MANILA — A “peace rally” organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) today, Monday (January 13, 2025), is poised to impact political decisions surrounding the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
So said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian Monday (13 Jan 2025) as he emphasized the importance of INC’s bloc voting power in elections, noting that the sect, with its 2.8 million followers, could influence the decisions of politicians and government officials.
Currently, three impeachment complaints against Duterte are pending in the House of Representatives, accusing her of misusing confidential funds during her time as Vice President and Education Secretary.
The allegations include culpable violation of the Constitution, graft, and bribery.
Gatchalian argued that the INC rally serves as a reminder for politicians to focus on national issues rather than divisive politics, particularly with elections approaching. He said many local officials may hesitate to support the impeachment given the INC’s significant role in campaigning.
Despite the ongoing political tension between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Duterte, both have publicly stated their opposition to the impeachment move.
The INC, however, has remained neutral, with Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta stating that the sect wants to see unity between the President and Vice President, describing the rally as a message for peace and national progress.
However, opposition figures like Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel see the rally as a call for reflection. He criticized the INC’s view of “peace” for potentially shielding officials from accountability, stressing that the welfare of the people should outweigh sectarian interests.
The rally, which has led to suspensions of government work and classes in several cities, is seen by some as a continuation of INC’s political influence, reminiscent of its 2012 efforts to sway senators during the impeachment of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The said event is expected to disrupt traffic in various cities, with road closures and telecom services in Cagayan de Oro expected to be affected.
As the impeachment process progresses, the support of influential groups like INC could play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape ahead of the May midterm elections.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian announced on Monday (Jan. 6, 2024) that the approved 2025 national budget includes his proposal to allocate P80 million in scholarships for child development workers (CDWs).
“With the funding we’ve allocated for scholarships, we can support the upskilling and reskilling of our CDWs. This is a crucial step in ensuring they are effective in carrying out their duties,” Gatchalian said.
A special provision proposed by Gatchalian earmarks the P80 million under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) program for promoting quality technical education and skills development.
The scholarship program will prioritize CDWs whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma or lower.
To implement the program, TESDA will collaborate with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council to develop the necessary guidelines.
Of the 68,080 CDWs nationwide, only 11,414 have completed secondary education.
Gatchalian’s proposal is in line with the Early Childhood Care and Development Alignment Act (Senate Bill No. 2575), which he authored and sponsored.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian announced that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) will continue funding free assessments for the issuance of national certifications (NCs).
This initiative aims to boost the employability of senior high school (SHS) learners under the technical-vocational livelihood track (TVL), he explained.
The senator highlighted that the national budget includes a special provision, proposed by Gatchalian, making it mandatory for SHS-TVL learners to undergo free assessments.
“Upang mabigyan natin ang mga senior high school learners sa ilalim ng TVL track ng mas mataas na tsansang makakuha ng magandang trabaho, patuloy nating pagsisikapang mabigyan sila ng libreng assessment para sa kanilang national certification. Maliban sa paglalaan ng pondo, isinulong din natin ang polisiya para maging mandatory sa mga mag-aaral ng TVL sa senior high school ang sumailalim sa assessment,” Gatchalian said.
To ensure the continuation of free assessments and certification for SHS-TVL learners, the 2025 national budget allocates P275.86 million for the program, along with unutilized funds from fiscal year 2024.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the critical role of local government units (LGUs) in enforcing the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) by the end of the year.
The senator stressed that LGUs must remain vigilant for any gatherings or activities involving foreign nationals that could signal the presence of Pogo operations within their jurisdictions.
“Nagiging maliliit na grupo na nagtatakbuhan sa mga probinsya ang mga Pogo. Dito na papasok ang papel ng mga lokal na pamahalaan na maging mapagmatyag at maging alisto sa ganitong mga pangyayari,” Gatchalian said.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the nationwide ban on Pogos by the end of the year.
Gatchalian also reminded local officials that they could be held legally accountable if they ignore or tolerate suspected Pogo operations in their areas.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian said on Monday (Nov. 18, 2024) that the Philippine National Police (PNP) requires increased intelligence funding to help shut down the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“The PNP needs funds to gather intelligence, particularly in the fight against POGOs,” Gatchalian said, noting that some POGOs are going underground and disguising themselves as other businesses.
“This is the time to support the PNP in gathering more intelligence,” he added.
Gatchalian pointed out that the PNP’s intelligence budget has significantly decreased from P1.356 billion in 2023 to P906.025 million this year.
For 2025, under the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the PNP was allocated an intelligence fund of P806.025 million, which the Senate later increased by P100 million.
“The reduction is counterproductive to what we want to achieve,” he said.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian on Friday (08 Nov 2024) clarified to the media that he did not lend his license plate number to anyone.
The senator made the statement after his name got entangled in the controversial EDSA busway incident wherein an SUV, bearing a number seven (7) license plate that is reserved for senators, used the exclusive lane for commuter buses.
