Issues

Sen. Bam: PH start-up bill is passed by Senate

A measure that seeks to empower and encourage Filipino innovators and entrepreneurs to build better solutions for the nation was approved by the Senate on third and final reading, according to its principal author and sponsor Sen. Bam Aquino.

Via an overwhelming 18-0 vote, Senate Bill No. 1532 or the Innovative Startup Act was approved by the Senate, bringing it closer to becoming a law.

“This is great news for our innovators and entrepreneurs! We’re one step closer to giving them the support they deserve,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“It isn’t easy building a successful start-up, specially in the Philippines. Still, they find ways to bring better solutions to problems in transportation, healthcare, agriculture, and other industries. Tama lang na tulungan sila ng gobyerno,” added Sen. Bam, a former social entrepreneur.

If enacted into law, the measure will provide support to innovative and tech startups, which pertain to businesses that provide unique and relevant solutions to pressing problems, such as transportation, financing, agriculture and healthcare.

“Our country has a number of promising start-ups and we need to provide them with the environment where they can grow and succeed, just like what their counterparts in other countries like United States and Israel are enjoying,” said Sen. Bam.

If enacted into law, innovative startups will enjoy benefits such as tax breaks and grants and other forms of assistance, including a faster process for business registration.

Innovative start-ups could also avail of technical assistance and training programs, use of equipment, facilities and support for patenting or licensing of their product through the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

The measure also includes a P10 billion Innovative Startup Venture Fund that entrepreneurs can apply for.

Sen. Bam is an advocate of start-up, micro, small and medium enterprise (SMSME) development. During the 16th Congress, he passed the Go Negosyo Act, the Youth Entrepreneurship Act and other laws to empower local businesses.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Use your power to limit price increases, ease Filipinos’ burden

While there are many elements contributing to the increase in prices of goods and services, Sen. Bam Aquino stressed the need to focus on factors under the government’s control, like the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 

“Maaaring kontrolin ang TRAIN at pagpataw ng buwis sa petrolyo. Bigyan natin ng kaunting ginhawa ang mga pamilya, isuspindi natin ang excise tax,” said Sen. Bam, referring to his measure to stop the collection of excise tax on fuel under TRAIN once the inflation rate breaches “target range.”

 

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period. 

 

During the TRAIN’s deliberation, Sen. Bam introduced an amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once inflation rate breaches the “target range.”

 

Fellow senators approved Sen. Bam’s amendment but the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

 

“Kailagang aminin na nahihirapan na ang mga Pilipino sa pagtaas ng presyo. Gawin naman natin ang ating makakaya upang tulungan ang mga pamilya,” added Sen. Bam.

 

Sen. Bam expects his colleagues to support his measure since many of them approved it during the deliberation of the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam: Abolishing PCGG endorses corruption, historical revisionism

If the government is serious in eradicating corruption, it should work to strengthen the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), rather than move to abolish it, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Kung talagang determinado ang gobyerno na labanan ang katiwalian, bakit nais nitong buwagin ang PCGG na siyang naghahabol sa nakaw na yaman ng pamilya Marcos,” said Sen. Bam, alluding to the move of the House of Representatives to abolish the PCGG.

“Sa halip na buwagin, mas magandang palakasin pa ang PCGG dahil marami pang pera at marami pang bank accounts ang hindi pa naibabalik sa mga Pilipino,” added Sen. Bam.

The senator said the unrecovered money from the Marcoses, amounting to billions of dollars, could be put to good use and for the benefits of the Filipino people.

Sen. Bam also questioned the move to abolish the PCGG, saying it could be a part of a ploy to revise history about the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

“This will institutionalize historical revisionism. Pilit na binabago ang kasaysayan sa pagkilos na ito,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the measure has no counterpart measure in the Senate.

In its 30 years of existence, the PCGG has succeeded in recovering $3.6 billion or P170 billion pesos of the estimated $10 billion of Marcos ill-gotten wealth. 

The recovered funds have been used to support the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and reparation of Martial Law victims.

Sen. Bam on Senate’s stand against SC’s quo warranto

We appeal to the Senate to stand together and call out the Supreme Court for violating the rule of law and denying the Filipino people their right to hear the truth through a public impeachment trial.
 
