My beloved countrymen, we are here today to commemorate a defining moment in the history of our people.

We are here to once again remember the heroism, valor, and sacrifice of the countless heroes who—with every ounce of their being, and often with their passing—have made this hallowed ground.

We convene here at the Mount Samat National Shrine—built during my father’s time to memorialize the heroic struggles of Filipinos and their allies during the war, particularly during the Fall of Bataan some 81 years ago.

Teeming with rich historical and military significance, Mount Samat was a key part of the plan to defend the Philippines, through the so-called War Plan Orange, which looked to Corregidor Island and Bataan Peninsula as the ideal strategic locations from which to defend Manila.

It served as a key observation post overlooking the entirety of Bataan, and as the bastion of our resistance against the enemy.

It is here on this sacred ground that on April 3, 1942, Good Friday, the enemy forces launched their final offensive to take Bataan Peninsula.

Facing them, on these imposing but pock-marked foothills of Mount Samat, were the 21st and 41st divisions of the Philippine Army.

Battered by months of fighting, it was here that they made their last stand facing the combined military might of a battle-hardened, well-equipped, well-supplied force.

For six days, our soldiers fought bravely with “almost superhuman endurance,” fighting not only with the power of their arms but with the faith entrusted to them by their fellow Filipinos.

After days of the fiercest fighting yet seen in this theater, our brave soldiers yielded to the superior force of the enemy, with heads bloodied but unbowed, earning the respect of both their comrades and their enemies.

Now, we commemorate April 9 of every year as the Day of Valor.

Many dismiss the commemoration of the Bataan siege as ill-advised, simply because it had ended in a most agonizing defeat. But we cannot agree more with our historians, because what we had lost in this incipient battle, and had not finished the war, the war had yet to be won.

We lost great men and women during that time, ending with the Death March, our most important triumph though was that we kept on fighting, and that we never lost hope.

It has been said that it is inappropriate that we celebrate such loss. For although we lost the battle, the Fall of Bataan marked the beginning of the Filipinos’ resurgence as a fighting force to defend, and to take back the land of their forefathers.

Meanwhile, the ferociousness with which Filipinos fought for their country diverted enemy forces from action in other countries around Southeast Asia.

Also, the fall of Bataan triggered a series of events—spanning three years of patience, resilience, and physical and mental toil—during which Filipinos regrouped, fought side-by-side with their fellow citizens and allies.

Citizens from every walk of life quietly and bravely volunteered to join in the defense of our country.

It continued with the valiant resistance of our guerilla forces all over the country, culminating in the Battle of Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, where the 25,000 Filipino forces supported by American forces finally subdued the enemy.

In three years’ time, Luzon would be retaken. The sheer unrelenting spirit of Filipinos working hand-in-hand with allies overpowered enemy forces’ stranglehold over Luzon.

Through significant victories at the Balete Pass, Villaverde Trail, and Bessang Pass, it ultimately led to the defeat and surrender of the enemy later that year.

Our world has turned many times since that war.

We live in a different time now. Those who once faced each other in battle now work together for peace.

So one might ask, “Is there still a need for heroes Do we still have within us Filipinos that character of heroism that has defined us as a people for all our history”

We need only look around us to find the answer.

We see it in our veterans—some of whom are here with us today. They have passed on to us this shining legacy, this treasure, for us to burnish.

We see it in the eyes of every child who looks to the future with hope and eager anticipation.

The answer lies in every Filipino who toils and sacrifices to feed their families, help their communities, and serve their country.

And so we must celebrate these golden deeds that uphold the spirit of patriotism.

We celebrate all the individual acts of valor and of sacrifice. We celebrate the Filipino spirit. We celebrate our countrymen’s deep, abiding love of every Filipino love for our land, love for our people, and love for our freedom.

We have been called upon to stay true to that tradition, that tradition that Filipinos have demonstrated throughout our history. And so it is today that the spirit of heroism is once again asked of us by our country.

Perhaps not in the grand acts displayed on the field of battle, but in the everyday challenges that we must face to defend ourselves, to defend our people, to defend our country.

What better example of that Filipino nobility of spirit could there be than what was once again demonstrated in the last worldwide crisis, where our men and women rose to the challenge of facing an unseen enemy–a new global challenge.

Once again, Filipinos showed the world our purity of spirit and of compassion by willingly putting themselves in peril in the service of others.

So have faith. We can look to the future with confidence, girded with the knowledge that the most noble Filipino quality of heroism is aflame and burns brightly in every true Filipino.

For that we thank our heroes—those who fought, and bled, and died here, for they have shown us the way, not necessarily an easy way, to make us the best citizens of our republic.

So let us tread that path together, united by our faith in God and our love of country.

Mabuhay ang bayaning Pilipino!

Mabuhay ang ating mga beterano!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla scored on Tuesday the betrayal of brotherhood in the fatal hazing of Adamson student John Salilig, after a fraternity official flunked his challenge to recite the organization’s prayer.

Padilla, who attended the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Salilig’s hazing, challenged Daniel Perry – the alleged master initiator during the initiation rites – to recite the Triskelion Prayer, which reflects the group’s values.

On the other hand, Padilla got a commitment from officials of Adamson University to help those involved so their future would not go to waste.

“Ako po ay isa sa nalulungkot dito sapagka’t malapit sa akin ang mga Triskelion eh. Hindi ko maintindihan itong mga batang ito. Pwede bang masagot nyo ako? Alam nyo ba kung ano ang Triskelion Prayer? Pwedeng paki-recite nyo sa akin (I am among those saddened by what happened because I consider myself close to the Triskelion. I cannot understand those involved in the hazing. Can you tell me what the Triskelion Prayer is? Please recite it before me)?” Padilla told Perry.

When Perry told Padilla that “hindi ko saulado (I have not memorized)” the prayer, the lawmaker expressed dismay, before proceeding to read the text of the prayer.

He particularly pointed out the part of the prayer that seeks enlightenment for the fraternity and sorority’s officers so they can “maintain the highest standard of decision making.”

“Nakakalungkot, mga anak. Pambihira kayo. Gusto ko pang magtanong pero mababaon kayo. Ayoko na kayo baunin pa pero baon na kayo (It’s very sad, my son. I wanted to ask more questions but you’re already in deep trouble),” he said.

“Yan po ang inyong prayer. ‘Highest standard of decision making,’ mga anak. Goodness (That is your prayer – for the highest standard of decision making. Goodness),” he added.

Meanwhile, Padilla was heartened over Adamson College of Law Dean Anna Maria Abad’s promise to assist those involved in the incident. “Sir, tutulong po kami (Sir, we will help them),” she told Padilla after he stressed that Adamson officials are second parents to the students.