“I never lent out my official-issued license plates to anyone. The official license plate [that] is installed on my car is duly registered with the LTO,” Gatchalian told reporters.
The senator’s office initially denied that Gatchalian owned the license plate.
The lawmaker is also said to have no relationship with the Orient Pacific Corporation, which was first reported to have registered the SUV.
“Senator Gatchalian was not involved in the incident at the EDSA busway in Guadalupe and was not inside the vehicle when it occurred,” his office said.
“The senator does not own the Cadillac Escalade. The vehicle is registered under Orient Pacific Corporation. Furthermore, Senator Gatchalian has no connection to Orient Pacific Corporation whatsoever,” it added.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian on Sunday (03 Nov 2024) emphasized the need for multiple solutions to tackle the problem on classroom shortage.
“Dahil napakarami pang kulang na silid-aralan sa ating bansa at sa laki ng halagang kakailanganin natin upang mapunan ang naturang kakulangan, kailangang humanap tayo ng iba’t ibang paraan upang matugunan ang hamong ito,” Gatchalian said.
“Kung hindi tayo magiging maparaan sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan, patuloy lamang na lalaki ang mga kakulangang haharapin natin,” he added.
According to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) National School Building Inventory as of 2023, the classroom shortage is estimated at 165,443.
One proposed solution from Gatchalian is the implementation of a ‘counterpart program,’ where participating local government units (LGUs) cover 50 percent of the cost of constructing new classrooms, while the national government funds the other 50 percent.
The senator stated that addressing this issue should be a shared responsibility between the national and local governments.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has reiterated his call for the establishment of public math and science high schools in every province nationwide.
“We are advocating for the creation of public math and science high schools in all provinces, especially considering the crucial role that science and mathematics play in driving innovation in our country,” Gatchalian said during the inauguration of the new Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School campus in Catbalogan City.
“At the same time, we must ensure that each public math and science high school is equipped with the necessary facilities to provide quality education.”
Gatchalian filed the Equitable Access to Math and Science Education Act (Senate Bill No. 476), which requires provinces without at least one public math and science high school to establish one in their capital city.
Under the proposed bill, public math and science high schools would offer a six-year integrated junior and senior high school curriculum, focusing on advanced science, mathematics, and technology subjects, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senators Mark Villar and Win Gatchalian, along with PAGCOR Chairman Al Tengco, conducted an inspection of the Special Class BPO (SCBPO) operations in Aseana.
“We are conducting this inspection to better understand the operations of SCBPOs and to distinguish them from POGOs, which we are set to shut down before the year ends,” said Villar, who chairs the Senate Games and Amusement Committee.
“Our goal is to ensure that these SCBPOs are operating legitimately, as we don’t want our fellow Filipinos to lose their jobs,” he added.
During the visit, Villar also spoke with some employees to reassure them of their job security.
The senator noted that SCBPOs in the country employ over 5,000 Filipinos across various roles and industries.
Villar has scheduled committee hearings in the coming weeks to discuss the implementation of the President’s directive to phase out all POGO operations by the end of the year.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian announced on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, that he will question law enforcement agencies on their use of intelligence funds, following the escape of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
“Our law enforcement agencies clearly have shortcomings when it comes to intelligence. Once we begin deliberating their budgets for 2025, I will certainly ask how these agencies are spending their intelligence funds and how they are building an effective intelligence network,” Gatchalian stated.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, emphasized that the intelligence community should have tracked Alice Guo’s whereabouts after her last appearance at a Senate hearing on May 22.
“They were able to freely move between different locations or reach a port. What happened to the network that our enforcement agencies established?” Gatchalian questioned, referencing a statement made by Sheila Guo.
He also criticized the slow progress in filing charges against Alice Guo and her associates, who are implicated in operating illegal POGO hubs.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian criticized Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, for inconsistencies in her account of their departure from the Philippines.
During a Senate hearing, Shiela stated she was uncertain about their destination, claiming she only accompanied Alice, who appeared “sad” and prompted the journey. Shiela also mentioned she was unaware of Alice’s legal troubles in the Philippines.
“Diba, magtatanong ka saan ka pupunta. Saan tayo pupunta. At magtataka ka rin, magkakaroon ka rin ng tanong sa sarili mo kung saan kayo pupunta. At yung sa kanilang pag-transfer, along the way, makikita mo rin naman kung dadaan ka ng highway o dadaan ka ng bayan, makikita mo kung nasaan ka. At magiging curious ka, hindi ka lang sasakay. At para kang walang nasa isip na susunod ka lang,” Gatchalian said in a press conference.
“Magkakaroon ka rin ng curiosity. Kung nasaan ka na ba at anong lugar yung inyong pinupuntahan. So maraming butas, maraming hindi siya sinasabi. Yun ang punto ko. Nagkwekwento siya, pero kulang-kulang yung kanyang kinukwento,” he added.
