MARCOS TO NEWLY ELECTED BARANGAY OFFICIALS: MAGING TAPAT PO TAYO SA LAHAT NG ORAS

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the newly elected barangay officials to be honest all the time as they play an important role in the community.

The Chief Executive also congratulated those who won the elections.

“Binabati ko ang lahat ng mga bago at muling nahalal na barangay at SK officials. Napakahalaga po ng inyong papel sa ating lipunan,” Marcos said in a video message.

“Maging tapat po tayo sa lahat ng oras. Lagi po nating unahin ang kapakanan ng sambayanan sapagkat sila po ang dahilan kung bakit nais nating magsilbi sa bayan,” he added.

On Monday, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) were “successful and peaceful,” according to the President.

Despite the numerous violent occurrences that were recorded on election day at various polling places nationwide, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said that there was no failure of election during BSKE.

“Despite the fact of our limited resources, nakakagawa sila ng mga pamamaraan upang maituloy lang ‘yong election, dahil and pangako natin, there should be no failure of election in any of the 201,786 precincts in the country, and we stood to that commitment na walang failure of election dapat,” Garcia said.

While some voting places opened later than expected due to various problems, especially security, he said that all of the 201,786 precincts nationwide operated normally during this year’s elections.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

“GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.”

This is the gist of House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman’s statement when he urged the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to join the calls for a ceasefire between Israel and the armed group Hamas.

Hataman cited the loss of lives of several innocent civilians, including children and the elderly, who were caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.

“I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join calls for an end to the violence. I believe this august body can encourage governments including our own to take a strong position against the continued violence against innocent civilians caught in the crossfires of the conflict,” Hataman said.

The former governor of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) also called for immediate and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies in the affected communities, especially in Gaza, to provide relief and medical care to civilians.

“We urge the international community of nations to work collaboratively towards a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We believe in peaceful resolution of conflict, and we have proven this in Bangsamoro,” Hataman stressed.

The Basilan lawmaker then pressed for peace negotiations to end the armed conflict and misery in the Middle Eastern country.

“We call upon the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to return to the negotiating table to seek a just and lasting peace in the region,” Hataman said. (ai/mnm)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration is waging a drug war that avoids bloodshed, thus undermining the scrutiny and condemnation of international oversight organizations.

Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers stated on Sunday that the government’s approach has garnered strong public support for the apprehension and rehabilitation of drug users and the subsequent arrest of suspected drug kingpins.

“It’s a bloodless battle, demonstrating that we can combat the drug menace without loss of life,” said Barbers, who chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

Barbers argued that Marcos’ strategy is an effective one, having earned the trust and backing of the public in the fight against illegal drugs in the country.

He also noted that more family members of drug dependents have come forward with crucial information, resulting in the successful apprehension and subsequent rehabilitation of drug users.

“By avoiding violence when pursuing suspects, our law enforcement can reduce anger, resentment, and the desire for revenge among our people, and simultaneously diminish the attention and condemnation from international watchdog groups,” he added.

Barbers urged law enforcement agencies to maintain their current approach, emphasizing the need for the administration’s anti-drug campaign to remain peaceful and non-violent.

He called on local government officials and barangay officers to stay vigilant in preventing the spread and use of illicit substances.

“It is vital that they actively engage in President BBM’s anti-drug efforts. They, along with airport, seaport, and free port zone officials, serve as our first line of defense in this campaign,” he said. (ai/mnm)

By Liezelle Soriano

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the result of the latest Pulse Asia survey is not important to him as he wants to prioritize the welfare of the students.

“That’s why we’re working very, very hard to make sure that this comes up again, not because of the survey. That’s not important to me. What’s important to me is that we make sure that people have enough to eat and that it is affordable to them,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the government is “slowly heading” towards stabilizing the price of rice.

“I think we are slowly heading there dahil ang supply natin ay napakaganda; ang distribution siguro mayroon na tayong ginagawa doon sa pass-through para sa cost ng pag-deliver nung bigas, lalo na sa mga malalayo. NCR is included there,” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive also said that he is not surprised by the decrease in his approval rating.

