Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate transformed into a "Bloom" sanctuary on May 6, as lawmakers formally adopted a resolution honoring BINI for their historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 

In a rare departure from tradition, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III suspended the chamber’s long-standing "no clapping" rule, allowing an enthusiastic burst of applause to echo through the plenary hall. 

“It is prohibited to clap in the Senate during sessions, but it’s alright. You are exempted,” The Senate President said in enthusiasm.

The "Nation’s Girl Group" received Resolution No. 46, marking them as the first Filipino act to ever grace the prestigious California stage.

Leading the tributes, Senator Bam Aquino hailed the group’s success as a collective win for every Filipino, while Senator Loren Legarda praised the eight-member ensemble for weaving cultural elements into their global choreography. 

“Ang tagumpay ng BINI ay isang panalong dapat ipagdiwang sa gitna ng mga hamon at krisis na kinakaharap ng ating bansa…Ito po ay isang panalo para sa bawat Pilipino,” Senator Aquino said. 

The chamber was united in its admiration, with Senator Risa Hontiveros highlighting the pride of hearing the Filipino language sung passionately before millions of worldwide viewers. 

“It was such a Pinoy proud moment, not only to see Filipinas sharing the global stage with other world-class artists, but also to hear our beautiful language sung so passionately and so joyfully to millions of viewers around the world,” Senator Hontiveros said in her co-sponsorship of Resolution No 45. 

Even seasoned lawmakers like Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan acknowledged the grueling "long hours and sacrifice" required to achieve such international stature.

“I know how difficult performing is, I know how challenging, and the sacrifice and the long hours, but it pays off in the end, because you have been recognized for your talents and your skills,” Senator Pangilinan said.

The session turned personal as Senator Raffy Tulfo officially outed himself as a "Bloom," vowing continued support for the group’s journey. 

“I hope, as BINI continues in their journey, they continue to bring the Filipino people with them…Sigurado ako na malayong-malayo pa ang mararating ninyo at kaming mga ‘Blooms’ ay patuloy na susuporta sa inyo,” Senator Tulfo said.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri offered a grounded perspective, calling for prayers for the young idols as they navigate the immense pressures of global stardom. 

“I think everyone should pray for them — let’s pray for them — and help them cope with all the struggles that they are going through,” said Senator Zubiri. 

Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva both emphasized that this milestone was not just a concert appearance, but a definitive victory for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) on the world stage.

“It is a long time coming for Pinoy pop to make it to the global stage and make Filipino music reverberate around the world — and BINI made all of it possible,” Senator Estrada said in co-sponsoring Resolution No. 45.

Additionally, Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva in his co-sponsorship speech praised the P-pop group’s historical performance.

“Hindi lang po ito simpleng performance sa international stage. Isa po itong makasaysayang tagumpay para sa OPM (Original Pilipino Music),” Villanueva said.

Closing the commendations, Senator Erwin Tulfo described the achievement as the "Cherry on Top" of the group’s years of perseverance and dedication. 

“Cherry on Top,’ ika nga, ang tagumpay na ito. Bunga ng sipag, tiyaga, at dedikasyon, patunay na ang talento ng Pilipino ay may puwang sa pandaigdigang entablado…Mabuhay ang BINI, mabuhay ang galing ng Pilipino,” Senator Tulfo delivered in his co-sponsorship of Resolution No. 46

The resolution serves as a formal state recognition of BINI's role as cultural ambassadors, proving that Filipino talent can thrive and bloom brightly in any corner of the globe. 

As the session concluded, the message from the Senate was clear: BINI has not only made history but has also set a new gold standard for the future of Pinoy Pop.

PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate fast-tracked critical reforms on May 6, focusing on national security and the protection of vulnerable labor sectors. 

A major highlight of the plenary session was the deliberation of Senate Bill No. 2116, the Revised Philippine Coast Guard Law. 

Senator Raffy Tulfo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III spearheaded the push to modernize the agency, arguing that the PCG needs a more robust organizational structure and upgraded equipment to tackle evolving maritime threats and international obligations.

Senate President Sotto emphasized that modernization must be holistic, noting that better salaries and benefits must be paired with high-tech hardware, such as specialized search-and-rescue aircraft. 

“Perhaps you can look into these possibilities so that you can also modernize the PCG—not only the manpower, salaries, and benefits. That could be a very good strengthening.” The Senate President said.

Beyond maritime safety, the chamber turned its attention to the "pakyawan" or piece-rate workforce. 

Senator Tulfo sponsored Senate Bill No. 2115, titled the Anti-Abuse of Pakyawan Workers Act, which aims to transform the legal rights of these laborers from mere "provisions on paper" into enforceable protections. 

“It is high time that we provide the necessary support, recognition, and organizational structure to empower the PCG to fulfill its mission effectively,” Senator Tulfo said in his speech.

This measure seeks to end common exploitative practices and ensure that those paid by the task—rather than by the hour—receive fair treatment and legal recourse under the law.

