By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malacañang has labeled Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement as a serious threat.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated that any threat to the President’s life must be taken seriously.
“Acting on the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President if an alleged plot against her succeeds,” the PCO said in a statement on Saturday (Nov. 23, 2024).
“The Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate action.”
Late Friday night, Duterte-Carpio mentioned in a streamed video that she had ordered an assassin to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if anything were to happen to her.
“Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag namatay ako, wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said yes,” she added.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — As promised, Malacañang on Friday (08 Nov 2024) issued Executive Order No. 74, banning all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogos), Internet Gaming, and other offshore gaming activities in the country.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said “the State has the paramount duty to safeguard national security, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law, protect the safety of its citizens, and ensure the integrity of the social fabric of the nation.”
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), this move is in response to the concerns of agencies such as the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), saying that POGO operations caused negative effects such as increased crime, exploitation, and money laundering risk.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Report also indicated Pogos have been identified as susceptible to money laundering, fraud, and other illicit financial activities.
“The high reputational risks associated with POGO/IGL operations deter foreign investment and tourism, undermining the efforts of the National Government in promoting the country as a safe and sustainable investment and tourism destination,” the EO read.
The President’s order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 5, will cover Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and Offshore Gaming Operations and Services.
During his third State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos promised to ban all the Pogos in the country.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malacañang has released the list of holidays for 2025 on Thursday (31 Oct 24).
According to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on October 30, the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2025 shall be observed in the country:
Regular Holidays:
New Year’s Day – 1 January (Wednesday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – 9 April (Wednesday)
Maundy Thursday – 17 April
Good Friday – 18 April
Labor Day – 1 May (Thursday)
Independence Day – 12 June (Thursday)
National Heroes’ Day – 25 August (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – 30 November (Sunday)
Christmas Day – 25 December (Thursday)
Rizal Day – 30 December (Tuesday)
Special (Non-Working) Days:
Ninoy Aquino Day – 21 August (Thursday)
All Saints Day – 1 November (Saturday)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – 8 December (Monday)
Last Day of the Year – 31 December (Wednesday)
Special (Working) Day:
EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary – 25 February (Tuesday)
Additional Special (Non-Working) Days:
Chinese New Year – 29 January (Wednesday)
Black Saturday – 19 April
Christmas Eve – 24 December (Wednesday)
All Saints’ Day Eve – 31 October (Friday)
Meanwhile, proclamations will be published announcing national holidays for the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha once the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been established in line with the Islamic calendar.
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MANILA – Malacañang has voiced its backing for the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) plan to reopen investigations into high-profile killings tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that the Marcos administration is committed to justice, stating, “The reopening of these cases demonstrates that the administration prioritizes the fair dispensation of justice and the universal observance of the rule of law.”
The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is revisiting the case of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili, following revelations from retired police colonel Royina Garma that police officers were involved in the 2018 killing.
Halili, known for his public shaming of criminals, was shot during a flag-raising ceremony at Tanauan City Hall.
On Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo also confirmed that the CIDG would examine other significant killings linked to Duterte’s drug war.
The Department of Justice recently announced its own preliminary investigation into these high-profile cases, which include the deaths of Halili, retired police general Wesley Barayuga, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, and convicted drug lords Chu Kin Tung, Li Lan Yan, and Wong Meng Pin in 2016.
Garma testified that Duterte’s nationwide anti-drug operation, modeled after Davao City’s system, involved cash rewards for police officers based on the number of drug suspects killed.
PNP leadership, despite the disturbing nature of these revelations, pledged a thorough investigation into the links between the killings of Halili, Barayuga, and others.
“We will leave no stone unturned,” said Fajardo, addressing concerns over the involvement of police personnel.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malacañang has suspended classes and work in government offices on October 14 and 15 in Pasay and Manila.
The suspension is due to the expected influx of participants attending the 10th Session of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), as stated in Memorandum Circular No. 66, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The event, themed “Surge to 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction,” is expected to draw numerous attendees to the two cities.
However, agencies involved in delivering basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, or other essential functions will continue their operations as necessary.
The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
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By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA – Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez announced on Thursday, September 5, 2024, that Malacañang is working to ensure class or work suspensions due to inclement weather will be announced by 4 a.m.
“We have created a digital hotline, which includes the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Office of Civil Defense, PMS, Pagasa, the Office of the Presidential Communications, as well as the appointment secretary, DILG, and MMDA,” Chavez said.
“The goal is to issue an announcement before 4 a.m., if necessary, from the Office of the President,” he added.
Additionally, Chavez mentioned that the PCO may make suspension announcements the night before if there are significant weather concerns.
Chavez was sworn in as the new PCO chief by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday, succeeding Cheloy Garafil, who has been appointed the new head representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
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MANILA – Malacañang released the latest list of new appointments in various government agencies on Saturday, highlighting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent designations.
