Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Partylist Representative Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. last week appealed for support from thousands of Catandunganons who have benefited from the laws and programs it initiated in the past six years.
In a closing statement at the press conference at Rakdell Inn last Thursday, May 1, 2025, the congressman likewise asked his provincemates to stand solidly by TGP as well as its three allies running for provincial posts: congressional aspirant Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes, gubernatorial bet Vice Governor Peter Cua, and PBM Robert Fernandez who is running for vice governor.
“Paulit-ulit po akong umaapela sa ating mga kababayan dito po sa probinsya ng Catanduanes na supportahan niyo po ang number 23 TGP Partylist at samahan niyo po kaming apat na mai-panalo ang laban na ito. At inuulit ko po, ako po humingi ng dasal sa inyo dahil alam naman po natin na papunta na po tayo sa tagumpay,” Teves stated.
He pointed out that in the midst of the election campaign, one significant he pushed as principal author – Republic Act No. 12177, or the Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act – was passed and signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Yun pong free legal assistance sa lahat ng mga law enforcer, yung militar, pulis na nasasangkot sa mga kaso habang sila’y gumaganap ng kanilang tungkulin, hindi ito tulad sa kukuha sila sa public attorney office. Ibig sabihin, maglalagay ng isang departamento na puro mga abogado para tumulong lamang sa mga law enforcers na gumaganap sa kanilang tungkulin,” Cong. Teves explained.
He also cited the law providing cheap medicines for the poor as well as the provision of guarantee letters to qualified indigents and financially incapable citizens through the Medical Assistance for IFIP Program of the Department of Health (DOH).
“Pero ang malungkot dito, ang guarantee letters na nakukuha nila ay para sa libreng hospital bills. Hindi kasama yung professional fee o doctor’s fee. Kaya minsan lalabas ang isang pasyente dahil magaling na, walang pambayad sa doktor, hindi makalabas. Pupunta pa sa mga politician, manghihiram ng pera. Kung wala pong makuhang pera, iiwan yung rehistro ng motor para malaman na makalabas ang pasyente, mabayaran yung mga doctor,” the TGP solon said.
Under House Bill 1148 proposed by TGP, the MAIFIP Program will cover both the hospital bills and doctor’s professional fee and this would be the real No Balance Billing as all costs will be shouldered by DOH and PhilHealth.
“Yan po ang isa sa mga batas na panukala ng TGP, kaya gusto kong makabalik ulit sa Kongreso,” Teves stressed.
And there is the “Sana All” bill which would provide free WiFi or internet in all barangays throughout the Philippines, he said, adding that he is the principal author of the measure which has been passed by the Senate and is awaiting the signature of the President.
“Sa PhilHealth naman, napakaraming pera ng PhilHealth. Eh. ang nangyayari, yung mga nanganganak, hindi kinu-cover ng PhilHealth, tayo ang nagbabayad. Dahil ang sinasabi nila, nagpakasarap ka, nagbuntis ka ng siyam na buwan, yung sarap hindi kami kasama. Ngayon kung gusto mong manganak, wala kang pambayad, nahihirapan po kayo, manghihingi ka sa amin. Pero ang daming pera ng PhilHealth, ang dami po ng pondo ng Department of Health,” Teves said.
In TGP’s proposed bill, delivering a child in the hospital will be free and paid for by PhilHealth and DOH through the MAIFIP Program, including the various bills and doctor’s fee, he added.
Recently, the partylist lawmaker from Baras town got the backing of the Department of Agriculture for his call to replace polymer with abaca in Philippine banknotes.
In a report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the other week that the DA would collaborate with key agencies, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to promote the use of abaca in currency and other official government documents.
“We will request that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reconsider its decision to remove abaca fiber from Philippine banknotes, given its impact on the livelihoods of millions who depend on the abaca industry,” Laurel said in a statement.
The DA also plans to urge the DFA to incorporate abaca fiber into Philippine passports and encourage other government agencies to consider its use in official documents.
Teves welcomed the DA’s support, emphasizing that the use of abaca not only promotes sustainability but also strengthens Filipino identity and economic security.
He also thanked Laurel for acting on his call to stop the use of polymer. Teves noted that during his privileged speech in 2024, House Bill 567 which he filed to urge the central bank to continue using abaca in banknotes was approved by the House Committee on Finance.
The Philippines remains the world’s leading supplier of abaca, accounting for 86% of the global market in 2023. The industry generated an average annual export revenue of USD 139.2 million from 2014 to 2023, with 82% of this revenue coming from manufactured products like pulp.
However, the local abaca sector faces challenges. According to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), more than 120,000 abaca farmers earn less than ₱40,000 annually, making them some of the poorest in the agricultural sector.