Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said the Philippines can draw an inspiration from Germany in energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, as the country looks for alternative sources of electricity to create climate-resilient communities. De Guzman, along with CCC Commissioner Frances Veronica Victorio, met on June 28 with German parliamentarian Bärbel Höhn, chair of the Committee on the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of the Read More

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. on Tuesday bid farewell to journalists and reporters whom he has worked with for the past six years. In his last press briefing before leaving his post as spokesperson of outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III, Secretary Coloma expressed his gratitude to the members of the Malacañang Press Corps, a group of reporters covering the President, for helping inform the public Read More

In his message during his final press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, outgoing Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. underscored the importance of the media in a democratic country. Secretary Coloma, who will be replaced by former TV news anchor and radio commentator Martin Andanar on Thursday (June 30), said the government and the media should have a good relationship. “Hindi kailangang maging magka-away ang pamahalaan at Read More

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday paid tribute to outgoing Commander-in-Chief and President Benigno S. Aquino III during a testimonial parade and review held in his honor at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Led by Acting Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, the AFP expressed its gratitude to President Aquino for his leadership and for supporting the implementation of the modernization program that improved the capability Read More

Malacanang has defended anew the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which according to critics, encourages dependency on the government. According to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., the 4Ps has been proven to be effective since its implementation in 2010. “Napatunayan naman kasi sa nakaraang anim na taon na kung maayos ang pangangasiwa ng ganitong programa, ito ay definitely hindi isang dole-out at definitely din, hindi ito lumilikha Read More

Malacanang on Sunday assured that authorities are keeping a close watch on activities in the West Philippine Sea. Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the safety of the public is the government’s main concern as he noted the recent warning issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The CAAP on Saturday alerted aircraft pilots in anticipation of China’s rocket launch on Hainan Read More

Few days before leaving office, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr summed up the major accomplishments of the Aquino administration in the last six years. Among the major accomplishments is the change on the perception of other countries on the Philippines with regards to corruption, Coloma said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan on Saturday. He said that for instance, the Economic Freedom Index in 2010, the Philippines Read More

Malacanang recognized the contributions of Filipino seafarers as the world celebrates ‘International Seafarers’ Day’ today. “Kaisa tayo ng sambayanan sa pagbibigay-pugay sa mga Pilipinong mandaragat o seafarers. Sa buong daigdig, kinikilala at tinatanghal natin sila bilang pinakamahusay, pinakamasipag at may kakayahang maghatid ng mataas na kalidad ng paglilingkod,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a radio interview on Saturday. “Dahil dito, ang mga Pilipino seafarers ang pinakamarami sa buong Read More

The Palace made an assurance on Saturday that the country’s economy is strong enough to be affected by any shock created by UK’s vote to volt from the European Union. In a radio interview on Saturday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr was asked if the Philippines can withstand the effects of UK severing its ties to the EU. He responded by saying that according to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, most Read More

President Aquino delivered on Saturday a commencement speech at the Ateneo De Manila University Loyola Schools, thanking the university for supporting his administration in the past six years. In his speech, the President mentioned the achievements of his government in recent years like fighting poverty, improving the economy, health and national security. “Lahat ng ito, at marami pang iba, nagawa dahil nakiambag ang napakaraming Pilipino: Sa loob ng administrasyon at Read More

Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman on Thursday said he is optimistic that the country can significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions with the appointment of Gina Lopez, a known advocate for environment and renewable energy, as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). De Guzman said the appointment of Lopez, who chairs the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, is most welcome as the Philippines undergoes Read More

President Aquino led the conferment Thursday of presidential awards to heads of departments and agencies who served his administration. In his speech during the conferment of presidential awards, the President said people who joined his Cabinet gave up their high-paying jobs and time with their families to serve the government. “Some of you have put your own lives in peril, not once but multiple times, responding to disasters both natural and man-made,” Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday attended the 118th anniversary of the Department of Health (DOH), highlighting the department’s achievements in the past six years. In a speech during the event that was held at the Manila Hotel, the President recalled how they scrambled to respond to a MERS corona virus threat when suspected cases were reported in the country back in 2014. Despite the challenge that his administration Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday recognized the hard work and dedication of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel during the agency’s 118th founding anniversary celebration held at the DFA main office along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. The President was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Undersecretary Linglingay Lacanlale, also the chairperson of the PRAISE Committee.        In a speech delivered at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, Read More

Malacañang has sent its condolences to the family of former Senate president Ernesto Maceda, who passed away on Monday night. “We extend our condolences to his bereaved family and join his bereaved family in fervent prayers for his eternal repose,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement issued on Tuesday. “The late former Senate President Ernesto Maceda distinguished himself as a legislator, Cabinet member, and ambassador through more Read More

