Tiniyak ng Malakanyang na kakasuhan at aarestuhin na sa mga susunod na araw ang mga malalaking personalidad na sangkot sa paglulustay ng pondo para sa mga flood control project.

Ayon kay Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez, inaasahang maghahain pa ng mga karagdagang kaso ang Office of the Ombudsman sa Sandiganbayan, kasunod ng naunang kasong isinampa noong Nobyembre 18 laban kay dating Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co at 15 iba pa kaugnay ng substandard na flood control project sa Oriental Mindoro.

“Tandaan natin, isang kaso palang ito ‘yung sa Oriental Mindoro. Marami pang isasampa in the next few days at sigurado ako kasama na dyan ‘yung mga big fish,” pahayag ni Gomez sa panayam sa dzRH nitong Martes.

Muling iginiit ng PCO chief ang pangako ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na ang mga sangkot sa scam ay aarestuhin at ipakukulong bago mag-Pasko.

“Itong huling kasong sinampa, may isang malaking balyena na tayong kinasuhan, si Rep. Zaldy Co. So, marami pa, marami pa sa darating na araw bago mag-Pasko,” diin ni Gomez.

Binibigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang kahalagahan ng matibay na kaso upang masiguro na makapapasa ito sa masusing pagsusuri at mahatulan ang mga may sala.

Naglabas na ng warrant of arrest laban kay Co at 15 opisyal ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa regional office, at Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation dahil sa anomalya sa flood control project sa Mag-Asawang Tubig River sa Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Ang mga kaso ay nakabatay sa ebidensiyang nakalap ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) na nilikha ni Pangulong Marcos at ng DPWH.

Siyam sa mga akusado ay naaresto na at dinala sa Sandiganbayan, habang si Co at anim pang akusado ay nananatiling at large at tinutugis ng pulisya.

Muling iginiit ng PCO chief na sisiguraduhin ng Pangulo na matatapos ang imbestigasyong kanyang sinimulan upang sugpuin ang korapsyon sa mga proyekto ng DPWH at papanagutin ang mga umaabuso sa pondo ng bayan. | PND

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, law enforcement agencies recently seized high-grade marijuana or kush with an estimated value of P14.9 million, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na panatilihing ligtas ang ating mga kababayan mula sa ipinagbabawal na gamot, nasabat ng Bureau of Customs, kasama ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group, ang mga illegal substances,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday.

The interdiction operation was conducted on November 28, 2025 at NAIA Terminal 3, resulting in the seizure of a luggage with 18 vacuum-sealed transparent pouches containing approximately 9,940 grams of dried leaves suspected to be kush, according to a report from the BOC.

Castro said the packages were intentionally misdeclared to avoid being inspected by authorities.

“Dahil sa masusing koordinasyon ng BOC, PDEA at ibang ahensya, kinumpiska ang isang luggage na naglalaman ng 18 vacuum-sealed pouches,” Castro said.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has warned those who try to bring in illegal drugs to the country that they would be dealt with immediately..

Castro said these successful operations are the result of the Marcos administration’s ongoing campaign to guard the country’s borders against the entry of illegal drugs. ǀ PND

As an early Christmas gift by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for traveling overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a new OFW lounge has been unveiled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Office Claire Castro said the newly opened lounge reflects the President’s commitment to providing compassionate and people-centered public service.

“Bilang tugon sa hangarin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na maghatid ng serbisyong may puso, binuksan kahapon ang bagong OFW lounge sa NAIA Terminal 1,” Castro said at a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, together with Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. They were joined by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang.

Castro noted that the new OFW lounge serves as the President’s first holiday offering to the country’s modern-day heroes.

The lounge provides OFWs with a more spacious and comfortable area at the airport. The facility offers enhanced services including complimentary food and beverages, comfortable resting areas, charging stations, and secure baggage storage rooms.

“Ang pagbubukas ng panibagong OFW lounge ay patunay lamang na prayoridad ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. at ni First Lady Liza Marcos ang kapakanan ng ating mga bagong bayani,” said Castro. | PND

Malacañang has urged lawmakers to fast track the deliberation on the proposed 2026 national budget to avoid operating on a reenacted budget.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro was asked during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday about the timetable of the budget deliberation in Congress, with less than a month left before the year ends.

“Ayaw ng Pangulo ng reenacted budget, alam po natin iyan. So, hangga’t maaari bilisan natin. Kahit kapos ang panahon, sana po mas mapabilis natin,” Castro said.

Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate finance committee, had said on Monday that the Senate remains on course to pass the 2026 General Appropriations Act despite the disruption caused by last weekend’s fire incident at the Senate building.

The proposed budget is undergoing the period of amendments in the Senate, with the third and final reading scheduled on Tuesday, December 9.

