Author: teambam

Senate Bill No. 2465: Amending Sec. 6; Bp 68 (Corporation Code)

The Philippines is enjoying the best economic growth it has seen in years and has deemed to be a rising star in the region. But the challenge remains to enhance the local markets and business environment in order for investments to continuously come in. Updating pertinent laws is needed to keep up with the fast-changing business landscape and sustain this unprecedented progress.

This measure seeks to introduce key amendments to Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 or the Corporation Code, which was passed in 1980 or more than three decades ago.

Two key provisions aim to address the needs of entrepreneurs in the country.

Firstly, a sole proprietor presently needs to have incorporators of five to fifteen individuals to be able to register with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The policy has created cases for dummy incorporators.

In addition, sole proprietorship exposes all the properties of the entrepreneur for the business’s liabilities. Such exposure risks all of the assets of the proprietor, even his family’s properties.

To address these, this measure recommendsthe recognition of the one-man corporation to encourage entrepreneurs to declare truthful and transparent information about their businesses, limit liabilities and spare family assets, and further grow their businesses.

Secondly, the law currently provides a limited corporate term of 50 years maximum. Many big firms forget to renew after 50 years and they end up dissolving the company, liquidating their assets and transferring their properties. This unfortunate event leads to loss of income and livelihood for families, and the loss of legacy and dreams for entrepreneurs and employees.

This bill seeks to allow corporations to have perpetual corporation existence but with renewal requirements every 25 years. Failure to comply with the requirements will not end corporate existence but penalties will be imposed. It allows a corporation to develop long-term plans and to look into more sustainable and far-reaching strategies for more economic growth.

Other related provisions have been proposed to make the policy relevant and attuned to present times, adopt best global practices, attract more investments and start-ups in the country, and specifically address the needs of entrepreneurs.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2466: Protection of Children During Natural Disasters and Calamities

As the Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Filipino children are most vulnerable and are worst affected when disasters strike every year.

When Super Typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, an estimated 6 million children were affected last November 2013. The children who survived the onslaught lost their loved ones and some became orphans; most of them experienced psycho-social trauma, difficulties in evacuation centers, loss of classroom time and access to social protection, among others.

It is then imperative to revisit policies that better support and provide services to our Filipino children, specifically during disasters, calamities or in armed conflict areas, to lessen the experienced trauma and bring normalcy back quickly.

Thus, the bill proposes the creation of a national program for the protection of children, especially of displaced children. This is particularly crucial in the most vulnerable areas of the country, where the experience of prolonged displacement would have a profound impact on the children’s sense of security, physical and emotional well-being, long-term health and nutrition, and access to education.

Moreover, the bill advances the child-centered training to disaster first responders, teachers, psychologists and eventually, other volunteers in disaster recovery, relief and rehabilitation. Modules are to be crafted specifically for the different stages of children and youth development.

Providing the targeted needs of the Filipino children, specifically during times of distress, ensures the long-term security and health of our nation. It is then urgent and important that this proposal is realized into fruition.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Senate Bill No. 2467: Coconut Farmers’ Trust Fund Act

For more than forty years, the coconut farmers have long been fighting for their rights – not just to have access to the Coco Levy – but their right to have the opportunity to develop their industry, and provide better lives for their families and communities as well.

The immense potential of the coconut industry to be a great contributor to the Philippines is largely untapped. With the advancement of farming technology and intercropping, there is a huge possibility to harness the coconut industry to address increasing demands and offer coco fiber, water, and oil, among others to new markets.

It is high time to change its narrative from one of the poorest sector in the country to a great economic driver and source of pride of the Filipino people.

This bill proposes to build the Coconut Levy Trust Fund for the growth of the industry and ultimately, for the benefit of the small coconut farmers and workers all over the country.

The proposal includes the financing of programs.for the increased productivity of coconut farms, capacity building of farmers, research and development of coconut- based enterprises, and implementation of poverty-alleviation programs.

The goal is to rehabilitate and revitalize the industry to stimulate production and attract investments that will make it again a viable, profitable and sustainable endeavor. The proposal seeks to modernize the farmers and stakeholders to make coconut production globally competitive and become a vital source of economic income for the country.

The challenge of inclusive growth is that as the Philippines grows, every Filipino should grow as well. This means that every family, every sector, and even the poor and marginalized should be able to experience this growth.

