The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has identified 10 priority programs of the agency that it wishes to be pursued by the next leadership, and top of its list is the non-reversal of the current policy direction and continuity of economic reforms of the Duterte administration. In a Viber message to trade reporters Thursday, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said these programs will support the next administration to continue the economic recovery efforts led by President Rodrigo Duterte. He said these programs have helped the Philippines to log an 8.3 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the first quarter
Outgoing Mayor Evelio Leonardia has formed a body for the immediate removal of campaign materials installed by candidates during the campaign period. Leonardia himself chairs the post-election clean-up committee (PECUC), which is provided in Executive Order No. 24. “Those involved in the committee must ensure the cleanliness of the city after removal operations,” he said in a statement on Thursday. He noted that a large number of campaign materials have been put up and directed the committee members to ensure the speedy removal in coordination with the presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan, and the
The decision of whether he will be the next Speaker will mainly depend on the decision of the new set of members of the House of the Representatives, said Leyte 1st district Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. After the news broke out that Romualdez is being eyed as the next House leader, the solon said he will be honored to accept any endorsement. “We leave it to the discretion and to the sound judgment of the members of the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said in a brief interview on Thursday. The House majority leader was re-elected for a second term as
President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed hope his successor would serve the Filipino people with “all [his] heart.” “Sana ‘yung manalo (To the winning candidate), whoever will come out, you have my congratulations well in advance. I am hopeful that you will serve the Filipino people with all your heart and ability and prioritize the welfare of the general public above everything,” Duterte said in a taped Talk to the People delivered Wednesday night but aired Thursday morning. Duterte made the statement, as he acknowledged there are already “clear” winners in this year’s elections. He enjoined his fellow Filipinos to accept
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has no intention to issue an apology for his anti-narcotics campaign. This, as he maintained that he did the “right” thing in launching a war on drug syndicates right at the start of his six-year term in July 2016. “I would say and I would insist na ang tail end sa administration na tama talaga ang ginawa ko. Hindi ako aatras. No apologies. No. Wala ako. Basta ang akin, tama ‘yung ginawa ko (I would say and I would insist that the tail end of the administration is that I did the right thing. I will
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday congratulated presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his apparent victory in the May 9 elections. Blinken said the State Department looks forward to strengthening the alliance between the US and the Philippines. “On behalf of the United States, I congratulate President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his election as the Philippines’ next president. We look forward to working with President-elect Marcos to strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines,” he said in a press statement. “Our special partnership is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history, shared values