The Senate will then have one week to finalize the documents before the bicameral conference committee with the House of Representatives to reconcile their versions of the national expenditure program for next year. | PND

Malacañang assured Tuesday that high-level personalities implicated in the misuse of flood control funds will be charged and arrested in the next few days.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file more cases before the Sandiganbayan, after the first one filed last November 18 against ex-Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and 15 others for a substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

“Tandaan natin, isang kaso palang ito ‘yung sa Oriental Mindoro. Marami pang isasampa in the next few days at sigurado ako kasama na diyan ‘yung mga big fish,” Gomez said in an interview over dzRH radio.

The PCO chief reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment that those involved in the scam will be arrested and put behind bars before Christmas.

“Itong huling kasong sinampa, may isang malaking balyena na tayong kinasuhan, si Rep. Zaldy Co. So, marami pa, marami pa sa darating na araw bago mag-Pasko,” Gomez stressed.

President Marcos has also emphasized the importance of building airtight cases to ensure that the charges would pass scrutiny and result in the conviction of the liable parties.

Warrants of arrest have been issued against Zaldy Co and 15 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa regional office and Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation for an anomalous flood control project in the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the charges based on the evidence gathered by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) created by President Marcos and the DPWH.

Nine of the accused have been arrested and brought before the Sandiganbayan while Co and six other accused remain at large and subject of police manhunt.

The PCO chief reiterated that President Marcos will see through the end the investigation he initiated to stop the corruption in DPWH projects and hold accountable those who abuse public funds. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the reinstatement and spot promotion of a Philippine Army officer who was previously forced to retire after losing his sight in a grenade explosion while on duty.

In a video message on Monday, President Marcos announced that Captain Jerome Jacuba of the Philippine Army—earlier placed under a Complicated Disability Discharge (CDD) due to his injury—will be promoted to Major and reassigned to adaptive duties befitting his 15 years of military experience.

“Isang sundalo natin na nasaktan dahil sa sakripisyo niya, dahil ginagawa niya ang duty niya para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas, ay basta pagka nasaktan, ay bibitawan na lang natin. Hindi naman tama ‘yun,” the President said.

“Kaya gagawa po tayo ng bagong polisiya sa CDD sa lalong madaling panahon,” the President stressed.

The Commander-in-Chief emphasized that the new policy will apply to all soldiers injured in the line of duty.

“Ito ay para sa lahat ng ating mga sundalo na dahil sa ka-duty nila sila ay nasaktan, sila ay nagka-injury, ay dapat naman patuloy din ang ating pagkilala sa kanilang katapangan at sa kanilang sakripisyo,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

The President recalled that Jacuba lost his sight after being hit by a grenade blast while on mission, yet was subsequently discharged from service.

“Kung nakita niyo po ang ating butihing kapitan ay nabulag dahil nasabugan po ng bomba. Nagdu-duty siya at ito ‘yung nangyari sa kanya. Ngunit pagkatapos siyang nabulag ay nabigyan siya ng tinatawag na CDD,” said the President.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi na siya puwede sa military dahil nga hindi na siya puwede sa combat operation at nabulag na nga siya,” the President added.

President Marcos said he has instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff to suspend Jacuba’s CDD and process his promotion, while also directing the Department of National Defense to review and update existing disability discharge policies to ensure no soldier injured in the line of duty is unfairly released from service.

“Kaya binigyan ko ng instruction ang ating Chief of Staff na isuspende na ‘yung CDD ni Captain Jacuba. Bukod pa dun, ay dapat bigyan siya ng promotion dahil sa katapangan niya at gawin na siyang major,” he said.

The President explained that he decided to act after seeing a video of Jacuba and reassessing the circumstances of his case.

“Nung nakita ko ‘yung video niya at pinag-isipan ko ‘yung mga nangyari sa kanya ay parang hindi tama. Dahil ito ay isang opisyal na itinaya na nga niya ang buhay niya para sa duty niya para ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas, at dahil sa ganyan ay basta’t bibitawan na lang natin. Hindi naman yata makatarungan yan,” President Marcos said.

The President underscored that despite Jacuba’s loss of vision, he can still meaningfully contribute to the military, especially given his years of service and expertise.

“Maghanap tayo ng mga iba’t ibang posisyon na puwede pa naman siya ‘yung ating mga tinatawag na the major adaptive duties. Kasi kahit nabulag na po, marami pa rin duty na pwedeng gawin ng isang sundalo, lalong-lalo na sa isang sundalo na may 15 years na experience. Maraming maidadagdag at maitutulong sa atin ‘yan,” President Marcos added. | PND

Si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. mismo ang nagpasimula ng imbestigasyon sa mga kahina-hinalang proyekto ng flood control, na nagresulta sa patuloy na pag-aresto, pagsampa ng kaso, at pagsisikap na mabawi ang pondo ng publiko.