It is thus urgent and important to provide the coconut farmers the enabling environment and proper opportunity to thrive and flourish, and be able to participate in building this nation.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

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Republic Act No. 10668: Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act

Currently, inter-island shipping is exclusively reserved for ships bearing the Philippine flag. Internationally, this principle is known as the Cabotage Principle, which is implemented to protect the country’s local shipping industry.

Unfortunately, this exclusive right incurs an extra cost for our importers of raw materials and for Philippine exporters of goods. Thus, we are pushing today for allowing foreign ships coming from international ports to dock into multiple ports all over the country.

This reform will provide our producers and entrepreneurs the following benefits and these are: 1) the lowering of production costs; 2) the easing of doing business in the maritime transport industry; 3) the decongestion of the Manila Port; and 4) the further leveraging of our strategic location in the ASEAN market.

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Senate Bill No. 2603: Mamasapano Truth Commission

On January 25, 2015, while on a mission to serve arrest warrants to two suspected terrorists – Malaysian Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Zulkifli bin tilr also known as “Marwan” and Filipino bomb maker, Abdulbasit Usman, forty-four (44) members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) died, With twelve (12) getting injured in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, during an armed conflicct with other armed elements, which allegedly included the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).”

The facts and Circumstances remain unclear as to how this unfortunate event occurred.

This bill creates a fact-finding commission, to be called the “Mamasapano Truth Commission,” that will have plenary powers to investigate and report upon this tragedy. This tragedy has far-reaching consequences and implications, which strike at the very heart of the Nation, and may impede the ongoing peace process between the National Government and the MILF. An Independent and Impartial Commission is therefore necessary to enable us to get to the bottom of this tragedy.

Forty-four of our bravest elite police force perished in the grisly encounter, and twelve (12) remain suffering because of their injuries. The creation of this Commission shall be our humble way of honoring our fallen heroes, who served the country with excellence, valor and patriotism. We should not allow their deaths or injuries be in vain.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this measure is urgently sought.

 

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Sen. Bam Aquino’s Answers during the Press Conference on the Truth Commission Launch

Q: Ano ang magiging scope ng iimbestigahan ng Truth Commission?

 

Bam: I think ngayon kasi ang daming misinformation na umiikot. Marami tayong nakukuhang mga text, mga post sa social media, contradictory, magkakaiba-iba and sometimes downright talagang misinformation.

Ang pinakamahalaga rito sa Truth Commission ay mailabas niya kung ano ba talaga iyong nangyari. What really happened, what really transpired and at the end, also go towards accountabilities. Kung ano ba ang accountabilities ng bawat grupo.

Right now, kung titingnan mo talaga iyong mga information na lumalabas, halu-halo tsaka magkaka-iba-iba.

The purpose of this is to really ferret out the truth and eventually deemed towards accountability. Makuha talaga ang hustisya na hinahanap ng taumbayan.

On the other hand, kung ano talaga ang nangyari doon sa operational matters of this Oplan Wolverine, so to speak, maganda talagang makita natin. We really need to find out the minutest detail what really happened and whose really accountable.

 

Q: With several bodies investigating, there might be confusion in the process and how would you deal with irreconcilable statements?

 

Bam: Unang-una, I’m of the mindset that these parallel bodies that will investigate, they really need to happen because iba’t ibang perspective iyan.

The PNP Board of Inquiry will of course report based on their perspective as policeman. The Senate will conduct its own inquiry and the House, at some point, will also conduct its own inquiry.

In fact, what we produce can be consolidated, can be verified, puwedeng ibangga sa output ng Truth Commission. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na isang Truth Commission, isa lang dapat ang nag-iimbestiga.

Different groups can investigate. Even the media is already investigating. I mean, it’s not a government body pero patuloy rin ang pag-iimbestiga ng media.

Mahalaga na lumalabas lahat ng mga perspektibong ito. Mahalaga na makita natin ang iba’t ibang signs but again this Truth Commission, if legislated, will be the body that is supposed out with finality doon sa fact-finding aspect of what happened.

I can probably imagine that the output of all these bodies will also be entered into the Truth Commission’s work. Kapag naglabas na sila ng fact-finding output o ng kanilang report, ganoon po ang lalamanin ng lahat ng government bodies na nagsagawa rin ng kanilang imbestigasyon.

 

Q: How critical is the result of this Truth Commission to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law?

 

A: I think it’s quite critical. Mahalaga po talaga. I think all of us here are supportive of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Wala naman ho sa amin dito ang nag-withdraw ng aming suporta.

