’s about Taguig,” Zubiri said.
The confrontation, which nearly escalated into a fistfight, occurred on Tuesday at the plenary hall over the Embo resolution involving territorial rights between Makati and Taguig City.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Senate has approved on the third and final reading the bill to institutionalize the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
Senate President Chiz Escudero sponsored Senate Bill No. 2568.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who also sponsored the measure, said that the intent of the bill is “to allow and empower individuals who had to start working immediately to have their work experiences and prior learning recognized and given equivalent credits for tertiary education.”
“The bill institutionalizes the ETEEAP, which assesses and assigns appropriate equivalency credits for learning and experience, leading to the grant of an academic degree,” Villanueva added.
Escudero, former chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, noted: “By providing an alternative pathway to earn an academic degree, this program supports the career advancement of Filipino professionals.”
Applicants must be Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines or abroad, at least 23 years old, and have at least five years of aggregate work experience.
They should also have completed secondary education, as evidenced by a high school diploma or a result from the Philippine Educational Placement Test or Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment and Certification, which indicates that the individual is qualified to enter college.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero announced Sunday (15 Sept 2024) that nine out of the 12 key bills are now ready for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signature.
Three of the priority measures are still under deliberation at the bicameral conference committee, while one awaits approval by the House of Representatives.
Escudero noted that in just 30 session days, since his election as Senate President on May 20, 2024, the Senate was able to act on 12 key measures.
“These priority measures will improve the country’s investment climate, strengthen our territorial and maritime claims, and boost the competitiveness of Filipinos,” he said.
“Despite work stoppages due to weather disturbances and national holidays, we ensured the timely disposal of the matters before us with the support of all Senate members,” Escudero added.
“We acted with urgency on the President’s priority measures, which were part of the common legislative agenda of both chambers of Congress. This is about the quality of laws, not just the quantity. These are high-impact laws that Malacañang and Congress agreed to prioritize,” the Senate President concluded.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero has called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to revisit the definition of ‘indigent’ for health-related cases.
“Any person suffering from a serious illness like cancer, heart disease, or kidney and lung conditions should be considered an indigent,” Escudero explained.
He emphasized that even individuals earning ₱28,000, ₱68,000, or even ₱100,000 per month could be financially burdened by the costs of food, housing, medications, and other expenses, making them “cancer indigent,” “heart disease indigent,” or “kidney failure indigent.”
Escudero argued that this perspective should shape the government’s approach to healthcare.
The senator also urged PhilHealth to review the contributions members make compared to the benefits they receive, similar to how private insurance operates.
“Why doesn’t the actuarial study match the benefits provided? After several questions, why is 30 percent the default? Why not 50 percent or 100 percent? Is this based on an actuarial study?” Escudero inquired.
PhilHealth implemented the All Case Rates policy in 2013, replacing the fee-for-service mechanism.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero praised President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for keeping his promise that “heads will roll” in connection with the escape of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
This follows the announcement by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Chief Cesar Chavez that Marcos approved the dismissal of Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
“I commend President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for acting decisively and swiftly in delivering on his promise to the nation that ‘heads will roll’ regarding the embarrassing escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo,” Escudero stated.
However, Escudero expressed skepticism that no other Filipino aided in Guo’s escape.
“I believe there were other individuals, possibly government officials beyond the Bureau of Immigration, who assisted her,” he added.
The Senate President also emphasized that non-Filipino individuals who helped facilitate Guo’s escape, particularly her financiers and associates, should be held accountable.
During a recent hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, senators once again cited Guo in contempt for repeatedly lying about her identity.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero stated that any impeachment discussions, regardless of the individual involved, will not progress in the upper chamber.
“Anumang pag-uusap kaugnay ng impeachment ay kikitilin ko sa Senado dahil anumang impeachment ‘yan na makakarating sa Senado, uupo kami bilang jury at jurors, ika nga, para husgahan ‘yan,” Escudero said on Wednesday (21 Aug 2024).
Escudero also urged his fellow senators to refrain from engaging in any impeachment-related discussions.
