Senator Chiz suggests to explore non-tax revenue options to help support national priorities

CEBU CITY -- Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero suggests that national government should consider non‑tax revenue options, including the bidding out of exploration and production agreements over the country’s indigenous coal resources to help generate additional funds while supporting ongoing fiscal and development priorities.

Escudero made this 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.

Currently, 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.

“In lieu of new taxes, the government should maximize the resources it already owns. 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 said.

Escudero 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.

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.

He added that tapping indigenous energy resources can complement the country’s long‑term energy and development goals, and hopes that government continues 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.

Chiz asks DOF, BSP for a more responsive strategy

MANILA -- Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero called on the government, especially the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) to craft a more responsive strategy for Filipino families to cope with rising food cost.

Escudero issued this call as headline inflation climbed to 7.2 percent nationwide in April and reached 10.8 percent in Central Visayas and 9.9 percent in Zamboanga Peninsula, among the highest outside Metro Manila. 

Central Visayas’ double-digit spike and Zamboanga’s near double-digit rate highlight the urgency of coordinated action between fiscal and monetary authorities, noting that households and farmers are bearing the brunt of rising food, fuel, and transport costs, Escudero said.

“Bukod sa monitoring, kailangan natin ng agarang tugon para hindi tuluyang lamunin ng presyo ang kita ng mga pamilya, lalo na sa Visayas at Mindanao kung saan mayroon tayong pinakamataas na inflation rates,” he stressed. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that headline inflation accelerated sharply from 4.1 percent in March and just 1.4 percent a year earlier, with core inflation also rising to 3.9 percent. The surge was driven mainly by food, transport, and housing costs, underscoring broad pressures across the economy. 

Food inflation reached 6.1 percent, with rice climbing 13.7 percent and corn 21 percent, alongside higher costs for fish, seafood, and vegetables. Transport inflation jumped to 21.4 percent, while housing, electricity, gas, and fuels rose 8.2 percent. These increases were felt most in regions where logistics and agriculture are central to daily life. 

Outside the National Capital Region, inflation averaged 7.7 percent, with Central Visayas remaining the country’s inflation hotspot for the ninth straight month, posting a steep 10.8 percent driven by food and transport costs. Zamboanga Peninsula followed at 9.9 percent; Davao Region at 9.7 percent; SOCCSKSARGEN at 9.6 percent; and Caraga at 9.4 percent.

The lowest was recorded in Negros Island Region at 4.9 percent, showing wide disparities across the country.   While expressing confidence in the administration’s economic team, he stressed the need for tighter alignment between the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Improved coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities will be important in the coming months. By working closely with the DOF and the BSP, the government can craft a more responsive strategy that addresses pressures currently affecting the regions,” he pointed out.

“The fight against inflation must be felt most in the regions where families are struggling to keep pace with rising costs,” Escudero said.

Senator Chiz files bill to strengthen anti-drunk and drugged driving law

CEBU CITY – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 2078, “An Act Strengthening Mechanisms Against Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, and Other Similar Substances,” amending Republic Act 10586 or the Anti‑Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 and to strengthen the country’s anti‑drunk and drugged driving law in response to mounting calls from road‑safety advocates and victims’ families for tougher enforcement and accountability.

Escudero said, bill intends to close enforcement gaps that have led to downgraded cases and delayed justice in fatal crashes such as the case that claimed the life of 23‑year‑old Cebuano entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng early this year.

“Hindi dapat nagiging butas ng batas ang mabagal o kulang na aksyon sa mga insidente ng pagmamanehong lasing,” he stressed, adding that the bill directly addresses public frustration over weak enforcement, and the decade-old law must be updated to reflect present‑day realities and ensure swift, credible testing after road incidents.

This bill is about saving lives and restoring public trust in the law, citing the Cheng case in Cebu as a mirror of the lack of justice and trust to the country’s law enforcement capabilities.  The 19-hour delay in the conduct of the sobriety test and no breathalyzer/blood test after the crush, weakened the DUI charge against the suspect, Sean Andrew Pajarillo.

Cebu City lacked objective alcohol testing equipment and doctors used only the “Romberg test” — asking suspect to stand and checking if he sways and the NBI finding that the City lacks an objective alcohol test, this gap according to the NBI weakened the DUI charge against Pajarillo.

The result, Pajarillo tested negative for alcohol despite witness accounts and CCTV showing him leaving a bar intoxicated. Escudero bared that under SB 2078, law‑enforcement officers would be required to conduct field sobriety, breath, chemical, and drug screening tests within two hours of a crash resulting in injury or death. The bill also introduces administrative sanctions for officers who fail or refuse to perform these tests within the prescribed period to ensure accountability and compliance.

It further sets clear and definitive blood‑alcohol concentration thresholds anchored on vehicle type and driver classification, increases penalties under RA 10586 to restore the law’s deterrent effect while keeping sanctions proportionate, and upholds the integrity and reliability of evidence by minimizing opportunities for evasion or delay, the Senator noted.

Cebu advocates shout for Cheng’s justice

Senator Chiz acting urgently on the measure would honor victims like Cheng by ensuring that impaired driving is met with swift, consistent, and credible enforcement, he added that his bill mirrored the stricter thresholds outlined in House Bill 8939 filed recently by Cebu City Rep. and House Deputy Majority Leader Eduardo Rama Jr., which proposes a 0.00 percent limit for high‑risk groups and a 0.02 percent limit for private motorists.

Kingston's mother, Katherine Cheng said “no amount of remorse can bring him back” and wants case to prevent future tragedies.  The Cheng case is now on trial, but delays in sobriety testing, lack of breathalyzers, and evidence-sharing issues slowed proceedings.

The bottom line is Pajarillo remains out on bail while NBI and Ombudsman run separate probes into enforcement lapses. The family continues to reject “special treatment” claims and pushes for conviction + legal reforms.

“Kung may nasaktan o namatay, dapat awtomatiko at mabilis ang pagsusuri. Hindi puwedeng hintayin pang mawala ang ebidensya bago kumilos,” Escudero said and anti-drunk drugged driving advocates in Cebu as well as other parts of the country want this bill approved the soonest time. (Photos: FB & Google Images)