Pero ang hinahanap ng taumbayan ngayon hustisya. We need to find justice and the truth with regard to this issue upang pagbalik ng ating talks natin sa BBL, mas mapapalakas pa natin iyong BBL. Mas mapapalakas pa natin iyong kagustuhang magkaroon ng kapayapaan.

I predict that the BBL will probably have to be modified, or changed or amended based on what had happened.

Hindi naman puwede namang mawala na lang ito. I think iyong hangarin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan, hindi rin puwedeng mawala.

Definitely, there will be repercussions and changes in the BBL because of what happened not just because of the report of the Truth Commission.

Palagay ko, mahalaga na i-state natin na ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao, mahalaga po iyan, kailangan pong ipagpatuloy iyan. Kailangang ipagpalaban iyan but not at the expense of anything else.

Hanapin po natin ang hustisya dito sa isyung ito. Iyon naman ang hinahanap ng mga pamilya ng mga namatay na SAF 44.

Iyan din ang hinahanap ng taumbayan. Hanapin natin ang katotohanan.

Let’s hold accountable those who need to be held accountable so that if we resume the talks sa BBL or when we continue the push for peace, mas magiging malakas pa ang pagtulak natin sa kapayapaan.

 

Q: In the meantime, the passage of the BBL will be delayed?

 

A: Na-suspend po ang hearing sa BBL pero marami pong isyu na dapat talakayin doon. Senator Miriam is tackling constitutionality. Sa amin pong opisina, maraming pong naghikayat ng concerns ng indigenous people at kabataan.

A lot of these meetings and hearings can probably continue but the final output natin, talagang maaapektuhan po iyan nitong ating mga pinag-uusapan. Kasi hindi naman po siyan basta-basta ipapasa.

Marami pa pong kailangang gawing pag-aaral, hearings na tuluy-tuloy naman po ang pagsasagawa niyan.

I would suggest that we settle the issue on the SAF 44, iyong justice for SAF 44 as soon as possible so we can really get back to the BBL as soon as possible also.

 

 

Transcript of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Interview at the KOMPRe People’s Conference in San Fernando, Pampanga

On the Fallen 44 and the Bangsamoro Basic Law

Sisikapin naming magkaroon ng hustisya para sa mga kasamahan natin na pinatay. Of course, kasama ako sa sumuporta sa Bangsamoro Basic Law. Ang hangarin natin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan, tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman iyan.

In the meantime na nangyari na ang trahedyang ito, hanapin muna natin iyong hustisya. Tingnan natin kung sino ba iyong kailangang managot dito on both sides.

Sabi ko nga, both sides are accountable. Hanapin natin kung sino ba talaga iyong dapat ma-charge, dapat maaresto. 

Siguraduhin natin na mangyari ang hustisya.

Q: Iyong hearing po ba itutuloy?

A: Tuloy ang hearing. That’s going to be on Wednesday.

Gaya ng maraming Pilipino, gusto po nating malaman kung ano talaga ang nangyari. Sino ang nag-utos, bakit sila napunta sa ganoong klaseng perhuwisyo at bakit nagpatuloy ang bakbakan nang ganoong katagal.

Marami sa atin ang na-shock, nagalit, nagdalamhati dahil sa nangyari.

Ang taumbayan po natin, naghahanap ng hustisya para sa ating mga kapatid na namatay, hahanapin po natin iyan.

Q: Sa hearing, sino po ang ipatatawag?

A: Probably from both sides ang tatawagin. I think ilalabas pa nila ang invitations so we’ll find out.

 I’m hoping na lahat ng taong involved, nandoon talaga para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari.

Q: Sir, iyong sa pag-surrender ng arms ng MILF?

A: Hindi lang arms at personal effects ang hinahanap ng taumbayan. Ako nga I would even go as far as to say na kailangang i-turnover ang mga taong involved dito

Q: Gaano po ito makakaapekto sa Bangsamoro Basic Law?

A: Malaking epekto ito talaga. I’m sure the bill might be modified, amended or changed dahil sa nangyari.

But hindi ibig sabihin noon, kailangang pigilin natin ang proseso. We need to still push for peace.

At the end of the day, ayaw na nating maulit ito ulit. Kung maghihiganti tayo, kung lulusubin natin ang lugar, it will just create a cycle of violence.

Kailangan ng ating mga kapatid na namatay ay hustisya, hindi paghihiganti.