“Kaya marapat sa kada senador na huwag manghimasok sa anumang usapin ng impeachment at huwag pakialaman ang anumang usapin ng impeachment,” Escudero emphasized.
Furthermore, Escudero mentioned that no discussions regarding the impeachment of any official have taken place in the Senate.
The topic of impeachment arose after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that some members of the House of Representatives were planning to impeach her.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero clarified on Wednesday (14 Aug 2024) that the Senate is not against the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), formerly known as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), but only seeking clearer plans.
“Our goal is to delay implementation in areas that are not yet prepared, where route plans are incomplete, or where the government has not yet convinced everyone. They should not be banned or declared irregular if they are not yet in compliance,” Escudero told reporters.
“The Senate’s position is clear: we are not opposed to modernization. It should be done correctly, properly, and with sufficient support for each group involved, including drivers and operators,” he added.
Escudero made these statements following a meeting with transport group leaders regarding the Senate’s stance on the PTMP.
Previously, the senators signed Senate Resolution No. 1096, which called for the suspension of the PTMP.
However, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected this call, noting that the program had already been postponed several times.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero clarified on Monday (12 August 2024) that the chamber has no plans to reduce the number of holidays.
“Walang issue sa holidays. Ang polisiya ng Senado, huwag nang dagdagan ‘yung mga holiday natin ngayon dahil sobrang dami na, pero wala kaming balak bawasan,” Escudero said.
“Sinabi na namin, napakahabang kwento ‘yan at hindi aabot sa Kongresong ‘yan ito. Pero sa ngayon, mahigit 23 hanggang 25 ang local at national holidays natin. Huwag na nating dagdagan,” he added.
Escudero previously said that the upper chamber agreed to limit the number of holidays to make the country ‘more competitive.’
Meanwhile, Senator JV Ejercito defended Escudero and said that the latter’s statement was misunderstood.
“To clarify, there is no proposal to reduce the current special and non-working holidays in the country,” Ejercito said.
“The Senate, following the Senate President’s instructions, has agreed that if a province already has a special non-working holiday, only one can be granted. We can declare a special working holiday, which can be converted into a non-working holiday for that year if local governments request it and the President approves it.”
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Four years ahead of the presidential elections, the much-touted frontrunner Vice President Sara Duterte has seen her satisfaction rating drop to +44 as of June 2024, while Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has surged ahead with a +47 satisfaction rating.
This was revealed in the latest non-commissioned survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from June 23 to July 1, 2024.
The survey showed VP Sara with a +44 net satisfaction rating (65% satisfied, 21% dissatisfied), marking a 19-point decline from her +63 rating in March 2024.
Meanwhile, Escudero, who was elected Senate President on May 20 and is considered a potential presidential candidate, received a +47 satisfaction rating.
Another potential “presidentiable,” Speaker Martin Romualdez, garnered only +29.
According to the SWS terminology for net satisfaction ratings: +70 and above is classified as “excellent”; +50 to +69, “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”; +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and -70 and below, “execrable.”
The SWS Second Quarter 2024 survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults (18 years and older) nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon (Luzon outside Metro Manila), and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
(ia/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero announced Friday(09 Aug 2024) that the Senate has agreed to limit the number of holidays in the country to enhance competitiveness.
“The Senate has agreed to reduce the number of holidays. We already have over a month’s worth of holidays nationwide, which makes Filipino companies and workers less competitive,” Escudero said in a press briefing on August 7.
“There are city holidays, municipal holidays, provincial holidays, national holidays, and religious holidays, which contribute to our lack of competitiveness,” he added.
The Senate President cited the United States as an example, where they commemorate all former presidents in a single day.
“They have Presidents’ Day, where they honor all their notable presidents in just one holiday. But here, it’s different. We have Araw ng Kagitingan, National Heroes’ Day, and whenever a hero is killed, another holiday is declared, right?” Escudero remarked.
Netizens have criticized Escudero’s statement about limiting holidays in the country.
(ia/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senate President Chiz Escudero on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) called for a temporary suspension of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) to ensure all necessary preparations are completed before moving forward.
