By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Friday (April 19, 2024). They discussed strengthening the economic ties between the two countries.
Zubiri said the meeting with Luxon, who is in the Philippines as part of his working trip across Southeast Asia, is a good opportunity to cultivate closer relations with New Zealand as a partner in development in the Indo-Pacific region.
He added that they wanted to engage New Zealand in deeper economic and agricultural cooperation.
“We have much to learn from New Zealand’s success as a global agricultural exporter. Coming from Bukidnon, which I always call the New Zealand of Mindanao, I am very eager to initiate more agricultural knowledge sharing, capacity building, and technology transfer initiatives between our countries,” the Senate chief added.
Along with bilateral security cooperation, the Senate President and the Prime Minister emphasized that the Philippines and New Zealand are like-minded countries that share the objective of maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has urged members of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to embrace the role of “facilitators of peace” amidst conflicts in various parts of the world.
“The ongoing conflicts that plague our world highlight the imperative for us, as parliamentarians, to champion the cause of peace on behalf of humanity. Our mission is to advocate for a cessation of hostilities, to halt the loss of lives, and to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians whose lives have been disrupted by war but whose aspirations for peace remain steadfast,” Zubiri stated during his address at the IPU General Debate in Geneva, Switzerland.
“As members of the IPU, we inherit a legacy that instills confidence that, through unity and determination, we can follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and serve as catalysts for peace,” the Senate leader added.
Zubiri also appealed to the IPU to stand in solidarity with the Philippines as it upholds freedom of navigation and adherence to the international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“In the WPS, a number of geopolitical analysts have predicted that it could be a major flashpoint in the region. Let me emphasize that the Philippines has consistently adhered to international rules-based order, ensured freedom of navigation in the area and practiced restraint in dealing with the harassment and provocations of our neighbor in the north,” he expressed, referring to China’s constant illegal and bullying activities in the WPS.
“It takes a community of nations to preserve and nurture peace, thus, we appeal to the international community to support and stand firm with us in promoting freedom of navigation and adherence to international rules-based order in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Three (3) more senators showed their support for the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
These are Senators Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada.
“There are three more that signed. Nadagdagan po, additional three senators,” Zubiri said Wednesday (06 March 2024).
“I’d like to thank Senator Bong Revilla, Senator Robinhood Padilla, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada also signed, together with the original 14 that had signed,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Mark Villar, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Christopher “Bong” Go and Zubiri earlier showed their support.
Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Imee Marcos, and Cynthia Villar did not sign the resolution.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed deep “anger” and “appall” over the recent bombing at Mindanao State University, highlighting the alarming nature of the attack taking place during a Holy Mass celebration.
In a statement, Zubiri remarked, “It is disheartening to witness such violence unfold in Marawi once again, years after the siege and well into a period of newfound peace enjoyed by our brothers and sisters under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”
He emphasized, “It is especially alarming to witness such a brazen attack on a state university during a Catholic Mass. No one should have to feel unsafe in places of learning and places of worship.”
The Senate President stood in solidarity with the victims’ families, urging the coordinated efforts of the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous government to “leave no stone unturned in bringing justice to their loved ones.”
The explosion occurred on a Sunday, claiming four lives and injuring several individuals during a Holy Mass held in the gymnasium of MSU.
Senator Robin Padilla denounced the incident as a “vile crime” targeting Catholic worshippers during Mass.
Senator Nancy Binay also condemned the act, extending her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has assured that the Senate will pass the proposed 2024 national budget by first week or second week of December.
“Our commitment, to answer your question, we will pass it on time. We will finish it by the first week of December; I would believe it would be ready for the President’s signature, [the] latest [by] second week of December,” Zubiri said during the special joint session of both houses on Saturday.
During the joint session, the House of Representatives transmitted the final version of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to the upper house.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Romualdez said that it will be the decision of the Senate whether to follow the lead of the lower house in removing the confidential funds of five agencies or not.
“The ball is in our hands, ‘ika nga sa basketball, nando’n na po sa amin,” Zubiri said.
“Unfortunately, hindi na po namin nakasama ‘yong aming chairman ng committee on appropriations today so we’ll act on his behalf, si Senator Angara, he just came back from an overseas mission, but kami po ni Senator Joel Villanueva our Majority Floor Leader, at iba pong mga senador — nandito po si Senator JV Ejercito, and some other senators ay handa po tumanggap po ng final version of the House of Representatives’ 2024 national budget,” the Senate President added.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senators have welcomed the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel as the new Department of Agriculture Secretary.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that Laurel has the management experience and the “common touch to lead what is perhaps the most important agency in the country today.”
“I am glad that the President personally headed the Department of Agriculture for a time… but it is also right that the DA now be helmed by a new Secretary who can be devoted to the agriculture sector,” Zubiri said in a statement.
Sen. Chiz Escudero lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for choosing a full-time DA Secretary.
Escudero said he has known Laurel to be a “sincere, no-nonsense, honest and hardworking patriot.”
“I congratulate Secretary Laurel on his appointment, wish him well, and look forward to working with him.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe said that the new DA chief must have the focus, fortitude to get things done, and genuine feeling for the sector.
