May 9, 2026
Makabuluhang hapon sa ating lahat! Maligayang Buwan ng Pambansang Pamana!
Isang karangalan ang makasama ang aking mga kapwa tagapagtaguyod ng kultura at pambansang pamana sa BANTAY KULTURA: National Retooling of Cultural Education Scholars and Faculty.
Nais kong magsimula sa bahagi ng tula ni Pambansang Alagad ng Sining Rio Almario, Kung Salamin ang Kasaysayan.
“Ay, ang panahon! O, ang panahon!
Walâng bait at katwiran kahit ang pagdaloy.
Kung nalilikha ng salamin ang mga kahulugan
Ng kasalukuyan,
Maaari ding baluktutin ang kabuluhan ng nakalípas,
O […]
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May 5, 2026
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues.
I rise to sponsor an Act declaring the Waling-waling, Vanda sanderiana, as the National Orchid of the Philippines.
This is not the first time that this representation has sought to elevate the Waling-waling to the level of a national symbol.
As early as 2012, I filed a measure proposing its declaration as an additional National Flower, alongside the Sampaguita. That measure passed both Houses during the 15th Congress, emphasizing its status as the “Queen of Philippine Orchids,” a rare […]
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April 30, 2026
Distinguished guests from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Climate Change Commission, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; representatives from our most climate-vulnerable cities; ladies and gentlemen, fellow advocates, good morning.
It is both an honor and a moment of reflection to join you again at the Asian Institute of Management. Three years ago, I delivered the keynote address at this very conference.
Back then, I spoke of an “existential threat,” of how the era of global warming had given […]
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March 24, 2026
I have a written opening statement, but I’d like to put it on the record, and I would like to propose, Mr. Chair, una, thank you. I believe that the Defense establishment must be represented. I know that they were invited yesterday. Are they here? DND? Ah, nandiyan po si Usec. Ok, thank you very much.
I would just like to put on the table, Mr. Chair, ang mga binabanggit po ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno, ‘yung mga plano, importante po […]
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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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