Latest news with #RaffyTulfo
Filipino Times
4 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Tulfo Wants Airport Staff Fired Over Jewelry Theft at NAIA
Senator Raffy Tulfo called on airlines and security agencies to fire ground handling staff allegedly involved in the theft of ₱500,000 worth of jewelry at NAIA Terminal 3. The victim, Kimberly Nakamura, lost the items before a Singapore-bound flight on June 28 but later recovered them after CCTV footage helped trace the theft. Tulfo's office said the individuals were already identified and referred to the New Naia Infra Corp, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the airlines involved. However, since Nakamura chose not to press charges after getting her jewelry back, the Department of Transportation cannot file a criminal case without her consent. Despite this, Tulfo urged the companies to still impose sanctions, including termination, to show that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Tulfo Urges Probe, Penalties for Gov't Officials Tied to Online Gambling
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for a thorough investigation and strict sanctions against government officials allegedly involved in the rise of online gambling in the Philippines. In a press briefing, Tulfo stressed that public officials should act in the interest of Filipinos, not in support of businesses that harm the public. He urged concerned agencies to file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan against officials proven to be complicit. Tulfo also announced plans to file a bill seeking a total ban on all forms of online gambling in the country, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). He argued that mere regulation is not enough to curb the industry's harmful effects. He cited alarming reports of young students becoming addicted to online gambling, neglecting school, and even resorting to theft. 'It's time to step on the brakes,' he said, insisting that the social costs far outweigh potential government revenues, estimated at ₱140 billion. Tulfo expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will address online gambling in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it a pressing national issue.
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Raffy Tulfo urges dedicated booths for students at LRT, MRT stations
Senator Raffy Tulfo has called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to put up dedicated booths or lanes for students who will avail of their 50% fare discount at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations. Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said that based on the onsite inspections of his team at certain train stations, some students choose not to get the discount due to the "time-consuming and inconvenient process." The DOTr has increased the fare discount for all students, including those taking up postgraduate studies, from 20% to 50% for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, beginning June 20. To get the discounted rates, students are required to present their valid ID within the current school year. Their tickets must be purchased at the ticket counter to avail of the discounted rates. These are valid for single journey tickets only and not applicable for beep cards and stored value tickets. Upon hearing the students' concerns, Tulfo said separate ticket booths or lanes should be set up exclusively for students, apart from those for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and regular passengers. He also called on the DOTr to develop a more efficient student verification process that would no longer require manual form-filling, and to make the student discount applicable to beep cards. "The goal of the student fare discount is to make transportation more accessible to learners—not to create new obstacles for them or for other commuters," Tulfo said in a statement. Sought for comment on the matter, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said he has already instructed the management teams of LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 to put up dedicated student lanes, as advised by the senator. As of Thursday, July 3, Dizon confirmed with GMA News Online that all stations at MRT-3 have already allocated a counter exclusively for students. "All [MRT-3] stations with dedicated student lane. LRT 1 [and] 2 will do the same," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Khaleej Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Soon, overseas Filipino workers to get free annual checkups
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including those based in the UAE, will soon receive free annual medical check-ups through the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) Aksyon Fund, it was announced on Friday. DMW minister Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry probing 'irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged abusive practices by some clinics (in the Philippines),' according to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Cacdac told senator Raffy Tulfo the free medical check-up will be covered by Aksyon (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) fund, a key financial support mechanism for OFWs needing urgent assistance abroad. Cacdac assured the routine health monitoring for OFWs during their deployment and prior to repatriation will also be covered. Tulfo, meanwhile, urged the DMW to institutionalise the initiative through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) 'to ensure greater oversight and regulation of medical clinics conducting OFW health clearances.' 'Medical clinics should have prior coordination with and obtain approval from the DOH,' Tulfo added. OFWs are estimated to be around 15 million across the world. They have a significant presence in the UAE, believed to be more than 700,000 individuals – of which, approximately 450,000 reside in Dubai alone. Overseas Filipinos help keep the Philippine economy afloat. As reported by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (central bank), OFWs sent a record $38.34 billion in remittances to the Philippines last year, marking a 3 per cent increase from the $37.21 billion recorded in 2023. Among the contributors are those from the US, Singapore, KSA, Japan, UK and the UAE.
Filipino Times
02-03-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Sen. Raffy Tulfo conducts surprise inspection at PH Consulate in Dubai, calls for improved services for OFWs
Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo conducted an unannounced inspection at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai to assess the efficiency of services provided to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The visit focused on the operations of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), institutions crucial to assisting OFWs. Concerns raised by OFWs In a news release, Tulfo said he was met with a wave of concerns from OFWs waiting for contract verification services. Many raised issues regarding long processing times, scheduling delays, and customer service quality. Addressing the concerns, Tulfo called on Assistant Labor Attaché Jeane Mendoza to enhance service efficiency and improve the treatment of OFWs seeking assistance. He underscored that many workers visiting the MWO had already experienced challenges in their workplaces, and they should be met with understanding and prompt support at the consulate. Immediate actions, recommendations Another major concern raised was the three-month waiting period for contract verification appointments. The senator emphasized the urgency of streamlining the process to reduce delays and ensure that more OFWs receive timely assistance. He also took note of the long wait for payment receipts after contract verification processing. To address this, he ordered that receipts be issued immediately upon payment to prevent unnecessary delays. Upon learning that MWO operations on Fridays were only for half a day, he immediately contacted Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac to propose extending office hours. Cacdac promptly agreed to implement full-day Friday operations to increase service efficiency. Meanwhile, Assistant Labor Attaché Mendoza assured the senator that the recommendations would be acted upon immediately. Before concluding his visit, Tulfo committed to recommending additional staffing at MWO Dubai to Secretary Cacdac, with the goal of expediting transactions and enhancing overall service efficiency. Prior to this visit, Tulfo also conducted an ocular inspection at the MWO in Riyadh.
