IBALIK ANG TIWALA

  On the Call to Exempt Teachers' Election Honoraria from Taxes April 7, 2022 -  It goes without saying that I support such an appeal from our public school teachers. It is the least that the government can give them as incentive for the extra and thankless - yet patriotic - duty. There is no time to lose for the agencies concerned to act on the matter. Our teachers who are going on election duty deserve no less. *********

  On the Comelec's Allowing the Resumption of Fuel Subsidy Distribution April 7, 2022 -  Way to go and kudos to the Commission on Elections for acting expeditiously on such a no-brainer issue involving the fuel subsidy grant under the Special Provision under the Department of Transportation's 2022 budget. This is a great deal for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, as well as farmers and fisherfolk who are dealing with the continued rise in prices of oil. *********

  Lacson slams billionaires among party-list nominees: Time to amend law TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said the purpose of the party-list system has been defeated as he criticized billionaires that “dominate” the party-list representations in Congress “Ang original intent ng party list system, ‘yung batas, naka-enumerate doon kung ano ang mga marginalized, mga farmers, kung anu-ano talaga ‘yung marginalized but over time puro bilyonaryo na ‘yung nominees, ‘yung mga congressmen, mga representative. Alam mo minsan kapag pumunta kayo sa loob ng Forbes Park eh andun ‘yung ang lalaking billboard ng mga party-list, ‘yung mga kumakandidato,” Lacsont told reporters here. (The original intent of the party-list system, the law enumerates what sectors are marginalized, the farmers, but over time it seems that nominees are billionaires, the congressmen, the representatives. You know, sometimes, when you go to Forbes Park, there are big billbo...

  Lacson, Sotto favor renewing ABS-CBN franchise ‘to enhance competition’ TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The tandem of Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III has expressed approval to the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN. “Yes, not for anything, but to enhance competitiveness or competition,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference here on Tuesday when asked if he is in favor of renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise. “Kasi dati dalawa ‘yung [Before there were two] TV networks, of course may [there is] SMNI, TV5, CNN, marami pang iba pero magbawas ka ng isa, mababawasan ‘yung [and others, but take out one, it would lessen the] competition,” he added. Lacson also acknowledged the role of the media in exposing abuses in the government. “Dapat i-enhance natin ‘yung [We should enhance the] participation ng [of] mass media in our society. Kasi kayo ‘yung watchdog, hindi ba [Because the media is the watchdgo, right]? Siguro kung walang media, mas maraming [Maybe if...

  Lacson Questions Suspension of Fuel Subsidy Distribution April 6, 2022 -  Independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson questioned Tuesday the suspension of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle operators and drivers by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board during the election period from March 25 to May 8. Lacson said that unless there is jurisprudence affirming such a suspension, it is unfair to the PUV operators and drivers, as well as drivers of tricycles and regular delivery services hit by the escalating oil prices. "Unless there is jurisprudence along that line, I don’t think the national government should be covered by the election ban on providing social services to our people especially at a time when the prices of fuel continue to go up," he said. Lacson said the fuel subsidy is a "call of the times," adding the continued rise in the prices of oil threaten to crush those in the transport sector, as well...