“Kung pangalawang magulang kayo, ibig sabihin tinatanggap nyo po na may responsibilidad kayo, sabi ninyo. Itong mga batang ito kawawa ito (If you consider yourselves their second parents, you accepted a responsibility. These youths are in a bad situation),” Padilla told Adamson Office of Student Affairs head Atty. Jan Nelin Navallasca, who initially said the students are “of age” already.

Likewise, Padilla reminded Abad that while what happened is painful for the school because its reputation is at stake, the welfare of those involved is also important.

When Abad promised to help the students, Padilla said: “Yan po ang gusto ko madinig Maam. Maraming salamat, I love you Maam. Yan ang gusto kong marinig, tutulungan ang mga batang ito (That is what I want to hear. Thank you, I love you Maam. That is what I want to hear, that you will help them).”

Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo proposed a total deployment ban of Filipino workers in Kuwait following the reported murder of domestic helper Jullebee Ranara.

Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, waited for the arrival of the remains of Ranara at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Friday night, Jan. 27.

The burnt body of Ranara, who was working in Kuwait as a domestic helper, was reportedly found at a desert in Salmi, Al-Jahra Governorate last weekend.

The Senator from Isabela and Davao maintained that bilateral talks between Philippines and Kuwait could push through after a deployment ban, but with consideration to Philippines’ terms and conditions.

Among the conditions that Tulfo noted includes requiring tight screening process and psychiatric exam for employers on high-risk countries, as well as members of their household, to ensure that they are fit to hire OFWs in their homes.

It can be noted that while Ranara’s employers supposedly treated her well, her employers’ 17-year-old son, who was part of the household, purportedly maltreated her. The same son is the suspect in her death and is now under police custody.

As a start, Tulfo suggested to gradually pull out OFWs in Kuwait and send them instead to work in places where OFWs are properly compensated and treated with respect, like Guam.

Guam is a new market for OFWs currently needing thousands of skilled workers. In fact, Guam, a United States Territory, reportedly prefers to hire more Filipino workers.

Aside from Guam, the government can also explore sending OFWs in Kuwait to work in other safer places, including Romania, Austria and HongKong.

Likewise, while he has high respects for different culture, Tulfo added the need to require employers to ensure that the OFWs they hired would not suffer because of their traditions, including fasting during Ramadan.

Every Ramadan, Tulfo learned that some OFWs suffered from hunger. Out of respect for their tradition, the Senator said OFWs should, at the vey least, be allowed to eat in a separate room.

Ultimately, Tulfo said the Kuwait government should issue a public apology to the Filipinos considering the death of Ranara and other Filipino workers killed by or due to their employers in Kuwait.

Notably, Ranara is not the first OFW to be killed in Kuwait. The Philippines had earlier imposed a labor deployment ban to Kuwait after the gruesome deaths of several Filipino domestic workers.

The ban was eventually lifted, after the two countries signed a protection agreement for Filipino workers in Kuwait.

Earlier, upon learning of Ranara’s death, Tulfo sent his staff to meet with the parents of the Filipina domestic helper not only to check on their condition amid this great loss but also to give an initial financial assistance from his personal funds to address their immediate needs.

Tulfo said he will extend all the possible assistance he could give to support the bereaved family’s needs, including scholarish for Ranara’s two children.

Senator Raffy Tulfo thinks that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should hire more lawyers who are good at helping distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

During the Senate hearing on several bills aimed at improving the financial and legal assistance for overseas Filipino workers, the speaker said that one way to increase the number of Filipinos acquitted in cases involving working abroad would be to make sure they have good legal representation.

Tulfo said that the best lawyers should be hired by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as cases like this one can be difficult to solve.

The hearing looked at cases where DFA-retained lawyers had tried to help overseas workers who had been wronged. It was found that not a single case had been successful in ending in an acquittal.

Sen. Idol asked DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega to make sure that offices around the world that are meant to help migrant workers work 8 hours a day, or more, in order to help overseas Filipino workers.

Tulfo learned that some OFWs he met on a recent trip to a foreign country complained that DFA employees abroad only work for a few hours each day and that they’re not always available to entertain them.

The Senator from Isabela and Davao said that even if there are a lot of papers that need to be processed, there should still be employees who are responsible for helping OFWs throughout the day.

De Vega said that he will investigate the issue and call all of the necessary embassies abroad.

Tulfo said that his committee will focus on laws that will make it easier to prosecute people who are recruiting people illegally, and also on making sure the AKSYON (aid) fund is wisely managed so that financial assistance is given to those who need it.

Senators expressed their dismay on Monday over the controversy surrounding Philippine Airlines (PAL) crew members who brought onions to the Philippines as “pasalubong” (souvenir).

Senators JV Ejercito and Raffy Tulfo expressed disapproval of the PAL crew members’ punishment while allowing the major traffickers to escape punishment.

“‘Yung PAL crew, nagdadala ‘yan ng pasalubong for personal consumption. Dati, mansanas, ubas, pabango, sapatos. Ngayon, sibuyas na ang kanilang pinapasalubong sa kanilang mga pamilya. So, this is already a cause of alert,” Ejercito said during the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform hearing.

According to Ejercito, the airline crew members’ seized onions are worth between $100 and $150.

“Ito papatulan natin pero ‘yung mga big-time na cartel, smuggler, protektor, nakakalusot?” he asked.

Tulfo shared Ejercito’s view and said the matter is “unacceptable.”

“Uminit ang ulo ko. Bureau of Customs, pinaghuhuli ‘nyo itong mga airline crew, hinarang ‘nyo pampasalubong lang. Bakit ‘yung malalaking big-time smugglers na paulit-ulit na binabanggit… hindi ‘nyo pinaghuhuli at pinagkukulong?” Tulfo asked Customs officials present during the Senate hearing.

“Dapat priority ’nyo ‘yung mga big-time [smugglers]. Bakit hindi ‘nyo paghuhulihin? Siguro nasa opisina ‘nyo palagi. This is unacceptable,” he added.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) found 11 kilograms of onions on the crew of a PAL plane from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The crew members will have to pay a fine for breaking the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Plant Quarantine Decree of 1978.

The committee is investigating why onions are becoming more expensive in the country.

The Department of Agriculture said that onion prices dropped over the weekend, from around P250 per kilo to P400 per kilo in some areas.

Tulfo is angry with DTI because they have not done enough to protect and educate consumers about the dangers of high-sodium instant noodles and sardines.

Senator Raffy Tulfo called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to make sure that products that are dangerous for people’s health, like instant noodles and canned sardines with a high sodium level, are not sold to low-income people.

DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that Sec. Pascual should work with other agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to find better alternatives to salt and minimize the health risks of too much salt.

