Bam Aquino

BIDA KA!: VP Leni Robredo

Mga Bida, naiproklama na noong Lunes ng Kongreso, bilang National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) ang susunod na presidente at bise presidente ng bansa.

Nais kong ipaabot ang mainit na pagbati sa bagong pangulo ng bansa na si Rodrigo Duterte at bise presidente na si Leni Robredo.

Ang tambalang ito ang magsisilbing gabay ng bansa sa tatahakin nitong landas sa susunod na anim na taon kaya kailangan nila ang ating buong suporta upang magtagumpay.

***

Bilang campaign manager ni VP Leni, masasabi nating napakatamis ng kanyang panalo sa katatapos na halalan.

Maliban sa ito’y isa sa pinakamahigpit na tunggalian sa kasaysayan pagdating sa posisyon ng bise presidente, hindi biro ang aming pinagdaanan ilang buwan bago nagsimula ang kampanya.

Sa mga nakalipas nating kolum, nabanggit natin ang mga hamon na aming kinaharap ni VP Leni sa simula ng labang ito.

Isa sa pinakamalaking hamon noon ay kung paano makikilala si VP Leni. Bago niya tinanggap ang hamon, nasa isang porsiyento lang ang ating rating, kulelat sa anim na kandidato sa pagka-bise presidente.

Bukod dito, problema rin namin noon kung saan kukuha ng pondong gagamitin sa pagpapakilala at pag-iikot sa buong bansa.

***

Subalit hindi namin inalintana ang mga pagsubok na ito. Sa halip, ginawa namin itong “people’s campaign” kung saan ang magdadala sa amin ay ang suporta ng taumbayan.

Naging susi sa aming kampanya ang pagbaba ni VP Leni sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa upang magpakilala at iparating sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan ang kanyang mensahe ng pag-asa.

Sa tulong nito, unti-unting nakilala ng publiko ang katauhan ni VP Leni, ang kanyang pinagmulan, mga nagawa at mga gagawin pa para sa kanilang kapakanan.

Sa walang pagod na pag-iikot ni VP Leni, nagsilbi siyang inspirasyon sa aming mga tagasuporta at volunteers na pag-igihin pa ang trabaho at tumulong sa pagpapakalat ng kanyang mis­yon na iangat ang mga nasa laylayan na mahalaga sa kanya at sa yumao niyang asawa na si Sec. Jesse Robredo.

Pinatakbo natin nang totoong “people’s campaign”, na kahit iba-iba ang pagkilos, ay tumahak pa rin tungo sa malinaw na layunin na mauuwi sa panalo. Ngayon, tapos na ang kampanya at naiproklama na si VP Leni ngunit hindi pa rito natatapos ang kanyang laban, pati na ng kanyang mga tagasuporta.

Dito pa lang magsisimula ang anim na taong laban ni VP Leni upang mapaganda ang kalagayan ng mahihirap, tulad ng kanyang ipinangako sa atin.

Tiwala tayo na ang nabuong pag-asa at tiwala sa kanyang kampanya ay maipagpapatuloy niya sa pagganap ng tungkulin bilang pangalawang pangulo ng bansa.

Sen. Bam: Lower prices of goods, services with IRR for PH Competition Act signed

The signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Philippine Competition Act will soon lead to lower prices and improved quality of goods and services for consumers, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 “This will bring prices down while improving quality across goods like agricultural products and services like the Internet,” said Sen. Aquino, co-author and principal sponsor of Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act.

 “Creating a healthier and more competitive business environment in the Philippines has far-reaching benefits for the start-up community, small businesses, and, ultimately, Filipino consumers,” added Sen. Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 The IRR of Republic Act 10667 was published in major dailies today (June 3), making the law effective after 15 days or on June 18, 2016.

 Sen. Bam lauded the signing of the IRR, saying “this is another major milestone for everyone that worked on the passage of the Philippine Competition Act.”

 “Congratulations to the Philippine Competition Commission on the signing of the Philippine Competition Act IRR,” he said.

