President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to conduct a thorough review and promptly address the concerns raised by the transport group MANIBELA affecting the livelihood of its members and their families.

In a Palace briefing on Friday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration is open to a dialogue to resolve the matter.

“Ipinag-utos naman po sa pamunuan ng DOTr, tingnan mabuti kung ano ang hinaing ng grupo ng MANIBELA,” Castro said.

“So, kailangan rin ito maresolba kung mayroon naman talagang batayan ang kanilang reklamo, dapat itong masolusyonan agad,” Castro added.

MANIBELA, which stands for Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa), earlier announced its plans to hold a three-day transport strike starting December 9 to protest matters relating to government document processing and supposed high penalties.

Castro urged the transport group to cooperate for the sake of commuters, especially during the Christmas season.

“Tayo na rin ang mananagawan sa grupo ng MANIBELA. Alam naman natin na Christmas season, baka naman puwedeng ipamasko niyo na at mapag-usapan naman ‘yung mga hinaing nila. Pag-usapan po para maresolba agad,” Castro said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) full support to carry out its investigation into irregularities in flood control projects, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has issued the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), a government document authorizing fund disbursement, as early as September, the same month the President created the ICI.

“At hindi naman nagkulang ang Pangulo dahil lahat ng kailangan ng ICI, lahat ng maibibigay na tulong na manggagaling po sa Pangulo, iyan ay ibinibigay,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

On September 11, 2025, President Marcos signed Executive Order 94 forming the ICI as a fact-finding body mandated to investigate alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects during the last 10 years.

“Ayon sa DBM, iyong SARO ay as early as September nandiyan na. Ang natatangi lamang siguro nagkaroon ng konting delay ay iyong pag-i-implement or pagsasagawa ng MDS o iyong modified disbursement system. At ngayon po ay maitatanong natin, iyong pondo ay nasa kanila na,” the Palace Press Officer added.

When asked whether the President supports the idea of strengthening a body to investigate corruption in infrastructure projects, Castro said that all institutions mandated to investigate corruption should have the appropriate power to do so.

“Ang lahat naman ng institusyon na mayroong power to investigate, lahat dapat ay malakas, mayroon silang kapangyarihan,” Castro said.

The Palace Press Officer emphasized that the ICI was created by President Marcos as a fact-finding body to look for concrete evidence against those involved in anomalous and ghost flood control projects.

“Ito kasing isinagawa na ICI, independent commission, ito ay batay lang sa EO 94 at alam natin na ang purpose nito ay maging fact-finding commission, hindi para magbigay ng penalties sa hindi a-attend,” Castro said.

“At ito ay tulong lamang makapag-concentrate para maimbestigahan, makapag-gather ng documents, facts, data para matulungan iyong Ombudsman o iyong DOJ (Department of Justice). So, iyon talaga ang pinaka-purpose ng ICI,” she added.

President Marcos denounced irregularities in flood control projects during his July 28, 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), launching a sweeping investigation into systemic corruption in infrastructure projects.

With recommendations from the ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Office of the Ombudsman has since filed graft and malversation cases against several individuals. | PND

Malacañang has issued proclamations declaring special non-working days in some cities and municipalities across six provinces, allowing residents to take part in their respective occasions.

Under Proclamation Nos. 1099 and 1101, the City of General Trias in Cavite, and the City of San Pedro in Laguna will observe special non-working days on December 12 and 29, respectively, to mark their 10th cityhood and 12th cityhood anniversaries.

The Palace also declared special non-working days in the City of Meycauayan, Bulacan, on December 10 under Proclamation No. 1098, and in the Municipality of Aringay, La Union, on December 13 under Proclamation No. 1100), in celebration of their founding anniversaries.

Proclamation Nos. 1098 and 1099 were signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on November 26, while Proclamation Nos. 1100 and 1101 were signed on November 27.

Malacañang has also declared special non-working days in two municipalities in the provinces of Batangas and Occidental Mindoro.

Under Proclamation 1102, President Marcos declared December 16, 2025 a special non-working day in Calatagan, Batangas to give residents a chance to celebrate their founding anniversary.

Proclamation 1103 meanwhile proclaimed December 15, 2025 a special non-working day in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro to commemorate the 81st Liberation Day of Mindoro Island from Japanese Occupation.

