Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Senate of the Philippines officially commemorated seven decades of deep diplomatic ties with Japan by unanimously adopting Resolution No. 55 on July 29, 2026. 

The resolution formally recognizes the robust 70-year partnership between the two nations since they first normalized diplomatic relations on July 23, 1956. 

Lawmakers lined up to praise Tokyo as a crucial ally in infrastructure, economic development, security, and disaster management.

Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri sponsored the resolution following an official visit to Japan, hailing the East Asian nation as one of the Philippines' most ardent supporters. 

Zubiri highlighted the immense contributions of the partnership to local trade and defense, expressing high hopes for the alliance moving forward. 

"I am confident that we can parlay this 70 years of friendship with this golden age of Philippines-Japan relations into a shared future of peace and prosperity," Senator Zubiri said.

Co-sponsors quickly echoed Zubiri's sentiments, emphasizing how Japan's steadfast assistance has driven the country’s economic recovery. 

Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito pointed out the durability of the alliance through global shifts. 

“The Philippines-Japan relations have stood the test of time and circumstance…As we embark on this new chapter of this strategic partnership, we celebrate not just our shared past, but the limitless potential of our future,” Senator Ejercito stated. 

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go likewise lauded the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for delivering vital aid to Mindanao, adding, 

"It is a relationship built on trust, strengthened by shared values, and sustained by our common aspiration for peace, stability, and inclusive development."

Other lawmakers underscored the peaceful and transformative nature of the bilateral relations. 

Senator Robinhood Padilla drew a contrast between the alliance and ongoing global tensions, noting, 

“Sa isang mundong patuloy na nahaharap sa hidwaan at hindi pagkakaunawaan, ang 70-taong pagkakaibigan ng Pilipinas at Japan ay nagpapaalala sa atin na may ibang landas na maaaring tahakin: Ang landas ng dayalogo, pagkakaisa, at kapayapaan.” 

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda detailed how Japanese support physically built Philippine progress through projects like the Metro Manila Subway, asserting that:

"Every railway completed, every community made safer, every opportunity created is a reminder that this partnership improves the everyday lives of our people."

Senate leadership closed the session by cementing the country's gratitude to its long-time ally. 

Senate President Win Gatchalian called Japan a "very important development partner," affirming that "Seventy years of friendship is indeed a milestone, and Japan has been a very important development partner of the Philippines." 

Senator Camille Villar concluded the chamber's tributes by highlighting Japan's massive role as a top source of development assistance across the archipelago, declaring, “Thank you for your friendship, your guidance, and your unwavering support in strengthening the ties between our two countries. Your service has left a lasting impact, and you will always have a home here in the Philippines.”

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PASAY CITY—The Senate fast-tracked critical economic relief measures on July 29, targeting high electricity bills and the struggles of local small businesses. 

During a packed plenary session, lawmakers advanced legislative proposals aimed at overhauling the national energy sector while simultaneously reinforcing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

This double-barreled economic push comes as a direct effort to ease the financial squeeze on ordinary citizens and stabilize the foundation of the country's commerce.

Championing the consumer front, Senator Erwin Tulfo called on his colleagues across both majority and minority blocs to dismantle long-standing energy policies that inflate utility bills. 

Tulfo actively pressed for measures that examine system loss charges, strip the 12% value-added tax (VAT) from residential power consumers, and abolish the outdated Energy Tax. 

He urged the chamber to build an energy sector that is transparent, competitive, and completely fair to the public.

“If we are serious about easing the burden on our people, then we must have the courage to revisit policies that have long been accepted but may no longer be fair,” Tulfo said during his privilege speech.

Complementing the energy push, Senator Bam Aquino anchored the chamber's focus on empowering MSMEs, which remarkably constitute 99% of all registered businesses in the country. 

Senators stressed that protecting these small enterprises is vital to navigating the ongoing economic crisis and securing long-term financial stability. 

Alongside these heavy economic debates, the Senate also wrapped up its internal business by electing new members to the minority bloc, successfully resuming the reorganization of its standing committees.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate Impeachment Court received a massive influx of critical financial data on July 30, as major banks and state tax collectors rushed to comply with subpoenas. 

The Office of the Clerk of Court confirmed that documentary submissions began pouring in early Thursday morning, targeting the financial history of Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband Atty. Manases Carpio, and 20 closely linked entities. 

