Tag: House of Representatives
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Court Sacks Zamfara Rep for Defecting from PDP to APC
Overview: Court Removes Zamfara Representative The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the status of Abubakar Gummi, the member of the House of Representatives representing the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State. The decision removes him from office after a ruling that his party switch violated constitutional provisions governing party defection. The Defection and…
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Court Sacks Zamfara Rep for Defecting from PDP to APC: A Political Fallout
Overview of the Court’s Decision The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that effectively removes Abubakar Gummi from his seat in the House of Representatives, representing the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State. The judgment centers on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and…
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Makabayan Critique of VP Sara Duterte’s Budget Stance Spurs Debate on Accountability in PH Congress
Background: A Budget Cut with Broad Implications The Philippines’ budget process is often a focal point for debates on transparency and accountability. In the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the House of Representatives moved to slash P156 million from the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The decision has become a flashpoint in the ongoing…
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Makabayan Fire: Duterte Says House Isn’t Moral Overseer as Budget Cut Sparks Accountability Debate
Summary of the Budget Move In a heated turn of the Philippines’ budget battle, the House of Representatives approved a significant cut of 156 million pesos from the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) proposed 2026 General Appropriations Bill. The decision came amid a broader push by lawmakers to reassess allocations and demand greater transparency…
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US Shutdown Deadlock Deepens as Senators Reject Competing Bills
Overview: A Stalemate Over Funding and Policy Demands The US government shutdown entered another tense phase on Wednesday, with Senate Republicans and Democrats rejecting competing bills intended to restart government funding. After eight days of deadlock, both sides remained firm on their core demands: Democrats insist on pairing any funding measure with healthcare-related provisions, notably…
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Budget watchdog cites alleged pork in 2026 budget; House denies claim
Overview: Allegations of pork barrel in the 2026 budget A coalition of civil society organizations has accused the House of Representatives of embedding pork-barrel-like pork and patronage-based projects in the proposed 2026 national budget. The People’s Budget Coalition asserts that the House Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee inserted billions into programs they describe as politically driven,…
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Australia’s Parliament May Grow for the First Time in 40 Years
Overview: A Potential Expansion on the Table Australia’s parliament is considering a landmark change: increasing the number of MPs and moving toward fixed or four-year terms. The inquiry, led by the joint committee on electoral matters, was commissioned by Special Minister of State Don Farrell to explore whether more representatives are needed and whether elections…
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Australia’s Parliament May Grow for the First Time in 40 Years as Election Timing and Term Lengths Are Reconsidered
Australia Considers Expanding Its Parliament for the First Time in Four Decades Australia’s parliament could become larger for the first time in 40 years as the government explores options to expand the number of MPs and shift to fixed, longer terms. A joint parliamentary inquiry has been tasked with examining whether more politicians should represent…
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OVP Budget Approved in House Plenary Without Sara Duterte
OVP budget approved in plenary despite absence The House of Representatives on a plenary vote approved the 2026 budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) even as its staff were notably absent from the session. The deliberations proceeded with the sponsor, Rep. Jose Alvarez, announcing that Vice President Sara Duterte had authorized the…
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OVP Budget Approved in House Plenary Despite Duterte Absence
OVP Budget Approved in Plenary Despite Staff Absence The House of Representatives approved the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 2026 budget in a plenary session even as its staff were not present for the hearing. The sponsor and House Appropriations Committee vice chairman, Rep. Jose Alvarez, received letters from Vice President Sara Duterte authorizing…