Issues

Bam urges youth to register for SK polls

Sen. Bam Aquino encouraged the youth to go out and register for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which will be held simultaneously with the selection of new barangay officials on October 23, 2017.

 ​​The senator made the call after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported a low turnout of registrants, which number just 193,229 from January to February 10 this year.

​​The Comelec is eyeing six million new voters —two million regular-aged voters, and four million youth – before registration ends on April 29. The SK and barangay elections will be held on October 23, 2017.

​​“Now, more than ever, we must speak out, we must participate in electing our leaders,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.

​​“Let’s not waste our vote​ and let’s make the most of the SK reforms we fought for in Congress,” added Sen. Bam, who pushed for passage of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act as co-author and co-sponsor in the 16th Congress.

​​The first legislation with an anti-dynasty provision, the SK Reform Act prohibits relatives of elected officials up to 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from seeking SK posts.

​​In addition, the law adjusts age limit of 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.

​​Furthermore, SK officials will now be required 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.

Bam: Have the PNP become hired guns of foreign syndicates?

Have the Philippine National Police (PNP) become guns for hire of foreign organized crime?

Sen. Bam wonders about this after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre revealed links of a foreign mafia to the kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.

 “Kung totoo po iyan, kailangan i-explore. Pero in this case ni Jee Ick Joo, ginamit nila iyong pulis natin. It’s not the case na mga Koreano iyong pumatay sa Koreano kundi mga pulis natin,” said Sen. Bam during the Senate committee on public order hearing on the kidnap/murder case.

 “Dalawa o tatlong pulis at isang civilian, according to his (SPO4 Roy Villegas) story na sumasang-ayong ang PNP, pinatay ang isang South Korean businessman sa kalagitnaan ng PNP,” he added.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after Aguirre claimed that he has received information that the businessman was kidnapped twice by the said mafia before being killed inside Camp Crame.

Senior Supt. Albert Ferro, director of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG), supported Aguirre’s statement, saying only a transnational syndicate can recruit personnel from the PNP and NBI for their illegal operations.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam admonished Villegas for doing nothing while the South Korean was allegedly being strangled by SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel inside a parked car in Camp Crame.

 Villegas, for his part, admitted that he did not do anything to prevent the murder as he was earlier threatened by Sta. Isabel that something will happen to him.

 Sen. Bam also advised policemen who will be in the same situation as SPO4 Villegas to honor their oath to protect the citizentry.

 “Our police should honor their oath. When they are asked to murder, they should stop it, not allow it,” said Sen. Bam.

Bam: People Power belongs to the people

“People can celebrate EDSA People Power 1 in their own way to help keep its memory alive”.

This was Sen. Bam Aquino’s response to government’s plan to hold a quiet and simple ceremony in commemoration of the bloodless revolution’s 31st anniversary Saturday inside Camp Aguinaldo.

 “Ang celebration ng People Power ay nasa taumbayan. Hindi iyan pagmamay-ari ng isang tao o isang pamilya,” Sen. Bam stressed in a television interview.

 “That belongs to the people and it’s up to the people. Maraming iba’t-ibang mga bagay kung paano maaaring ipagdiwang ng taumbayan ang okasyon,” he added.

Sen. Bam said he respects the government’s decision to hold a simple celebration, saying it’s their prerogative.

 “I think government doing that move it’s probably the best move for them at this point, considering that President Duterte is also not attending,” said Sen. Bam.

 Meanwhile, Sen. Bam said the fight against corruption and threat to democracy remains, 31 years after the historic event that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

“We’re still fighting against corruption. Marami pa ring mga nangyayaring hindi dapat mangyari pagdating sa korapsyon,” Sen. Bam said.

  “We’re fighting for democracy. We’re fighting for people to be able to speak up. Before, they were fighting for press freedom. Now, it’s freedom online – to be able to say what you want to say without being trolled,” he pointed out.

 Sen. Bam also stressed that dissent actually results in better policy, adding that exchange of ideas sometimes leads to better things.

 “We should allow for these democratic spaces, especially this week na inaalala natin ang EDSA,” the lawmaker said.

Bam eyes students’ safety during field trips in probe

Are there tight guidelines to ensure our children’s safety?

Sen. Bam Aquino said this will be the main focus of the impending Senate probe on the bus accident that killed 15 people, including 13 students from Bestlink College, during a field trip in Tanay, Rizal.

 Sen. Bam has filed Senate Resolution No. 297, calling for an investigation into the accident, which also claimed the lives of a teacher and the bus driver.

 “We need to check the guidelines. Are there tight guidelines to make sure that our children are safe?” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

 “Gusto nating malaman how we can avoid these type of accidents. This is not the first accident na nangyari in a field trip na may namatay. Mayroon nang nangyaring ganito in the past,” he added.

The probe, which will be conducted jointly by the Committees on Education and Public Services, would determine if the students were coerced by the school to join the field trip in exchange for a passing grade.

 “We need to make sure that walang napilit.  Kailangan nating alamin ang katotohanan sa mga kuwento na na-threaten daw iyong mga bata na babagsak kung hindi sumama sa field trip,” the senator said.

 Sen. Bam said representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) will also be invited to the hearing to discuss regulations regarding field trips in elementary and high schools.

 According to initial investigation, the students were en-route to a medical and survival training for their National Service Training Program subject when the bus lost its brakes while traversing a curved highway before hitting an electrical post.

Bam files resolution to look into field trips

A lawmaker wants to look into the field trip accident that left 15 people dead to craft a better guidelines regarding educational tours and make out-of-school activities safer for students.

