Senator Francis Pangilinan (Senate of the Philippines/MANILA BULLETIN File Photo)
“Tagumpay ito ng ating sama-sama at tulong-tulong na pagbabantay. Nagpursigi tayo para marinig ang hinaing ng mga apektado ng ASF at ang sobra-sobrang pag-angkat ng baboy (This is a victory brought about by our vigilance and unity. We worked to put forth the concerns of those who are affected by the African swine fever and the excessive importation of pork),” Pangilinan said in a statement, lauding the executive department’s move to amend the prevailing tariff and minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports.
Pangilinan, whose resolution had prompted the Senate inquiry last month on the significant reduction of import duties and increase of MAV for pork, maintained that the government should support the swine industry.
Published May 7, 2021, 3:37 PM
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson on Friday expressed optimism that herd immunity might yet be achieved in the country with proper budget and lots of help from the business sector and local government units (LGUs).
Lacson issued this statement after he and Senate President Vicente Sotto III had a ‘’good meeting’’ with the three czars of the government’s COVID response Thursday night to discuss red tape issues and the funding needs hounding the country’s fight against COVID.
The three are vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vivencio Dizon, and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong.
Among the topics the two senators and three czars discussed were:
Published May 6, 2021, 5:51 PM
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said she is optimistic that she would witness “utmost professionalism” from Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar who has been appointed as the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.
Hontiveros conceded that Malacañang made a good choice with Eleazar, who led the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) prior to his appointment.
Eleazar’s leadership, the senator said, is much needed during this time of a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“I would like to congratulate Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on becoming the next Chief PNP.
His call of duty now extends to every Filipino, amid the security challenges brought on by the pandemic,” Hontiveros said.
Published May 5, 2021, 10:54 AM
Despite a 12-month tariff cut imposed on pork, a group of local meat importers began lobbying for a much longer period wherein the pork import tariff rate is kept at 15 percent from the original 40 percent until 2025.
A customer pays for pork at a roadside market stall in Mandaluyong City, Manila, the Philippines. (Bloomberg file)
In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) President Jesus Cham said the compromise pork import tariff rate of 15 percent is “reasonable” but it should “be incorporated into the upcoming tariff schedule and remain in effect until end-2025.”
Lacson wants review of diplomatic ties with China amid incursions in West Philippine Sea By HANA BORDEY, GMA News
Published May 4, 2021 12:09pm Senator Panfilo Lacson has pushed for a review of the Philippine-China diplomatic relations amid the recent incursions in the West Philippine Sea. “What kind of friend - or benefactor - would take what is ours, bully us, and ignore our protests?” Lacson asked in a press statement. In a public briefing Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said China remains to be the Philippines’ “benefactor” and the ongoing territorial dispute should not be a reason to be rude and disrespectful.”