Rappler's latest stories on Joel Villanueva
Villanueva: POGOs not paying taxes but still allowed to operate
'Hangga't hindi nagmamatigas ang gobyerno na dapat silang magbayad ng buwis, I don't think magbabayad sila ng buwis,' says Senator Joel Villanueva
Reopen POGOs? 'High risk,' warns Senator Villanueva
'Most of them also don't pay taxes,' says Senator Joel Villaneuva
Tito Sotto 'defends' Vico: 'Violation of Bayanihan law can't be retroactive'
'We have an urgent task at hand, and distractions such as this doesn’t help,' says Senator Joel Villanueva
Money laundering threat: Villanueva recommends suspending POGOs
Conflicting employment figures, unpaid taxes, and rising crimes lead Senate labor committee chair Joel Villanueva to recommend suspending online gambling in the Philippines
Villanueva wants GMRC as part of K to 12 curriculum
Senator Joel Villanueva wants immersions, outreach programs, and community service activities to be part of the GMRC classes
Villanueva says POGOs are 'fertile ground for illicit transactions'
'We maintain that the sector does very little to benefit the country,' says the senator
Villanueva feels 'misled, used' after Duterte veto of anti-endo bill
Despite the disappointment, Senator Joel Villanueva says other senators were not comfortable with the plan to override the President's veto
Divorce bill? Villanueva says 'over my dead body'
(UPDATED) While Senator Joel Villanueva opposes divorce, he supports 'equal access' to annulment. Divorce advocates say an annulment's scope is limited.
Villanueva says POGOs only 'kill' the local economy
Senator Joel Villanueva says Filipino interests are only at a disadvantage with the growing Philippine online gambling operations industry in the country
Villanueva refiles anti-endo bill days after veto
'Babalik tayo sa Grade 1,' says Senator Joel Villanueva as he refiles the Security of Tenure bill that was previously certified 'urgent' by Malacañang
Villanueva asks NEDA if it's setting up endo bill for Duterte's veto
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia says the Security of Tenure bill, which is now up for the President's signature, still needs some tweaking to benefit both workers and employers
Gov’t income and jobs for Filipinos ‘lost’ to Chinese workers – Villanueva
Senator Joel Villanueva reprimands Pagcor: ‘Wala kayong masyadong ginagawa to regulate and vet these foreign nationals working here’
Senators want crackdown vs illegal Chinese workers
Senators Joel Villanueva and Grace Poe say government agencies are not doing enough to prevent foreigners from illegally working in the Philippines
Senate approves bill lifting rice import limits
If the rice tariffication bill is passed into law, a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund would be created to protect the rice industry from sudden or extreme price fluctuations
Senate puts 2019 budget hearings on hold
This is amid the clash over the proposed cash-based budgeting system between the House of Representatives and the Department of Budget and Management
Senators question 'core functions' of PLDT, NutriAsia amid labor dispute
Workers hired by contractors of NutriAsia and PLDT argue that they perform functions that are 'core' to the company
Senate probe sought into NutriAsia, PLDT labor violations
'We need to investigate because these cases highlight the weaknesses of our current regulatory framework,' says Senate labor committee chair Joel Villanueva
Heart Evangelista, Iza Calzado, Divine Lee rally support for SOGIE bill
Celebrities call on Senate President Tito Sotto and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva to support a bill that would make discrimination based on gender identity or expression illegal
'Nothing is impossible': Senators congratulate colleague Pacquiao
Senator Manny Pacquiao is hailed as the nation's 'pride and joy' as he emerges victorious in the ring against Argentine fighter Lucas Matthysse
Bicam OKs freedom of religion in proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law
'We need to be mindful of the fact that people are harassed or subjected to violence because of their choice of beliefs in certain areas of the country,' says Senator Joel Villanueva, proponent of the clause promoting religious freedom in the region
Senators stand by Gilas Pilipinas amid brawl with Australia
Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Joseph Victor Ejercito, and Joel Villanueva say Gilas Pilipinas could not be entirely blamed for the brawl with Australia
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
On Eid'l Fitr, senators hope BBL will become law
The lawmakers believe the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is pending at the bicameral conference committee level in Congress, will bring peace in Mindanao
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With China in West PH Sea, lawmakers say Independence Day 'devoid of spirit'