 It took 25 years before Congress finally enacted the Philippine Competition Act into law and it happened under Sen. Bam’s watch as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

 The Philippine Competition Act will help sustain the country’s ever-growing economy and ensure a climate that provides a level-playing field for all businesses.

 Sen. Bam called the Philippine Competition Act as a “historic, game-changing legislation for the economy” as it penalizes bad market behavior and abuse of dominant positions.

 The Philippine Competition Act is expected to eliminate cartels, and penalize anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players in the markets that lead to high prices of goods and services.

Sen. Bam added that Philippine Competition Act promotes a culture of healthy competition that inspires ingenuity, creativity, and innovation in addressing market needs.

 The senator earlier said that the Philippine Competition Act will be crucial to incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s aim to improve the country’s Internet service as the law will encourage the entry of more players in the telecommunications industry.

 The Philippine Competition Commission is also expected to look into the sale of San Miguel Corporation’s telecommunications assets to PLDT and Globe to assess its impact on consumers and the industry.

 

Bam: Huwag mong sabihing may dayaan kung wala kang ebidensiya!

“Huwag mong sabihing may dayaan kung wala kang ebidensiya!”

Sen. Bam Aquino made his pronouncement during his interpellation of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during Monday’s Senate session.

“Kung kayo na po mismo ang nagsabi na hindi po natin alam kung ano ang nangyari, hindi po ba premature na sabihin na may pandarayang nangyari,” Sen. Bam questioned Marcos during interpellation.

“Wala pa akong sinasabi na may nangyaring pandaraya sa server,” replied Marcos, who earlier claimed that his lead was depleted after Smartmatic applied the cosmetic change on the transparency server.

Aquino also challenged Marcos to back up his accusation with the proper data and the proper numbers to justify his call for the opening up of the server for scrutiny.

 

Sen. Bam thanks Bangladesh for patience, assures $81M will be returned

Sen. Bam Aquino thanked Bangladesh for its patience and assured that the Philippine government will leave no stone unturned to ensure the $81 million stolen from its central bank is returned as soon as possible.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Ambassador, for being so patient in our hearings,” Sen. Bam told Bangladeshi ambassador John Gomes during the Senate blue ribbon committee’s last hearing on the hacking incident.

 Despite the adjournment of the hearing, Aquino said the process of returning the stolen money to Bangladesh will continue.

“We won’t stop until the money stolen from the Bangladeshi people is returned, up to the last centavo,” said Sen. Bam.

During the hearing, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) confirmed that the $81 million was stolen by unidentified hackers from the Central Bank of Bangladesh.

Of the $81 million, the AMLC said $15 million was returned by junket operator Kim Wong, $21 million allegedly went to casinos, $28 million is subject to Supreme Court’s decision on the petition for review and $17 million still at large.

 The AMLC said a court order is needed to forfeit the $15 million in its safekeeping while the Bangladesh government can file a third-party claim to prove that the money belongs to them.

The process, according to the AMLC, will take about three to five months.

Bam: Children now Protected during Disasters, Calamities

The measure that will provide utmost protection to Filipino children during disasters, calamities and armed conflicts is now a law, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

In a simple ceremony in Malacanang Tuesday, President Aquino signed Republic Act 10821, or the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act.

“We welcome the enactment of this measure into law. This is timely especially with the La Nina phenomenon expected to hit the country in the coming months,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Youth and a co-author of the measure in the Senate.

The law provides utmost priority to children during and after every disaster as they are the most vulnerable and are worst affected during disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flash floods.

It will also establish child-centered training to disaster first responders, teachers, psychologists and other volunteers in disaster recovery, relief and rehabilitation, with special modules for different stages of children and youth development.

It mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to formulate a Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children and local government units to integrate the said program in their development and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) plans and budget.

“While we have already made big improvements in the field of disaster risk reduction on a national and local level, now we have the opportunity to target our Filipino children, one of the most vulnerable sectors during times of calamity,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, existing policies will also be reviewed to give better support to Filipino children, especially during disasters, calamities or in armed conflict to help lessen trauma, restore normalcy quickly and build their resilience better.

