Dateline Iloilo

*CHIZ: CHANGE IN DOH LEADERSHIP TO BRING STABILITY TO UHC ROLLOUT*

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has welcomed Malacañang’s appointment of a new Health Secretary, saying the Palace’s action helps resolve the leadership issues that have recently hounded the Department of Health (DOH) and threatened to disrupt the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC).

Escudero said the decision provides “much‑needed clarity and stability” for the agency, which he earlier urged Malacañang to intervene in to ensure the continuity and ex*****on of the UHC program.

“We welcome the new appointment and we wish the newly appointed Health Secretary, Dr. Edwin Mercado, all the best as he takes on his new role as the administration’s chief implementer of its health programs,” he said.

Escudero also welcomed the designation of Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho as the new President and CEO of PhilHealth, saying her appointment complements the leadership transition at the DOH. Ho, the current chief health officer of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., previously served at the DOH as undersecretary and was health department’s deputy spokesperson during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ang pagtalaga kay Dr. Ho sa PhilHealth ay nagbibigay ng karagdagang lakas sa ating UHC reforms. May sapat siyang karanasan sa public health at pamamahala upang maipagpatuloy ang mga repormang kailangan ng sistema,” Escudero pointed out.

In his podcast Chiz Wiz! Usapang May Laman over the weekend, the veteran legislator appealed to the Palace to address the DOH’s leadership concerns involving Mercado’s immediate predecessor, Jose Pujalte Jr., warning that unresolved issues could hinder the rollout of UHC and weaken preventive healthcare programs nationwide.

With a new secretary now in place, Escudero said the DOH can refocus on strengthening UHC implementation, particularly in widening PhilHealth coverage and improving access for both public and private health facilities.

He noted that incoming Secretary Mercado, who is a US‑trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management and has served as PhilHealth president and CEO since February last year, brings institutional familiarity that can help stabilize ongoing reforms.

"Ang pagtalaga kay Dr. Ho sa PhilHealth ay nagbibigay ng karagdagang lakas sa ating UHC reforms. May sapat siyang karanasan sa public health at pamamahala upang maipagpatuloy ang mga repormang kailangan ng sistema,” Escudero pointed out.

PhilHealth currently covers nearly 70 million registered members and more than 38 million dependents, or over 108 million Filipinos. During the weekend podcast, the veteran legislator emphasized that this wide membership base requires a stable DOH leadership to address gaps in preventive care, emergency response in remote areas, and uneven implementation at the local government level.

According to the Bicolano senator, PhilHealth’s financial position remains stable, saying the agency has sufficient funds to support wider benefit coverage. “Hindi kulang ang pondo ng PhilHealth. May sapat na pondo … Sistema lang talaga dapat ang ayusin para mas mapalawak ang coverage.”

Escudero told his podcast listeners that discussions on UHC and PhilHealth benefits remain extensive, including the need to improve support for barangay health workers and address long‑standing gaps in service delivery.

“Pipilitin po nating matugunan iyan. Mahaba pa po ang usapin kaugnay sa universal health care … gayun din ‘yung dapat nating tahaking landas tungo sa mithiin nating lahat na totoo, makatarungan at pangkalahatang pagpapatupad ng UHC para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

CHIZ SEEKS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE BAN ON GAMBLING ADS, SPONSORSHIPS TO CURB ADDICTION

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has proposed a nationwide ban on gambling-related advertisements and sponsorships to curb excessive and irresponsible gambling behavior while protecting minors and other vulnerable groups.

Escudero said the measure mirrors the country’s earlier approach to the to***co industry under Republic Act 9211, or the To***co Regulation Act of 2003, which imposed sweeping restrictions on advertising to safeguard public health.

“It’s about time that we regulate the gambling industry the same way we regulated to***co two decades ago,” he said upon filing of Senate Bill No. 2347, noting that both sectors pose significant risks when promotions become pervasive and youth targeted.

RA 9211, which Escudero supported during his tenure in the House of Representatives, prohibited to***co advertising across print, broadcast, electronic, and outdoor media and barred the use of celebrity endorsements and branded placements in entertainment content, which proved to be effective in reducing undue exposure among minors and non-adult smokers.

Escudero’s SB 2347 seeks to apply a similar standard to gambling promotions by banning advertisements on television, radio, print, online, and social media platforms, including celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns. The bill also calls for responsible gambling advisories in authorized consumer communications to remind the public of the risks of compulsive gaming.

The senator also cited the recent initiative of the Ad Standards Council (ASC), which voluntarily issued a self-regulation circular requiring its members to ban gambling imagery and paraphernalia across all media platforms.

“My bill shall institutionalize this effort by placing the restrictions under a national legal framework, ensuring uniform enforcement and preventing gaps in regulation,” he stressed.

While the gambling industry contributes significantly to government revenues, employment, and tourism, “it has likewise fueled advertisements, promotions, sponsorships, marketing, and other analogous consumer communications that are becoming increasingly pervasive, sophisticated, and targeted,” Escudero said.

The veteran legislator warned that the growing visibility of gambling‑related services “presents significant public mental and physical well‑being and socioeconomic concerns, particularly with respect to undue exposure, excessive, compulsive, and irresponsible gambling behavior.”

In the bill’s explanatory note, the senator cited the rapid expansion of online and digital gaming platforms, with the Philippine gambling industry recording some P396.13 billion in gross gaming revenues for Fiscal Year 2025, as evidence of its record‑breaking growth.

He said the measure aims to balance economic gains with social responsibility, while holding gambling operators and advertisers to higher ethical standards.

To ensure orderly implementation, SB 2347 provides a one-year transition period upon the law’s passage for gambling operators and advertisers to phase out existing materials and align their operations with forthcoming regulations, an approach will allow agencies and stakeholders to adjust compliance mechanisms before full enforcement takes effect, minimizing disruption while strengthening oversight, Escudero said.