“Ang mahihirap nating mga kababayan, mukhang napapabayaan. 1.2M Filipinos annually ang nagkakasakit po sa kidney dahil sa pagkonsumo ng maaalat na produkto ayon sa National Kidney Institute. Ang instant noodles hindi lang once a day kinakain ng mga mahihirap, kasi ito po ang kanilang abot-kaya. Kaya nga po ang tawag dito ay poor-man’s food,” he said.

“If you know that these products are not good for the health of the Filipino people, na sinabi na ring paulit-ulit na ng mga health experts, dapat po ay umaksyon na kayo agad, at kayo mismo ang gumagawa ng initiative to refer the issue to the agency concerned. Hindi ‘yung sasabihin niyong, hindi niyo trabaho ‘yan, at magtuturo kayo ng ibang departamento,” he added.

While Tulfo isn’t completely against instant noodles and sardines, he did raise some concerns about the high levels of sodium found in these products. During the hearing, he brought along a variety of cup noodles that he bought on his own, to show the Committee what he’s concerned about.

Unlike in Japan and the US, where sodium levels were reduced on instant noodles and sardines, Tulfo noted that one pack of locally-made instant noodles has sodium content ranging from 1,600mg to 1,900mg when the recommended daily intake is only a maximum of 2,000mg.

In Japan, a brand has already released a salt-reduced version of its famous cup noodles using magnesium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Meanwhile, a top-selling sardines’ brand in the US has only 70mg sodium per can as compared to the famous sardines’ brands in the Philippines which have sodium levels from 300mg to as high as 610mg per can.

Alarmingly, Tulfo said that some poor people would be consuming instant noodles multiple times a day, considering them as their three square meals a day or more, without being aware that this could lead to excess daily salt consumption that are causing diseases such as kidney problem and diabetes.

So, Tulfo said local manufacturers of sardines and cup noodles could take after the adjustments made by brands in Japan and the US which reduced or replaced sodium chloride with better alternatives to lessen the products’ health risks without compromising the taste.

In fact, Tulfo recalled that famed Filipino doctor Willie Ong, as well as other medical experts and consumer advocates, have repeatedly warned that several conditions are made worse by too much salt from products like Cup Noodles, yet no action has been taken by the DTI.

In calling out DTI for its failure to proactively monitor the safety of these products, Tulfo cited Art. 10 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Art. 10 states that: “Whenever the departments find, by their own initiative or by petition of a consumer, that a consumer product is found to be injurious, unsafe or dangerous, it shall, after due notice and hearing, make the appropriate order for its recall, prohibition or seizure from public sale or distribution.”

The Senator from Isabela and Davao was further angered when Pascual insisted that DTI is not the agency responsible for the matter, stressing that DTI is only responsible for protecting consumers from goods that are hazardous and dangerous.

To reiterate DTI’s commitment to protecting consumers, Tulfo cited the agency’s budget request for 2023 of $443 million for the Consumer Protection Program and $82 million for the Consumer Education and Advocacy Program.

Tulfo said the Consumer Education and Advocacy Program is designed to help consumers learn that too much sodium in their diet can be hazardous to their health.

After hearing all these good reasons, Pascual agreed to take the matter up with the concerned agencies.

Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo requested that contractors for infrastructure projects obtain liability insurance for the unintentional death or injury of its personnel and motorists. This request was made to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Tulfo stated during the Oct. 13 hearing of the Committee on Finance Subcommittee “A” that the coverage level of the abovementioned liability insurance should be at least P1 Million per project, increasing as the project’s value increases.

“Base sa aking karanasan, maraming beses na pong nangyari na ang mga trabahador ay nadidisgrasya habang gumagawa ng kalsada – naputulan ng kamay o di kaya ay naipit ang paa ng heavy equipment, at mayroon ding mga motorista na nahulog sa kanal na hindi pa natakpan. May mga ibang biktima naman na namatay po.

“And yet, hindi po nababayaran. Pahirapan, paiyakan. Dadaan sa barangay, dadaan kay Mayor, dadaan sa DPWH, pero wala pong nangyayari. In some cases, ako na po ang nag-s-shoulder ng amount dahil malalaman ko na walang insurance,” he said.

Tulfo, a longtime public servant who also hosts “Wanted sa Radyo,” recalled an instance wherein he managed to oblige a contractor to shoulder the cost for their worker’s death while in duty, but to his dismay the contractor merely offered to pay P20,000.

“P20K ang i-ooffer sa buhay ng isang taong namatay dahil sa kanilang kapabayaan? Murang mura naman ‘yon, kasing mura ng sobrang nipis na kalsadang ginawa nila,” he stressed.

Tulfo’s offer was supported by Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who stated that they will look into how to add the P1M liability insurance to the existing policy.

Additionally, the senators from Isabela and Davao urged Bonoan to end the practice of subcontracting infrastructure projects, which frequently leads to unsafe roads.

Tulfo said that under present subcontracting procedures, the major contractor that won the bid would merely delegate project implementation and construction to a lesser contractor with insufficient resources and expertise. If the major contractor just used his license, or in Tulfo’s words, “laway lang,” he would receive a portion of the project’s cost.

Tulfo recalled that the subcontractor would occasionally reassign the project to a different, more modest subcontractor. In actuality, the third contractor’s budget would be limited and insufficient to produce high-quality products.

“Kung sino po ang nag-bid, yun lang po talaga dapat ang gumawa ng trabaho. Para naman panalo rito ang taumbayan, para ang mga kalsada natin ay maayos at kumapal-kapal naman,” said he.

Additionally, Tulfo requested that Bonoan make sure that no road construction be started without sufficient money, as this results in heavy traffic and aggravation for drivers, and Bonoan agreed.

Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo advocated that the government offer full scholarships to talented students who want to become nurses as a solution to the issue of the huge exodus of Filipino nurses.

During the Senate Committee on Health and Demography joint with Ways and Means; and Finance last Oct. 11, Tulfo suggested that chosen scholars be required to serve in government hospitals for at least four to five years after graduation to ensure enough number of nurses in every hospital in the country

Tulfo made this observation while pointing out that while the optimal nurse to patient ratio is 1:4, the ratio in the Philippines is now estimated to be 1:20, which impairs nursing care and wears out nurses.

Both aspiring nurses—particularly those from low-income households who require financial aid for their education—and government hospitals that are short on medical personnel will benefit from the initiative.

Additionally, the senator from Isabela and Davao urged DOH to address the prejudice that Filipino nurses encounter at work, including the selective awarding of benefits like hazard pay.

Tulfo claimed to have discovered that the only nurses qualified for hazard pay were those who worked in COVID-19 wards or were exposed to COVID-19 patients.

