Issues

Sen. Bam eyes permanent residency for religious workers, missionaries like Sister Fox

In light of the deportation order against Sister Patricia Fox, Senator Bam Aquino renewed his call for the passage of his measure seeking to give permanent residency to foreign religious workers and missionaries as recognition of their work to promote the welfare of the poor.

“Foreign religious workers like Sister Fox are partners for change. Many of them are fighting for the rights and welfare of the poor through outreach work and social missions,” Sen. Bam said in Senate Bill No. 702 or the Permanent Residency to Qualified Religious Workers Act.

In his measure, which was filed last July 20, 2016, Sen. Bam emphasized that foreign religious workers have sacrificed a lot, including leaving the comfort of their homes and their families, just to serve the Filipino people.

“These are devoted individuals who intend to live the rest of their lives serving the Filipino people,” Sen. Bam stressed.

The measure seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, to spare foreign religious from burdensome requirements and procedures to stay in the country and performing their chosen vocation here that benefits our communities.

“This bill seeks to assist the many religious workers who have already dedicated long years of their lives to their missionary work and vocation in the country,” said Sen. Bam.

According to the senator, the measure is also aimed at updating the antiquated immigration law to better address the changing needs and demands of the increasing globalized and interconnected international community.

Earlier, Sen. Bam condemned the deportation order against Sister Fox, saying the government overlooked the missionary’s help to poor Filipinos just because she fought for their cause.

“Binalewala ng administrasyon ang ilang taong pagtulong ni Sister Patricia Fox sa mahihirap na Pilipino dahil siya’y nakikiisa sa kanilang ipinaglalaban,” said Sen. Bam. “Lantaran na ang panggigipit sa mga taong lumalaban at hindi sunud-sunuran.”

Sen. Bam has committed to file a resolution to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreign nationals. In the 16th Congress, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 260 to ensure that the freedom of expression of foreign nationals is not curtailed.

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Photo taken from PhilStar.com

Sen. Bam on the deportation of Sister Patricia Fox

Binalewala ng administrasyon ang ilang taong pagtulong ni Sister Patricia Fox sa mahihirap na Pilipino dahil siya’y nakikiisa sa kanilang ipinaglalaban.

Lantaran na ang panggigipit sa mga taong lumalaban at hindi sunud-sunuran.

Now, more than ever, we need our laws to protect the rights of people willing to stand up to power and speak out against injustices.

In the 16th Congress, I filed Senate Resolution No. 260 to ensure that the freedom of expression of foreign nationals is not curtailed.

 I will file a resolution once again to investigate possible abuses in the deportation of foreign nationals.

Sen. Bam to admin: Listen to Filipino people, review TRAIN law

Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to listen to the Filipino people in light of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing pay hikes and increase in prices as major concerns of the public.

 “Pakinggan natin ang hinaing ng mga Pilipinong nabibigatan sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at hindi sapat na kita,” said Sen. Bam, who has visited a number of local communities to hear out their concerns on the rising prices of goods.

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 28 showed that 50 percent of the respondents mentioned salary increase as the most urgent issue while 45 percent pointed to inflation.

“Sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, sapat ba ang 200 pesos per month na cash transfer ng gobyerno? Panahon na para suriin ang totoong epekto ng TRAIN law at siguraduhing hindi pinapahirap ng gobyerno ang buhay ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 With this development, Sen. Bam reiterated his call to review Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act as it contributes to the increase in prices of goods and services that burdens Filipinos, especially the poor.

Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 704, urging the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry on the TRAIN’s inflationary impact and effect on the economy, particularly the P7 and P2.50 excise tax increase on gasoline and diesel, respectively.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Resolution No. 597, urging the appropriate Senate committee to scrutinize the implementation of the unconditional cash transfer to ensure that it is sufficient to cover the increase in prices of goods and other services.

In his resolution, Sen. Bam said the Department of Finance assured lawmakers that TRAIN’s impact on inflation would not be more than 0.7 percent.

However, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s inflation rate for March hit 4.3 percent.

Sen. Bam: No point in Boracay shutdown until gov’t develops solid plan, procedure

Just days before the start of its six-month shutdown, the government has yet to show a clear plan to rehabilitate Boracay Island and to provide assistance to those affected by its closure.

“Ilang araw na lang at isasara na pero wala pang inilalabas na plano para ma-rehabilitate ang Boracay. Kailangan rin ng plano para sa mga maliliit na negosyante at freelancers,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, referring to the impending closure of Boracay on April 26.

“Huwag pahirapan ang mga Pilipino kung wala pang malinaw na plano,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam said the government should delay its plan to close Boracay if it has no definite plan for its rehabilitation and for the delivery of assistance to its residents, who are relying on the island for their livelihood.

Earlier, Sen. Bam called on concerned government agencies to provide assistance to small businesses that will be affected by the six-month closure of the island.