“It is fitting and proper for the people of the municipalities of Calatagan and San Jose to be given the opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” stated the two proclamations signed by Acting Executive Secretary Recto on December 3, 2025, by the authority of the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that the nine Filipino seafarers captured by Houthi forces in Yemen last July have been safely rescued and are now on their way home, calling it a piece of good news for the country in time for Christmas.

President Marcos said the seafarers, who were taken after their vessel MV Eternity C sank in the Red Sea, were received in Oman on Wednesday by officials from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) before being cleared for immediate repatriation.

“Mayroon po akong ihahatid na magandang balita. ‘Yung siyam na marino na ating kababayan ay naligtas mula sa lumubog na barko, ‘yung MV Eternity C sa Red Sea nung Hulyo at sila’y binihag ng mga Houthi sa Yemen. Sila po ay pauwi na,” the President said in a video message.

The nine seafarers arrived on Wednesday in Oman from Yemen, and were welcomed by officials from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“Kaya’t mabuti kahit medyo natagalan ay sa wakas ay makauwi na ang ating mga kababayan. Welcome home sa inyong lahat. Tamang-tama, Merry Christmas,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos thanked the DMW, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Embassy in Oman for their respective efforts in ensuring the safety of the seafarers.

The President recognized the support of the Omani government for the assistance in securing the rescue of the seamen, extending gratitude to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

“At huwag po nating kakalimutan na magpasalamat sa Omani government dahil sila talaga ay walang tigil na tumutulong sa atin,” the Chief Executive said.

“At kaya’t pinapaabot ko ang pasasalamat ko sa Sultanate of Oman. Ang namumuno ay ang Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. At sila po ay talagang kaibigan po ng Pilipino at lahat ng maaaring gawin para iligtas ang ating mga marino ay kanila ring ginawa. Kaya naman ay nandito na tayo at nailigtas yung siyam,” President Marcos added.

The President said upon arrival in Oman, the seafarers received a brief orientation and had their documents processed.

“At hindi na natin pinatagal. Gustong-gusto na siguro nila umuwi, Paskong-pasko pa kaya’t pinauwi na natin at parating na rin dito sa Pilipinas,” President Marcos said.

The President meanwhile extended condolences to the family of Neil Roy Faner, who died during the attack.

The President underscored that Filipino seafarers at times face dangerous situations as part of their work, since their assignments can take them to high-risk areas.

President Marcos emphasized that these risks make it all the more important for the government to act swiftly and decisively whenever the safety and welfare of Filipino mariners are threatened.

“Ito po ay ating ginawa dahil alam naman natin na kung minsan delikado ang nagiging buhay ng ating mga marino dahil kung saan sila pumupunta, napapasok sila sa war zone, kung saan ‘yung mga lugar kung saan may gera eh nadadamay sila,” the President said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was thanked for signing Executive Order No. 107, which increases the base pay and subsistence allowance of the military and other uniformed personnel.

In separate statements, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association (PMAAAI) on Thursday expressed their gratitude to President Marcos.

In a statement posted on December 3, 2025 the AFP stated that it extends its utmost appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief for prioritizing the welfare of troops through the forthcoming increase in the base pay of military and uniformed personnel.

“This gesture of support and recognition serves as a significant boost to the morale of every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine,” the statement read. “We, together with our families, acknowledge this news with humility and deep gratitude. It is a reminder of the overwhelming trust accorded in us by the government and the people we serve.”

“With renewed support, we assure the public that this directive will be implemented efficiently as we stand guard for the safety and security of our country. The AFP remains steadfast in upholding its mandate to defend the nation and serve with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication,” the statement added.

In a statement, Cav Ramon Punzalan, PMAAAI chairman and CEO, described President Marcos’ issuance of Executive Order No. 107 dated December 3, 2025 as a “significant and meaningful” recognition of their role in defending the nation and maintaining peace and security.

“The PMAAAI conveys its deepest appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for directing the increase in the base pay and subsistence allowance of the AFP and other military and uniformed personnel (MUP),” Punzalan said.

“We remain a committed partner in fostering excellence, patriotism, and the preservation of the highest standards of duty and service to our nation,” the PMAAAI chairman added.

President Marcos said the increase in base pay would include those in the military and uniformed personnel from the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

The increase would be given in three tranches—on January 1, 2026; January 1, 2027; and January 1, 2028.

The subsistence allowance of all MUP shall be at the rate of PhP350 per day effective January 1, 2026. | PND

Nanawagan si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa media na patuloy na tulungan ang publiko na maunawaan ang mga kasalukuyang reporma ng pamahalaan, na aniya’y mahirap ipaliwanag sa karaniwang mamamayan na hindi nakatuon sa mga usaping istruktural.

