Palace moves Araw ng Kagitingan, Bonifacio Day to new dates; Jan. 2 is special holiday

Published November 16, 2022, 1:32 PM

by Betheena Unite

The dates of some regular holidays for 2023 have been changed, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Proclamation No. 90

Through Proclamation No. 90 the following regular holidays were moved to another date:

• Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Sunday) to April 10 (Monday)
• Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Thursday) to November 27 (Monday)

January 2 was also added as an special non-working day.

Other regular holidays and special non-working days previously declared through Proclamation No. 42, which was issued in August 2022, will remain unchanged.

According to the Palace, the changes were made to encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures.

“There is a need to adjust these holidays pursuant to the principle of holiday economics wherein a longer weekend will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country,” the proclamation stated.It also explained that adding January 2 to the list of special non-working days is “in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with their families for this occasion.”  

Marcos to raise South China Sea issue if he meets Xi at ASEAN Summits

by Joseph Pedrajas

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has promised to bring up issues on the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea with Chinese President Xi Jinping if he meets him here.

Ahead of his participation at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits on Wednesday here, Marcos made the pronouncement after saying “it’s impossible” for him to talk to China “without mentioning that.”

“Those kinds of discussions, especially with the West Philippine Sea, I’m hoping to do that with Chinese President… ‘Yun ang magiging isang subject matter na pag-uusapan namin (That’s one of the subject matters we’ll possibly talk about),” he told reporters onboard the presidential plane in an interview after departing Manila before 6 p.m. 

It is not yet confirmed if Marcos will get the chance to sit down with Xi, although China is participating in the summits.

Noel Pabalate/MANILA BULLETIN

The Philippines and China are among the countries that have territorial claims over the contested waters in the South China Sea.

The Philippines is claiming the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea, by citing the 2016 Arbitral Ruling in The Hague, which turned in favor of the former. But China has rejected it by unilaterally citing its historical nine-dash line. 

Aside from Xi, Marcos is also expected to talk about the South China Sea dispute before his fellow leaders from other ASEAN members.

In the same interview, Marcos said countries having claims in the South China Sea must first come up with an agreement in handling their differences as he lamented about the slow progress in the crafting of the code of conduct in the disputed area.

He believed it is only necessary for claimants of the South China Sea—namely the Philippines, China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam—to “find an area of consensus” as much as it is necessary for them to resolve the issue of competing claims. “But to do that we have to first status quo everything,” he said.

The President said claimants had actually had previous declarations on the South China Sea, which he said “is one of the many suggestions that I’m hoping to bring.”

Currently, claimants in the SCS are making efforts to come up with a Code of Conduct, but developments on that are slow, he added.

“It’s not really moving forward,” the President said. 

Recently, the Department of Foreign Affairs bared there was already a breakthrough on the issue by saying “there is already a sort of agreement” among ASEAN countries and China on what to do during certain situations in the disputed waters to avoid escalation of tension.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos asserted the Philippines’ rights over the parts of the South China Sea, particularly the West Philippine Sea, when he said that he would not surrender even an inch of the country’s territory. 

Boost local tourism, Marcos urges Pinoys

By Kristina Maralit October 24, 2022 

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. encouraged Filipinos to start visiting the country's tourist sites to help speed up the recovery of the local tourism sector.

In his weekly vlog posted on his official Facebook page Sunday, the President said tourism is one of the country's major job generating and revenue earning industries.

"I will not stop encouraging you all to visit our beautiful tourist spots," he said in Filipino.

"Let's start this Undas (All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day). One reason why I declared October 31 a special non-working holiday is so that we will have more time to spend with our families and plan our vacation," he said.

Tourism can revitalize the economy because improving existing tourist spots and developing new ones will open more businesses, which in turn will provide more local employment opportunities, he said.

Marcos said he has tasked concerned government agencies to step up efforts to improve accessibility to areas with a high potential for tourism.

"The more that they are accessible, the more people will be enticed to visit and pour in money to the provinces," the President said.

Last week at the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception, Marcos pledged all-out support for efforts to boost the tourism sector.

Citing the report of Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco that the Philippines has attracted around 1.6 million foreign travelers since the country eased the screening of arriving passengers last February, he directed various government agencies to work closely with the Tourism department in building new infrastructure, rehabilitating and improving existing tourist destinations and discovering new ones, upgrading sea and airports as well as public transportation, and securing tourists.

DoT redefines key strategies

Ease of travel and better facilities, the President pointed out, will lure more local and foreign tourists alike to see the sights which will generate not just jobs and income for Filipinos but also "reintroduce" the Philippines to the rest of the world.

Marcos reiterated that "now is the best opportunity" for the country to be a tourism hub with its vast, rich natural resources and best asset — the Filipino workforce.