We should be fair. It’s important to use common sense when attending to their requirements, he said. “We should be sensitive to the demands of the aforementioned nurses. Kailangan natin silang alagaan at tratuhin nang maayos.

He emphasized that from the time they leave for work till they arrive at the hospitals to care for their patients for hours on end, all nurses are at risk of contracting the virus.

Most Filipino nurses are migrating to other countries in search of better lives due to weariness, prejudice, and lower earnings.

Tulfo declared that he will investigate the situation more thoroughly in order to determine what legislation should be filed in order to better the situation of Filipino nurses and the services provided by government hospitals.

In a related matter, Tulfo requested that DOH provide records with a list of those who were held accountable and are being prosecuted for the improper distribution of medications that are let to expire and go unadministered in the area in the previous years.

It should be highlighted that between 2013 and 2021, almost P2 billion worth of drugs that were either outdated or on the verge of expiring were thrown out, despite the fact that they were intended for use by the poor, including, among others, cancer patients and senior citizens.

“I really need to see that record that mayroon pong nakasuhan dahil sa kapabayaan sa trabaho nagresulta sa pagkasayang ng bilyun-bilyong halaga ng gamot, because po, kailangang malaman ng taumbayan na seryoso po tayo sa ating mga trabaho.”

“Kasi kung hanggang press release lang po tayo na mayroong kinasuhan and later on malaman ng taumbayan na balewala din ang kaso na isinampa ng gobyerno, ay parang niloloko lang natin ang mga sarili natin,” he remarked.

Tulfo stressed that the department had agreed to give him the information, but he is still waiting for them to confirm that the expired medications had been replaced or reimbursed.

Kinalampag ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) at ang pamunuan ng State-owned People’s Television Network (PTV4) dahil sa hindi pag-aksyon sa matagal ng kahilingan ng mga empleyado para sa taas pasahod.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Finance Committee para sa panukalang 2023 budget ng OPS at mga kalakip nitong ahensya noong Oktubre 10, sinabi ni Tulfo na nabigo rin ang pamunuan ng PTV-4 na gawing regular ang kanilang mga contract-of-service na empleyado.

“Mahirap po ang trabaho ng mga reporters ng PTV44. Sila po ang nasa frontline para pa-gwapuhin ang imahe ng administrasyon. Ginagawa din po nila ang lahat to properly disseminate news and information. Pero ano pong ganti sa kanila? Kinakawawa sila,” ani Tulfo.

Nagtrabaho bilang reporter at anchor ng PTV4 si Tulfo dati, at sinabi niyang walang pinagbago ang network mula noon hanggang ngayon.

Sinabi ni OPS-Broadcast Media Services Usec. Ina Reformina na kailangan nila ng bagong organizational structure na aprubado ng Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCGs) upang matiyak ang pagtaas ng suweldo ng mga manggagawa.

Nang hilingin ni Tulfo na magbigay ng isang tiyak na timeline sa paglutas ng problema sa kontraktwalisasyon at suweldo ng mga empleyado ng PTV4, nagbigay si Head Executive Assistant Raymund Sanchez ng dalawang taon.

Hiniling din ng mambabatas sa pamunuan ng OPS at PTV4 na agarang ayusin ang mga nabubulok na pasilidad ng PTV4.

Napanood sa pinakitang video ni Tulfo ang Studio C ng PTV4 na naging tambakan nalang ng mga gamit, pati na rin ang mga upuan sa mga opisina na nakatali sa mga cabinet.

Ipinakita rin dito ang parking area na puno ng mga sasakyan; ang hindi epektibong waterproofing dahil mayroong mga tagas sa hallway at bubong; at maduming kubeta.

“20 years ago noong nagtrabaho ako diyan, hanggang ngayon ganyan pa rin ang kalagayan diyan. Walang asenso. Ano pong ginagawa ng GM at Chairman ng PTV4 ng nakaraang administrasyon at hindi po na-address ‘yan? I can tell you. Kinurakot siguro nila ang budget para sa PTV4,” ani Tulfo.

Naalala ni Tulfo na noong siya ay nagtatrabaho pa sa PTV 4 ay bawal mong punahin ang mga problema sa network dahil pwede kang sibakin ng management at mawalan ng trabaho.

Bukod sa katiwalian, iginiit ni Tulfo na ang PTV4 ay hindi nag-improve dahil walang puso sa trabaho ang mga namuno dito.

“Kung naglagay sana kayo ng tao na talagang may karanasan sa pagma-manage ng TV network, at mayroon talagang puso at dedikasyon sa kanyang trabaho, e matagal na po sanang na-improve ang PTV4. Kaya siguro hindi umasenso ‘yan, kasi walang pakialam ang mga taong umupo, kasi alam nila na after six years, ay aalis na sila doon, at bahala na ang papalit sa kanila. Ang alam ay pera-pera lang,” ani Tulfo.

Pinayuhan ni Tulfo si OPS OIC Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil na bisitahin ang opisina ng PTV 4 at makipag-usap sa mga empleyado nito, upang makita ang tunay na sitwasyon sa network.

Ani Tulfo, ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng at mga empleyado nito ay napakapersonal sa kanya dahil nagsimula siya sa kanyang broadcasting career sa network.

Kinuwestiyon muli ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) dahil sa pangha-harass umano nito sa mga pedicab drivers, sari-saristore owners at iba pang maliliit na negosyante upang makakolekta ng pondo.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Finance Sub-committee ngayong araw, sinabi ni Tulfo na mayroon ng record ang BIR kung saan pinupuntirya nito ang mga maliliit na manggagawang Pilipino, imbes na mga big-time tax evaders, tuwing nagkukulang ang kanilang koleksyon.

“Tuwing gusto niyo po makakolekta ng karagdagang buwis, dahil kayo po ay nagkaroon ng shortfall dahil hindi niyo naabot ang target niyo, ang pinagiinitan ninyo palagi ay ‘yung mga maliliit nating kababayan,” he said. Naalala ni Tulfo na noong 2010, ay iminungkahi ng BIR na i-require ang mga pedicab at tricycle drivers, market vendors at sari-sari store owners na mag-isyu ng mga resibo para sa mga produkto o serbisyong ibinebenta ng mahigit 25 pesos.

Binanggit niya din na noong 2017, na inatasan ng BIR ang 123 revenue district officers sa buong bansa na simulan ang paglista ng mga sari-sari stores upang mangolekta ng buwis.

Kung gusto talaga ng BIR na makakolekta ng malaking halaga, binigyang diin ni Tulfo na dapat pagtuunan nito ng pansin ang bigtime oil smugglers.