The senator said Negosyo Centers in Aklan and other nearby areas play a crucial role in keeping micro and small enterprises in the area afloat by connecting them to other markets and provide them with alternative livelihood.

 “Maaaring iugnay ng Negosyo Centers ang mga maliliit na negosyante sa iba’t ibang merkado habang naghihintay na bumalik sa normal ang operasyon ng Boracay,” said Sen. Bam, principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act.

Sen. Bam pushes daily load notifications to resolve ‘nakaw load’ issue

Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, instructed telecommunications companies to provide free daily notifications to subscribers regarding their load balance.

“Bigyan na ng resibo araw-araw ang mga subscriber at bigyan ng pagkakataong mag-reklamo kapag mayroong nakitang mali” said Sen. Bam, who spearheaded the committee hearing on the complaints of subscribers regarding disappearing load.

According to Sen. Bam, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has committed to issue a memorandum circular that aims to address the problem of disappearing load or “nakaw load”, which will include his suggestion of daily notifications or receipts to subscribers.

“Bantayan natin para matiyak na maglalabas talaga ang NTC ng memorandum circular upang maipatupad ang pagbibigay ng digital na resibo o notification ang mga subscribers,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the NTC’s commitment to release the memorandum by June or July.

The NTC said that it also plans to include a minimum two-step process for subscribing to value-added services (VAS).

For their part, the telecommunications companies committed to the implementation of a three- or four-step verification process so clients are well-informed of the services they subscribe to.

“Ang hinahanap natin ay aksiyon. Solusyunan na natin agad itong isyu ng nawawalang prepaid load,” insisted Sen. Bam, the only senator in the hearing.

 The hearing was called by Sen. Bam through Senate Resolution No. 595, directing the committee to determine the capacity and readiness of relevant government agencies and regulators to implement rules that will protect prepaid mobile subscribers.

Sen. Bam to hear updates on ‘Nakaw Load’ fixes

Telecommunications companies are expected to present an update on their respective solutions when Senator Bam Aquino resumes the probe into consumer complaints about disappearance of prepaid loads or the so-called “nakaw load” on Monday (April 23).

“We identified specific solutions during the first hearing so that prepaid consumers no longer encounter dubious load deductions,” said Sen. Bam, who is spearheading the investigation as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“Mahigit isang buwan na mula noon kaya inaasahan nating naipatupad na ang mga solusyong ito,” Sen. Bam added.

During the committee’s initial hearing on March 5, Sen. Bam insisted that telecommunication companies must be transparent by issuing notifications to their subscribers when load is credited or deducted to their account

“Mahalagang agad na malaman ng subscribers kung may nadadagdag o nababawas na load sa kanilang account sa pamamagitan ng abiso mula sa telco,” said Sen. Bam.

Through notifications, subscribers will be able to monitor their load spending and will allow them to immediately cancel services they do not wish to avail.

Sen. Bam also called on telcos to implement an audit of all their value-added service (VAS) subscription, to protect consumers against unwarranted deductions from their prepaid load.

A telco also committed to implement a system refresh that will opt-out all of their subscribers to all VAS subscriptions and impose a stricter procedure when availing of these extra services.

The committee will resume its investigation on Monday (April 23), 10 a.m. at the Recto Room of the Senate of the Philippines.

The hearing was called by Sen. Bam through Senate Resolution No. 595, directing the committee to determine the capacity and readiness of relevant government agencies and regulators to implement rules that will protect prepaid mobile subscribers.

Sen. Bam to BIR: Ensure zero harassment of small businesses in intensified inspections

While he welcomes the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s move to intensify inspection of businesses, Sen. Bam Aquino said the agency must ensure that this action will not be a tool for harassment and corruption.

“We laud the BIR’s effort to go after tax evaders, but the agency should also guarantee that they will target large businesses and not harass our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Walang kalaban-laban ang mga maliliit na negosyo kung sila ay gipitin,” said Sen. Bam.

“Lalo na ngayong tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin, inaasahan ng mga pamilya ang kanilang maliit na negosyo, tulad ng sari-sari store at carenderia. Tiyakin dapat ng BIR na hindi papahirapan ng mga inspectors ang mga kababayan nating nasa laylayan,” added Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam pushed for the exemption of micro enterprises earning less than P250,000 annually from paying the required percentage taxes, on top of their income tax exemption, under the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) Act.

“Malaki ang naitutulong ng mga maliliit na negosyo at sideline sa mga mahihirap nating pamilya at komunidad. Dapat lang na suportahan sila ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam is a former social entrepreneur and long-time advocate for MSME development.

His first law, Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, has established more than 800 Negosyo Centers around the Philippines to help Filipinos put up and manage successful businesses.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Bill No. 169 or the Small Business Tax Reform Act, which seeks to provide small businesses with a lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and simplified filing of taxes.

Under the measure, all small businesses shall be exempt from payment of income tax for the first three years of its operation from date of establishment and will be subjected to lower income tax rates thereafter.