Q: Gaano po kahalaga ang BBL para ma-attain ang kapayapaan, compared po sa sinasabi ni Mayor Estrada na all-out war?

A: Sa all-out war ni Mayor Erap, di hamak na mas maraming namatay. Hindi lang 44 iyong namatay doon, mas marami pang namatay. Iyon ang ayaw nating mangyari.

I think if we push for the peace measures, ang kalalabasan niyan is hindi na mauulit itong ganitong klase ng massacre o ganitong klaseng trahedya.

Hinahanap ng taumbayan ngayon ang hustisya. Hinahanap niya ang totoong impormasyon sa totoong nangyari. Naririto ang Senado para matulungang makamit iyon.

At the end of the day, huwag sana nating pakawalan ang kapayapaan dahil sa kagustuhan nating magkaroon ng vengeance.

Sponsorship Speech on Access of Foreign Ships to Domestic Ports Bill

Senate Bill No. 2486 under Committee Report No. 91
An Act Exempting Carriage of Container Vans from the Provision of Section 1009 of Presidential Decree No 1464, otherwise known as the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978 and for other Purposes

 Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV
16th Congress, Senate of the Philippines
Sponsorship Speech, 28 January 2015

Good afternoon, Mr. President, my distinguished colleagues, mga kaibigan, mga kababayan.

It is my great privilege to stand before you today to support the development of the Philippine martitime transport industry, as I sponsor Senate Bill No. 2486, under Committee Report No. 91, entitled An Act Exempting Carriage of Container Vans from the Provision of Section 1009 of Presidential Decree No 1464, or otherwise known as the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978 and for other Purposes, otherwise known as Access of Foreign Ships to Domestic Ports Bill.

Given that the Philippines is an archipelago composed of more than 7,100 islands, the transport of goods relies heavily on sea routes interconnecting the islands.  Shipping costs impact the movement of trade goods, and more importantly, the price that consumers will ultimately pay for.

Currently, inter-island shipping is exclusively reserved for ships bearing the Philippine flag. Internationally, this principle is known as the Cabotage Principle, which is implemented to protect the country’s local shipping industry.

Unfortunately, this exclusive right incurs an extra cost for our importers of raw materials and for Philippine exporters of goods. Thus, we are pushing today for allowing foreign ships coming from international ports to dock into multiple ports all over the country.

This reform will provide our producers and entrepreneurs the following benefits and these are: 1) the lowering of production costs; 2) the easing of doing business in the maritime transport industry; 3) the decongestion of the Manila Port; and 4) the further leveraging of our strategic location in the ASEAN market.

Mr. President, the change that we are proposing today is part of a larger effort in reforming our shipping industry to be more modern, more equipped and more competitive with our ASEAN neighbors.

The reforms also involve an establishment of a better regulatory framework that will ensure that foreign ships will only carry goods that are going in and out of the country.

Lower Production Costs

Firstly, the state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) emphasizes the need for a comprehensive review and amendments to the Cabotage policy of the country to lower local shipping costs.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang isang exporter mula Cagayan de Oro na nagpapadala ng kargamento papuntang Hong Kong ay kailangang magbayad ng dalawang beses: US$1,120.00 para sa biyahe ng kanyang kargamento mula CDO papuntang Maynila sa isang lokal na barko at US$144.00 pa para sa biyaheng Maynila papuntang Hong Kong sa isang dayuhang barko. 

Ang total shipping cost ng ating exporter sa kasulukuyang pamamaraan ay US$1,264.00.

Kung ipapasa natin ang ating reporma ngayon, ang ating exporter ay magbabayad na lamang ng US$500.00 para sa isang dayuhang barkong didiretso mula CDO papuntang Hong Kong.

 Ang US$764.00 na matitipid ng isang exporter ay maaaring magamit upang mas mapaganda pa ang kaniyang produkto, mas mapalaki pa ang kanyang kapital, at mas mapalago pa ang negosyo nang mas makapagbigay pa siya ng mas maraming trabaho sa kaniyang komunidad.

Ganoon din para sa ating mga importer ng raw materials.  Ang ating importer mula CDO ay kailangang magbayad ng dalawang beses para sa kanyang kargamento: US$159.00 para sa biyahe ng kanyang kargamento mula Kaohsiung sa Taiwan papuntang Maynila sa isang dayuhang barko at US$1,120.00 para sa biyaheng Maynila papuntang CDO sa isang lokal na barko.

