Tag: 20th Congress

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Ping Lacson Bill Provides for Voluntary Membership in GSIS

Public servants who have served for at least nine years may soon have a chance to qualify for the retirement packages of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), if a bill filed by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson becomes law.

Through such voluntary membership in the GSIS, they can continue paying their remaining contributions to be eligible for the GSIS retirement packages, which require at least 15 years in government service.

“(I)t is the aim of this proposed measure to allow voluntary membership to members who have rendered at least nine (9) years of service in the government, and to allow them to continue paying for the remaining contributions needed for entitlement to GSIS retirement packages,” Lacson said in Senate Bill 37, “An Act Providing for Voluntary Membership in the GSIS, Amending for the Purpose RA 8291 Otherwise Known as the GSIS Act of 1997.”

“Allowing voluntary contributions in GSIS will likewise align its policy with that of the Social Security System (SSS), thus ensuring fairness and consistency across public and private sectors, especially for those who have moved between the two,” he added.

In Filipino: Voluntary Membership in GSIS, Posible sa Panukala ni Ping Lacson

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Ping Lacson Bill Strengthens, Modernizes PH Measure vs Espionage and Offenses vs National Security

A bill by Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will finally strengthen and modernize the Philippines’ outdated laws – one dating back to 1941 – against espionage and other offenses against national security.

Lacson’s Senate Bill 33, the “New Anti-Espionage Act,” increases penalties for such offenses, and covers new technologies, as well as activities by foreign jurisdictions that can interfere with our government affairs.

It also allows the surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communications after court order from the Court of Appeals.

“Recent technological advancements, along with the potential involvement of foreign jurisdictions in our country’s political and governmental affairs, have exposed significant gaps in Commonwealth Act No. 616 and Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code. These shortcomings underscore the urgent need to amend and modernize these laws,” Lacson said in his bill.

“This measure aims to strengthen the law by updating the penalties for the punishable acts. Particularly, the measure imposes higher penalties upon erring public officials, employees and foreigners. The measure also provides for the extraterritorial application of the law. It likewise penalizes activities by foreign jurisdictions that could interfere with the political and government affairs of the country,” he added.

In Filipino: Panukala ni Ping Lacson, Palalakasin at Ia-Update ang Batas vs Pag-Eespiya at Paglabag sa Pambasang Seguridad

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Ping Lacson Bill to Protect Youth by Regulating Social Media Use by Minors

To protect Filipino youths from the harmful effects of too much exposure to social media, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill regulating the use of social media platforms by minors.

Lacson cited studies showing how the excessive use of social media is linked to risk for mental health problems, as well as anxiety, depression and social isolation.

“A UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) study … revealed that Filipino children and adolescents have grown vulnerable to cyberbullying, body image pressures, and online harassment because of social media exposure,” he said in Senate Bill 40, “An Act Regulating the Use of Social Media Platforms by Minors, Imposing Age Restrictions, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes.”

In Filipino: Panukalang Batas ni Ping Lacson, Bibigyang Proteksyon ang Kabataan sa Masamang Epekto ng Social Media

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Ping Lacson’s ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ Bill to End Farmers’ Poverty, Enhance Food Security

To end the cycle of poverty for farmers by helping their children pursue much-needed education while enhancing the Philippines’ agriculture and food security, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill establishing the “Kabataang Magsasaka” national scholarship and return service program.

Senate Bill 34, the “Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Act,” aims to promote inclusive access to quality education in agriculture and allied fields for eligible children or dependents of farmers.

“Consistent with this representation’s aspiration of breaking the poverty cycle of our farmers, this measure will likewise ensure that our country will not fall short of professionals who can contribute to modernizing and strengthening the country’s food security and rural development,” Lacson said in his bill.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson, Naghain ng ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ Bill para Tapusin ang Kahirapan ng Magsasaka at Palakasin ang Food Security

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Ping Lacson Bill Institutes Public Participation in Budget Deliberations

To prevent a repeat of the mangling of the national budget especially behind closed doors, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill institutionalizing the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the preparation of the national budget.

Lacson, in his bill, stressed anew the need for mechanisms that ensure that the entire budget process adheres to the principles of good governance, to assure Filipino taxpayers that their money is spent effectively and transparently.

“Specifically, this bill aims to institutionalize people’s participation in budget deliberations at various levels of government – national, provincial, municipal, and down to the barangay level. Without underestimating and undermining the capacities of elected representatives in crafting a budget that is needed by a particular locality, this bill gives full play to the people’s right to participate in all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making,” Lacson, who had filed similar bills in past Congresses, said in Senate Bill 32 or “An Act Institutionalizing the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in the Preparation and Authorization Process of the Annual National Budget, Providing Effective Mechanisms Therefor and for Other Purposes.”

“Furthermore, it institutionalizes people’s access to information with regard to how taxpayers’ money is being spent. In a way, this bill serves as our people’s safeguard against corruption through public oversight on how our taxes our being spent,” he added.

In Filipino: Panukalang Batas ni Ping Lacson, Titiyakin ang Pakikilahok ng Publiko sa Paghubog ng Badyet

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