Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday said former President Ramos will be remembered as the Armageddon president for leaving the Philippines devastated and demoralized by his profligate foreign borrowing and spending, and his marked preference for propaganda over policy. “Mr. Ramos tried to paint himself as an economic wizard, and then he was proved, on the contrary, to have precipitated by his mismanagement the currency crisis and the budget deficit,” she stressed. “Instead, Mr. Ramos will merely be remembered as the grandfather of the Amari land scam and the father of the 1998 economic recession.”

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29 August 1998

MIRIAM PROPOSES USE OF SEAT BELTS IN SCHOOL
BUSES AND DRIVING TESTS FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago wants to require the use of seat belts in school buses and proposes mandatory proficiency tests for school bus drivers.

Santiago filed S.B. 1112 or “School Bus Safety Act” following a recent tragic accident that claimed the lives of two high school students from a prominent school in Manila. The two students were thrown out of the bus; while the rest sustained injuries.

“This unfortunate incident is the latest in a string of school bus accidents. The death of the student passengers could have been prevented if there were seat belts installed for their safety,” she said. Santiago said owners of school buses should be required to install seat belts, including lap safety belts or other child safety devices, for the driver and the passengers.

Apart from this safety measure,Santiago proposed that the Department of Transportation and Communication to prescribe proficiency standards for school bus drivers to operate a school bus.“Each school bus driver must demonstrate to the employer, the school or the agency responsible for regulating school bus drivers, his or her proficiency in operating a school bus in accordance with the standards to be prescribed by the DOTC,” she said.

Santiago also urged an information drive on the importance of using seat belts to passengers and drivers by disseminating educational materials.Earlier, Santiago has filed a bill that will require motorists and commuters to wear seat belts in private vehicles and public utility vehicles in order to lessen the fatalities caused by vehicular accidents.

Under Santiago’s “Seat Belt Use Act of 1998,” drivers and front row passengers of jeepneys, taxis, buses and FXs to wear seat belts. Commuters who refuse to follow shall not be allowed to board. Violators face a fine of P300.00

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August 28, 1998

MIRIAM: PROBE WATER CONTAMINATION IN CLARK & SUBIC

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago said the issue on the chairmanship of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) should be resolved immediately in order to contain the dangers posed by water contamination in Clark and Subic.

Santiago was reacting to reports that an American soil scientist's finding that waters surrounding Subic and Clark were contaminated with toxic substances such as mercury, lead, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Santiago expressed concern that the ongoing struggle over the SBMA chairmanship may drag on to the detriment of residents surrounding the bases.

Under Republic Act 7227, Santiago explained it is the responsibility of the SBMA to adopt and implement measures and standards for environmental pollution control of all areas within its territory since it is the operating and implementing arm of the Conversion Authority.

"SBMA should start the clean-up immediately," she urged. "Whoever assumes the post should learn from the Taiwan experience in which a deadly disease has affected many workers,including Filipinos."

She filed a resolution calling for a probe on the conflicting findings of Dr. Paul Bloom and Woodward Clyde International in determining the level of environmental pollution in Subic Free Port Area.

Dr. Bloom, a university from the University of Minnesota, described the findings of Woodward as terribly designed, technically flawed and may have been manipulated.

In 1995, the SBMA commissioned Woodward to do an environmental baseline survey of the Subic Free Port. Woodward said the level of contamination in most of the sites "poses a negligible risk to the health" of those living in the area.

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August 27, 1998

MIRIAM NEVER WITHDREW ELECTORAL PROTEST

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday belied preposterous reports being fed by the Ramos camp that she withdrew her electoral protest in 1995, before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal dismissed the case on a mere technicality.

“This only proves that the group of Ramos has always been peddling lies, the same way they lied to the people about the true and sad state of our economy,” Santiago said. The PET dismissed Santiago’s protest solely on the technical basis or assumption that she has lost interest in pursuing her protest because she ran and eventually won, as senator in 1995.

“I never lost interest in my protest,” she stressed. “I paid the P10 million cash deposit that the court demanded. Isn’t that proof of interest?”. There were 474,294 ballots objected during the re-count that covered only three of the pilot areas namely Metro Manila, Pampanga and Zamboanga del Sur. Santiago only needed 435,000 votes to win her electoral protest..

