THE Senate finance committee on Thursday approved the proposed budgets of the Office of the President and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) for 2019. Sen. Loren Legarda, who heads the committee, was alone in approving the budget proposals of the two offices. “Your budget is approved in the committee and submitted to plenary both for the Office of the President and Presidential Management Staff,” Legarda said during the hearing.The Office of the President and PMS have a combined proposed budget of P6.77 billion, which is 12.32 percent higher than the 2018 budget P6.03 billion. The Office of the President was among the few offices that would be getting an increase unlike other equally important agencies like the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that would be getting smaller allocations next year.Included in the P6.77 billion was the P2.5 billion confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the … [Read more...] about Senate finance committee approves P6.8-B budget for President’s office
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Sara Duterte endorses Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles for senator
DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday endorsed the 2019 senatorial bid of Rep. Karlo Nograles. In her speech during the 49th Charter Day of Mandaue City, Duterte-Carpio said that although the Dutertes and Nograleses were “bitter political rivals”, she appreciated the good things that Nograles has done for the 1st District of Davao City. Nograles, who heads the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, recently joined the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) – Laban chaired by his uncle, President Rodrigo Duterte.Duterte-Carpio added that she would help support the candidacy of Nograles, along with former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos. Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio reiterated that she was not running for the Senate and claimed that she would just help campaign for her chosen senatorial candidates.Nograles thanked Duterte-Carpio for the endorsement and vowed to work even … [Read more...] about Sara Duterte endorses Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles for senator
Senate panel approves P6.7 billion budget for Office of the President
Office of the President gets P2.5 billion intel fund MANILA - The Senate committee on finance has approved the Office of the President’s proposed 2019 budget amounting to P6.7 billion. Its proposed budget is higher than this year’s budget of around P6.031 billion. The same committee also gave its nod to the Presidential Management Staff’s submitted budget of P6.1 million, a slight increase compared with this year's P5.9 million. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea led the OP in presenting its budget to the committee. The glitch-free OP budget approval at the committee level only centered on committee chair Sen. Loren Legarda's queries as to how the OP team is providing daily briefing to the president. Legarda also asked about the P2.5 billion OP’s intelligence fund for next year. “This may include all information, events and incidents in terms of the risk or implications or threat to the overall security and stability of the nation," Deputy Executive … [Read more...] about Senate panel approves P6.7 billion budget for Office of the President
West Virginia Supreme Court denies Blankenship a spot on Senate ballot
The West Virginia Supreme Court denied former coal company executive Don Blankenship’s bid to get on the ballot this November as a Constitution Party candidate after he lost the Republican primary earlier this year. Blankenship’s effort could have shaken up the battleground race between Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican nominee, siphoning critical votes from Morrisey as he seeks to oust the incumbent.Story Continued Below But West Virginia has a “sore loser” law preventing major-party primary losers from running on another ticket in November. Because of that, Republicans expressed little concern throughout the summer that Blankenship’s efforts to make the ballot would be successful, and the state Supreme Court shot down Blankenship’s appeal after the secretary of state denied his petition to be listed on the general election ballot. “The West Virginia Secretary of State is ordered to take … [Read more...] about West Virginia Supreme Court denies Blankenship a spot on Senate ballot
Martial law extension in Mindanao won’t solve terrorism: senators
MANILA - Extending martial law in Mindanao will not solve terrorism and hunger in the restive south, some lawmakers said Thursday, days after an explosion in Sultan Kudarat left 3 people dead. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Malacañang is considering extending martial law in Mindanao, a declaration that has been in place since firefights erupted in Marawi City in May last year. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier said she would support President Rodrigo Duterte should he decide to extend anew martial rule in Mindanao, but some senators said it was unnecessary. Medialdea: Blasts in south 'not good signs,' martial law extension may be an 'option' Arroyo says will back another martial law extension in Mindanao "The existing martial law proclamation failed to prevent the bombing so why would an extension prevent a future bombing?" opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a statement. "What is needed is no-nonsense police work to punish the guilty and … [Read more...] about Martial law extension in Mindanao won’t solve terrorism: senators