President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday that former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. will now have to answer for the criminal cases pending before the Manila Regional Trial Court.

“It is now time for Mr. Teves to face justice,” President Marcos said in a video message aired minutes after the Philippines Air Force plane carrying Teves touched down in Davao City for a refueling stop before flying to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

President Marcos noted that he was first informed of the development by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão during the recently concluded ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur early this week.

“He (Gusmão) shared that Timor-Leste was ready to send former Congressman Teves back to the Philippines,” President Marcos said.

The President credited the Timor-Leste leadership for Teves’ arrest.

“This would not have happened without the assistance of President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão,” President Marcos added. “They worked very hard to bring this matter to a conclusion.”

Teves faces multiple criminal charges, including the high-profile assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in 2023 and other murder cases in 2019.

“We would like to assure our citizens that lawlessness will not go unpunished,” the President emphasized. | PND

Malacañang on Thursday assured that there will be no disruption in the operations of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) following the submission of courtesy resignations by their respective heads.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the courtesy resignations have “no appreciable impact” and GOCC officials are expected to continue performing their duties until their successors are appointed.

“There is no appreciable impact at all, negative at that, because all these people who offered their courtesy resignations are expected to continue performing their functions, discharging their duties until their replacements have been appointed. And that is expected of all public servants, no one abandons because that is part of the obligation of a public servant,” Bersamin said in a press briefing.

The Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), which oversees GOCCs, has ordered non-ex-officio chairpersons, chief executive officers and appointive members of GOCC governing boards to submit their courtesy resignation. This is part of the shakeup being done by President Ferdinand R. Marcos in his administration, which aims to better serve the public and make his programs felt by the masses.

Bersamin noted that while nearly all GOCC heads have submitted their courtesy resignations, his office is still awaiting submissions from a few remaining agencies.

He explained that only the performance of GOCC heads will be reviewed by his office.

“The GOCCs are anyway under an annual term basis, and it is about this time, June, that the GCG reviews the performance of the respective boards of their GOCCs,” he said.

When asked about the implications of the resignations on GOCC policies and public-private sector partnerships, Bersamin assured that government policies remain stable and that there are no anticipated changes that would affect existing collaborations.

“The stability of policies will continue. The policy directions have been issued to these offices by the President and the governing or the supervising Cabinet secretaries. So, there is a clear path for all of them to see, to follow, and to traverse,” he said. | PND

In keeping with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to improve the reading capabilities of Filipino children, the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is projected to benefit over 138,000 more learners and tutors in the school year 2025–2026.

A flagship program of President Marcos under the DSWD, the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program has assisted more than 197,000 children and college students from low-income families since its launch in 2023.

“Ito po ay isa lamang sa napakaraming hakbang ng ating pamahalaan upang matugunan ang mababang literacy and comprehension rate ng Pilipinas,” Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Jose Maria Villarama II said on Thursday in a Malacañang briefing.

The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is one the government’s flagship initiatives to address foundational literacy gaps among young struggling or non-readers, while empowering their parents’ intellectual capacity.

The program also provides temporary employment opportunities to financially challenged college students who will tutor young children from low-income families.

The tutoring program is the DSWD’s improved version of its educational aid in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). College students are offered to provide tutoring sessions for children and get paid based on the prevailing regional daily minimum wage rate.

Villarama said selected college student tutors had undergone comprehensive training before their deployment to ensure they are capable of teaching.

The DSWD said over 12,000 tutors will teach more than 60,000 learners across the country, while 6,019 Youth Development Workers (YDWs) will facilitate the Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions for more than 60,000 parents or guardians.

For SY 2025–2026, the tutoring program will be implemented in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao.

It will also reach SOCCSKSARGEN, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Caraga, the National Capital Region, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed three more new officials and retained three Cabinet members in the ongoing performance review of all appointed senior officials under the executive branch.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said President Marcos appointed Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe, replacing Menardo Guevarra; and Police Major General Gen. Nicolas Torre III as Philippine National Police chief replacing retiring Police General Rommel Marbil.

Marbil will retire on June 2.

Berberabe, dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, took her oath of office before President Marcos on Thursday.

New Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Jose Ramon Aliling was also sworn into office by President Marcos on Thursday.

The Executive Secretary added that President Marcos also appointed Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Shirley Agrupis as CHED chairperson, replacing outgoing Chairperson Prospero De Vera III.

President Marcos, on the other hand, retained Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla.

