Marcos presidency

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. defends the decision of the government to suspend the ‘pass-through’ fee collection of the local government units (LGUs) on national roads, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Marcos says that the move promotes ease of doing business.

“We are doing this to (implement) ease doing business and to lower the cost of transportation kasi kung dire-deritso ‘yung truck na makapunta doon sa pupuntahan niya talaga, mas mabilis. Ibig sabihin mas mura ang magiging transportation,” Marcos says.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the 2023 Asia Summit in Singapore. He meets with the leaders of Indian conglomerate GMR Group to discuss the “Build Better More” program of his administration.

During the meeting, GMR Group expresses interest to support the government's longterm solution for energy and infrastructure, according to the Presidential Communications Office. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs into law the bill increasing the disability pension of military veterans. military veterans' disability pension

He also signs into law the following, according to a report of News5:

• Republic Act No. 11958 or An Act Rationalizing The Disability Pension Of Veterans, Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 6948
• Republic Act No. 11960 - One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act 
• Republic Act No. 11961 - An act strengthening the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage through cultural mapping and an enhanced cultural heritage education program, amending for the purpose of R.A. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. on Tuesday donates 35 vehicles to the Office of the President, according to a report from the STAR.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives the keys of 35 vehicle units during a ceremonial turnover at the Toyota Special Economic Zone in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he is looking forward to signing an agreement with Vietnam, a deal eyed to strengthen maritime cooperation in the West Philippine Sea.

In a call with Vietnam  Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung, Marcos stressed the importance of maritime cooperation between the two countries.

“Now that we are going to start discussions on the agreement that we have between the Philippines and Vietnam, I think it is a very, very important – it will be a very, very important part of our relationship and it will bring an element of stability to the problems that we are seeing now in the South China Sea,” Marcos says.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denies China's claim that Philippines promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

"I'm not aware of any agreement that the Philippines should remove from its own territory its own ship and let me go further," Marcos says. 

WATCH: President Marcos denies China's claim that Phl promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (video from PCO) @PhilippineStar @ph pic.twitter.com/k7iA2sT5NF

— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) August 9, 2023

The Estate Tax Amnesty Extension Bill has lapsed into law without President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's signature, media reports on Tuesday.

The law amends Republic Act 11213 or the “Tax Amnesty Act.”

It would allow those whose estate taxes have remained unpaid or have accrued as of May 31, 2022, to avail of the amnesty program until June 14, 2025.

Speaker Martin Romualdez assures President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the proposed budget for 2024 set at P5.768 trillion will be approved before the October congressional break. — Cristina Chi

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order establishing an inter-agency council for the Pasig River urban development.

EO 35 created the inter-agency body that will be chaired by the housing and urban development secretary.

The new council has the general function and responsibility of “facilitating and ensuring the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities,” the EO reads.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declares August 8 to 14 of every year as “Philippine Space Week” in order to promote space awareness among Filipinos.

CIVICUS Monitor a global research collaboration that rates and tracks civic space and civil society in 197 countries and territories, rates the state of civic space in the Philippines as ‘repressed’.

In its report, it says it documented the arrest and detention of activists "often on fabricated charges."

It says that one year since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office, civil society says there has been little action to improve human rights protections in the Philippines.

The alliance says it also documented the criminalization, harassment and attacks against journalists as well as the red-tagging of human rights defenders. 

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit the Philippines in 2023 or early 2024, the Presidential Communications Office says.

In a statement, the Palace says South Korean Ambassador-designate Lee Sang-Hwa disclosed this during the presentation of his credentials to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The visit will coincide the 75th anniversary of the relations between the two countries.

President Bongbong Marcos declares April 21, 2023, Friday, a holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. says Saturday the Philippines won't lose an inch of its territory, repeating his previous promise as his government tackles a recent maritime conflict between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards at the West Philippine Sea.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has arrived at the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Saturday morning, his first as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Marcos, an adopted member of PMA Class of 1979, will address the academy for the first time as president.

