By Billy Begas Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte has filed a measure seeking to assemble the Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to amend the 1987 Constitution and introduce economic and political reforms. In House Bill 4926, Villafuerte said his proposal will get rid of the perceived “antiquated or inapt” provisions of the Constitution that were seen to have precluded the Philippines from regaining its postwar stature as an Asian powerhouse. “The clamor for Charter Change has always been relevant. However, calls for genuine constitutional reforms have taken a backseat because of perceived c ..read more

By Billy Begas The House Committee on Labor and Employment on Monday approved the measure seeking to safeguard freelancers or individuals engaged on a per-project basis. Committee chairperson and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles carried the motion of Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas to approve the proposed Freelance Workers Act (House Bill 615) in consolidation with various similar measures. Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, a principal author of the measure, said the bill seeks to require contracts to be entered into by the freelancer and the hiring party to ensure the protection of both parties ..read more

By Billy Begas A lawmaker has filed a measure seeking to provide emergency powers to the President to address the traffic problem in the National Capital Region (NCR). Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting noted in House Bill 4363 that Metro Manila is currently experiencing a traffic crisis resulting in a P2.4 billion productivity loss daily based on the JICA study. “Currently ranked as having the worst traffic on Earth based on a global evaluation conducted by Waze, a GPS-based navigation application, the current traffic situation in Metro Manila greatly impedes economic growth and makes life ha ..read more

By Billy Begas The House Committee on Higher and Technical Education on Monday approved in principle the proposal prohibiting the no permit, no exam policy in private universities and colleges. During the hearing, Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said House Bill 1160 seeks to ensure that “the Filipino youth who are suffering from the impact for example of economic crisis, those who have difficulty in keeping with the cost of education are still able to continue their studies.” “Kapag papalapit na yung exam period sa ating mga paaralan kesa makapag-focus yung ating estudyante sa kung paano ..read more

A Taguig court has ordered the arrest of actor Vhong Navarro over a case for acts of lasciviousness that allegedly happened in 2014. “After personally evaluating and taking into consideration the Information filed in the above-entitled case, as well as allegations in the complaint-affidavit executed by the offended party, which are all under oath, together with the supporting documents attached thereon, the Court finds that there is probable cause to hold the accused for trial,” said MeTC Judge Angela Francesca Din in a ruling dated Sept. 15. “As probable cause exists to hold the accused for t ..read more

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is taking pride of his alma mater Mindanao State University (MSU). Dela Rosa, former police chief, visited his school in Marawi City and proudly declared it as the country’s best state university that churns out the country’s defenders. The senator studied public administration at MSU from 1979 to 1982, before pursuing an education at the Philippine Military Academy. “Once again, my alma mater MSU, Marawi City, the best State University that is producing defenders of the State not enemies of the State,” he wrote on Facebook. “Mga studyante dito hindi reklamador ..read more

The pink museum will be opening soon. A new museum housing the memorabilia from the pink presidential campaign of former Vice President Leni Robredo will open to the public starting Sept. 20. According to Robredo, the Angat Buhay group didn’t spend funds on the new Museo of Hope. The new museum is located on a Quezon City lot donated by a supporter of Robredo. The former veep and now Angat Buhay chair also holds office in a nearby space. Volunteers have given time and resources for building the new hope museum. “This museum houses the memories of our people’s campaign—the hope, love, and creat ..read more

US President Joe Biden said in an interview aired Sunday that he has yet to decide whether he will seek a second term in 2024, despite previously having stated he will run again. Biden, who turns 80 in November, told CBS’ “60 Minutes” program that reelection is his “intention.” “But it’s just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen,” he said. “It’s much too early,” Biden said, calling himself “a great respecter of fate.” When it was pointed out that he was already the oldest person ever in the job, Biden shot back: “pretty good shape, huh?” To the ques ..read more

President Joe Biden said Sunday that US forces would defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, while the White House said Washington’s policy was unchanged. Asked by the CBS “60 Minutes” program whether US troops would defend Taiwan, Biden said “yes,” if it were “an unprecedented attack.” This was not the first time that Biden has declared US forces would take part in a war between China and Taiwan, with the White House appearing to walk back his comments afterward. The previous time was in May during a visit to Japan. That time, Biden was also asked whether he’d commit US troops to such a sit ..read more

Newly appointed Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco has vowed to push for modernization of the agency. “We are looking at ways to modernize the bureau, both in terms of technologies and of services,” said Tansingco in a statement. Tansingco cited that the BI is already “looking into ways of modernizing the Bureau through e-services and man-less transactions. “ “Not only will this up the level of the agency, but it will also serve as a major deterrent for illicit activities by removing opportunities for corruption,” he said. “We will also be pushing for the new immigration ..read more