"We in the Philippines have been so fortunate to have been born to this very beautiful country. And even more so, we have been so lucky to be born to such beautiful people. This is something that we can show the world, and immediately, this will come to help on the preoccupation. At the very beginning, we always talk about jobs, we always talk about employment," he said.

"We must immediately do all that we can to make sure that these assets that the Philippines has must be used to bring jobs to people, good jobs to people, to bring visitors to our country," he added.

Marcos pledges to reboot tourism

To further streamline the processing of returning overseas Filipinos and foreign travelers, the government has replaced the One Health Pass (OHP) with the much simpler eArrival card.

Before the eArrival Card, travelers had to register for the OHP a few days before their arrival and accomplish the electronic Health Declaration Checklist (eHDC) on their day of departure.

Unnecessary information fields such as the traveler's occupation and educational attainment have been removed to speed up the registration process.

PTAA: Collaboration key to recovery

Tourism-related fields were likewise significantly cut by half — from 20 items under the OHP to now less than 10 items in the eArrival card.

Upon providing their travel details, personal information, health declaration and vaccination details on the eArrival Card website: www.onehealthpass.com.ph, travelers will be issued with a unique QR code which they will present to Bureau of Quarantine officers at their destination airport in the Philippines.

Marcos: Covid-19 is fading away; ‘it’s time to get back to work’

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that while the past few years have been difficult for everyone, it is time for the people to return to their normal lives as the Covid-19 pandemic is now “fading away.”

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM Screenshot)

Marcos said this in a welcome luncheon at the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City on Sunday, October 23. 

In his speech, the President recognized that the celebration was important as it signals that the situation was slowly returning to normal and in time for the Christmas season.

“It is a good thing to remind people that the pandemic may have been difficult, the pandemic really put us through the wringer, but we are back,” he said.

According to the President, the pandemic is now “fading away,” and Filipinos are now learning to live with it.

“The pandemic is fading away. We are learning to manage it, and now it is time for us to all go back to work, to all go back to our normal lives, to remind ourselves of all the opportunities that were before us before the pandemic,” Marcos said. 

“Now, after that, we have normalized the situation a little bit, then it is time for us to go back to all of those endeavors that we were undertaking before the Covid hit,” he added.

President Marcos said the celebration of the MassKara Festival allows Filipinos to show the rest of the world what they can do.

“It is time for us to go back and exercise once again, show once again the Filipino resilience, the Filipino resourcefulness, the Filipino industry, the Filipino talent,” he said.

“Ito ngayon ang MassKara Festival ay isang pagdiriwang hindi lamang sa pagbubukas ng Bacolod kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas (The MassKara Festival is a celebration of not just the opening of the Bacolod, but of the entire Philippines),” he added.

The MassKara Festival began in 1980 following a series of sugar crises suffered by Bacolodnons and Negrenses. Specifically, the crisis was caused by the oversupply of sugar in the international market, which caused world sugar prices to drop.

The colorful smiling masks in the festival symbolize their resiliency and unity despite challenges and problems

Marcos signs law to fight text scams

DONE! President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the SIM Card Registration Act, the first bill he signed into law as the Chief Executive, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. Vice President Sara Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sen. Mary Grace Poe and Rep. Sandro Marcos look on.  Contributed photo

By Kristina Maralit October 11, 2022 

DONE! President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the SIM Card Registration Act, the first bill he signed into law as the Chief Executive, on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. Vice President Sara Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sen. Mary Grace Poe and Rep. Sandro Marcos look on.  Contributed photo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the SIM Card Registration Act, the first legislation enacted under his administration. The law aims to curb text scams and spam.

The ceremonial signing was held in Malacañang with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other stakeholders standing as witnesses.

"I commend the legislators from the House and from the Senate for coming up with this timely and necessary law. It is the first legislative measure that successfully passed the approval of the bicameral panel of both houses in the 19th Congress," the Chief Executive said, adding that such a law "has long been overdue."

"Truly, the legislation is going to be welcomed by many of our people, especially now with reports of the commission of various crimes using mobile phones, including proliferation of text scams and spam. Indeed, with the signing of this law, we set the important tone that it is our national policy to ensure that technology shall only be used to improve our people's lives," he added.

Filipinos rank among the world's heaviest users of social media, and the country has become a key battleground for misleading or fake news.

Many mobile phone users in the Philippines use pre-paid SIM cards that they buy over the counter without giving their names and addresses to providers.

Republic Act 11394 mandates all public telecommunications entities (PTE) or direct sellers to require buyers of subscriber identity module cards to present a valid identification document with a photo.

It likewise directs telecommunication companies to disclose the registered full name and address of the subscriber upon a duly issued subpoena or order from a court.

