Beauty is Lani's choice
ACTRESS Beauty Gonzalez will portray the role of Tolome’s (character played by Senator Bong Revilla) wife in a weekly program, Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik Na Misis, which will air starting on June 4. And according to Representative Lani Mercado of Cavite 2nd District, Beauty was her personal choice to star opposite her husband.
Lani played the same role in the film Walang Matigas Na Pulis Sa Matinik Na Misis (1994), as well as its sequel Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis… 2 (1997).
In an intimate event with the showbiz press, where veteran columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis celebrated her 75th birthday, the couple arrived and graciously accommodate interviews.
“I said, ‘You know, there’s a different touch when it’s Bisaya.’ We have friends like that. I am amazed when I see a Bisaya wife, being assertive and speaking up. I find it amusing. I am amused. I say, ‘Oh! It’s nice to have a Bisaya partner for Sen,” Lani shared.
“And we have many Bisaya fans who can relate to that. So if Bisaya wives have any experiences, please send your ideas to Senator Bong,” Lani went on.
Meanwhile, Bong talked about his latest bill – Teaching Supplies Allowance (TSA).
The actor-politician has played a crucial role in advancing Senate Bill No. 1964, also known as the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” during the recent plenary session on May 10. This bill aims to establish a permanent TSA for public school teachers.
Senator Revilla highlighted that similar measures had been successfully passed in the 17th and 18th Congresses, with his sponsorship and defense receiving unanimous support from fellow senators. The bill’s objective is to institutionalize the Teaching Supplies Allowance, commonly referred to as the ‘chalk allowance.’
By institutionalizing the TSA through this bill, Senator Revilla explained that it would no longer be subject to sudden adjustments or exclusion from the national budget.
“Currently, the allowance is provided through a special provision in the General Appropriations Act, with teachers receiving P5,000. Under my proposal, teachers would receive P7,500 in 2024 and P10,000 pesos starting in 2025,” Bong told Manila Standard Entertainment.
The senator emphasized the need to institutionalize this allowance, as failing to do so could result in its removal by future administrations. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding the allowance by enshrining it in law.
Senator Bong, who has been advocating for this measure since the 18th Congress, projected that 904,034 public school teachers would benefit from its passage. He acknowledged that these educators often have to bear the burden of purchasing teaching supplies, such as chalk, ball pens, bond paper, and even internet load during the pandemic, using their own salaries instead of supporting their families.
To ensure the bill’s viability, the senator consulted with the Department of Budget and Management Secretary,
Amenah Pangandaman, who expressed support for the measure. Additionally, he emphasized that the budget required for the implementation of this law would not exceed 1 percent of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) total budget.
The senator stressed that the amount requested, approximately 4.4 billion pesos, would not impose a significant burden on the nation’s finances. He recognized the hardships faced by teachers and highlighted the importance of addressing their needs.
The bill is scheduled for a Third and Final Reading in the Senate later this week, signaling its potential to become law.