“It’s not surprising. People are having a hard time,” he said.

From a high of 80 percent in the June survey, Marcos saw his approval rating (AR) drop to 65 percent.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Marcos’ running-mate in the 2022 national elections, also dropped from 84 percent to 73 percent during the same period.

“Although the President and the Vice-President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experience significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023,” Pulse Asia said.

The survey was conducted last September 10 to 14, 2023.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has sustained a significant backlash in the most recent survey and for a ranking member of Sanlakas-Cebu, this might be due to his inability to deliver on his campaign pledge to reduce the cost of rice to P20 per kilogram.

This issue has become a glaring weakness for him, leading to disillusionment among the vast majority of the 31 million Filipinos who cast their votes in his favor during the May 2022 election, the socialist-leaning official said.

“Ang tinatahak na landas ni PBBM ay taliwas sa inaasahan ng mayoryang nagluklok sa kanya. Ang bigas na pangunahing pagkain na mahalaga sa mamamayan ang naging batayan ng pagboto sa kasalukuyang administrasyon. Ang pangakong gawing 20 pesos ang kilo ng bigas at ‘di niya kayang pangatawanan ang siyang magiging daan upang masiphayo ang mga umaasa sa kanya. Ito rin ang magiging daan upang dumausdos ang kanyang popularidad,” Sanlakas -Cebu secretary general Teodorico “Ka Teody” Duran Navea told Maharlika Nu Media in an exclusive interview Friday.

Known as one of the RJ factions of the leftist groups, Sanlakas-Cebu rooted for then-presidential candidate labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman of Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) in 2022.

RJ is the shortened term for the “rejectionists” or those who reject the “protracted people’s war” or prolonged armed struggle advocated by the RA or “reaffirmists.”

The RAs adhere to armed revolution by encircling the cities from the countryside — a concept that was copied from China’s Mao Zedong by the late Jose Ma. Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 1968.

Most recent survey

According to a recent survey conducted by Publicus Asia, there has been a decline in favorable sentiments towards the administration of President Marcos, accompanied by an increase in sentiments opposing the administration.

In the third-quarter survey by Publicus, released recently, it was found that 43 percent of respondents expressed support for the administration, a decrease from the 48 percent recorded in the second-quarter survey. Publicus noted that this decrease suggests a reduction in alignment with the current administration and its priorities compared to the previous quarter.

Conversely, anti-administration sentiments rose from 18 percent in the first quarter to 23 percent in the third quarter, indicating that a greater number of respondents are now opposed to or dissatisfied with the administration’s leadership. This trend suggests an ongoing increase in dissatisfaction with the administration.

Notably, the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a significant drop in pro-administration support, falling from 47 percent to 35 percent, while anti-administration support in the NCR increased from 17 percent to 30 percent. Southern Luzon also experienced a decline in pro-administration support, from 41 percent to 36 percent, although Mindanao continued to strongly support the Marcos administration, with 56 percent favoring it.

Despite these shifts, respondents’ political leaning toward the opposition or the Liberal Party remained stable at 45 percent. Pro-opposition support remained statistically constant at 20 percent, slightly higher than the 18 percent recorded in the previous quarter, while anti-opposition support decreased from 35 percent to 33 percent.

Publicus noted that some respondents may be adopting a “wait-and-see” approach, cautiously awaiting improvements from the current administration while refraining from full commitment to the opposition until concrete changes are observed.

The survey was conducted from September 7 to 12 and involved 1,500 respondents selected from a market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace. Respondents were divided into five geographical areas: NCR, North Central Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

NOTHING IS PERMANENT BUT CHANGE, an age-old adage that seemingly comes true when retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio who once led the “anti-Marcos” 1Sambayan opposition coalition in 2022 is now supporting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s move to strengthen the country’s alliances with other states amid China’s moves in the West Philippine Sea.

