News and Events

Several lawmakers today expressed support for proposals that would compel government officials and employees to sign a waiver which would allow a full audit on their finances and exempt them from existing laws on bank secrecy including accounts covering dollar deposits.

The lawmakers - Reps. Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st District, Davao City-NUP), Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, western Samar- LP) and Jerry Trenas (Lone District, Iloilo City-LP) – underlined the need for transparency and all possible legal apparatus to block accountability in public service should be completely dismantled....

House Assistant Majority Leader and Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles has questioned the plan to shut down at least 10 Philippine embassies and consulates due to alleged budgetary constraints.

Nograles noted that all funding for these diplomatic posts are all presumed to have been provided with adequate allocation through the 2012 General Appropriations Act....

Several congressmen today questioned the plan to shut down at least 10 Philippine embassies and consulates due to alleged budgetary constraints as they noted that all funding for these diplomatic posts are all presumed to have been provided with adequate allocation through the 2012 General Appropriations Act.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Trenas said this plan to shut down diplomatic posts is a move that absolutely puts the country in bad light apart from the fact that it would even make it more difficult for many Filipinos who have problems in their host countries to seek help from the government.

In fact, Trenas said, the country even needs to expand its consular offices to ensure that Filipinos who are in nearly every corner of the globe can easily secure help from the when necessary....

Is PhilHealth going bankrupt?

This was the question raised by several congressmen following a controversial circular issued by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) which effectively made it nearly impossible for local government units to sustain payment of premiums for their beneficiaries....

Davao City councilor Joanne Bonguyan believes that it's time that the local government should place greater emphasis on economic development.

In a statement she posted on her social networking website, Bonguyan said the city government should rise above on simply peace and order concerns.

"I think its time ( way past time) to think about managing the economy and not just concentrating on security. They can go hand in hand. But I suggest that greater emphasis be placed on the economy," Bonguyan wrote, adding:...

House Assistant Majority Leader and Davao City Congressman Karlo Alexei Nograles yesterday expressed deep concern over the admission of the Department of National Defense of a plan to abolish certain key units in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including its plan to incorporate engineering and civil military operations (CMO) units to regular combat units.

Nograles noted that this the move will not only unnecessary but a step backward in the government’s quest to create an efficient, mobile and modern armed forces....

If Councilor Joanne Bonguyan would have her way, she would have another congressional district created for Davao City.

"With a population of 1.3-million, we deserve at least 5 congressional districts," Bonguyan wrote on her social networking site.

We only have 3 (congressional districts)," she lamented.

Bonguyan noted that each congressman is alloted at least P70-million in development funds every year. She said having more congressmen from Davao City would boost the local development efforts....

At least three more vocational courses - considered as shorter routes to employment opportunities - have been made available under the scholarship program of Davao City congressman Karlo B. Nograles.

"We have always wanted to reach out to as many out-of-school youths as possible," Nograles said. "We want to bring them back to school, give them the qualifications for them to compete in the job market and make them productive citizens of Davao City’s First District."...

Davao City Rep. Karlo B. Nograles took the congressional floor on Wednesday to defend House Bill 05015, or the Financing Terrorism Suppression Act.

Nograles, also the assistant majority leader of the House, explained that HB 05015 will criminalize the act of providing financial support or assistance to terrorism, terrorists and terrorist groups.

Nograles said the proposed law is in line the Aquino administration’s drive against all forms of terrorism. The bill has been certified as “urgent” by President Aquino, the Davao City lawmaker pointed out....

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 26 congressmen have been granted authority to travel to the United States when their colleague Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquio defends his welterweight title against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 13.

The office of House Secretary General Marilyn Babarua-Yap released on Thursday a list of congressmen with travel authority to the US in November. It was not sure, however, whether all of them will proceed to Las Vegas to watch the fight.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing confirmed his attendance at the fight.

"Yes, dito na ako (Yes, I'm here already)," Bagatsing said in a text message to the Inquirer....