Senate Passes Expanded Maternity Leave Law, House Urged to Do the Same

Wazzup Pilipinas!

On Monday, in a vote of 22-0, the Senate passed on third and final reading a bill granting working women 120 days maternity leave and 150 days for solo mothers.

Senate Bill 1305 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, authored by Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros, seeks to revise Republic Act (RA) 1161 or the Social Security Act of 1997, which currently grants only a 60-day (for normal childbirth) to 78-day (for caesarean) maternity leave for women workers.

Hontiveros, who is the Chairperson of the Committee on Women, said that the last time the number of maternity leave was increased was 25 years ago or in 1992.

"Amid the current climate of misogyny and sexism, the passage of this important measure in the Senate is a clear triumph of women over antiquated thinking and policies," Hontiveros remarked.

"I would like thank Senators Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda, Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, Francis Pangilinan, Manny Pacquiao, and Antonio Trillanes IV for helping me pass this landmark measure," Hontiveros said.

The Senator however said that the fight is far from over as the measure's counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has yet to be passed. DIWA Partylist Representative and House Women Committee Chair Emmeline Aglipay-Villar is leading the campaign for the passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave in Congress.

Prioritize expanded maternity leave bill, not death penalty

Hontiveros appealed to her congressional colleagues to reciprocate the action of the Senate. She said that the House leadership should prioritize the passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave bill rather than measures that seek to restore the death penalty.

"What the people need are policies that will radically improve their quality of life not laws that will bring death. What the people demand are adequate protections and safeguards that will lead to welfare enhancing outcomes at par with international standards," Hontiveros said.

SAP Showcases New Technology for Connected Vehicles with Concur, Hertz, Nokia and Mojio

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SAP SE demonstrated new technology to make life easier for drivers and rental car users through Internet of Things (IoT) collaboration with Concur Technologies, Hertz and Nokia. A part of the SAP® Leonardo portfolio, the SAP Vehicles Network solution creates an intelligent, automated experience — from car rental to parking and fueling location and payment, to integrated navigation and expense management for business travelers.

SAP also announced that Mojio, the connected vehicle platform and app provider for Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile USA, has joined SAP Vehicles Network and will provide parking and fueling through its app in the United States and Europe. The announcement was made at Mobile World Congress 2017, being held February 27–March 2 in Barcelona, Spain.

SAP Vehicles Network, built on SAP Cloud Platform, enables participating network companies to provide mobility services to drivers and passengers. By standardizing the business processes, SAP Vehicles Network enables integration and collaboration to facilitate new revenue streams and business opportunities for network members. Through the network, member companies can offer secure, convenient services — independent of devices or vehicles — such as parking, fueling and location-based food services, tailored for the business traveler or the individual consumer.

Laugh Struck: The Comedy Cartel's Weekend Specials Return

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After a rousing and successful jam-packed start last Saturday, the Comedy Cartel returns to The Stockpile Bar this Saturday, March 11, 9pm. 

Hosted by Chris Bacula, the event features Kulat Consul, Sergio Belarus and Michelle Defensor with headliners Chip Balbuena and Joseph Montecillo.

The Stockpile is located at The Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas Center (at the back of Marco Polo Hotel).

The show is FREE ADMISSION so bring your family and friends and let's all laugh our work-week stress away! 

Wazzup Pilipinas is a proud media partner.

Text 09178860706 for seat reservations!