The senator pointed out that the three-year re-count of ballots resulted in the discovery of hundreds of empty ballot boxes and thousands of false ballots. They are broken down as follows:

· 193 empty ballot boxes with 24,374 missing ballots· 89 ballot boxes containing wet and unreadable ballots· 61 ballot boxes containing ballots from two precincts in each box· 215,266 Ramos ballots with watermarks different from Comelec seal · 758 ballot boxes with 28,979 Ramos ballots exceeded the number of voters · 803 ballot boxes with 23,118 Ramos ballots, but votes cast were more that ballots · 56,856 Ramos ballots cut by sharp-bladed instrument· 20,193 Ramos ballots that do not bear Comelec watermark· 11,691 Ramos ballots that do not bear signature of BEI chairman · 138 ballot boxes with 6,403 Ramos ballots, but ballots were more than the registered voters

Santiago indicated that recent events bolstered the popular belief that she truly won in the 1992 elections. The Comelec divulged recently that switching of election returns and manufacturing of figures at the precinct level in the 1992 presidential elections.

“No less than the Commission on Elections admitted that fraud had been committed in the 1992 elections,” she said. “This disturbing statement will continue to hound Ramos’ ascendancy to power.”

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August 27, 1998

MIRIAM SEEKS TIGHTER RULES ON CIGARETTE ADS AND SALES

PEOPLE who are less than 18 years old may soon be prohibited from purchasing cigarettes and tobacco products when Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago bill is passed into law.

Santiago yesterday filed three bills, S.B. 1110, 1113 and 114, which seek to restrict the access of youth to tobacco products and impose certain limitations on cigarette advertising in order to protect the young ones from the harmful effects of smoking.

“Recent studies have revealed that an average Filipino starts smoking as early as 14 years old due to the influence of cigarette advertisements,” Santiago stressed. “Such finding is alarming given the pernicious and pestiferous effects of cigarette smoking.”

Santiago pointed that a recent study conducted in the United States revealed there are 3.8 million minors addicted to cigarette-smoking worldwide---18.5 percent of whom are Filipinos.

Under Santiago’s “Control Youth Access to Tobacco Act,” retailers of tobacco products must ensure that buyers are above 18 years old through presentation of proper identification. Vending machines and product sampling will be prohibited in areas which minors frequent.

In another bill, Santiago sought to ban cigarette advertisements on public utility vehicles, video game machines and amusement rides. She also proposed to restrict cigarette advertisements on student or youth-oriented publications.

Apart from these, Santiago would like to forbid cigarette advertisements on movies as a prop or displayed in arenas and stadia where sporting events occur unless 75 percent of the attendees are age 18 or older.

“Thousands of Filipinos have already died and are continuously suffering from smoking-related diseases,” she said. “Unless concrete measures are taken, such malady is expected to worsen.”

In another bill, Santiago sought to broaden the government health warnings labelled on its advertisements.

These are:

• Smoking causes lung cancer,heart disease, emphysema, and may complicate pregnancy.
• Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.
• Smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birth weight.
• Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide.

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August 22, 1998

MIRIAM WANTS WARNINGS ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

MANUFACTURERS of beer, gin, rum, vodka, shandy and other alcoholic drinks may soon be required to carry health warning labels on their advertisements in print, radio, television,cinema and other electronic media, if a bill that Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago will file next week is passed into law.

Santiago explained that her bill aims to infuse consciousness on the ill effects of drinking excessive alcoholic beverages. She pointed to findings that drinking too much alcoholic beverages can lead to higher blood pressure, liver disease and cancer.

People are not well informed about the hazards of alcohol use,” she stressed. “This is understandable since the advertisements merely focus on the alcoholic drinks’ soothing taste and their exhilarating effects on man’s virility.

Under Santiago’s "Sensible Advertising Act," alcoholic beverage producers or distributors must place any of the following government health warnings on their advertisements, promotional displays and merchandising materials: · If you are pregnant, don’t drink. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth defects. · Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. · Drive sober. If you don’t, you could lose your driver’s license or even your life. Alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. · Don’t mix alcohol with over-the-counter prescription or illicit drugs. · If you drink too much alcohol, you can die from alcohol poisoning. · Drinking increases your risks of high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer. The more you drink, the more likely it is that you will have such health problems.

Santiago emphasized the health warnings must be located prominently on the advertisement.

"Alcohol is widely used and abused," she said. “Even minors who are supposedly prohibited from purchasing and drinking alcoholic beverages, are found to be alcohol dependents.”

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August 18, 1998

MIRIAM CALLS FOR TIGHTER CAMPUS SECURITY POLICIES

SO the students may know. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago wants schools to regularly disclose to students and parents the number of murder, rape, robbery, carnapping, assault or sexual harassment cases committed within school premises and off-campus facilities for the preceding two school years.

Santiago urged lawmakers to prioritize the passage of S.B. 344 or the “Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act” following the tragic death of a college student who suffered heavy injuries while undergoing initiation rites of a fraternity.