This developed as Carpio said on Wednesday that China cannot dictate who can fish inside Scarborough Shoal in reaction to reports that the Chinese Coast Guard installed floating barriers near the disputed shoal to drive away Filipino fishermen.

The Chinese floating barriers had already been removed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday night, September 25, upon the marching order of President Marcos Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

“We had a right. Tama ang pagtanggal ng barrier kasi sabi sa arbitral tribunal, in the award, na common fishing ground ‘yung lagoon and territorial sea ng Scarborough Shoal. Common fishing ground ng Filipino, Chinese, and Vietnamese fishermen,” Carpio said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

On Wednesday, the PCG also encouraged Filipino fishermen to keep fishing at Scarborough Shoal and other sites in the South China Sea, promising to intensify patrols there despite the daunting presence of some bigger Chinese vessels.

“Kung common fishing ground ng tatlong bansa, not a single country can stop others from fishing there. Walang karapatan ang China na sila lang sa sarili nila magdecide na sila lang ang pwedeng mangisda doon sa loob ng lagoon,” Carpio stressed.

He pointed out that the arbitral tribunal did not rule on who has sovereignty of Scarborough Shoal “kasi that question is beyond the jurisdiction of the tribunal.” (ai/mnm)

PBBM warns smugglers anew, distributes seized smuggled rice from customs

By Junex Doronio

INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE SEIZED SMUGGLED RICE to rot, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the distribution of confiscated rice to poor families as he indicated that the days of hoarders and smugglers are numbered.

“Kaysa naman masayang ang mga bigas na ito ay minabuti na nating ibigay sa mga mamamayan,” the President said.

The distributed rice was from 42,180 rice sacks worth an estimated P42 million that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) earlier seized in Zamboanga City.

“Magsisilbing babala rin ito sa mga smugglers at hoarders na ang bigas sa bansa ay ating babantayan,” President Marcos further said.

So far, the rice has been given to poor families in Zamboanga, General Trias in Cavite, Camarines Sur, and now in Manila.

The Chief Executive warned that smuggling, hoarding, and abuse are prohibited in the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines), the PBBM’s rebrand of government.

He also expressed confidence that his campaign promise that rice will be sold at P20 per kilo will still be realized once the agriculture sector and the cost of production stabilizes and normalizes. (ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of Benjamin Cuaresma

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clarified his stance on Saturday, September 23, 2023, asserting that there are no intentions to implement a nationwide fishing ban to address the dwindling fish population in the country.

President Marcos emphasized that he is only contemplating the imposition of fishing bans in specific areas, particularly those identified as breeding grounds for marine life.

Furthermore, he highlighted the urgent need for the government to establish additional cold storage facilities to prevent fish spoilage and promote the development of processing plants as part of their ongoing initiatives.

Nazario Briguera, spokesperson for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), underscored that local governments possess the authority to enact fishing bans.

Meanwhile, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) fishers’ group voiced concerns that government conservation efforts and fishing restrictions disproportionately impact small-scale fishers dependent on fishing for their livelihoods. They called on the Marcos administration to prioritize the termination of coastal area conversions and reclamations rather than implementing fishing bans.

In accompanying photographs, fishermen at the Bulungan fish port in Paranaque can be seen sorting their catch early in the morning.

(By Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: Bongbong Marcos (Facebook)

By: Junex Doronio

WAS IT CAUSED BY THE UNFULFILLED P20 per kilo of rice campaign promise and the recent spike in unit prices of rice?

This question cropped up following a report that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trust and approval ratings dropped based on PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.’s third-quarter survey.

On Thursday, September 21, which coincided with the martial law declaration by PBBM’s late father President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. released its survey that showed 55 percent of 1,500 respondents appreciated the President’s work performance, or a seven-point decline from the 62 percent in the second quarter.

The survey was reportedly conducted from September 7 to 12.

PBBM recorded lower ratings in Metro Manila (61 percent in the second quarter to 52 percent in the third quarter), North Central Luzon (60 percent to 56 percent), South Luzon (55 percent to 49 percent), and Visayas (71 percent to 52 percent).