(3rd UPDATE) Opposition lawmakers say the country is not truly given the government's failure to assert the country's rights against China in the West Philippine Sea
'Senate must pick up fight vs contractualization' – Hontiveros
(UPDATED) Vice President Leni Robredo meanwhile calls on workers and employers to find a middle ground on the issue of contractualization
Villanueva urges DENR to declare Boracay as 'critical' area
(2nd UPDATE) A business establishment in an environmentally-critical area is required to apply for an environmental compliance certificate before operating
Senate to probe death of OFW in Kuwait
The hearing is set February 21 says Senate labor committee chair Joel Villanueva
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What's contingency plan if PH stops deploying OFWs to Kuwait? – Villanueva
But International watchdog Human Rights Watch says that instead of a ban, the Philippines should demand 'stronger protections' for overseas Filipino workers
Joel Villanueva 'offended' over shallow criteria for UST alumni award
(UPDATED) The senator refuses to comment when asked if he thinks fellow awardee Mocha Uson embodies Thomasian values, including veritas or truth
Duterte calls on Filipinos to emulate Rizal’s patriotism
'Even in death, he imparted upon us his aspirations for a nation that is free from the scourge of injustice, tyranny and suffering,' says President Rodrigo Duterte on the 121st death anniversary of national hero Dr Jose Rizal
Davao mall fire, rules for public servants, Putin’s reelection bid | Midday wRap
Watch Rappler’s midday newscast with Mara Cepeda
Gov't urged to prioritize safer workplace bill
'By neglecting to comply with occupational safety and health standards, we run the risk of losing so many precious lives as proven by the recent fire tragedy in Davao,' says Senator Joel Villanueva in pushing for the passage of the measure
Senators slam sudden insertion on coal taxes after bicam deal
There are two different versions of the bicameral conference committee report being circulated to lawmakers, says Senator Villanueva
Bill on job-skills mismatch hurdles final reading in Senate
Senate Bill 1456 or the proposed Philippine Qualifications Framework Act aims to bring together labor market and education stakeholders to craft an integrated system that prevents job-skills mismatch
Senate approves bill requiring 100% service charge be given to employees
The measure, however, does not mandate the collection of service charge to 'avoid interference' with the management's right to exercise discretion in their operations
Senate bill seeks to help Filipino seafarers returning from abroad
The proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers includes the establishment of a reintegration center that would develop livelihood programs, among others
From P10 to P300: Senate OKs nearly 3,000% increase in coal tax
From the current tax of P10 per metric ton of coal, the Senate seeks to implement gradual increases over a 3-year period, ultimately reaching P300
Senators slam Solano for 'lying, covering up' death of Atio Castillo
'Ngayon naman ay hindi na ang Senado ang ginagago ni John Paul Solano kundi ginagago niya na ang buong Pilipinas,' says Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Solano's claim that Atio Castillo died due to a pre-existing heart condition
DOLE wants stiffer penalties vs contractualization
Under the proposed measure against contractualization, employers who violate the rules on labor-only contracting are only required to regularize their workers
Senate panel OKs P60-B agriculture budget
'We'll have to make do with whatever was given to us,' says Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol
Uber suspension, Trump, Swift | Midday wRap
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Public to 'suffer' from 'cruel' suspension of Uber – senators
UPDATED It does not solve the problem but further exacerbates the problem of having an utter lack of safe reliable and convenient transportation options for our people says Senator Grace Poe
Senate approves ILO treaty on government workers' protection
This makes the Philippines the first Asian country to ratify the Convention which guarantees public workers rights to organize and negotiate employment terms
Marcos, Roxas, Andanar | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon
Senators admit links to 'middleman' in P6.4-B shabu shipment
UPDATED Alleged middleman Kenneth Dong was a campaign donor of Villanueva while Recto Hontiveros Zubiri and Pangilinan were his wedding sponsors
Lawmakers scramble to resolve Uber, Grab dilemma
At least 3 bills are filed in the House of Representatives and the Senate seeking to make ride hailing services as an alternative public transport mode
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