“We will continue to work in protecting our Filipino children during disasters, calamities, or armed conflict, but also to reduce trauma and build their resistance to these threats,” he added.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, Aquino said an estimated six million children were affected, according to data from Save the Children. 

“A national program is crucial in the most vulnerable areas of the country, where the experience of prolonged displacement would have a profound impact on the children’s sense of security, physical and emotional well-being,” Sen. Bam said.

This is Aquino’s 13th law in less than three years as senator.

2016’s Big Show

The spotlight is on the stage. The crowd is divided in colors. They chant, they cheer, and they jeer as their champion puts on a show. They’ve seen this before, but it doesn’t dull the excitement. Catchy lines, below the belt jabs, and the much anticipated signature moves still evoke enthusiastic applause from fans who have already chosen a side.

I happen to be one of the biggest wrestling fans that I know. Even when wrestling companies no longer hid the fact that their shows were choreographed and scripted, we fans still enjoyed the mix of athleticism, conflict, and storylines. We applauded the entire spectacle.

But the scene I described wasn’t of a wrestling match; they were acts that unfolded during our PiliPinas 2016 debates.

Propose a good policy measure and the venue remains silent, probably unimpressed. But throw a personal jab or ask a question that makes a candidate squirm and the audience erupts.

In that sense, what stood out at our debates weren’t the contents of what was said but the manner in which they were said. The delivery and the showmanship won the crowd, just like in wrestling.

I’m not the only one who has said this. A lot of people who watched the debates commented that it had a wrestling vibe, given the decorum of the crowd and the booing candidates had to speak over to say their piece.

It’s fun cheering for your champion and the debates were definitely high on entertainment value.

But it fell short on being a medium to get to know more about the candidates – their motivations, their reasons for running, what they offer to us, the Filipino people.

Much less so, the candidates had a difficult time sharing their plans in solving longstanding and complicated issues that have plagued our country for decades. 

It was a struggle for candidates to express what they stand for, what they believe in, what they’re fighting for, and what they want to do for the country within the allotted time limits.

Candidates were challenged to cram an ocean into a jar, fitting solutions to complicated problems, like the Internet, agriculture, education, and the West Philippine Sea dispute into 60-second bits.

If you notice, most were only able to get to a very superficial layer and a lot of the answers would sound similar because it’s in the second and third levels of detail that usually reveal their knowledge and true stance on the issue.

As a voter, I wanted to get to that kernel of truth in each candidate and see if I could resonate with that person.  I wanted to find out whether our candidates share the same hopes and dreams I have for my country.

But I have yet to find a debate format in these elections that enables this, rather than hinders it.  

As campaigns came to a close, Filipinos were left to their own devices in sifting through the smoke and mirrors and getting to the core of each candidate, their platforms, and their policies before casting their one significant ballot.

Still, I am hopeful that smarts, ability, selfless intentions, and genuine love for the country has shone through, if only in glimpses, throughout the campaign season and that Filipino voters elected the leaders our country needs.

First Published on Manila Bulletin

BIDA KA!: Boto Ko, Leni Robredo

Mga Bida, sa Lunes, dadagsa ang mahigit limampung milyong Pilipino sa mga presinto upang pumili ng mga susunod na pinuno ng bansa.

Mahalaga ang pagpapasyang ito dahil dito malalaman kung ano bang landas ang tatahakin ng bansa sa susunod na anim na taon.

Tayo ba’y babalik sa dating nakagawian o magpapatuloy ang mga nasimulang pagbabago at malinis na pamamahala?

 Ilang buwan bago ang halalan, nabigyan ang taumbayan ng sapat na kaalaman tungkol sa ating mga kandidato sa presidente at pagka-bise presidente.

 Tig-tatlong debate ang ginawa para sa mga kandidato sa pagka-pangulo at pagka- pangalawang pangulo.

