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Sen. Bam: For PH Rise, mahirap makipag-partner sa pasaway

Senator Bam Aquino said that the country must find research partners who will follow our rules, during the hearing of the Committee on Science and Technology on the Philippine Rise.

“Mahirap makipag partner sa pasaway. We should find partners who will follow our rules,” said Sen. Bam as he headed the Senate hearing.

Through Sen. Bam’s questioning, it was revealed that in previous years, China violated the country’s sovereign rights when it conducted hydrographic surveys in the Philippine Rise without required consent of the Philippine government.

During the course of their research, China found five features in the undersea territory, which they recently named through the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

Sen. Bam stressed that the government must explore all channels to overturn China’s move to name the five undersea features in the Philippine Rise.

The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) stated that the previous violation, alongside the ongoing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine government can call on the IHO to nullify its approval of the Chinese names.

China can also be requested to withdraw their naming rights. If they agree, Sen. Bam said this could be a show of good faith and friendship from the Chinese government.

“Let’s be more vigilant with the Philippine Rise. Ipaglaban naman natin ito,” Sen. Bam said.

In light of the China installations in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Bam pointed out that we should be more cautious with foreign research expeditions in the Philippine Rise and ensure that our permits are strictly enforced.

Sen. Bam Aquino’s Opening Statement for Benham Rise Hearing

We’d like to thank all of you for joining us here today for our first public hearing on the Philippine Rise, also known as the Benham Rise.

As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, I consider it my duty to give our local scientists and researchers the opportunity to address the government and the country on significant issues and valuable scientific initiatives.

 I’ve said this in the past, our Filipino scientists and researchers are sadly underappreciated in the country.

 There is certainly more we can do to, first, to strengthen the voice of the scientific community; and second, to provide our researchers, innovators, scientists and experts with substantial support in terms of budget and resources.

 Through these hearings, we hope to do both.

 Kayo po na may malalim na kaalaman sa ating Philippine Rise ang nararapat na pakinggan at konsultahin tungkol sa mga plano at hinaharap ng lugar na ito.

 Kayo po ang dapat mabigyan ng suporta at pondo sa pagsaliksik sa ating mahalagang likas na yaman sa Philippine Rise.

 Bilang Chairman ng Science and Technology Committee, nandito po tayo para pakinggan at bigyan ng nauukulang suporta mula sa gobyerno at mula sa budget.

 Bilang Pilipino naman po, isang Pilipinong nagmamahal sa ating bayan at nagmamasid sa isyu ng ating teritoryo, nandito rin po tayo upang mas maging malinaw ang  isyu ng Philippine Rise doon sa pakikitungo sa mga bansa sa ating paligid.

Narito ngayon ang mga eksperto sa mga ekspedisyon sa Philippine Rise, at mga eksperto sa ating national defense. We would like to thank Secretary Esperon for coming today.

 Is there a threat to the Philippine Rise, considering that on the other side of the West Philippine Sea, we have seen China already put up bases that threaten our sovereignty.

What should be done to protect the Philippine Rise and to ensure that it is the Filipino people that will benefit from its natural riches in the years to come?

 Ano po ang ating mga agreement, hindi lang sa bansang Tsina, kundi sa ibang mga bansa, at ano po ang pakikinabangan ng ating bayan at ng ating mga kababayan dito sa mga agreements na ito.

What resources do we need to pour into the Philippine Rise to make certain that its natural resources would benefit the Filipino?

 We hope to tackle all of these issues today during our Senate hearings on the Philippine Rise. Again, we would like to thank our experts, our friends from the military, Secretary Esperon, our friends from the DFA, our scientific community. Maraming salamat sa inyong pagpunta. And we hope to have a productive, clear and definitive meeting today when it comes to this territory in the Philippines. Maraming maraming salamat po at magandang umaga.

Sen. Bam: Philippines deserves the best, not just friendly deals

Sen. Bam Aquino will file a resolution urging the Congressional Oversight Committee on the Official Development Assistance to conduct a hearing on government dealings with Chinaand other countries to ensure transparency and guarantee that the Filipino people are getting the best deal.

“The government owes it to the people to secure the best agreement, and not pursue a ‘friendly deal’ that will later burden the Filipino people,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement after Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the government plans to secure financing from China for its infrastructure projects through loans that charge an interest rate of two to three percent.

Japan, for its part, only charges between 0.25 to 0.75 percent interest rate.

“It’s not about China or Japan. It’s about finding the best option for our people. The government must bear in mind that in the end, it is the Filipino people who will bear the brunt of these loans through our taxes,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam said the government should set aside its friendship with China and prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people.

”Napakabigat ng kapalit ng pagkakaibigang ito dahil Pilipinas ang mababaon sa utang sa mas mabigat na interes na hinihingi ng China. Ito ang dapat isaalang-alang ng ating pamahalaan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Fake news and disinformation, new enemies of People Power

Days before the 32nd anniversary of EDSA People Power 1, Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Filipino people to harness the spirit of People Power by speaking out against bashers, online misinformation, government controversies and issues of national interest.