Ito ay nagpapakita ng matibay na determinasyon na papanagutin ang mga sangkot sa anomalya, ayon sa Malacañang nitong Lunes.

Binigyang-diin ni Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro na ang kasalukuyang kampanya ng administrasyon laban sa mga anomalya sa flood control ay nagmula sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos na alamin ang mga iregularidad at papanagutin ang mga responsable.

“Tandaan natin, ang Pangulo ang nagpasimula nito. Hindi mabubukas ang ating isipan, hindi mabubukas ang ating mga mata, hindi mabubukas ang ating tenga kung hindi mismo si Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang nagpasimula ng pag-iimbestiga na ito,” ayon kay Castro sa isang press briefing.

“Nais ng Pangulo na managot ang dapat na managot.”

Sa ngayon, ang Office of the Ombudsman ay nagsampa ng mga kaso at nakapagpakulong na ng mga indibidwal na umano’y sangkot sa mga ghost at maanomalyang proyekto ng flood control, ilang buwan lamang matapos ang Ikaapat na State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Marcos noong Hulyo 28.

Ang mga kaso ay nirekomendda ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), na inatasan ng Pangulo na imbestigahan ang mga proyektong infrastructure sa nakalipas na 10 taon at maglikom ng ebidensiya sa mga taong umabuso sa pondo ng bayan.

Sinabi ni Castro na ang mga decisive na aksyon ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga anomalya sa flood control ay nagpapakita ng kanyang determinasyon na managot ang mga may sala.

“Siya ang nagpaimbestiga, hanggang ngayon ay maraming ginagawang aksiyon para mapanagot ang dapat na managot. Ang dami na napaaresto, marami na rin na kinasuhan, marami na naibalik na pondo,” dagdag pa ng Palace Press Officer.

Idinagdag pa ni Castro na ilang high-profile at maimpluwensyang indibidwal na ang kinasuhan at inaresto dahil sa patuloy na imbestigasyon. | PND

Malacañang said a new KADIWA ng Pangulo center opened at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga on Monday, expanding the government’s initiative to make food items more affordable especially for minimum wage workers in the area.

At the same time, the KADIWA ng Pangulo also rolled out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship program, Benteng Bigas, Meron Na, for minimum wage earners in the freeport zone.

“Bilang tugon sa hangarin ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na maiparamdam ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko, isang pamaskong handog para sa mga manggagawa ang isinagawa ng Clark Development Corporation kaninang umaga sa Pampanga kung saan bida ang KADIWA ng Pangulo program,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

“Layunin ng KADIWA ng Pangulo sa Clark na maipaabot sa mga manggagawa ang abot kayang bilihin at suportahan ang mga lokal na produkto ng mga magsasaka doon,” Castro also said.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the launching of the KADIWA ng Pangulo outlet and the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program at the Clark Special Economic Zone.

The Benteng Bigas, Meron Na program delivers locally produced rice at PhP20 per kilo to vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, 4Ps beneficiaries, indigenous peoples, minimum wage workers, farmers, fisherfolk, public transport workers, beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Walang Gutom Program, and low-income families.

“Kasabay nito, namahagi rin ang pamahalaan ng bigas na tig 20 pesos kada kilo — isinama na rin dito ang mga minimum wage earners bilang beneficiaries ng KADIWA ng Pangulo sa Clark,” Castro also said.

According to the DA, the KADIWA ng Pangulo and the PhP20 per kilo rice program will prioritize low-salaried workers identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) among the freeport’s 151,000 workers.

The event also marked the turnover of CDC’s state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory to enhance the DA’s research capability, improve the quality of planting materials, and support sustainable food production. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally initiated the investigation into anomalous flood control projects, which has resulted in ongoing arrests, filed cases, and efforts to recover public funds, an indication of a strong commitment to holding accountable those involved in the scheme, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Office Claire Castro emphasized that the administration’s ongoing crackdown on anomalous flood control projects stems from President Marcos’ directive to uncover irregularities and hold accountable those responsible.

“Tandaan natin, ang Pangulo ang nagpasimula nito. Hindi mabubukas ang ating isipan, hindi mabubukas ang ating mga mata, hindi mabubukas ang ating tenga kung hindi mismo si Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang nagpasimula ng pag-iimbestiga na ito,” Castro said in a press briefing.

“Nais ng Pangulo na managot ang dapat na managot.”

So far, the Office of the Ombudsman has filed charges and sent to jail several individuals allegedly involved in ghost and anomalous flood control projects, a few months after President Marcos’ Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28.

The cases were recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which the President tasked to investigate infrastructure projects during the past 10 years and to gather evidence against those who abused public funds.

Castro said President Marcos’ decisive actions on the flood control anomalies demonstrate the President’s resolve to pursue accountability.

