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Dateline Iloilo, 3rd flr. Street anne bldg. Luna St. , La Paz, Iloilo City (2026)

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3rd Flr. Street Anne Bldg. Luna St. , La Paz

17/06/2026

Watch: CHIZ ENTERS: The Quorum That Broke the Senate Deadlock

15/06/2026

CHIZ PREFERS NON-TAX REVENUE OPTIONS OVER NEW TAXES TO BOOST GOV’T. COFFERS

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has maintained that the national government should consider non‑tax revenue options, including the bidding out of exploration and production agreements over the country’s indigenous coal resources.

The veteran legislator made the statement as economic managers continue to study ways to strengthen revenue generation to sustain social protection programs, energy transition efforts, and long‑term fiscal stability. He said this approach on indigenous resources could help generate additional funds while supporting ongoing fiscal and development priorities.

To date, several tax proposals remain under review as part of the government’s broader fiscal strategy. Among the measures being examined are adjustments to excise taxes on sweetened beverages and certain food products, the Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax (MVRUT), and the proposed excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs).

Escudero has consistently maintained that new taxes should be a last resort, emphasizing the importance of efficient revenue collection and the full utilization of existing non‑tax opportunities.

The senator noted that the Philippines has long‑identified coal‑bearing areas in Cagayan, Isabela, and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani, which can be offered to the private sector through transparent and competitive bidding, since these areas remain underdeveloped despite their potential to contribute to national revenues.

“In lieu of new taxes, the government should maximize the resources it already owns,” Escudero said. “Bidding out exploration and sharing agreements over our indigenous coal reserves is a practical way to raise revenues without imposing additional burdens on the public.”

He explained that properly structured agreements can provide substantial upfront payments and steady annual income for the government through work program commitments and the state’s share from future production.

Escudero said his own economic estimates show the scale of the opportunity. “If done correctly and competitively, these agreements can yield up to one trillion pesos upfront, and around seventy to one hundred billion pesos every year in non‑tax revenues,” he pointed out.

The Bicolano senator added that tapping indigenous energy resources can complement the country’s long‑term energy and development goals.

He expressed hopes the government will continue to explore non‑tax options alongside existing revenue measures to help support national priorities while being mindful of the public’s capacity to absorb new taxes.

13/06/2026

Risa Na!

13/06/2026

Nagatipon ang mga Ilonggo subong sa La Paz Public Plaza para sa Launching sang
Risa Na for Iloilo!

03/06/2026

STATEMENT OF SENATOR FRANCIS ‘CHIZ’G. ESCUDERO
JUNE 03, 2026

The current impasse in the Senate is untenable and unacceptable.

When political divisions become too extreme and obstruct our mandate, we must all have the courage to pause, gain perspective, reflect, consider and realize that we should put the Senate, as the institution that we serve, above ourselves.

This is not a political contest. I am not taking sides. I am taking a stand for the Senate. My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance. This is not about loyalty, betrayal, or choosing one group over the other—this is about duty.

Hindi ito usaping pampulitika. Wala akong sinasamahan o iniiwanang grupo, pangkat o paksyon. Hindi ko sinasabi na may mali o tama o may nagkulang o nagmalabis kaninuman. Ngunit hindi pwedeng manatili tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ang naaapektuhan na ay ang mismong kakayahan ng Senado na gampanan ang kaniyang tungkulin sa bayan.

Ito ang rason at dahilan ng aking pasya ngayong araw na ito. Hinihiling ko ang inyong pag-unawa sa amin, kasabay ng inyong panalangin para sa inyong Senado na malampasan ang hamon na ito at patuloy na magampanan namin ang aming tungkulin sa inyo at sa sambayanan.

SENATE BACK TO WORK FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

We express our deep appreciation and commend the courageous decision of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to take the floor today and confront the issues facing the institution. His action sent a clear message: that his commitment to the country, to the Senate, and to the Constitution would prevail above all else.

His presence enabled the Senate to proceed with the discussion of matters that are too important to be left unresolved and too consequential to be set aside.

On the issue of quorum, this is not an uncharted matter. The Supreme Court, in Avelino v. Cuenco, recognized the principle that a quorum of 12 is determined based on the number of members who are legally able to discharge the functions of the Senate.

