Noynoy allies with corner Senate comittees

by | Aug 3, 2010 | Headlines, National News

Manila, Philippines — the Senate has finished assigning the chairs and members of the 37 committees, except for one, and most of President Aquino’s allies are members of the major committees.

Ending roughly a week of horse-trading, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile presided over the session as Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III the majority floor leader announced the election of the chairs of the committees. Only the committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws remains without a head. Such appointments garnered different reactions from the different Senators.

The Charimanships and memberships are as follows:

Senate Committee on Energy – Sen. Sen. Sergio Osmena III
Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies – Sen. Sergio Osmena III
Joint Congressional Power Commission – Sen. Sergio Osemna III

* Osmena’s wife, Bettina, is a scion of the Lopez family, former controller of the Manila Electric Co.

Committee on Finance – Sen. Franklin Drilon
Ways and Means Committee – Sen Ralph Recto
Committee on Agriculture and Food – Sen. Francis Pangilinan
Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Development – Sen. Francis Pangilinan
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee – Sen. Teofisto Guingona
Senate Peace, Unification, and reconciliation committees – Sen. Teofisto Guingona
Committee on Justice and Human Rights – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
Committee on National Defense and Security – Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
Committee on Labor – Sen. President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada
Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs – Sen. Gregorio Honasan
Committee on Agrarian Reform – Sen. Gregorio Honasan
Committee on Public Information and Mass Media -Sen. Gregorio Honasan
Committee on Public Works and Public Services – Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.
Committee on Games and Amusement – Sen. Lito Lapid
Committee on Tourism – Sen. Lito Lapid
Committee on Education – Sen. Edgardo Angara
Committee on Science and Technology – Sen. Edgardo Angara
Committee on Environment – Sen. Miguel Zubiri
Committee on Cooperatives – Sen. Miguel Zubiri
Committee on Economic Affairs – Sen. Manuel Villar
Committee on Trade and Commerce – Sen. Manuel Villar
Committee on Local Governments – Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Committee on Urban Planning – Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Committee on Accounts – (Fugitive) Sen. Panfilo Lacson
Committee on Civil Service – (detainee) Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV
Committee on Health and Demography – Sen. Pia Cayetano
Committee on Youth and Family Relations – Sen. Pia Cayetano
Committee on Ethics – Sen. Pia Cayetano

* Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano by virtue of being the minority leader, is automatically a member of all the committees. Meanwhile, Sen. Joker Arroyo opted not to get any chairmanship as he did in the 14th Congress. Sen. Miriam Santiago likewise did not have any chairmanship position as of such session.

2009 budget to fund gov’t priority programs

by | Sep 1, 2008 | Headlines, National News

The proposed P1.4 trillion national budget for 2009 would address the funding requirements of the government’s priority programs.

These priority programs include environment, education and economy.

Malacanang disclosed that roads, bridges and other public works, along with the farm sector, schools, social welfare and the government’s health insurance programs would be the major recipients of the 2009 general appropriations.

It will be recalled that President Arroyo set out in her 8th SONA that agriculture, public works and highways, health and education will be among the “major recipients” of additional budget next year.

For his part, Secretary Ralph Recto of the National Economic and Development Authority reiterated that the Palace has adopted the “performance budget” policy.

“Those who perform well-such as departments that were able to implement projects based on the 2008 funding-will naturally get more resources,” Recto said.

The proposed national budget is about 15 percent higher than the P1.227 trillion budget for this year. The budget would also help address the impact of the global food and fuel crises in the country. (PIA/Bohol)