But in the Visayas, PBBM’s approval ratings rose slightly from 63 percent to 64 percent.

“Connected to the less positive sentiments of Filipinos this quarter, approval ratings of the top country officials take a significant blow, hitting lowest in five quarters,” PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. said.

“All regions except Mindanao contribute to the overall weakened approval but to varying extents,” PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. further noted.

It added the President’s trust ratings also dropped from 54 percent to 47 percent.

On the other hand, Vice President Sara Duterte had a 62-percent approval rating and a 55-percent trust rating.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri continues to have a steady approval rating of 43 percent and a 33 percent trust rating.

Noticeably, presidential cousin House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez had a stable approval rating of 37 percent and a 29 percent trust rating.

Political observers said VP Duterte, Romualdez, and Senator Risa Hontiveros will likely square off in the 2028 presidential elections. (ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: President Bongbong Marcos (Facebook)

By: Junex Doronio

STRESSING ‘EXCITING’ OPPORTUNITIES, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked European countries to boost their ties with Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

The President made the remark as he welcomed Nicolas Brühl, the Ambassador-designate of the Swiss Confederation, at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, September 20.

“I think it is actually wise in terms of European countries, Switzerland included, to look to ASEAN, to look to Asia. Although there are other geopolitical disturbances, shall we say, but the opportunities are quite exciting,” PBBM noted.

He also pointed out that the post-pandemic scenario presents a great opportunity for European countries to have a better collaboration with the Philippines.

“ASEAN leaders have come together to really strengthen the economic systems that we have in place, the weaknesses that have shown up during the pandemic. We’re all trying to learn the lessons that the pandemic brought with it,” PBBM added.

Brühl agreed with the President, saying the good thing is Asian economy is recovering well compared to other parts of the world.

The Swiss ambassador said that beginning of this year, Swiss Foreign Ministry’s Southeast Asia strategy proves that the region is of utmost importance and vowed to partner with it in the future.

Brühl further said that the Swiss Foreign Ministry’s Southeast Asia strategy has proved that the region is of utmost importance.

The Philippines and Switzerland celebrated 65 years of diplomatic relations in January 2022.

Both countries continue to maximize the benefits of the Philippines–European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA-FTA).

On April 28, 2016, the EFTA States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

LIKE A SWORD OF DAMOCLES, a “big change” is expected to rock the Bureau of Customs (BOC) following the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intensify its anti-smuggling campaign and prevent the entry of smuggled rice in the country.

“We need to tighten our guards against the illegal importation or smuggling of rice because what happens, this smuggled rice is not immediately being sold, they will hoard the supply to trigger rice prices to increase,” said the President who is also the concurrent Agriculture Secretary.

This developed as the President led the distribution of around 1,500 sacks of confiscated smuggled rice to indigent families in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay on Tuesday, September 19.

It was gathered that the rice distributed was part of the 42,180 sacks of premium quality rice worth P42 million seized by the BOC-Port of Zamboanga under District Collector Arthur Sevilla Jr. during its raid at a warehouse in Brgy. San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City on Sept. 15.

“That is why I directed our partners in the customs to tighten well and not allow the entry of the smuggled rice,” PBBM said.

Rumors swirled at the BOC that PBBM will be replacing the holdover appointees of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

At the same time, the complaints of several Customs brokers and stakeholders about the “unjustified high duties and taxes” imposed on the imported goods continued to persist.

(ai/mnm)

By: Junex Doronio

SAYING that the high price of rice was caused by neighboring Asian countries that beefed up their buffer stock and local traders hoarding their supply, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday expressed confidence that his promised P20 per kilo during the 2022 presidential campaign is still attainable.

“May chance lagi ‘yan,” the President said when interviewed by reporters in Zamboanga City.

This possibility was expressed by the Chief Executive despite the El Niño and other agricultural matters.

PBBM, however, noted that it was important to fix rice production and other issues, most especially when natural calamities reduce rice yields.

