Rappler's latest stories on ralph recto
Senator Recto: ABS-CBN does not deserve death penalty
'A noisy press, all the more the sound from outlets which does not please our ears, is the soundtrack of democracy,' says Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Recto: Compensation for virus-hit health workers should be tax-free
'The taxman should not have a share of the state’s monetary thank you to these heroes,' says Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Recto: If ABS-CBN had violations, impose penalties but not 'death penalty'
Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba says ABS-CBN has no standing penalties with the commission
'Paghihiganti?' Senators slam TWG for ending motorcycle taxi pilot run
The Senate committee on public services finds no compelling reason why the TWG had to terminate the motorcycle taxi pilot run
Senate OKs bill extending validity of 2019 budget
Now approved by both houses of Congress, the proposal to allow the government to continue spending from 2019’s delayed budget just needs the President’s signature
DND to reconsider AFP deal with China-backed telco after Senate review
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says they will 'think thrice, even 4 times,' after senators raised serious security concerns over Dito Telecommunity's plan to build cell sites within military properties
Recto says unprogrammed funds in 2020 budget lack details
'My point is that these particulars should be openly declared in the NEP, and not swept under innocuously-worded headings,' says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
Over 10,000 health workers could lose jobs due to DOH budget cut – Recto
This concern comes as the Department of Health gears up for the implementation of the Universal Health Care law in 2020
Recto proposes new job ranks with higher pay for teachers
Senator Ralph Recto is proposing the creation of four additional salary grades for teachers
Recto urges DOH to boost immunization drive, 'triage' its budget
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto says 'at least 4 items' in the DOH’s proposed 2020 budget could be used to increase the national immunization drive turnout
Recto wants Senate probe on fake medicines
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto says the government should 'unmask' which counterfeit pharmaceutical products have entered the Philippine market
Recto to DepEd: Fix textbook procurement, delivery
Senator Ralph Recto also cites a Commission on Audit report that said DepEd spent P254 million for contracts to produce textbooks which were found to be erroneous
Recto to DOH: Transfer funds from 'slow-moving' projects to anti-dengue front
Senators call on the government to use all available resources to combat the dengue problem following the declaration of a national dengue epidemic
Recto wants 'lifetime validity' for birth certificates
Under the bill filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, a birth certificate certified and issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority 'shall not expire and shall be considered valid at any time'
Recto files bill to write off farmers' debts from CARP
Recto says the amount of farmers debt is 'small compared to the hundreds of billions in private sector loans it had written off over the past 40 years'
Recto: All Chinese workers in PH must pay taxes
'That's the right approach. Before you badger Congress to levy new taxes or raise rates, kindly plug the leaks first,' says Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Recto endorses Aquino and Diokno for the Senate
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto says of Senator Bam Aquino and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, 'I want to work with both of them in the Senate'
In Lipa City, Poe says Batangas feels like 'home'
Reelectionist Senator Grace Poe says Batangas 6th district Representative Vilma Santos Recto has always been her 'partner'
Recto endorses Roxas, reelectionist bets in 2019 Senate race
Senators Cynthia Villar and Juan Edgardo Angara also attend the Bangon Lipa rally
Recto: Investigate sand extraction attempts in PH
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto says the government should review its policies on sand and gravel quarrying
Recto to DOTr: Why not issue an order allowing Angkas to operate?
Transportation Undersecretary Mark de Leon says the position of the government is that 'the law needs to be amended'
With Mislatel's China links, senators wary of foreign ownership reforms
Senator Grace Poe says some of her colleagues are taking a step back from amending the Public Service Act due to concerns over China's interests in the Philippines
Recto seeks Senate probe into DILG's China-funded CCTV project
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto says there is 'mounting concern' that China may be using Huawei as a 'proxy' in intelligence operations
Senators sound alarm over China-funded DILG surveillance project
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto cites security risks in the 12,000-camera Safe Philippines Project of the DILG in partnership with a China Telecom affiliate and Huawei
'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
Rectos leave Liberal Party, join Nacionalista Party
The newly formed local party One Batangas also seals an alliance with the Nacionalista Party of the Villars
Senate 'militarization'? Senators hit AFP, PNP presence in compound
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto asks why the armed personnel are in the Senate compound when no warrant of arrest has been issued against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
Recto to DOTr: Why so slow with airport projects?
