President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday held his first telephone conversation with His Excellency President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK), reaffirming the strong and enduring Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and ROK.

President Lee assumed office on June 4, 2025.

During their conversation, President Marcos conveyed his warm congratulations and expressed his full support for President Lee’s administration.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Strategic Partnership, emphasizing cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, defense and security, and people-to-people ties.

President Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ appreciation for the ROK’s longstanding support for the country’s development and advocacies.

The President took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of continued international support for the Philippines’ maritime interests and regional stability, in line with international law.

President Marcos likewise expressed his eagerness to meet with the newly elected leader during the upcoming high-level events, such as the 2025 APEC Summit to be hosted by the ROK later this year. President Lee expressed support for deeper ASEAN-ROK engagements as the Philippines assumes ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

The Philippines and the ROK established diplomatic relations on March 3, 1949, marking 76 years of formal ties in 2025. Relations between the two countries were elevated through the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership on October 7, 2024, reflecting a shared commitment to enhance cooperation across key sectors, including political, security, economic, and socio-cultural.

In 2024, the ROK ranked as the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 5th export destination, and 4th biggest import source, with total bilateral trade reaching USD 13.2 billion.

Philippine exports to the ROK is valued at USD 3.6 billion, while its imports from ROK totalled USD 9.6 billion.

In 2024, the ROK was the Philippines’ leading source of foreign tourists, making up 26.37 percent of total arrivals. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in the Philippines, Arnaud Peral, in a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Thursday.

Peral assumed his position as UNRC in the Philippines on Feb. 5, 2025.

The courtesy call by the new UN representative aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the Philippines and the international body for the government’s national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

President Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to multilateralism and willingness to work with the UN during its 80th anniversary. The Philippines is one of the 51 founding members of the UN.

Peral was appointed as UNRC in the Philippines on Feb. 1, 2025 by UN Secretary General António Guterres.

Peral, a native of France, had previously served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tunisia since 2020.

Peral also served as UNRC and then as United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in Ecuador, UNDP Country Director in Colombia, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in México and Brazil.

The UN’s programs in the Philippines include public-private partnership projects that provide easy and affordable access to water supply and renewable energy, improve food security, promote low-carbon industrial parks, and support women’s employment and poverty reduction.

The international body is also working with Philippine authorities for disaster risk mitigation and adaptation, and supporting business owners, particularly women entrepreneurs, with the help of the latest artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the blacklisting of contractors behind anomalous flood control projects from securing new government contracts, Malacañang said on Thursday.

President Marcos issued the directive to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Thursday.

“Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos Jr., dapat na may managot sa ganitong uri ng kapabayaan, katiwalian at panloloko, at tiyakin na mananagot sa batas ang lahat ng may sala. Nakakadismaya at nakapagtataka kung bakit napupunta sa mga pabayang contractors ang mga ganitong proyekto,” Castro said in a press briefing.

“Hindi puwede na tapos lang sa papel ang mga flood control projects na kung maitayo man ay sira din agad at wala nang silbi. Hindi rin puwedeng mababang klase ang proyekto para sa taumbayan,” she emphasized.

Castro said the President was dismayed that billions of pesos in public funds had gone to flood control projects but these did not mitigate flooding during typhoons and heavy monsoon rains.

“Iang taon na ang lumipas at paulit-ulit pa rin ang dinaranas ng taumbayan,” Castro quoted President Marcos as saying.

The Chief Executive also ordered the DPWH to identify the individuals responsible for acquiring the services of the blacklisted contractors.

These individuals will be ordered to explain why the contractors continued to secure major government projects despite dismal record, Castro said.

President Marcos gave the order to the DPWH on Wednesday after visiting Iloilo City, where he inspected flood control projects and conducted an aerial survey of some areas affected by massive flooding.

The President also reiterated his call for the public to report anomalous flood control projects via the sumbongsapangulo.ph website.

From August 11 to 13, the interactive website had 84,892 total views, received 1,148 reports, and received 823 comments or reactions as feedback. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the expansion of the Benteng Bigas Meron Na coverage, and the extension of the program to benefit about 60 million Filipinos until the end of his term in 2028, Malacañang announced on Thursday.

President Marcos instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to broaden the program’s reach to cover 15 million families, or about 60 million Filipinos, by next year, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

“Ipinag-utos din ng Pangulo sa ahensiya na siguruhing tuluy-tuloy ang rollout ng murang bigas hanggang sa pagtatapos ng kanyang termino sa 2028,” Castro said in a press briefing.

Malacañang announced that 18 warehouses of the National Food Administration (NFA) in Central and Northern Luzon are now selling rice at PhP20 per kilo to farmers in those regions.

Farmers are qualified to buy the PhP20 per kilo rice if they work two hectares or less of rice fields, based on the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). Qualified farmers can purchase up to 10 kilos per month, or up to 50 kilos of Benteng Bigas from this month to December.