 “Gusto nating alamin ang nangyari at pangalawa, kung anong reporma ang kailangang gawin upang mas maging ligtas ang out-of-school activities sa ating mga kabataan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Education, as he filed Senate Resolution No. 297, calling for a probe on the accident.

  “We agree in general na mahalaga ang ganitong activities but it must be done in a safe environment na alam nating ligtas ang mga kabataan natin,” he added.

Sen. Bam said the committee probe will focus on reforms that must be implemented to ensure that there will be no repeat of such incident that cost the lives of 13 students, a teacher and the bus driver.

 The senator will also invite representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) to discuss regulations regarding field trips in elementary and high schools.

The senator also expressed support behind the planned investigation of the Commission on Higher Education and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on the matter.

Fifteen people, including 13 students and a teacher from Bestlink College, died when the bus they were riding met an accident in Tanay, Rizal.

 According to initial investigation, the students were en-route to a medical and survival training for their National Service Training Program subject when the bus lost its brakes while traversing a curved highway before hitting a electrical post and a tree.

Bam on SPO3 Arthur Lascanas’ statement

In light of this new information, the Senate must undertake an impartial, transparent, and independent investigation.
 
These allegations are serious and it is for the benefit of all personalities and the Filipino people that we come to the truth.

Bam on DOJ’s case vs Sen. Leila de Lima

Without a paper or money trail and with only contradicting testimonies from some of the worst criminals in our country, the administration files charges and seeks to arrest its staunchest critic.

 And while all of this is being done, government spends its resources trying to acquit the mastermind of the Pork Barrel Scam.

Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture. But it is our new reality.

This act of brazen harassment and perversion of our justice system should not be tolerated.

Bam on Janet Napoles

Bakit kailangang kumilos ang pamahalaan upang protektahan si Janet Napoles?

Tama bang gamitin ng Solicitor General ang pera ng taumbayan upang ipagtanggol ang mga sangkot sa pinakamalaking kaso ng pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan?

 Malinaw na may mali sa mga pangyayaring ito na ang sistemang panghustisya ng ating bayan ay tila nakapabor sa mga mayayaman at maimpluwensya.

Ito ba ang sistema ng hustisya na bibigyan natin ng kapangyarihang magpataw ng kamatayan?

Students back free tuition in SUCs, call it way to better future

“We now have a chance to rise from poverty and have a better future”.

 Thus said Jen Mark Calub, an aviation communication student at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA), as he welcomed the proposed free tuition in state colleges and universities (SUCs).

 As a student regent, Calub is aware of the situation that financially challenged students undergo, especially when it comes to payment of tuition fee and other school charges.

 “Every enrollment, students asking for more time to pay their tuition fee due to lack of financial capacity is a common sight in our school,” said Calub.

 “The most common reason is the meager salaries of their parents while other students have to work for their tuition fee,” added Calub.

 Calub said PhilSCA students are now optimistic about finishing their college degree through the help of Senate Bill No. 1304 or the “Free Higher Education for All Act”, principally sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino.

Currently being tackled in the plenary, the measure seeks to provide free tuition fee to all students in SUCs.

 “When we learned about the measure, we now believe that there is still hope for those who want to continue with their education at PhilSCA,” said Calub.

Tristen Jamon, supreme student council president at PhilSCA’s Basa Palmayo Campus, echoed Calub’s view, saying the measure will inspire students to finish their dream degree.

“Ito ang magbibigay sa amin ng pagkakataon upang makamit ang aming mga pangarap at magsisilbing motibasyon upang pagsikapan pang lalo ang aming pag-aaral,” he said.

 A student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman who requested anonymity, said the measure, if passed into law, will help Iskolars ng Bayan like him hurdle financial obstacles that hamper their studies.

 Aside from Sen. Bam, other authors of the measure are Sens. Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda, Leila de Lima, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon.

Bam: Financially challenged students to benefit from free tuition in SUCs

Financially challenged students stand to benefit from the proposed free tuition in state colleges and universities (SUCs), according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1304 or the “Free Higher Education for All Act”, which is currently being tackled in the plenary.

“Matutulungan ng panukalang ito ang mga estudyanteng gustong makatapos ng kolehiyo ngunit nakararanas ng problemang pinansiyal,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

In most cases, Sen. Bam said the parents of these students are regular employees, who are having a hard time making ends meet for the needs of their families due to meager salaries.

 Sen. Bam added there are some students who work part-time to sustain their educational needs, such as tuition fees and other school expenses.

The senator cited the cases of Mary Ann Valimento and Cherry Mae Cabillo, who were among those interviewed by his office as case studies for the measure.

A business administration student at Bulacan State University, Valimento is having a hard time paying her tuition and other school fees after her father suffered a stroke and had to stop working.

A 3rd-year IT student at Philippine State College of Aeronautics, Cabillo was forced to drop out of school due to her parents’ lack of financial capability, with her father working as farmer and her mother a plain housewife.

“Ilan lang sila sa napakaraming estudyante na kulang sa pinansiyal na kakayahan na dapat nating tulungan para magkaroon ng tsansa sa magandang buhay,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 According to data from Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), around 77 percent of students from majority of SUCs come from a family earning minimum wage income or less.

 Furthermore, the Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) 2014 report indicated that up to 71 percent of students in SUCs come from families with monthly family income of approximately P29,000 or less, and are struggling to send their children to school.

Earlier, Sen. Bam countered the position of several government agencies that the measure is anti-poor, saying the government must invest in education for the youth.

 Along with Sen. Bam, other authors of the measure are Sens. Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda, Leila de Lima, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon.

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