Other Issues

Kahit sorry man lang, wala – Sen. Bam Aquino on the harassment of Filipino fishermen

If the government won’t issue a diplomatic protest against China for taking away the catch of Filipino fishermen, the least it could do is to demand an apology from its perceived ally, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 

“Dapat maghain ng pormal na protesta ang pamahalaan laban sa ginawa ng Chinese coast guard sa ating mga mangingisda. Pero kahit sorry, hindi man lang hiningi,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, a television station aired a video where Chinese coast guard personnel were shown taking the catch from Filipino fishermen. 

“Nanakawan, inaapi pa ang ating mga mangingisda. Kampihan naman natin ang ating mga kababayan,” the senator said. 

“Napaka-strikto ng administrasyon pagdating sa ating mamamayan. Ngunit kapag isyu na ng China, napakaluwag sa mga patakaran,” Sen. Bam added. 

If the government will not do anything to address this incident, Sen. Bam said the Chinese coast guard will be emboldened to commit more abuses against the Filipino people. 

“Hindi natin kailangang humingi ng permiso mula sa China dahil teritoryo natin ang kanilang inangkin,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam also reiterated his call to the government to assert the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which declared that Filipino fishermen have traditional fishing rights to the waters of Scarborough Shoal. 

“Makinig tayo sa panawagan ni Acting Chief Justice Carpio. Sayang lang ang panalo ng Pilipinas sa PCA kung hindi gagamitin para ipaglaban ang atin mga mangingisda,” Sen. Bam said. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam urged the Senate to take the lead in defending the country amid China’s militarization of our seas. 

The senator said that a strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk.

Sen. Bam asserts independence from China

As the nation celebrates Independence Day, families are drowning from rising prices and Filipino fishermen are bullied out of Philippine waters, said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Ipinagdiriwang natin ang Araw ng Kalayaan ngunit marami sa mga kapatid nating mangingisda ay hindi malayang mangisda sa sarili nating karagatan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Ninanakawan na at inaapi ang ating mga kapatid na mangingisda ngunit tila walang ginagawa ang pamahalaan para protektahan ang kanilang kapakanan,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam was referring to claims by several fishermen during a press conference in Malacanang that China is dictating the movement of vessels over the Panatag shoal through its coast guard ships in the area.

One of the fishermen claimed that the Chinese coast guard is blocking access of bigger Filipino fishing vessels to the shoal’s lagoon.

“We shouldn’t need China’s permission to fish in our own waters,” said Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam urged the Senate to take the lead in defending the country amid China’s militarization of our seas.

“If Malacañang will not side with the Filipino people on this issue, then the Senate can take the lead in defending our country,” said Sen. Bam, adding that a strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk.

Sen. Bam added that if the government continues its defeatist mentality, China will be more emboldened to commit more abuses to our territory and against the Filpino people.

Sen. Bam on the mounting issues with China

China continues to harass our fishermen, militarize our seas and threaten our sovereignty.
 
If Malacañang will not side with the Filipino people on this issue, then the Senate can take the lead in defending our country.
 
A strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk. 
 
If continued, this defeatist mentality will just lead to even more abuses.

Sen. Bam Aquino: Tama na, sobra na ang pagdadahilan sa taas-presyo

Instead of making excuses and misleading statements, Senator Bam Aquino called on the government to extend immediate assistance to Filipinos by finding solutions to the rising prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

 “Huwag na nating paikutin ang mamamayan para ipagtanggol ang TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the government’s tax reform program.

“Tama na, sobra na ang pagpapahirap sa Pilipino. Labanan at solusyunan na lang ang pagtaas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was referring to a GMA News report, where the National Economic Development Authority said that a family of five can survive on P10,000 a month, or P127 daily for food.

“Marami na ngang nasagasaan at nalulunod na sa pagtaas ng presyo, huwag na bilugin ang mga Pilipino. Tama na ang mga palusot, tulungan na lang natin ang mga pamilyang nahihirapan,” added Sen. Bam.

 “Hindi na nga makahinga ang mga Pilipino sa sikip ng sinturon, binibilog at niloloko pa natin ang mga tao para lang maidepensa ang minadali nilang Train Law,” added Sen. Bam.

As part of his push to ease the burden on the public, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In a separate resolution, Sen. Bam also sought the review of the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law. Six months after the implementation of the TRAIN Law, the government has yet to fully roll out the unconditional cash transfer program.

Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Sen. Bam: Pati pag-aaral ng kabataan nasagasaan ng TRAIN

Senator Bam Aquino expressed fear that high prices of goods and services due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law might force poor families to sacrifice the education of their children.

“Dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo, maraming mahihihirap na estudyante ang maaaring hindi na makapag-aral,” said Sen. Bam, one of our senators who voted against the TRAIN Law.

“Tumaas na ang cost of living pero hindi pa rin nadadagdagan ang kita ng mga manggagawa. Dahil kulang na ang suweldo, maaaring masakripisyo na ang pag-aaral ng mahihirap na estudyante,” added Sen. Bam.

“Ilang kabataan kaya ngayon ang di na nakapag-enroll dahil hirap ang mga magulang sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin,” the senator queried.

Due to the high prices of goods and services, Sen. Bam said the value of government’s assistance programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the free college education, to the poor has eroded.

“Hindi na sapat ang tulong ng 4Ps para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mahihirap na Pilipino. Buti na lang at may libreng kolehiyo na,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor of the free college law in the Senate.

Aside from filing a resolution seeking to review the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law, Sen. Bam has filed a measure seeking to roll back TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Also, Sen. Bam also renewed his call for the full implementation of the unconditional cash transfer program, which will help alleviate the increase in high prices of goods and services caused by the TRAIN Law.