By the noon deadline, powerhouse financial institutions and regulatory bodies had already delivered their compliance packages. 

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) handed over official tax records, flanked by comprehensive financial disclosures from four of the country's largest banking giants: BDO Unibank, PSBank, Metrobank, and Security Bank Corporation. 

Prosecutors are expected to immediately dissect these accounts to trace the flow of funds under investigation, looking for discrepancies that could anchor the impeachment articles.

As the court processes the bulk of bank statements and tax filings, the momentum of the trial hinges entirely on what these newly unsealed documents reveal.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Energy fast-tracked deliberations on Thursday to amend the 25-year-old Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), in response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address directive to lower power costs. 

Committee Chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo gathered government agencies, private utilities, and consumer groups to dissect aggressive proposals aimed at stripping both recoverable system losses and the value-added tax (VAT) directly from monthly electric bills. 

However, the panel faces a steep balancing act as they weigh the government's fiscal loss against industry warnings of a ₱60-billion hit from scrapping the system loss charges.

Pushing hard for immediate relief, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito championed Senate Bills 2342 and 2343 to force power companies to absorb operational inefficiencies rather than passing them to consumers. 

Citing Department of Energy projections that these cuts could slash household bills by 5% to 10%, Ejercito demanded institutional accountability. 

"Beyond cheaper electricity bills, the committee’s goal should be institutional reform, holding utility companies strictly accountable and driving them to improve operational efficiency. The responsibility for minimizing system losses should rest with the entities that own, operate, and manage the distribution system, not with ordinary Filipino families already struggling," Senator Ejercito said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros pulled no punches, declaring EPIRA a failure because the Philippines still suffers from the highest residential electricity rates in the ASEAN region. 

She warned that many households are regularly hit by severe "bill shock," forcing families to make agonizing choices between keeping the lights on or buying food, medicine, and school tuition. 

While she supports cutting the system loss charge, Hontiveros argued that the systemic problem requires looking at the much larger generation charge, which covers fuel and heavy industry costs.

To protect consumers from unfair pricing, Hontiveros demanded a rigorous, transparent auditing process before any hidden costs make it onto the public's statement of account. 

The generation charge remains the primary driver of the country's inflated electricity rates, making strict oversight vital to any long-term reform. 

“Kinikilala natin ang mga tunay at lehitimong gastos sa paglikha at paghahatid ng kuryente. Ngunit bago ito ipasok sa bill, dapat malinaw ang audit at batayan na iyon ang pinakamatarungang singil,” Senator Hontiveros stressed.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Health and Demography accelerated a sweeping dual health agenda on July 28, targeting both the country's severe malnutrition crisis and a critical shortage of regional medical access. 

Chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, the panel tackled legislative measures to establish a powerful National Nutrition Commission while simultaneously advancing plans to construct and upgrade hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

The twin initiatives aim to systematically bridge the gap in medical equity, ensuring that modern healthcare facilities and structured nutritional support reach the country’s most vulnerable populations.

During the hearing, Hontiveros aggressively pushed for structural reforms to replace the current fragmented system, where agencies frequently operate in silos and the existing National Nutrition Council lacks enforcement teeth. 

The proposed commission would provide centralized leadership and strict accountability, mandate the establishment of permanent nutrition offices in every province, city, and municipality, and secure continuous funding for grassroots programs. 

Lawmakers emphasized that moving away from ad-hoc initiatives toward an institutionalized, nationwide health framework is the only way to permanently dismantle generational malnutrition.

Highlighting the urgency of the reform, Hontiveros underscored that proper nutrition must be treated as a fundamental human right rather than a temporary handout.

“Ang wastong nutrisyon ay hindi kawang-gawa. Karapatan ito. At ang tunay na sukatan ng batas na ito ay hindi ang bagong pangalan ng ahensya o dami ng bagong posisyon. Ang sukatan ay kung mas kaunti ang batang nagugutom, mas malusog ang mga pamilya, mas naaabot ang mga komunidad, at mas suportado ang ating nutrition workers. Mula sa selebrasyon, tungo tayo sa seryosong pagpapatupad. Mula sa pangako, tungo tayo sa pananagutan,” Senator Hontiveros stated.

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