All 17 Filipino seafarers held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2023 are set to return home, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said.

“It is with utmost joy that, after more than a year of captivity in Yemen, I announce the safe release of all seventeen [ 17 ] Filipino seafarers, together with the rest of the crewmembers of M/V Galaxy Leader,” President Marcos said in a statement.

“Our Filipino seafarers are now in the care of our Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman and will be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon,” he added.

President Marcos thanked His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, and his government for their successful mediation, which led in the eventual release, and safe passage of the Filipino seafarers through Oman.

The President also commended the Philippine government agencies and private entities “who worked tirelessly with foreign governments and entities for more than 429 days in making this momentous development possible.”

The Houthis hijacked the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November 2023 while en route to India, taking hostage its 25 crewmembers, including 17 Filipinos.

The move was reportedly in retaliation for Israel’s offensive in Gaza, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Following this development, President Marcos emphasized that the incident serves as a living testament to the importance of signing the Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law.

President Marcos said the law will “to protect their rights and overall welfare, to promote their full employment and to ensure equal opportunities in the maritime industry—regardless of gender or creed—including equitable access to education, training and development, consistent with existing domestic and international laws, standards and conventions.” | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants the government and other stakeholders to prioritize the development of the semiconductor and electronics industry, recognizing its significant economic benefits for the country.

The President met with the Private Sector Advisory Council-Education and Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-EJSG) at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday to present updates on previous recommendations and new proposals regarding the semiconductor and electronics industry, education, and workforce development.

“Actually, we really need to push on the semiconductor industry. It’s because, again, it’s not something that we had in mind but the situation — considering how much money we make as the income we get from exports already,” President Marcos said during the 1st meeting with the PSAC-EJSG.

“We really should be focusing on it more. So, let’s do that now. So, we need to hear from the industry to see what you suggest, and what we can try to incorporate na nga,” he said.

“We’ll do it through the IRR siguro. Kasi it took us such a while to get the CREATE MORE in the first place. Kaya naman siguro kasi it’s just another incentive scheme,” he added.

According to the President, one of the focus should be on granting incentives to semiconductor locators, similar to what are being extended to other industries.

For instance, the President said that in terms of CREATE MORE, there is nothing specific for the semiconductor industry while other industries were given incentives such as car manufacturing.

“So, what we would need from all of you is what you think needs to be done,” he said.

The President suggested it could be done through an IRR for quick implementation.

The President’s remarks came after the PSAC-EJSG recommended the review on the IRR of the CREATE MORE Law, which would cover providing incentives for the semiconductor industry.

The PSAC-EJSG also presented to President Marcos the country’s semiconductor and electronics roadmap.

PSAC also recommended the creation of a National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan), which was supported by the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday met Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla in Malacañang to discuss the result of the agency’s budget review under the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act vis-à-vis the FY 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Remulla said the President wanted the fund removed by the bicam reverted to finance the important programs of DILG.

In a press briefing, Remulla said the DILG budget assessment showed a huge part of the agency’s budget was cut in the bicam.

These include the Enhancement of National Police Clearance System, or the payment of Police Clearance online under National Expenditure Program amounting PhP619 million, which was trimmed down to PhP232 million, or a cut of PhP386 million.

The Establishment of Safe Camp Security system also got a much lower allocation from the proposed PhP472 million budget, it was reduced to PhP161 million in the 2025 GAA, a decrease of PhP311 million.

And from PhP553 million budget allocation for the PNP’s drug related data and integrated generation system, it was reduced to PhP196 million, or a reduction of PhP357 million.

According to Remulla, the budget cut of PhP1 billion was allotted for the purchase of an all-terrain amphibious rescue vehicle of the Bicol region and PhP500 million for Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence fund.

“So, as instructed by the President sa ating Budget Secretary ay iri-revert ang budget ng IT at tatanggalin iyong additional PhP500 million intelligence fund na nilagay sa GAA,” Remulla told reporters.