The PTEs are also given 30 days to submit a list of their authorized sellers or dealers to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). This should be updated quarterly.

KUWTT: Marcos signs law to fight text scams | Oct. 11, 2022

The Palace earlier said that the enactment of the bill will "significantly boost government initiatives against scams committed through text and online messages, which have become more prevalent this year."

Marcos believes that scams will drastically decline as the new law is seen as "an effective means of regulating the issuance of SIM cards to curb the spread of spam text messages and scams."

"We will soon be able to provide law enforcement agencies the tools needed to resolve crimes perpetrated with the use of these SIM cards as well as providing a strong deterrence against the commission of wrongdoings," he said.

"To cover all users of SIM cards in this Act, telecommunications entities are mandated to ensure the registration of existing prepaid SIM card phone subscribers within a prescribed period. Failure to comply results to the grant of authority for telecommunications entities to automatically deactivate services to the specific SIM Card subscriber under the force of law," he added.

Marcos signs SIM card registration law

The use of false or fictitious information, fictitious identities, fraudulent documents or identification to register a SIM Card shall also be dealt with by appropriate penalties, the President warned. He reassured the public that there are enough measures to protect the confidentiality and data privacy rights of subscribers from point of sale.

"Any information in the SIM Card Registration shall be treated as absolutely confidential unless access to this information has been granted by the written consent of the subscriber," Marcos said.

Globe Telecoms on Monday expressed support for the law.

MSME magna carta needs a major upgrade

In a statement, Globe said a verifiable and fool-proof identification system is the foundation of the SIM Registration law.

It said that if people are allowed to submit any form of identification which can easily be falsified, SIM registration will be useless.

"For this reason, our position has been clear from the beginning. A national ID system must be in place to ensure the safe and successful implementation of this new law," Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo said.

Globe also said the government must look at global best practices in implementing the new SIM Registration bill.

Many countries are using their national ID system to verify the identity of a person who registers a SIM number.

"We support the passage of this measure after previous roadblocks and we are ready to comply. Aside from our advanced cybersecurity capabilities, we welcome a new regulatory environment that has stronger safeguards against cyberthreats and other crimes carried out using mobile phones," Castelo said.

Globe said it is working with the government in drafting the implementing rules and regulations for the rational enforcement of the law, including the rollout of the retroactive registration of tens of millions of prepaid SIM users.

PH ready to take lead in Asean peacekeeping

 

By Xinhua News Agency

October 7, 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is ready to take the role of peacekeeper in Southeast Asia, emphasizing it is good for the country's interest and regional security.

During a media forum, Marcos said the Philippines has a vital role in keeping peace, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the region. "So we have a very important part to play in that because we have a great interest," he added.

Marcos also stressed the need to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to make it more responsive to future challenges and enable the regional bloc to do more than it has accomplished, suggesting he will raise the issue at Asean meetings in November.

He said that Asean should try and push its member countries to present a united front and move it forward in order to make sure the group "has a function to do in the normal scheme of the geopolitics." Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

‘Best time to do business in PH is now’ — Marcos

NEW YORK, USA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told American investors here that the Philippines is a wise investment choice and that now is the best time to do business with the country.

Marcos said this as he graced the Philippine Economic Briefing in New York City on Thursday morning, September 22 (New York time).

In his speech, the President invited strategic investors in the United States to invest in the Philippines, citing the country’s “economic resurgence” following the Covid-19 pandemic.

PH is 'next big thing in Asia'

By Catherine S. Valente

NEW YORK: The country's business group believes that the Philippines is "the next big thing in Asia," assuring American investors that the Philippine economy has a "massive" potential under the "inclusive and collaborative leadership" of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In his address at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), businessman Sabin Aboitiz, lead convenor of the President's Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), underscored Marcos' efforts "to assure you of the integrity, stability and solidarity of his administration and of the Philippine economic system... and to unlock the massive economic potential our country has to offer, with the help of good friends like you."

"So, we are here today to support our President and his genuine efforts to revitalize this relationship and remind you of our commitment. We support his efforts to assure you of the integrity, of the stability, and the solidarity of his administration and the Philippine economic system, which is not without wounds but neither without the determination to heal them," Aboitiz said.

Busy day President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Boeing officials. Contributed photo

"We live in uncertain times. But in our corner of the world, the Philippines remains one of Asia's fastest growing economies," he added.

Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Aboitiz Equity Ventures, told American investors that with the pandemic now largely out of the way, "we're back on the fast track accelerating out of recovery mode and on to the promising possibilities of the future."

"Now more than ever, with the dawn of a new era of digital progress and an environment that has never been more enabling and conducive for business, the Philippines is right for investment," he said.

With the average Filipino being 23 years old, Aboitiz said that the country has a large pool of young, competent and reliable human resources.