“The Senate is not withdrawing its support for the PUV Modernization Program, nor is it our intention to halt the initiative,” Escudero said. “What we are asking is simple: address the issues first before fully implementing the program.”
However, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. rejected the proposal to suspend the PUVMP.
“I disagree with them because they say it was rushed. The modernization has been postponed seven times already. Those asking for a suspension are in the minority. Eighty percent are already on board, so how can we let the 20 percent decide the fate of the whole program?” Marcos said.
Earlier, a group of senators called for the suspension of the PUVMP, which aims to replace traditional jeepneys with “safer, more efficient, and eco-friendly” public vehicles.
A resolution signed by 22 senators requested the government to suspend the program’s implementation.
(ia/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Senate will start its budget deliberations in August for the 2025 national budget.
Senate President Chiz Escudero announced that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will begin briefings and debates on the 2025 budget on August 13.
“Syempre, we will aim to complete this before the end of the year, including the bicameral conference committee report for the President’s signature. That’s the usual schedule,” the senator said.
He also assured that, as with previous budgets, only agencies with a genuine need for confidential and intelligence funds will receive them.
Given that next year is a midterm election year, Escudero said the Senate will ensure that the budget cannot be used for election campaigns.
The proposed budget for 2025 is PHP 6.352 trillion.
“The DBM proposed a total of PHP 11.39 billion in confidential and intelligence funds for 2025, with PHP 5.22 billion for confidential and PHP 6.17 billion for intelligence. However, we approved PHP 10.29 billion in total, with PHP 4.37 billion allocated for confidential expenses and PHP 5.92 billion for intelligence expenses,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero is seeking an investigation into the severe flooding despite the multibillion-peso allocations every year.
“With Metro Manila now under a state of calamity and the government working to address the damage wrought by Typhoon Carina, we should also determine why—over a decade after Typhoon Ondoy—chronic, severe flooding continues to afflict the nation’s capital,” Escudero pointed out.
Escudero emphasized that this repetitive cycle is a painful reality that cannot be accepted.
“Are we just going to accept this? Will we just accept that when it rains heavily, there will be flooding, and our lives will be paralyzed? What happened to ‘building back better’?” Escudero asked.
The Senate President also called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to put an end to chronic flooding in Metro Manila.
This call comes after Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” submerged the nation’s capital region, bringing it to a halt.
Senator Imee Marcos expressed her frustration over the flooding in several areas in Metro Manila, noting that there are government funds allocated to address such problems.
“This flood control issue needs to be solved. We’re just at the beginning of the rainy season. It’s only July, and this is our situation,” Marcos said.
“What’s frustrating is that Congress and the Senate have not been lacking in providing funds for flood control. In fact, there’s a P450 billion budget, almost P1.4 billion a day, for flood control across all agencies from the DPWH down. Where did the money go? That’s the question,” she added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senate President Chiz Escudero has stated that suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo must appear first at the Senate before he will consider her requests.
Guo has missed two Senate hearings regarding the investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga. The Senate has issued a warrant for her arrest.
“While I understand her plea for consideration, I cannot accept any requests from her until she appears and complies with the Senate,” Escudero said in an interview.
“In her letter, she not only asked for understanding but also sought help from her constituents. The vice mayor has taken over to continue the government’s work in Bamban,” he added.
Earlier, Guo submitted a letter to Escudero, asking for “help” and “understanding.”
“I apologize if there was any misunderstanding regarding my previous statements,” Guo wrote in her letter.
“I did not intend to instruct or dictate to the Senate on what should be prioritized. I understand that each legislator has their duties and responsibilities to the nation,” she added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero on Saturday (20 July 2024) said that suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo’s failure to attend the chamber’s hearings suggests she might be hiding something.
Guo did not attend the last two Senate hearings on the investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Porac, Pampanga, and Bamban, Tarlac.
“Ang kawalan ng kagustuhang sumuko at boluntaryong magpakita at sumagot sa mga simpleng katanungan, bagaman hindi siya pinepwersang umamin, ay pagpapakita na marahil ay may tinatago siya, may iniiwasan siya,” Escudero said.
