March 18, 2026
Senator Loren Legarda, principal author and co‑sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1937, or the GIDA Schools Act, which institutionalizes the support for schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), emphasized the urgency of inclusive education as the Senate approved the proposed measure on third and final reading on Monday, March 16.
“Education is a fundamental right and a powerful equalizer. Yet for many Filipino children living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, access to quality education remains constrained by distance, […]
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March 18, 2026
Senator Loren Legarda stressed that tax reforms must bring relief to Filipino families while ensuring accountability in government spending. She assured that the revenue foregone from tax cuts can be recovered by addressing corruption, which drains far more resources than the reforms would cost.
On Tuesday, March 17, Legarda delivered her privilege speech on three tax reform measures: Senate Bill No. 1851, Senate Bill No. 1857, and Senate Bill No. 1963, designed to lower the cost of food, medicines, and electricity […]
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March 16, 2026
Mr. President,
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our Majority Leader, Senator Migz Zubiri, for receiving the National Book Award in the Professions category during the 43rd National Book Awards held on March 14, 2026 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.
The award, conferred by the National Book Development Board and the Filipino Critics Circle, recognizes Senator Zubiri’s book, The Road to Peace: Crafting the Bangsamoro Organic Law. This work captures an important chapter in our nation’s history and offers […]
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March 16, 2026
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues,
I rise to co-sponsor the Basic Voucher Education Act under Committee Report No. 47, which seeks to establish the Basic Education Voucher Program and strengthen government assistance to students and teachers in private basic education institutions.
Across the country, many public schools continue to struggle with overcrowded classrooms, limited facilities, and steadily increasing enrollment. In numerous communities, particularly in urban and rapidly growing areas, students are compelled to learn in congested conditions that strain teachers, classrooms, and learning […]
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March 16, 2026
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:
I rise today to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 1982, which expressly grants the President to suspend the imposition of fuel excise taxes in times of extraordinary circumstances.
We are now experiencing an extraordinary circumstance. There is a rapid and continuous increase in fuel prices brought about by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As we have seen time and again, this situation triggers a domino effect.
Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, bumubulusok din pataas ang presyo ng […]
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