"Our workforce is educated, English proficient, strongly customer-oriented, highly trainable and adaptable to different cultures," he said.

Being a critical entry point for over 600 million people in the Asean region, the Philippines, he added, "has easy access to key markets which is a gateway to the East Asian economies and is at the crossroads of international shipping lanes and airline routes."

'Manila, Jakarta deals to build Asean peace'

"Our numerous operating economic zones and IT parks around the country are fully equipped with support capabilities that make it easy for companies of any size and from any part of the world to set up shop and conduct business with convenience and effectivity," he said.

The country also has "bountiful and beautiful natural resources that provide investment opportunities in our agriculture and tourism industries."

"Our business process outsourcing, electronics, manufacturing, creative, maritime resources and export industries have similar potential with track records of success. And with a strong private public partnership, we are aggressively building the critical infrastructure needed to support all our industries and enable businesses to grow and thrive on a globally competitive scale," he said.

"But most importantly, we have a strong leader with a compelling vision and a political will to realize it. With a unified support of our Congress and the Filipino people, the new Marcos administration is taking a whole-of-government and -nation approach to deliver on its promise to transform our economy."

NYSE exec sees strong PH-US markets

He cited Marcos' success in getting "30 of our country's busiest CEOs to voluntarily work for him and for our country."

"This is why we work for him — because he listens to reason and gets things done. Because he has the humility to seek the help of those who know more in order to provide help to those who need more," Aboitiz said.

Among the high-level businessmen who joined Marcos in his US trip are Enrique Razon, chairman and president of International Container Terminal Services Inc.; Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and president of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Ramon S. Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corp.; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Corp.; Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings; Hans Sy, director of SM Prime Holdings; and Doris Magsaysay-Ho, president and CEO of Magsaysay Group, among others.

Marcos turns emotional as he sets foot in New York

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

NEW JERSEY, USA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. became emotional as he reminisced about his life in the United States, noting that this was the first time in 25 years that he had set foot in New York, a place that he holds dear in his heart.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. turns emotional as he marks his return to New York after 25 years, reminiscing how he and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos first met. (Argyll Geducos)

Marcos said this during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community here on Sunday evening, September 18 (New Jersey time).

In his speech, Marcos, who was visibly overwhelmed by emotions, said New York was special to him and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos as this is where they first met.

“Sa New York kami nagkakilala. At siguro mga tatlong taon niya akong niligawan (We met in New York and she courted me for three years),” he said.

“Matagal na kaming hindi nakabalik. Parating kami from New Jersey papunta dito sa New York sa city, eh tinitingnan namin, 25 years na kaming hindi nakabalik (We haven’t been here for a while. When we were going from New Jersey to New York, we realized that we haven’t been here for about 25 years),” he added.

According to the President, he was happy to see the places he used to go to when he was still studying at Wharton, like the New Jersey Turnpike.

How did the two meet?

The President said he would visit his mother, the former First Lady Imelda Marcos, in New York from Philadelphia in 1986 and meet Araneta-Marcos, who was already working in the Big Apple as a lawyer for about six to seven years.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. turns emotional as he marks his return to New York after 25 years, reminiscing how he and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos first met. (Argyll Geducos)

“Nagkakilala kami in court, sa korte. Habang hinahantay ko ‘yung kaso ng mother ko, siya naman ay bumibisita dahil kaibigan niya yung isang abugado namin at ayun (We met in Court. While I was waiting for my mother’s case, she would visit because one of our lawyers was her friend. That’s it),” he said.

Marcos even joked that his first-born, Ilocos Norte First District Representative Sandro Marcos, should be thankful to New York.

“Kaya Sandro, magpasalamat ka sa New York. Kung hindi sa New York, wala ka (So Sandro, you should thank New York because if not for New York, you wouldn’t be here),” he said.

President Marcos is in the United States for the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will deliver a speech at the High-Level General Debate on September 20 (New York time).

This is the first time Marcos sets foot in the US in over a decade. A contempt order worth $353 million was issued by the District Court of Hawaii in 2011 against the Marcoses concerning human rights abuses linked to his late father’s regime.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Marcos, as head of state, can invoke his immunity when he visits the US.

However, not everybody was happy with President Marcos’ visit to the US as anti-Marcos protesters trooped to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark where he met the Filipino community. The critics protested his arrival and condemned the corruption and alleged human rights violations that “paved the way for the Marcos-Duterte administration.”

DoH must function without permanent chief – Marcos

By Kristina Maralit, Manila Times

THE Department of Health (DoH), though still without a permanent head, "must be kept functioning," as it is not just the coronavirus disease the country needs to address but other public health and safety concerns, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said.

While he still has yet to make an appointment, Marcos said the government must ensure the country is ready to curb emerging threats from other diseases.