Key Appointments:
Amable Aguiluz V: Reappointed as Special Envoy to Japan for Trade and Investments. Aguiluz, founder and chairperson of the AMA Group of Companies, first assumed the diplomatic post in April 2023.
Daniel Espiritu: Appointed as Philippine Ambassador to Ireland.
Markus Lacanilao: Designated as Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes.
Notable Designations:
Agnes Tolentino: Assistant Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Marie France Tiatco: Assistant Secretary, Department of Transportation (DOT).
Richelieu Raymund Remandaban: Assistant Director General, National Security Council.
Winston Castelo: Chairperson and Board Member, Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc.
Maria Blanca Kim Lokin: President, CEO, and Board Member, Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc.
Robert Bastillo: President, CEO, and Board Member, Small Business Corporation.
Regional and Sectoral Appointments:
Ricarte Padilla: Chairperson, Regional Development Council, Bicol Region.
Anthony Alcantara: Executive Director, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
Victoria Recio: Board Member, People’s Television Network Inc., representing the government sector.
Michaela Sophia Rubio: Member, National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, representing the employers’ sector.
Maria Gabriela Conception: Member, National Authority for Child Care.
Arnold Atienza: Acting Board Member, Food Terminal, Inc.
John de Leon: Executive Director, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Ariel Dolores: Board Member, PhilRice, representing the farming sector.
Media and Cultural Positions:
Fernando Prieto: Board Member, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Gladys Reyes-Sommereux: Member, Appeals Committee, MTRCB, representing the television industry.
Women’s Commission:
Rosemarie Rafael: Member, Philippine Commission on Women, representing the labor sector.
Evelyn Uy: Member, Philippine Commission on Women, representing the farmers and fisherfolk sector.
Reclamation Authority and Postal Service:
Mario Espinosa, Eligio Ildefonso, Fernando Siringan: Acting Board Members, Philippine Reclamation Authority.
Luis Carlos: Postmaster General and CEO, Philippine Postal Corporation, also serving as a board member with Noel Dacasin.
City Council Appointments:
Michelle Bonifacio: Member, Sangguniang Panlungsod, Angeles City.
Jose Ruben Tolentino: Member, Sangguniang Panlungsod, San Juan City.
Land Registration and Police:
Laura Irynn Padua: Acting Register of Deeds IV, Land Registration Authority.
Aldrin Abila: Police Colonel.
Director IV Posts:
Marion Ivy Decena: Technology Application and Promotion Institute.
Riduan Hadjimuddin: Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Philorita Ridao: NEDA.
Cherry Pie Felisse Maraya: Presidential Management Staff.
Thelma Vecina: Local Government Academy.
Grace Baluyan: Department of Trade and Industry.
John Aries Macaspac, Rudylia Parrel: Department of Budget and Management.
Department of Health (DOH):
Amelita Pangilinan, Ferdinand Salcedo, Paula Paz Sydiongco: Director IV.
Soray’yah Ibrahim: Director III, Department of Public Works.
Ellenietta Herundina Maria Victoria Gamolo: Director III, DOH.
Other Appointments:
Juan Jovian Ingeniero, Araceli San Jose, Dennis Villaseñor: Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Lormelyn Claudio: Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Emelyne Talabis: Land Management Bureau.
Salustiano Jimenez: Department of Education.
Completing the list were Orlando Ongsotto (Director II, National Meat Inspection Service), Jhoaden Lucero (Director III, DILG), Oliver Leonardo (Director III, Securities and Exchange Commission), Aline Magalong (Director III, Commission on Higher Education), Ferdinand Felicen (Director I, Information and Communications Technology), and Angelina Carreon, Khadaffy Tanggol (Director III, Career Executive Service Board).
(ia/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malacañang suspended afternoon government work and classes on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at all levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) due to continuous rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina.
Classes and work in government offices are suspended starting at 2 PM, as per Memorandum Circular No. 57.
However, agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness and response to disasters and calamities, and the performance of other vital services will continue their operations and render the necessary services, the memo stated.
“The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” it added.
Earlier, some local government units suspended classes due to Typhoon Carina.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA – The Philippines and Japan will sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) today Monday (08 July 2024), allowing troop deployment in each other’s territories.
The ceremony will be held in Malacañang Palace, following a meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The RAA, initiated at the first PH-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting in April 2022, saw formal negotiations begin in Tokyo in November 2023. The final text was reviewed virtually in June.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa and Defense Minister Kihara are in Manila for the second 2+2 Meeting, aimed at deepening security and defense cooperation between the two nations. This year marks 68 years of PH-Japan relations and 12 years of a strengthened strategic partnership.
Japan is one of the Philippines’ four strategic partners, with 264 bilateral agreements. The treaty requires ratification by both countries’ legislative bodies before taking effect. The Philippines continues to bolster defense ties amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MALACAÑANG has thrown its full support for five major international volleyball competitions the country is hosting for the second semester of the year beginning with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Challenge Cup that kicks off on Wednesday (May 22) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
In Memorandum Circular 49 dated May 13 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, “all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units are encouraged, to extend full support to the Philippine hosting of volleyball and beach volleyball events in 2024.”