Malacañang says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide. 

EO No. 9 issued December 28 cites the "urgent" need to reiterate the continued suspension of all e-sabong operations nationwide, clarify the scope of existing regulations and direct relevant agencies to pursue aggressive crackdown against the game. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

The Philippine Space Council met this week, with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. chairing the advisory body, the Philippine Space Agency announces in an advisory.

Also in attendance were Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Defense OIC Jose Faustino, who are co-vice chairs of the council.

The following officials also sat in the meeting:

• Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy
• Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual
• Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban
• Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Noemi Diaz
• Environment Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta Teh
• Finance Assistant Secretary Glenda Rumohr

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says the Philippines is close to lowering the base rice prices to P20 per kilo.

"Palapit na nang palapit tayo sa presyong aking pinapangarap," Marcos says. He mentions that rice can be bought for P25 per kilo at the Kadiwa outlets in Quezon City. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sends his congratulations to newly-elected Prime Minister Anwar Inrahim, whom he referred to as his “good friend.”

In a statement by the Office of the Press Secretary, Marcos says he “[looks] forward to the stability that his leadership will provide Malaysia and the region.”

A senior US administration official says US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Philippines from November 20 to 22 to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Malacañang announces that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order making face masks voluntary in indoor settings.

However, masks will still be required in public transportation and in medical settings. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. says primary health care is on top of the government agenda.

The Office of the Press Secretary says Marcos made the remark in a meeting with World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who paid a courtesy visit.

Marcos says: "We need to do that, especially now that we have learned many lessons from this pandemic… It is the time to start. Even in the psychology of our people, they think that we are now managing COVID very well."

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law the measure postponing the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Republic Act No. 11935 was signed last Oct. 10, a copy of the law published in the Official Gazette shows. — Alexis Romero

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law the SIM Card Registration Act.

He says following the signing that the new law will curb the spread of spam text messages and scams, and provide law enforcers tools to fight crimes committed through mobile phones. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines describes the first 100 days of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the period of "betrayal and neglect".

The group says the Marcos-Duterte government has "wasted no time in imposing five heavy burdens on teachers."

These are:

1. The veto of the bill exempting poll workers honoraria and allowances from taxes;
2. Backtracking on March 19 electoral campaign promise to increase teachers’ salaries;
3. Non-payment of up to three weeks of extended work last July, and under-compensation of services for enrolment and Brigada Eskwela;
4. Unprepared school reopening;
5. Non-response to the needs of calamity-stricken schools in the Abra earthquake and typhoon Karding.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. attends the Metro Manila subway project groundbreaking ceremony in Pasig City.

Marcos says in a speech reduced travel time to be caused by subway project will allow passengers to spend more time with their families, engage in self-improvement activities. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joins other State leaders in expressing “profound sadness” over the passing of Queen Elizabeth on early Friday morning (PH time).

“She exemplified to the world a true monarch’s great dignity, commitment to duty, and devotion to all those in her realm,” he adds.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles says President Ferdinand "Bongbong"  Marcos Jr. will have a State visit to Indonesia on September 4 to 6 and to Singapore on September 6-7.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Huang Xilian, paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., he announces on his Facebook page.

"We are very grateful for the visit, and we look forward to further strengthening the relationship between China and the Philippines for the benefit of both our peoples," he adds.

The Malacañang Press Corps questions the Office of the Press Secretary's denial of accreditation of one of its members, Hataw reporter Rose Novenario.

The reporters group called on the OPS to clearly state Novenario's alleged violations and the grounds of denial of any of its members.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. say he supports the proposal to implement a "ladderized" program for nurses "to address the brain drain and strengthen the country's health sector."

In his meeting with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) in Malacañang, Marcos is quoted in a Palace statement as saying: "I like the ladderized idea for the nurses because that's really becoming a problem – the brain drain that we are suffering."