"We have to remember that the DoH is not about Covid-19 alone. It's about public health in general. So that's another side of it, and it's as important as Covid-19 is. The dengue rates are climbing. We also have the second-highest HIV rate of infections in the world," the Chief Executive told TV host-actress Toni Gonzaga in their one-on-one interview.

"TB is coming back. These are things that we have to attend to," he added.

In the case of monkeypox, while other countries have had a surge in infections, the Philippines remains "OK," and he has already sat down with DoH executives "about the acquisition of the monkeypox vaccine."

Marcos: Preserve environment

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. led the national simultaneous bamboo and tree planting event in San Mateo, Rizal to mark his 65th birthday on Tuesday. PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMOR

By Catherine S. Valente, Manila Bulletin

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on the public to unite in protecting and preserving the environment to "make sure that our plans for the country's economy will succeed."

In his speech, the President described the tree-planting activities as "simple yet impactful undertaking[s]" to protect the environment.

"The challenges we hurdled in recent years highlighted the fact that we have one Earth. We must spare no effort to ensure that it survives in the years to come," Marcos said.

"During my address [on the] State of the Nation, I made it clear: 'Preserving the environment is nothing less than preserving life.' And therefore, it can only be one of our important priorities if we wish to make sure that our plans for the country's economy will succeed," he added.

Marcos thanked the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture, for the collaboration that made the events in San Mateo and elsewhere possible.

"We have to do this as a concrete step that we take so that nature is cared for because it desperately needs that care and it desperately needs that attention," he said.

The President said this initiative "will greatly help in raising awareness on environmental welfare and protection."

He also thanked the nongovernment organizations present during the activity.

"Your presence in the selected areas across the country shows your commitment to prioritize Mother Earth and encourage everyone to unite for her benefit," he said. "Indeed, this initiative will contribute to the DENR's National Greening Program, the country's most ambitious reforestation program yet."

With the goal of reducing poverty, Marcos said, ensuring food security, environmental stability, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change and adapting to climate change, more than two million hectares of reforestation sites were established from 2011 to 2021.

"An additional 46,265 hectares are expected to be developed in 2022. The DENR targets 11,631 hectares of enhanced National Greening Program sites in 2023," the President said. "And so, the seedlings that we will plant today will be significant in realizing this goal. This program will generate jobs, will generate opportunities and will generate livelihood for our countrymen."

The Chief Executive said more than the economic benefit of this activity, "we are essentially and primarily investing in ensuring that our planet remains a safe space."

Marcos' first 50 days: Gaining trust and control

"Never mind for us, but we are only custodians of this earth. But more so that we can say to the children, the Filipinos that follow us, that we have taken good care of that, which they will inherit," Marcos added.

"Trees and plants in general are vital to human existence. I thus wish that as we appreciate the impact of this endeavor, we also see it for the symbolic gesture that it is. It is a reminder for us to see past our personal interest and have the future in sight," he said.

Tuesday's kick-off ceremony of the "Buhayin ang Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan" is a government program that aims to plant 8,000 seedlings and bamboo planting stocks in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

Compos mentis

The tree-planting sites are San Mateo in Rizal; Majayjay, Laguna; Trece Martires City, Cavite; Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, and Dolores, Quezon.

Marcos suspends govt work, classes in public schools due to 'Florita'

By Catherine S. Valente

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has suspended government work and public school classes in all levels in Metro Manila and several other provinces beginning Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday, August 24, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita.

Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said the President declared the suspension of government work and classes in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan starting 1:00 p.m.

"The President has declared a suspension of work and classes in all levels today until tomorrow, for all government offices and public schools in NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita," Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

"The heavy rains pose possible risks to the general public based on the recommendations of the Office of Civil Defense," she added.

However, government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disaster and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services will continue their operations.

"The recommended suspension will prevent any untoward incidents and will ensure the safety of the general public," the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, Cruz-Angeles said suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

"The same course of action for private schools and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads," she said.

Marcos vetoes bill expanding Davao Light franchise area

By Catherine S. Valente

(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has vetoed a measure seeking to expand the franchise area of the Davao Light and Power Company Inc., Malacañang said on Thursday.

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said the President vetoed the bill "due to, among others, its susceptibility to infringe on the franchise coverage area of the North Davao Electric Cooperative."

"While I recognize the prerogative of the Honorable Members of Congress and the laudable intent of the bill to further improve and develop access to electricity within the captive market of the expanded franchise area, I am constrained to veto the bill due to the susceptibility of the proposed expansion of the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company Inc. to legal and/or constitutional challenge due to the apparent overlap and possible infringement into the subsisting franchise, permits and contracts previously granted to North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc.," Marcos said in his letter to Congress.

