Don't Worry Over Federalism
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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SECRETARIAT May - August 2016 Pimentel: Don’t worry over federalism Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III allayed No cordon fears of a massive layoff among Senate employees in case the sanitaire for country shifts to a federal form of government. Barbo Pimentel made the BY JARDINE CHUA announcement during a Being at the helm of the fl ag-raising ceremony to Senate Secretariat is a approximately 1,000 workers daunting experience for last July 4. the select men and women "Do not worry too much who have taken up this role, about the shift to the federal but for Senate Secretary system of government as there Lutgardo Barbo, it is like will still be a legislature under coming home. that system," he said. “It seems self-fulfi lling. Pimentel, a long-time Para akong tumatanda ng federalism advocate like his pabalik ,” he muses. He father, former Senate President Senator Manny Pacquiao administers the oath of office to Senator smiles as he looks around Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who assumed the Senate presidency the sizeable room replete explained that both versions st th during the opening of the 1 Regular Session of the 17 Congress with neatly-stacked books of a possible federal form of last July 25, 2016. Also in photo is Pimentel’s father, former Senate and documents where he government would still require President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. now holds offi ce: “Sixteen a separate and independent Luzon and Bicol), four in the its own legislative branch, years ago, this was my legislative branch. Visayas (Eastern, Central, and “which can benefi t from the same offi ce. The same “Under the Federal- Western Visayas and a new expertise the employees have setup.” Presidential espoused by group with Mindoro, Palawan, developed in the Senate.” In the history of the my father, there will still be Romblon and Marinduque ), and "You can choose to work Philippine Senate, Barbo is a Philippine Senate, a much three in Mindanao (Northern therefore in your own region. one of the few to be elected larger one. We will be hiring and Southern Mindanao, Hence, I repeat, there is nothing Senate Secretary twice. more employees,” he said. and the federal state of the to worry about," he stressed. He served the same role According to Nene Pimentel, Bangsamoro), along with Metro Pimentel, a partymate of back in the 11th Congress, the federalism model they Manila as the country’s federal President Rodrigo Duterte in when he joined then Senate are espousing would have 11 capital. the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino President Aquilino “Nene” federal states: four in Luzon Koko Pimentel said each (PDP)-Laban, said that the (Northern, Central, Southern regional state would also have PIMENTEL / PAGE 5 BARBO / PAGE 6 Senate spouses push for fi nancial literacy BY YVONNE A. ALMIRAÑEZ The Senate Spouses projects were for other people, be what Senate employees Gumabay said the spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI), led by she wanted to do something for need,” Pimentel said. also planned to conduct medical Lourdes “Bing” Ll. Pimentel, the employees since “charity She said the spouses were and dental missions, hospital mother of Senate President begins at home.” also mulling the possibility visits and gift-giving activities. Koko Pimentel, is pushing for a Pimentel said the foundation of setting up a gym for the The foundation planned to tap seminar on fi nancial literacy to has lined up a series of seminars employees so they can adopt a the business community, non- “encourage Senate employees every fourth Thursday of the healthier lifestyle. government organizations, the to manage and save their month for the employees as Meanwhile, Director Ma. local government units and money.” part of the Senate Centennial Asuncion Gumabay, SSFI schools for better coordination “Senate employees are celebration (1916-2016). coordinator, said the spouses and implementation of the fi nancially blessed. I want to “These will be a holistic will visit the Philippine General foundation’s projects. Gift- guide the employees on how approach. We will start with the Hospital to check on two of giving activities, Gumabay said, they can manage their fi nances,” fi nancial literacy then values the children’s wards which the would also be held in Luzon, Pimentel said, adding that formation. The seminars could foundation helped construct in Visayas and Mindano, especially since most of the foundation’s be family oriented or they could 2006 and 2008. in calamity stricken areas. SPOUSES / PAGE 5 N E W S PRIB, MROs to work closely in promoting Senate The Public Relations and media. Information Bureau (PRIB) and For her part, BMS Director the Senators’ Media Relations Fleur de Liz Godoy shared Offi cers (MROs) have agreed how the bureau handled the to work closely together to documentation and video strengthen the image of the archiving of plenary sessions, institution after a briefi ng committee hearings