During a Senate hearing on the TRAIN Law in Legazpi City, Sen. Bam also pushed for the full implementation of the Pantawid Pasada program, which aims to help jeepney operators and drivers cope with the increase in price of diesel fuel.

Also, Sen. Bam wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to expand the Pantawid Pasada to other means of transportation, such as UV Express, tricycles and to fishermen as well.

Sen. Bam lauds cross-party support for BBL, says teamwork can also protect Filipinos from price surge

Senator Bam Aquino lauded colleagues for crossing party lines to approve the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on third and final reading, adding that this type of teamwork can also alleviate Filipinos from the rise in prices.

“We are happy to see wide support for the BBL. We are hopeful that it will help usher in peace and development to the Bangsamoro region,” said Sen. Bam, who co-sponsored and co-authored the measure.

“Sisikapin pa ng bicam members na pagbutihin ang BBL at siguraduhin na makakatulong ito sa pag-unlad ng Mindanao,” said Sen. Bam, referring to some contentious provisions of the Senate version, which he hopes can be ironed out during the bicameral conference committee.

“With the BBL and even with the free college law, we’ve proven that we can work beyond political lines to pass reforms that will benefit the people. We should do the same to alleviate Filipinos from the rising prices,” added Sen. Bam, referring to his proposal to suspend the TRAIN law.

Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798, which seeks to rollback of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

“Nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ang Pilipino ngunit walang nakahandang salbabida sa TRAIN Law,” said Sen. Bam, who hopes to strengthen safeguards in the law through his proposal.

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Nasaan ang malasakit sa mahihirap na Pilipino?

Nasaan ang malasakit niyo sa taumbayan?

This was Senator Bam Aquino’s reaction to Budget Secretary Ben Diokno’s pronouncement that Filipinos should not be ‘crybabies’ amid the rising prices in fuel that led to the increase in prices of goods and services.

“Makinig naman kayo sa daing ng taumbayan na nalulunod na sa taas-presyo at nabibiktima pa ng laganap na korapsyon,” said Sen. Bam,  one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

“Kung may kaya ka, matitiis mo pa ang taas-presyo. Pero ang mga nahihirapan at hindi na nakakayanan ang bigat ng presyo, tulungan na lang natin sila sa halip na sumbatan,” the senator added.

Sen. Bam said poor Filipinos will be at the receiving end of every increase in prices of goods and services due to a hastily approved reform.

“Malinaw na hindi nakapaghanda ang pamahalaan para maibsan ang hirap na dulot ng TRAIN.  Walang nakahandang salbabida habang marami ang nalulunod sa taas ng presyo,” added Sen. Bam.

“Halos 7.4 milliong pamilya pa ang hindi nakakatanggap ng cash transfer na sinusumbat nila. Saan sila kukuha ng pambayad ng bilihin?” Sen. Bam pointed out, referring to the unconditional cash transfer program under the TRAIN Law.

Sen. Bam recently urged the Senate to address the rising prices to give relief to the poor who are already crying out for help.

To strengthen safeguards against price surges, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 1798, which seeks to rollback of TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam Aquino on China missiles in WPS

Ipaglaban naman natin ang talagang atin.

China invaded undisputed Philippine waters and installed missiles. Gawain ba ‘yan ng isang kaibigan?

Kumilos naman tayo para sa kinabukasan ng bansa at ng mga Pilipino.

We support the convening of National Security Council (NSC) and hope the President listens to our security experts.

We also filed a resolution to investigate the installation of missiles in Panganiban ang Zamora Reefs. 

Sen. Bam eyes compensation for owners of properties destroyed in Marawi siege

A senator has submitted a measure seeking to provide monetary compensation to Marawi City residents who lost their homes and other private properties to the infamous siege that happened one year ago today (May 23) and lasted for five months.

In his Senate Bill No. 1816, Senator Bam Aquino said the monetary compensation will provide Marawi residents with means to immediately recover from the damage and destruction to their homes and private property caused by the Marawi siege perpetrated by the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

“The Marawi crisis left thousands of Marawi residents without shelter, jobs and other means of livelihood,” said Sen. Bam, a member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.

“Kailangan nila ng agarang tulong mula sa pamahalaan upang sila’y makabangon at makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay,” added Sen. Bam.

On May 23, 2017, the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City, destroying public infrastructure, private properties and holding hundreds of civilian hostage.

The attack displaced thousands of Marawi residents from their homes and forced them to seek shelter in evacuation centers or live with their relatives in nearby cities. The attack also destroyed business establishments that served as source of income, livelihood and employment for many Marawi residents.

After five months of fighting, government forces successfully regained control of the city and killed known international terrorist Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

However, the intensified conflict left Marawi City in shambles, destroying around P20 billion worth of properties. Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) estimated that it will cost around P51.7 billion to rebuild Marawi City.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong is the principal author of this bill in the House of Representatives.

On February 26, 2018, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 661 directing the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation to conduct a probe into the government’s moral and ethical obligation to provide financial assistance and support to victims of the siege. However, Sen. Bam’s resolution was not acted upon.

Sen. Bam: Roll back excise tax ASAP, next year is too late

We welcome the openness of Malacanang to the suspension of additional excise taxes in 2019, but this is too little, too late.
 
Ang hinahanap ng taumbayan ang pag-rollback sa presyo ng petrolyo at iba pang bilihin.
 
Kaya sa aming panukala, babawiin pati ang dinagdag na excise tax on fuel na pinataw na sa merkado ngayong 2018. 
 
Umaasa kami na susuportahan ang safeguard na ito ng aming mga kasama sa Senado.
 
Kailangan protektahan mula sa TRAIN at taas-presyo ang mga mahihirap na Pilipino. Nalulunod na sa taas ng presyo ang ating mga kababayan.
Scroll to top