Iginiit ng mambabatas na hindi maaaring magtago ang BIR sa inilabas na data ng Department of Finance (DOF) na umabot diumano sa mahigit 400-B pesos ang buwis na nakolekta mula sa mga marked fuel products mula sa customs duties.

Hiningi ni Tulfo sa Bureau of Customs (BOC) ang rekord na nagpapatunay na ang lahat ng marked fuel products ng BOC ay tumutugma sa datos mula sa United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, na aniya ay mayroong global data na nagpapakita ng lahat ng kumpanyang nagluluwas ng langis sa ating bansa.

Kung ito ay hindi magtutugma, sinabi ni Tulfo na ito ay patunay na talamak pa din talaga ang smuggling sa bansa kahit na mayroon tayong 1.9B pesos na kontrata sa Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS).

Humingi din si Tulfo sa BOC ng record na nagpapakita na pisikal na nakapaginspeksyon ang SGS sa 1,700 gasosline stations sa bansa kada buwan nitong mga nakaraang taon.

Sa 1,700, sinabi ni Tulfo na dapat makapagbigay ang BOC ng datos na nagpapakitang pumasa ang isang gas station sa fuel marking. “I wouldn’t believe you when you say that all, 100%, passed the inspection,” ani Tulfo.

Nabigo si Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz na ibigay ang lahat ng mga dokumentong hiningi ni Tulfo dahil wala ang umano’y opisyal na responsable sa pangangasiwa ng fuel markings.

Iginiit din ni Tulfo na hindi dapat i-renew ng gobyerno ang kontrata nito sa SGS, na nakatakdang mag-expire sa susunod na taon.

“Ako po, bilang Chairperson ng Energy Committee, haharangin ko po ang renewal ng SGS. Because I see na useless po ito. Yung sinasabi niyo po tumaas ang koleksyon ng tax to P450-B, eh tumaas po yung presyo ng langis e, natural pag taas ng presyo ng langis, tataas yung koleksyon. hindi po ba?” saad ni Tulfo.

As Christmas Day nears, Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to require all employers to release the 13th month payment of their employees on or before Dec. 24, 2022, otherwise risk the non-renewal of their business permits.

During the joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment and Human Resources Development on Oct. 4, Tulfo said DOLE should sign a MOA with the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) to block the renewal of business permits of non-compliant and non-paying employers.

“Magpa-Pasko na po. This is the time of the year kung saan inaasam ng ating mga manggagawa na makatanggap po sana sila ng kanilang 13th month pay. Ang nangyayari po kasi kadalasan ay hindi naibibigay ito sa kanila dahil ginugulangan at dinudugasan sila ng kanilang mga employers,” he said.

Under the law, employees must receive their 13th month pay on or before December 24 of each year. Yet despite a law in place, he said many Filipino employers are not paying their workers the said government-mandated compensation.

Tulfo, a veteran broadcaster and public servant who hosts “Wanted sa Radyo,” said he already handled several complaints from aggrieved Filipino workers who did not receive their 13th month pay.

In the MOA, Tulfo said it should be highlighted that companies renewing their business permits should first present evidence to BPLO that they have already given their employees’ 13th month pay and that it was released on time.

The Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Labor and Employment told DOLE Asec. Leonard Constantine-Serrano that merely issuing advisories requiring employers to release their employees’ 13th month pay will not work after the latter made such suggestion.

“Hangga’t hindi po sila nasasaktan, balewala po ‘yang advisory na yan dahil kahit nga may batas na tungkol sa 13th month pay ay sinusuway pa din ito ng mga employers. Kailangan po makatikim sila ng consequence para sila po ay umaksyon,” he said.

To alert employers about this MOA, Tulfo suggested that DOLE should issue an official statement before the media warning erring employers of the possible non-renewal of their business permits should they fail to comply with the Department’s order.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada bared Thursday that one of the alleged ‘favored’ suppliers of the Department of Education (DepEd) has cornered close to P6 billion in contracts for the agency’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) requirements.

Estrada said Advance Solutions Inc. (ASI) was awarded DepEd contracts several times, with the aggregate amount of these deals totaling “close to P6 billion” since 2015.

He said awarding the contracts to ASI, along with only a few other “favored” suppliers should have raised “red flags” within the DepEd and investigated by the Commission on Audit (COA), but no probe has been conducted so far on such practices.

“The consistency of ASI being awarded the contracts does not raise suspicion? Sa dami ng in-award sa ASI bakit mukhang may favoritism kayo diyan,” Estrada told DepEd officials during the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the Department’s procurement of alleged overpriced and outdated laptops.

Director Abram Abanil of the DepEd’s ICT Services confirmed during the hearing that ASI was awarded contracts by the Department “multiple times.”

When asked by Estrada whether these contracts were awarded since 2015, Abanil said: “As far as I know.” But Abanil said he had no knowledge of the amount involved since he was not the director for DepEd’s ICT Services in the past when ASI bagged the contracts.

“Ang sa akin lang, bakit masyadong pinapaboran ng DepEd ang ASI at yung iba pa. Dahil kayo lang, iilan lang kayong suppliers ang favored ng DepEd. Marami namang puedeng mga suppliers dyan na competent enough na makapag-supply pero bakit kayo lagi,” Estrada said.

Estrada asked Abanil and the COA officials present during the hearing why they did not initiate any review or investigation into this apparent favoritism given by the education department to ASI and other “favored” DepEd suppliers.

Abanil said the DepEd’s legal service or internal audit service should be the proper entity to conduct a probe on the contracts because his office is composed mostly of engineers and ICT specialists, with no lawyers capable of undertaking the investigation.

To the COA, Estrada said: “Didn’t you have plans to investigate because red flag na yan. This amounts to billions of pesos na in-award sa iisang supplier lang since 2015. Isn’t that glaring enough? It looks like something fishy is going on.”

“Bakit paboritong i-award ng DepEd sa iisang supplier lang na nagkakahalaga ng anim na bilyon?” Estrada added.

In response to Estrada, COA Supervising Auditor for the DepEd Job Aguirre Jr. committed to undertake a review of the ASI contracts. “We will look into that. Puede naman po naming balikan yan,” Aguirre said.

Estrada requested Aguirre to submit an investigation report on this concern and submit it to the Blue Ribbon panel.

The senator earlier revealed that aside from ASI, four other companies were able to bag billions in procurement contracts for the DepEd’s ICT requirements since 2013.

These other companies are Columbia Technologies, Inc., Reddot Imaging Philippines, Inc., Techguru Inc. and Girltekki Inc., Estrada said.

Aguirre said the COA has already completed its audit findings on these four other suppliers contained in its consolidated annual audit report on the DepEd for fiscal year 2021.