“Kung dati, tangke ang karahap natin sa EDSA, ang kalaban natin ngayon ay mga nagpapakalat ng pekeng balita at trolls sa social media,” Sen. Bam said in a television interview.

The lawmaker said the Filipino people must harness the spirit of People Power by speaking out against cyberbullies and online misinformation, while engaging in discussion about government controversies and issues of national interest.

“Kailangan natin mahanap ang ating boses. Magsalita tayo at makilahok tayo sa mga nangyayari sa ating bayan, lalo na kapag may nakikita tayong mali,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam stressed that today’s battle is different from the one won thirty-two years ago, but we are still fighting for the same ideals.

“Ipagdiwang natin ang EDSA at alalahanin ang mga ipinaglaban noon – wakasan ang korupsyon, patibayin ang malayang media, at itaguyod ang karapatan ng mga Pilipino,” Sen. Bam said.

 “Beyond politics, beyond political colors, beyond political parties, EDSA People Power is about fighting dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in our country,” added Sen. Bam.

Through this peaceful revolution, Sen. Bam said the world caught a glimpse of the best version of the Filipino.

 “Let’s celebrate People Power this year by being the best, most courageous and most compassionate versions of ourselves,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam on government’s plan to obtain higher interest loans from China

The government owes it to the people to secure the best agreement, and not pursue a “friendly deal” that will later burden the Filipino people.

It’s not about China or Japan. It’s about finding the best option for our people. The government must bear in mind that in the end, it is the Filipino people who will bear the brunt of these loans through our taxes.

Hindi dapat ipagpalit ng pamahalaan ang kapakanan ng taumbayan sa “pagkakaibigan.” 

Napakabigat ng kapalit ng pagkakaibigang ito dahil Pilipinas ang mababaon sa utang sa mas mabigat na interes na hinihingi ng China. Ito ang dapat isaalang-alang ng ating pamahalaan.
 
We have resolved to file a resolution to ensure transparency in all government dealings with China or any other country and ensure that our people are getting the best deal.

Minority senators demand: #FreeLeilaNow

Minority senators have joined calls for the “immediate release” of opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima, who will mark her first year of illegal arrest and unjust detention on Saturday, February 24.
 
They filed late Wednesday Senate Resolution (SR) No. 645 making an impassioned call for the freedom of De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime.  
 
“As her colleagues at the Senate, we are pained by the reality that a member of this Chamber is locked up in jail on trumped-up charges when she should be here with us, engaging in productive discussions, legislating laws, and serving her constituents and our country,” they said. 
 
The resolution was signed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, Senators Francis Pangilinan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, and Risa Hontiveros.
 
They noted that De Lima’s continued unjust detention was instigated by her investigation of the Davao Death Squad as then chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and later investigation of the spate of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the country as a senator — which earned the ire of then Davao Mayor and now President Duterte.
 
De Lima’s colleagues nevertheless lauded her spirit, which remains unbroken despite Duterte’s effort to tarnish her reputation and oppress her. 
 
“The road to her incarceration was tormenting — revealing in public her intimate relationships, publicly shaming her by threatening to screen in the House of Representatives her alleged sex videos, and branding her an immoral woman,” they said.
 
“Only a tenacious person with an unshakable resolve like Senator De Lima can withstand all these, unbowed, unbent, and unbroken,” they added.
 
The five senators acknowledged the increasing number of organizations and human rights advocates who have launched petitions seeking her freedom from incarceration.
 
They cited a March 2017 resolution by the European Parliament in Strasbourg calling for “the immediate release of Senator De Lima” and the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union’s call for her freedom in a report prepared by its human rights committee, among others.
 
“In the narrow confines of her detention cell and under restrictive conditions in the PNP Custodial Center, her physical body has deteriorated; only her dogged spirit to carry on is keeping her alive,” they said.
The same senators filed SR No. 505 in September 2017 asking the Senate leadership to allow De Lima to participate in the sessions and deliberations of important legislative measures. The resolution has not been acted upon. 

Sen. Bam: PH Rise is not for China to name

Benham Rise is clearly Philippine territory and its features are not for China to name.

It is only right that the government counter any further moves to name features of our territory and propose remedies for the two formally named by China through the International Hydrographic Organization.

I hope that the hearing I will chair on February 26 will bring clarity to the issue and help determine next steps.

It is imperative that we protect our territory from any foreign interest.

Dapat nang magkaroon ng matibay at malinaw na plano ang pamahalaan sa Philippine Rise, lalo ngayong unti-unti nang kumikilos ang China para ito’y angkinin.

Huwag nating isuko na parang West Philippine Sea ang napakahalagang yamang ito.

Sen. Bam challenges Congress to pass anti-political dynasty law before any Cha-cha talks

Senator Bam Aquino has filed a measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in the country, stressing that the passage of an anti-dynasty law is a necessary precursor to any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.

 “Kailangan nating ipasa ang anti-political dynasty law nang mabilisan, lalo na ngayong may banta ng Cha-Cha at pinipilit ang Pederalismo,” said Sen. Bam, author of Senate Bill No. 1688.