“Siya ang nagpaimbestiga, hanggang ngayon ay maraming ginagawang aksyon para mapanagot ang dapat na mapanagot. Ang dami na napaaresto, marami na rin na kinasuhan, marami na naibalik na pondo,” the Palace Press Officer added.

Castro stressed that several high-profile and influential individuals have already been charged and arrested as a result of the ongoing investigations. | PND

“Piliin niyo lagi ang tama. Piliin ninyo ang bayan. Piliin ninyo ang katapatan at ang kapayapaan.”

Nanawagan si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa mga nagtapos na opisyal ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na panatilihin ang kanilang tungkulin sa Republika at mamuno nang may integridad habang sinisimulan nila ang kanilang karera sa militar.

Sa kanyang talumpati sa Major Services Officer Candidate Course Joint Graduation Ceremony, binigyang-diin ng Pangulo na ang katapatan ng mga opisyal ay dapat laging nakatuon sa Konstitusyon at sa sambayanang Pilipino, hindi sa sinumang indibidwal, grupo o paksyon.

“More than this, the AFP that you are part of must always rise above politics. Your loyalty must not be to any individual or faction, but only to the Republic,” sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa graduation ceremony na ginanap sa Villamor Air Base sa Pasay City.

Ipinaalala ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga nangungunang nagtapos na ang kanilang tagumpay sa AFP ay hindi nasusukat sa mga medalya lamang, kundi sa kung paano nila pinaglilingkuran ang kanilang kapwa Pilipino.

“Alam kong mabigat ang panahon ngayon. The world is changing fast. These changes can create new risks for the country,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo, dapat ipagpatuloy ng militar ang pagtatanggol sa soberanya ng Pilipinas, lalo na sa West Philippine Sea, kung saan patuloy na ipinaglalaban ng mga mangingisdang Pilipino at mga sundalo ang karapatan ng bansa sa kabila ng lumalaking hamon.

“We will stay vigilant against any attempt to weaken our sovereignty or test our resolve,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang kahalagahan ng pagsasanay ng mga nagtapos, na naghanda sa kanila upang mag-isip nang mabilis, kumilos nang may kapanatagan, at makipagtulungan, maging sa loob ng AFP o sa mga pandaigdigang katuwang.

Ayon sa Chief Executive, ang kanilang integridad ay nasasalamin sa kanilang uniporme at ranggo, at dapat silang maging huwaran lalo na ngayon na ang mga Pilipino ay naghahanap ng katapatan at tapang sa paglilingkod-bayan.

Muling tiniyak ni Pangulong Marcos ang pangako ng pamahalaan na magtatag ng makabago at propesyonal na AFP.

“We continue to invest in radar systems, ships, aircraft, and facilities that will strengthen our deterrence and improve disaster response,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

“We also deepen our partnerships with other countries, such as Japan, the United States, and Australia, as well as other allies, to better protect our shared peace and stability,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Ipinaalala ng Pangulo sa mga nagtapos na ang kanilang misyon ay hindi natatapos sa pagtupad ng mga operasyon. Kabilang din dito ang pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan, pagprotekta sa mga komunidad sa panahon ng kalamidad, pagbibigay-seguridad sa halalan, at paghahatid ng mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan kahit sa pinakamalalayong lugar.

“And there will be moments when your integrity will be tested. Corruption and dishonesty can manifest in various forms. Kaya piliin niyo lagi ang tama. Piliin ninyo ang bayan. Piliin niyo ang katapatan at kapayapaan,” ang sabi ng Pangulo.

Hinimok ng Pangulo ang mga nagtapos na dalhin ang karangalan ng kanilang mga pamilya at ang pag-asa ng sambayanang Pilipino, dahil ang kanilang tagumpay ay makatutulong sa pagbuo ng isang ligtas, mapayapa, at maunlad na bansa.

Nagpasalamat din si Pangulong Marcos sa mga pamilya na sumuporta sa mga kandidato sa buong panahon ng kanilang pagsasanay, gayundin sa mga guro at tagapayo na gumabay sa kanila nang may pagtitiyaga at layunin.

Ang Officer Candidate Course (OCC) ay isang taong programa para sa mga may baccalaureate degree, na idinisenyo upang ihanda sila sa mental, pisikal, at emosyonal na aspeto para sa pagkakahirang sa AFP Regular Force.

Ngayong taon, kabuuang 638 kadete mula sa Philippine Army (PA) Class “Bumannawag” (326), Philippine Air Force (PAF) Class “Kahimdaliyan” (164), at Philippine Navy (PN) “Sagmaraya” (148) ang matagumpay na nakatapos ng kanilang OCC at magiging second lieutenants at ensigns sa AFP.

Si Pangulong Marcos, kasama si National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., ang naggawad ng mga parangal sa mga nangungunang estudyante sa seremonya. | PND