A copy of the audit findings was submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee, Aguirre said.

During the hearing, Senator Francis Tolentino, the committee chair, gave ASI the opportunity to respond to Estrada’s allegations.

A representative of ASI denied Estrada’s allegations and said the company had actively participated in the DepEd’s bidding processes and had been awarded contracts since 2013.

ASI also said it has no contact within the education department except during the implementation phase of the contracts when Estrada asked bluntly: “Sino ang contact ‘nyo diyan sa DepEd?”

PRIVILEGE SPEECH FOR JOVELYN TANG ANDRES’ CASE: Thank you, Mr. President. Distinguished colleagues. I speak before you today on a matter of personal and collective privilege.

I. HOW IT STARTED

Last Wednesday, a heartbreaking report reached us here in the Senate of yet another OFW coming home lifeless. Thanks to the privilege speech of Senator Pia Cayetano regarding the discrimination faced by our OFWs in wearing full-gear PPEs, and Senator Rissa Hontivero’s compassion for the abuse committed against our women OFWs, our attention was called to the case of Jovelyn Tang Andres. A case that, I believe, is not isolated but is being experienced by other OFWs.

Masakit sa po loob ko na nangyari ulit ito. Bagamat hindi pa ako Senador nung nagsimula ang problema ni Jovelyn, sana po ay natulungan ko siya agad. Napag alaman ko na sinubukan palang lumapit sa akin ng kaniyang pamilya, ngunit ang namessage nila ay ibang action center. Ito ay action center ng isang kamag-anak dahil pinapunta sila sa opisina ng nasabing action center. Pero dahil sa kakulangan ng pera di rin sila nakapunta doon.

II. IMMEDIATE STEPS TAKEN

Nang malaman ko ang kwento ni Jovelyn, pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng plenaryo, hindi na ako nag aksaya ng panahon at agad kong sinimulan ang pag iimbestiga. Una kong tinawagan ang kamag anak ni Jovelyn sa Gensan. Kinabukasan, sa scheduled Technical Working group ng committee on migrant workers pinagpatuloy ko ang pag iimbestiga sa kaso ni jovelyn. Nang araw ding iyon, lumipad patungong GenSan ang isang crew ng RTIA (Raffy Tulfo in action) para makausap ang pamilya ni Jovelyn at personal na magpa abot ng tulong para sa mga naiwan ni Jovelyn at para makapag imbestiga na rin.

Dito tinrabaho ng RTIA crew ang pagpapa-autopsy sa labi ni Jovelyn.

Meanwhile, back here in Manila, because we have a weekly TWG with DMW and OWWA, I was able to get information from them regarding the matter and asked for their help to address the concerns of Jovelyn’s family and to investigate who are liable for what happened. And because of the trust our OFWs have on us, some OFWs, who were companions of Jovelyn in Saudi, came out and told us what they know about what happened to Jovelyn.

III. THE VERSIONS OF THE STORY

Ngayon, base sa mga nakalap naming mga impormasyon mula sa OWWA, DMW, pamilya ni Jovelyn, at mga kasamahan niyang OFW, ito po amg totoong kwemnto.

Jovelyn Tang Andres is a 33 year old resident of Saranggani and a member of the Blaan Indigenous People’s Group, and a mother of 3.

She was recruited as a domestic helper by a certain Emma Fernandez who directly recruits for Manabe Aleklas Recruitment Agency, the Saudi Arabia recruitment agency. Emma coursed the papers of Jovelyn through a local recruitment agency, which is Gulf Synergy Employment, who processed her documentation, including her medical exam, sometime in September 2021. This means she submitted her requirements and had a fit to work certificate months before she was deployed.

On November 27, 2021, she was deployed to Sakaka, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At this point, when she got to Saudi, we gathered various versions of what happened to Jovelyn.

Version 1: The report na nakarating sa Senado

Pagdating ni Jovelyn sa Saudi, nalaman ng employer nya na buntis siya. Kaya pinabalik siya sa Manabe agency at doon siya ay pinainom ng pangpalaglag na naging dahilan ng kaniyang pagkamatay.

Version 2: Ang kwento na nakarating sa asawa ni Jovelyn at OWWA

Samantala, sa side naman ng OWWA at ng pamilya ni Jovelyn ang unang kwento na nakarating sa kanila ay hindi kinaya ni Jovelyn ang trabaho sa bahay ng amo niya kaya ito ay nagpapull-out at nagpabalik sa agency.

Pagdating sa accommodation nakaramdam daw ng sakit sa likod at tiyan si Jovelyn. Nagsabi siya sa kaniyang asawa na gusto niya na umuwi. Pero bandang Marso, nalaman na lang nila na namatay na si Jovelyn. Ayon sa OWWA, ang report sa kanila ng Manabe ay nagpakamatay nga daw si Jovelyn.

Version 3: Information from OWWA, DMW and OFW companions of Jovelyn

Sa aming pag imbestiga, may mga nakausap kaming mga kasabay ni Jovelyn papuntang Saudi at mga OFW na kasama niya sa accommodation ng Manabe.

Ayon sa pakikipag-usap ko sa kanila via video conference, bago daw lumipad papuntang Saudi ay hindi daw nakapag pregnancy test si Jovelyn. Pagdating sa Saudi, hindi din agad in-apply ng residence permit o Iqama si Jovelyn ng kaniyang amo, nadelay ng mga isang buwan. Nung mag-apply na ng Iqama si Jovelyn at pinag-medical exam siya, nadiskubre ng amo niya na siya ay buntis. Kaya binalik ng amo niya si jovelyn sa Manabe agency.

Pagdating sa accommodation ng Manabe, nagpahiwatig si Jovelyn na gusto niya na umuwi para manganak na lang sa Pilipinas, pero di siya pinayagan dahil may dalawang taon pa ang kontrata niya. Malulugi daw ang agency.

Napansin ng mga kasamahan ni Jovelyn na special treatment si Jovelyn pagdating sa accommodation. Doon siya natutulog sa kwarto ng secretary ng Manabe. At iba daw ang pinapakain at pinapainom sa kaniya. Napag-alaman nila, mula din dun sa Pinay na napag-uutusan ng Manabe, na pinalalagyan ng pampalaglag ang pagkain o inumin ni Jovelyn. Kinalaunan, nagbleeding na nga si Jovelyn. Naikwento ito ng kasamahan ni Jovelyn na nag-alaga sa kaniya nung siya ay nagbleeding.

Gusto na daw talaga umuwi ni Jovelyn ayon sa asawa niya. Pero di niya masabi ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis niya, ang pagkalaglag ng bata at mga pang-aabuso ng Manabe dahil ang mga tawag nila ay monitored ng Secretary ng Manabe at may cctv pa.

