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Senator Chiz Escudero urged government agencies to intensify coordinated protection measures for Filipinos across the Middle East, citing the more than 2.2 million Filipinos living and working in the region and the over 1,100 Filipinos currently in Iran who may be affected by the escalating tensions following recent strikes in and around Iranian territory.In issuing the call, Escudero stressed that the sheer scale of the Filipino presence in the region demands a response that is both urgent and anticipatory.Escudero acknowledged President Marcos’ directive to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to activate contingency plans and account for Filipinos in affected areas. He said this swift action is essential, especially with Saudi A...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero will lead Senate hearings on a priority measure that will disqualify relatives of public officials from entering into government contracts, following his appointment as chairperson of a newly created subcommittee under the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation.The Senate approved Escudero’s designation during plenary on Monday after Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri disclosed that the move was made at the request of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chair of the parent committee. The chamber then referred the proposal under Senate Bill No. 783 to Escudero’s subcommittee, underscoring its role in bolstering transparency and accountability in public procurement.The senator from Sorsogon, who principally a...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the national government to aggressively market the new 99‑year lease terms under Republic Act No. 12252, saying the measure must be positioned as a long‑term anchor for jobs, capital, and development.Escudero issued the call as the Philippine economy expanded by only 4.4 percent in 2025, below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target and slower than the 5.5 percent posted in 2024. He warned that the country must compensate for weaker growth by strengthening investor confidence and accelerating structural reforms.“The law is already in place. What we need now is aggressive promotion and clear messaging to investors that the Philippines is ready for long‑term partnerships,” he said.The veteran legislator noted that foreign direct in...

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) designation of Sorsogon as pilot area for its expanded classroom construction initiative, saying the province’s selection is a recognition of the local government unit’s (LGU) long-standing commitment to better education.In commending the initiative, Escudero said the move affirms the principle he earlier advocated: capable LGUs, when empowered through national partnerships, can accelerate progress in critical sectors like education.The senator has earlier called on the national government to pursue a tripartite agreement among DepEd, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), to empower qualified LGUs to achieve accelerated growth through improved inf...

The SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) is now accepting applications for its SM College Scholarship Program for School Year 2026–2027, open to qualified incoming college freshmen until February 28, 2026. Complete application details are available at www.sm-foundation.org. The SM College Scholarship Program is now open for applications for School Year 2026–2027, continuing SM Foundation’s commitment to accessible education. Now in its 33rd year nationwide, the SM College Scholarship Program continues the vision of SM Group founder Henry Sy, Sr., who believed education is a powerful driver of social mobility. The scholarship provides full tuition coverage, monthly stipends, enrichment activities, part-time work opportunities during school breaks, and potential employm...