Issues

Implement Land Swap to Retain Children’s Hospital – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino urged the National Housing Authority (NHA) to implement the land swap with the Department of Health (DOH) to resolve the ownership issue on the property occupied by the Philippine Children Medical Center (PCMC).

In 1992, the DOH agreed to swap its 5.9-hectare Cebu property for NHA’s Quezon City 6.4-hectare land where the PCMC currently stands.

However, Aquino said the agreement was realized only on one side because the NHA obtained and distributed the Cebu property through socialized housing while ownership of the Quezon City land was not transferred to the DOH.

“You already have the Cebu property. Would you agree to do a valuation and do the swap now?” Aquino told NHA officials, led by general manager Chito Cruz, during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Health on the issue.

Aquino also disputed NHA’s claim that the agency was just instructed by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to implement the socialized housing project in Cebu.

“When you disposed of that land to your constituents, you weren’t doing it for DOH. You were doing it as your land,” Aquino emphasized.

The senator also said that even President Arroyo’s 2001 memorandum acknowledged the property swap between the DOH and the NHA.

Cruz said the NHA is willing to convey the property to the DOH only if the Department of Justice (DOJ) declares that there is a consummated swap through a legal opinion.

Aquino also got a commitment from the DOJ to resolve the legal side of the issue by next month.

“Let’s make this an early Christmas gift, not just for officials and employees of PCMC, but to all poor Filipino children who enjoy quality free health services,” the senator said.

Earlier, Aquino filed Senate Resolution 266 calling on concerned government agencies to work collaboratively to resolve the PCMC issue.

“Let us set aside other issues and think of the welfare of thousands of poor Filipinos who rely on PCMC for their children’s health,” the senator added.

 

Sen. Bam to LTFRB: Embrace innovation, support start ups

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) must embrace innovation and provide some leeway to transport start ups, which provide safe and affordable means of transportation to the commuting public.

“The government should encourage innovation, not curtail it. The LTFRB must give these transport start ups some leeway as we review current laws on franchising,” said Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship

Aquino said the LTFRB can provide these transport start ups, such as Uber, Tripid, GrabTaxi and EasyTaxi, some leeway, the same way it provided provisional authority to cargo trucks and new buses to ply their routes

“The government needs all the help it can get, especially from the private sector, as it continues to find ways to improve the country’s mass transport system and solve the perennial traffic problem,” the senator said.

Aquino describes Uber as an innovation as it provides commuters with a safer mode of transportation and quality service at the same time.

Uber is a high-tech transportation network that makes mobile apps that connect passengers with drivers of private vehicles for hire and car-pooling services. The company arranges pickups wherein cars are reserved by sending a text message or by using a mobile app and within 10 minutes the vehicle would arrive

The uber system helps alleviate the monstrous traffic problems in California, especially through car-pooling.

“The government should not hold back innovations that alleviate the plight of our commuting public,” the senator said.

 A staunch supporter of start up businesses, Aquino has filed a measure granting them tax exemption from operations for two years.

Aquino said Senate Bill 2217, also known as the Start-Up Business Bill, would provide these enterprises the proper time to stand on their own as they try to create a niche in the market.

“The intervention provides the opportunity for these start-ups to get organized, establish their business operations and market base,” said Aquino.

The measure proposes a tax exemption from operations for two years, given that these enterprises are not an affiliate, a subsidiary or a franchise of any existing company.

Also, these start-ups must not have any other existing registered company in case of a sole proprietorship.

Heavier Penalties for Hate Crimes vs LGBT – Sen. Bam

A senator is pushing for heavier penalties for hate crimes against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community after the brutal killing of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City recently.

“Hate crimes against the LGBT sector and other minority groups have no place in a civilized society. We should impose heavier penalties so that these discriminatory and inhumane acts will be eradicated,” said Senator Bam Aquino.