Aside from farmers, the Benteng Bigas is also available to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Walang Gutom Program, senior citizens, persons with disability, solo parents, and minimum wage earners.

Castro said the Marcos administration will sustain its programs against poverty and hunger, such as the Benteng Bigas Meron Na, Walang Gutom Program, and school feeding program, to uplift the lives of the country’s vulnerable sectors.

“Hindi po ito titigilan hanggang sa mas maramdaman po ng mas marami pang Pilipino ang kanilang pag-angat sa buhay,” Castro said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed all relevant government agencies to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into a series of alarming incidents of school-based violence reported in Luzon and Mindanao over the past week.

“Kailangan po talagang maimbestigahan ito lalo po’t may mga menor de edad na nasasangkot po dito at nagiging issue na talaga ‘yung mental health sa mga kabataan,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Thursday.

In a briefing at the Palace, Castro announced that the President has ordered the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to work together in investigating these recent incidents.

Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been directed to assist in the evaluation of the implementation of child protection policies in schools nationwide.

The President’s directive came following a series of violent school-related incidents that have drawn national attention.

On August 7, a shooting incident happened inside a classroom in Nueva Ecija, where a 15-year-old female student was shot by her ex-boyfriend, who then took his own life. The victim initially fell into a coma and later died from her injuries.

On August 4, a teacher at Balabagan Trade School in Lanao del Sur was allegedly shot and killed by a Grade 11 student, who was reportedly upset over failing grades.

On August 10, a 9-year-old Grade 3 student from Maria Cristina Falls Elementary School was allegedly mauled by five high school students. The victim, who sustained serious injuries and was confined in the Intensive Care Unit, has reportedly awakened from a coma.

“Hindi po ito tutulugan at aaksyunan po ito ng mga concerned agencies, agad-agad din po,” Castro said.

In response to the incidents, Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued a memorandum on August 8 instructing all schools to tighten security measures. The directive includes mandatory bag inspections, increased visibility of security personnel, and stricter control of school entry and exit points.

DepEd also called on schools to strengthen their mechanisms for reporting and addressing incidents involving child abuse, bullying, violence, exploitation, discrimination, and gang-related activity on campus. | PND

Malacañang on Thursday called on Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to submit evidence to substantiate his claim of having information about irregularities in flood control projects.

During a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged Magalong to show evidence against individuals involved in corruption in flood control projects, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered to be investigated.

“At kung ano po ang maitutulong ni Mayor Magalong, mas maganda po na ito’y mailahad niya sa Pangulo,” Castro said when asked to comment on Magalong’s accusation that some lawmakers pocketed kickbacks of 30 to 40 percent of flood control and infrastructure project funds.

“Iyong sinasabi nilang 67 congressmen, at mukhang sila ay identified na ni Mayor Magalong, hindi po ba mas maganda na ibigay na niya ang report na ito sa ating Pangulo? At kung kinakailangan ma-idemanda o makasuhan ng may sapat na ebidensiya, agad-agad na din pong gawin,” Castro said.

On Magalong’s offer to lead the investigation, Castro said President Marcos has already given orders on the mechanism and system for the investigation, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

“Unang-una po naibigay na po ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang mekanismo, ang sistema kung papaano ito maimbistigahan. At nagbigay na rin po siya ng direktiba sa Regional Project Monitoring Committees,” Castro said, referring to the mechanisms under the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

“Kung ano po ang meron siya, kung ito po ay kumpleto maari niya po ito isumite agad-agad sa ating Pangulo,” Castro reiterated.

“Dahil ang sinabi niya po ay marami niya po siyang nalalaman. So mas maganda po na ito ay detalyado. Hindi po pwede muli na tayo ay magturo lamang,” Castro added. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered urgent measures to safeguard the country’s banana industry in order to protect farmers’ livelihoods and preserve the Philippines’ standing in the global market.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that following the President’s directive, the Department of Agriculture has already requested funding to assist banana farms, especially those operated by smallholder growers.

“Nagkaroon na rin po ng direktiba ang Pangulo patungkol po dito at humingi na rin po ang Department of Agriculture ng pondo para po sa pest and diseases para sa banana farmers,” Castro said during a press briefing on Thursday.

Banana growers’ concerns include pests and diseases threatening banana farms.

Castro said the government is working to resolve high seasonal tariffs in Japan—currently at 8 percent during summer and 18 percent during winter—which have hindered the competitiveness of Philippine bananas in one of its key markets.

She emphasized that the administration is expanding the production of the Cardaba variety for export to Australia, the United States, the Middle East, and other potential markets, while also promoting the export of steamed and frozen bananas alongside banana chips.

“Pinapalakas pa rin po ang production ng Banana Cardaba for exports… at pinapalakas na rin po ang pag-export ng steamed and frozen bananas, maliban pa po sa banana chips,” Castro said.