“The President has been clear from the beginning. We are not just looking at the top levels. We are going deeper into the agencies, into the systems and into the quality of public service being delivered on the ground,” Bersamin said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“The people expect results and the President has no patience for underperformance,” he added.

Aside from Cabinet officials, presidential advisers and heads of agencies, President Marcos also asked the heads of government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to submit their courtesy resignations.

Bersamin said senior officials in government will also be included in the ongoing performance review.

He said each courtesy resignation accepted is based on “a careful assessment of whether the standards set by the President for efficiency and leadership have been met.”

“Let me remind you that this effort is the President’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results and meets the expectations of the Filipino people. As the President has said, he will not hesitate to make the necessary changes to keep the government moving forward,” Bersamin said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to appoint Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III as the incoming PNP top leader was based on merit and professionalism, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Thursday.

In a Palace press briefing, Bersamin said promotions are given on merit and disclosed that President Marcos had to choose from among five candidates for the PNP’s top post.

“Alam mo lahat ng promotion ay reward yan. But most promotions are given on merit. So let us assume that this was given on merit because, you know, it was not an easy decision on the part of the President,” Bersamin said.

“He considered, to my recollection, five names… but as of this time, the decision was already made and it favored the Police Major General Torre,” he added.

On June 2, Torre will replace PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, who will retire next week.

The Executive Secretary was asked whether the successful high-profile police operations Torre recently led have earned him the appointment as the PNP chief.

“Alam mo si Presidente always demands performance. Kahit na ano iyong pinagawa sa iyo, you must exhibit a high degree level of performance,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin said Torre displayed professionalism in the operations he was entrusted with. “He (Torre) was given an assignment. He went at it like it was an ordinary thing. Very professional.”

The Executive Secretary said Torre’s promotion would not cause demoralization among other contenders for PNP chief since the police organization’s leaders are all professional.

“They are all very great professionals, very decorated individuals, so they just follow the Commander-in-Chief or what the President desires,” Bersamin said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday convened the 8th meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to discuss the administration’s legislative priorities before the19th Congress resumes on Monday.

LEDAC presented to President Marcos the current status of 64 measures under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) identified for the 19th Congress, 32 of which have been enacted into law by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Out of the 64 LEDAC priority measures for the 19th Congress, 32 have been enacted into law by both the House and the Senate,” Senate President Francis Escudero said during the meeting at the Malacañan Palace.

Escudero said one key measure – the Reforms to Philippine Capital Markets or the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act – is now awaiting the President’s signature.

Seven other bills are undergoing finalization in the Bicameral Conference Committee.

Four priority measures are set for plenary deliberation and approval on the final third reading. These include the National Government Rightsizing Program, amendments to the Right-of-Way Act, and amendments to the Cooperative Code.

The proposed National Disease Prevention and Management Authority is also one of the four priority bills.

For his part, Speaker Martin Romualdez reported the House of Representatives has so far approved 27 out of the 28 top priority measures under the LEDAC, with the goal of completing all before the 19th Congress adjourns.

Of the 27 approved bills, 12 have been enacted into law; one has been transmitted to President Marcos for signing; six are in the Bicameral Conference Committee; eight have been passed by the House of Representatives and are now with the Senate.

Romualdez assured the Council of the House’s continued efforts to pass critical legislation.

“As Congress resumes session on June 2, rest assured of our unwavering commitment towards enacting key legislations that will bring tangible improvements to the lives of the Filipino people,” the House leader told the Council. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis as the new CHED chairperson.

President Marcos accepted the courtesy resignation of CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III who has held the position since 2018.

According to Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, the President may have considered that De Vera is already in his second four-year term as chairperson of the body that oversees higher education.

“Maybe the President wanted to give a fresh start to the CHED. Or maybe there were other reasons,” Bersamin said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.

“A collegial body like the CHED always comes under such pressure from within. But I’m not going to say that was the reason. I’m just guessing that played a lot in the acceptance of the resignation,” Bersamin added.

De Vera was appointed as CHED commissioner in 2016, and as officer-in-charge in January 2018.

He was appointed as CHED chairperson in October 2018 and re-appointed by President Marcos in 2022.

Agrupis, a seasoned and published academician, researcher, and public servant, assumed as CHED commissioner on September 6, 2024.

Prior to her appointment to CHED, she was a full-time university professor and the immediate past president of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte.

As CHED commissioner, Dr. Agrupis oversees 22 state universities and colleges (SUCs) across Northern Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas, Central and Southern Mindanao, CARAGA, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The three other CHED Commissioners are Marita R. Canapi, Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela and Desiderio R. Apag III.

The CHED was created through the passage of Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994.

