Latest news with #Pangilinan
Filipino Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
New Senators Question Delay in Duterte Impeachment Trial Start
Several newly elected senators have voiced concern over the proposed August 4 reconvening of the Senate impeachment court, viewing it as another delay in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Senator Joel Villanueva shared that Senate President Chiz Escudero discussed the timeline with fellow senators, citing the need to finalize Senate leadership after the July 28 opening of Congress. Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, and Tito Sotto called for an earlier trial start, citing the Constitution's directive to proceed without delay. Pangilinan stressed the need for clarity, while Lacson emphasized the importance of a plenary vote and open deliberation. Sotto noted that the process has already faced considerable delays. In contrast, Senator Bam Aquino expressed support for the August 4 start, vowing to uphold the Constitution and scrutinize all evidence presented. All four senators—Pangilinan, Lacson, Sotto, and Aquino—are newly elected and have yet to take their oaths as senator-judges. While Pangilinan and Aquino are aligned with Escudero's majority bloc, Lacson and Sotto belong to the emerging 'veterans bloc' that may lead the minority. Vice President Duterte was impeached in February over fund misuse allegations and threats against the Marcos family. The trial's timeline remains a point of contention, with Duterte's petition to halt the proceedings still pending before the Supreme Court.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate probe into commercial fishing within 15-km municipal waters sought
Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan has filed a resolution seeking for an investigation into the impact of commercial fishing within the country's 15-kilometer municipal waters on small-scale fishermen, marine resources, and national food security. Under proposed Senate resolution no. 11, Pangilinan called on the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform to conduct a comprehensive inquiry, in aid of legislation, into such impacts and the scientific basis—or lack thereof— for the 15-km municipal water delineation and the 12.8-meter depth restriction. To recall, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld a regional trial court (RTC) ruling that declared certain provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code and its implementing rules and regulations unconstitutional. The RTC had permanently barred authorities from enforcing the 15-kilometer municipal waters limit. Pangilinan pointed out that the 15-kilometer municipal water zone for small-scale fishers is 'crucial for the sustainability of marine ecosystems, the preservation of fish stocks, and the food and livelihood security of millions of Filipinos living in coastal areas." He said the proposed probe would thus explore possible legislative interventions and amendments to existing laws and policies to protect the rights and welfare of small-scale fishers. 'This is about more than boundaries,' the returning senator said. 'It's about protecting the very communities who have long been the stewards of our seas—and ensuring that our oceans remain a source of life and livelihood, not a battleground for survival.' Several fisherfolk groups have been protesting against the SC ruling to allow commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer boundary of municipal waters. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also filed a motion for reconsideration before the SC to reconsider its ruling. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Risa Hontiveros open to join Senate 'veterans bloc'
Senator Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday she is open to the possibility of joining the five-man "veterans bloc" at the Senate. The so-called veterans bloc of the upper chamber is composed of Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Senator Loren Legarda, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, and Lito Lapid. They are pushing for the reinstatement of Sotto as Senate president, replacing Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. According to Hontiveros, she also considers herself as a veteran lawmaker, as she is currently serving her second six-year term in the Senate. "I have to be open to all possibilities na consistent doon sa gusto kong pagpapalakas ng oposisyon para sa 2028 and beyond," Hontiveros said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. (I have to be open to all possibilities that are consistent with my goal to strengthen the opposition for 2028 and beyond.) However, she said her final decision on the matter will be revealed on July 28, when the 20th Congress begins its first regular session. Zubiri had floated the possibility of the veterans bloc forming the Senate minority bloc in the 20th Congress. Legarda, meanwhile, said the bloc has yet to decide whether they will be in the minority. Hontiveros also said she does not feel betrayed amid reports that Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Bam Aquino—both of whom she endorsed and supported during the 2025 midterm elections—will be joining the Senate majority bloc. "Ang akin naman, kanya-kanyang desisyon po 'yan. Nagrerespetuhan kami. And alam din naman nila sa akin naman, patuloy din akong maninindigan sa paraan na tingin ko, consistent para sa akin na mag-ambag pa rin sa pagpapalakas ng oposisyon sa labas din ng Senado," she said. (For me, we have our own decision. We respect each other. They also know that I will continue to stand by my goal to strengthen the opposition outside the Senate as well.) She also reiterated that she continues to talk with Pangilinan and Aquino regarding their plans. Amid speculations that he would join the Senate majority bloc, Pangilinan has maintained that he is willing to work with all political parties in a bid to address high food prices and hunger in the country. 