JAKARTA—President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrived in Jakarta on Saturday evening, ahead of the inauguration of Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka. The historic ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, October 20.

The First Couple’s flight touched down at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, where they were greeted by Indonesian Minister of Home Affairs, General (ret.) Muhammad Tito Karnavian, along with other senior Indonesian officials and representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez confirmed the warm reception extended to the Marcoses, sharing that the Indonesian government, alongside Philippine officials, ensured a welcoming atmosphere upon their arrival.

The visit follows an invitation from outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who personally asked President Marcos to witness the transition of power to President-elect Prabowo and Vice President-elect Gibran. Several photos released by the PCO showcased the cordial welcome, with both Indonesian and Philippine dignitaries in attendance.

ia/mnm

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos took to social media to wish former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos a happy 95th birthday on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

The President thanked his mother for teaching him and his children kindness and compassion, while the First Lady expressed her gratitude for being a second mother to her.

In March, the former First Lady was briefly hospitalized for mild pneumonia.

(el Amigo/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero has addressed the viral video showing First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos taking a sip from his wine glass.

The incident occurred during the Vin d’Honneur, which was part of the 126th Independence Day anniversary celebration held at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.

“I consider it gentlemanly to wait on a lady, whether she is the First Lady or not,” Escudero remarked.

“Some might say it’s old-fashioned or that it makes one appear subservient, but for me, being courteous and respectful towards others will never go out of style, no matter what anyone says,” he added.

After taking a sip, Araneta-Marcos returned the wine glass to Escudero.

(el Amigo/mnm)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday (April 22, 2024) said that the sentiments of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos do not affect her mandate.

Duterte-Carpio was reacting to the statement of the First Lady, saying that her relationship with the former has soured.

“Mga kababayan, bilang tao, karapatan ni Unang Ginang Liza Marcos na makaramdam ng sama ng loob at galit,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“Subalit ang kanyang personal na damdamin ay walang kinalaman sa aking mandato bilang isang opisyal ng pamahalaan,” she added.

The Vice President also said that she would have a private conversation with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. regarding the matter.

“Upang makausad tayo, iiwan na natin sa isang pribadong pag-uusap sa pagitan lamang namin ni Pangulong “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang mga susunod na hakbang.”

Earlier, the First Lady said that she was hurt after former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statement, calling the President “bangag” (intoxicated).

“When she went to Davao, [Rodrigo] Duterte said o ‘bangag, bangag di ba.’ Imagine a former president calling ano bangag. Wow ‘yung 6 years why would you call ano bangag di ba and then the camera panned on her (VP Sara) tumatawa,” she said during a political gathering.

“Bad shot na ‘yan (VP Sara) sa akin, unless she says sorry or whatever. She crossed the line,” the First said in an exclusive interview with Ka Tunying (Anthony Taberna).

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos dismissed criticisms from the Dutertes and other detractors, asserting she won’t descend to their level.

In an interview on broadcaster Anthony Taberna’s television show aired last Friday, Mrs. Marcos revealed that the disparaging remarks from her critics hardly affect her.

“Bring it on, honey. You’re only as big as your enemy. But you’re not my enemy. I refuse to stoop to their level,” she remarked.

“Every time they sling mud, they only tarnish themselves further. Look at their faces, becoming uglier by the day. Whereas we remain as cute as ever, don’t we?” she added with a smirk.

However, Mrs. Marcos draws a firm line when her children, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Joseph Simon Marcos, and William Vincent Marcos, are targeted.

“I get upset when they target my sons,” she admitted. “Like when former President Duterte suggested, ‘Oh, Sandro Marcos wants to be prime minister.'”

Despite the attacks, she has no intentions of pursuing legal action against her critics.

“Filing charges consumes too much energy. I’d rather not waste my time on that,” Mrs. Marcos remarked.

She remains optimistic that the attacks will cease once her husband’s term concludes. “Maybe in 1,500 days, they won’t have anything left to say,” she speculated.

Mrs. Marcos singled out Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte among her critics.

Tensions between the Marcoses and Dutertes surfaced earlier this year after the former president accused Marcos of drug use during a fiery rally in Davao City.

In February, Vice President Duterte claimed everything was fine between her and President Marcos but avoided commenting on her relationship with the First Lady.

Mrs. Marcos seemed to have distanced herself from Duterte during departure honors for the President’s state visit to Vietnam in late January.