 Sa tulong ng mga debateng ito, umaasa tayo na magkakaroon ng kaalaman ang ating mga botante na siyang magagamit nila sa pagpili ng tamang mga lider bukod sa mga patalastas at balita.

 

-000-

 Nitong mga huling araw, kabi-kabila ang mga batuhan ng putik ng ating mga kandidato, mula sa isyu ng kakayahan, kalusugan hanggang sa tagong yaman.

 Tinalo pa ng mga kontrobersiyang ito ang mga telenovela na napapanood natin sa TV. Mas madrama pa ang totoong buhay kaysa sa mga eksenang natutunghayan natin sa telebisyon.

 Ito’y natural nang kalakaran tuwing halalan. Para makakuha ng bentahe, babatuhin ng isang kandidato ang kalaban ng kung anu-anong isyu sa diyaryo, telebisyon, radio at maging sa Internet.

 Kaya nga paborito kong naririnig mula kay Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo ang linya na “sa huli, karakter pa rin ng kandidato ang titingnan ng tao at katotohanan pa rin ang mananaig”.
-ooo-

Kaya nga sa ating pagboto, huwag tayong basta maniwala lang sa balitang nababasa natin sa mga diyaryo, naririnig sa radyo at napapanood sa telebisyon. Maiging tingnan natin ang karakter ng isang kandidato.

 Tataya ba tayo sa isang kandidato na may record ng katiwalian o di kaya’y pagnanakaw o sa walang bahid ang record sa pagseserbisyo sa publiko?

 Pipiliin ba natin ang kandidatong maluho sa buhay o simple ang pamumuhay?

 Papanig ba tayo sa kandidato na gumagamit ng lakas at dahas sa pamamahala o doon tayo sa binibigyang boses ang lahat, hanggang sa nasa laylayan ng lipunan?

 Pabor ba tayo sa kandidato na gumagamit ng perang nagmula sa nakaw sa kampanya o doon tayo sa nakasandal sa lakas ng sambayanan para magwagi?

 Doon ba tayo sa kandidato na puro dada lang o iboboto natin ang taong subok na sa paglilingkod, kahit noong wala pa sa pamahalaan?

 Mga Bida, ako’y napagpasya na ng aking pipiliin sa balota. Isa lang ang nasa isip ko sa pagpili ng bise presidente, ang numero singko at ito’y si Robredo.

 

The money trail back to Bangladesh

We are finally making headway in locating portions of the $81 million stolen from Bangladesh and siphoned into the Philippines.

So far we have confirmed that Solaire Resort & Casino received P1.365 billion ($30 million) and Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company, owned by casino junket operator Kim Wong, received P1 billion ($23 million) of the stolen money.

Based on money transfer firm PhilRem’s testimony before the committee, it was alleged that around $30.64 million, broken down to $18 million and P600 million, was delivered to Weikang Xu over 6 tranches.

It was only during the Senate hearing last March 29 that we were able to dissect further the location of a portion of the stolen money with the testimony of Kim Wong.

Wong contested PhilRem’s testimony and claimed that they only released P400 million and $5 million over 4 tranches.

Wong also testified to receiving P1 billion from Philrem: P450 million ($9.7 million), which he accepted as payment for a debt of one Shuhua Gao, and P550 million entered to Midas Hotel and Casino. However, of the P550 million, P510 million was lost to Midas and only P40 million is left.

Since his statement, Wong has already turned over P38 million ($863,000) and $4.63 million to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for safekeeping. He has also stated his willingness to return the P450 million or $9.7 million paid to him to cover Gao’s debt, but requested for a month to deliver.

Today, a total of about $5.5 million has already been reclaimed from Wong. And once he is able to return the additional $9.7 million, we will have recovered $15.2 million of the $81 million stolen from Bangladesh.

On the other hand, PhilRem offered to return the P10.47 million (about $232,000) representing the fee they purportedly received for conducting the transactions. However, this was rejected by Bangladesh.

In the case of Bloomberry Resorts, operator of Solaire, they’ve stated that they were able to freeze $2.33 million or P107 million of the stolen money in their casino – another amount we can add to the pot for Bangladesh, should they agree to turn it over.