Regarding the possibility of Shiela becoming a state witness, the senator noted that she would need to provide information or disclose Alice’s illegal activities.
“Base kasi sa dokumento at ipinakita nga natin na sentro siya doon sa mga aktibidad at sa mga pinirmahan niyang mga dokumento. So, just based on the documents alone, meron siyang alam. Pero kung gaanoo kalalim yung alam niya, yun ang maaga pa para masabi ngayon,” Gatchalian added.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has labeled the Guo family as “professional liars” and “professional swindlers” following a Senate inquiry involving Shiela Guo, the sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Gatchalian expressed doubts about Shiela’s testimony during the Senate hearing.
“[She claimed] she has no involvement in their businesses, yet we found her listed as the corporate secretary in the corporate papers. She signed multiple documents, including audited financial statements as the treasurer,” the senator said during a press conference on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Gatchalian further asserted that Shiela was at the “center of the transactions,” contradicting her claim that they were merely involved in an industry related to embroidery.
Shiela had previously denied that she and Alice are sisters or blood-related.
Meanwhile, the senator emphasized that it is still too early to determine if Shiela could serve as a state witness.
“It’s too early to make that decision. She and Alice share the same lawyer. At this point, I doubt she will speak out or provide details against Guo Hua Ping. It’s premature to consider her as a state witness.”
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian stated that it is the “end of the road” for Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong, urging both to disclose information to the Senate panel regarding the establishment of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
“It’s the end of the road for them. We have documents that will connect both of them to the POGO hubs in Porac and Bamban,” Gatchalian said on Monday, August 26, 2024.
“This is the end of the road; there’s nowhere else for them to go. It would be better if they revealed how these POGO hubs were set up in Porac and Bamban,” the senator added.
Earlier that afternoon, the Senate took custody of Guo from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Guo, along with Ong, is scheduled to appear at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, August 27, according to Senate spokesperson Atty. Arnel Jose Bañas.
The Senate medical team has already examined Guo to ensure her physical and mental well-being.
Meanwhile, Ong is currently in the custody of the House of Representatives.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian expressed confidence that dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo will soon be apprehended, following the recent return of two of her companions to the Philippines.
“It’s only a matter of time before Guo Hua Ping is apprehended. She will soon be brought back to the Philippines to face charges and answer for her criminal activities,” Gatchalian said during an interview on Friday (23 Aug 2024).
Authorities have tracked Guo’s last known location to Indonesia, following the capture of Sheila Guo and Cassandra Li Ong in the country.
With Indonesian authorities now taking action, the senator believes it will be “very difficult” for Alice Guo to evade capture.
“Due to the swift action of the Indonesian government, and with all their enforcement agencies now on alert, it will be very difficult for Alice Guo to move around Indonesia,” Gatchalian noted.
On Saturday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported that Alice’s brother, Wesley, may have already left Indonesia, though this has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, there have been no reports suggesting that Alice herself has left the country.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senator Win Gatchalian has called on Sheila Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and Cassandra Li Ong to fully disclose relevant information regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) during an ongoing Senate hearing.
Gatchalian underscored the importance of a complete revelation from both Guo and Ong, highlighting their significant connections to the POGO industry.
“They should tell all. The fact that Cassandra Ong and Sheila Guo traveled together indicates that Cassandra has close ties with the Guo family. This connection is crucial in understanding the link between the Bamban POGO and the Porac POGO,” Gatchalian said.
The senator stressed that Sheila Guo plays a “very important role” due to her position as an officer and stockholder in companies owned by the Guo family. “If Guo companies were used to fund the Bamban POGO hub, it implies that Sheila also played a role in that funding,” he explained.
Additionally, Gatchalian pointed out that Ong is also expected to provide key information about the POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. “As we know, Cassandra Ong is the authorized representative of Lucky South 99. In fact, she even went to PAGCOR to discuss the license of Lucky South 99,” he noted.
The Senate hearing continues next week as Gatchalian seeks to uncover more details regarding the operations of POGOs in the country.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian has urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to intensify its investigation into the issuance of fake birth certificates.
“I urge the NBI to determine and validate the existence of the 1,501 late registrants. My apprehension is that there are more cases similar to this, and people might continue to abuse the system unless those guilty are penalized,” Gatchalian said.
“The birth certificate is the basis of one’s Filipino citizenship, and foreigners who are able to spuriously secure a birth certificate can obtain a Philippine passport, get their own national ID, and buy real estate properties,” he noted.
Gatchalian was referring to the 1,051 late registrants from 2016 to 2023 in the municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur. Based on the Ad-Hoc Fact-Finding Committee of the Office of the Mayor, out of the 1,501 certificates of live births (COLB) reviewed, 54 were found to have been issued to alleged foreign nationals without Filipino parents.
