President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the reduction of the real property taxes (RPT) imposed on independent power producers (IPP) for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 to prevent defaults and economic losses that could affect electricity supply and the government’s fiscal stability.

Executive Order (EO) No. 106 issued on November 28, 2025 reduced the amount of all liabilities for real property taxes for Calendar Year (CY) 2025, including any special levies accruing to the Special Education Fund on the power generation facilities of IPPs under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and similar contracts with government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), that are assessed by local government units (LGUs) and other authorized entities for all years up to CY 2025.

The liabilities are “hereby reduced to an amount equivalent to the tax due if computed based on an assessment level of 15% of the fair market value of said property, machinery and equipment, depreciated at the rate of 2% per annum, less any amount already paid by the IPPs,” EO No. 106 said.

President Marcos also condoned all interests and penalties on the deficiency RPT liabilities of the concerned IPPs.

According to the EO, all real property tax payments made by the IPPs over and above the reduced amount shall be applied to their real property tax liabilities for succeeding years.

The EO noted that under the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160, GOCCs engaged in the generation and transmission of electricity enjoy exemptions and privileges with respect to real property taxes.

These include an assessment level of 10 percent on all its lands, buildings, machineries and other improvements, as well as an exemption for all

machinery and equipment used in the generation and transmission of electric power, and machinery and equipment used for pollution control and environmental protection.

The EO noted that various LGUs have taken the position that IPPs are not entitled to the exemptions and privileges enjoyed by GOCCs with respect to real property taxes, and have threatened enforcement action against IPPs, including the levy and sale at public auction of affected properties.

According to the EO, while IPPs are liable to pay the real property taxes, a substantial portion of the tax charged has been contractually assumed by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR)/Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) under a build-operate-transfer scheme and similar contracts, and therefore carry the full faith and credit of the national government.

The EO warned that according to the Department of Finance (DOF), the collection of the subject real property taxes for CY 2025, which were assessed at the maximum assessment level of 80% by concerned LGUs “will trigger massive direct liabilities on the part of NAPOCOR/PSALM, thereby threatening their financial stability, the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, the stability of energy prices, and may even trigger further cross-defaults and significant economic losses across all sectors.”

“As the operations of affected IPPs provide an estimated grid capacity of 1,085 megawatts, their closure or non-operation will entail substantial losses to the government and force the public to resort to more costly electric power source alternatives or rotating power outages,” the EO further warned.

Under Section 277 of the Local Government Code of 1991, the President may, when public interest so requires, condone or reduce the real property tax and interest for any province or city, or a municipality within the Metropolitan Manila Area.

The President directed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the DOF, to monitor the compliance of concerned LGUs. The DOF was also ordered to submit a progress report on the implementation within six months from effectivity of the Order. | PND

Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that, despite the political noise, government efforts on the flood control corruption investigation remain in full swing, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urging officials to prioritize “results, not drama.”

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the Palace remains in a professional working environment, with agencies actively coordinating to identify those accountable, recover stolen funds, and implement long-term fixes to the infrastructure system.

“The mood in the Palace is still very much steady and focused. Work has not stopped, not a single day here,” Gomez said in an interview with ANC on Wednesday.

“I know there’s a lot of political noise going on out there, but the President is very clear. We’re dealing with a very serious problem here of flood control and the accompanying scandal that surrounds it,” Gomez added.

“The atmosphere in the Palace is professional. People are working, agencies are coordinating, and the President is clear. He wants results, not drama,” the PCO Secretary stressed.

Gomez emphasized the administration remains focused on accountability and systemic reform amid the ongoing political developments.

“Our job is to bring to justice those who are responsible, recover the stolen wealth, and fix the system,” the PCO chief said.

President Marcos exposed irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects during his Fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, delivering his memorable line, “Mahiya naman kayo.”

The President subsequently launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website to receive public complaints and later established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which recommended filing charges against several individuals implicated in the scandal.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed corresponding cases against several personalities before the Sandiganbayan.

Earlier, Gomez maintained that the President will not be distracted from the task.

“He’s not blinking and he will see this through. He will finish this. At sabi nga ng ating Pangulo, sinimulan ko ito, tatapusin ko ito,” Gomez said. | PND

“Sa barangay nag-uumpisa ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao.” Kinilala ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Miyerkules ang mga natatanging inisyatiba ng barangay sa 2025 Galing Pook Awards na ginanap sa Malacañan Palace.

Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang-diin ni Pangulong Marcos ang mahalagang papel ng mga barangay bilang unang tumutugon sa pagbibigay ng pangunahing serbisyo sa mga komunidad.

“Nagtitipon tayo ngayon upang kilalanin ang sampung natatanging programa ng ating mga barangay… Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao. Dito unang nararamdaman ng bawat mamamayan ang malasakit ng pamahalaan,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Pinuri ng Pangulo ang mga nagwagi sa kanilang kahanga-hangang trabaho sa kabila ng mga hamon, at binigyang-diin na posible ang epektibong pamamahala kapag malinaw ang layunin ng proyekto at isinasagawa nang may integridad ang mga proseso.

“Kapag malinaw ang proseso ng pamahalaan, lumalakas ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan; kung may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto ng mamamayan; at tuwing inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sumusunod ang pag-unlad ng ating inang-bayan,” ayon sa Punong Ehekutibo.

“Ito ang kulturang nais nating ipalaganap sa pamahalaan, ganito ang serbisyo-publiko na dapat ramdam ng pamayanan: tapat, bukas, at may direksyon.”

Kabilang sa mga nagwagi sa Galing Pook ngayong taon ang Barangay 57 Dap-dap sa Legazpi City para sa muling pagsasaayos ng Macabalo River; Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City para sa kanilang BUSkwela initiative na tumutulong sa mga batang makabalik sa paaralan; Barangay Blue Ridge, Quezon City para sa Street Camps na naghahanda sa mga residente para sa lindol; at Barangay General Malvar, Santiago City para sa kanilang solar-powered program.

Kinilala rin ng Pangulo ang urban gardens at ang palit-bote-para-sa-tinapay project ng Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City; ang clearance-with-a-checklist program ng Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City na naglalayong pataasin ang partisipasyon ng komunidad; ang community justice garden ng Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City; ang sign language training ng Barangay Tagas, Tabaco City; ang Kariton project na tumutulong sa pagresolba ng alitan ng Barangay Poblacion, South Cotabato; at ang muling pagpapasigla ng Tripa de Gallina sa pangunguna ng Barangay San Isidro, Makati City.

Ang bawat awardee ay nakatanggap ng Galing Pook Marker at PhP300,000 cash prize mula sa Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA).

Ayon sa Pangulo, bagaman magkakaiba ang mga programa, iisa ang mensahe nito: “Kapag tinutugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng tao, nagdudulot ito ng magandang pagbabago.”

Hinikayat din ni Pangulong Marcos ang iba pang mga barangay na tularan ang tagumpay ng mga 2025 Outstanding Barangay initiatives upang mapatatag ang mga sistemang pangpamamahala sa buong bansa.

“Let us strive to replicate the success of these barangay initiatives on a national scale — learning what works and strengthening the systems that uphold efficiency, participation, and transparency in government,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Nagpasalamat ang Punong Ehekutibo sa Galing Pook Foundation sa pagsusulong ng kahusayan at integridad sa pamamahala sa loob ng mahigit tatlong dekada at hinikayat ang mga nagwagi at mga finalist na ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng mahusay na serbisyo sa kanilang mga komunidad.

“Huwag niyo pong kakalimutan na dapat na malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa [pagpapa-alala na ang pagbabago] at pag-unlad ay nagsisimula sa pinakamaliit na hakbang at lumalakas kapag tayo ay sama-samang kumikilos,” sinabi ng Pangulo. | PND

“Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday recognized outstanding barangay initiatives during the 2025 Galing Pook Awards held in Malacañan Palace.

In his speech, President Marcos underscored the vital role of barangays as the frontline responders in delivering essential services to communities.

“Nagtitipon tayo ngayon upang kilalanin ang sampung natatanging programa ng ating mga barangay…Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao. Dito unang nararamdaman ng bawat mamamayan ang malasakit ng pamahalaan,” President Marcos said.

The President lauded the awardees for their exemplary work despite the challenges they face, noting that effective governance is indeed achievable when project goals are clear and processes are carried out with integrity.