We will continue to probe the money trail through Solaire and will seek to verify if there is still recoverable dirty money in Midas.

Plus, there is the issue of the other junket operators that are still in the process of confirming receipt of over P1 billion from Solaire.

In the next few weeks, we should be able to pinpoint the rest of the illicit funds so we can return as much as we can to Bangladesh.

The AMLC already said that it is within their powers to reclaim money that is laundered ‘regardless of where the money went. However, they would need to go through a court process and the necessary legal proceedings, which will inevitably take time.

The question is whether these institutions will contest a possible civil forfeiture of laundered money still within their coffers.

If I were them, instead of fighting the court case, I would, in good faith, turn over to the AMLC all illicit funds that coursed through their internal systems.

“Yung maduming pera, dapat ibalik,” said Wong. We can hope everyone shares this sentiment.

This flagrant crime perpetrated in our shores with the involvement of Philippine individuals and institutions has tarnished our country’s reputation and now the world is watching our every move.

A crucial step in redeeming ourselves is to return as much of the stolen money to Bangladesh at the soonest possible time.

Are you following the investigation of the stolen $81 million from Bangladesh? Whose story do you believe? What questions would you ask the resource persons?

First Published on Manila Bulletin

Bam lauds staging of ESL One in PH

Sen. Bam Aquino, an avid supporter of the eSports industry, lauds the staging of the ESL One Dota Tournament in the country, saying this is a chance to show cyber athletes from around the world that eSports is more fun in the Philippines.

The ESL One will be held for the first time in Southeast Asia with the first-ever premium Dota 2 tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena from April 23 to 24.

 The event will feature top teams from around the world as they battle for a lion’s share of the $250,000 top purse and the honor of becoming ESL One champion.

 Sen. Bam is expected to grace the event’s kickoff on Saturday (April 23).

Sen. Bam said the event will put the country as the next mecca for eSports and will bring fresh employment and business opportunities for Filipinos.

“ESL coming to the Philippines, will bring business opportunities and prestige to the country,” said Sen. Bam.

The office of Sen. Bam has been extending assistance to the local eSports community as support for the growth of the community and development of the e-industry in the country.

“We’ve been greatly impressed working with our eSports community and our Filipino cyber athletes, not only with their success in global competitions, but also in their dedication to professionalize our local eGaming industry,” said Sen. Bam. 

Through Sen. Bam’s initiative, the Philippine eSports Association (PeSPA) was formed to strengthen the foundation of eSports in the country.

Bam: Barangay Captains Can Now Administer Oath to Next PH President

Sen. Bam Aquino’s measure empowering barangay captains to administer the oath of office to the country’s next president has been signed into law by President Aquino.
 
The Chief Executive has signed Republic Act No. 10755 last March 29, 2016, which will give barangay chairmen power to administer oath of office of any government official, including the President of the Philippines.
 
“By empowering the Punong Barangay to administer oaths is an affirmation and recognition of its critical role in our society,” said Aquino, co-author of the measure.
 
Aside from carrying out government programs and projects in the barangay level, the Punong Barangay also serves as the leader and a source of legitimacy by its constituents,” the senator added.
 
The new law will amend Chapter 1, Section 41 of Executive Order 292 to include barangay captains among officers who have general authority to administer oath.
 
Barangay captains will join other officials who have the authority to administer oath to any government official, among them the President, Vice President, Members and Secretaries of Both Houses of Congress and Members of the Judiciary.
 
Under EO 292, officials who have the power to administer oath are Members of the judiciary, department secretaries, governors, vice governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, bureau directors, regional directors, clerks of court; registrars of deeds and other civilian officers in the government whose appointments are vested in the President and are subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
 
Other constitutional officers, public attorney’s office (PAO) and notaries public are also empowered to administer oath.
 
This is Aquino’s 10th law in less than three years as senator. Recently, Sen. Bam’s measure giving value-added tax exemption to persons with disabilities has been signed into law.
Scroll to top