Aquino believes the killing of transgender Jeffrey Laude in Olongapo City is not an isolated case because the number of hate crimes against LGBT in the country have risen in the past years.

Aquino cited a data from the Philippine LGBT Hate Crime Watch, indicating that there were 164 cases of murdered LGBTs in the country from 1996 to June 2012.

In the first half of 2011 alone, a study funded by the UN Development Program and the US Agency for International Development showed that 28 killings involving the LGBT community.

“This number will continue to rise unless we do something about it immediately,” stressed Aquino, author of Senate Bill No. 2122 or the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2014, which seeks to combat discrimination of any form.

Aquino’s bill seeks to prohibit and penalize discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, civil status, HIV status and other medical condition, among others.

In the United States, the first hate crime laws were passed after the American Civil War, beginning with the Civil Rights Act of 1871, to combat the growing number of racially motivated crimes.

In 1978, California passed the first state hate-crime statute in connection with four ‘protected status’ categories: race, religion, color, and national origin.

In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expands the existing United States federal hate crime law to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Other countries also enacted hate-crime laws, including Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Increase Penalties for Corrupt Emission Centers! – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino stressed the need to stiffen penalties for corrupt private emission testing centers (PETC) to help combat the worsening air pollution in the country.

During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship which he chairs, Aquino discovered that a number of PETCS were sending fake emission results to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

“Using current photo-editing technology such as Photoshop, these corrupt PETCs edit the plate number to make it appear that a vehicle underwent emission testing,” Aquino said.

In the same hearing, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) revealed that if all cars will abide by Clean Air Act standards, air quality in Metro Manila would be in normal range.

“How can we improve the quality of air in the country if these corrupt PETCs continue to exist,” Aquino said, referring to a data that automobiles contribute 80 percent to air pollution in Metro Manila.

Aquino also expressed alarm after it was brought to his attention that erring PETCs only receive a penalty of P30,000 and a 30-day suspension.

“We need to revisit the penalties being imposed by the LTO on PETCs for not doing their job mandated by law,” said Aquino.

Aside from penalties, Aquino also urged the LTO to file falsification of public document charges against owners of erring PETCs for sending fake testing results.

Earlier, Aquino has filed a Senate Resolution 734 to investigate reports that some PETCs engage in illegal activities such as non-appearance scheme or ghost testing of motor vehicles in exchange for additional fees.

The emission compliance certificate is one of the basic requirements of the LTO before a vehicle is processed for renewal registration.

In his resolution, Aquino said illegal activities by some testing centers defeat the purpose of Republic Act 9749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act, which was passed in 1999 to maintain the quality of air and protect human life from the dangers of air pollution.

Under the Clean Air Act, a National Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program has been established to promote the efficient and safe operation of motor vehicles and ensure the reduction of emissions from motor vehicles.

“It is important to have cars checked properly because the leading cause of diseases in the country has to do with the respiratory system,” he said.

Be Vigilant Against Unsafe, Dangerous Products – Sen. Bam

Senator Bam Aquino reminded consumers to be more vigilant against unsafe or dangerous products currently being sold in the market, especially with the Christmas season fast approaching.

 “We must be careful in our everyday purchase because some unscrupulous traders sell low quality or unsafe products despite the danger they bring to the public,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“Price should not only be the basis for purchasing. We must also look at the quality and safety of the products that will flood our market,” the senator stressed.

Aquino advised consumers to buy products from legitimate stores to ensure quality and safety.

At the same time, the senator made the pronouncement amid the Food and Drugs Administration’s intensified campaign against unsafe products being sold in wet markets.

Among the products being strictly monitored by FDA are products tainted with dye, which commonly used as food color but some of it contain Rhodamine B that can cause cancer.

According to the FDA, dye is used in chili powder, cheese powder, turmeric powder, paprika powder, atsuete powder, kasubha powder, red gulaman and dried shrimp.

Dyes are also used in fish tapa, fish cracker and snack foods, sugar coated fennel, seasoning mix, spices and blends.

