Trillanes Blogs

ANNUAL REPORT

I. MESSAGE

Inside a jail cell, you are not witness to the state of the country with your own eyes: the rising cost of living in unequal proportion with a failing economic order. You are unable to hear the sentiments of our people first-hand: pervasive cries for justice and accountability against perpetrators of political violence and corruption. You appear insulated from what others endure outside these walls: the disillusionment of a people in the government that blatantly betrays its own obligation to serve them.

But out of duty and desire, I refuse not to see, listen and feel. Transcending the challenge of circumstance, I answer to your collective call to action as duly elected Senator of this country.

I have sought legislation on the Special Poverty Alleviation Fund, the creation of the Mindanao Development Authority, a P125 daily across-the-board salary increase and the security of tenure of private sector employees, post-harvest facilities to rice farmers, the democratization of public school education, among other bills to protect and empower those who are forced further into society’s fringes.

I have filed resolutions on the investigation of the ‘Spratly Deal’ purportedly entered into by the Arroyo administration with China resulting in overpriced loans for anomalous transactions such as the ZTE-NBN deal, the North Rail and South Rail projects and the Department of Education’s Cyber-Ed project, the alleged involvement of ranking State officials in the Glorietta 2 bombing as well as in the ambush and mutilation by extremist groups of members of the Philippine Marine Corps and their criminal culpability, the status of peace agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front, the assassination of environmentalist and Romblon councilor Armin Marin, with other fiscal procedures in pursuit of social justice and peace.

I am as much an advocate as public official, joining the lone voices in the likes of Jun Lozada that rally against the Arroyo regime, reinforced with tangible measures that ensure the collective fight for our fragile democracy is won. These include bills on qualifying salvaging or extrajudicial killing as a heinous crime, the imposition of stiffer penalties against government employees engaged in unfair and unethical lobbying practices, as well as in the refusal and neglect of prompt action on the public’s personal transactions and communications, and a reward to informers in the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.

In addressing national issues of urgent interest, I have filed a bill on defining the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines.

In my conviction that our government must no longer make criminals out of good citizens, I have actively pushed for the protection of human rights, through proposed laws on uniform requirements and procedures for making arrests, and regulating the installation and maintenance of checkpoints.

There is no greater oppression than poverty. Adherence to this belief has led to my authorship of bills on repealing Republic Act 9337, otherwise known as the Expanded Value Added Tax law, and amending Presidential Decree 1177 or the Automatic Appropriations law, for the non-prioritization of debt servicing in budget allocation to augment the Internal Revenue Allotments of local government units.

For the immediate alleviation of those in dire economic straits, food distribution programs initiated in urban poor areas of Caloocan, Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, and Mandaluyong are ongoing and operational.

But there should neither be contentment nor congratulations in these modest gains. Only the unrelenting challenge to break free from whatever confines our own service and advocacy to a nation that badly needs us now more than ever.

II. INTRODUCTION

In 2004, more than 11 million Filipinos elected Antonio F. Trillanes—while incarcerated at the Marine Brig inside Fort Bonifacio and without traditional reliance on political machinery—to the Philippine Senate. More than one man’s vindication from the Arroyo administration’s prolonged censure of change, it embodied the entire nation’s enduring defiance against corruption and ill governance.

Senator Trillanes has reciprocated the people’s trust with steadfast service in legislation .. areas in economic recovery and social reform.

III. LIST OF BILLS

AGRICULTURE

SBN 2094. An Act to promote and develop the Philippine Mango Industry, creating for this purpose the Philippine Mango Industry Development Board, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes

SBN 2183. An Act to stabilize the sugar industry by establishing the Sugar Industry Research and Stabilization Fund and for other purposes

SBN 2085. An Act creating the Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulatory Board and for other purposes

SBN 2058. An Act providing post-harvest facilities to rice farmers

SBN 2038. An Act creating a Coffee Research, Development and Extension Center, authorizing the appropriation of funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 2037. An Act institutionalizing the young farmers program, providing funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 2211. An Act requiring coastal provinces, coastal cities and first class coastal municipalities to have a marine reserve for aquatic resources and fisheries officer to supervise the same and appropriating funds therefor

