Pimentel, Hontiveros File Resolution to Audit Philippine Debt

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Asserting that there is an urgent need to scrutinize the country’s debt, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution calling on the appropriate Senate committee to inquire, in aid of legislation, the foreign loans contracted by the country through the process of a Senate-led debt audit.

Proposed Senate Resolution no. 253 (please see attached) authored by Pimentel and Hontiveros urged the Senate to conduct a comprehensive debt audit to verify whether the loan agreements the Philippines has entered into are legitimate and to enact measures to ensure the prudent and proper use of foreign loans.

The senators said that it is the duty of the government to verify whether the country’s loan agreements entered into with different international financial institutions (IFIs) are in accordance with the principles on promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

“I am happy that we found an ally in no less than Senate President Pimentel in the crucial first step to free the nation’ s coffers from illegitimate debts and/or loan agreements riddled with questionable processes, contractual obligations, purposes and use,” Hontiveros said.

Vitaly Bigdash to Defend One Middleweigth World Championship Against Marcin Prachnio

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The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), is set to electrify the Jakarta Convention Center once again on Saturday, 14 January for its first event in 2017 dubbed ONE: QUEST FOR POWER. Headlining the spectacular fight card is ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash as he defends his title against Polish fighter Marcin Prachnio.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “2017 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for ONE Championship. We have an exciting lineup of world-class events all across iconic cities in Asia, and we are thrilled to kick things off in Jakarta. Get ready for the biggest year in MMA history!

“ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash, one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion, is set to make his highly-anticipated return to the ONE Championship cage against worthy challenger Marcin Prachnio. The last time Vitaly was in the cage, he took the title from former champion Igor Svirid by force, rallying from a series knockdowns to score an epic come-from-behind victory. Will he be able to handle Prachnio’s blunt power? This is a fight the fans will not want to miss!”

ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash of Rostov-on-Don, Russia will be making the first defense of his title since winning the belt back in October of 2015. With a resounding technical knockout victory over former champion Igor Svirid, Bigdash displayed true grit and determination in one of the most action-packed fights in ONE Championship history. Bigdash showcased tremendous heart and resolve, overcoming a devastating attack by Svirid to score the upset. Now, he takes on his first challenger as champion in Marcin Prachnio.

Anti-Discrimination Bill Reaches Senate Plenary

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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated her call for the passage of a law that will protect members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT community in the country, citing numerous cases of hate crimes and discriminatory practices. 

In a historic first, Hontiveros on Wednesday sponsored Senate Bill No. 935 otherwise known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB). It is said to be the first LGBT bill in the Philippines to reach the senate plenary. Hontiveros said that “deep-seated hate and prejudice” perpetuate violence against the LGBTs. 

"Since 1996, 164 crimes against LGBTs have been recorded, but the numbers may be higher since the country lacks a clear policy on determining what classifies as a hate crime. The murders of 29 transgender people have been documented in the Philippines since, the highest in Southeast Asia and the second highest in Asia. In October 2014, the high-profile case of transwoman Jennifer Laude was cited by LGBT groups as an effect of systemic discrimination," Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros, who also serves as Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, lamented how the Philippines is lagging behind in securing LGBT rights and welfare. 

"Globally, fundamental victories were accomplished in terms of securing LGBT rights and welfare, more notably an adoption or strengthening of their respective anti-discrimination laws. However, the same thing can't be said for the Philippines. For the last 17 years, Congress has failed to pass the ADB. The LGBT community cannot wait any longer," Hontiveros said. 

Hontiveros' Anti-Discrimination Bill seeks to mandate the creation of social protection and diversity programs that will protect LGBTIQs rights and promote equality. It will ensure that discrimination, stigma, and hate would not hinder anyone from access to education, healthcare, employment, and other fundamental rights. 

The said bill also vows to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It lists and defines discriminatory acts that are to be proscribed and penalized. 

“Ang labang ito ay para sa mga tulad ni Jennifer Laude na biktima ng karahasan dulot ng isang marahas na kultura. It's time we end hate and prejudice. Discrimination escalates into violence. We need to put an end to this," Hontiveros concluded.