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Marcos staying out of VP’s looming impeachment trial By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing the importance of letting the constitutional process unfold independently. “Impeachment is already in the PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will not interfere with the Sen- Senate,” Mr. Marcos said in a podcast Next page ate’s upcoming impeachment trial of
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 94 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
PBBM wants to make peace with Dutertes LAV DIAZ MOVIE PREMIERES AT CANNES FESTIVAL NEWS / A2
PNP WORKING TO RECOVER QUE RANSOM NEWS / A2
Says he needs a friend, not more enemies By Charles Dantes
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he is open to reconciling with the Duterte family, saying he prefers peace and unity over political conflict.
In a podcast interview aired Monday, Mr. Marcos was asked directly if he still wished to make peace with the Dutertes despite recent political tensions. “Do I still want to reconcile with the Dutertes? Yes,” the President said. “Me, I don’t like trouble. I want to get along with everyone. It’s better that way.” “I already have many enemies, and I don’t need more. I need a friend,” he added. Manila Standard tried to get a reaction from the camp of Vice President
Sara Duterte but it has yet to issue a statement as of press time. President Marcos said fostering stability and peace is essential for effective governance. “As much as possible, what I’m after is stability, peace, so we can do our job,” he said. “I’m always open to any approach. Let’s help each other, right? Even if we don’t agree on policy… Do your job, but let’s not cause trouble,” he added. Next page
OLIVE BRANCH. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during a podcast interview, says he is open to reconciling with the Dutertes amid recent political tensions. Screengrab from PBBM’s FB page
PARTY-LIST WINNERS. The Commission on Elections proclaims 52 party-list winners in the midterm elections. Akbayan (inset from left—Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula) and Tingog (inset, right—Jude Acidre) secured three seats each. The poll body, however, deferred the proclamation of the Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon party-list groups due to pending disqualification cases against them. Norman Cruz and Ver Noveno
Duterte Youth, BH proclamation suspended By Vito Barcelo
In the event that both Duterte Youth and BH party-lists are disqualified, the candidates THE Commission on Elections declared only 52 of ranked 55th to 58th may each be awarded one 54 party-list winners as it deferred the proclamation seat. This group consists of Gabriela Women’s Party, of the Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon partylists due to pending disqualification cases. Next page
DMW eyes other officials behind P1.4b land deal Cabinet performance review ongoing, revamp likely—PBBM
By Rachelle Tonelada and Charles Overseas Workers Welfare Adminis- transaction with aspects that we need tration in the controversial P1.4-billion to further analyze,” DMW Secretary Dantes
By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his administration has begun conducting a performance review of Cabinet members, signaling potential changes ahead based on the results of the evaluation. In the premiere episode of his “BBM Podcast” aired Monday, Mr. Marcos said the review is part of a continuing effort to assess government performance and root out inefficiency and corruption, particularly as his admin-
istration enters its second half. “The government is running well, but we’re doing a performance review,” he said. “We’ll examine why delivery of service is slow at times. What should we do to make it faster? That’s what’s important,” he added. Asked whether there are Cabinet officials at risk of being removed, Marcos said the ongoing review could lead to firings or legal action, depending on the findings. Next page
land acquisition deal. Hans Leo Cacdac said in an interview “What we are assessing is who is in- with GMA News. THE Department of Migrant Workers The questionable land deal led to the said it is now reviewing the potential volved here, in the decision to not conNext page involvement of other personnel of the sult the Board and proceed with this
DA to extend P20/k rice program to 2028 FOLLOWING a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture will continue offering its P20 per kilogram rice through 2028, DA Secretary
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced briefing at the Palace. Monday. The subsidized rice initiative, “That is the formula. The President branded “Benteng Bigas Meron instructed us to extend the program (BBM) Na,” is jointly funded by the Next page to 2028,” Tiu Laurel said in a press