Charles Dantes

‘Ex-Cabinet official backed illegal POGOs’

June 30, 2024

PAGCOR chief vows to unmask ‘lobbyists’ A former Cabinet official tried to facilitate the grant of gaming licenses to some of the illegal POGOs that have been recently raided and found engaged in illegal activities, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp...

Next DepEd chief must ‘bring up PH test scores’ – Marcos

June 30, 2024

President Marcos on Saturday said he would need more time to choose the next Education Secretary, acknowledging that the Cabinet portfolio entails “complicated” work as he needs someone who can “bring up the test scores” in the country. “Simply put, I ...

DOJ official: Teves expected to return to PH last week of July

June 29, 2024

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano on Saturday said the DOJ is expecting the return of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines on the last week of July. Clavano added: “Well...

Official says Justice department has idea where Bantag might be hiding

June 29, 2024

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday said it has an idea of where former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Gerald Bantag is hiding. DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano also said he is hopeful the arrest can be conducted “peacefully...

Marcos inks Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act

June 13, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed into law the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA), which aims to standardize the country’s valuation of real property. A key priority in his administration’s legislative agen...

Marcos signs law forming Negros Island Region

June 13, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed Republic Act 12000, establishing the Negros Island Region. “This union is long overdue and makes very practical sense, especially in the Negros Island, where people are located on one island but a...

‘Filipinos do not yield,’ Marcos reiterates on Independence Day

June 12, 2024

On this year’s Independence Day, President Marcos underscored the public’s crucial role in the nation’s progress and protecting its sovereignty. “On many occasions, great trials have all the more strengthened our resolve and unified our peo...

Marcos eyes return to old academic calendar in 2025

May 6, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he asked Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte to create a concrete plan for the proposed shift to the old June-to-March school calendar. “Well, of course, I a...

Marcos: PH won’t use water cannons to avoid tension in West Philippine Sea

May 6, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he had no intention of ordering the placement of water cannons on Filipino-owned vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a media interview, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines will not follow the footsteps...

China’s conditions hinder joint oil exploration in South China Sea

April 16, 2024

President Marcos said China’s continued push for its laws to govern the South China Sea hinders the possibility of a joint oil exploration between Manila and Beijing in the region. “We always come up against the same argument between China and the Phil...

Gov’t won’t allow ICC to arrest Rody

April 16, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos said he would not hand over his predecessor to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regardless of the ongoing tirades coming from former President Rodrigo Duterte. During FOCAP’s 50th Anniversary Presidential Forum, Mr. Mar...

Too many excuses on Rody-Xi secret deal—PBBM

April 16, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos said the alleged “secret deal” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Beijing on the West Philippine Sea has “many excuses”. The President stressed during the presidential forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association...

President names Marbil 30th PNP chief

April 2, 2024

President Marcos has named Police Maj. Gen. Rommel Marbil the 30th Chief of the Philippine National Police on Monday, despite the Palace announcing over the weekend that Police Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta would serve as the PNP officer-in-charge. Mr. Mar...

‘Economic Cha-cha efforts on track’

March 17, 2024

Zubiri, Romualdez vow to muster needed votes PRAGUE—Both leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives assured the public that efforts to amend restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are on track. Senate President Juan Miguel...

PH will buy avian flu vaccine made in Czech Republic, says Marcos

March 16, 2024

PRAGUE—The Philippines is keen on procuring avian flu vaccines from the Czech government, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. During his three-day state visit to the Czech Republic, President Marcos, in an interview with the Philippine media delegatio...

Marcos urges Australia to join forces vs regional threats

February 29, 2024

President Marcos asserted the Philippines’ sovereign rights as he addressed the Australian Parliament Thursday, saying he would not yield against geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region in defense of the country’s territorial waters. &...

PH, Australia boosting ties

February 29, 2024

President makes historic address to Parliament, to sign 3 deals President Marcos will address the Parliament of Australia today—becoming the first Filipino leader to do so—and provide his vision to strengthen the two nations’ commitments and vision for...

Review of appointees ongoing, PCO admits

February 6, 2024

Presidential appointees are being placed under review to ensure that qualified employees and officials will remain in the government, the Presidential Communications Office confirmed Monday. ‘’This is a directive to all presidential appointees, including those appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., as part of performance review and to ensure continuing qualifications to remain in […]
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Marcos: Ensure reliable power at all times

January 27, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered the Department of Energy and Energy Regulatory Commission to study the possibility of allowing third parties to construct transmission projects. He also called on the country’s key energy players to make sure there will be “reliable power at all times.” Mr. Marcos made the call during the historic […]
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NSC blasts latest Chinese moves

January 23, 2024

The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday condemned the Chinese Coast Guard for its latest harassment of Filipino fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) and urged Beijing to match its actions with its promises in talks with Manila. “Our appeal to China is that this 2024, they should match with action on the ground […]
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…But Beijing rebukes Manila to stop ‘wrong words, deeds’ on Taiwan

January 19, 2024

China on Thursday urged the Philippines to stick to its One China policy and stop its “wrong words and deeds” about Taiwan, after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. criticized Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson for “gutter-level talk” in reprimanding President Marcos for congratulating Taiwan’s newly elected leader. “China will never accept anyone making provocations on the […]
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Draw strength, inspiration from Nazarene — Marcos

