Latest news with #ReginaldVelasco
GMA Network
25-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Rainy, cloudy weather on SONA 2025 —PAGASA
The giant national flag at the House of Representatives is hung up in the session hall again at the Batasan Complex on Thursday, July 17, 2025 Cloudy skies with rains are expected in different parts of the country, including Metro Manila, on Monday, where President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is set to hold his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasan Pambansa Complex. In a special weather outlook for the occasion, PAGASA said on Friday that the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will be the dominant weather system affecting the country during the SONA. 'On Monday, July 28, the Southwest Monsoon will bring mostly cloudy skies with chances of isolated rains or thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan,' PAGASA said. 'The rest of the archipelago will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms,' the state weather bureau added. PAGASA said the weather outlook will be updated if significant changes in the weather pattern occur. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued a memo for the austere holding of the SONA amid the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwast Monsoon or Habagat on the country. "There will be no staged ceremonies, fashion coverage, or photo setups in the red carpet area," read the memo. "Members are respectfully urged to avoid ostentatious displays and exercise discretion in their wardrobe choices," it added. According to the memo, this is "in view of the recent calamities affecting several regions of the country." The Senate will also not roll out the red carpet for the opening of the 20th Congress, according to Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero. Several parts of the country are still reeling from the effects of consecutive storms amid days of heavy rains. The reported death toll due to Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat has increased to 25 as of Friday morning. A state of calamity has also been declared in 84 cities and municipalities. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
House suspends work amid monsoon rains
The House of Representatives has suspended work on Monday, July 21, starting at 4 pm due to heavy rains, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said. 'Due to heavy downpour and flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, work at the House of Representatives is suspended starting 4 pm. today,' Velasco said in an advisory. 'Only essential personnel, as determined by their respective Deputy Secretaries General or the Sergeant-at-Arms, will render service,' Velasco added. Ahead of the House, the Palace and the Senate also issued work suspensions amid the nonstop downpour. According to PAGASA, Metro Manila and several provinces are expected to experience 100 to 200 mm of rainfall due to the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat until Tuesday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House sec-gen says some lawmakers asked for travel authority from airport, another from Hong Kong
"I beg you, please, please submit your request at least three days before you travel," Velasco said. House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco reminded incoming members of the 20th Congress on Monday to submit requests for travel authority three days before the dates of their departure. On the first day of the executive course on legislation for new House members in the 20th Congress, Velasco said some lawmakers requested travel authority on the dates of their trip. "Let me share something interesting with you. I am available 24-7 via Viber or cellphone, FaceTime, Telegram, WhatsApp. I am available. I will share with you one thing: all travel clearances and travel authorities are signed by me and the Speaker," Velasco said. "I beg you, please, please submit your request at least three days before you travel," he added. Velasco then recalled scrambling to issue travel authority to those who asked for a travel authority on the day of the trip itself. 'There are some congressmen who will call me and say, Sir, I need a travel clearance. Where are you now? I'm now at the airport. Okay. We will find a way. So in 30 minutes, he was able to get his travel clearance,' Velasco said. 'That is via Viber, no? Sobra na nga kung by Grab or Lalamove or Shopee. And then another congresswoman begged me. She said, SecGen. I need my travel clearance. I said when? Now? Where are you? In Hong Kong. So again, in a few hours, we were able to send her her travel clearance. So, these are the services that we render to all of you,' he added. Velasco assured the incoming House members that the Executive Course in Legislation, done by the House in partnership with the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG), will help the lawmakers carry out 'an effective and decisive leadership that will enhance the lives of their constituents.' 'I'm sure your constituents are likewise eagerly awaiting to see you dive into action. For this preparatory course, we have gathered the most important topics that we believe will be critical for your new role as resource persons and sharers. We have invited past and current House members and renowned individuals from the academia and subject matter experts with unmatched track records,' Velasco said. 'Hence, this will also serve as a wonderful platform for intellectual exchange of perspectives and ideas. I'm sure you will eventually discover that it is an ongoing you complete your term. Maybe until the end of your three terms. As your Secretary General, I assure you of wholehearted and unwavering support,' he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippine lawmakers from lower house back move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, whose father is a former president, has been impeached by the House of Representatives after more than the required number of legislators signed a petition to remove her from office, an official said Wednesday. House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco told a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of Congress that at least 215 lawmakers have signed a petition to impeach Duterte, more than enough to consider her impeached by the House. With enough endorsements by House legislators, the impeachment complaint was ordered transmitted to the Senate, which will serve as an impeachment tribunal that would try the vice president, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The vice president and her father have been politically at odds with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his camp, including a majority of House legislators. The vice president, regarded as a possible presidential candidate after Marcos's term ends in 2028, has faced at least four impeachment complaints by several groups over a range of issues, including a death threat she made against the president last year, irregularities in the use of her office's intelligence funds and her failure to stand up to Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea.
The Hill
05-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Philippine lawmakers from lower house back move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, whose father is a former president, has been impeached by the House of Representatives after more than the required number of legislators signed a petition to remove her from office, an official said Wednesday. House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco told a plenary meeting of the lower chamber of Congress that at least 215 lawmakers have signed a petition to impeach Duterte, more than enough to consider her impeached by the House. With enough endorsements by House legislators, the impeachment complaint was ordered transmitted to the Senate, which will serve as an impeachment tribunal that would try the vice president, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The vice president and her father have been politically at odds with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his camp, including a majority of House legislators. The vice president, regarded as a possible presidential candidate after Marcos's term ends in 2028, has faced at least four impeachment complaints by several groups over a range of issues, including a death threat she made against the president last year, irregularities in the use of her office's intelligence funds and her failure to stand up to Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea.