The legislative marathon also addressed social welfare through several key bills aimed at protecting the marginalized. 

Lawmakers debated the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (SBN 1905) to provide better support for frontline community heroes, alongside the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act (SBN 1991). 

Additionally, the Senate pushed for the Expanded Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Act, a critical move to strengthen the country’s defenses against digital crimes targeting minors.

As the session concluded, the consensus among lawmakers remained clear: whether at sea, in the fields, or in digital spaces, the country’s legal framework must evolve rapidly to meet the demands of 2026.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform moved to go back to the drawing board on May 7, as lawmakers sought to overhaul Republic Act No. 11524. 

Led by Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, the committee deliberated on critical amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, which has been flagged as a priority measure by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). 

“We take this opportunity to go back to the drawing board and see which amendments should we put in place to strengthen what we believed to be a critical, landmark piece of legislation,” Senator Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan vowed to restore the law’s original mandate, arguing that current implementation has veered away from its goal of uplifting the lives of the nation’s struggling coconut farmers.

“Ano ba ang nilalalayong resulta ng batas na ito? Hindi ba ang pag-unlad ng industriya ng niyog, at ang pag-angat ng buhay ng mga magniniyog?” Senator Pangilinan argued.

During the hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros challenged government agencies over persistent failures that have allowed neighboring Asian countries to outpace the Philippines in farm yields and competitiveness. 

Hontiveros emphasized that the policy requires a total redesign to close major gaps and ensure that financial benefits reach the families of farmers directly rather than getting stalled in bureaucracy. 

“We need to revisit and redesign this policy to close a number of major gaps and ensure that benefits are directly felt by coconut farmers, their families, and the coconut industry as a whole,” Hontiveros argued.

The committee’s consensus centered on the urgent need for accountability and transparency to address the decades-long issues plaguing the local sector.

To ensure farmers maintain a seat at the table, Senator Erwin Tulfo pushed for Senate Bill No. 1457, which proposes a Coconut Farmers Advisory Board. 

This board, composed of representatives from farmer organizations, would be tasked with reviewing program priorities and monitoring fund management to prevent political interference. 

Tulfo stressed that the multibillion-peso fund belongs to the farmers, not to officials or politicians, marking a decisive shift toward grassroots oversight in the management of the industry’s resources.

“Ang pondong ito ay hindi para sa iilang opisyal. Hindi para sa mga pulitiko. At lalong hindi para maulit ang mga pagkakamali ng nakaraan. Ang pondong ito ay para sa mga magniniyog,” Senator Tulfo emphasized.

PASAY CITY—Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo Lacson clarified today that there is no evidence pointing to a lone "overall mastermind" behind the ongoing flood control scandal. 

“Walang overall mastermind. I don’t think there’s an overall mastermind kasi nga diba ano ito driven by greed. Tsaka sabi ko nga diba ano parasitic.” The senator stressed.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado, on May 6, Lacson suggested that while corruption may exist, these operations are likely organized to individual districts or specific agencies rather than a centralized conspiracy. 

“Merong organized na grupo pero within a certain agency, within a certain district engineering office like Bulacan. Yun talagang sindikato yun, lumolobo na d’yan sa Bulacan.” Senator Lacson added. 

He emphasized that the Senate has yet to see a single figure orchestrating the alleged anomalies on a national scale.

Lacson also challenged critics to provide concrete evidence if they intend to implicate top officials in the controversy. 

“Well, if they have the evidence i-present nila…maghanap sila ng ebidensya kung sino gusto nila tumbukin.” The BRC chairman said.

He noted that any claims linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, or former Representative Zaldy Co to the corruption must be backed by solid proof. 

The statement follows the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s release of a partial report on May 5, as the chamber continues to peel back the layers of the multi-billion peso infrastructure investigation.

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Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III hailed the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) as the country’s “shield of justice” during the agency’s 9th Grand National Convention on May 5 at the World Trade Center. 

While accepting the Lady Justice Statuette for his service as Outstanding Speaker of the House, Dy turned the spotlight back on the lawyers and personnel who defend the marginalized. 

He emphasized that the distinction belongs to the entire House of Representatives and its ongoing mission to safeguard the welfare of the Filipino people through equitable legislation.

Directly addressing the PAO workforce, Dy praised their role as the voice for those who cannot defend themselves, proving that justice in the Philippines is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. 

“Lady Justice stands for fairness, balance, and truth,” Dy stated, noting that PAO staff breathe life into these principles every day. 

“But more than the award, I value what it represents. Lady Justice stands for fairness, balance, and truth. Araw-araw, kayo sa PAO ang nagbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Kayo ang boses ng mga walang kakayahang ipagtanggol ang sarili. Kayo ang nagpapatunay na ang hustisya ay para sa lahat, hindi lamang sa may kakayahan.” The House Speaker highlighted.

By providing free legal aid to those with "less in life," the Speaker affirmed that the agency remains the ultimate proof that the legal system can work for every citizen, regardless of their financial standing.

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