“So, return to original budget ng 820 million yata ang nasa PNP, naging 1.3 billion – ibabalik na naman sa dati siya. Iyong savings na iyon ay ilalagay natin sa launching and bidding out process ng integrated 911 system para sa buong Pilipinas. So, from intelligence fund to 911 ang gagawin natin doon. So, it will be a fully audited system na under scrutinous bidding,” he added.

The budget of DILG including its attached agencies increased by PhP643.59 million (0.2 percent) from PhP279.46 billion in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Expenditure Program to PhP280.10 billion in the 2025 GAA.

Among the other officials who attended Tuesday’s meeting were Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Arsenio Balisacan, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cesar Chavez, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go. | PND

Congratulations to POTUS @realdonaldtrump and to the American people on another peaceful transfer of power in their Nation’s nearly 250-year history. I look forward to working closely with you and your Administration.

The strong and lasting PH-US alliance will continue to uphold our shared vision of prosperity and security in the region.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. strongly condemned on Monday the absurd policies proposed in the implementation of sex education in the country.

The President made the remark as he expressed concerns on certain provisions in Senate Bill 1979, which, according to him, contains ‘woke’ elements inappropriate for younger children.

“Over the weekend, I finally read in detail Senate Bill 1979. And I was shocked,” President Marcos said in a media interview on the sidelines of his attendance at the Launching of the Tesla Center Philippines in Taguig.

“I was appalled by some elements of that. All this “woke” that they are trying to bring into our system … That every child has the right to try different sexualities. This is ridiculous. It is abhorrent. It is a travesty of what sexual and sex education should be to the children,” the President added.

The President made clear he still believes in sex education and its importance, particularly in terms of teaching the youth the anatomy of the reproductive systems, the consequences of early pregnancy, and the prevalence of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among others.

“Kailangan ituro lahat ‘yan para alam nung mga Kabataan,” he said.

“Pero ‘yung mga sinama nila na mga “woke” na absurdities are abhorrent to me,” he added.

According to the President, the bill is not yet passed but once it is, he guarantees parents, teachers, and children that he will immediately reject it.

“If this bill is passed in that form, I guarantee all parents, teachers, and children: I will immediately veto it,” the president said.

“I’m a parent and I’m a grandparent. So, I feel very strongly about this,” he added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supported a proposal of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to adopt an earlier work schedule for government offices to ease traffic congestion ahead of the planned EDSA rehabilitation this year.

“Well we’re studying. If it works, we’ll do it,” President Marcos said on the sidelines of the Tesla Center launch in Taguig City when asked to comment on the MMDA’s recommendation.

The MMDA is proposing a 7:00 am to 4:00 pm work schedule for government offices.

President Marcos emphasized the importance of consulting not only traffic managers, but also the commuting public, who would be directly affected by the change.

“So, if it turns out that everyone agrees to it, then I cannot see why it will be a problem,” the President said.

The MMDA said the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and MMDA Chairman Romando Artes have highlighted findings from a recent study showing that modified work schedules contributed to easing traffic congestion in Metro Manila. | PND

Former president Rodrigo Duterte lied about what he called missing budget amounts and discrepancies in the newly approved PhP 6.326-trillion national budget, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

“He’s lying. He’s a president. He knows that you cannot pass a GAA with a blank… He’s lying,” President Marcos said when asked for his reaction to Duterte’s accusation.

“And he’s lying because he knows perfectly well that that doesn’t ever happen,” the President said.

“Sa buong kasaysayan ng buong Pilipinas, hindi pinapayagan na magkaroon ng item ang GAA ng hindi nakalagay kung ano ‘yung project at saka ano ‘yung gastos, ano ‘yung pondo. So, it’s a lie,” he added.

Duterte and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab have raised discrepancies in the bicameral conference committee report on the recently approved 2025 national budget.

According to Ungab, there were missing budget amounts for items under the Department of Agriculture (DA) and unprogrammed appropriations. The House and the Senate ratified a defective bicam report, he said.

Duterte argued the 2025 GAA is an invalid legislation that couldn’t be implemented.

But the President said a copy of those items is available on the DBM website. Anybody can check to determine whether there are blank parts, he added.