'May opportunity costs 'to. Kung sa EDSA, you lose P3 billion [daily]; sa himpapawid, magkano kaya?' says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
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'
Recto defends Duterte economic team on federalism
'Before we communicate what federalism is, can we not first calculate what its cost will be?' says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
Tension grips Lipa city hall due to Mayor’s suspension order
(UPDATED) Mayor Meynard Sabili is meted with a year's suspension without pay on June 27, but maintains he has filed a motion for review and is waiting for a temporary restraining order. Meanwhile, the opposition calls for the vice mayor to take Sabili's place.
Senators raise hell over Mocha's 'vulgar, desperate' federalism video
(3rd UPDATE) Federalism is already dead even without Mocha Uson, says Senator Ping Lacson. 'With Mocha Uson, the ashes should be thrown far away.'
'Ugly, embarrassing' debacle proves House can't amend Constitution
'What happened yesterday is a strong argument against a parliamentary form of government where patronage politics plays a major, if not the only, role in selecting our country’s top leader,' says Senator Panfilo Lacson
Reactions to ‘stupid God,’ Jun Abaya, Game of Thrones wedding | Evening wRap
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'One evil man': Senators hit Duterte over 'stupid God' remark
(UPDATED) 'May God bless his heart,' says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
Senators urge gov't to suspend excise taxes on fuel
'Nalulunod na ang mga Pilipino sa taas ng presyo. Aantayin pa ba nila ang 2019? Hindi pa ba aaksyon ang pamahalaan?' asks Senator Paolo Benigno 'Bam' Aquino IV
Landmark coco levy trust fund bill hurdles Congress
Senate Bill 1233 places the management of the fund under a reconstituted Philippine Coconut Authority – the agency that was responsible for the misuse of the funds in the 1970s
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
Recto hit for 'excluding' coconut farmers from coco levy bill
'Pera na nga namin, maglo-lobby pa kami? Pera na nga namin, makikiusap pa kami?' says Ed Mora, lead convenor of the Kilusang Magniniyog, on the need for congressional approval before use of coco levy funds
No farmers' say in coco levy funds? Pangilinan, Recto clash
Senators are set to vote on the issue, as Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto wants the government to be the sole manager of the coco levy funds, while Senator Francis Pangilinan wants farmers who paid the taxes to have a role
Lorenzana, Mercado support call to pay extra for preferred frigate system
It would cost an additional $14 million to install the Combat Management System of Tacticos Thales in the two warships the Philippines is acquiring
Recto urges DOH to use P634-M ad budget to counter vaccine fake news
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto urges the Department of Health to use its budget to fight 'fake news' about vaccination caused by the Dengvaxia controversy
P283-B increase in local gov't funds possible without Cha-Cha – Recto
Raising the internal revenue allotment of local governments can be done through ordinary legislation, says Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto
Drilon counters Alvarez: Con-Ass dead without Senate
'Walang patutunguhan iyan kundi sementeryo,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Senate, House begin 'difficult' task of finalizing tax reform bill
Congress has only 6 session days left to approve the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), which is eyed for implementation on January 1, 2018
Senators exchange green jokes during debate on cosmetic surgery tax
'Mr President, Senator [Richard] Gordon wants the exclusion of certain procedures which are related to his name,' Senator Juan Edgardo Angara says in jest, referring to Gordon's nickname
After heated debate, senators approve 10% tax on cosmetic surgeries
'I cannot accept this, that we will not impose tax, especially when we read about some extravagant wedding abroad,' says Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon during the debate, apparently referring to the lavish wedding of Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho
Senate wants no VAT for P15,000 and below housing rent
This is in contrast to the version of the House of Representatives, which scrapped the P10,000 VAT exemption for housing rent
Senate OKs P250K annual income tax exemption
The Senate follows the version of the Department of Finance and House of Representatives
Sotto: Nueva Ecija facility can be used as mega drug enforcement academy
Senator Vicente Sotto III says the 10,000-bed mega treatment and rehabilitation center can be made as an extension of the present PDEA academy