“As the first order of the day, we hope the new DA chief would take to heart the President’s warning in his SONA against smugglers, hoarders and price fixers,” Poe said.
“Kailangan din ng pangmatagalang programang magpapapataas sa produksyon sa agrikultura at mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng ating magsasaka,” she added.
On Friday, Marcos announced that he administered the oath of Laurel as the new DA Secretary.
(ai/mnm)
Ni Liza Soriano
MANILA — Nakatakdang magdaos ng Special Session ang Senado at Kamara sa Nobyembre 4 para kay Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, ayon kay Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Si Kishida ay nasa bansa simula Nobyembre 3 sa hangaring palakasin ang kooperasyon sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“We look forward to the address of a leader of a nation that is a robust trading partner, a strong security ally, a lending hand during calamities, and an investor in Philippine progress,“ ani Zubiri.
Paliwanag ni Zubiri, magkahiwalay munang magpupulong ang Senado at Kamara sa alas-9 ng umaga sa Nobyembre 4 para magpasa ng mga resolusyon sa pag-imbita kay Kishida sa Kongreso at sa pagsasagawa ng joint session.
Sinabi ni Zubiri na nakatakdang humarap si Kishida sa Kongreso alas-11 ng umaga ng Sabado (November 4, 2023) sa Batasang Pambansa Complex sa Quezon City.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri stressed the need for the Philippines to build defense partnerships with the UK as part of the modernization efforts for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We need stronger parliament-to-parliament cooperation to go along with the robust people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and the United Kingdom,” Zubiri said.
He made the remark as he led a Senate delegation on a parliamentary visit to the UK, culminating in meetings with Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Lord John McFall, the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords.
Zubiri and Speaker Hoyle agreed that the Philippines and the UK are well-positioned to build stronger partnerships rooted in shared democratic principles.
Zubiri also stressed that with measures like the Ease of Doing Business Act, the Public Service Act, and the Foreign Investments Act, the Philippines is poised to expand its trade partnerships and agreements with more nations, including the UK.
“We look forward to bringing more UK investors in, to help us become a stronger and more competitive force in Southeast Asia,” he said.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday said that the perpetrators involved in the fatal hazing of a 25-year-old criminology student must be placed behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Ahldryn Leary Bravante, a criminology student at the Philippine College of Criminology in Manila has died allegedly due to brutal hazing or initiation rites.
He said the latest incident of fraternity violence was appalling as it happened barely eight months after 22-year-old John Matthew Salilig met his tragic death during the welcoming rites of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.
At least 12 members of the same fraternity were said to be behind Bravante’s death, including four who were already in police custody.
“This senseless death of another young student due to barbaric fraternity tradition is not only enraging but frustrating as well as it happened despite our efforts to put more teeth to the law against fraternity hazing,” Zubiri said.
The full force of the law must come down on those soulless people who killed the same person they claim to be their brother, the senator said.
“We should put an end to these acts of savagery. Let’s ensure that those who mock our system of justice would be made to account for their misdeeds,” he added.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
SENATORS have called on all concerned government agencies to ensure the protection of the Filipinos in Israel after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a deadly attack last Saturday.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Grace Poe have condemned the violence made in Israel.
“We call upon the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other Philippine government agencies to secure our overseas Filipinos and ensure safe passage if necessary,” Zubiri said.
“We urge the full utilization of the Assistance to Nationals Fund for this purpose. I pray for all who are affected by this conflict- particularly the thousands of our Filipino brothers and sisters. May the LORD cover you all,” he added.
Poe, on her part, said that the safety of the Filipinos should be the top priority of the government.
“The safety of Filipinos in conflict-stricken Israel is of primordial concern. Concerned government agencies must ensure that our kababayan, especially those living near the battle zones, are moved to secure shelters or halfway houses,” Poe said.
“Repatriation should be calibrated for those who want to go home while the borders are still open […] As we hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, we have to act with dispatch so that no Filipinos will be included in the count of casualties,” she added.
With rocket fire and the deployment of armed men into numerous Israeli communities, Hamas began its most significant strike on Israel in years on Saturday. Israel suffered at least 22 fatalities.
(ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: Senate of the Philippines (Facebook Page)
By Junex Doronio
WITHOUT MINCING WORDS, a furious Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday called on China to respect and protect coral reefs which takes hundreds of years to breed following reports that some Chinese vessels were engaged in massive illegal harvesting of corals in Rozul Reef located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
“Nakakainis talaga ang ginagawa nila sa ating West Philippine Sea. Pati ba naman ‘yung corals natin ay sinisira nila, hina-harvest nila,” Zubiri exclaimed.
On Saturday, September 16, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos disclosed the resurgence of Chinese vessels swarming around the area and their massive harvesting of corals.
With this latest Chinese incursion, Carlos said that they would increase military presence in the Philippine territory.
The Senate President called the activities as “acts of sabotaging” the Philippines’ natural resources.
“It’s a food security issue. Pag winasak na po nila iyon, eh anong magagawa ng ating mga mangingisda? Wala na pong fishing grounds dahil wala na pong breeding grounds ang ating mga isda. Definitely, they are sabotaging our natural resources. They are also sabotaging our ability to feed our people. Dahil mawawalan na po ng isda itong mga lugar na ito,” Zubiri said. (AI/MN)