In an advisory, the FDA said Rhodamine B has been shown to be carcinogenic in mammalian models while Sudan dye is commonly used in shoe and floor polish, solvents, oils, waxes and petrol, and is likely to contain heavy metals.

Game Development Industry could follow BPO’s success – Sen. Bam

If provided the needed support and exposure, Senator Bam Aquino believes the local game development industry could duplicate, if not surpass, the success of the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in terms of job generation.

“The local game development industry is where the BPO industry was maybe 10 to 15 years ago,” Aquino said during the Philippine Game Festival (PGF) at SMX in Pasay City.

“There is a big potential to create high-quality, high-paying jobs for creative and innovative Filipinos.”

Aquino stressed that Filipinos gamers are equipped with the needed technical proficiency and artistry that put them at par with their foreign counterparts.

 “We can actually compete and with a little more support, this can be an industry that can make a big dent in our economy,” the lawmaker said.

The senator is currently working with the Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help promote the game development industry abroad and attract possible investors.

“We have to make the world know that the Philippines has game developers who are skilled, talented, and have the right mix of art and technology,” Aquino said.

“We are hoping that in the next few years we can see more of these investors here in the Philippines come in,” he added.

Currently, the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) said there are around 60 studios in the Philippines with a total of approximately 3,500 employees.

The GDAP has a target of 15,000 game professionals nationwide by 2016.

Sen. Bam renews call to eliminate corruption in Port of Manila

Senator Bam Aquino reiterated his call to concerned authorities to eliminate corruption, extortion and other illegal activities in and around Port of Manila as they contribute to congestion, traffic and high prices of goods.

“If we’re going to fix this, we should do it completely and we should solve the issues for the long-term,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“We should get rid of illegal activities such as extortion because they hamper the delivery of goods and contribute to the increase in prices of goods and services,” he added.

The senator said the government should apply the full force of the law against corrupt individuals who hamper port operations through their illegal activities.

“The government must show that it means business by going hard against these individuals who are making a living through illegal means,” he said.

Aquino renewed his pronouncement after Malacanang noticed that extortion activities in and around the port contributes to port congestion.

The senator made the same call during the first Senate hearing on port congestion where stakeholders complained about the “along the way” fees being collected by unscrupulous individuals.

“While decongesting our port is the main priority, concerned government agencies must also look at other factors that contribute to this problem, like corruption,” he said.

Aquino said extortion and corruption contribute to inefficiency, delaying the processing and delivery of shipments and discouraging truckers and shipping companies from fulfilling their obligation.

“Ultimately, the consumers will bear the full brunt of this because shipping companies will pass on to them their additional losses,” Aquino said.

The lawmaker also encouraged victims to come forward and file a case or complaint against those behind these illegal activities.

“We need the cooperation of everyone to combat corruption. As they say, evil will prevail if good men do nothing,” Aquino stressed.

The senator said complaints can be coursed through the WASAK or Walang Asenso sa Kotong Hotline (16565 and 0908-8816565) where entrepreneurs can air complaints against public officials.

Outlaw Exam Ban on Students for Non-payment of Tuition Fees — Sen. Bam

Banning students from taking examinations for failure to pay tuition fees will be outlawed once a measure filed by Senator Bam Aquino is enacted into law.

If enacted into law, Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 2369, or the “Students’ Rights and Welfare Act of 2014,” will punish violators of imprisonment of up to five years and fine of up to P100,000.

If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, treasurer, secretary or any officer or person responsible for the violation.

“If the offender is a public officer or employee, the Court shall, in addition to the penalties above, order his or her dismissal from government service,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

 Explaining his measure, Aquino stressed that while education plays a vital role in shaping the youth as future leaders of the country, they must be equipped with more than just knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.