Expressing her disappointment, she stated, “She’s already crossed the line with me. I mean, my husband would do anything to protect her.”

Referring to former Vice President Leni Robredo, who ran against Marcos in 2022, Mrs. Marcos noted, “Even Leni never stooped that low.”

Among other critics mentioned by Mrs. Marcos was former Biliran representative Glenn Chong, who threatened to slap her during a prayer rally in Manila.

Mrs. Marcos also questioned the change of heart of another critic, Sass Sasot, who represented her in a cyber libel case for free but later switched sides.

Counting vlogger Maharlika among her detractors, Mrs. Marcos expressed disappointment at the loss of their friendship.

“The money you received better be worth the friendship you sacrificed,” she concluded.

The First Lady vehemently denied claims that her husband is “henpecked” and that she dictates his decisions.

She emphasized sacrificing her law firm, Marcos & Associates, to support her husband’s presidency.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos have made a complete recovery from their recent bout of flu-like symptoms, according to Malacañang. The presidential couple is now deemed to be “in excellent health.”

Following their illness, which necessitated the cancellation of several public engagements, both Marcos and the First Lady have been cleared of all symptoms by their attending physician, allowing them to swiftly return to their regular duties.

“Their attending physician has confirmed that they are free from all symptoms, enabling them to promptly return to their regular duties, effective immediately,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated.

Marcos wasted no time in resuming his responsibilities, convening several meetings throughout the day. He is scheduled to resume his public duties fully starting tomorrow.

Upcoming engagements for the Chief Executive include a courtesy visit to Malacañang by a congressional delegation from the United States on Tuesday and the change-of-command ceremony of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame on Wednesday (27 March 2024).

(By el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Determined to achieve genuine development for all Filipinos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has reiterated that her husband’s administration’s Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance has no political agenda.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched the Bagong Pilipinas governance branding in January, urging citizens to put the country above their interests.

“Katulad ng sinabi ng Pangulong (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.) noong last kick-off rally niya, ang Bagong Pilipinas is not a political game plan,” Araneta-Marcos said in her speech during the “Lab For All” caravan in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

On Tuesday (20 February 2024), the First Lady turned over her donation of an Elf transport truck and a water truck to Barangay Nabuclod, an upland area in Pampanga province that is home to Aeta communities.

“Katulad ng ipinangako ng asawa ko, we will continue to bring government services closer to the people,” Araneta-Marcos stressed.

The residents received a wide range of free government services, including health check-ups and dental care, during the “Lab For All” caravan.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Aimed at providing essential medical services to distressed communities throughout the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has praised his wife First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for continuing the “Lab for All” caravans.

In his latest vlog, the President said the First Lady’s brainchild “Lab for All” caravan project provides free consultation, X-ray, laboratory services, and medicines to the less fortunate in far-flung provinces who cannot afford to undergo medical checkups.

“It’s a very, very good project,” Marcos Jr. said.

It can be recalled that on May 16 last year, the First Lady LAM (monicker for Liza Araneta-Marcos) launched the “Libreng Laboratory, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat” or LAB for ALL caravan at the Dreamzone Capitol in Batangas.

Araneta-Marcos said the “Lab for All” caravans are held every Tuesday in various provinces to provide free medical services from government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“But, really, galing, galing nila. They put a lot of their time and effort into helping senior citizens get medical services and all that. It’s nakakataba ng puso because some are wearing crutches,” the First Lady noted.

FL LAM’s initiative has been praised for its dedication to helping those in need, especially senior citizens, highlighting the significant effort and time invested in making healthcare accessible.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — No less than First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has expressed admiration for Filipino artistry on display at a center in San Francisco, California, United States.

Accompanied by her sister-in-law Irene R. Marcos-Araneta and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, the First Lady’s California visit included a stopover to Sentro Filipino, a center promoting Filipino art, culture, and cuisine, located in San Francisco.

“So happy to see the 𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪 exhibit & meet our talented Filipino–American chefs at the 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰,” the First Lady said.

“Thank you for promoting Filipino culture, cuisine & heritage in San Francisco and nearby states. 👌 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘺! 🇵🇭🇵🇭” she added.

She made the stopover to Sentro Filipino on the sidelines of her husband President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s working visit to the United States.

In an Instagram post, the First Lady admired the textile wonders and culinary delights shown by the Filipino community in San Francisco.

(IA/MNM)