“The tragic incident could have been prevented if the students were made aware of existing laws designed to protect their welfare,” she said. “They should know that holding initiation rites requires a school permit and at least two school representatives to supervise the activity.”

Santiago said schools must develop programs designed to inform students and employees about crime prevention. “Schools may conduct periodic seminars to enlighten the students. For instance, the students should been briefed about the anti-hazing law,” she said. “Students must also learn to be responsible for their own security.”

Under Santiago’s bill, schools will be required to publish an annual security report containing information on campus crime statistics and security policies. She added the annual reports must also be submitted to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

“Each institution must make timely reports to the campus community on crimes considered to be a threat to other students and employees,” she stressed.

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August 13, 1998

MIRIAM FILES CASE WITH COMELECON PARTY-LIST

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday urged the Commission on Elections to proclaim the top 39 parties that participated in the last party-list elections, including People's Reform Party or PRP, in order to fill the vacancies in the House of Representatives.

In the petition, Santiago pointed to a provision in the Constitution that requires 20 percent of the representatives in the House to be party-list representatives.

The Comelec has proclaimed only 13 party-list representatives from 12 parties that received at least two percent of the total votes cast as required by RA 7941 or the Party-List System Act. This leaves 39 vacancies in the House of Representatives. Santiago explained that the purpose of the party-list system is to promote amulti-party system in our country as shown by records of the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

"Since the top 12 parties are already represented with at least one seat each, then it follows that the next 39 parties should be entitled to one seat each," Santiago stressed."This would serve the constitutional purpose of encouraging a multi-party system."

In the last national elections, Comelec records as of June 1 showed that PRP earned 121,333 votes or 1.34 percent of the total 9,064,931 votes cast in the party-list elections.

According to Santiago, the proposal that representatives from the 12 proclaimed parties fill the remaining 39 vacancies will violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

She cited the case of Ichong vs.Hernandez in which the Supreme Court ruled that all parties should be treated alike, under like circumstances and condition.

"In short, after each of the 12 proclaimed parties is awarded one seat each, all the parties are subsequently situated in like circumstances and conditions," she said. "Therefore, under the Equal Protection Clause, each of the top 39 parties should be entitled to one seat each."

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August 11, 1998

MIRIAM’S BILL TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN BUSINESS

INSTEAD of seeking jobs abroad as domestic helpers or Filipinezas, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has proposed a program that is aimed at empowering women in business enterprise by giving them necessary assistance to attain their fullest potential in trade and commerce.

According to Santiago, government must take steps in changing its national labor export policy to alleviate the country’s unemployment problem. Although working as domestics abroad is honorable, Santiago stressed government must give women more opportunities that will enhance their welfare and realize their full potential.

“In order to help our economy recover, the full potential of every Filipino must be realized. Every Filipino must be given a chance to be productive and play his or her part in nation building,” she said.

Under Santiago’s bill, the Department of Labor and Employment shall adopt and implement a Women in Enterprise Development Program that will provide women with financial, educational and information assistance.

Santiago proposed the set-up of local resource centers in DOLE provincial offices that will offer information materials, basic courses and workshops in accounting, bookkeeping, marketing and other courses.

“The labor department shall also render financial aid by supporting the creation of small to medium-size businesses in which women can readily participate,” she proposed. In order to encourage and stimulate the interest of women in business, Santiago said the Department of Education, Culture and Sports should provide opportunities for women to gain practical experiences through internships or on-the-job apprenticeships while in school.

Santiago earlier brushed aside negative reactions on the Greeks’ definition of Filipineza as domestic helpers. She said it was not meant as an insult, but rather, based on the social reality that many Filipinas have sought jobs abroad as domestics.

She noted how the country took pride in learning that a domestic helper of the late Princess Dianaw and the former butler of Michael Jackson were Filipinos. She added that Filipinos even honored a domestic helper, Flor Contemplacion, as a modern-day OFW heroine.

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August 7, 1998

MIRIAM RECOMMENDS TWO WOMEN LEGAL LUMINARIES TO SC

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday endorsed two women luminaries in government service for the present vacant position of Justice f the Supreme Court.

Santiago recommended Ambassador Lilia Bautista and Justice Consuelo Yñares Santiago to the list of Supreme Court nominees of the Judicial and Bar Council.

“Their service to the nation has been consistently characterized by integrity, competence and efficiency,” she said.

Bautista presently heads the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. She was formerly Secretary of Labor and Industry; and Chairman of the Board of Investments. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law; and has a master’s degree from the University of Michigan law school.

Justice Santiago is an associate justice of the Court of Appeals. She is a graduate of the UP College of Law and has attended legal seminars abroad. She was RTC judge before her promotion to the Court of Appeals.

