By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva stressed the importance of ensuring adequate funding for enacted laws, pointing out that the previous year saw insufficient budget allocations for the effective implementation of laws already passed.
In reference to a 2023 report from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Villanueva noted that over 200 laws, some of which have been on the books for decades, suffer from funding shortages, severely affecting their execution.
“As lawmakers, we are duty-bound to pass laws that improve the lives of Filipinos. However, for these laws to truly make an impact, we need to ensure that there is enough funding to implement them,” the senator said.
“We need to ensure that all passed legislation is properly financed—not just in the short term, but sustainably,” he added.
Villanueva emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches, urging them to provide timely feedback and financial projections for bills that may require significant funding.
He also called for the creation of clear protocols to assess and address funding deficiencies during the budget preparation process.
“Ang paggawa ng batas ay hindi dapat maging simpleng ehersisyo ng pag-apruba ng mga panukala; ito ay isang pangako sa aksyon at pagbabago. Kailangan natin ng isang sistematikong approach upang matiyak na ang kinakailangang pondo ay naia-allocate para sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas, lalo na yung mga tumutugon sa mahahalagang isyu sa ekonomiya, seguridad, at mga serbisyong panlipunan,” Villanueva emphasized.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva emphasized the critical role of educators in shaping the nation’s future, stating that the Philippines needs not just good teachers, but exceptional ones.
“If we want this country to become truly great, we must focus on nurturing outstanding teachers,” Villanueva remarked during the 116th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine Normal University.
“There is greatness in every Filipino. There is greatness in teaching. With 1.2 million Filipino teachers, we have a force to reckon with—a force that can make our country great again,” he added.
Villanueva also voiced concerns about the state of Philippine education, emphasizing its significance to the country’s long-term prosperity.
As a Commissioner on the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2), Villanueva is pushing for substantial reforms aimed at enhancing the quality of teacher education and training.
“Research shows that the number one school-based factor in improving student success is a great teacher,” Villanueva stressed. “We can cultivate great teachers by raising the quality of programs that train them to teach,” the senator concluded.
ia/mnm
By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senator Joel Villanueva said that if there would be a chance to talk to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., he would appeal to make the bill banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) a priority measure.
“If [I would] be given a chance to talk to the President, I would appeal na maging priority ito,” Villanueva said on Wednesday (31 July 2024).
“This one will definitely put a period, pagtanggal ng anumang bakas ng POGO na maaari kasing buhayin ng susunod na administrasyon ‘yan… We don’t want the next administration or the future administration to invite this POGO back,” the senator added.
After the State of Nation Address (SONA) of the President, senators lauded the pronouncement of Marcos to ban immediately ban POGOs.
Former senior associate justice Antonio Carpio previously said that Congress may enact a law prohibiting POGOs in the country to ensure that in the following administrations, it would remain prohibited.
“We need a law kung ganyan. If you want it to be permanent para it will also bind the next president, gawin na nating isang batas,” he said.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are conducting investigation on the illegal POGOs in the country.
Two main hubs that are being questioned are those in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva has initiated a resolution urging commendation for the bronze medal achievement of Alas Pilipinas in the recent 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup held in Manila from May 22-29.
In Senate Resolution No. 1042, Villanueva underscored the historic significance of Alas Pilipinas’ success, marking the nation’s inaugural podium finish since its AVC inception in 1961.
“Despite their brief preparation period, Alas Pilipinas demonstrated exceptional talent, passion, and resilience throughout the arduous week-long tournament, securing victories in all but one of their matches on the path to claiming the bronze medal,” expressed the senator.
“This triumph is a testament to their diligence, dedication, and unwavering spirit, exhibited by our athletes, coaches, and the entire support team,” Villanueva added.
Leading Alas Pilipinas is team captain Julia Melissa Morado-De Guzman, alongside notable players Cherry Ann Rondina, Eya Laure, Vanessa Gandler, Faith Janine Shirley Nisperos, Angel Anne Canino, Arah Ellah Panique, Thea Allison Gagate, Mereophe Aevangeline Sharma, Dell Palomata, Cherry Rose Nunag, Julia Cyrille Coronel, Dawn Nicole Macandili-Catindig, and Jennifer Nierva.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff comprises head coach Jorge Souza de Brito and assistant coaches Ed Ortega and Ronwald Dimaculangan.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also extended congratulations to Alas Pilipinas despite their loss to Kazakhstan in the semifinals.
“I salute Alas Pilipinas for bringing honor to the country, joy to the volleyball community, and fostering unity among Filipinos,” remarked Cayetano, the chairperson emeritus of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
He also voiced support for the upcoming participation of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s National Volleyball Team in Bahrain next month.
National Artist Eddie Romero
In a separate development, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has submitted a resolution commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of national artist for film and acclaimed director Eddie Romero.