Violations of the advertising ban will carry escalating penalties: a fine of up to P200,000 or imprisonment of up to one year for the first offense; P300,000 or up to two years for the second; and P500,000 or up to three years for the third, along with revocation of business permits or licenses.

Meanwhile, corporate officers and foreign nationals found liable will face corresponding sanctions, including deportation.

The Bicolano senator said the imposition of penalties is “only to ensure its effective implementation,” underscoring that deterrence is essential to protect public welfare and uphold the integrity of the law.

The bill also mandates an education and awareness campaign to promote responsible gambling and inform the public about available mental‑health support and consumer protection programs. Government agencies will be tasked to develop sustained information drives that highlight the risks of compulsive gaming and encourage informed decision‑making among players.

Escudero said the measure ultimately seeks to “foster a more responsible gaming environment, protect minors and vulnerable persons, promote informed consumer choice, and advance public interest.”

Read: MENSAHE NI CALINOG MAYOR ICO CALVO ANGUT SA SUSPENSION SANG KLASE SANG MGA BULUTHUAN SA IYA BANWA

Mayad nga aga mga pinalangga ko nga mga kasimanwa. Santo sa deklarasyon ka Red Rainfall Warning nga ginpaggwa ka PAG ASA karon nga adlaw kag santo man sa Dep Ed Order 22 series of 2024 kag DepEd Order 14, series of 2026, automatic nga waay it klase. Bisan ang lokal nga panguluhan ang indi magdeklara, pwede gd nga ang mga school heads ang makahimu ka kanselasyon.

Sa aton nga banwa sa masami localized ang pag inuran, posible nga gainuran sa isa ka bahin kag sa isa waay. Tungod sa kalapadon ka aton nga lugar ang pinakamabul an naton ka impormasyon amo ang aton nga mga school heads nga nakaintindi ka mga hazard kag risgo nga pwede atubangon ka mga kabataan paadto sa tagsa nanda ka eskwelahan. Gani para sa mas epektibo kag balanse nga deklarasyon, aton gintaw an ka full discretion ya mga school heads sa paghimu ka deklarasyon para sa anda eskwelahan santo sa pagsurundan nga ginpaggwa ka DepEd may kaangtanan sa indi manami nga panahon.

Sa karon amu dya ang mga eskwelahan nga nagdeklara nga waay it face-to-face classes. Ang tanan nga mga estudyante ang nataw an na ka instruction kaina pa.

Schools which declared cancellation of classes today:

(Updated)
1. Toyungan IS
2.tabucan ES
3. Binolusan Grande ES
4.Binolusan Pequeño ES
5. Ipil ES
6 Carvasana ES
7. Carvasana National High School
8. Marinas ES
9. Cabagiao ES
10. Gama IS
11. Guiso ES
12. Badlan CS
13. Tahing ES
14. Aglibacao ES
15. Jamin-ay ES
16. Badlan NHS
17. Badu ES
18. CNCHS
19. CCPES
20. Guinbunyogan ps
21. BINULOSAN PNHS
22. Tigbayog Ps
23. IVESA PS
24.Malag-it ES
25Agcalaga ES
26. Cahigon ES
27. Masaroy PS
28. Mary Immaculate Academy
29. Datagan Elementary School
30. SSCA
31. San Julian Elementary School
32. Fernandez Perez MNHS
33. Esteban S Javellana MNHS
34. Mt Baloy II PS
35. Guiso ES
36. Alcarde Gustilo MNHS
37. Malaguinabot PS
38. Nalbugan ES
39. Banban ES
40. Calinog Elementary School

Salamat gid.

FYI: Guidelines sa pagdeklarar sang suspension sang klase.

CHIZ SEEKS FDA OVERHAUL TO BETTER PROTECT CONSUMERS

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed a measure proposing to overhaul the country’s product regulatory system by transferring several functions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to other government agencies better aligned with the nature and risks of the products they oversee.

In filing Senate Bill No. 2310 bill, Escudero said his proposed reform aims to streamline government regulation, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and strengthen public health and consumer protection through a science‑based, risk‑informed framework across agencies.

He also said the measure addresses long‑standing overlaps and delays that affect both consumers and businesses.

“Product regulation efficiency is critical for promoting public health and safety, and for protecting consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products,” Escudero said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“Through the establishment and enforcement of product standards and other regulatory measures, the government addresses matters that cannot reasonably be expected of individual consumers, such as verifying product quality, (and) ensuring compliance with technical and manufacturing standards,” he stressed.

Under the proposed “Product Regulatory System Reform Act,” the regulation of raw and unprocessed food products shall be transferred to the Department of Agriculture (DA), while processed food, cosmetics, and other consumer goods shall fall under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Other products could likewise be reassigned to specialized agencies depending on their risk profile and statutory mandates.

Escudero emphasized that the realignment seeks to ensure that regulatory functions are exercised by agencies with the appropriate technical expertise and institutional capacity. The measure also mandates inter‑agency coordination to avoid duplication and improve public service delivery.

He underscored the urgency of updating the country’s regulatory framework, citing “rapid technological advancements, increasing complexity of products, evolution of local and global markets, and the emergence of public health risks” as reasons for adopting a more responsive system.

To ensure continuity of service, the bill provides transitory provisions allowing existing permits, registrations, and authorizations to remain valid until expiration. Pending applications and enforcement actions will be completed by the agency to which the relevant function is transferred.

The Bicolano senator said the proposed reforms aim to build “a coherent, adaptive, and efficient regulatory system that protects public health and safety and consumer welfare” while encouraging innovation and investment.

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.

Risa Na!

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

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.