“Mayroon namang kopya that’s available on the website of DBM. Tingnan ninyo, huwag na ninyong busisiin isa-isa, hanapin niyo ‘yung sinasabi nila na blank check,:” the President said.

“Tingnan niyo kung mayroong kahit isa para mapatunayan na tama ang sinasabi ko [na] kasinungalingan ‘yan, ” he added. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is considering extending the term of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief P/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil as the nation approaches the 2025 election period.

Speaking at the Tesla Center launch in Taguig on Monday, President Marcos acknowledged the importance of leadership stability within the PNP during a critical election season.

“So, pinag-aaralan namin. But I think that is probably a very strong argument to keep him on, at the very least, until after the elections,” President Marcos said when asked to comment on the matter.

Marbil, who assumed the PNP’s top post in April 2024, is set to retire on February 7, 2025, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Sambisig Class of 1991, Marbil’s tenure has been marked by initiatives on law enforcement modernization and crime prevention. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged Tesla on Monday to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) in the country as it moves towards adopting a sustainable development transport system through the reduction of carbon emissions.

Speaking during the launching of the Tesla Center Philippines, President Marcos said more than helping environmental sustainability, Tesla is also empowering the local workforce.

“With plans to expand further, Tesla is building a generation of Filipinos equipped to lead in the global shift towards sustainable technologies such as this,” the President said, noting every hire represents an investment in the Filipino talent that drives transition forward.

“It is our fervent hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines,” he said.

Highlighting the September inauguration of a state-of-the-art facility that produces advanced iron phosphate batteries essential to electric vehicles manufacturing, President Marcos expressed optimism that more companies will seize the opportunity to drive the sector in the coming years.

The President also underscored Tesla’s entry into the country, which he said would encourage local innovation and drive new investments in the EV sector.

On the part of the government, the President said it adopted policies and pursued strategic measures that reflect its commitment to enhancing sustainable transportation while meeting the needs of Filipino commuters.

Among these policies include the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Act, which removed excise taxes on battery electric vehicles; and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), offering duty-free importation for charging stations, lowering user fees for EV owners and prioritizing registration and traffic privileges.

Tesla Inc. (Tesla) is a publicly listed company in the National Association of Security Dealers Automated Quotations with a market capitalization of above US$1.2 trillion.

Tesla Motors Philippines Inc. (Tesla Philippines), on the other hand, is a Tesla subsidiary responsible for importation, sales, after-sales, customer support, services, and charging infrastructure deployment and operation in the Philippines.

It officially entered the Philippines on November 8, 2024. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday lauded Tesla for investing in the Philippines and trusting on the government’s forward-thinking policies and innovation drive.

In his speech, President Marcos pointed out that the Philippine’s infrastructure and policies support the industry and its aspiration for more utilization of Electric Vehicles (EVs).

“Tesla’s decision to invest in the Philippines is a recognition of our nation’s potential, underpinned by forward-thinking policies and a collective determination to innovate,” President Marcos said on Monday.

“As Tesla lays a groundwork, and as we invest in infrastructure and implement policies supporting the industry, competition will grow. Then, what may seem as aspirational today – half of the vehicles in our streets as EVs – will become attainable tomorrow,” he added.

The Chief Executive emphasized that more than sustaining the environment, Tesla empowers local workforce, invests in Filipino talents, and builds a generation of Filipinos equipped with globally sustainable technologies.

President Marcos also invited Tesla to choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines in the future.

“Tesla is building a generation of Filipinos equipped to lead in the global shift towards sustainable technologies such as this,” the Chief Executive said.

“It is our fervent hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines,” he added.

Before he ended his speech, President Marcos thanked Tesla for believing in the Philippines and its potential.

He also urged the Filipinos to work together with the shared journey of sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation and in creating a path that is bold, purposeful, and uniquely Filipino.

“To Tesla, thank you for believing in the Philippines. Your investment in the country extends beyond transportation and infrastructure; it is in the people and potential of the country. To the Filipino people, let us work together to ensure that this milestone runs parallel with our shared journey towards sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.”

“The path forward is ours to create—bold, purposeful, and uniquely Filipino.” | PND