"They are so good everybody wants them, and they are willing to pay for it, and we are not, or we're not able. So we have to come up with some strategies for that," he adds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shares a post on Instagram where he says he talked on the telephone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Tiyak natin na mas iigting ang ating magandang relasyon sa bansang India," he adds.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoes bill exempting the honoraria allowances and other financial benefits of persons rendering services during election from income tax.

He says it runs counter to the objective of the government’s comprehensive tax reform program. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles says the Department of Budget and Management is scheduled to submit the Budget Documents to the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 19 August 2022.

The proposed budget is expected to be submitted to Congress on August 2022, she adds.

Palace press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announces that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed Senate Bill 2490 or House Bill 9088 strengthening the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

"The President cites, among others, the excessive remuneration to be given the OGCC lawyers, the grant of supervision and control over legal departments of government corporations, the distortion of the relationship with the Secretary of Justice, and the possible violation of the One Trust Fund policy of government," says Angeles in a statement.

The Quezon City local government has denied Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)'s application for a rally permit for the State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

In its denial of the application, the city's Department of Public Order and Safety cited a police recommendation not to allow a rally along Batasan Road because it is not a freedom park and because the rally might affect traffic.

Rallies in freedom parks do not require permits.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed agencies to identify areas for blended learning, he says in a statement from Office of the Press Secretary.

"Ihanda yung mga devices at mga kailangan nila na noong pandemic hindi nasu-supply- an sa mga bata,” Marcos says.

“We continue with blended learning pero in very specific places lamang. As much as possible, face-to-face na talaga,” the chief executive adds.

Malacañang announces that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now free from all COVID-19 symptoms based on his personal physician’s latest health bulletin.

“Dr. (Samuel) Zacate gave the happy news that on the 5th and 6th day of his isolation, the President is now free from all symptoms of COVID-19,” says Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

“Dr. Zacate told the President that that he still needs to complete his seven-day isolation as mandated by the health department’s protocol,” she adds.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announces that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tests positive for COVID-19 through antigen test.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issues his first executive order, directing the abolition of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Duterte administration's Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission.

Marcos cites the need to reorganize the Office of the President for a "simplified" internal management and governance amid the health and fiscal crises. — News5/Maricel Halili

JUST IN: President Bongbong Marcos has signed an executive order abolishing the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Duterte administration's Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission. | via News5/@halili_maricel pic.twitter.com/GsUTsiSGPo

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) July 7, 2022

President Ferdinad Marcos Jr. is set to hold his first Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, his Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo says in a Facebook post.

However, there are still vacancies in his Cabinet, including the next health secretary.

The office of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says one of their measures they are studying is amending the terms of barangay officials. 

Executive Secretary-designate Vic Rodriguez is quoted in a statement as saying: “We are studying thoroughly the plus and the minuses of spending or calling for elections and there is nothing definite yet." 

"But we are open to all options that are being presented to us including the possibility of passing a law and making the term of barangay captains to five years, still subject to three terms,” he adds.

Outgoing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno issues Executive No. 53 to declare June 30, 2022 as a special non-working holiday in the capital to give way for the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that will be held at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov pays courtesy visit to president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Speaking to press after the meting, Pavlov says they affirmed that "the Russian Federation is ready to improve our traditionally friendly relations between our countries in many areas of cooperation because it meets the interests of our nations."

"During the meeting, we discussed this area of cooperation, and we found out that in this turbulent period of our life, the russian federation could extend its hand to help the philippines in much needed oil, gas and other sources of energies," she adds.

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he has accepted an invitation to attend the planned face-to-face Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand on November 18-19.

"The annual summit will return into a face-to-face meeting since 2018, after the 2019 summit in Chile was canceled due to protests in the said country , while the last two editions were held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic,"  Marcos' press secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles says in a statement.

Get updates on the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Photo by AFP/Ted Aljibe)