An attached agency to the Office of the President, CHED is headed by a chairperson and four commissioners, each having a term of office of four years.

The CHED acts as a collegial body in formulating plans, policies and strategies relating to higher education. | PND

Two weeks ahead of the EDSA major repair works, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has intensified road clearing and pedestrian safety operations across Metro Manila to remove roadblocks, notably along alternate routes known as Mabuhay Lane, an MMDA official said on Thursday.

Gabriel Go, the head of the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force, said that the agency is committed to ensuring public safety and mobility as it removes obstructions and illegal parking all over Metro Manila in anticipation of the EDSA roadworks from June 13.

“So, itong ating clearing operation drive, this is not only because we have an upcoming rebuild ng ating major thoroughfare, which is the EDSA, but is also part of our efforts to cleanup ang ating mga kalsada,” Go said at a Malacañang press briefing

“All our clearing efforts, lahat po iyan – hindi lang po double time, but we are also tripling up our efforts,” he added.

Go said the MMDA has coordinated with local government units, barangay officials, and civil society groups to assist in clearing operations and to inform the public through various platforms.

While EDSA remains the focus, the MMDA is also clearing obstructions across Metro Manila, including sidewalk vendors, illegal structures, and chokepoints along alternate routes.

“We are also trying to make …ating mga ruta, ating mga kalsada, mga sidewalks po natin walkable,” Go said.

Go said MMDA also reassured emergency responders and volunteer groups that their routes will remain open and protected during the clearing drive.

“Rest assured po sa ating mga partners, sa mga volunteer groups, emergency responders, kaagapay ninyo po kami – we are all partners when it comes to disaster and emergency responses,” he said.

With the phased rehabilitation of EDSA underway, the MMDA has released an updated list of alternate routes, known as Mabuhay Lanes, on its official website and social media platforms.

These roads will be kept free of obstructions to ensure smooth flow of traffic for commuters traveling north to south and east to west across Metro Manila.

The MMDA urged all road users, business owners, and pedestrians to comply with clearing regulations, refrain from illegal parking, and respect designated pedestrian zones.

The public is encouraged to report road obstructions through MMDA hotlines or official social media channels. | PND

Following a comprehensive performance assessment, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to welcome two new Cabinet members, underscoring his administration’s commitment to responsive and effective governance.

Engr. Jose Ramon Aliling will take his oath as the new Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), succeeding Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who has been designated Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development.

Secretary Aliling is not new to the department, as he previously served as a DHSUD undersecretary.

Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, will assume office as the new Solicitor General, succeeding Atty. Menardo Guevarra.

Aside from her expertise in the academe, Berberabe also served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pag-IBIG Fund.

Earlier, President Marcos ordered all Cabinet members to submit courtesy resignations as part of the efforts to recalibrate his administration and better address public needs.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the recently concluded 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, the President emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough performance evaluation that extends beyond the Cabinet.

“I don’t do things for optics. If there is a problem, I like to fix it. So that’s what we are doing. So expect us to be doing a rigorous performance review, not only at the Cabinet level, but even deeper,” President Marcos said during the interview.

The President acknowledged the importance of addressing the immediate and everyday needs of the Filipino people.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin recently announced that President Marcos has retained his economic team and accepted the courtesy resignations of two Cabinet members.

The President has also retained Bersamin as his executive secretary. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Monday issued guidelines for the incoming leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP), stating that it should not only focus on reducing crime statistics but also making people feel secure.

“I will actually tell them (PNP), ‘Carry on with what you are doing.’ Because we have very good statistics concerning crime,” the President said during the Kapihan media forum held in Malaysia after the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Citing police records, the President said only 11,493 index crimes were tallied from January 1 to May 16 this year, down from 15,156 during the same period in 2024.

Index crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape, and car thefts.

President Marcos said he also received reports stating that the number of crimes in Metro Manila went down by 23 percent in the past six months.

“They (PNP) must be doing something right,” he said.

The chief executive, however, noted that aside from bringing down crime numbers, the police should make people actually feel safe, especially when they’re out on the streets.

“What we have been talking about is making policemen more visible. This is to make people feel safer.”

“Basta kahit papaano, may pulis (dapat) diyan, may umiikot dito na pulis. Kaunting sigaw lang, tatakbo na,” President Marcos said, adding this is the reason why a new program called “Cops On the Beat” was initiated.

“Hindi sapat na nababawasan natin ‘yung krimen. Kailangan nakikita yung pulis para feeling safe naman yung mga tao,” President Marcos stressed. | PND