Ang total shipping cost ng ating importer sa kasulukuyang pamamaraan ay US$1,279.00.

Kung ipapasa natin ang ating reporma ngayon, ang ating importer ay magbabayad na lamang ng US$360.00 para sa isang dayuhang barkong didiretso mula Taiwan hanggang CDO.

Ang US$919.00 na matitipid ng ating importer ay maaaring magamit upang makabili pa siya ng mas maraming raw materials o di kaya ay mapababa ang presyo ng kanyang binebentang mga produkto sa merkado.

Ayon naman sa Joint United States Government and Government of the Philippines Technical Team, mas mahal ng dalawang daan at limampung (250) porsiyento ang halaga ng lokal na shipping cost kumpara sa Indonesia kada nautical mile.

Ang mga numerong ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap dahil ang halaga ng shipping costs ay ikakarga lang ng mga negosyante sa kanilang gastusin, at sa huli ay papasanin din ng ating mga mamimili.

Ease of Doing Business

Secondly, Mr. President, although co-loading of goods is already allowed as a practice in the market, the processing of documents and getting clearance from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is necessary to allow foreign cargoes to co-load foreign containers in multiple ports.

To avail of a special permit from MARINA, foreign shipping companies usually take 15 days or more for their papers to be processed. Hence, most foreign shipping agencies would rather avoid this particular step to be more efficient and productive.  In practice, they choose to have a transshipment point rather than get a clearance from MARINA.

For example, instead of dropping cargoes in Manila, securing the necessary approvals and documents, and then, carrying the same set of cargoes themselves to other local ports, foreign ships just choose to drop off their cargoes in Manila.  Then, the cargoes are picked up by local ships to be transported to other domestic ports in the country.

With our proposal, we aim to streamline our processes, make our ports more efficient and easier for doing business.

Thus, if there is a foreign cargo that is intended to be shipped to Manila and Cagayan de Oro, the foreign ship that carries the said cargo, with our reform, will be allowed to go directly to Manila, then CDO instead of the present procedure of unloading in Manila first, then transhipping its goods to a local carrier to CDO.

In the same way, our entrepreneurs who are exporting goods from Subic, Cebu, CDO and Davao, would be able to co-load in one ship before heading out of the country directly in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, instead of, again, having to pass by Manila.

The bill encourages for our micro, small and medium entrepreneurs to think globally since importing raw materials and exporting Filipino goods would be cheaper.

Addressing the Manila Port Congestion

Thirdly, we learned from our recent investigations and hearings that the Manila International Container Terminals (MICT) and the Manila South Harbor, the main hubs for transshipments in the country, have been experiencing congestion in the past few months.

Almost all of the goods in the country are shipped to MICT and to the Manila South Harbor.  Last December, these ports operated at an average level of 75-85%, which is more than the ideal 60% serviceable level.

By allowing foreign ships to go directly to other domestic ports around the country, it will free up space in the container yards in the Greater Manila Area.  This will save time, costs and energy for our exporters and importers in sending their raw materials, and goods and products in and out of the country.

In addition, by allowing more foreign ships to dock on other ports all over the country, there will be an increased economic activity in the countryside.  This will lead to growth for businesses and entrepreneurs in the regions, and more jobs for our Filipino people.  It will then bring us a step closer from achieving our dream of inclusive growth for our countrymen.

 

Leveraging on the Country’s Strategic Location

And lastly, Mr. President, we need these reforms as part of a larger effort to further capitalize our strategic location in the ASEAN market.

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs published a report entitled, “Formulating an ASEAN Single Shipping Market Implementing Strategy,” which mentions the Philippines’ low investment in ports and road infrastructure, which hampers the promotion of intermodal transport.

The study concludes that our country’s strong cabotage policy that only allows foreign-flag vessels to call at one Philippine port, hinders our economic development.

The report stresses that foreign ships docking on various ports all over the country is needed for the country to achieve sustainable growth, and more importantly, to achieve a single ASEAN market.

In line with the ASEAN Economic Integration this year, the region will be implementing a single shipping market where member-countries are expected to deliver quality service at a competitive price.

Mr. President, kapag ito’y tuluyang naipatupad, mahalaga na magkaroon ng sapat at maayos na imprastruktura at mga pasilidad sa pantalan, magagandang kalsada para sa mas mabilis na paghahatid ng produkto, at higit sa lahat, mababang presyo ng pagpapadala ng mga kargamento.