The President explained that North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. has existing franchises in the expanded franchise area that will subsist until 2028 and until 2033.

"The bill runs counter to the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act 9136, or the Epira (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) mandating that 'all existing franchises shall be allowed to their full term,'" he said.

Marcos also said "the bill, while on its face amends the franchise of another entity over the expanded area, is a prohibited collateral attack on North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. franchise."

"This is contrary to a jurisprudentially settled doctrine that a franchise cannot be subjected to a 'collateral attack.' In view of these considerations, I am constrained to veto the above-mentioned enrolled bill," he added.

Still, Marcos said he remains committed to the total electrification of the Philippines "with utmost respect for the concomitant rights of the public service entities engaged in supplying electric service, as well as the consumers thereof."

House Bill 10554 sought to amend Republic Act 11515, extending for another 25 years the franchise granted to Davao Light and Power Company Inc.

It would have placed Tagum City, Island Garden City of Samal and the municipalities of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro and Talaingod under the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company Inc.

These areas are currently serviced by the North Davao Electric Cooperative Inc.

Daao Light and Power Company Inc. currently services Davao City, Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.

PHAP backs Marcos on affordable medicines

By Ed Paolo Salting, Manila Times

THE Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said it is supporting the call of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for cheaper medicines and affordable health care for Filipinos.

In a statement, the PHAP, which represents the research-based medicines and vaccines manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the Philippines, also welcomed the President's directive to align health protocols as well as to strengthen cooperation with the private sector to enable full capacity for businesses.

"As a science-driven industry, PHAP is supporting the reopening of the economy through the research and development of diagnostics, vaccines and medicines, and ensuring that they are available in the country," the statement read. "Its members are also vigorously working with the government for a stable supply of life-saving treatments amid global challenges."

The organization is partnering with the government to help protect frontliners and communities affected by the pandemic, and continues its information campaign on the value of vaccination.

The PHAP also supports Marcos' call for healthy competition in the industry in order to bring down the cost of medicines for all Filipinos. Marcos initially made the announcement after meeting with the Indian ambassador to the Philippines where he said he was encouraging local pharmaceutical companies to explore joint ventures with their Indian counterparts, particularly in the area of generic medicines and therapeutics.

Toni Gonzaga to sing national anthem in BBM's inauguration

 MARCOS SUPPORTER Actress-host Toni Gonzaga (second from left) will sing the National Anthem at the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the National Museum. With Gonzaga in this photo are Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte and husband and director Paul Soriano. INSTAGRAM PHOTO/CELESTINEGONZAGA

By Iza Iglesias

(UPDATE) ACTRESS-HOST Toni Gonzaga will sing the Philippine national anthem in the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or BBM on June 30, 2022 at the National Museum in Manila.

The news was confirmed on Tuesday by Franz Imperial, a member of the preparation committee.

Gonzaga was among the prominent personalities who campaigned for the UniTeam led by Marcos and running mate and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.

She has joined and performed in the tandem's nationwide campaign rallies while her husband, award-winning director Paul Soriano, directed the political advertisements of Marcos.

The president-elect, who happens to be their wedding godfather, earlier applauded Gonzaga and Soriano despite being criticized by netizens on social media platforms.

"We should congratulate them for the fine work that they did. In front of me is Miss Toni Gonzaga. Sabi ko nga kanina na siya ang nag-start ng kampanya na ito. Noong pumutok 'yung interview sa akin at kriniticize siya, ang tapang-tapang nito. I didn't expect that this elegant lady would be able to withstand these criticisms (As I had said, she started the campaign, When her interview with me came out, and she was criticized for it, she stood her ground, she was brave)," Marcos said, referring to Gonzaga's one-on-one YouTube interview with him, in a Facebook video shared by director Darryl Yap on May 15.

"Sinundan pa ni Paul (Paul followed suit), who did our ads. Sa aking palagay (In my opinion), nobody can contest at malayung-malayo (the ads and they were exceptional). Ginagaya nga, eh (They were being imitated). 'Di ba 'yung isa o dalawang ads natin ginagaya (Isn't it that one or two of our ads were being copied)? They were that good, and we kept the momentum going and the message alive," he added.

Movie and TV actress Cris Villonco will sing the inauguration song titled "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" with the Young Voices of the Philippines choir.

Meanwhile, National Commission for Culture and the Arts head Nick Lizaso confirmed that the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, pianist Cecille Licad, and singers Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez have been tapped to perform at the reception dinner in Malacañang.

Drastic steps pushed vs food, energy crunch

By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino

 and Eireene Jairee Gomez

President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said over the weekend that boosting the agriculture sector would ensure food security in the country.File Photo

President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said over the weekend that boosting the agriculture sector would ensure food security in the country.File Photo

THERE is an urgent need for the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to consider drastic measures that would ease the adverse effects of a looming food and energy crises in the country brought about by global environmental and health woes and the war in Ukraine.