Si Jovelyn ay minsan ding pinagpapart time sa bahay ng may-ari ng Manabe. Doon nagtangka daw siya magpakamatay pero nahuli ng Nanay ni Bassam, may-ari ng agency, kaya siya ay sinampal nung nanay sa galit.

On March 25, 2022, Jovelyn was found dead inside the bathroom of Manabe’s accomodation. The local police, the forensic expert, and the public prosecutor immediately inspected the site and found Jovelyn hanging with a cloth to the base of the heater inside the bathroom, with no signs of injuries or any indications of violence or resistance. They ruled that the cause of death is suicide. Her remains arrived in the Philippines only on September 17, 2022.

IV. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR JOVELYN AND HER FAMILY

A. Autopsy and investigation

We immediately acted on the request of the family for Autopsy. By September 23, Friday, the autopsy was conducted. According to the Autopsy report, the cause of death was asphyxia by ligature. And with the report of the police of Saudi that she was found hanging inside the CR with no signs of injuries or any indications of violence or resistance, it seems that suicide is the cause of death.

I have also consulted with a psychologist regarding the situation of Jovelyn, and based on the story I gave her, it is highly probable that she committed suicide. According to Dr. Camille Garcia a renowned psychologist. Everything that happened to her contributed to her depression.

B. Going after Manabe

Ofcourse, knowing how Jovelyn died is not enough. We have to stand our ground for our Filipino OFWs when their rights are violated abroad. Jovelyn suffered abortion without her consent. If that happened here in the Philippines, Manabe would have been liable for Intentional abortion without the consent of the woman.

In Saudi Arabia, induced abortion is generally illegal. A person who performs an illegal abortion is subject to the payment of blood money to the relatives of the aborted fetus. At the embryo stage, an abortion is not allowed unless an approved medical committee decides that continuation of the pregnancy endangers the woman’s safety and could possibly lead to her death. In Jovelyn’s case, there was no such danger. We are coordinating with the DMW’s Migrant Workers Office for the filing of this case against Manabe and its owner.

C. Benefits and Aid

And while, the filing of the case may take some time, we also made sure that the family’s needs are addressed.

1. OWWA has already provided the death and burial benefits, livelihood assistance, and scholarship from elementary to college for one child. 2. Mayor Sumbo of Malapatan also promised scholarship for the other children of Jovelyn. 3. And ofcourse, to sustain them as a family, I offered to help Jovelyn’s family develop a livelihood as a source of income, to replace what Jovelyn would have provided for her family had she been alive. I also promised the family a house and lot. And let me make this clear, pera ko po yun at walang pong pera na mula sa gobyerno ang lahat ng binigay kong tulong kay Jovelyn. House and lot at pangkabuhayan sa kanyang pamilya. For the second time, pera ko po yun, sarili kong pera. Walang pera po na nanggaling sa gobyerno.

V. ISSUES OR CONCERNS DISCOVERED

Why do I go out of my way to do all this myself? I know trabaho naman ng iba ito. BUT it is only when you personally handle things and you get your hands dirty that you find out what’s wrong. In the last 4 days that we have been working on this case, we discovered several problems that must be addressed.

A. UNEXPECTED PREGNANCIES OF OUR FEMALE OFWS

First. A lot of our female OFWs reach their work pregnant. While there is a pregnancy test conducted during the Pre-Employment Medical Examination, such is not enough because that is done, months before actual deployment. Sexual contact could happen before deployment. Some agencies, in practice, conduct pregnancy tests before their flight. But that is not a mandatory policy yet.

B. TIGHTEN REGULATIONS FOR LOCAL AGENCY

We also discovered that Manabe had a former Filipina secretary who came back here in the Philippines to recruit for them. This Filipina directly recruits in the province and then refers them to a licensed recruitment agency. We have to investigate the regulation for these illegal recruiters hiding behind or using licensed recruitment agencies.

Gulf Synergy was also remiss in monitoring their deployed workers and the submitting reports to DMW. How come they were not informed of the pregnancy of Jovelyn and her request to be repatriated? How come their mobile phones are being controlled by the foreign agency? The work of the recruitment agency should not end at point of deployment.

Just to inform the body, a Recruitment Violation case was already filed against Gulf Synergy. It’s license is now suspended.

C. THE PROBLEM OF FOREIGN RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

With regards to Manabe, the only real and immediate action that we could do is to have their accreditation cancelled and have them permanently delisted. At the moment, an administrative case for Disciplinary Action Against Employer was filed against Manabe and a full investigation is also being conducted to determine their liability for failing to monitor, report, and to timely repatriate Jovelyn.

Another problem that we discovered is the inability of our OFWs to communicate with their family and with the Philippine Government. Their phones are confiscated, and if allowed to call at all, it is monitored. How can we protect them if we don’t even know that they are in trouble? We have to come up with a solution so that they will not be cut-off from any source of help.

And finally, the foreign agencies block the repatriation of our OFWs. Manabe detains the OFWs and tell them that they have to do part-time work to pay for their ticket going home. We have a law in place with regard to repatriation. Our OFWs should have the option to terminate their employment. Now, if their repatriation is due to their own fault, ofcourse they have to answer for the cost. But they should always have the option to return home.

VI. CLOSING STATEMENT

Before, I end my speech, let me emphasize the policy laid down in our Constitution, the protection of life, liberty, and property are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. Jovelyn came home lifeless, she was deprived of her liberty in Saudi, and she was made to work without getting paid. If we do not do anything about this, our OFWs will spit on our Constitution. I will be passing bills to address these concerns. I implore upon you my dear colleagues, to help me prioritize these bills and put an end to OFWs coming home lifeless.

Thank you for listening, Mr. President and my dear colleagues.

Inalmahan ni Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo ang ginagawa ng ibang heneral mula sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na pag-uutos sa ibang lower-rank soldiers na gawin ang iba’t ibang gawain sa kanilang mga bahay.

Sa pagdinig ng budget ng Senado para sa Department of National Defense (DND) nitong Martes, pinaalalahanan ni Tulfo ang mga opisyal ng DND na hindi nagsanay ang mga sundalo upang maging personal na taga-pamalengke, o taga linis ng bahay at kubeta, ng mga heneral.

“Ang mga sundalo po natin ay trained. Nag-invest ang ating gobyerno sa kanila upang matuto sila kung paano humawak ng baril at kung paano dedepensahan ang ating bansa laban sa ating mga enemies. Hindi po sila ti-nrain para humawak ng walis at gawing ‘Boy’ ng mga Heneral sa kanilang mga bahay,” ani Tulfo.