BANKING AND FINANCE

SBN 1593. An Act including government officials and employees in the exceptions from the prohibition against disclosure of or inquiry into deposits with any banking institution amending for this purpose certain provision of RA 1405 otherwise known as the “Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law”, and for other purposes

SBN 2123. An Act limiting the period of amortization of loans contracted by local government to the term of office of the local executives concerned, and for other purposes

CIVIL SERVICE

SBN 1792. An Act adopting an Omnibus Job Classification and Compensation Standardization System in the Civil Service, appropriating funds therefor, providing penal sanctions for violations thereof, and for other purposes

SBN 2266. An Act declaring the Special Shari’a Bar Examination as Civil Service Examination amending for the purpose RA 1080 entitled “An Act declaring the Bar and Board Examinations as Civil Examinations”

SBN 1944. An Act creating the Department of Maritime Affairs providing funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 1791. An Act enabling retirees who have not received pensions either by choice or operation of law to receive pensions at age seventy years or over, and providing funds therefor

SBN 1790. An Act providing that all contractual and casual employees in the government service be paid their corresponding wages during special public holidays, and appropriating funds therefor

SBN 1789. An Act granting retirement incentive and health care benefit to professional Filipino athletes who have won world titles or world championships and providing funds therefor

SBN 1718. An Act granting Civil Service Professional Eligibility to all permanent employees, who have rendered 15 straight years of services by the year 2008

SBN 1717. An Act to develop entrepreneurship among government employees for an innovation-inspired corps of civil servants and a productive post-service citizenry

SBN 1707. An Act requiring all government offices to ensure the release of the retirement benefits of its employees within fifteen days from retirement

SBN 1706. An Act granting Civil Service Eligibility under certain conditions to a government employee whose status of appointment is casual or contractual and who has rendered a total of ten (10) years of efficient service

SBN 1705. An Act providing automatic promotion of government officials and employees upon retirement from government service and for other purposes

SBN 1704. An Act reducing the age requirement for applicants taking the board examination for social workers, providing for the continuing social work education and upgrading the sundry provisions relative to the practice of social work

SBN 1703. An Act redefining the Third Level positions in the Career Civil Service

SBN 2139. An Act providing for the registration, licensure and practice of food technology in the Philippines, providing funds therefore and for other purposes

SBN 2136. An Act regulating the registration, licensure and practice of occupational therapy, providing funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 2255. An Act granting night shift differential pay to the government employees including those in Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations and appropriating funds therefor

SBN 2254. An Act providing for a ceiling on all public debts of the Republic of the Philippines and for other purposes

SBN 2253. An Act providing for stiffer penalties against public officials and employees who refuse or neglect to act promptly on the public’s personal transactions and communications as required under RA 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees

SBN 2234. An Act establishing the National Land Transportation Authority, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes

EDUCATION, PROFESSION AND CULTURE

SBN 2184. An Act providing penalties for schools, colleges and universities which refuse admission of qualified scholars of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office

SBN 2256. An Act creating plantilla position in the Department of Education for volunteer teachers with at least five years of continuous service in the public school system and appropriating funds therefor

SBN 2228. An Act establishing and providing for a free public pre-school education and for other purposes

SBN 2007. An Act recognizing National Scenic Byways in the Philippines thereby creating a national scenic byways program, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 1998. An Act providing for the democratization of public school education

SBN 1994. An Act to protect, conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations by exacting a performance fee from foreign performers and allocating the proceeds thereof to the National Commission on Culture and Arts, and for other purposes

SBN 1889. An Act providing for a Comprehensive Study-Now-Pay-Later Plan and appropriating funds therefore

SBN 132. An Act to strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University

SBN 759. An Act requiring Mandatory Computer Education in all public and private high schools and for other related purposes

SBN 756. An Act increasing the minimum salary grade of public school teachers from salary Grade 10 to 20 and providing funds therefor

ELECTORAL REFORM

SBN 2057. An Act prohibiting an elective public official from resigning from his elective office to accept an appointment to any government office and providing penalties therefor

ENERGY

SBN 2267. An Act establishing Solar Energy Development Authority and appropriating funds therefor
ENVIRONMENT

SBN 2229. An Act creating the National Environmental Protection Agency, defining its powers, functions and responsibilities, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 2209. An Act proposing the creation of the Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center (PBRC) to conserve, propagate and promote bamboo and rattan species

