First elected into public office in May 2019 as one of three representatives of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Partylist, Rep. Rowena Niña Taduran wanted to see House Bill 8140, otherwise known as ‘Media Workers’ Welfare Act’, to be passed as law before the end of the 18th Congress. She has principally authored 127 other bills.
The journalist-turned-lawmaker was co-host of the hit afternoon public service show on Radyo Cinco Wanted sa Radyo with Raffy Tulfo for 20 years before she decided to go into politics in 2018 to expand her reach in providing public service, especially, to those who are deprived of their basic rights and services.
“I’m here to ask your help to rally, make a noise for the passing of HB8140 or An act providing enhanced protection, security and benefits for media workers, which I believe is long overdue. As a media practitioner, I know what is lacking, the demands and complaints of us who are in mainstream media, those in radio and TV, and in print which is very dangerous, especially, when working in the field,” Rep. Taduran said during a press conference.
“Unanimously approved by the House in January 2021, the ball is now with the Senate. While it has its counterpart bills filed by Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Bong Revilla, HB8140 is now in the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development with Senator Joel Villanueva as chairperson. I hope, with your help, it’s going to be passed soon by our Senators before they get busy when the election campaign begins,” Rep. Taduran said.
“I want you to know that ’m returning to my first love which is radio with a news and current affairs program called On the SPOT: Serbisyo Publiko, Opinyon at Talakayan, to air over RMN-DZXL, Monday to Friday, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. It has three segments, Spotlight, the program’s heart and soul, to showcase the person behind the news, issues and controversy; Buhay Kalinga to feature the plights of ordinary Filipinos in dire need; and Arugang OFW which seeks to find solution to problems of our overseas workers like the issue of repatriation which is I admit is very hard to make during this pandemic,” Taduran said as she announced her return to radio broadcasting this December.