Imbes na kumuha at magbayad ng kasambahay, napagalaman ni Tulfo na pinaalis ng ilang heneral ang mga sundalo upang papuntahin sa kanilang mga bahay para gawing “Boy.”

Dati ring nakatanggap si Tulfo ng reklamo sa kanyang radio program mula sa mga misis na nagsasabing inuutusan ng mga heneral na maglaba at magplantsa ng mga personal na damit nila at kanilang pamilya.

Ani Tulfo, tungkulin ng mga sundalo na pagsilbihan ang bansa at hindi ang mga matataas na opisyal na ginagawa silang “Boy.”

Ayon kay DND Secretary Jose Faustino, Jr. papaimbestigahan nya ang nasabing isyu.

Di rin ikinatuwa ni Tulfo ang mababang subsistence allowance ng mga sundalo na P150 kada araw.

“Ano pong mabibili ng 150 pesos a day ngayon? Three times a day po silang kakain. In fact, sa P150, hindi pa tayo makakabili ng disenteng hamburger niyan. Di po sapat yun. Taas-taasan naman po sana natin ang subsistence allowance nila,” ani Tulfo.

Ayon sa mambabatas, nakita niya noong siya ay nagiikot para mangampanya na ang kinakain lamang ng mga sundalo ay sardinas, tuyo at talbos ng kamote.

Tinalakay din ni Tulfo ang diumano’y delay sa pagbibigay ng Philippine Veterans Affair Office (PVAO) Old Age Pension para sa mga beterano.

“Just imagine, noong sila ay malakas pa, ay inaalagaan at pinoprotektahan nila tayo. Ngayon na mahina na sila, para na silang basahan na nagmamakaawa sa PVAO office para mabigay kung anuman ang nararapat para sa kanila. Dapat tayo naman ang mag-alaga sa kanila,” saad niya.

Ayon kay Tulfo, may mga pagkakataon pa kung saan marerelease lamang ang pension ng mga beterano kung kailan sila ay pumanaw na.

Para naman mabigay ang medikal na pangangailangan ng mga sundalo, Itinulak din ni Tulfo ang modernisasyon ng V. Luna General Hospital. Saad niya, kailangan ng makabili ng mga makabagong kagamitang pang medikal.

Sa ibang isyu naman, kinuwestyon ni Tulfo ang pag-apruba ng AFP sa paglalagay ng mga cell towers na bahagyang pag-aari ng dayuhan, sa loob ng mga kampo ng militar.

Hinimok ng Senador ang AFP na rebyuhin ang kasalukuyang kontrata nito sa mga telcos, at kung maaari, tanggalin ang lahat ng cell towers sa loob ng mga kampo.

Sa huli, sinabi ni Tulfo na buo ang kanyang suporta at pagsaludo sa lahat ng tauhan ng AFP sa pagprotekta sa bansa laban sa mga kaaway ng estado.

Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo has issued a stern warning to sinister groups attempting to block the passage into law of a measure that seeks to secure the rights of seafarers to humane and just working conditions this 19th Congress.

Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, exposed supposed moves by several groups to strongly block the passage of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill at the Senate in previous Congress.

“I’m giving a stern warning sa mga mag-a-attempt mag-lobby para harangin ang pagsasabatas ng Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, huwag na huwag niyo pong gagawin ‘yan dahil I will expose you,” he said.

“Napagalaman ko na hindi naipasa ang panukalang batas na ito sa Senado noong nakaraang Kongreso dahil sa mga nag-lobby para harangin ito. Hindi po ako papayag under my watch, na yung kapakanan po ng ating OFWs at seafarers ay mapapabayaan dahil sa mga lobbyists na ito. I will not allow it,” he added.

Tulfo presided over the hybrid hearing on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act and the Pilipinong Marino Act on Sept. 7, where he convened private sectors, seafarer groups, maritime training providers and different government agencies mandated to protect OFWs and seafarers.

In the 18th Congress, it can be noted that the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers was left pending for Second Reading at the Senate while the bill’s counterpart measure has already hurdled third reading at the House of Representatives.

In stressing the need for a Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Tulfo said seafarers do not have enough protection from the law as they are exposed to harsh weather conditions with the risk of injury or even death while they are at sea, sailing.

By pushing for the passage of the said measure, Tulfo said he is fulfilling his promise to the seafarers that he will be their defender at the Senate.

“Ipaglalaban ko na maipasa ang Magna Carta of Seafarers at all cost para sa kapakanan ng mga seafarers na tinuturing nating bayani dahil sa malaking ambag nila sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.

“Bago pa ako maging Senador, maraming seafarers na ang lumalapit sa akin para idulog ang kanilang mga problema sa trabaho, at hiling nila na huwag ko silang pabayaan. Kaya nga isa sa naipangako ko sa kanila noong kampanya na ako ang magiging kakampi nila sa Senado. I am now walking the talk,” he said.

Tulfo filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 216 instituting the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers as part of his 10 priority bills this 18th Congress.

Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo has expressed alarm over the supposed rampant land grabbing affecting the defenseless farmers in Palawan and in other far-flung areas.

Tulfo, a known defender of the aggrieved, said it’s high time to look into the issue and hold accountable the powerful and influential people harassing and taking advantage of the vulnerability of the farmers.

“Iyon pong pang-aagaw sa mga lupain ng mga farmers has been going on for quite some time. Very rampant po itong nangyayari ngayon sa Palawan, at ang nasa likod po nito ay mga influential personalities,” he said.

“Pero hindi lamang po ito sa Palawan nangyayari kundi pati na rin sa buong Pilipinas. Yung maliliit nating farmers inaagawan po ng mga lupain ng mga maiimpluwensiyang tao dahil alam nilang walang panlaban itong mga pobreng farmers,” he added.

A veteran broadcast journalist, Tulfo said he has received a lot of complaints from farmers claiming that their lands were taken from them illegally, through his program “Wanted sa Radyo.”

Tulfo further revealed the tactic of influential people victimizing farmers.

“Ang modus po nitong influential people in Palawan, lalapitan po nila itong maliliit na farmers na naghihikahos at mayroong pangangailangan, at kukumbinsihing isangla ang lupa sa kanila.

“Kapag naisangla na ang lupa sa kanila, papalitan na ng mga mapansamantalang taong ito ang titulo sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagsabwatan sa Land Registration Authority. And by the time na mayroon ng perang pangtubos ng lupa ang mga farmers, hindi na nila matutubos yung titulo dahil in most cases, mayroon ng private army na nakaharang sa lupa,” he added.

Should the land grabbing issue be investigated at the Senate, Tulfo said he is ready to discuss it more extensively and invite the personalities being complained by farmers involved in land grabbing.