Bato refiles death penalty bill vs drug traffickers
The bill on capital punishment for large-scale illegal drug trafficking, which Dela Rosa has been pushing since 2019, topped the lawmaker's 10 priority legislative measures for the incoming 20th Congress.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the Duterte administration and was the lead implementer of the war on drugs. Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now detained at The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during the drug war.
Also included in Dela Rosa's priority bills were the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Act, Amendment to Party-list System Act, End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Act, and Anti-Drug Abuse Council Act.
Healthcare
Senator JV Ejercito also filed his 10 priority bills on Wednesday, including a proposed P74.4-billion Supplemental Appropriations for PhilHealth to strengthen the country's health insurance system and uphold the mandate of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Ejercito, principal sponsor of the UHC Act, underscored the importance of the supplemental budget amid the rising medical costs.
He also filed a measure seeking to suspend excise taxes on regular gasoline, unleaded premium gasoline and diesel; and a separate bill on the P250 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act and Motorcycle Taxi Act, among others.
Meanwhile, included in Senator Imee Marcos' priority bills were the National Minimum Wage Act, Budget Modernization Act, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Act, and the National Tax Allotment Act.
Senators started filing their priority legislative measures for the 20th Congress on Monday, June 30. The new Congress is set to convene its first session day on July 28. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Police personnel receive up to P2M monthly payola from Atong Ang, says whistleblower
A whistleblower claimed that businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang was paying some policemen up to P2 million monthly. In Emil Sumangil's exclusive report on '24 Oras' on Friday, Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan alleged that the go signal to abduct and kill the missing cockfight enthusiasts came from the businessman. Patidongan, who was former security chief in some of Ang's cockfight arenas, said that he was the one relaying the orders from Ang to the uniformed personnel. He recently turned over to the authorities the copies of petty cash vouchers for the cops. The highest amount allegedly paid was over P2.6 million to a police unit that allegedly did the job. 'Intel lang kasi nakalagay doon. Kapag sinabing intel, yun na yung P500,000, yun na yung bayad sa mga pinatay nila. Yung overall naman na kinukuha ng isang colonel, ang monthly niya ay P2 million,' said Patidongan. Patidongan vowed he would keep his statements until the trial. GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Ang and the Philippine National Police for comments regarding his new allegations. Patidongan earlier said Ang and three others were behind the abductions from 2021 to 2022. He said more than 100 were killed after being taken away. He also said that actress Gretchen Barretto knew about the kidnappings. But Ang and Barreto have already denied the allegations.—GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PAGCOR duty-bound to follow laws on online gambling
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Friday welcomed proposed measures seeking to put stricter regulations on online gambling. 'It is the prerogative of our lawmakers to propose laws which they think will be beneficial to the public,' PAGCOR said in a statement. 'PAGCOR is duty-bound to follow any and all relevant regulations once they are passed by Congress and signed into law by the President,' the state-run gaming firm added. The gaming industry regulator issued the statement after several lawmakers filed bills banning the promotion of online gambling and its linkage to electronic wallets (e-wallets). In particular, Bukidnon Reps. Keith Flores, Jose Alba, Audrey Zubiri, Laarni Roque and Arlyn Ayon made the proposal under their House Bill 721 or the Anti-Online Gambling Promotions in E-Wallet Act. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed a bill that would prohibit the use of e-wallet for online gambling, increase the online gambling age restriction from 18 to 21, as well put a minimum bet of P10,000 and top-up of P5,000. 'In the meantime, rest assured that PAGCOR remains fully committed to intensifying its efforts in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of illegal online gaming activities, together with like-minded agencies and organizations and with the support of all gaming industry stakeholders,' the gaming industry regulator said. The country's gaming industry saw its total revenues grow to P104.12 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 27.44% year-on-year, driven for the first time by the growing popularity of electronic games among Filipinos. PAGCOR reported earlier that e-games and e-bingo became the gaming industry's top revenue driver for the first time, accounting for P51.39 billion or 49.36% of the total; outpacing licensed casinos which contributed P49.28 billion or 47.32%. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
CIDG: 9 Chinese arrested over human trafficking in Cebu
'Investigation revealed that the rescued female victim and other Filipino workers of the alleged guerrilla POGO and scam hub were detained against their will, forced to work, and were not allowed to leave the house where they were working for the scam,' the CIDG said. Nine Chinese were arrested at an alleged Philippine offshore gaming operation and scam hub in Mandaue City, Cebu, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police said on Friday. The CIDG said the suspects were arrested for alleged human trafficking at the establishment inside a subdivision in Barangay Alang-alang on Wednesday. The raid on the POGO hub was launched after a Filipino victim asked to be rescued. 'Investigation revealed that the rescued female victim and other Filipino workers of the alleged guerrilla POGO and scam hub were detained against their will, forced to work, and were not allowed to leave the house where they were working for the scam,' the CIDG said. The arrested Chinese suspects failed to present passports and valid documents supporting their stay or work in the Philippines, according to the CIDG. Seized from the raid were various electronic devices, including 21 desktop computers, 40 cellular phones, one tablet, and electronic accessories, which were turned over to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7 for forensic examination. The suspects will be facing complaints for the violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and 2022, as well as immigration laws. 'This successful operation underscores the National Government's and PNP CIDG's intensified efforts against illegal POGOs and [internet gaming licensees], pursuant to Executive Order Number 74,' CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz said. 'Rest assured that your CIDG is unyielding in catching and cracking down on individuals and syndicates, local or foreign nationals, who are involved in all types of crimes in the country, including trafficking in persons and illegal operations of POGOs/IGLs,' he added.