The vacancy in the Supreme Court was due to the retirement of Justice Ricardo Francisco last February. At present, the SC is composed of 13 male justices and only one female justice who is Justice Flerida Ruth Romero.

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August 7, 1998

MIRIAM URGES DOH ASSISTANCE TO FIGHT DENGUE IN ILOILO

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday urged the Department of Health to provide more medical assistance to Iloilo where dengue cases have alarmingly reached 1,052 since January and had taken 39 lives.

Santiago called on health officials to set up more make-shift dengue screening centers in the province since the hospitals are already filled beyond capacity and can no longer accommodate more patients.

To alleviate this situation, Santiago suggested that screening centers could assist suspected dengue patients. Once patients are found to be afflicted with the disease, she said these patients can be transferred to hospitals for treatment.

“I received reports that some hospitals, especially those in remote towns, are running short of much-needed medicine, fluids and blood supply,” Santiago said. “Blood transfusion helps the survival of dengue patients suffering from severe bleeding.” The blood components are known as platelet rich plasma, platelet concentrate and fresh frozen plasma.

Latest reports show that dengue cases in the province have hit 402. She voiced concerns that the disease may not be contained immediately due to the hot and humid conditions in the country. Recent studies showed that a temperature rise of 2 C rise would more than double mosquito metabolism and force them to feed more often.

“We must curb the situation immediately before it spreads like wild fire and ravages the Visayas,” Santiago stressed.

Dengue is an acute infectious disease characterized by sudden onset, headache, racking joint pain, and a rash. The deadly disease is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedus chiefly in tropical and semi-tropical regions.

People who have been suffering fever from two to seven days may be suspected dengue patients and should consult their physicians immediately.

Dengue fever, also called breakbone fever, is accompanied by incapacitating bone pain.

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August 6, 1998

MIRIAM URGES DOH ASSISTANCE VS.DENGUE OUTBREAK IN ILOILO

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago urged the Department of Health to send more medical assistance to Iloilo where reports of dengue cases continue to increase alarmingly.

Santiago called on health officials to set up more make-shift dengue screening centers in the province since the hospitals are already filled beyond capacity and can no longer accommodate more patients.

To alleviate this situation, Santiago suggested that screening centers could assist suspected dengue patients. Once patients are found to be afflicted with the disease, she said these patients can be transferred to hospitals for treatment.

“I received reports that some hospitals, especially those in remote towns, are running short of much-needed medicine, fluids and blood supply,” Santiago said.

Latest reports show that there are about 389 dengue cases in the province. She voiced concerns that the disease may not be contained immediately due to the onset of the rainy season.

“We must curb the situation immediately before it spreads like wild fire and ravages the Visayas,” Santiago stressed.

Dengue is an acute infectious disease characterized by sudden onset, headache, racking joint pain, and a rash. The deadly but mistakenly underrated disease is caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedus chiefly in tropical and semi-tropical regions.

People who have been suffering fever from two to seven days may be suspected dengue patients and should consult their physicians immediately.

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August 6, 1998

MIRIAM: TAKE PRIDE IN BEING AN ‘HONEST & COMPETENT’ FILIPINEZA

SEN. Miriam Defensor Santiago said yesterday that Filipinas working abroad as domestic helpers should take pride in their work as they are renowned for their ‘honesty, competence and skills.’

In a radio interview, Santiago said nobody should be blamed for the definition entered in the Greek-English dictionary since it was based on the fact that many Filipinas have gone abroad to work decently as domestic helpers.

“Nalulungkot ako na humantong tayo sa ganoon. Isipin na lang natin na sa darating na panahon ay mapalitan iyan sa pamamagitan ng national policy ng gobyerno,” she said. “Kung gumanda na ang ating ekonomiya, hindi na tayo kailangang umalis ng bansa para maging katulong ng mga dayuhan.”

To avoid such allusions, Santiago said Filipinos abroad must always strive their best in their endeavors in order to leave a good impression of our country. As a lawyer, Santiago said she makes it a point to excel whenever she is abroad in order to win the respect and admiration of foreigners so they may equate Filipinas as excellent lawyers.

According to Santiago, a lot of foreigners in the United States and Europe speak well of their Filipina domestic helpers and would often entrust their homes to them while they are away.

“Marangal na kabuhayan iyan. Ipinagmamalaki ng mga amo ang mga Filipina maids. Marami akong nakaibigang katulong doon na dating public school teachers at mga degree holders,” she said. “Sa halip na maging magnanakaw, rebelde o terorista sa ating bansa, sila ay naghihikahos para kumita ng pera sa marangal na paraan.”

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