First, let me thank Jimmy Bautista for his service and his friendship. I wish him the best as he tends to his health. Vince is a long-time friend. We worked together on key issues during the COVID-19 pandemic and after. I have relied on his advice for many important policy decisions. He was also an […]
Read MoreHouse Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district), presiding officer of the House’s Joint Committee on Senior Citizen and PWD Benefits released the following statement, urging the Senate to approve the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens Act. “I talked to Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the committee discussing the bill, during […]
Read MoreOverall, I’m quite happy with both versions. The only principle-based contention is the mineral ore export ban. Other provisions will most likely be an amicable give-and-take. Personally, I prefer an export tax to an export ban. I would even be willing to go for some cost-based and performance-based incentives for refining. The five-year window in […]
Read MoreI thank the leadership of both houses, Speaker Romualdez and Senate President Escudero, for ratifying the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act. Beyond reducing friction costs in investing in capital markets, we took a big step in securing the future of young people. Senator Gatchalian and I hammered out a provision that grants employees who contribute […]
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