January 9, 2024

President Marcos urged the public to draw inspiration and strength from the Feast of the Black Nazarene, as the country celebrated the occasion Tuesday. “Beyond the extraordinary expressions of reverence that we see on display during this event, the festivities show us the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ who willingly offered Himself to make […]
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‘PH moving forward with oil exploration’

December 27, 2023

Marcos says despite WPS tensions, gov’t must find fuel sources for industrialization Despite the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos said the Philippines will “find a way to move the process forward” for oil exploration projects. “It’s imperative for the Philippines to find a way to move the process forward so as […]
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PBBM extends import tariffs of rice, corn, meat

December 27, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended for another year the temporary modification of import duty rates on rice, corn, and meat products to ensure a stable supply and prices of basic goods amid the negative impact of the El Niño phenomenon and the African swine fever on agricultural produce. “The ongoing El Niño phenomenon, forecasted to […]
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Marcos swears in four new directors of Maharlika Fund

December 21, 2023

Four new directors were sworn into the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) board during a ceremony, Malacañang said on Wednesday. Taking their oath before President Marcos were Vicky Castillo Tan, Andrew Jerome Gan, German Lichauco, and Roman Felipe Reyes. A seasoned Asian Development Bank (ADB) official, Tan held key positions in various banks and financial institutions, […]
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I never blamed anyone—Marcos

November 20, 2023

President says no need to forgive people behind dad’s ouster in 1986 Saying he never blamed anyone for the ouster of his father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is not one to take things personally as he returned to Hawaii for the first time since their exile to the island-state over three decades ago. […]
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Sara: UniTeam intact, but checking impeach rumors

November 20, 2023

Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday said she believed she still has the trust of President Marcos even as her office is doing “due diligence” on rumors that there are moves to impeach her. “We’re okay,” Duterte said during a chance interview in Quezon City. “I believe that I still have the trust of President […]
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PBBM, Japan premier agree to boost defense cooperation

November 4, 2023

President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed Friday to bolster defense cooperation between their countries amid China’s expanding military presence in the region. At their meeting in Malacanang, Kishida and Mr. Marcos confirmed they will begin negotiations on a new bilateral treaty, known as a reciprocal access agreement, to strengthen security ties and […]
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OFWs coming home Monday

October 14, 2023

Leave Israel warzone as DFA confirms 3rd Pinoy death from Hamas attacks The first batch of Filipinos fleeing the war in Israel will head for home on Oct. 16, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, as it confirmed a third Filipino casualty Friday. The third Filipino killed in the surprise attack by Hamas on […]
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Rice price caps lifted

October 5, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the temporary price ceiling on rice Wednesday, four weeks after capping the cost of the staple to support poor households. On Sept. 5, Mr. Marcos set the maximum retail price per kilo of regular milled rice at P41 and for the higher-quality well-milled rice at P45. “As of today, we […]
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Marcos: Poll rating drop ‘not surprising’

October 5, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the 15 percentage-point drop in his approval rating in the recent Pulse Asia survey was “not surprising” given the gut issues, including high prices of basic commodities, that his administration is trying to address. “People are having a hard time. The rice issue – that is a burden […]
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PH not backing down over maritime rights

September 30, 2023

Marcos vows to defend fishing areas for Pinoys President Ferdinand Marcos on Friday said the government will not back down and will continue to defend the country’s maritime territory and the rights of Filipino fisherfolk. This is after he ordered the removal of the floating barrier that China set up in the West Philippine Sea […]
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PBBM orders collection of unauthorized ‘pass-through fees’ suspended

September 30, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the unauthorized collection of “pass-through fees” on vehicles transporting goods, Malacañang said on Friday. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Executive Order No. 41 which prohibited all local government units (LGUs) from charging fees on vehicles transporting goods through any national roads and other roads not constructed […]
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‘No Hunger’ push starts in Siargao

September 30, 2023

The government officially kicked off its Food Stamp Program (FSP) on Friday as part of its “No Hunger” campaign, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to beneficiaries in Siargao Island. “We are pushing the Food Stamps Program to ensure that the beneficiaries are not only well-fed, but also healthy, energetic, […]
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Philippines, US navies to hold 2-week exercise

September 27, 2023

The Philippines and United States navies are set to hold a two-week joint naval activity to strengthen international defense cooperation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. In a statement, AFP Public Affairs Office Chief, Lt. Enrico Ileto said the naval warfare activities, dubbed “Samasama Exercise,” would run from October 2 to 12 at […]
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Marcos signs ‘Trabaho’ Act into law to craft job generation masterplan

September 27, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday signed into law Republic Act No. 11962 or the “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act” into law to address unemployment, underemployment, and other challenges in the country’s labor sector. “I am very pleased to stand before you today at this ceremonial signing of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, a […]
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President: All hands on deck vs. agri smugglers

September 26, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered a whole-of-government campaign to stamp out the “weevils” in the country’s agricultural sector, directing all agencies and officials to strictly implement policies and laws to stop the smuggling and hoarding of rice. President Marcos, who is also the concurrent Agriculture secretary, made his remarks during the rice distribution […]
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Marcos thumbs down proposal to reduce imported rice tariff

September 26, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rejected the proposed tariff reduction on imported rice being pushed by his economic managers. “We decided with the agriculture and economic managers that it was not the right time to lower the tariff rates because the projection of world rice prices is that it will go down. So, this […]
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