By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Following Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares’ claim that the Bagong Pilipinas campaign kick-off rally at the Luneta on Sunday (January 28) is just a guise to push for Charter change (Cha-Cha), Presidential Communications Office (PCO) officials on Saturday strongly denied the allegation.

Colmenares has lambasted the event, saying it’s “a waste of public funds.”

“Definitely not. This is an activity by the Executive Department for the covenant of Bagong Pilipinas. This is the Executive Department’s way of showing its commitment that it will do its job… There are no other reasons,” PCO Undersecretary Gerard Baria maintained at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

He pointed out that the Bagong Pilipinas rally will tackle the PBBM administration’s commitment to improve government services.

“[Charter change] is within the territory of Congress; it is not part of the responsibilities of the Executive. The focus tomorrow will be specifically for Bagong Pilipinas… to communicate the government’s commitments to level up services,” Baria added.

He said Colmenares’ claims are only aimed to “muddle ideas.”

For her part, PCO Director Cris Villonco said that “as part of the event and the one overseeing the event, I can assure that is not the case.“

“We are talking about empowering the Filipino at its very core,” Villonco stressed.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Presidential Communications Office (PCO) spokesperson Cheloy Garafil clarified that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has not announced January 2 as a special non-working day.

“There is no declaration,” Garafil stated in response to reporters’ inquiries about the matter.

Earlier, Marcos declared December 26, the day after Christmas, as a nationwide special non-working day. This move aimed to provide families with more time to spend together during the holiday season.

The Marcos administration implemented Proclamation No. 90, emphasizing holiday economics, with the goal of “ushering in long weekends to offer Filipinos a much-needed opportunity for travel, while simultaneously supporting the government’s efforts to boost tourism revenues.”

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) clarified on Thursday (21 Dec 2023) that the reported declaration of a special half-working day on December 22 is not true, fake news at its best.

“The Presidential Communications Office explains that the circulating ‘Proclamation No. 427,’ declaring a special (half-working) day on the 22nd of December 2023, Friday, is certainly untrue,” the PCO said in a post on social media.

The said document is fake and has no official government verification, it added.

The PCO also reminds the public to rely only on official government sources for accurate information.

“The public is reminded to be discerning and refer only to the official sources of the government for accurate information.”

(IAmigo/MNM)

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Saturday (09 Dec 2023) that the mandatory isolation of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. due to COVID-19 is scheduled to conclude on Sunday. This follows a positive test for the virus a few days ago.

According to the PCO, Marcos is on the path to recovery, having been free from cough, nasal congestion, and fever for the past 24 hours.

The statement highlighted that all other medical findings were unremarkable, leading to the final diagnosis of “COVID-19, Recovered.”

Medical professionals closely monitored the President throughout the entire home isolation period.

In light of his recovery, Marcos’ doctor has recommended that he continue wearing a face mask for the next 10 days during public engagements as a precaution.

(ai/mnm)