Senator seeks reforms in Anti-Espionage Law

SENATE DEPUTY Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros called for the immediate strengthening of the country’s Anti-Espionage Law following the arrest of a Chinese national accused of espionage and increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Lawmaker calls for legal cases vs. China over ‘air incident’

THE PHILIPPINE government should now be preparing on filing legal cases against China before an international court following the "dangerous and provocative actions" of People’s Liberation Army Air Force against a Philippine Air Force aircraft over Bajo de Masinloc within 120 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales.

Hontiveros cites Guo in contempt, orders arrest for snubbing probe

A SENATE committee on Wednesday ruled to cite in contempt and issue a warrant of arrest against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo for repeatedly skipping the hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Hontiveros: Only right for PH, China to work vs. transnational crimes

SENATOR RISA Hontiveros on Wednesday said it is only right for the Philippines and China to work together in cracking down transnational crimes, following the meeting between Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin this week.

Senate executive session reinforces need to totally ban POGO in PH

SENATE DEPUTY Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros believes that the executive session convened on Wednesday by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality have strengthened the call of senators to totally ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

Ombudsman suspends Guo, 2 others over graft cases filed by DILG

THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and two others for up to six months in connection with the graft charges filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Senators slam China's seizure, dumping of food for PH soldiers in WPS

SENATORS ON Monday condemned the China Coast Guard (CCG) for its seizure and dumping of food supplies meant for Philippine soldiers in Ayungin Shoal, as well as preventing a medical evacuation of injured soldiers in separate incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on May 19.

Hontiveros urges DFA to cancel Quiboloy’s passport

SENATE DEPUTY Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the passport of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJOC) leader Apollo Quiboloy following the latter’s repeated failure to appear before the Senate or Philippine courts.

BI, CHED urged to probe alleged influx of Chinese students in Cagayan

SENATOR FRANCIS Escudero on Thursday asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to intensify its scrutiny of foreigners entering the country, following reports of Chinese students in Cagayan allegedly "acting as spies" and engaging in "degree for sale" with local colleges and universities.

Senator seeks probe into foreigners using fake documents

A SENATOR filed a resolution on Tuesday seeking to look into foreigners using falsified documents to pose as Filipinos, saying the country should be alarmed over such “disturbing patterns.”

Police must cancel Quiboloy firearms license – senator

SENATOR RISA Hontiveros on Monday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to revoke the firearms license of Kingdom of Jesus Christ pastor Apollo Quiboloy amid circulating photos and videos of the alleged training of his private army.

Hontiveros renews call for stiffer penalties vs. hospital detention

SENATOR RISA Hontiveros on Thursday called anew for the immediate passage of a bill increasing punishment for hospital detention, following reports of patients being barred from leaving a Valenzuela City hospital over unpaid medical expenses.

Solon: Quiboloy's terms to attend Senate probe 'out of this world'

SENATE DEPUTY Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday described as "out of this world" the alleged 17 conditions of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy before he appears before an inquiry of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family and Gender Equality.

Senate wraps up probe on controversial COVID-19 procurement

THE SENATE’s Blue Ribbon Committee investigating the COVID-19 purchases has wrapped its probe on the controversial procurement contract of the government, especially on the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Escudero wants all-out war vs. hired guns using intel funds

THE GOVERNMENT should distribute the PHP5.22-billion intelligence fund among several agencies to bring down gun-for-hire syndicates.

DOH willing to give info on COVID procurement

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Health (DOH) said it is committed to uphold accountability and transparency in the COVID-19 vaccine procurement after lawmakers told the agency to waive the existing non-disclosure agreements (NDA) on the medicines so that the Commission on Audit could begin its scrutiny.

DOH told to make public COVID vaccines records

PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Health continues to refuse to waive the existing non-disclosure agreements (NDA) on COVID vaccines as lawmakers push for full transparency although it has submitted initial documents so that the Commission on Audit could begin its scrutiny.

Senator wants libel decriminalize

SENATOR RISA Hontiveros has filed Senate Bill No. 1593, a proposed law to decriminalize libel, highlighting how current libel laws have been used and abused to suppress freedom of the press.

U.S. Donates HIV viral load testing cartridges

AMERICAN Ambassador MaryKay Carlson led the recent handover of 86,000 U.S. government-donated HIV viral load testing cartridges worth around P85 million ($1.5 million) to strengthen the Philippine government’s HIV treatment program. 

Don’t be like Duterte, senator tells Marcos

SENATOR RISA Hontiveros has warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr against overborrowing, noting the previous Duterte administration’s huge debts have become a burden to all Filipinos.