SBN 2088. An Act to strengthen the recycling program for all rechargeable batteries manufactured, sold and distributed in the Philippines, and for other purposes

SBN 1995. An Act increasing the penalty impose against polluters of navigable waters by amending Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 979 providing for the revision of Presidential Decree No. 600 governing marine pollution

SBN 2235. An Act regulating the practice of geology in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 4209, otherwise known as “Geology Profession Act of the Philippines” and for other purposes

FOREIGN RELATIONS

SBN 1467. An Act defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippine Archipelago, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 3046, as amended by Republic Act No. 5446

FISCAL REFORMS AND TAX MEASURES

SBN 2236. An Act providing for a cap on public debt to ensure long-term financial sustainability through fiscal discipline

SBN 1887. An act exempting savings deposits amounting to one hundred thousand pesos or less from withholding tax, amending Section 21 (c) (1) of the National Internal Revenue Code, thereby, and for other purposes

SBN 1448. An Act repealing Republic Act Numbered 9337, otherwise known as Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT)

SBN 1888. An Act consolidating the laws granting rewards to informers of violations of Internal Revenue and Customs Laws, repealing for this purpose Section 282 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, Section 3513 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and for other purposes

SBN 1591. An Act amending Section 31 of Presidential Decree No. 1177, allocating fifty percent (50%) of the funds “freed” as a result of the amendment to augment the Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) of Local Government Units, providing for the automatic release of the internal revenue allotments of Local Government Units and for other related purposes

HEALTH

SBN 2143. An Act providing for the practice of Rehabilitation Medicine and for other purposes

SBN 2142. An Act providing for the regulation and disposal of bio-medical wastes, declaring certain acts unlawful, prescribing penalties thereto, and for other purposes

SBN 1992. An Act providing that all citizens of the Philippines shall automatically be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program amending for the purpose the National Health Insurance Act of 1995

SBN 1992. An Act providing that all citizens of the Philippines shall automatically be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program amending for the purpose the National Health Insurance Act of 1995

SBN 1991. An Act authorizing government hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH) to retain and utilize all their income and interest derived from deposits, for maintenance and other operating expenses, capital outlays and for other purposes

SBN 1708. An Act institutionalizing the Philippine National Health Research System, establishing the Philippine National Health Research Fund providing for its administration and for other purposes

SBN 755. An Act prescribing special measures to lower the price of medicines and other related purposes

JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

SBN 2193. An Act qualifying salvaging or extrajudicial killing by any public officer, person in authority or agent of a person in authority as heinous crime, imposing the death penalty therefore and for other purposes

SBN 2124. An Act to provide uniform requirements and/or procedure for making arrest and for other purposes

SBN 1999. An Act amending Republic Act No. 6981 otherwise known as the “Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act” and for other purposes

SBN 760. An Act defining as a crime the act of driving any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or prohibited drugs and providing graduated penalties therefor

SBN 2237. An Act providing for a grant of reward to informers of violations of Republic Act No. 7080 and/or Republic Act No. 1379 and for other purposes

LABOR, EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

SBN 2210. An Act mandating the establishment of a facility for non-school age children in private companies employing at least one hundred women workers and for other purposes

SBN 2186. An Act rationalizing the security of tenure of employees in the private sector, strengthening their rights, prohibiting contracting-out of work, and for other purposes

SBN 2084. An Act providing for the transfer in the Philippines of Science and Technology-related professions by overseas Filipino professionals, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 753. An Act providing for a P125.00 daily across-the-board increase in the salary rates of employees and workers in the private sector and for other related purposes

SBN 2227. An Act strengthening the regulatory functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) amending for this purpose Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995″

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SBN 2192. An Act providing for a twenty-year barangay development program, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes

SBN 2138. An Act increasing the monthly emolument of barangay officials and for other purposes

SBN 2137. An Act granting retirement benefits to all elective or appointive barangay officials who have rendered a consecutive period of nine years or three terms of public service in the barangay, and appropriating funds therefor

SBN 2141. An Act authorizing the Local Sanggunians to declare special holidays in their respective localities to commemorate significant historic events and, to honor local heroes, providing guidelines therefor, and for other purposes

SBN 1993. An Act establishing the Local Management Information System
NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY

SBN 2134. An Act amending Section 25 (d) of P.D. 1638, otherwise known as the AFP Military and Separation Decree of 1979 and for other purposes

