Jasha Gamao

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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PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate took a firm stand on May 5, as Senator Erwin Tulfo sounded the alarm over the escalating risks facing Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East. 

Citing recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Tulfo delivered a privilege speech urging the international community to safeguard maritime workers caught in the geopolitical crossfire between Iran and the United States. 

“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians and merchant vessels, uphold international law, and work toward the de-escalation of the conflict in the region,” Senator said in his privilege speech.

While recent crew members escaped unharmed, the Senate emphasized that the continued friction poses an unacceptable threat to the lives of thousands of Filipino seafarers navigating these volatile waters.

Directly addressing the Iranian authorities, the Senate called for an immediate halt to actions that endanger civilian lives and disrupt global trade. 

Tulfo acknowledged Iran’s previous cooperation in allowing safe passage for Filipino crews but insisted that maximum restraint is now a necessity rather than an option. 

The chamber concluded with a high-stakes appeal for de-escalation, demanding that all regional powers uphold international law to prevent a maritime catastrophe and ensure that innocent workers are no longer used as pawns in regional conflicts.

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