Activists are to hold a rally today at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei to protest three controversial amendments they said would shield legislators convicted of corruption, protect ill-gotten party assets and reinstate a television network’s operating license.
Concerned citizens are invited to join the rally, which would include marathon-style events and five news conferences throughout the day starting at 10am at the south side of the Legislative Yuan building, Economic Democracy Union convener Lai Chung-chiang (賴中強) said yesterday, adding that the three “reprehensible” amendments would be explained.
People are already angry at the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) for using their majority to boycott this year’s general budget and block the NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.9 billion) special defense budget, both of which are vital for the country’s economic development and national security, Lai said.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
The opposition plans to bypass proper procedures, circumventing the review and debate process at legislative committees by making an impromptu motion to change the agenda and bring on a sudden vote to catch the ruling party legislators unprepared, as they have done to ram through many previous bills, he said.
Opposition parties reportedly plan to review amendments to the Organic Law of the Legislative Yuan (立法院組織法), the Satellite Broadcasting Act (衛星廣播電視法) and the Act Governing the Settlement of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliates (政黨及其附隨組織不當取得財產處理條例), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus chief executive Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said.
The amendment to the first bill focuses on changing the term for the wages of legislators’ aides and office assistants to “state subsidy to the legislator,” so the funds could be allocated at lawmakers’ discretion, Chung said, adding that it would effectively decriminalize corruption.
He accused the opposition parties of trying to shield KMT Legislator Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒) and others who have been convicted of corruption charges for pocketing their employees’ wages, or for using family members or fabricating fake employees to work in legislative offices so they could take money from the central government.
Lai said the opposition parties are also colluding to lay the path for CTi TV to regain its operating license, after the National Communications Commission in 2020 refused to renew its license following numerous violations of media broadcasting regulations.
Most of the public are aware of CTi TV’s pro-China stance and its biased, negative reporting on the ruling DPP administration, he added.
Chung said that amending the law regarding ill-gotten assets aims to protect the properties and possessions of KMT-affiliated organizations from government seizure, adding that the resources would be beneficial for its party coffers and help the campaigns of its candidates for November’s nine-in-one elections.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS