President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a directive to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, emphasizing the importance of preparedness against “emerging threats” in light of the United States’ strong commitment to defend the Philippines from China.

During the ceremony where newly-promoted military officials were sworn in at Malacañang, the President called upon them to “improve collaborative planning and operations to ensure seamless coordination among all AFP units and platforms.”

He underscored the significance of peace, stability, and community security for the progress and welfare of the nation.

Addressing the new leaders of the AFP, Marcos stressed their role in ensuring that the Armed Forces become more adaptable, flexible, and responsive in addressing evolving challenges facing the nation.

He emphasized the need for readiness, with the AFP being capable of safeguarding and protecting the archipelago from emerging threats.

Marcos’ statement followed a warning from US President Joe Biden, who cautioned China that the US would step in if Chinese actions targeted Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

This warning came in the wake of two separate collisions of Chinese and PH vessels in the disputed waters over the weekend.

Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Biden emphasized the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of the Philippines, stating that any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces would trigger the mutual defense treaty between the two nations.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

COULD THE UNFULFILLED P20 PER KILO OF RICE and confidential funds cause the tumbling down of approval ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte?

In the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia in September this year, it can be noticed that from 80 percent in the June survey, Marcos’ approval rating fell to 65 percent, while Duterte’s dropped from 84 percent to 73 percent in 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 in its report.

The President’s approval rating of 65 percent – just 15 months into his six-year term – is only one percentage point away from the lowest approval score that former president Rodrigo Duterte got in a Pulse Asia survey.

It can also be noted that FPRRD got an approval grade of 64 percent in the polling firm’s September 2021 census, and it was Rodrigo Duterte’s lowest rating as president of the country.

“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 nya kayang pangatawanan ang siyang magiging daan upang masiphayo ang mga umaasa  sa kanya. Ito rin ang magiging daan upang dumausdos ang kanyang popularidad,” socialist-leaning Sanlakas -Cebu secretary general Teodorico “Ka Teody” Duran Navea told Maharlika Nu Media in an exclusive interview.

On the other hand, believed to be aiming for the 2028 presidency, VP and concurrent Education Secretary Sara’s popularity was dented during that period when the controversy about the Department of Education’s memorandum revising the “diktadurang Marcos” (Marcos dictatorship) term to simply “diktadura” (dictatorship) in the Araling Panlipunan subject stirred controversy.

The P125-million confidential funds may also have affected Inday Sara’s popularity.

Pulse Asia, however, said the latest appraisal of PBBM and VP Sara still means Filipinos appreciate their work performance.

In Publicus Asia’s PAHAYAG 2023 Third Quarter survey which was released on September 28, the results also showed a similar decline in the proportion of Pro-Administration sentiment, and an increase in Anti-Administration sentiments although the pollster claimed “these shifts do not appear to have an observable impact on the leanings towards opposition.”

Pro-administration support decreased and experienced a notable decline.

Specifically, the proportion of respondents who expressed Pro-Administration sentiments dropped from 48% in Q2 to 43% in Q3.

This decrease indicates that fewer individuals are aligned with the current administration as well as its priorities compared to the previous quarter, Publicus said. (ai/mnm)

FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos got emotional after she and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited overseas Filipino workers at the Lucky Plaza Mall in Singapore.

The Filipino community warmly welcomed the President and the First Lady during their surprise visit at the mall, in which the OFWs usually gather on Sundays.

“Nakakataba ng puso na makasama ang ating mga kababayan sa Singapore!” Araneta-Marcos said in an Instagram post.

The OFWs expressed their delightness upon seeing the chief executive, and felt honored that the President made time to visit them.

“Happy po kami, happy po kami dahil nakita po namin ang presidente namin nang personal,” an OFW said.

The Filipino community also expressed their continued support for the Marcos administration.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa ang pagbabago ng Pilipinas. We’re happy for the changes in the Philippines,” another OFW said.

“Good luck and ingat palagi ang we’re hoping that our country be very successful country that we have,” another OFW said.

“Mahal na mahal ko po si BBM. I love you so much.”

The President also met with representatives of India’s GMR during his visit to Singapore, and they expressed an interest in funding airports, highways, and energy projects in the Philippines.