“This bill also proposes the lowering of the income tax rate for MSEs and an exemption from VAT, among other methods to help our small businesses grow,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam lone opposition in top 12

Senator Bam Aquino stood firm as the only member of the opposition within the top 12 of the senatorial race in the Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 23 to 28 – a sign the Filipino people still acknowledge the need for dissenting voices.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa tiwala ng taumbayan, sa karangalang maisama sa listahan ng posibleng manalo bilang Senador sa 2019,” said Sen. Bam, whose first term in the Senate ends in 2019.

“Umaasa tayo na madagdagan pa ang kababayan nating pipili ng mga tao na handang tumayo laban sa maling polisiya ng pamahalaan,” the senator added, emphasizing that the country also needs a dissenting voice that will stand up for the people.

 “Sa kasalukuyan, marami nang Pilipino ang nawalan ng boses at hindi na kayang ipaglaban ang kanilang paninindigan. Naririto ang oposisyon para maging tinig at tagapagtanggol nila,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Sen. Bam underscored the need for an opposition coalition that is willing to stand and oppose government policies detrimental to the welfare of the Filipino people.

 “Kailangan natin ng isang oposisyon na handang tumayo, kahit alam nating hindi ito popular sa kasalukuyan, upang ipaglaban ang karapatan ng taumbayan at protektahan ang demokrasya,” stressed Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said the Liberal Party (LP) will join a coalition slate, which will be made up of people willing to speak out and stand up against Malacanang’s policies that may be damaging to the people.

 

Sen. Bam: Level playing field for promising youth leaders in new SK

The May 14 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election provides promising young leaders a level playing field through the anti-dynasty provision of the SK Reform Act, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Sa ilalim ng bagong SK Reform Act, lahat ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataong manilbihan, lalo pa’t maipatutupad na sa unang pagkakataon ang probisyon kontra political dynasty, said Sen. Bam in a radio interview on Friday, the last day for youth leaders to file their COCs in Comelec offices.

Co-sponsored and co-authored by Sen. Bam during his term as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress, Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act 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.

In past SK elections, Sen. Bam said the usual winners were related to incumbent local officials, like mayor, vice mayor, councilors, barangay captains and barangay councilors.

“Ngayon, mabibigyan na ng patas na pagkakataon ang lahat na makapagsilbi sa bayan, kahit wala siyang impluwensiya o kamag-anak na nakaupo sa posisyon,” Sen. Bam stressed.

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 SK Reform Act also requires SK officials to undergo leadership training programs to expose them to the best practices in governance and guide their development as leaders.

The new law also mandates the creation of the Local Youth Development Council (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.

Govt must act to stop escalating militarization of West PH Sea: Liberal stalwarts

Partido Liberal stalwarts on Wednesday slammed the government for its inaction on the country’s territorial claims on the West Philippine Sea amid reports that China’s two war planes landed on the reef.
 
“We demand transparency in the administration’s dealings with China. What else is the Philippines giving up to this new friendship?” asked Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
“Hindi ba dapat ipaglaban ang ating teritoryo, lalo na para sa mga mangingisda natin? Sinayang lang ng administrasyon ang panalo natin sa Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA),” added Sen. Aquino, referring to the PCA’s decision that the Philippines own the disputed territories.
 
Sen. Aquino said if the government is determined and sincere in protecting the country’s territory, then it should assert our victory in the PCA.
 
Senator Francis Pangilinan, Partido Liberal president, said the escalating militarization of the West Philippine Sea, taken with the Philippine government’s obliging attitude and behavior toward China, is unacceptable.
 
“Nagiging barangay na ba ng China ang Pilipinas?” he asked.
 
Pangilinan also pointed out that this sovereignty and security issue should have been discussed in the President’s recent visit to China.
 
“Hindi ba ito napag-usapan ng ating Presidente noong bumisita siya sa China kamakailan?” he asked.
 
What happened to jet ski promise?
 
Former lawmaker Erin Tanada, Partido Liberal’s vice president for external affairs, said that if Duterte cannot fulfill his campaign promise to ride a jet ski and plant a Philippine flag in the disputed territory, he must at least fight for it through the PCA decision.
 
“Ipakita sana ni Duterte ang tapang na ipinakita niya noong kampanya, laban sa China at hindi ang pagtikum-bibig habang nilalabag ang ating kasarinlan,” Tanada said.
 
Tanada reiterated that the presence of Chinese military transport planes on Panganiban Reef is another intrusion in our sovereign territory.
 
“We seek clarification from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs on this incident. Are Philippine authorities aware of this? Are these passages or landing allowed?  What is China bringing next after these transport planes — war planes?” Tanada said.
 
“Dapat nating tutulan itong patuloy na panloloob bilang bahagi ng ating paninindigan sa desisyon ng Arbitral Tribunal. We should be on guard against any move that could be prejudicial to order, and peace and security in the territory,” Tanada added.
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