'Alice Guo of Manila' Meanwhile, Hontiveros urged law enforcers to continue investigating those behind the selling of government-issued IDs to non-Filipinos. This developed after Immigration authorities arrested a Chinese woman at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a Filipino. The suspect allegedly acquired a fake Philippine passport and birth certificate through late registration despite being a Chinese holding an investor's visa. Hontiveros admitted that such news does not surprise her anymore, as the Senate hearings on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo showed that official Filipino documents "have been up for sale and used for evil." "Nobody should be able to purchase being a Filipino," she said in a statement. "Government agencies like the PSA and DFA should also consider cleaning up their ranks, kung kinakailangan. Dapat bigyang-prayoridad ng gobyerno ang paglinis sa mga dumi at kalat na iniwan ng mga POGO," she added. (Government agencies like the PSA and DFA should also consider cleaning up their ranks, if needed. The government should prioritize cleaning up the mess left behind by POGOs.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Pangilinan bill seeks up to 3 Years in jail for ticket scalpers
Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan has filed a bill that seeks to impose strict penalties—including up to three years in prison—for individuals and groups involved in unauthorized ticket reselling. Under the proposed Anti-Ticket Scalping Act, it would be illegal to sell, distribute, hoard, or buy event tickets—such as for concerts or sports games—without the written approval of the event organizer or producer, especially when the resale price exceeds 10% of the original value. Penalties under the bill escalate based on repeat offenses: First offense: ₱100,000 fine or up to 6 months' jail time, or both Second offense: ₱250,000 fine or up to 1 year in jail, or both Third and succeeding offenses: ₱500,000 fine or up to 3 years in jail, or both These penalties also apply to those who finance or operate scalping operations. The bill also penalizes those selling tickets without showing the original price, using unauthorized resale platforms, or enabling others to break the law. Corporations may face sanctions along with their responsible officers. Pangilinan said the measure aims to address the long-standing issue of ticket scalping, which has worsened with the rise of high-demand live events in music, sports, and theater. He added that current laws are scattered and inconsistently enforced, leading to consumer abuse. 'This bill proposes a unified national law to clearly outlaw ticket scalping and protect fans from unfair practices,' Pangilinan said.
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Kiko Pangilinan on possibly joining Senate majority: ‘Hunger has no color'
Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan on Thursday maintained that he is willing to work with all political parties in a bid to address high food prices and hunger in the country. This, amid speculations that he and Senator Bam Aquino—-both of whom were endorsed and supported by Senator Risa Hontiveros during the 2025 midterm elections—-will be joining the Senate majority bloc. 'I've read reports, read posts on social media for and against, and I've been told of rumblings regarding political alignments. Critics say I will be 'selling out to the enemy' should I pursue a certain path. They are free to say what they wish,' Pangilinan said in a Facebook post. 'I did publicly express a willingness to work with all parties along principled boundaries to bring down high food prices and hunger. I know who I am, I know what I stand for. My political track record is an open book,' he added. The returning senator also recalled his previous statement that he is open to setting aside partisan politics so both the legislative and executive branches of the government 'can work together effectively to deliver solutions.' 'In this regard, I believe what I ought to do, amidst all the chatter, the brickbats, is to focus on what I said I would do and simply walk the walk,' Pangilinan said. He also explained that he, Aquino, and Hontiveros are still talking to discuss their plans once the 20th Congress begins its first regular session later this month. 'Kung anuman ang magiging opisyal at pinal na pasya sa Senado sa July 28, maninindigan pa rin tayo nang puspusan para pawiin ang gutom para sa magsasaka at mangingisda at para sa mababang presyo ng bigas at pagkain,' he said. (Regardless of what our official and final decision in the Senate on July 28 will be, we will still stand firm to address hunger for farmers and fishermen, and to lower the prices of rice and food.) Not hurt Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said she was not hurt by the possibility of Pangilinan and Aquino joining the majority bloc. 'Hindi ako nahu-hurt dahil, 'yun na nga eh, sabi ko nga, basta patuloy akong maninindigan,' Hontiveros said in an ambush interview at the Department of Justice on Wednesday. (I am not hurt because, as I said, I will continue to fight.) 'Kung ang bawat isa sa amin ay may sariling diskarte, ako rin naman po, basta nakatutok pa rin ako do'n sa layunin na palakasin 'yung oposisyon, hindi lang sa loob, pati sa labas ng Senado,' she added. (If each one of us has our own strategies, I am like that as well, I will focus on the goal to strengthen the opposition, not only within but also outside the Senate.) Hontiveros, who was part of the two-man minority bloc in the 19th Congress along with former Senate minority leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, said she is still monitoring the developments in the Senate. The lady senator, however, maintained that she will become an independent senator. 'Basta para sa akin, mananatili akong independent senator para katuwang ako nung palalakasin na oposisyon sa labas, sa buong bansa,' she said. (As for me, I will be an independent senator to help strengthen the opposition nationwide.) Hontiveros had floated the possibility of joining or forming an independent bloc in the 20th Congress, saying that it is 'more realistic' to do so considering the numbers.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