and other conducted by PRIB last July 28. Senate activities. More than 52 MROs, Another highlight of the photographers, and other event was the brief talk by Senate media personnel were veteran reporter and radio host present during the briefi ng Cely Bueno of DWIZ, who gave which was held to help the participants tips on how participants address media- Cely Bueno of radio station DWIZ and host of Kapihan sa Senado , senators could work effectively related concerns. gives pointers to media relations officers on how to work with reporters with the Senate media. The event featured during a media briefing conducted by the Public Relations and According to Corro, both presentations led by PRIB Information Bureau. the Senate Secretariat and the Director Raymundo Corro, facilitate media operations Kapihan sa Senado . media staff of the senators detailing the various services in the Senate, through its PMS Director Samuel Santos need to work closely since MAY - AUGUST 2016 AUGUST - MAY and programs offered by the administrative services like also discussed how PRIB could everyone has a common bureau and its Print Media registration, accreditation, help expand the media coverage objective: to boost the image of 2 Service (PMS) and Broadcast and provision of IDs to media of Senate plenary sessions and our institution. Media Service (BMS). entities assigned to the Senate, committee hearings through “We need to work together. Corro briefed the participants arranging of forums and press press and photo releases for The key is close and integrated on how PRIB could help senators conferences such as the weekly traditional mass and social BRIEFING / PAGE 5 Infomercial gets free airtime SEF distributes Public and private agencies join “We have thought of laws to improve and uplift hands in supporting the Senate doing the infomercial for our the standard of living of the P11M in Centennial infomercial which centennial celebration because Filipinos,” Godoy said. will be aired for free this year. it offers numerous advantages, The infomercial is a sequel dividends The infomercial, being not to mention its powerful to another 30-seconder The Senate Employees’ Fund considered as one of the most impact on reaching a wider infomercial launched last June. (SEF) distributed P11 million popular ways of conveying to audience using various media The July infomercial featured in dividends to about 1,700 the public about the institution’s platforms, including television,” the country’s great legislators employees last July 25. centennial celebration, is a Corro added. such as Manuel Quezon, Sergio SEF Chief Executive Offi cer project proposed by the Public Liza Godoy, PRIB’s Broadcast Osmeña Sr., and Manuel Roxas, Ronald Golding said the Relations and Information Media Service director, said among others, who passed cooperative processed and Bureau (PRIB). the infomercial is one of landmark laws for the welfare released a total of 2,421 loan “We were overwhelmed the activities for the Senate of the people, economic applications amounting to by the support from both Centennial anniversary (1916- growth and the protection of P196.393 million this year, or government agencies and 2016). The infomercial will the Filipino’s civil, political and P10.590 million higher than the the private sector. We air the focus on “the 17th Congress’ human rights. P185.803 million loaned out in infomercial for free, saving thrust towards the future. Godoy said the fi rst 2015. hundreds of millions of pesos,” “We want to keep the public infomercial is still being shown “From an initial capital of Bureau Director Raymond Corro informed of the work of the on different TV networks, in P16.5 million, the fund’s total said. Senate…how senators pass INFOMERCIAL / PAGE 5 assets grew to P129.524 million, an increase of P20.470 million HRMS conducts review for career service exams from last year’s P109.054 million,” Golding said. A series of review classes to help to help casual and contractual of Civil Service eligibility,” he He attributed the 19 employees pass the upcoming employees properly prepare for explained. percent increase in assets to Civil Service Commission (CSC) the CSC exams for Professional Most of plantilla positions in the contributions collected examinations are being held and Sub-Professional levels, the Senate Secretariat require and added to the combined as part of the efforts of the which will be held this October applicants to have Civil Service employers’ and employees’ new Senate leadership to drive 23, 2016. eligibility, as mandated by the shareholdings, and the income up regularization among the Earlier, Senate Secretary Civil Service Commission (CSC). netted for fi scal year 2016. Secretariat workforce. Lutgardo Barbo said the Barbo said the new Senate Golding said the cooperative The Senate Human review is in connection with leadership will continue to had actually decreased the Resources Management Service Senate President Aquilino explore ways on how to help dividends by P507, 007 as (HRMS), in coordination with “Koko” Pimentel III’s support deserving Senate employees compared to the dividends the Carl E.