Besides the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has lined up the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week Three from June 18 to 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Volleyball World Challenger Cup from July 4to 7 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Southeast Asia Volleyball League for Men and Women from August 13 to 25 at the City of Santa Rosa Sports Complex and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge from November 28 to December 1 at the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land also in Santa Rosa.
“We are grateful to President Marcos Jr. and to Executive Secretary Bersamin for their support, which the PNVF believes would help further elevate Philippine volleyball to world-class level,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.
Ten countries are seeing action in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup—Alas Pilipinas Women, Indonesia, Chinese-Taipei, Australia and Iran in Pool A and defending champion Vietnam, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in Pool B.
The pool rounds on Wednesday pits Singapore against Kazakhstan at 10 a.m., Indonesia against Iran at 1 p.m., Vietnam against Hong Kong at 4 p.m. and Australia against Chinese Taipei at 7 p.m.
The Alas Pilipinas Women coached by Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza de Brito will see action against Australia at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The Alas Women is composed of Fifi Sharma, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Jia Morado De Guzman, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Cherry Nunag, Jennifer Nierva, Sisi Rondina, Aly Solomon, Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Casiey Dongallo, Julia Coronel and Thea Gagate.
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Malacañang announced on Tuesday (26 March 2024) a half-day work schedule for government offices on Holy Wednesday, allowing employees time to travel to their provinces before Maundy Thursday.
In a Memorandum Circular No. 45 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, it states, “To ensure that government employees have ample opportunity to observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on March 28-29, 2024, and to facilitate travel to and from various regions in the country, work in government offices on March 27, 2024, is hereby suspended from noon onwards.”
The circular further specifies, “However, agencies responsible for providing essential services such as basic healthcare, disaster preparedness/response, and other vital services shall continue their operations and deliver necessary services.”
The decision regarding the suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective employers.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — All current presidential appointees are undergoing a comprehensive “performance review,” as announced by Malacañang, aimed at verifying their ongoing qualifications for their designated positions.
Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil clarified that this directive extends to all presidential appointees, including those selected by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
The statement from Garafil was issued in response to inquiries regarding a memorandum dated February 2, initiated by the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) under the directive of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
The memorandum outlines the requirement for all presidential appointees in office before February 1, 2023, to submit pertinent documents for the performance review.
According to the memorandum, individuals holding presidential appointments are mandated to submit their updated Personal Data Sheet along with clearances from the Civil Service Commission, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Sandiganbayan.
The deadline for submission to the PMS is set at 30 days from the memorandum’s issuance.
Furthermore, heads of various government entities, including departments, agencies, offices, instrumentalities, government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges, are instructed to ensure compliance by all presidential appointees within their respective domains.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – Malacañang has officially released a directive for the dissolution of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NorthRail).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, under the authority of the President, signed Memorandum Order (MO) 17 on October 19, following an evaluation by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations (GCG).
MO 17, which was made public on Saturday, outlines that the GCG determined NorthRail to be ineffective, no longer aligned with its original objectives, cost-inefficient, and failing to deliver anticipated social, physical, and economic benefits in proportion to the resources invested.
“The GCG has determined that NorthRail has met the criteria for dissolution as outlined in Section 5(a) of Republic Act No. 10149, known as the GOCC Governance Act of 2011,” the memorandum stated.
The Board of Directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has been appointed to oversee the dissolution process and handle NorthRail’s outstanding obligations. This includes providing separation incentives to affected personnel, developing a Change Management Plan for stakeholders impacted by the decision, and conducting a comprehensive review of all pending legal cases involving the now-abolished corporation.
The expenses for separation incentives will be covered by NorthRail’s available corporate funds, in accordance with established budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations.
Additionally, the BCDA is entrusted with managing the liquidation of NorthRail’s assets and facilitating the winding-up of its corporate affairs. They are responsible for compiling a complete inventory of assets and liabilities and submitting the original corporate financial records to the Commission on Audit.
The BCDA is also tasked with determining which of NorthRail’s existing programs and projects should either be terminated or transferred to relevant government agencies, following existing laws and regulations.
The GCG has been given the responsibility to oversee the execution of MO 17, while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will work closely with the BCDA to ensure NorthRail’s dissolution aligns with the provisions of Republic Act 11232, also known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.
The Department of Transportation, in its capacity as the overseeing agency for NorthRail, will continue to supervise the liquidation and winding-up procedures of the defunct corporation.
The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel will extend the necessary legal support to the BCDA in relation to NorthRail’s dissolution and winding-up procedures.
NorthRail, initially established as a fully-owned subsidiary of the BCDA on July 31, 1995, had the primary mission of developing, constructing, operating, and managing a railroad system serving Metro Manila, Central, and Northern Luzon.
On May 20, 2019, the GCG issued MO 2019-05, initiating the deactivation of NorthRail.
MO 17 takes immediate effect. (ai/mnm)