“Ngunit, kapag talaga nagawa natin ang cost of production ibinaba natin ay bababa rin ang presyo ng bigas. Bababa rin lahat. Basta’t mas mataas ang ani kahit na pwede nating ipagpantay ang presyo,” the President said.

He also ordered the Bureau of Customs to strengthen its monitoring of rice imports.

Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said that the P20 per kilo target was still possible if agriculture productivity improved.

(ai/mnm)

Image Courtesy of: House of Representatives of the Philippines (Facebook Page)

By: Junex Doronio

SAYING the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. strongly supports the Free College Education law, House appropriations panel senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo of Marikina City on Tuesday gave assurance of sufficient funds for the significant law enacted during the previous Duterte administration.

“We will make sure that we will have sufficient funds to support that law. That is very important for our youth…for them to have access to free college education. It is very important for their future,” Quimbo said.

She answered the query of House Deputy Minority Leader Paul Daza of Northern Samar during Tuesday’s deliberations on the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024.

Quimbo has sponsored the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024 before the House plenary.

On Monday, September 18, Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, president of the Philippine Association of SUCs (PASUC), expressed dismay that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) only approved P21.69 billion.

But Quimbo stood firm that the PBBM administration has “strong commitment from the DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) that it will support free education.” (ai/mnm)

I SAID IT BEFORE BUT I’d say it again: It’s high time for Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia to set aside their differences, find common interests and unite to revive the Maphilindo to deter the advancement of China’s social-imperialism.

And I believe President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the first majority-elected Chief Executive in a multiparty electoral race, can initiate the revival of the vision to establish Maphilindo as he embarked on a three-day state visit to Malaysia.

In a recent press briefing at Malacañang, a spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed that the President would meet with the king of Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and they are expected to identify new areas of synergy between the two countries.

Will Maphilindo ever cross their minds?

Formed in Manila by virtue of an eponymous declaration signed in 1963 by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman of the Federation of Malaya, President Diosdado Macapagal of the Republic of the Philippines and President Sukarno of the Republic of Indonesia, Maphilindo aimed to remove artificial barriers built by colonial empires to divide people of the Malay race.

Unfortunately, only a month after its inception the agreements soon mired in geopolitical disputes among the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

But I always believe in the proverbial saying that hope springs eternal.

Even our own national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once dreamed of uniting the Malay peoples who were only forced to be divided by their respective colonizers.

Notably, the Philippines was under the yoke of Spanish colonialism for 330 years then sold for 20 million dollars only by Spain to the United States which ruled for 40 years, then got invaded by Japan for being a US ally and occupied for three years, and finally “granted” independence by the US in 1946.

On the other hand, it was in December 1949 when the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence in the face of international pressures while Malaysia eventually became independent from British rule on Sept. 16, 1963.

Except for religious differences as the Philippines is predominantly a Christian nation while Malaysia and Indonesia profess the Islamic faith, the peoples of these three countries in Southeast Asia share many striking similarities.

Take for example, the word “sapato” in Indonesia and “sepatu” in Malaysia is “sapatos” in the Philippines. That is, of course, shoes in the English language.

Filipinos, Malaysians, and Indonesians also generally have the same facial features, brown skin color, and physique.

I really believe that reviving Maphilindo will not only deter China’s social-imperialism but will also serve as the beginning of Lao Zi’s proverbial “thousand miles journey” to ensure peace, freedom and economic progress for the unified Malay race. (AI/MNM)

Speaker Martin Romualdez (left) and PBBM

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday cited the major accomplishments of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. during his first year in office.

“The President did well on Year 1. Keep up the good work, Mr. President,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The President will be one year in office tomorrow, June 30.

For Speaker Romualdez, the most notable accomplishments of the Marcos administration are in the areas of helping ordinary Filipinos, sustaining economic growth, promoting the country as an investment destination, and in foreign relations.

He said the President did his best in trying to address the Filipinos’ daily-life concerns like rising consumer prices and lack of housing.

