President Rodrigo Duterte (Presidential Photo) MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte remains firm with his commitment to eradicating illegal drugs until his last days in office, considering there are several politicians linked to the narcotics trade, Malacanang said Friday. This, after Duterte earlier took a swipe anew at former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for being one of the local officials who have allegedly benefited from the drug war. "The President's remarks on Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog reflect his resolute stance against narcopolitics," acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. Duterte, Andanar said, is giving emphasis to Mabilog's case to encourage the incoming administration to continue his anti-narcotics campaign. "President Duterte expects his Administration's very successful anti-drug campaign, where millions have voluntarily surrendered to authorities, will be continued by t
MANILA - The outgoing Duterte administration is still looking for ways to address the country's PHP12-trillion debt, Malacanang said Thursday. "Reducing the country's debt remains a priority," acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. President Rodrigo Duterte's economic team, Andanar said, has proposed a fiscal consolidation and resource mobilization plan to pay off the country's huge debt. Andanar said the proposal contains "fair, efficient, and corrective tax measures." "These include the expansion of value added tax (VAT) base by removing ineffective VAT exemptions except for some sectors, among others, to generate revenues," he said. Andanar, however, acknowledged that the outgoing economic managers' recommendations are "subject to the consideration of the next Administration." The national government's outstanding debt rose to a new high of PHP12.68 trilli
QUEEN OF PH MOVIES. Susan Roces, 80, died peacefully in the United States Friday evening (May 20, 2022), according to Senator Grace Poe's statement posted on her Facebook page. Malacanang on Saturday (May 21) expressed condolences to the family.(Photo from Senator Grace Poe's FB account) MANILA - Malacanang on Saturday expressed condolences to the family of movie icon Susan Roces who died Friday evening. Roces, 80, died peacefully in the United States, Senator Grace Poe confirmed in a statement. "With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jesusa Sonora Poe, whom many of you know as Susan Roces," according to the statement posted on Poe's Facebook page. "She lived life fully and gracefully. Remember her in her beauty, warmth and kindness. She is now with the Lord and her beloved Ronnie - FPJ." No other details were given about Roces' demise. Poe honored Roces for being a "daughter, mother, grandmother, a true Filipina and a national
(File photo courtesy of DOLE) MANILA - Malacanang has attributed the improved employment situation in the country to the further reopening of the economy that generated more job opportunities amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. This, as acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed elation Thursday over the results of the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) March 2022 Labor Force Survey which showed an employment rate of 94.2 percent. The number of employed Filipinos, according to the PSA report, reached 46.98 million in March 2022, higher than the 45.48 million or 93.6 percent recorded in February 2022. "We welcome the latest employment situation reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority showing employment rate in March 2022 at 94.2 percent - the highest since April 2020," Andanar said. The PSA, in a statement, noted that around 2.87 million Filipinos were jobless in March, down from 3.13 million in Fe
MANILA, May 5 (Xinhua) The Philippines saw its debt increase by 4.8 percent at the end of March, primarily due to the next issuance of government securities