A resolution is making the rounds in the Senate to categorically oppose the SC’s unconstitutional quo warranto decision.
 
This abuse of power threatens every Filipino and now we senators must make a stand and fulfill our mandate to uphold checks and balances, whatever our political color.
 
Together with the public, we must dissent this abuse to our rights and our sacred Constitution.
 
And we must now be fiercely vigilant and discerning of every decision made by the SC. They should know that the Filipino people are watching.

Sen. Bam to new barangay leaders: Listen to the community, find the best solutions

Senator Bam Aquino congratulated elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders and advised them to begin by listening to the people they have sworn to serve.

“Hindi lang tayo dapat magaling mangampanya, magaling din tayo dapat magserbisyo. Nagsisimula ito sa pakikinig sa komunidad. Alamin natin ang kanilang mga kuwento at kanilang pangangailangan,” Sen. Bam stressed.

To address the concerns of the community, Sen. Bam said our barangay and SK leaders should learn from one another and should not be afraid to try new, innovative solutions.

“Kailangan handa tayo na gawin ang mga bagay na kakaiba. Alamin natin ang mga best practices mula sa isa’t isa. Huwag tayong makulong sa laging nakagisnan pag naghahanap ng mga solusyon sa problema,” said Sen. Bam, an advocate of innovations, start-ups and social enterprises.

“Kailangang alam natin ang kailangan ng ating pinagsisilbihan at kailangang handa tayong matuto kung paano maibibigay sa kanila ang mga ito,” Sen. Bam pointed out, adding that Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act will provide the new SK officials with training and advise through the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) to help them become good leaders.

The SK Reform Act, which Sen. Bam co-sponsored and co-authored during his tenure as chairman of the Committee on Youth, is the first law in the country with an anti-political dynasty provision. It prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

The law adjusts the age limit for SK officials from 15-17 to 18-24 years old, making them legally capable of entering into contracts and be held accountable and liable for their actions.

The law also mandates the creation of the LYDC, a council that will support the SK and ensure the participation of more youth through youth organizations.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives from the different youth organizations in the community – student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.

Sen. Bam Aquino is lone opposition, dissenting vote in Magic 12

As the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys, Senator Bam Aquino underscored the need for a dissenting voice amid contentious reforms and controversies hounding the Duterte administration. 

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa taumbayan at naisama ako sa top 12. Kailangan ng mga senador na handang tumutol sa mga programa ng administrasyon na hindi makatutulong sa pamilyang Pilipino. Mahalaga na balanse ang Senado,” said Sen. Bam, who was the only re-electionist senator who opposed the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“We must strengthen the independence of the Senate by electing officials who are not afraid to oppose the administration and join the minority, especially now that the Supreme Court has shown its blatant bias. Kailangan ng mga senador na maninindigan para sa taumbayan, para sa demokrasya,” Sen. Bam added. 

Sen. Bam placed 11th in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted last April 7 to 11 with respondents of 1,200. In the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey conducted from March 23 to 28, he was also the lone opposition who made it to the top 12, landing in a tie for 10th place. 

Sen. Bam was one of four senators, and the only re-electionist senator, who voted against the ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, due to the expected price increases and negative impact on poor Filipino families. 

Recently, Sen. Bam submitted Senate Bill No. 1798 that seeks to amend the controversial tax reform program that will suspend the collection of excise tax on fuel once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.” 

In Sen. Bam’s measure, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.  

“Kailangan na muna nating i-preno ang TRAIN dahil marami na itong nasasagasaan na mahihirap na Pilipino sa dala nitong pagtaas sa presyo ng bilihin,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam Aquino votes in Concepcion, Tarlac barangay elections

Sen. Bam Aquino, along with his wife Timi, proudly exercised their right to vote in this year’s barangay elections in Concepcion, Tarlac.

 Sen. Bam, who opposed any further postponements to the barangay and SK elections, encouraged Filipinos to participate in our democracy by voting.