“Shortly after assuming office, he was confronted with spikes in the price of certain commodities like onions, which were selling for as much as P800 a kilo, and the basic staple rice,” he said.

Through a combination of measures, and with the help of Congress, the administration was able to bring down and stabilize the price of onions and rice, he said.

He noted that the House Committee on Agriculture and Food led by Chairman and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga had conducted an investigation that exposed price manipulation, hoarding and cartels behind onion trading.

The House leader said the President decided to revive his father’s grassroots Kadiwa stores to buy farmers’ produce and sell agricultural products at low prices.

“He has a genuine concern, compassion and empathy for the poor,” he stressed.

The Speaker pointed out that in the area of housing, the President also had to draw from the experience of his father’s administration by resuscitating housing programs like BLISS (Bagong Lipunan Improvement of Sites and Services), which was a project of his mother, former minister of human settlements and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

The Chief Executive has also launched Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino and ordered the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to construct medium-rise and high-rise condominiums for the poor and government personnel, including soldiers and policemen.

Speaker Romualdez said sustaining the country’s economic growth is another noteworthy achievement of President Marcos.

“The economy grew by 7.6 percent and 7.2 percent in the third and fourth quarters of 2022, and 6.4 percent in the first quarter of this year. Those growth periods were the first nine months of the Marcos administration. I sincerely hope we could sustain it,” he said.

He said the impressive growth during the President’s first six months in office was the result of the Chief Executive’s decision to reopen the economy despite the lingering threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that multilateral financial institutions took note of the country’s economic expansion, which prompted the World Bank to upgrade its 2023 forecast from 5.4-5.6 percent to six percent.

The House leader emphasized that President Marcos actively promoted the country as an investment destination in his several trips abroad.

In these missions, the President likewise forged closer diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with the countries he visited, including the United States, he said.

“He has cultivated our ties with our old, reliable ally and partner, the US, and renewed bilateral discussions with China to uphold our interests in the West Philippine Sea and our exclusive economic zone,” he said.

Because of his remarkable accomplishments and his genuine concern for the poor and national interest, Speaker Romualdez said President Marcos remains immensely popular.

He noted that in the March survey of Pulse Asia, 78 percent of respondents approved of the President’s performance, with 80 percent saying they trusted the Chief Executive.

Publicus Asia’s second-quarter survey showed the President’s approval rating rose to 62 percent from 60 percent in the first quarter.

Some 68 percent of respondents in the same survey said the country was on the right track.

In another poll taken by OCTA Research Group in the first quarter, 54 percent said they expected their quality of life to improve, up from 51 percent from the previous survey; while 50 percent, from 46 percent earlier, stated that the economy would get better. (ai/mtvn)

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III applauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the latter’s decision to grant pardon to three Filipinos who were convicted in the UAE.

Pimentel said this “act of compassion and mercy” extended to three Filipinos, two of whom were facing the dire consequences of being on death row, “is a testament of true friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and UAE.”

Pimentel commended both leaders “for their concerted efforts in securing the pardon of the convicted Filipinos.”

“I congratulate President Marcos and thank the UAE government for this good news. I am sure that this significant development will further strengthen the bond between our country and the UAE,” the former Senate President said.

“President Marcos has shown his resolve and unwavering dedication to help our kababayans and ensure a just resolution for the convicted Filipinos abroad,” Pimentel said.

“The Marcos government’s strong diplomatic relations and effective communication have made the undertaking a huge success. His efforts have brought immense relief to the families of the convicted Filipinos,” Pimentel added.

Pimentel also extended his gratitude to UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi for delivering the momentous news.

“The ambassador’s role in facilitating communication between the two nations has played a crucial part in ensuring the successful outcome of this humanitarian endeavor,” Pimentel said.

Meanwhile, Pimentel reiterated his gratefulness to the UAE government for their generous assistance and donations in support of the families affected by the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

The UAE recently donated 50 tons of relief and food supplies for families evacuated due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest.

(ai/mtvn)