The senator also mentioned the case of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who “managed to get herself elected as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac on the basis of a fake birth certificate.”
“Our solutions should not unduly burden our people but should be effective enough to prevent the likes of Alice Guo from taking advantage of the late registration process,” Gatchalian said.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian on Tuesday (06 August 2024) stated that services, such as RFID, should be upgraded first before implementing toll hikes on expressways.
“Importante rin na ang kapalit nitong pagsisingil sa atin [ay] magandang serbisyo. Ang hinihingi lang naman natin sa kanila ay maayos na RFID, walang traffic at hindi bumabaha,” Gatchalian said, emphasizing that some individuals have been stranded on expressways due to flooding as Typhoon Carina hit the country.
“Ayusin niyo muna… Baliktad eh, tinataasan nila bago inaayos. To be honest, ang haba ng panahon bago naaayos ‘to,” he added.
On Monday, Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Gatchalian asked the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to postpone the imposition of toll hikes, citing faulty RFID systems.
Tulfo mentioned that TRB can impose a toll increase provided that the issues with the RFID systems are resolved.
“There is no problem for you to implement an increase, but also increase the quality of service,” he said during a Senate committee hearing on public services regarding faulty RFID systems.
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MANILA – A recent Pulse Asia survey, commissioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, reveals that nearly eight out of ten Filipinos favor banning cell phones in schools.
Conducted from June 17 to 24, the survey shows that 76 percent of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide support a cell phone ban in schools. In contrast, 13 percent disagree, and 11 percent remain undecided.
Support for the ban spans all socioeconomic classes, with the strongest backing from Class ABC at 80 percent, followed by 76 percent from Class D, and 71 percent from Class E.
Regional support is also significant, with 80 percent of respondents in the National Capital Region, 79 percent in Balance Luzon, 61 percent in the Visayas, and 81 percent in Mindanao favoring the proposal.
In a news release on Tuesday (06 Aug 2024), Gatchalian emphasized that the survey results reflect a widespread belief in the benefits of banning cell phones in schools, particularly in reducing distractions that negatively impact student performance.
“Our countrymen clearly support our proposal to ban the use of cellphones in schools, especially because their use during class can harm their studies,” Gatchalian stated.
An analysis by the Senate Committee on Basic Education of the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment indicates that eight out of ten Filipino students aged 15 reported being distracted in class by their smartphones, with another eight out of ten distracted by other students’ smartphone use.
“This is why we continue to push for the bill that will ban the use of cell phones during class,” Gatchalian added.
Gatchalian recently introduced Senate Bill 2706, also known as the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act. The bill aims to prohibit the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets by learners from kindergarten to senior high school within school premises during school hours.
The bill instructs the Department of Education to establish guidelines for the prohibition, which applies to learners in both public and private institutions, as well as to teachers.
However, the bill allows certain exceptions: for classroom presentations or learning activities, health-related needs, emergencies, perceived threats, and field trips or activities outside school premises.
All public and private basic education institutions, as well as students who fail to comply, will face appropriate sanctions.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has recommended Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Kiko Benitez to be the next Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief, saying that his long experience in the education field makes him the ‘perfect candidate’ to lead the agency.
This is following the resignation of TESDA Secretary Suharto Mangudadatu.
He believes that with Benitez at TESDA’s helm, the agency can make leaps in addressing challenges in the Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) sector, including the perennial issue of jobs-skills mismatch.
“As a lifelong educator, a top-performing legislator, and one of the most hardworking commissioners of the EDCOM II, Congressman Kiko Benitez will give TESDA the needed leadership to foster innovation, push for needed reforms, and produce job-ready TVET graduates,” said Gatchalian.
Benitez is one of the commissioners of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, where he also serves as a co-chairperson of the Standing Committee on Early Childhood Care and Development and Basic Education.
He was also the President of the Philippine Women’s University from 2010 to 2019.
The lawmaker also taught at universities such as the University of Washington-Seattle, the University of Asia & the Pacific, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cornell University.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian stated on Monday, July 15, 2024, that the whereabouts of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo remain unknown.
“Hindi pa siya nahahanap. Kahapon ang report sa akin ay hindi pa rin nahahanap ‘yung magkakapatid. Hindi pa rin mahanap si Dennies Cunanan, ang nakita lang ay si Nancy Gamo,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) served a warrant of arrest on Sunday against Guo and seven others, including her siblings. However, only her accountant, Nancy Gimenez Gamo, was found at Guo’s last known address.
Gatchalian, the chairman of the committee on ways and means, remarked that these individuals have been “hiding.”
“Pinuntahan kasi ng tracker teams ‘yung lahat ng registered addresses ni Alice Guo at ang kanyang pamilya,” Gatchalian said, adding that Guo has many registered addresses.
(el Amigo/mnm)