Albay Second District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente "Joey" Salceda said that fighting inflation and keeping food affordable should be the immediate economic priorities of the incoming administration.

"It's the most pro-poor policy the new president can take on his first few days in office," Salceda said.

The lawmaker, who has been reelected, said "I am also recommending a package of bills..."

"Apart from funding provisions and provisions allowing the President to redirect some unused appropriations and resources, I am also proposing that we enact a package of anti-inflationary measures, such as anti-price gouging in the food and fuel sectors, price unbundling for fuel, some key tariff removals for imported farm inputs such as fertilizers and equipment, and boosting the production of domestic energy sources such as coal, until we can overcome this global price problem," Salceda said.

   

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday that headline inflation in the country increased further to 5.4 percent in May 2022 from 4.9 percent in April 2022.

Marcos said over the weekend that boosting the agriculture sector would ensure food security in the country.

Energy Undersecretary Benito Ranque said one of the viable solutions which should go hand in hand with other energy measures is the use of modular nuclear reactors for deployment to island provinces suffering weeks of darkness and economic standstill in the aftermath of strong weather disturbances.

Why Russia's war on Ukraine poses a risk to global food security

Taking cue from the use of modular or mobile nuclear power reactors in the United States and China, Ranque said that he is inclined to believe that it is perfectly safe to adopt such — but with caution and strict supervision of whoever the Philippine government secures a contract with to provide what he deemed as extremely necessary "if only to ease the impact of an energy shortage in 2023, as predicted by no less than former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla."

When asked as to what could have triggered an imminent energy crisis, Ranque admitted that the government has failed to facilitate the establishment of sufficient power plants in anticipation of the rapidly growing number of electricity users.

"Let's be candid about this one. The government wasn't able to push for building sufficient power generating facilities for the last 20 years. During these years, the population rapidly increased, which means more people are using the same buffer supply we had back in 2002."

Citing the compact size of the modular nuclear reactors, Ranque said that these facilities could easily be transported anywhere — with high emphasis to places frequently suffering from power outages in view of extreme weather disturbances.

Expert sees no need to cut fuel taxes

Moreover, Ranque said that each modular nuclear reactor has the capacity to produce more than enough electricity to light up an entire island like Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Samar, Leyte and other island provinces, which had suffered months living without electricity because the typhoons destroyed power grids in those areas.

Sought for safety assurance, Ranque said he would prefer to forge a contract which would include two essential provisions ─ one is for the supplier of the modular nuclear reactors to administer its use and number two, for the same supplier to find a place outside the country where they would dump or process nuclear wastes.

"They have the technology in disposing or handling the nuclear waste so it is best for us to include that provision in the contract," he noted.

UN: Food crises loom

Ranque, however, stressed that while the government is dealing with the immediate energy concerns, it is still most advisable to empower small electricity cooperatives in the countryside by helping them acquire its own renewable power plants while simultaneously working on the "underground cabling," prioritizing typhoon prone areas to allow uninterrupted power supply by the distribution utilities such as electric cooperatives.

The United Nations on Tuesday warned about multiple, looming food crises on the planet, driven by climate "shocks" like drought and worsened by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that have sent fuel and food prices soaring.

Marcos vows rules-based order in West PH Sea

By Catherine S. Valente, Manila Times

 

COURTESY CALLS President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. meets Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel of Germany, Ambassador Mohammed Ride El Fassi of Morocco and Ambassador Jorge Moragas of Spain in his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Marcos was elected president in the May 2022 elections and will take his oath on June 30. PHOTOS FROM BBM MEDIA BUREAU

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has agreed to promote international rules-based order and the rule of law to maintain peace and stability in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

The commitment was made during his meeting with German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, where they discussed the bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Germany.

Speaking to reporters, Reiffenstuel said she and Marcos discussed their interest in protecting the maritime sector through enforcing the rule of law.

"We exchanged and we explored our joint interest our common interest in protecting international rules based order and the rule of law that needs to be applied also in the maritime sector," Reiffenstuel said in a press briefing after her private meeting with Marcos.

"We didn't go into details, but we realized that we have a common interest to continue with our cooperation," she added.

Apart from enhancing maritime cooperation between their two countries, Reiffenstuel said she and Marcos also discussed global challenges, including climate change.

"We exchanged [views] about the ongoing bilateral cooperation and the cooperation in the international frame in the multilateral formats. We also discussed potentials for furthering cooperation not only on mutual interests but also on addressing global challenges like climate change," she said.

