SENATOR Robin Ferdinand C. Padilla has filed a resolution calling for a sustained ceasefire in war between Israel and Hamas militants and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

A ceasefire would be the best measure to ensure civilians in Israel and Palestinian territories are protected, he said in Resolution 880, citing Amnesty International.

Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes in Gaza after Hamas militants backed by waves of rockets stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 Israelis.

It has deployed tens of thousands of its troops for a ground assault on the Palestinian enclave.

More than 15,000 people have died in the war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Last month, the Philippines joined 144 nations in favoring a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem and Syrian Golan. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

THE PHILIPPINE SENATE has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a measure that seeks to streamline the passport application process.

At the Senate’s plenary session on Wednesday, Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, who sponsored the proposed New Philippine Passport Act, said lawmakers deleted a clause giving senior citizens and persons with disabilities a 20% discount on application fees, as recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The reconciled version of Senate Bill 2001 and House Bill 6510 also increased the penalty for forgery and the improper use of travel documents to 15 years from the 12 years in prison.

The passport measure, which the Senate approved on final reading in September, will set up a watchlist of people who have been denied passports or have had their passports canceled, which would fast-track the approval process.

Senior citizens and migrant workers will be allowed to renew their passports virtually.

Meanwhile, the Senate also ratified the bicameral report on a bill that seeks to give senior citizens a P100,000 cash gift in three equal tranches.

Senior citizens will get the case even if they are not yet 100 years old. The law only allows senior citizens within a year of reaching 80, 90, or 100 years to receive cash gifts. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Philippine senators on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill that seeks to revitalize the country’s defense program and encourage businesses to invest in local defense equipment.

Senate Bill 2455 will task the Department of National Defense to craft a self-reliant defense posture program that will encourage manufacturers to produce defense and weapon systems in the Philippines and promote their exports to other countries.

Under the measure the Defense department will be allotted P1 billion as seed money to finance the program.

“It is imperative to revitalize the country’s self-reliance defense posture program and to fully harness the potential of the defense industry at a time when security threats are imminent and continue to evolve,” according to a copy of the bill. — John Victor D. Ordonez

The Philippine Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a priority bill that seeks to impose harsher penalties on smugglers of agricultural products.

Senate Bill 2432 will lower the value of smuggled agriculture and fishery products to P1 million from P10 million for the act to be considered economic sabotage.

Violators face life imprisonment and a fine worth thrice the value of agricultural and fishery products that they smuggled.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, the bill’s author and sponsor, earlier said the government has been losing at least P200 billion in revenue each year to smuggling. — John Victor D. Ordonez

A BILL that seeks to streamline the government bureaucracy by getting rid of obsolete positions to improve the delivery of state services has been filed at the Senate.

“This measure aims to implement a systemic reform to promote and maintain an effective, efficient, economical, responsive and progressive Philippine government,” Senator Joel J. Villanueva, who filed Senate Bill 2502 on Dec. 5, said in the measure’s explanatory note.

Under the bill, Congress, the Judiciary, constitutional commissions, the Ombusdman and local governments may restructure their offices.

Affected state workers with five to 11 years of service would be entitled to half their monthly salary for every year of service.

Those with 31 years of employment will be entitled to one and a quarter months’ salary for every year of service.

The President may streamline and scale down redundant functions that could be handled by local governments.

A committee will also be formed to oversee the rightsizing of the Executive branch, which will be headed by the executive secretary and co-headed by the Budget chief.

Government employees excluded from the rightsizing program are teachers, military and police. — John Victor D. Ordonez

THE SENATE on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill that seeks to waive entrance examination fees for poor graduates or graduating students in private colleges.

Under Senate Bill 2441, students may avail themselves of the exemption if they belong to the top 10% of their graduating class and if their combined household income is below the poverty threshold defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.

The measure also mandates the Commission on Higher Education to sanction officials and employees of private higher education institutions that refuse to comply with the waiver.  —  John Victor D. Ordoñez