Rappler's latest stories on Franklin Drilon
Lacson: Duterte's statement on Recto Bank incident 'left us heartbroken'
(3rd UPDATE) 'He forgot to explore all resources available before exercising his last option of surrender,' Senator Panfilo Lacson says of President Rodrigo Duterte's first-ever statement on the Philippine boat sinking in the West Philippine Sea
Drilon calls for special audit of PhilHealth funds
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also says the Senate minority bloc will file a resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged payment of PhilHealth funds for 'ghost' kidney treatments
Drilon trumpets minority bloc's achievements in 17th Congress
'We are proud of what we have done. We can look people in the eye, critics or otherwise, because we know that we did not fail them,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Drilon: No-cloture rule ‘prevents Senate from being a rubber stamp’
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the Senate’s no-cloture rule will allow opposition senators to ask questions without being hampered by the majority
Drilon to Senate newbies: Study first, leadership quarrels later
'Sana mag-aral po muna 'yung mga baguhan,' says Senate veteran Franklin Drilon
Rappler Talk: Franklin Drilon on how the opposition will navigate the next 3 years
On Friday, May 31, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug sits down with Senator Franklin Drilon to discuss the challenges opposition senators are expecting to face
Lacson, Drilon question bill granting franchise to Legarda son's solar firm
Senator Panfilo Lacson says granting Solar Para sa Bayan a franchise might violate the Electric Power Industry Reform Act
Senators hail Duterte veto of P95.3-B infra funds in 2019 budget
Senators say President Rodrigo Duterte's veto of questionable allotments in the 2019 national budget serves as a 'victory' for taxpayers
Drilon: Build youth centers first before lowering age of criminal responsibility
‘The problems lie in the implementation of the law and that is what the amendments should focus on,’ says Senator Franklin Drilon
Senators hit LGUs' lack of funding for youth detention, rehab centers
According to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, there are only 63 Bahay Pag-Asa or youth detention and rehabilitation centers in the country
Senate to begin hearing bills on lowering age of criminal liability
Senate bills are pushing for a slightly higher minimum age, 12 years old, than the House of Representatives' proposal of 9 years old
Gov’t can implement salary hike without 2019 budget – lawmakers
House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr warns he would take DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno to court if the government fails to implement the salary hike by January 15
Senate urges Malacañang to stop release of funds from road user’s tax
The passage of the resolution comes amid an apparent deadlock between the Senate and the House of Representatives, after the latter rescinded its approval of the bill seeking to abolish the Road Board
'Martial law cannot be the new norm in Mindanao' – Drilon, Escudero
Likening martial law to an antibiotic, Senate Minority Franklin Drilon says, 'It is resorted to only when ordinary over-the-counter drugs have ceased to work'
No actual rebellion, no data to back martial law extension – lawmakers
Military chief Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr says there is also no allocation in the proposed 2019 budget for another year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao
'Frat war' erupts between Drilon, Gordon during Senate budget deliberations
It starts when Senator Richard Gordon praises his 'brod,' UP president Danilo Concepcion, prompting Senator Franklin Drilon to tease him back
Drilon questions inclusion of P7.5-B SEA Games budget in DFA
It was former foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano who requested it, but Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon points out that sports development is not a task for the Department of Foreign Affairs
Opposition senators seek probe into Sagay farmers' massacre
(UPDATED) 'This is not an isolated case as it only reflects the prevailing situation in many farmlands around the country,' says the 6-member Senate minority bloc
Senators divided over Arroyo's push for PH withdrawal from IPU
'Arroyo’s proposal is despairing, defeatist, and will be seen by the world as a tacit admission that indeed critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte administration,' Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says
Minority senators seek Senate probe into spate of Cebu killings
'As duty bearers, the PNP must observe proper operational procedures in order to fulfill the organization’s obligation with respect to human rights-based policing,' says the Senate opposition bloc
Opposition senators seek suspension of fuel tax
Minority senators are hopeful that their colleagues will support the initiative this time
'Dead on arrival': Senate leaders reject Arroyo's draft charter
'We don't have time to even talk about it,' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who stands to benefit from the House proposal
Duterte allies in Senate downplay medical tests
The President is healthy enough to discharge his duties, say Senators Ralph Recto and Koko Pimentel
Drilon to Duterte: Rethink military general's appointment to DSWD
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says President Duterte may instead consider a civilian career official with extensive experience in social welfare for the job
Drilon dares Malacañang: File charges vs LP members in Duterte ouster plot
'Let me borrow Secretary Roque's own words. We should not take Roque seriously,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon after the Palace official insisted on the Liberal Party's role in an alleged Duterte ouster plot