“While there is an effort to improve the technical content and curriculum, and the delivery and instruction, there is also a need to reform the non-academic side of education,” said Aquino, who, during his time as a student council president, Aquino fought for the rights and welfare of his fellow students.

“When I was in the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral in the Ateneo de Manila University, we worked on the student handbook that discussed the rights and welfare of students, and encouraged the student body to join the different volunteer organizations,” the senator said.

Aquino said the bill seeks to broaden the focus of education institutions towards a more holistic formation of students.

“By providing a national framework for students’ rights and welfare, this measure seeks to create conducive atmosphere to maximize their learning and growth,” the senator said.

 “Students are no longer just the future of the country. We count on them to be leaders in their communities in the here and now,” he added.

 The bill seeks to strengthen students’ rights, including the right against discrimination in educational institutions, right to competent instruction and accessible, quality, relevant education and the right to organize.

Also, Aquino said the students’ right to establish a student council or government, right to adequate welfare services and academic facilities and have a representation in the school’s highest policy-making body would be assured.

Other students’ rights that will be strengthened by the bill are right to information, freedom of expression, academic freedom, academic procedure, privacy, access to school records and issuance of official certificates and the right against illegal searches and seizures.

The students’ welfare will also be safeguarded through the banning of firearms in schools and the prohibition of unauthorized school fees and other tariffs.

Statement of Sen. Bam Aquino on the Impending Eruption of the Mayon Volcano

The local government of Albay and the national government must work closely to ensure the welfare and safety of our countrymen residing around the Mayon Volcano.

 Also, we call on residents living near the danger zone to follow the government’s evacuation order because your lives are at stake as the volcano may erupt anytime.

We commend the present efforts of the provincial government of Albay with the leadership of Governor Joey Salceda in the preparations and we are supportive of the initiatives to have zero casualties in this looming disaster.

Disaster response interventions should be properly placed – evacuation measures, psychosocial assistance, and even livelihood opportunities should be available for our countrymen, especially to the farming communities and indigenous people living on the slopes of the volcano.

Sen. Bam Refiles Vetoed Magna Carta of the Poor Bill

As the Philippines grows, no Filipino should be left behind.
 
Senator Bam Aquino emphasized this as he refiled Senate Bill No. 2370 or the Magna Carta of the Poor Act, which was vetoed by Malacanang last Congress for being ‘unrealistic.’
 
This time, Aquino expressed confidence that his version of the bill will be signed into law, saying it went through the necessary revisions and consultations with stakeholders before it was refiled.
 
“The bill is now fine-tuned to make the country’s strong economic growth felt by all of one hundred million Filipinos,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
 
In his explanatory note, Aquino said the country’s economic performance in recent years has been impressive and unprecedented. 
 
“Our 7.2% GDP growth in 2013 was the highest in the ASEAN earning the country improved investment grade ratings,” the senator said.
 
However, Aquino said the country still faces many challenges as millions of Filipinos are jobless and a fifth of the populace remains poor.
 
“The daunting task for the State is how to capitalize on its outstanding growth, the critically acclaimed reform efforts and the renewed global confidence, in order to make growth more inclusive and felt by all of the one hundred million Filipinos,” the senator said.
 
Aquino’s measure seeks to ensure the protection and promotion of five basic rights of every Filipino: the right to food, employment, education, shelter and basic health care.
 
“It supports the creation of a just and dynamic environment where prosperity is shared through the provision of adequate social services, enabling a rising standard of living and improved quality of life for everyone,” the senator explained.
 
Under the bill, concerned government agencies are mandated to establish a system that will provide opportunities for the full enjoyment of the five basic rights, which are essential requirements towards poverty alleviation.
 
The Departments of Social Welfare and Agriculture will focus on the right to adequate food while the Department of Labor will ensure that the poor’s right to decent work is assured.
 
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will promote quality education while housing will be the responsibility of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).
 
The Department of Health, for its part, will assure that the poor’s right to highest attainable standard of mental and physical health is assured.
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