There is likewise an institutional precedent. In 2015, the Senate recognized a quorum of 12 senators who were within its jurisdiction. The Senate continued to perform its constitutional duties because the work of government could not be placed on hold.

At a time when the nation faces pressing challenges, the Filipino people expect their Senate to work, deliberate, and fulfill its constitutional mandate. The institution cannot remain stalled by disagreements or uncertainty. Our duty is clear: to legislate, provide oversight, and serve the public interest.

The Filipino people deserve a Senate that shows up, does its job, and places public service above politics.

It is time for the Senate to move forward and get back to work for the Filipino people.

07/05/2026

CHIZ TELLS FARMERS: CROP INSURANCE VITAL SAFEGUARD AGAINST THREATS OF EL NIÑO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has encouraged farmers to enroll in insurance programs offered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), stressing that coverage is a vital safeguard against the threat of El Niño to cut yields and raise production costs.

“Insurance is one of the most practical shields our farmers can rely on in times of drought and crisis. I urge them to enroll so they can access protection and support when losses occur,” Escudero said.

The senator made the call following PCIC’s announcement that it has set aside P150 million in drought insurance for Western Visayas, with P100 million earmarked for rice and corn farmers and P50 million for high‑value crops and coconut growers.

Escudero linked the insurance push to his earlier proposal to tap the P30‑billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), created under Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, for long‑term interventions. He pointed to the P15‑billion allocation for “Other Priority Programs” that could be redirected to irrigation, credit, and productivity projects.

There are also other funds under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) this year that the government can tap to mitigate the effects of El Niño, including the P730.9 million allocation for small‑scale irrigation projects. The fund is intended for the construction, restoration, improvement, or installation of irrigation systems in accordance with the master plan approved by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“This allocation can be tapped to help farmers strengthen their resilience to El Niño. Short‑term aid is important, but we also need structural programs that strengthen production and give farmers the capacity to withstand drought and rising fuel prices,” he said.

“Ang mahalaga ay matulungan silang makabangon at makapagpatuloy sa produksyon, upang manatiling matatag ang ating suplay ng pagkain kahit sa gitna ng krisis,” he added.

As the nation continues to reel from the rising fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, agriculture authorities continue to warn of a moderate to strong El Nino later this year, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raising the likelihood of development to 79 percent by June.

01/05/2026

Cayetano pushes full-picture approach in Blue Ribbon flood control probe

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday questioned the attention being given to the partial report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control probe, stressing that the inquiry should remain focused on establishing the full truth rather than a single portion of the findings.

“Sa tingin ko, we’re making a mountain out of a molehill doon sa partial [report]. May opportunity tayo na ayusin ang ugat, hindi lang one-time, big-time,” Cayetano said in a media interview on April 28 during an ocular inspection of infrastructure projects in the City of Taguig under the partnership of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the city government.

Cayetano made the statement after a draft or partial committee report on the flood control probe, circulated among senators in February by committee chair Panfilo Lacson, remains unsigned and incomplete as the investigation continues.

Cayetano said the current discussion risks narrowing the scope of the investigation, with several aspects remaining unresolved.

“Ito lang ang tanong ko: why so much fuss about the partial [report] when we have the opportunity to have the whole and bigger picture?” he added.

He noted that some senators have already reviewed the report but are not in agreement with certain portions, underscoring the need for continued deliberation.

“In fact, marami sa amin ang nakabasa na and we don’t agree with the report. Hindi sa ayaw naming pumirma, we [just] have a lot of disagreements there… That’s the beauty of having 24 senators – everyone can question,” he said.

Cayetano emphasized that the Blue Ribbon inquiry is still ongoing, with more stages expected as additional testimonies and evidence are examined.

“Ako personally, hindi pa tapos. Iniimbestigahan mo pa lang, marami pang yugto, marami pang nabubuksan,” he said.

The Minority Leader also raised concern over how the issue is being framed, noting that early narratives may not reflect the full complexity of the investigation.

“Ang unang naging problema is we didn’t start with the truth. ‘Di ba, from the start, sinasabi natin na hindi lahat ‘yan ghost [projects, pero] pinalabas na lahat ghost para mas maraming magalit. Ngayon, ina-admit nila na hindi naman pala lahat ghost,” he said.