Romero, renowned for his contributions to Philippine cinema as a director, producer, and screenwriter, crafted thought-provoking masterpieces exploring the nation’s history and politics.
“The enduring legacy of Romero as a prolific writer and visionary artist warrants acknowledgment and celebration, especially on July 7, 2024, marking the centennial of his birth,” stated Estrada in Senate Resolution 1039.
A stalwart in Philippine cinema, Romero’s oeuvre includes celebrated works such as “Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon?,” “Kamakalawa,” “Banta ng Kahapon,” and the seminal 13-part series “Noli Me Tangere,” which reintroduced national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel to contemporary audiences.
Born on July 7, 1924, Romero was conferred the title of National Artist in 2023.
Romero, whose cinematic journey began in the 1940s amidst the Philippines’ post-World War II recovery, passed away on May 28, 2013, at the age of 88.
His 1980 film “Agila,” both written and directed by Romero, stands as a monumental achievement in Philippine cinema history, garnering numerous FAMAS Awards and Gawad Urian Awards that year.
Romero’s films, as cited in his National Artist citation, “embrace a distinctly simple yet profound style – minimalist yet never devoid of substance, always deliberate, precise, and functional, yet never predictable.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva filed a resolution on Monday ( 01 April 2024) strongly condemning China’s unprovoked aggression, continued harassment, and illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In Senate Resolution No. 980, Villanueva stated that China’s actions violate the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling and pose a threat to Filipinos, Philippine national security, and marine resources.
“The acts of aggression by China, along with their response, demonstrate a consistent pattern despite the PCA Award and the UNCLOS provisions. The People’s Republic of China has persistently ignored the PCA Award and dismissed the Philippines’ claims of harassment and intimidation,” he said.
On March 23, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that the Chinese Coast Guard harassed and used water cannons against a wooden resupply boat en route to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, resulting in injuries to its crew members.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also reported that a group of Filipino scientists near Pag-asa Island was harassed on the same day by a Chinese helicopter hovering closely above them.
“China’s actions and response to the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea are concerning, especially in light of the agreements between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November 2023 and the discussions during the 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in January 2024, where both sides agreed to address incidents calmly through diplomacy and to avoid escalating tensions in the Ayungin Shoal,” Villanueva said.
He noted that while President Marcos had directed concerned agencies to implement a “response and countermeasure package,” the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies should exhaust all legal and diplomatic means to halt China’s aggression and safeguard Philippine sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros insisted that BRP Sierra Madre should remain in Ayungin Shoal, following revelations of a supposed “gentleman’s agreement” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and China to maintain the status quo in the WPS.
“The BRP Sierra Madre should remain in Ayungin. Our troops have been risking their lives to guard that ship. We should not overlook their hardships and sacrifices,” Hontiveros said.
“More importantly, the current chief executive (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has revoked any concessions made to China,” she added.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a recent interview, clarified that Duterte’s gentlemen’s agreement with China called for the Philippines to refrain from constructions and installations in the WPS, but emphasized that it was verbal and should not apply under the administration of President Marcos.
Hontiveros criticized Duterte for prioritizing his relationship with China over Philippine national interests.
“Duterte also failed to give our 2016 Arbitral Award the respect and reverence it deserved,” she said.
Reason, not emotion, should prevail
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos emphasized on Monday that the country should engage in proper talks with China and other claimants in the WPS through “reason rather than emotion.”
In a statement, the senator urged the government to encourage its citizens to “choose the path of peace and understanding.”
“We must remain resilient in the face of this challenge, but it is crucial that calm thinking, measured speech, and calculated decisions prevail,” she said.
“It begins with constructive dialogue with China and other claimant nations regarding islands and other features in the West Philippine Sea,” she added.
Marcos warned that if emotional approaches persist, the country could be led “down a dangerous path that will cost us more than just Filipino pride.”
“To prevent another regional conflict, we need solutions for peace from those who claim to be our genuine allies. Declarations of support for a rules-based international order ring hollow when UNCLOS ratification is ignored,” she said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Forgetting the biblical adage that “judge not so that you shall not be judged,” House Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva made a scathing statement that senators are superior to congressmen that compelled ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo to stand up for his colleagues at the lower chamber.
Tulfo expressed hope on Wednesday that Villanueva will retract his “insulting” statement considering his father, Bro. Eddie Villanueva is representing the Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) party-list in the Lower House.
“I was really surprised kay (Sen. Villanueva), yung tatay niya si Bro. Eddie Villanueva is with us sa party-list coalition kaya medyo nagulat lahat ng members ng party-list and nag usap-usap kami last week bakit daw nasabi ni Joel Villanueva yun e tatay niya nasa party-list din,” Tulfo quipped.