SBN 2133. An Act fixing the retirement age for the officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP and members of the PNP to sixty-five

SBN 2086. An Act establishing the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and providing funds therefor

SBN 1997. An Act regulating the installation and maintenance of checkpoints

SBN 1945. An Act amending Section 20 of Presidential Decree 1638, as amended by Presidential Decree 1650, otherwise known as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Retirement Law

SBN 1702. An Act amending sections one (1) and two (2) of Republic Act Numbered ninety-one eighty-eight (RA 9188), otherwise known as “An Act strengthening the professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines by increasing the percentage distribution be generals/flag officers in the AFP Table of Organizations”

SBN 1490. An Act providing for additional insurance coverage and benefits for all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are killed, wounded or injured in the line of duty, providing funds for the payment of the premiums and for other related purposes

SBN 1419. An Act transferring the Philippine Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation and Communications as a separate and distinct armed uniform commissioned service, further amending Republic Act No. 7153, as amended, and for other purposes

SBN 758. An Act prescribing fixed terms for the chief of staff and major service commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and for other purposes

SBN 754. An Act amending certain sections of the Republic Act No. 6948 otherwise known as “An Act standardizing and upgrading the benefits for military veterans and their dependents”
SBN 752. An Act requiring the concurrence of the Senate of the Philippines in any international agreement providing for the deployment abroad of Philippine military troops whether for peacekeeping missions or combat operations pursuant to Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution

SBN 751. An act increasing the combat duty pay of all officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from two hundred forty pesos (P240.00) per month to twenty-five per centum (25%) of their base pay and providing funds therefore
PUBLIC WELFARE AND SERVICES

SBN 2087. An Act providing for a Highway Safety Program in the Philippines, and for other purposes

SBN 2039. An Act promoting the physical, intellectual and social well-being of the Filipino youth through the establishment of a Comprehensive Youth Corps Program, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

SBN 2001. An Act prohibiting discrimination against persons on account of ethnic origin and/or religious belief

SBN 2265. An Act providing for the establishment of Drug Rehabilitation Center in every region of the country and appropriating funds therefore

SBN 2145. An Act to govern the introduction, promotion and development of the telecommunications-related converging technologies and services

SBN 2095. An Act strengthening the mandate on the Interconnection between and among Public Telecommunications entities, providing penalties for its violation and for other purposes

SBN 2004. An Act promulgating the uniform standards for bicycle helmets and promoting its use, providing funds therefor, and for other purposes

SBN 2059. An Act regulating harbor pilotage services and the conduct of harbor pilots in all ports in the Philippines and for other purposes

SBN 2000. An Act providing for the Modernization of Fire Protection and for other purposes

SBN 1996. An Act imposing stiffer penalties on pharmacies and drug stores which refuse to honor senior citizen card issued by the government

SBN 1425. An Act creating a Special Poverty Alleviation Fund to be used to finance school and community-based supplemental feeding programs and related poverty alleviation efforts using the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) approach in the poorest of the poor communities in the country and for other related purposes

SBN 1716. An Act renaming Circumferential Road 5 or C-5 (from SLEX to Commonwealth Avenue) in Metro Manila in honor of President Emilio Aguinaldo, the president and commander-in-chief of the First Philippine Republic to be known as President Emilio Aguinaldo Avenue

SBN 1402. An Act to promote donations in good faith of medicines, food products or supplies by establishments and other entities, including individuals, by exempting them from any form of liability arising therefrom

SBN 757. An Act amending Republic Act No. 53, as amended, otherwise known as “An Act to exempt the publisher, editor or reporter of any publication from revealing the source of published news of information obtained in confidence” by including within its coverage journalists from broadcast, news agencies and internet publications

SBN 2002. An Act to accelerate the development of all barangays by providing funds for micro enterprises and for other purposes

TRADE AND COMMERCE

SBN 2194. An Act defining the offenses of hoarding, price manipulation and profiteering, declaring the same to be tantamount to economic sabotage, and providing penalties therefor

SBN 2135. An Act penalizing false or fraudulent advertising and for other purposes

URBAN PLANNING

SBN 1656. An Act regulating the practice of Real Estate Service in the Philippines, creating for the purpose a Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes

You may view the original Annual Report flyer here:

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