“Bumoto tayo at lumahok sa eleksiyon. Mahalaga ito sa kasalukuyang panahon na kailangang marinig ang ating mga boses,” said Sen. Bam, who is the lone opposition member within the top 12 in recent senatorial surveys.

 “Huwag nating sayangin ang ating pagkakataong bumoto. Piliin natin ang mga lider na totoong magsisilbi at magbabantay sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam said.

Sen. Bam: Use your voice, exercise right to vote amid assault on PH democracy

Senator Bam Aquino encouraged Filipinos to participate in and strengthen our democracy by voting in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday. 

“Ipakita natin na pinahahalalagahan natin ang ating boto, ang ating boses,” said Sen. Bam, who protested the Supreme Court’s decision to oust, via quo warranto, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. 

“Bumoto tayo at lumahok sa eleksiyon. Mahalaga ito sa kasalukuyang panahon na kailangang marinig ang ating mga boses,” added Sen. Bam. 

In a protest rally against the quo warranto decision of the Supreme Court, Sen. Bam said the decision was a blatant disregard of the Constitution and puts the rights of every Filipino at risk. 

With the government’s disrespect for our Constitution and our democracy, Sen. Bam says the right to speak and protest, and the right to vote have become even more valuable. 

“Huwag nating sayangin ang ating pagkakataong bumoto. Piliin natin ang mga lider na totoong magsisilbi at magbabantay sa karapatan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino,” said Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam is among the minority senators and continues to oppose reforms he believes do not benefit the Filipino people. Sen. Bam is one out of the four senators who voted against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. 

“Mahihirap na pamilya ang masasagasaan ng TRAIN, kaya tayo tumutol dito,” Sen. Bam said. 

Sen. Bam: Poor Filipinos are collateral damage of TRAIN and Build-Build-Build

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to put the welfare of poor Filipinos first, instead of letting them become collateral damage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

”Hindi puwedeng collateral damage ang ating mga kababayan sa hangarin na magkaroon ng maraming tulay at kalsada sa bansa. Habang mahalaga ang infrastructure projects, huwag nating hayaang magdusa ang mahihirap na kababayan natin,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Act.

Sen. Bam was reacting to Department of Finance’s claim that funds for free college education and salary hike of uniformed personnel will be affected if the TRAIN Act is suspended.

The senator said the government should balance statistics with the welfare of Filipino families carrying the burden of high prices of goods and services due to the TRAIN Law.

“Ang problema, kapag puro numero ang tinitingnan, nakakalimutan ang mamamayan. Pakinggan naman natin ang hinaing ng mga nasasagasaan ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, also the principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

“Napakatindi na ng pag-aray ng ating mga kababayan sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” he added.

Sen. Bam said the DOF’s pronouncement was baseless since the government has an unobligated appropriations amounting to P390 billion in the 2017 national budget.

“Malinaw na may pera ang pamahalaan kaya maling sabihin na hindi mapopondohan ang libreng kolehiyo. Huwag ipagkait sa mga estudyante ang libreng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam recently filed a measure seeking to suspend the TRAIN Law, particularly the excise tax on fuel, once inflation rate breaches the prescribed “target range.”

In Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1798, the excise tax on fuel under TRAIN will be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

During the TRAIN’s deliberation, senators approved Sen. Bam’s amendment to include a safeguard where the implementation of TRAIN Law will be stopped once inflation rate breaches the “target range.”

However, the provision was not included in the bicameral conference committee and the approved version of the measure.

Sen. Bam on CJ Sereno’s removal

Talo na naman ang taumbayan.

Ano pa ang laban ng karaniwang Pilipino kung ang Chief Justice ay kayang tanggalin nang basta-basta at hindi batay sa tamang proseso?

Patuloy akong naninindigan na ang tamang proseso sa pagtanggal ng isang impeachable official ay sa pamamagitan ng impeachment court sa Senado.

Binalewala ang prosesong nakasaad sa Saligang Batas.

Natanggalan ang publiko ng karapatang malaman ang totoo at suriin ang kaso.

Tila ang may kapangyarihan na lang ang magdidikta ng hustisya. Talo na naman ang mga Pilipinong walang kalaban-laban.

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