DILG backs AFP's proposed anti-communist task force
A former Armed Forces chief himself, DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año says the country's long-running communist insurgency 'is not primarily a military or police problem but a governance problem'
Drilon questions DOLE statistics on foreigners working in PH
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon does not believe only 40,000 foreigners work in the Philippines
Senators vow to scrutinize House's P51-B realignment in 2019 budget
Senators say they will cross party lines to ensure that the 2019 national budget is transparent and pork barrel-free
Senate leaders ask Duterte to intervene as House voids Road Board abolition
(UPDATED) Senate leaders say President Duterte holds the 'key' since he himself supports the abolition of the graft-ridden Road Board
Restore health department's P30B or budget won't pass, Drilon tells DBM
The budget for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, which ensures there are health stations in communities, has been reduced to just P50 million
Senate minority seeks probe into Duterte's revocation of Trillanes amnesty
'Proclamation No. 572 is apparently being used to silence Senator Trillanes, one of the strongest critic of President Duterte and his administration,' says the Senate minority bloc in a resolution
After 2 years, Senate finally OKs Manny Pacquiao's first pet bill on boxing
Senate Bill 1306 seeks to create a 5-member commission that would formulate and implement a national policy on the development, safety, and welfare of Filipino professional boxers and combatants
Opposition senators to fight 'illegal, abusive' Duterte order vs Trillanes
(UPDATED) Senator Francis Pangilinan says the amnesty grant to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV 'could not be easily set aside by the whims of one man'
Opposition senators a no-show in ICC oral arguments
The Supreme Court denies the motion for reconsideration as well as the appeal to let Senator Leila de Lima argue through video conference
Drilon urges Carpio to apply as next chief justice
'The President’s statement that seniority is his major and principal consideration in appointing individuals to the government boosts Carpio’s chance of becoming the next chief justice,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Minority senators to SC: Allow video conference for De Lima in ICC case
To prove that her motion to personally appear during oral arguments is 'not a ploy to escape detention,' Senator Leila De Lima is 'willing to argue while in detention through a live video and/or audio feed'
'Lawyers now targets of drug war'
'Maybe it is only ironic that the mastermind of this breakdown in the rule of law, where even lawyers are no longer safe, is a lawyer himself,' says Senator Leila de Lima, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte
Senate calls for suspension of driver-only car ban on EDSA
(4th UPDATE) In a resolution, the Senate 'strongly' urges the MMDA to 'conduct public consultations' and provide 'real solutions to Metro Manila congestion'
Not enough funds for Bangsamoro block grant in proposed 2019 budget
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno says they can submit a supplemental budget to finance the mandated annual block grant estimated at around P60 billion
Economic managers seek Duterte's help in lowering LGU share
The government finance team still has no idea where it will source the additional funds for local government units
Senate minority to SC: Allow De Lima to argue on ICC case
'The issues in this case being of transcendental importance, Senator De Lima should not be prevented from personally arguing the case before the Honorable Court by mere reason of her incidental detention,' says the Senate minority bloc
Senators hit Alvarez over 'self-serving' push for People's Initiative
'Majority of the senators... will fight tooth and nail any attempt to cancel the 2019 midterm elections simply because it is wrong and self-serving,' says Senator Panfilo Lacson
Why Drilon didn't push for anti-dynasty in BBL bicam
'As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, proponent of the anti-political dynasty provision
Bicam drops anti-dynasty provision in Bangsamoro bill
(2nd UPDATE) The Bangsamoro Transition Commission, some members of which belong to political families, has strongly opposed the ban on dynasties, saying it is a 'clear violation' of a person's right to vote and be voted
Opposition senators seek probe into PTV's planned airing of Chinese shows
'Airing Chinese shows on our state-run network poses a danger of spreading Chinese propaganda sanctioned by our government,' minority senators say in filing Senate Resolution No. 780
Senate minority seeks probe into China plane landings in Davao
Opposition senators file Senate Resolution No. 779, seeking to determine if the 'technical stops' of Chinese military planes in the Philippines violated the 1987 Constitution
Senators oppose final SC decision on Sereno ouster
Senators are torn on whether the Senate can still adopt the resolution expressing its sentiment against the quo warranto petition
Drilon says Duterte is right, peace talks should be in PH
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says holding the peace talks here will show the government's sincerity and confidence in both parties, and the communists' recognition of the legitimacy of the Philippine government
Drilon urges Duterte to review 'appeasement policy' towards China
Citing data, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says Vietnam has received more Chinese investments, trade, and tourists despite its confrontational stance on the South China Sea row