Last January 24, the younger Villanueva said in his privilege speech the millions of votes garnered by senators cannot be compared to district congressmen who receive only a few thousand votes, and even to party-list representatives, even if they were voted for nationally.
“Siguro nadala lang siya ng emotion niya pero hopefully i-retract naman niya sana yun kasi parang nakaka-insulto as being party-list representatives, we were not just put in the office by anybody, by some government official. We were also voted,” Tulfo noted.
He added that unlike senators, where only 12 will be elected, dozens of party-list groups win in an election.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva said that he has proof that the House of Representatives leadership was behind the signature campaign of people’s initiative for Charter change.
Villanueva made the remarks after his office received complaints about the “fake people’s initiative.”
“May mga listahan na po ako, naggagawa na po ako ng listahan – Mayors, even governors, meron na pong mga voicemail na pinapadala, boses ng mga kongresista na tinuturo po ang liderato ng kamara,” Villanueva said.
“Ngayon kung meron po sa inyo na hindi congressman, dito sa balat ng lupa na magsasabing hindi galing sa kanila (House of Representative) o hindi sila ang nagpush nitong ‘people’s initiative’ kuno o nitong ‘pekeng initiative’ mahirap po,” he added.
“Even a congressman is pointing at his leader. May mga voicemail na kilala ko ‘yung boses eh.”
Senator Imee Marcos said that House Speaker Martin Romualdez was involved on the signature campaign.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva has urged the public to report alleged bribery in exchange for the signature for Charter change.
“Kung meron pong nagoyo, nabudol, gustong magreklamo at bawiin ang kanilang pirma, huwag po kayong matakot magsumbong. Magpadala o magpost ng video, picture o screenshot ng mga text ng panunuhol,” Villanueva said.
“Ipagbigay alam niyo rin po sa amin ang inyong pangalan, tirahan at contact details para matulungan po namin kayo na maprotektahan at maipagtanggol ang inyong karapatan,” the senator added.
Villanueva reiterated that the signature of the people in for people’s initiative should not be bought.
“Kaya nakakabahala po ang ginagawang Peoples Initiative. Marami na po tayong narinig, nakita at nasaksihan…Hindi po dapat binibili, sinusuhulan, at sinasamantala ang ating mga kababayan. Importante po na ang tao ay mulat at nabibigyan ng tamang impormasyon. Hindi po pwede na bibigyan kayo ng ayuda o salapi para lamang pumirma,” he said.
Earlier, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that Cha-cha through people’s initiative could lead to a constitutional crisis.
“Because if you remove the Senate, you disregard the checks and balances in the present Constitution, and that’s a crisis, a constitutional crisis. Why did you set aside the Senate? You disregarded it when there is supposed to be a check and balance,” Carpio said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva has emphasized the need to guarantee back pay for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been displaced in New Zealand.
He called upon the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure the prompt disbursement of these payments.
“Being unemployed in a foreign country is a nightmare for our fellow OFWs. For them, it’s a matter of no work, no pay. Without a source of income, how can they survive?” questioned Villanueva.
He expressed the urgency to avoid a recurrence of the situation faced by OFWs laid off in Saudi Arabia, where many are still waiting for their overdue pay and other entitlements. Villanueva urged swift action, stating, “Let’s act now.”
The DMW announced this Friday that the agency will assist OFWs who have lost their jobs in New Zealand.
According to DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac, 452 out of 700 OFWs have sought help from the Philippine government.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the Senate has a list of agencies that should not be given confidential and intelligent funds.
He said that each senator submitted their list and it will be revealed in the budget plenary debate.
“Doon sa ilang mga ahensya na hindi kailangan ng CIF, I think may list na naibigay ang mga kasama natin. I don’t want to preempt anyone for pushing for their advocacies and priorities,” Villanueva said.
The lawmaker said it should be seen what agency should be given the CIF.
“Ang importante dito magamit ng tama, maging transparent tayo sa mga debate at makita natin sino talaga ang nangangailangan at hindi nangangailangan ng CIF,” he said.
Villanueva said the Senate will ensure a national budget that “we can all be proud of.”
(ai/mnm)
By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva called on the Commission on Higher Education to balance the use of the Higher Education Development Fund between private and public higher educational institutions.
“96 percent ng HEDF ay nasa public, and only four percent ay nasa private HEIs, considering that 86 percent of HEIs in the country are private,” Villanueva said.
The 2nd Congressional Commission on Education said from 2018 to 2023, the share of the HEDF allocated to public HEIs increased from 77 percent to 96 percent, while that for private HEIs decreased from 23 percent to 4 percent in 2023.
The HEDF was established through RA 7722, which also created CHEd, in 1994.
CHEd Chairman Prospero de Vera III admitted that there was a problem that hinders the proportionate allocation of the HEDF.
