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
Congress adjourns, fails to pass P1.16-B budget for Dengvaxia recipients
Due to lack of quorum, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon motions that the session be adjourned
Opposition senators seek probe into Calida firm's gov't contracts
It remains to be seen if administration senators will indeed allow opposition senator Antonio Trillanes IV to lead an investigation into the contracts worth P261.39 million
13 Senators sign draft resolution asking SC to review Sereno ouster
The draft resolution asks the Supreme Court to review its decision to 'nullify the appointment' of Sereno as chief justice
Opposition senators ask SC to stop PH from leaving Int'l Criminal Court
In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, 6 senators argue that the withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court needs Senate concurrence
Pimentel OK with PCGG under Calida's office: 'Look at structure, not personality'
However, Senate justice panel chair Richard Gordon is not keen on passing the proposal, saying the Presidential Commission on Good Government must be kept independent
Opposition seeks Senate's united stand on jurisdiction on Sereno
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the proposed resolution is meant 'to inform the Supreme Court of the sentiment of the Senate insofar as the legal issue is concerned'
Sereno ouster opens 'bottomless pit of power' for SolGen, says Drilon
'This decision makes the Solicitor General the most powerful official in the bureaucracy, even more powerful than both the House of Representatives and the Senate insofar as the removal of impeachable officers is concerned,' says Senator Franklin Drilon
Liberal Party, other groups urge Mar Roxas to run for senator
'We are suggesting to him to consider it but candidacy is a personal decision. But yes, we are suggesting to him to take a good look at it,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Selective evidence? Drilon opposes Gordon's Dengvaxia report vs Aquino
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon slams Senator Richard Gordon Drilon for his 'premature' verdict and 'politicization' of a public health issue
Drilon praises Bong Go's basketball skills: 'Magaling talaga'
Senators Ralph Recto and Franklin Drilon joke that Special Assistant to the President Bong Go wants to run for the Senate so he could join the winning Senate Defenders basketball team
Senate leaders slam 'unconstitutional' petition to oust Sereno
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III says Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno can only be removed through impeachment, while Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the petition is 'a slippery slope'
Senate panel junks ethics complaints vs De Lima, Lacson, Trillanes
(4TH UPDATE) The Senate ethics committee cites lack of jurisdiction in dismissing the 3 ethics complaints filed against Senator Leila de Lima
Bangsamoro region will fail if dynasties are not banned, lawmakers told
Ateneo School of Government dean Ronald Mendoza says 3 out of the 5 poorest provinces in the country are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and have a high share of 'fat dynasties'
Inclusion of anti-dynasty provision in BBL pushed in Senate
Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, however, oppose the proposal, saying it would send a signal that the Bangsamoro people are being 'singled out' for a national issue
Drilon wants removal of SolGen power to intervene in annulment cases
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the Office of the Solicitor General should not be concerned with private marital affairs, but Solicitor General Jose Calida says they 'don't mind'
Duterte denies hand in Napoles' accusations vs Drilon
President Rodrigo Duterte says Senator Franklin Drilon is his ‘friend’ but that the lawmaker should not ‘force the issue’
SEC order vs Rappler ‘bad for democracy’ – Drilon
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon says the Securities and Exchange Commission should have given Rappler more time to address its alleged violations
Drilon counters Alvarez: Con-Ass dead without Senate
'Walang patutunguhan iyan kundi sementeryo,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Despite unanimous Senate 'no,' Alvarez insists on joint voting for Cha-Cha
'We are representatives of the people. We are the nearest link to the people, so why should senators' vote have more weight than a congressman?' says House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
Former CJ Puno: SC can't intervene in revising Constitution
Former chief justice Reynato Puno is among those President Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing to head a 25-person Constitutional Commission
Senate mulls expulsion of members who will attend House-led Constituent Assembly
Senators votes unanimously to demand that a joint assembly with the House to revise the Constitution allows separate voting by the two chambers
Joint voting on Cha-Cha? Senate's problems, plans against it
If the Senate's vote is needed on ordinary bills, why not on the crucial task of amending the 1987 Constitution?
Senate minority bloc eyes questioning Cha-Cha vote before SC
'We are open to it. Ultimately it will have to be decided by the Supreme Court,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, as he insists Congress should vote separately in a Constituent Assembly
Senate to insist on separate voting on Cha-cha – Drilon
Drilon sounds the alarm against recent statements made by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez against the performance of the Senate, seeing it as part of 'deliberate efforts' to weaken the institution and pave the way for its abolition
Plebiscite for federalism can't happen by May, Drilon says
'From my experience, the moment mag-impeachment court kami, wala kaming ibang matatrabaho,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Drilon: Martial law extension 'prelude' to PH-wide declaration?
Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra does not discount the possibility, saying it will all depend on 'factual circumstances' as defined by the 1987 Constitution
Psychological effect on AFP? Senators slam reason for martial law extension
Minority senators say this is not a constitutional basis to extend martial law for another year, saying it is not among the conditions set in the 1987 Constitution
