“Given the critical role of Malampaya in the country’s energy and overall national development, it is imperative for Congress and the Filipino public to be apprised of the: (1) plans of government for SC 38 given its looming expiration and Malampaya’s declining output; and (2) compliance of government and the consortium with PD 87 and SC 38.” (co-author with Senators Sotto and Gatchalian)
There is every reason to be concerned as far as the Senate, since an invited resource person who has been tested positive for COVID-19 had not only entered the Senate premises, but even interacted with at least two senators and their staff.
In my case, since I shared the elevator with Sen. Gatchalian yesterday afternoon on our way to the session hall, I am taking precaution by doing self-quarantine while waiting for the result of his test. If he tests positive, I will have to undergo the test myself.
We agreed to disinfect the Senate starting today. I would encourage my fellow senators who may have interacted with our two colleagues, Senators Binay and Gatchalian, to follow their lead and do self-quarantine for two weeks as well, not only for our sake but for others.
Sen. Lacson is part of the Philippine delegation that participated in the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and related meetings in Belgrade, Serbia. Other members of the Philippine delegation include Senate President Tito Sotto, Ralph Recto, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Franklin Drilon, Imee Marcos, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian, Bato dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara; and Reps. Ferdinand Hernandez and Carlos Zarate.
A measure seeking to transfer the training of police recruits from the PNPA to the PNP, was taken up at the bicameral conference committee level on Jan. 14. Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, who sponsored the Senate version of the measure (SB 1898), led the Senate contingent. Rep. Romeo Acop led the House contingent.
The Senate panel members included Senators Gringo Honasan, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros. The House panel members included Reps. Edgar Sarmiento, Leopoldo Bataoil and Juliet Marie Ferrer.
Inaasahang mababawasan ang gastos ng publiko sa paggamit ng mga cell phones sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa isa’t isa sa loob ng bansa, bunga ng hakbang na isinagawa ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa panukala sa Senado na magpapatino sa mga telecommunication companies (telcos).
Sa period of ammendments ng Senate Bill 1636 na tinaguriang Lifetime Cellphone Number Act, ipinadagdag ni Lacson ang probisyon na nagsasaad na tanggalin na ang interconnectivity charges na ipinapataw sa mga cellphone users kung tatawag o magtitext ang mga ito sa telco na kalaban ng kanilang provider.
Isang halimbawa nito ay ang singil sa text o tawag na ipinapataw sa isang Smart subscriber kung kokontakin ang Globe user at ganoon din kung ang gumagamit ng serbisyo ng huli ay kokonek sa una, kahit pa naka-register sila sa tinatawag na unlimited package.
To protect mobile phone subscribers, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson sought Tuesday to remove the burdensome interconnection fees charged by public telecommunications entities (PTEs) for calls between two different networks.
Lacson introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 1636, the proposed Lifetime Cellphone Number Act, seeking to remove the interconnectivity fee or charge imposed by PTEs on mobile phone subscribers for domestic calls and SMS (text) messages.
“We are here to protect the consumers. And the consumer, not being made aware he is calling through a different PTE (public telecommunications entity), is helpless in being charged with P2.50 for mobile calls and 15 centavos for SMS,” he said at the period of amendment for the bill.
During deliberations on Senate Bill 1636, which requires public telecom entities to provide nationwide mobile number portability to subscribers, Sen. Lacson sought to remove interconnection fees or charges for calls or SMS made from one network to another. “We are here to protect the consumers. And the consumer, not being made aware he is calling through a different PTE (public telecommunications entity), is helpless in being charged with P2.50 for mobile calls and 15 centavos for SMS.”