Nagpasalamat ang Pangulo sa mga mamamahayag, partikular sa mga kasapi ng Malacañang Press Corps (MPC), sa kanilang papel sa pagpapaliwanag ng mga komplikadong polisiya sa nakalipas na tatlo’t kalahating taon, at binigyang-diin na kailangan ng administrasyon ang media bilang katuwang sa pagbibigay-kaalaman sa publiko.

“So I thank all the members of the Malacañang Press Corps, because you have been there with us all the way. And this is not an easy thing to explain to the average citizen because they’re not concerned about structural change and ideological ideas. They are just concerned about their everyday lives,” ang sabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga miyembro ng MPC nitong Miyerkules.

Una nang ibinunyag ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga iregularidad sa mga proyekto sa flood control at imprastruktura sa kanyang Ika-apat na State of the Nation Address noong Hulyo 28, 2025, na nagbunsod ng imbestigasyon at pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa ilang indibidwal na sangkot sa pang-aabuso ng pondo ng bayan.

Aminado ang Pangulo na hindi lahat ay sasang-ayon sa mga reporma, subalit iginiit niyang kailangang ipagpatuloy ito ng pamahalaan at maiparating ang komunikasyon sa publiko sa kabila ng ingay sa pulitika.

Binigyang-diin ng Pangulo ang kahalagahan ng karanasan sa pamamahayag, na aniya’y nakapagbibigay sa mga reporter ng malalim na kaalaman at pananaw matapos ang maraming taon ng pagbabalita tungkol sa pamahalaan, pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga source, at pagsusuri sa mga pambansang isyu.

Itinampok ng Pangulo na mahalaga ang ganitong may kaalamang pamamahayag sa panahong ang iresponsableng nilalaman at mga teoryang konspirasyon sa online ay nagkakaroon ng kaparehong antas na nakikita ng publiko.

“Fake news has taken too much of the space. In the beginning we thought it was funny, it was entertaining, but now it’s become damaging. And that is something that we have to be concerned about,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

“And that’s why I’m saying, we need your help. Government needs the help of all the media to try and explain to people that you have to be more discerning about what you read and what you believe and what you take on.”

Nanawagan ang Pangulo sa mga mamamahayag na tulungan palakasin ang media literacy sa pamamagitan ng paghikayat sa mga tao na maging mas mapanuri sa impormasyong kanilang tinatanggap.

“It is not an easy challenge but we have to continue to try and do it because it is important that people know the truth, the people know what is happening, that the people are not led into these crazy mind games people have been playing without any connection anymore to reality,” binigyang-diin ng Pangulo. | PND

“When you have to excise a cancer out of such a complicated system, you need to do some very major surgery.”

Inihalintulad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kasalukuyang mga reporma ng administrasyon laban sa korapsyon sa isang malaking operasyon na kailangang gawin upang alisin ang kanser, sabay na nagbibigay katiyakan na ang bansa “may be bleeding now, but will heal very very quickly.”

Sa kanyang talumpati sa harap ng Malacañang Press Corps noong Miyerkules, kinilala ni Pangulong Marcos na mahirap ang kampanya laban sa korapsyon, dahil patuloy na dinaranas ng bansa ang masakit na epekto ng pagbuwag sa matagal nang mga pang-aabuso at ang pag-aayos sa isang sistemang lubhang may depekto.

“The truth of the matter is, it really has been a difficult time because I knew that what we were starting would really be disruptive. We are trying precisely to change the entire system,” ayon sa Pangulo.

“And when you have to excise a cancer out of such a complicated system, you need to do some very major surgery. And to do that, when you do that, you will bleed. And that is what we had to go through. We had to go through that,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

“I am sorry that people suffered because of it, but it had to be done. Otherwise, we will do things the same way that we have always done, that the things that we have discovered that are being done for the last three decades will just continue,” tuloy pa ng Pangulo.

Sinabi ng Punong Ehekutibo na kailangang tiisin ng bayan ang sakit at hirap na dulot ng mga repormang ito, ngunit ipinahayag niya ang kanyang pagtitiwala sa katatagan ng sambayanang Pilipino.

“So we have to go through that pain, go through difficulty, go through the anguish that the country is going through now. But we are Filipinos. We may be bleeding now, but we will also heal very, very quickly,” diin pa ni Pangulong Marcos.