The Senate has issued a warrant of arrest against Guo and seven others to ensure their attendance at the hearings.
“Hindi ito warrant of arrest para siya ay ikulong at parusahan kaugnay sa isang ginawang krimen. Ito’y warrant of arrest para tiyakin ang kanyang pagdalo sa pagdinig at sagutin ang mga katanungang ipupukol sa kanya ng mga miyembro ng Senado habang ginagalang ang kanyang mga karapatan,” he added.
The Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) has prepared the detention facility for Guo and the others.
Earlier, authorities went to Guo’s farm to arrest her; however, she was not there.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero stated on Tuesday (25 June 2024) that former Senator Leila De Lima deserves a place in the Senate.
“I hope so because she deserves to be in the Senate, but is she running?” Escudero replied when asked about De Lima’s chances in the 2025 midterm elections.
The Senate leader also congratulated De Lima for achieving justice after nearly seven years of detention on drug-related charges.
“I congratulate former Senator De Lima not only for finally receiving justice but also for confronting her accusers directly and upholding her belief in the rule of law, however unjust it may have seemed to her at the time,” he remarked.
On June 24, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted De Lima’s camp’s demurrer to evidence.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero believes that the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte from the cabinet of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was inevitable.
Escudero said he respects the decision made by Duterte and wishes her the best.
“I believe her resignation was inevitable from the time her father, FPRRD, and her siblings and allies started attacking PBBM and members of the First Family,” the senator said.
He said it cannot be denied since VP Duterte remained silent and did not express support for some government policy issues including the West Philippine Sea, Bagong Pilipinas Hymn, the case of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and the attempted arrest.
“As the Vice President, she has every right to have policy differences with the President and I believe that people love and respect her precisely for that… for having and fighting for what she believes in and for her own beliefs,” he added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero is tackling the parking issues faced by Senate employees and visitors at their current location in Pasay City.
“Here, what are we doing? We are striving to improve parking for Senate employees and visitors to create a more orderly environment. We have secured, requested, and borrowed land from the DPWH to my left to provide approximately 300 parking spaces,” he said.
Escudero also mentioned ongoing negotiations with the Social Security System (SSS) to acquire additional land at the back of the GSIS Building.
“In total, we aim to provide around 1,400 slots for both motorcycles and cars,” he said.
“Orderliness stems from the simple belief and principle that our workplace should be clean and organized. When our environment is tidy and orderly, it often or always influences how we treat our surroundings, which, in turn, impacts our work,” the Senate chief added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero has called for the suspension of the construction of the new Senate building in Taguig City due to escalating costs and the need for a comprehensive review.
Escudero announced this during the flag ceremony on Monday, June 10, 2024.
The Senate chief expressed shock and disbelief at the high projected costs needed to complete the new Senate building.
“Nung nakita ko ito, medyo nagulantang ako at hindi ko inasahan na ganun kalaki aabutin ang gagastusin para sa ating magiging bagong tahanan,” Escudero said.
“Sa aking pananaw, masama ito sa panlasa ng karamihan, lalong masama sa panlasa ng nakararami nating mga kababayan, lalo na sa gitna ng krisis ng ekonomiya at sa kahirapan na nakikita ng marami sa ating kababayan,” he added.
Escudero debunked the rumors that the Senate will be transferred in September.
“Hindi totoo na makakalipat tayo sa bagong gusali, lupa, at building ng Setyembre. Hindi rin totoo na aabot tayo makalipat bago matapos ang taon. Kahit hanggang 2025, sa palagay ko ay hindi pa rin dahil marami pang bagay na kailangang ihanda at maraming bagay din na aming nakita at nagisnan na kailangan pang suriin at pag-aralan,” Escudero said.
Initially budgeted at P8.9 billion, Escudero revealed that the cost of the project has now ballooned to P13 billion, with an additional P10 billion required for completion, bringing the total to P23 billion.
(el Amigo/MNM)