The envoy said that she informed Marcos about the ongoing programs of Germany to help the Philippines in addressing climate change, including their €25 million donation for climate change-related projects.

The two also talked about global food security, which has been greatly affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"I informed him about the upcoming international ministerial conference on global food security. This is also [set] against the background of the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine, with regard to the challenges on global food security," she said.

Reiffenstuel said that they also tackled the safeguarding of the rule of law and protecting human rights and  also underlined the importance Germany attaches to the rule of law and safeguarding human rights, and of our continued commitment to the same," the ambassador said.

"In this context that I also mentioned, German support, contribution and funding for the United Nations joint program on human rights here in the Philippines continues," she added.

The ambassador said that they also focused their discussion on renewable energy. Among Marcos' campaign promises was the provision of lower power rates to the people.

"Renewable energies, of course, are of great importance to us, to Germany. We exchanged ideas about the experiences and the commitment, the distribution and the share of renewable energies in our two countries," she said.

Reiffenstuel said that Marcos illustrated his early commitment to renewable energy by mentioning the wind farm in Ilocos Norte, and they agreed that there is a need to continue deepening the discussions, since this is an area of mutual interest.

Aside from the German ambassador, Ambassador Jorge Moragas of Spain and Ambassador Mohammed Ride El Fassi of Morocco also paid courtesy calls on Marcos.

BBM eyes economic stimulus measure

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. File Photo

By Catherine S. Valente, Manila Times

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is looking at the national budget for 2023 to fund an economic stimulus measure that will help those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to reporters at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Monday, Marcos admitted that most of the 2022 budget has been disbursed "but not all of it has been spent, so we still have some breathing room."

He added that only a little was left of this year's budget "that's why we will have to look to the new budget, the budget for 2023, which is presently being written."

Marcos said his administration intends to allocate funds for investment-led expenditures that will bring profits to the government.

He did not elaborate, but investment expenditures are those that stimulate the economy such as infrastructure.

"We have to look at that to find sufficient funds for the things we want to do. Basically, move some public expenditure away from non-investment expenditures to more investment expenditures, again to revitalize, to retool the economy," Marcos said.

He, however, was not keen on a proposal to sell some government assets in order to generate more funds to pay for the country's growing debts.

"I'm always very wary of selling government assets. As a matter of principle, I'd rather not," Marcos said.

House leaders led by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez are looking to pass a stimulus package dubbed "Bangon Bayan Muli" Bill under the 19th Congress, which will convene after June 30.

Romualdez, Marcos' cousin, said the measure will allow the president-elect to use resources available during the final months of 2022 to address the country's pandemic response and use leftover funds to stimulate the economy.

Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, however, said the next administration may not have enough funds for another stimulus package as the government has already disbursed 90 percent of the P5-trillion national budget for this year.

"Unless the new administration can find or create fresh funds, the stimulus package monikered as 'Bayan Bangon Muli' will be mere sloganeering and simply a change in nomenclature from the original Bayanihan," Lagman said, referring to the two stimulus packages approved by President Rodrigo Duterte during the pandemic.

Two Bayanihan laws have been passed to supplement funds for the recovery and response of the government against the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Marcos said that the Philippines needs to have higher power supply to accelerate the industrialization of crucial sectors affected by the pandemic.

He discussed with South Korean Ambassador to Manila Kim Inchul the revival of the mothballed nuclear power plant built during his late father's administration.

Marcos said the South Korean envoy offered his country's help in reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong, Bataan.

"Napag-usapan namin ng South Korean ambassador 'yung offer nila at 'yung nakapunta na dito na expert ng nuclear power para tingnan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, para makita kung ano pa ang puwede pang gawin, kung puwede pang ituloy o kailangan na ba magtayo ng bago (We discussed with the South Korean ambassador their offer, and their nuclear power expert already visited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, to see what else could be done, whether or not it could be revived or if a new one should be built)," the former senator told reporters.

"Binuhay namin muli ang diskusyon na 'yun (We revived that discussion). Although they have come before, we will now study their recommendation, their findings and we will see if we can still apply," he added.

Marcos noted that a power facility needs to have "at least three years of lead time" before it can be fully utilized.

"Kahit na hindi aabutan ng administrasyon ko (Even if it will not happen during my administration), we still have to start somewhere," he said.

"Isa sa pinakamalaking problema (One of the biggest problems) is the supply of power. If we are going to industrialize post-pandemic... then the power sector must be ready for that," he added.

The BNPP was the only nuclear power plant in the region during the 1980s as the Philippines was one of the first Southeast Asian countries to embark on a nuclear energy program.

However, the project was mothballed because of corruption allegations and safety concerns.

A study conducted by Russia State Atomic Energy Corp. in 2017 said the rehabilitation of BNPP will require from $3 billion to $4 billion.