Ibinunyag ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga iregularidad sa mga proyekto sa flood control at imprastruktura sa kanyang Ikaapat na State of the Nation Address noong Hulyo 28, 2025.

Itinatag ng Pangulo ang Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) na nagsiyasat sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at nagrekomenda ng pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa mga indibidwal na sangkot sa iskandalo.

Nagsimula nang magsampa ng reklamo ang Office of the Ombudsman laban sa ilang personalidad, habang naglabas ng freeze orders ang Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) para sa PhP12 bilyong halaga ng ari-arian ng mga taong konektado sa korapsyon.

Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos, nananatiling matatag ang administrasyon sa pagpapatupad ng agenda ng reporma, at tiyak na alam ng pamahalaan ang mga hakbang na dapat gawin upang ipagpatuloy ang kampanya laban sa pang-aabuso, maling pribilehiyo, at iregular na gawain.

“So it’s not as if we are lost and we do not know what we are going to do. We know what we are going to do, and we will continue this campaign against corruption, we will continue our campaign on this abuse and this entitlement that has shocked everyone, myself included,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Positibo ang Pangulo na kapag nalampasan ng bansa ang panahong ito, magiging mas matatag at handa ang bansa para maiwasan ang mga kahalintulad na problema sa hinaharap.

“So, I hope that once we go through this, and I know it will be done, once we go through this, that we will be able to look back on this and say, ‘Okay, mahirap iyong nangyari pero kailangan gawin at worth it iyong pagdusa na pinagdaanan natin para sa naging resulta. That is what we are hoping for,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

“There is very little time to do it but I really think if we work 24/7 like we always have, I think we can do it,” binigyang-diin ng Pangulong Marcos. | PND

Ang buong proyekto ng tulay ay sinimulan at natapos sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., kaya ito ay maituturing na PBBM legacy project.

Ininspeksyon ni Pangulong Marcos nitong Huwebes ang natapos nang konstruksyon ng Bucana Bridge, na kilala rin bilang Davao River Bridge, na nagmarka ng isang mahalagang yugto sa nagpapatuloy na Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

“Ito’y sinasabi ang estimate natin na ang biyahe na dati halos dalawang oras ay mababawasan, magiging mga 25 minutes, 20 minutes na lang,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

Sa kanyang maikling pahayag, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang 1.3-kilometrong tulay ay inaasahang makapagpapagaan nang malaki sa daloy ng trapiko sa sentro ng Davao City at magpapasigla ng aktibidad pang-ekonomiya sa rehiyon.

“Ito’y sinasabi ang estimate natin na ang biyahe na dati halos dalawang oras ay mababawasan magiging mga 25 minutes, 20 minutes na lang,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

“Kaya malaking ginhawa, lalong-lalo na ngayon na magpa-Pasko tayo. Alam naman natin nangyayari sa traffic,” dagdag ng Pangulo.

Inanunsyo rin ng Pangulo na opisyal na bubuksan ang tulay para sa mga motorista sa Disyembre 15, kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan. Nagsimula ang proyekto noong huling bahagi ng 2023.

“So, this is one of the four major projects that we – our legacy projects that we will be finishing in Davao and its environs. Marami na tayong nabuksan na section dito. And this will be now another major part of this bypass road,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

Binigyang-diin ng Punong Ehekutibo na ang buong Davao City Bypass Project ay matatapos sa Disyembre 2027.

Samantala, pinuri ni Pangulong Marcos ang mga kontraktor mula sa China, na ang teknolohiya at kahusayan ay nakatulong sa mabilis na pagkumpleto ng tulay.

“Kaya natulungan naman tayo ng ating mga Chinese na contractor dahil ang ganda ng technology nila kaya napakabilis. At marunong talaga silang magpatayo ng magandang tulay, magandang infrastructure na mabilis at nasa tamang gastos, nasa tamang presyo,” ayon sa Pangulo.

Nagpasalamat din ang Pangulo sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at sa lahat ng manggagawang nakibahagi sa proyekto.

Ang PhP3.1-bilyong Bucana Bridge Project ay mag-uugnay sa Barangay 76-A Bucana at Matina Aplaya, na magbibigay sa mga motorista ng mas ligtas at mas mabilis na alternatibong ruta. Kayang mag-accommodate ng hanggang 14,000 sasakyan araw-araw ang tulay.

Kapag nagsimula nang gamitin, inaasahang mapapabuti nito ang pang-araw-araw na biyahe, mapapabilis ang pag-unlad ng rehiyon, at lilikha ng mga bagong oportunidad pang-ekonomiya para sa mga Davaoeño.

