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‘Restore defunded programs’ Marcos tells Cabinet to bring back ‘critical’ initiatives
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RESIDENT Marcos wants key socioeconomic programs originally contained in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) but defunded by Congress in the 2025 national budget to be restored and implemented. The chief executive told members of his official family to take a second look at the canceled programs with an emphasis on how to put them back on track. He issued the directive on Tuesday, during the first full Cabinet meeting of the year at Malacañan Palace. Next page
1ST FOR 2025. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 18th Cabinet meeting, the first for the year 2025, yesterday at the State Dining room in Malacanang Palace. PCO
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 327 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2025
Bersamin: No hidden agenda behind NSC reshuffle Deployment of China’s ‘Monster’ ship a power projection—Palace By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Marcos has no plans to declare martial law or seek a term extension, Malacañang clarified on Tuesday, amid online rumors following the reorganization of the National Security Council (NSC). Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that the administration only
focuses on advancing economic prosperity, improving public health and welfare, and prioritizing legacy projects. “What he [the President] has in mind is the economic prosperity of the country, the health and welfare of the people, especially those who are in the lower classes, and the prioritization of his legacy projects,” the Executive Secretary told reporters.
“It’s not about martial law. It’s not about extending himself in power,” he added. Bersamin emphasized that it falls under the President’s authority to ensure that advisers in the council are worthy of his trust. “The President is simply exercising his responsibility to ensure that whoever advises him is within his fullest trust Next page
Gov’t deploys 12k cops, firemen for Traslacion By Vince Lopez and Pot Chavez AS MILLIONS of devotees are expected to flock to Quiapo Church in Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is carrying out security measures in preparation for Traslacion 2025 with the deployment of some 12,168 police officers and firemen. According to the DILG, the Manila Police District is set to mobilize 2,554 police officers to safeguard the followers of the Black Nazarene, while the Northern and Southern Police Districts (PDs), Quezon City PD, Police Regional Office-3 and 4A, will each send a contingent of 1,500 police personnel from their respective stations. The Regional Mobile Force Battalion, on the
By Charles Dantes and Rex Espiritu MALACAÑANG on Tuesday expressed concern over the presence of the China Coast Guard’s biggest ship, dubbed “The Monster,” in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, saying its deployment was a “power projection” on the part of Beijing. “We view it with concern,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said. “This could be a case of power projection.” “Our Coast Guard has been very alert in following up the presence of that monster ship. It comes and goes
STARTING THEM YOUNG. A father lifts his child
Palace backs SSS contribution hike, cites additional benefits By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG threw its support behind the Social Security System’s (SSS) scheduled contribution hike, saying the adjustment will proceed
after long-term planning and actuarial studies were conducted. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin addressed calls to suspend the hike, noting that the decision was Next page
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6.8 TIBET QUAKE KILLS AT LEAST 95
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to kiss the cross of the Nazarene during the traditional Pahalik sa Nazareno at the Quirino Granstand a day before the revered religious icon is brought to Quiapo Church. Edd Castro
and it is within our exclusive economic zone,” Bersamin added. The Philippine Coast Guard said the presence of CCG 5901 near Scarborough Shoal is “illegal,” adding that its movement shows it is not in the area for “innocent passage.” “Observations reveal that the CCG vessel’s erratic movements indicate it is not engaged in innocent passage but rather asserts that it is conducting a law enforcement operation, claiming jurisdiction over these waters as belonging to the People’s Republic of China,” PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a post on X.
WORLD / A7 TIBET TEMBLOR. This handout received on January 7, 2025 shows damaged houses in Shigatse, southwestern China’s Tibet region, after an earthquake hit the area. The earthquake killed at least 95 people and collapsed ‘many buildings’ on January 7, state media reported, with tremors also felt in neighboring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India. AFP
NP, party-lists reaffirm support for PBBM, Speaker By Maricel V. Cruz LEADERS of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Party-list Coalition expressed their strong support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his legislative agenda as well
as for Speaker Martin Romualdez, commending their leadership and vision in steering the House of Representatives toward continued productivity and unity for the country. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Las Piñas City Rep.
Camille Villar, and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona highlighted the alignment of the 19th Congress’ priorities with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda, saying this ensures legislative measures are directed at the naNext page