President Benigno Aquino III received a replica of Diwata-1, the Philippines’ very first microsatellite, during the courtesy call of officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by Secretary Mario Montejo at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Monday, June 20. Montejo, along with some engineers who designed and built Diwata-1, visited the President in Malacañang, more than one week before he steps down from office. Read More

Officials of the Aquino and incoming Duterte administrations continue to fine-tune the details of the transition to ensure a smooth transfer of mandate at the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said on Monday. “Patuloy ang aming pakikipag-ugnayan sa isa’t isa upang maibahagi kay incoming secretary Martin Andanar ang mga mahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa trabahong ginagampanan ng Communications Office,” Secretary Coloma told reporters at Malacañang Palace. Read More

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Louise Gorely, together with some officials of the Embassy of Australia, paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace’s Music Room on Monday. Ambassador Gorely was joined by Australian Embassy Economic Counselor Daniel Featherston; Political and Public Affairs Counselor Richard Rodgers; Defense Attaché Captain Brad White; and Acting Deputy of Mission Robyn Biti. Present on the Philippines’ side Read More

About 500 guests are expected to attend the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, consisting of members of his Cabinet, lawmakers, friends and members of the police and the military, incoming communication secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday. “’Yung personal na bisita po ni President-elect nasa mga 150 to 190. Kasi siyempre merong mga senador ‘di ba, merong mga miyembro ng Kapulisan, Kongreso, the usual, mga Cabinet officials,” Read More

Renewable energy (RE) presents the biggest opportunity for local investment, as the Philippines prepares to move away from “dirty” coal whose external costs far outweigh its economic benefits. According to Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the country has “nothing to lose but all to gain” if it is able to shift investors away from coal to RE sources, particularly solar, wind and geothermal energy. “It Read More

Government agencies are keeping a close watch on Mount Kanlaon and Mount Bulusan, a Palace official said on Sunday. Mount Kanlaon in the Negros Island Region remains in a state of unrest after its eruption last Saturday while Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon Province erupted last June 10. “Patuloy ang pagtutok ng ating PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) na siyang siyentipikong organisasyon na nagmo-monitor ng ganyang mga kaganapan at Read More

Malacanang on Sunday commended the intensified efforts of law enforcers to fight illegal drugs. A recent Philippine National Police (PNP) report showed that 68 drug suspects were killed this year, including 39 from January 1 to May 9. The PNP said 29 drug suspects were killed from May 9 to June 15, indicating an increase of about 200 percent in the number of dead drug suspects after election day. Presidential Read More

Malacanang encouraged the public Saturday to support the Metro Shake Drill of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which will be conducted on June 22. “Ang mahalaga dito ay ‘yung kasapatan ng kahandaan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a radio interview on Saturday. “Ang isa pang pagbabago na nais gawin ng ating mga awtoridad dito ay ‘yung pagkakaroon ng debriefing or assessment session pagkatapos Read More

The Palace said the allegation of Jolo’s mayor accusing the military of conniving with the Abu Sayyaf to collect ransom money is a serious allegation and needs to be investigated since it may undermine the campaign of the government against the bandits. Jolo’s mayor called on the government to investigate alleged involvement of military men in kidnapping for ransom in Sulu. In a radio interview on Saturday, Communication Secretary Herminio Read More

Two weeks before leaving office, President Benigno S. Aquino III said he hopes the country would be better prepared to address the challenges posed by the International Arbitral Tribunal’s decision on the case filed by the Philippines against China. In an interview in Binondo, Manila on Friday, the President was asked to comment on recent developments in the South China Sea, as well as the statement of the Association of Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III said he had congratulated President-elect Rodrigo Duterte during a brief telephone conversation on Thursday night and offered whatever assistance he could extend to the incoming leader.  The President said during an interview in Binondo on Friday, that Duterte’s people went to Malacañang Palace on Thursday to iron out the transition, and they got in touch with the Davao City mayor. Asked by reporters how his Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday encouraged young engineers who have undergone the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) training program not to lose focus on what they are doing so they could help their countrymen. The President told graduates of the DPWH’s Cadet Engineering Program (CEP) in Malacañang Palace that it is heartwarming to see the youth take an active role in nation building. “The point I Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III has vetoed a bill that seeks to condone unpaid taxes of local water districts, and another bill that seeks to increase the compensation of nurses that might have an impact on the country’s tax collection system and health care. According to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., the President has informed Congress, through the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that he Read More

(JOLO, Sulu) President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday to assess the ongoing military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a few days after the bandits beheaded their Canadian hostage. The President arrived at Camp Teodulfo Bautista at about noon and was immediately briefed by Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) officials on the military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf. “Nandito ako ngayon para ma-review nga lahat ng Read More

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday called on the Filipino people to continue supporting the government to ensure that the gains achieved by his administration in the past six years would become permanent. In his speech during the “Ulat ng TESDA kay Juan at Juana” in Taguig City, the President also urged the public to guard the government’s achievements these past few years. “Panawagan ko po: Ngayong tinatamasa na Read More