Pinondohan sa pamamagitan ng Official Development Assistance mula sa China, ang tulay ay may tampok na 480-metrong, anim-na-span na extradosed structure na sinusuportahan ng 860 metrong approach roads. Mayroon din itong pedestrian walkway at shared-use path para sa mga siklista, na sumasalamin sa pagtutulak ng administrasyon para sa mas ligtas at mas inklusibong imprastruktura. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday conducted an on-site inspection of the newly completed Bucana Bridge, also known as the Davao River Bridge, marking a major milestone in the ongoing development of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

The entire bridge construction project was initiated and completed during the administration of President Marcos.

In his brief remarks, President Marcos said the 1.3-kilometer bridge is expected to dramatically ease traffic congestion in downtown Davao City and spur economic activity in the region.

“Ito’y sinasabi ang estimate natin na ang biyahe na dati halos dalawang oras ay mababawasan, magiging mga 25 minutes, 20 minutes na lang,” President Marcos said.

“Kaya malaking ginhawa, lalong-lalo na ngayon na magpa-Pasko tayo. Alam naman natin nangyayari sa traffic,” the President added.

President Marcos announced that the bridge will officially open to motorists on December 15, just in time for the Christmas holidays. The project began in late 2023.

“So, this is one of the four major projects that we – our legacy projects that we will be finishing in Davao and its environs. Marami na tayong nabuksan na section dito. And this will be now another major part of this bypass road,” the President said.

The Chief Executive noted that the entire Davao City Bypass Project will be completed by December 2027.

President Marcos, meanwhile, commended the Chinese contractors, whose technology and efficiency contributed to the fast completion of the bridge.

“Kaya natulungan naman tayo ng ating mga Chinese na contractor dahil ang ganda ng technology nila kaya napakabilis. At marunong talaga silang magpatayo ng magandang tulay, magandang infrastructure na mabilis at nasa tamang gastos, nasa tamang presyo,” the President said.

President Marcos also thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and all workers involved in the project.

The PhP3.1-billion Bucana bridge project will connect Barangay 76-A Bucana and Matina Aplaya, providing motorists a safer and faster alternate route. It can accommodate up to 14,000 vehicles daily.

Once operational, the bridge is expected to improve daily travel, accelerate regional development, and create new economic opportunities for Davaoeños.

Funded through China’s Official Development Assistance, the bridge features a 480-meter, six-span extradosed structure supported by 860 meters of approach roads. It is equipped with a pedestrian walkway and a shared-use path for cyclists, reflecting the administration’s push for safer and more inclusive infrastructure. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the media to continue helping the public understand the government’s ongoing reforms, saying many of the changes are difficult to explain to ordinary citizens who are not focused on structural issues.

The President thanked journalists, particularly members of the Malacañang Press Corps, for their role in communicating complex policies over the past three and a half years, emphasizing that the administration needs the media as a partner in informing the public.

“So I thank all the members of the Malacañang press corps, because you have been there with us all the way. And this is not an easy thing to explain to the average citizen because they’re not concerned about structural change and ideological ideas. They are just concerned about their everyday lives,” President Marcos told members of the MPC on Wednesday.

President Marcos revealed irregularities in flood control and infrastructure projects during his July 28, 2025 Fourth State of the Nation Address, prompting the investigation and filing of charges against some individuals implicated in the abuse of public funds.

The President acknowledged that not everyone will agree with the reforms. Still, the government must work on it and continue communicating clearly despite the political noise.

The President highlighted the value of journalistic experience, saying reporters develop deep knowledge and insight after years of covering government, cultivating sources, and studying national issues.

The President emphasized that such informed reporting is crucial at a time when irresponsible content and conspiracy theories online are gaining equal visibility.

“Fake news has taken too much of the space. In the beginning, we thought it was funny, it was entertaining, but now it’s become damaging. And that is something that we have to be concerned about,” President Marcos said.

“And that’s why I’m saying we need your help. The government needs the help of all the media to try and explain to people that you have to be more discerning about what you read and what you believe and what you take on.”

The President appealed to journalists to help strengthen media literacy by encouraging people to be more discerning about the information they consume.

“It is not an easy challenge but we have to continue to try and do it because it is important that people know the truth, the people know what is happening, that the people are not led into these crazy mind games people have been playing without any connection anymore to reality,” the President emphasized. | PND