Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, passed on second reading the proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act.

The legislation, deemed a priority following a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting just the day before, is poised to reshape public access to government finances. 

This swift action reflects a clear legislative commitment to addressing long-standing calls for greater oversight in public spending, catapulting the bill through the chamber and closer to becoming law.

The core feature of the CADENA Act is the establishment of a CADENA Digital Budget Portal.  This online platform is designed to be a one-stop shop for citizens seeking comprehensive data on the national budget. 

It guarantees public access across all critical phases of the budgetary process, from initial budget planning and preparation to legislation, authorization, procurement, execution, and final fund management. 

This level of mandated disclosure promises to open up previously unclear government spending records, placing the power of oversight directly into the hands of the Filipino public.

By successfully hurdling the second reading, Senate Bill No. 1506 has reaffirmed its status as a landmark transparency measure. The bill’s momentum, energized by its inclusion in the recent LEDAC agenda attended by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and congressional leaders, signals strong executive and legislative backing. 

Its proponents argue the CADENA portal will serve as a powerful deterrent against corruption and misuse of public funds, transforming the way Filipinos monitor and engage with their government’s financial operations.

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PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate actively advanced its health care agenda on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, moving to expand specialty care for senior citizens and streamline medical assistance for the financially vulnerable. 

In a determined push for quality and affordable health services, the chamber commenced interpellations on two critical measures, underscoring the legislative commitment to the nation's well-being. This deliberate action sets the stage for potentially significant reforms in the country’s health system infrastructure and financial coverage.

A central piece of the Senate’s recent session was the deliberation on Senate Bill No. 1509, which mandates the establishment of the Philippine Geriatric Center. This proposed tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health (DOH) aims to provide holistic and dedicated medical, rehabilitative, and palliative care for the growing population of Filipino senior citizens. 

By creating a National Geriatric Health Registry and ensuring the center's services are integrated into the existing Universal Health Care framework, the bill seeks to institutionalize high-quality, scientifically-backed, and accessible care for the elderly.

Concurrently, the Senate began discussions on Senate Bill No. 1593, which seeks to create the Universal Health Care Medical Assistance Program (UMAP). This measure aims to abolish bureaucratic hurdles, such as the guarantee letter system, by integrating and professionalizing the government’s existing Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons (MAIFIP) Program. 

UMAP promises to make life-saving inpatient care universal and immediate, especially for indigents and patients facing catastrophic illnesses, while explicitly prohibiting political patronage in the distribution of aid. The legislative efforts collectively demonstrate a strategic, two-pronged approach to tackle both the accessibility of specialized care and the financial barriers preventing Filipinos from receiving prompt medical treatment.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate is moving decisively to tackle the nation's severe classroom shortage by opening the period of amendments for Senate Bill No. 1482, known as the proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act. 

Bill Sponsor, Senator Bam Aquino initiated the fine-tuning process on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, signaling a rapid push toward legislative enactment. This measure is designed to cut down the massive classroom backlog that has long plagued the education system.

The CAP Act mandates a significant shift in the approach to school infrastructure by authorizing the active participation of local government units (LGUs) and accredited non-government organizations (NGOs). 

This strategy aims to accelerate the pace of construction by mobilizing resources beyond the national government's current capacity. By delegating key support roles to LGUs and NGOs, the Senate is pushing for a streamlined, collaborative effort to deliver much-needed classrooms across the country, ensuring students gain access to conducive learning environments sooner.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate of the Philippines delivered a decisive legislative move on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, passing the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget for 2026 on third and final reading. House Bill No. 4058, sponsored by Senator Win Gatchalian, secured a unanimous vote of 17-0-0. 

This swift approval sends the measure to a bicameral conference committee with the House of Representatives to reconcile differences and finalize the spending plan for the coming fiscal year. 

Senator Gatchalian notably described the budget as "more transparent, more disciplined, and more accountable" is set to prioritize key sectors, with a significant P1.37 trillion allocated to the education sector.

In addition to the General Appropriations Bill, the Senate also approved two major cultural measures sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda—Senate Bill No. 1425, or the Aklan Piña Conservation and Innovation Act, passed on final reading to establish a center in Kalibo, Aklan, dedicated to safeguarding, promoting, and advancing the region's centuries-old tradition of piña handloom weaving. 

Simultaneously, the chamber green light the Senate Bill No. 1507, which aims to institutionalize the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) by amending the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. 

This measure elevates the community-based learning program where cultural masters transmit Indigenous knowledge and crafts into a national program under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, ensuring stable, long-term support for the preservation of the nation's diverse intangible heritage.

Team Philippines made a powerful statement at the opening ceremonies of the SEA Games Thailand 2025 last night December 9, 2025, marching onto the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok with a clear intent for domination. 

The impressive 1,600-strong delegation was led by the dynamic duo of tennis star Alex Eala and volleyball standout Bryan Bagunas. 

With fire in their spirit and their country's flag lifted high, the athletes declared their fierce pursuit for a major breakthrough. This showing of national pride and surging energy sets the stage for what the Philippines hopes will be a historic and successful campaign in the biennial meet.

As the competition officially begins, the athletes carry the hopes of the nation, focused on translating this strong show of unity and pride into medals and achieving the country's collective aspiration for regional sporting supremacy.