Kailangan nating makapagpatayo ng mga pantalang na kayang makipagsabayan sa mga pantalan ng Singapore, Thailand at Indonesia – mga modernong pantalan na sytematic at computerized, na kayang mapabilis ang mga pagpoproseso ng mga dokumento at galaw ng mga kargamento.

 Kasama ng repormang ito ang ating pagkilos para hindi na maulit ang pagsisikip ng ating mga pantalan.  Sinimulan na ang NLEX-SLEX connector road upang lalong maibsan ang traffic sa Kamaynilaan at mapabilis ang galaw ng mga kargamento papuntang hilaga o timog Luzon.

Ang pagpapatuloy ng mga repormang ito ang mga hamon na ating kakaharapin sa mga susunod na buwan. Napakahalaga na maabot natin ang mga ito upang makasabay tayo sa mga kapitbahay nating bansa na may mas moderno at mas maayos na sistema sa kanilang mga pantalan.

It will be a win-win situation for both our importers and exporters.

Dadami at mas magmumura ang pagpasok ng raw materials mula sa ibang bansa na mapoproseso ng ating mga kumpanya rito.  

Mas magiging mura ang halaga ng pag-export ng ating mga produkto sa merkado ng mundo.

Sa mas efficient na maritime transport industry, patuloy na tataas ang kalidad ng produkto at serbisyo, patuloy na bababa ang presyo, at ang taumbayan ang siyang panalo.

As we continue to develop from a low-income to a middle-income economy, we need to revisit our policy environment to be able to support this growth that we are experiencing as a country.

This is our first response to the call of the President and various stakeholders to enhance the Philippine maritime transport industry.

This is our first step in our effort to further unlock the industry, let it grow and thrive, and make it as efficient as possible as we anticipate more trade, more economic activity, and real inclusive growth for the Filipino people.

Nang dumating ang mga unang Malay sa ating mga baybayin mula Borneo, nakasakay sila sa mga sinaunang bangka na ang tawag ay balangay. Sa balangay natin hinango ang barangay, na siya nating kinikilala bilang ang ating pormal na komunidad.

Dala-dala ang mga produktong kopra, mais at iba pa, sinuong natin ang karagatan para maabot ang iba’t ibang isla.  Sa karagatan natin nabuo ang ating mga komunidad. Sa paglalayag natin nabuo ang ating bansa. 

At sa reporma na tinutulak natin ngayon, maisasakay natin ang ating mga pamilya, mga komunidad at ang ating buong lipunan sa mga bangkang  patungo sa magandang kinabukasan.

Mga kaibigan, bumibiyahe na tayo ngayon tungo sa kaunlaran.  Iniimbitahan ko kayong lahat na patuloy tayong magtulungan, sama-samang magsagwan upang mabigyang pagkakataon ang mga negosyo ng ating mga kababayan na lumago at makipagsabayan sa mundo.

Dahil ito po ang tamang panahon sa pag-ahon natin bilang isang bansa at marating natin ang baybayin ng kasaganaan para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Maraming salamat po at magandang hapon sa ating lahat!

Transcript of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Interview on the Internet, SK and BBL

On the Slow and Expensive Internet

 

Q: Sir how likely iyong pino-propose na one-stop shop?

A: Iyan ang commitment ng NTC na mag-one-stop shop sila dahil lumabas sa ating hearing na ang isang telco ay mangangailangan ng sixteen steps, maybe six to seven national government agencies, pati iyong local government permits napakatagal it takes about six months to get any permit para makapagtayo ng tower (cell site) o ng infrastructure.

Alam natin na kapag dumadami ang infrastructure natin, mas bibilis iyong Internet connection natin.

Tinalakay natin sa hearing ngayon kung paano pabilisin ang proseso, push for ease of doing business at magkaroon ng very real solution to increasing our Internet speed.

On the side of DILG, nag-commit sila na kausapin iyong mga liga, cities, municipalities at provinces para maging standard ang mga fees na sinisingil at mga proseso para makakuha ng permit ang ating mga telcos.

Ang NTC naman, nag-commit sila na simulan iyong proseso ng pagbuo ng isang one-stop shop para lahat ng ahensiyang kinakailangan para magtayo ng towers, sa kanila na lang pupunta at kukunin ang permits na iyon.

