(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Contreras: Senate should pass more laws, not focus on public hearings

QUEZON CITY -- A political analyst asked senators today, May 14, to focus more on passing laws rather than spending time holding public hearings.

Professor Antonio Contreras noted in his television segment "Punto de Vista" aired over PTV 4 that lawmakers have been frequently holding public hearings, apparently neglecting the passage of draft laws.

"Hindi natin inaalis ng kapangyarihan ang Kongreso para mag-conduct ng mga hearings, importante iyan. Pero sana naman yung mga hearings nila may katuturan, may patutunguhan. Sapagkat sila ay inihalal para pagsilbihan ang interes ng bayan."

"Kaya natin pinupuna ang mga hearings tulad sa 'PDEA leaks' kasi hindi malinaw kung saan patungo. Maraming panukalang batas na aprubado na sa mababang kapulungan pero sa Senado ay parang walang nangyayari.

One bill that needs attention, Contreras said, is the proposed National Land Use Act.

It seeks to set a permanent boundary between forest lands and protected areas.

"Layunin ng batas na ito na magkaroon ng permanenteng boundary ang ating mga forest lands and protected areas. Ang nakakalungkot dito, ito po ay direktiba mismo ng Saligang Batas."

Under Sec. 4, Article 12, the Constitution states that "Congress shall, as soon as possible, delineate these boundaries.

Contreras lamented that this law has been enshrined since 1987.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong naiintindihan natin sa 'as soon as possible.' Marami nang pagtatangka ang Kongreso na ipasa ang National Land Use Act. In fact, ilang beses na iyang nakakalusot sa third reading pero namatay sa Senado.

Contreras also noted the Senate's inaction on the Sustainable Forest Management Act.

"Ang Forestry Code ng Pilipinas, noong 1975 pa, panahon pa ni amang Marcos. Ilang beses na yan finile, taon-taon. Ilang beses na rin itong inaprubahan 3rd reading sa House pero pagdating sa Senado namamatay."

Then, there is the Rice Tarrification Law.

"Mayroon tayong bagong aabangan—itong Rice Tarrification Law na pinag-uusapan sa Mababang Kapulungan pero ang mga senador ay may agam-agam dito.

Contreras stressed that there is nothing wrong in holding public hearings such as those on illegal drugs, pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

"Hindi ko sinasabing wag magkaroon ng imbestigasyon sa PDEA leaks na iyan. Importante lang ayusin natin, may kredibilidad ang mga witness at may patutunguhan."

"Hindi ko sinasabing wag imbestigahan itong kay Apollo Quiboloy. Kung meron bang public interest, ituloy natin."

"Hindi ko rin sinasabing wag pakialaman yung citizenship nitong mayor ng Bamban. Importante rin yan kung kinakailangan sapagkat yan ay may paglabag sa batas."

"Ayusin naman po natin. All of you were elected there to pursue the interest of the people. Gawin po natin ang ating trabaho wag tayong nalululong sa mga hearing na papogi or baka in aid of election, in aid of destabilization." (PR)