“Mayroon po kasing practical problem sa private schools – 1,700 po kasi ang private schools. Kung sino ‘yung uunahin, at kung bakit. ‘Pag nagkonsulta po kami sa Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations at ang kaniyang member organizations, mahirap pong magkasundo, kung saan mapupunta ang pondo – may practical problem,” he said.
“Inuna po natin ‘yung SUCs because ‘yung assistance na binibigay natin sa SUCs ay for program compliance,” De Vera said.
“On behalf of the Commission, let me commit that we will start supporting private schools starting 2024,” he added.
By Dang Samson Garcia
KINUWESTYON ni Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva ang Commission on Higher Education sa kabiguang mapunan ang target scholars sa ilalim ng Doktor Para sa Bayan.
Sa pagtalakay ng Senado sa proposed 2024 budget ng CHED, pinuna ni Villanueva ang datos na noong isang taon, sa 900 slots para sa medical scholarship, 425 lamang ang napunan at sa P250 milyon na alokasyon, P117 milyon lamang ang na-obligate o katumbas ng 47 percent habang P89 milyon o 35 percent ang na-disburse.
“Anong reasons why the actual number of scholars is only 50% ng target slots. Hindi ko alam, kaunti lang ba ang aplikante? Ang daming sumusulat at nagpapahingi ng endorsement,” pahayag ni Villanueva.
Ikinagulat ni Villanueva na sa proposed budget para sa susunod na taon ay doble ang target na scholars subalit pareho lamang ang alokasyon.
Nangangamba ang senador na dahil dito ay bababa ang per capita cost sa bawat scholar.
Ipinaliwanag naman ni CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III na marami sa mga medical school na nagbukas ay limitado lamang sa isang section ang kanilang tinanggap.
Katunayan, pinakahuli ang Palawan State University na tumanggap lamang ng 30 medical scholars bunsod ng maliit na pasilidad at hindi pa sapat ang bilang ng kanilang faculty members.
Sinabi pa ni De Vera na may mga pribadong unibersidad na rin silang ka-partner para sa implementasyon ng Doktor Para sa Bayan Law subalit mababa rin ang intake dahil atubili ang iba sa return service requirement.
Nangako naman si De Vera na mas magiging agresibo ang ahensiya sa promosyon ng medical scholarship upang mapataas pa ang bilang ng scholars.
Nangako rin ang opisyal na pag-aaralan na ang mga nakabimbing aplikasyon ng mga unibersidad para magkaroon ng medical schools partikular sa Regions 3, Cordillera Administrative Region at CARAGA.
By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATOR Joel Villanueva filed a measure that seeks to provide a revised National Apprenticeship Program.
Senate Bill 2354 aims to clarify the standards for training and engagement of apprentices and accreditation of apprenticeship programs.
The bill will also repeal Chapters 1 and 2 of Presidential Decree 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.
“The importance of the youth in our country’s development has been further emphasized when the government integrated the Sustainable Development Goals in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022,” he said in his explanatory note.
The senator explained that among the subgoals of the SDG Target 8 are the substantial reduction of the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training and the development and operationalization of a global strategy for youth employment.
“To assist the youth in workforce, the government has allocated a total of P1.401 billion for 2023 under the Department of Labor and Employment’s programs such as Government Internship Program, Special Program for Employment of Students and Job Search Assistance,” he added.
Despite this, youth unemployment is still rising.
The bill aims to close the gap between youth unemployment and entry-level jobs in the skills industry by strengthening the current apprenticeship program.
The bill provides guidelines for apprenticeable occupations, apprenticeship schemes, training, qualification of apprenticeship programs and remedial process in case of violation of apprenticeship contract.
By Dang Samson Garcia
SENATORS Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva said that the government wasted an estimated P2.77 billion on community-based scholars of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority who did not undergo assessment.
“If you look at the data…community-based ay napakalaki ng total, eh,” Villanueva said, pointing out TESDA’s data that 36.21 percent of their graduates come from community-based programs.
Villanueva also noted that out of the 44,000 clients enrolled in community-based TESDA programs this year, only 17,995 were able to graduate.
Out of that number, only 4,086 obtained a Certificate of Competency, and, from that set, only 3,937 were awarded a National Certificate.
“What happened to the balance?”Villanueva asked.
“The government paid for the training, they went to our scholarship program, but in the end, they were not assessed, therefore the training becomes useless. Because without assessment and CoC, how can they get a job?” Gatchalian said.
TESDA Deputy Director General Aniceto Bertiz III pointed out that the agency is facing a challenge in scheduling assessments, as well as lacking in the number of assessors to conduct these assessments.
TESDA has 7,593 assessors.
Villanueva said that considering that there is an estimated 1.5 million clients in the entire TVET sector in the country, the number would amount to 197 clients per assessor.
“Ang point ko lang, kulang na kulang ‘yung assessors,” Villanueva said.