Lumalabas na DENR, DOE, DPWH, DOH, all of these agencies ay kailangang puntahan para makapagtayo ng isang Internet facility.

We’re hoping na mapabilis ang proseso and this can be one of the solutions para mapabilis ang Internet speed sa Pilipinas.

Q: Ibig sabihin, magmumura rin ang rate ng Internet?

A: Not necessarily. This hearing was not on the rates.

This was on pagtulak ng infrastructure para magkaroon ng maraming towers at mga facilities para bumilis ang ating internet speed.

Q: May agreement na ba sa minimum speed?

A: That was the subject of our NTC hearing noong November.

The second hearing will be in February kaya hinihikayat natin ang mga kababayan natin to follow live on Twitter.  Nila-live tweet natin ang NTC hearings.

Iyong second hearing nila will be on Feb. 16 at iyong paglabas ng kanilang memo circular will be in March.

Ang maganda po riyan, naging bukas ang NTC na tanggapin ang suggestions ng civil society partners at iba pang netizens upang magkaroon ng totoo at tamang batayan sa Internet speed.

Ang naging contention po ngayon, wala pong opisyal na batayan sa ating Internet speed.

Kapag lumabas po iyon, puwede nang ibangga iyong opisyal na speed na iyon sa nakalagay sa advertisements natin kung naaabot ba ang naka-advertise na bilis sa nakukuha ng consumer.

Q: Ano ba dapat ang bilis?

A: Dapat nakukuha mo ang binabayaran mo. In short, kung five dapat five. Pag sinabing ten dapat 10. Kapag sinabing one, one lang diyan dahil ang assumption ay mura ang binabayaran mo.

Iyong mahalaga, and this is why it becomes a consumer issue kaya sa committee on trade, na iyong binabayaran ng ating mga kababayan ay nakukuha ang katumbas.

Hindi puwedeng mataas ang binabayaran tapos ang nakukuha ay substandard.

 

On the Sangguniang Kabataan Reforms

 

Q: Iyon pong sa SK, may hearing sa Congress mamaya. Kailan po ang naka-schedule na pagdedeliberate dito?

A: Ongoing na po iyan. Iyong SK reform bill nakahain na po iyan sa plenaryo and we’re hoping by March, maipasa na natin ang SK reform bill.

Ang panawagan namin sa Kongreso, at natutuwa naman kaming pumayag sila, ay sabay ang pagpasa at postponement ng SK reform bill.

Kung ipo-postpone lang po natin iyan na walang kasiguruhan kung kailan ang next election at walang nabago sa sistema, hindi po maganda iyan.

Ang main na panawagan namin sa Kongreso, this quarter we pass both the postponement and the SK reform bill, para pagbalik ng SK come 2016 kasabay ng barangay election, nakareporma na ito at bago na ang patakaran niya.

Specifically, gusto naming itaas iyong age ng SK officials mula 15 to 17 na aminado tayong lahat na masyadong bata to 18 to 24.

Magkaroon ng isang anti-dynasty provision na bawal maging SK chairman at mga kagawad ang mga anak ng barangay captain at barangay kagawad. I think malaking reporma ito.

Pangatlo, iyong mandatory training na kailangang dumaan sa tamang training ang lahat ng uupo sa SK para alam talaga nila ang patakaran ng good governance at patakaran ng pag-handle ng budget.

Pang-apat, ang pagsama ng iba pang youth organizations sa municipal council o iyong tinatawag nating local youth development council. Nakita natin na maraming kabataan na nagpa-participate pero hindi bilang SK, pero bilang council leader, bilang volunteer sa NGO o bilang volunteer sa kanilang simbahan.

Iyong structure na iyon ay dapat sumuporta din doon sa SK na bumubuo iyong local youth council na bubuuin ng iba’t ibang youth leaders at volunteers.

Ito ang apat na main reforms natin sa SK na gustong itulak para pagbalik po ng SK natin, hopefully, isa na itong body that we can really be proud of at talagang maaabot ang hangaring makatulong sa kabataan.

On the Basic Bangsomoro Law

 

Q: With recent developments, are you withdrawing support behind BBL? 

A: I think we should still pursue the BBL, in light of all the things that happened. Tatalakayin, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, sa susunod na linggo ang nangyari sa Maguindanao. I think all of us are interested to know kung bakit nangyari iyon, ano ang mga dahilan kung bakit tayo umabot doon.