Cayetano said conflicting accounts and shifting statements further highlight the need for a thorough and complete process, warning that focusing on limited findings may lead to incomplete conclusions.

He further stressed that the objective of the inquiry is to establish the full picture of the issue, not just isolated portions of the report.

“Systemic y’ung corruption. Hindi ito isolated,” he said

30/04/2026

CHIZ: TAP P30-B RCEF FUNDS TO SHIELD FARMERS FROM EL NIÑO, RISING FUEL COSTS

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the government to tap the P30-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), created under Republic Act No. 11203, to finance interventions that go beyond short‑term cash aid to shield farmers from El Niño and rising global fuel costs.

Escudero pointed to the P15 billion allocation for “Other Priority Programs, Activities and Projects” under RCEF, or the Rice Tariffication Law, that could be redirected to interventions that “most effectively promote farmers’ productivity, supply resiliency, and address food security emergency situations on rice due to supply shortage or extraordinary increase in prices.”

“Isa pang pwede na makakatulong sa ating mga magsasaka ay yung portion ng P30 billion mula sa rice competitiveness enhancement program, specifically the P15 billion for other priority programs,” Escudero said, noting that this fund can be mobilized for expanded financial assistance, rice credit, and irrigation projects.

The veteran legislator emphasized that government interventions in this time of compounded crisis, marked by El Niño’s looming dry spell and global fuel shocks from Middle East tensions, must be forward looking.

“Makakatulong ang short-term and immediate ayuda subalit kailangan rin natin ng mga pangmatagalang programang magpapatibay sa produksyon at magbibigay ng kakayahan sa ating mga magsasaka na harapin ang tagtuyot at mataas na presyo ng langis,” he added.

Escudero’s shared his suggestion as the Department of Agriculture (DA) started rolling out the P10 billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program, which provides P2,325 each to more than 4.17 million farmers and fisherfolk nationwide.

The DA has described the cash aid as a lifeline against soaring fuel costs, with initial payouts already underway in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Bicolano senator added that the goal is to strengthen farmers’ resilience. “Ang mahalaga ay matulungan silang makabangon at makapagpatuloy sa produksyon, upang manatiling matatag ang ating suplay ng pagkain kahit sa gitna ng krisis.”

Agriculture officials have acknowledged that the assistance is modest and primarily designed as short‑term relief. They are also bracing for a moderate to strong El Niño later this year, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Agency raising the likelihood of development to 79 percent by June.

The weather phenomenon is expected to bring prolonged dry conditions, strain irrigation systems, and cut farm output, particularly rice and corn.

28/04/2026

CHIZ CALLS INCREASE IN ILOILO’S READING LITERACY RATE A NATIONAL MODEL FOR REFORM

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero lauded Iloilo for raising its reading literacy rate to 90 percent from 28 percent in just one year, calling the province a national model for literacy reform.

“With what they have achieved, Iloilo demonstrated what coordinated local leadership can deliver when learning outcomes are treated as a collective priority,” Escudero said.

Escudero noted that the dramatic turnaround, which was highlighted by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, came at a crucial moment following the latest Education Commission (EdCom II) report that flagged persistent gaps in foundational skills nationwide.

He said Iloilo’s performance is a “welcome and encouraging development” amid the broader push to strengthen basic education.

The senator cited the province’s approach that combined sustained teacher training, regular assessments, community participation, and partnerships with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Synergeia Foundation, offers a replicable framework for local government units (LGUs) seeking to improve reading proficiency.

Escudero emphasized that literacy reform “cannot rely on classroom instruction alone,” pointing to Iloilo’s use of parent‑volunteers, collaboration among LGUs, local accountability, and data‑driven monitoring.

He said the province’s model shows how communities can accelerate learning recovery when they work in unison.

“As an advocate for education, naniniwala akong dapat suportahan at palawakin ang ganitong mga inisyatiba,” added Escudero, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, where he pushed for measures improving access and quality in the sector.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. earlier said the gains were driven by the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES) Basa program, a localized version of Synergeia’s Proof of Concept model. The province has since expanded the program in partnership with municipal mayors and the DepEd.

22/04/2026

Good life indeed at Styles Residences

Dateline Iloilo

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