manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
Speaker to int’l solons: We’ll fight for our turf By Maricel V. Cruz, Rachelle Tonelada and Rex Espiritu
cratic nations. Speaking at the 29th Parliamentary
HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez told world’s lawmakers the Marcos administration is committed to defend the country’s sovereign rights through the force of international law and by leveraging partnerships with other demo-
HIGH-LEVEL TALKS. Speaker Martin Romualdez poses for a commemorative photo with (from left) Pedro Rollan, President of the Senate of Spain; former US congressman and chair of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) Robert Pittenger; and Philippine Ambassador to Spain Philippe Jones Lhuillier before the start of the session of the 29th PI-SF in Madrid.
Gov’t to secure ‘Atin Ito’ concert in WPS NEWS / A3
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 98 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2025 •
Keeps Bersamin, core economic team; More revamp coming RETAINED
Roque
By Charles Dantes and Darwin Amojelar
Balisacan
Pangandaman
Recto
MOVED
Bersamin, whose courtesy resignation was rejected by the President, said “more actions will be coming” in so far as the courtesy resignations tendered by 52 officials are concerned.
Manalo
Lotilla
OUT
PROMOTED
Garin
Acuzar
Lazaro
Yulo-Loyzaga
IMF: PH to grow 5.5% this year, remain resilient By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine economy is projected to grow more than 5 percent this year and next, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The Philippine economy remains resilient despite external challenges. While the announced US tariffs are expected to have a limited direct impact, the higher global policy uncertainty and lower growth in major economies will weigh on growth, which is projected at 5.5 percent in 2025 and 5.8 percent next year,” IMF Mission Chief Elif ArbatliSaxegaard said. “Consumption is expected to be supported by monetary policy easing amid lower inflation, and low unemployment; however, private investment is projected to remain subdued. Next page
Go
“All Cabinet members, presidential advisers and other presidential appointees are always subject to the will of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. We have no illusion about holding on to our respective positions and when the President wants us to be replaced or leave office, we will do so,” said Bersamin, whose own courtesy resignation was rejected by Mr. Marcos. The President accepted the resignation of Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla will be reassigned to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, replacing Loyzaga. Bersamin said there was “no issue of corruption” behind the decision to let go of Yulo-Loyzaga. "Maybe there is just a perception—I don’t know how fair or unfair that perception is—that she's more frequently out of the country. That's the recurring thing that's being brought to our attention," he said. Next page
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decided to keep Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and five Cabinet secretaries from his economic team while replacing the heads of four major departments – the first tranche of a major shake-up to "recalibrate" the government.
Next page
Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF)
Marcos replaces DFA, DENR, Housing chiefs Bersamin
Thursday afternoon, Romualdez said Manila remains uncowed by Beijing’s constant intrusions and aggression in Philippine waters. “These are not isolated incidents. “This is not just a regional issue. It is a global test of whether the rule of law will prevail over brute force,” the Speaker told fellow legislators.
Tug-of-war over Senate presidency already afoot By Ram Superable SENATORS appear to have drawn the battle lines with their eyes dead set on the upper chamber’s top spot, even while the opening of the 20th Congress is still more than a month away. Senator Imee Marcos yesterday said that she has been approached by colleagues about possibly seeking the Senate presidency. "Whoever will be elected by our peers, whether it is me or not, there are certain congressional reforms that need to be undertaken," she added. Meanwhile, Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo revealed that Senate President
Comelec junks DQ cases vs. Tulfo, BH party-list By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed disqualification petitions against Bagong Henerasyon (BH) party-list and Senator-elect Erwin Tulfo, even as
it continues to deliberate on two pending cases involving the Duterte Youth party-list. Comelec chair George Garcia said the BH party-list case was dismissed due to procedural lapses on the part of the petitioner, specifically the failure to personally serve copies of the petition and submit an affidavit explaining why
this was not feasible. “Once the decision is final and executory, the Comelec can proclaim the BH party-list,” Garcia said in a Viber message to the media. In a decision by the Comelec First Division, presided over by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, the poll body Next page
Trump admin sets foreign student ban on Harvard SWEET CELEBRATION. The Cebu Mangoes Festival officially opens at The Mactan Newtown with the unveiling of the Giant Mango Halo-Halo, made with over 200 kilos of mangoes and native ingredients. Leading the launch were (from left) Graham Coates, Head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls; DA Bureau of Plant Industry Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban; DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano; Rep. Cindi King-Chan of Lapu-Lapu City; Tourism Commissioner Sunshine Lim; celebrity chef Tatung Sarthou; and Marilou Kuinisala, General Manager of The Mactan Newtown - Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.
NEW YORK—Donald Trump's administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign nationals, putting the future of thousands of students at risk, with China on Friday slamming the "politicization" of educational exchanges. The US administration's decision on Thursday threatened the prestigious university with a huge financial blow. Next page
IRRIGATION PROJECT. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the Lower Agno River Irrigation System – Paitan Dam in Pangasinan.
Next page