Coming from that hearing, I’m sure na magkakaroon ng revision or amendments sa BBL. Remember we are still in the process of deliberation.

Iyong porma ng BBL, magbabago pa iyan. I think it’s premature to just say wag na lang.

Kung kailangang amyendahan iyan o baguhin iyan because of what happened, then gawin natin iyon. That’s the process of legislation.

Ang mahirap lang kasi ay papakawalan na natin agad. Hindi siya either or. Hindi ibig sabihin na papakawalan natin ito dahil nangyari ito or the other way around.

Mahalagang imbestigahan natin. We find out what really happened. Managot ang dapat managot.

Ask the difficult questions. At the same time, tingnan natin iyong kalalabasan noon doon sa BBL process natin.

I’m just hoping na huwag tayong magkaroon ng gut reaction na pakawalan agad natin dahil because of what happened. At the same time, alamin natin kung ano ba ang nangyari talaga and of course, iyong mga dapat managot, talagang managot sila.

People died. Ang daming namatay na kapulisan natin. Hindi puwedeng mawala na lang iyon. That has to be investigated, and if there charges that have to be filed, they have to be filed.

 

 

 

Q: How should we address ang demoralization among members ng SAF?

A: That’s why we will have that hearing next week. Hindi katanggap-tanggap na in the midst of peace process na nangyari ang isang bagay na iyon.

We need to find what really happened. At kung may mga taong dapat managot dahil diyan, dapat managot talaga sila.

Q: There were reports that the suspended PNP was behind the operation?

A: I don’t know the inside story kaya tayo mag-iimbestiga para malaman talaga natin.

Q: Sa rules, puwede pa ba siyang mag-command kahit suspended siya?

A: I don’t know the specific rules ng PNP, but ako like all of you, I’m very interested to join the hearing and participate so we can get to the bottom of this.

Q: You’re among those who signed BBL – 

A: Yes. I’m not withdrawing. As I said we should continue the process. Hindi ibig sabihin na ipagpapatuloy ang proseso na we will sweep this under the rug.

We have to contend with what happened in Maguindanao. Napakaraming pamilya ang nawalan ng breadwinners, mga ama.

That has to be settled and we have to find out what really happened. And that can be done through the investigations here.

I predict na because of that, there will be amendments or changes na mangyayari sa BBL. I just think that it’s a gut reaction to let go of the peace process right after this tragedy had happened.

Magandang pag-usapan na muna kung anong nangyari, imbestigahan, charged those who need to be charged. Get to the bottom of things and then see paano mababago ang BBL because of that.

Palagay ko, ang hangarin natin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan, hindi dapat maantala dahil sa nangyaring trahedya.

Q: Ano ang tingin niyo na possible impact if lawmakers decide not to pass the BBL?

A: Iyong goals ng BBL na magkaroon ng peace and development sa Mindanao, hindi matutuloy. This is a landmark legislation, a landmark move of our country.

It has the potential to change the way our country is. I’m hoping na we find out what really, charged those who need to be charged, matulungan natin iyong pamilya ng mga namatayan.

At the same time, see if the BBL needs to be changed or modified because of that and we move from there. Pero sana iyong hangarin na magkaroon ng kapayapaan dahil sa batas, hindi mawala at hindi tayo mawalan ng momentum doon  sa pagtulak nito.

At the same time rin, hindi rin natin dapat madaliin. We cannot also rush an important legislation.

I predict that we will go through the investigations, magkakaroon ng mga amendments pero iyong hangarin natin, dapat ituloy pa rin natin.

Q: Matutuloy po ba ang timeframe niya?

 

A: I doubt that it will be passed by March.

Again, the committees are still hearing it. Hindi ganoon kabilis ang pangyayari, especially sa ganito katindi at kahalagang lehislasyon.

So I’m still hoping we can get it passed this year. Pero sana huwag nating pakawalan o huwag tayong bumitiw ng basta-basta.

Statement of Sen. Bam Aquino on the Encounter of the PNP-SAF with MILF

We deeply condole with the families of the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers who perished in Sunday’s clash with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao.

The PNP leadership must ensure that the benefits of these fallen police officers will be provided to their families the soonest possible time.

At the same time, the PNP must launch a thorough investigation into the incident and find ways to avoid similar encounters in the future.

The lives of our police officers must not be compromised. Both parties must account for the lives lost.

We must not allow this tragedy to be an obstacle to our efforts for lasting peace in Mindanao.

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