Banana is one of the most economically essential fruit crop commodities in the Philippines. The majority of banana varieties grown in the country are Cavendish, followed by Saba and Lakatan. The Saba/Cardaba variety is usually processed into banana chips for export, while Lakatan is consumed mainly as fresh fruit in the local market.

The President’s directive to address the concerns of the banana industry signifies significant efforts not only to recover market share in Japan and China but also to open new trade opportunities that will benefit farmers and ensure the industry’s long-term resilience. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday inspected the unfinished flyover in Pavia town, Iloilo, and the ongoing flood control project in neighboring Jaro district of Iloilo City.

President Marcos’ convoy passed by the Anganan Flyover so he can personally assess the construction, which was started in 2019 but was suspended due to project flaws.

Flaws were reportedly found in the flyover’s original design, as well as in the survey for the foundation’s depth. Construction work has been suspended, causing traffic jams in the area.

Correcting the flaws would involve jet grouting. Funds for the correction would be sourced from the budget allocated for finishing works, which will likely result in a shortage of funds to complete the project.

It was learned that the contractor for the Anganan Flyover, IBC International Builders Corporation, also built the Ungka Flyover in Iloilo City which was temporarily closed in 2024 due to structural issues.

Data from the sumbongsapangulo.ph website indicates that IBC International Builders Corporation also has 22 flood control projects worth a total of Php1.55 billion across Region VI (Western Visayas).

Twelve of those projects, worth a total Php973.84 million, are in Iloilo.

During his visit, President Marcos also inspected Sections 9 and 10 of the Flood Mitigation Project in Iloilo City. The sections are located in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district.

The Chief Executive called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as local government units (LGU), to ensure durable, reliable, and appropriate flood control projects.

President Marcos also directed the DPWH, LGUs, and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development to continue their audit and performance review, and hold accountable negligent and corrupt individuals to ensure that government funds will truly benefit ordinary citizens. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday welcomed the signing into law of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act, which will strengthen the administration of justice, ensuring efficiency in serving the public.

“Higit sa lahat, ang batas na ito ay para sa taumbayan,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act in Malacañan Palace.

The President said implementing the law would result in a much-improved ability of the judiciary to fulfill its sworn duty to administer justice.

“Kapag may sapat na pondo at malinaw na patakaran sa paggamit nito, magagawa ng Hudikatura nang mas mabuti ang kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin. Ang bawat kasong nakahain sa mga korte ay mapapakinggan at madedesisyunan nang walang takot at walang alinlangan,” said President Marcos.

Furthermore, the new law strengthens the executive branch’s commitment to work alongside the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government to uplift the condition of the Filipino people.

“Above all, let us always remember that even our smallest decisions can shape the lives of very many people and the future of the nation,” the Chief Executive said.

The Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act allows the Supreme Court to submit its original budget proposal directly to Congress, as an attachment to the National Expenditure Program prepared by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The law also ensures that the monthly cash requirements of the judiciary – equivalent to one-twelfth of its total budget — will be released automatically by the DBM.

At the same time, the law strengthens the judiciary’s authority to address shortages in its workforce that facilitates the transfer of ownership of properties acquired for the judiciary to the Supreme Court, ensuring better control and management of its assets.

The Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act significantly supports the Supreme Court’s ongoing modernization efforts under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI). | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said his government is committed to respecting the autonomy and authority of the Supreme Court as he highlighted strengthening the country’s democratic processes.

“This Administration is committed to respecting the autonomy and authority of the Supreme Court as it discharges its constitutional duty to interpret the highest law of the land,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act in Malacañan Palace.

“This commitment thus calls on us to stay true to our Constitution, to champion integrity and fairness, and implement laws with prudence and foresight.”

According to the President, democracy works by respecting the role each branch of government plays, while exercising the duty to ensure that no branch acts beyond what the Constitution allows.

Through the signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act, the Chief Executive said the government is putting safeguards in place for the judiciary to work more efficiently and independently.

The law further strengthens the commitment of the executive branch of government to work alongside the judiciary as a co-equal branch in the government.

Under the new law, the proposed budget of the judiciary will go straight to Congress and be included in the national budget exactly as submitted. Funds will be released to the judiciary automatically every month.

The Chief Justice is also authorized to augment any budget item and modify, through a resolution by the entire Supreme Court, the allotment of funds to where they are most needed, such as to hiring additional personnel, repairing courtrooms, or advancing court systems.

For transparency and accountability, the Supreme Court will report quarterly to the executive and legislative branches how the funds were judiciously spent.

A Judiciary Trust Fund will be established so the courts can tap their collected funds to address urgent needs.

This way, the Supreme Court can reorganize its offices, hire staff faster, and bring services closer to the people by decentralizing operations.

The President conveyed his gratitude to Congress for passing the law, which he said will be vital in building a more progressive Bagong Pilipinas where the people’s rights remain secure and every Filipino lives with peace, dignity, and pride. | PND