“Kapag malinaw ang proseso ng pamahalaan, lumalakas ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan; kung may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto ng mamamayan; at tuwing inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sumusunod ang pag-unlad ng ating inang-bayan,” the Chief Executive said.

“Ito ang kulturang nais nating ipalaganap sa pamahalaan, ganito ang serbisyo-publiko na dapat ramdam ng pamayanan: tapat, bukas, at may direksyon.”

Among this year’s Galing Pook awardees are Barangay 57 Dap-dap, Legazpi City for the revitalization of the Macabalo River; Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City for their BUSkwela initiative that helps children get back to school; Barangay Blue Ridge B, Quezon City for creating Street Camps, a system that prepares residents for earthquakes; and Barangay General Malvar, Santiago City, for their solar-power revolution program.

The President also recognized the urban gardens and palit-bote-para-sa-tinapay project of Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City; clearance-with-a-checklist program designed to increase community participation of Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City; community justice garden of Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City; sign language training of Barangay Tagas, Tabaco City; Dungog Kariton project that aids conflict resolution of Barangay Poblacion, South Cotabato; and the rehabilitation of Tripa de Gallina spearheaded by Barangay San Isidro, Makati City.

Each of the awardees received a Galing Pook Marker and a PhP300,000 cash prize from the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA).

The President said that although the programs may vary, they all send the same message: “Kapag tinutugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng tao, nagdudulot ito ng magandang pagbabago.”

President Marcos likewise urged other barangays to replicate the success of the 2025 Outstanding Barangay initiatives nationwide to strengthen governance systems.

“Let us strive to continue to replicate the success of these barangay initiatives on a national scale—learning what works and strengthening the systems that uphold efficiency, participation, and transparency in government,” said the President.

The Chief Executive thanked the Galing Pook Foundation for championing excellence and integrity in governance for more than three decades and encouraged awardees and finalists to continue providing great service to their communities.

“Huwag niyo pong kakalimutan na dapat na malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa [pagpapaalala na ang pagbabago] at pag-unlad ay nagsisimula sa pinakamaliit na hakbang at lumalakas kapag tayo ay sama-samang kumikilos,” the President said. | PND

Bilang maagang pamasko ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para sa mga magbibiyaheng overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), isang bagong OFW lounge ang binuksan sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

Ayon kay Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, ang bagong bukas na lounge ay sumasalamin sa pangako ng Pangulo na magbigay ng makataong serbisyo publiko.

“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,” sinabi ni Castro sa isang press briefing sa Palasyo ngayong Martes.

Pinangunahan ni First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos ang ribbon-cutting kasama si Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Dumalo rin sina Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, at New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) Chairman at CEO Ramon Ang.

Binanggit ni Castro na ang bagong OFW lounge ay nagsisilbing unang handog-holiday ng Pangulo para sa mga tinaguriang makabagong bayani ng bansa.

Nagbibigay ang lounge ng mas maluwag at komportableng lugar para sa mga OFW sa paliparan. Mayroon itong mga pinahusay na serbisyo gaya ng libreng pagkain at inumin, maayos na pahingahan, charging stations, at ligtas na silid imbakan ng bagahe.

“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,” ayon pa kay Castro. | PND

Hinimok ng Malacañang ang mga mambabatas na pabilisin ang deliberasyon sa panukalang pambansang badyet para sa 2026 upang maiwasan ang paggamit ng reenacted budget.

Sa isang press briefing sa Palasyo nitong Martes, tinanong si Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary at Palace Press Officer Claire Castro hinggil sa iskedyul ng deliberasyon sa Kongreso kung may natitira na lamang na mahigit isang buwan bago matapos ang taon.

“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,” ani Castro

Ayon kay Senador Win Gatchalian, chair ng Senate finance committee, nananatiling nasa tamang landas ang Senado upang maipasa ang 2026 General Appropriations Act sa kabila ng abala dulot ng sunog sa gusali ng Senado kamakailan.

Kasalukuyang nasa yugto ng mga amyenda ang panukalang badyet sa Senado, at nakatakdang isagawa ang ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Martes, Disyembre 9.

Pagkatapos nito, may isang linggo lang ang Senado para tapusin ang mga dokumento bago ang bicameral conference committee kasama ang House of Representatives para pag-isahin ang kanilang bersyon ng pambansang programa sa paggastos para sa susunod na taon. | PND

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