“I call on Congress to pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Act before any moves towards Federalism,” Sen. Bam added.

Sen. Bam said that no less than the 1987 Constitution itself prohibits political dynasties, but there is a need for an implementing law to enforce it.

 “There are already 6 anti-political dynasty bills filed and we have the Constitution on our side. I am confident we will have the votes to pass an anti-political dynasty law in the Senate,” Sen. Bam affirmed.

If passed into law, Senate Bill No. 1688 will prohibit the spouse, or any person related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election from holding or running for any elective office in the same province in the same election.

 If the incumbent elective official is a national one, the aforementioned relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is registered voter.

If none of the candidates are related to an incumbent elective official but are related to one another within the said prohibited degree, they and their spouses, shall be disqualified from holding or running for any local elective office within the same province in the same election.

 In all cases, no person within the prohibited civil degree of relationship to the incumbent official shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter.

 Sen. Bam hopes an anti-political dynasty law will give the Filipino people a greater variety of candidates to vote for, with new names, faces, platforms and solutions for the country.

 “We must encourage and empower more excellent Filipinos with a passion for service, to run for office and change the Philippine government from within,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam expresses concern after study cites PH as 3rd most ignorant nation on key issues

A senator stressed the need to strengthen the fight against fake news and ramp up quality education efforts to keep Filipinos, especially our youth, fully aware of the issues hounding the country.

This was emphasized by Sen. Bam Aquino as he expressed concern over the survey that ranked the Philippines third among countries “most ignorant” on their nation’s key issues, based on a study by news website Indy100.

The survey also ranked Filipinos third among those most confident, despite giving inaccurate answers. South Africa topped the survey while Brazil ranked second. In 2016, the Philippines ranked 16th in the survey participated in by 38 countries.

“Clearly, we need to strengthen quality education and launch a solid attack on disinformation and fake news,” said Sen. Bam.

“Maraming Pilipino ang nalilito sa datos at hindi na nakikilala ang katotohanan. This is even more distressing when we consider how Filipinos resort to threats and hate speech online instead of reasonably discussing opposing views,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam said that the survey should be a lesson in humility for all Filipinos, saying we should check our facts and genuinely listen to one another instead of turning hostile.

During his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam conducted a hearing on the responsible use of social media in schools to fight spread of fake news on social media.

In the said hearing, Sen. Bam urged different stakeholders, led by the Department of Education (DepEd), to join forces in combating rampant trolling and spread of misinformation on social media.

Sen. Bam has also urged the Philippine Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to seriously tackle the problem of online disinformation and fake news sites during the recent fake news hearing at the Senate.

Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor of the free college law and is an advocate for access to quality education in the Philippines.

Sen. Bam fears TRAIN is killing jobs, livelihood opportunities

Apart from rising prices of goods and services, a senator is dismayed that the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law is leading to less jobs for Filipinos, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“We are now feeling the effects of TRAIN, not just on prices of goods, but also on jobs of thousands of Filipinos. The government is duty bound to cushion the blows of heavy taxes on jobs and employment,” said Sen. Bam.

“Natatakot ako para sa kabuhayan ng pamilyang Pilipino. Kailangan solusyunan ito ASAP,” Sen. Bam added.

Recently, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Inc. announced that it will trim down its workforce in light of the passage of the TRAIN Law that imposes P6 per liter excise tax on beverages using caloric and non-caloric sweeteners and P12 per liter on beverages using high-fructose corn syrup. Reports have it that 600 workers from various units of Coca-Cola will be laid off.

Also, Sen. Bam said that several BPOs are relocating, aborting expansion, or re-shoring workers due to the effects of the TRAIN Law.

To safeguard livelihood for Filipinos working in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, Sen. Bam pushed for the retention of a special tax rate for regional operating headquarters and regional headquarters (ROHQs/RHQs) during the TRAIN’s period of amendments. However, the provision was vetoed by Malacanang, much to the dismay of the BPO sector.

The veto will lead to an increase in cost of doing business, which will affect the status of 5,000 workers and will prevent other BPOs from setting up shop to provide more jobs for Filipinos.

 “These RHQs invested in the Philippines because of these tax incentives, which were suddenly removed by our government. Bakit pa sila mamumuhunan dito at paano pa sila magtitiwala sa gobyerno,” Sen. Bam questioned.

Among those who aborted expansion plans upon the removal of the preferential tax rate is a large global outsourcing hub for technology services. The expansion would have provided up to 400 fresh job to Filipinos.

Sen. Bam also mentioned that a big ROHQ will close its operations in the Philippines this coming year. 

Instead of focusing solely on revenue-generation, Sen. Bam said the government must work with the private sector to boost job creation and strengthening job security, especially with rising prices due to their new tax policies.

 “Importanteng ipatupad na ang cash transfer, pero pansamantalang solusyon lang ito. Livelihood, jobs, sapat na kita para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino ang nararapat na prayoridad ng pamahalaan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam is the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship and passed several measures to provide livelihood by supporting small, local businesses in the country. He is also the principal sponsor of the free college law passed last year.

Sen. Bam voted no to the ratification of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.

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