Latest news with #ClaireCastro
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH in constant communication with US on tariff rates, policies
The Philippines is in constant communication with concerned officials in the United States as regards the tariff rates and policies, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said on Thursday. During a press briefing, Castro was asked if Manila has already responded to the call of Washington for their trading partners to provide their ''best offers'' as regards trade negotiations. ''According to the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, they are in constant communication with the US Trade Representative,'' Castro said. ''But they cannot divulge or give any details about this because we are covered by the confidentiality agreement,'' she added. A Reuters report stated that the Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offer on trade negotiations by Wednesday as officials seek to accelerate talks with multiple partners ahead of a self-imposed deadline in just five weeks. The draft provides a window into how President Donald Trump plans to bring to a close unwieldy negotiations with dozens of countries regarding trade and tariff policies. At the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits last week, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. expressed support over the ASEAN's non-retaliatory measures as regards the recent shifts in the United States' tariff policy. Marcos said that the ''unexpected trade barriers'' could disrupt communities, supply chains, and the bloc's hard-earned progress. Philippine officials already met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and tackled 'mutually beneficial ways to strengthen the bilateral relations' amid the 17% tariff rate imposed by Washington on Manila. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos to look into economic implications of wage hike — Palace
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will look into the economic implications of the proposed increase in the minimum wage hike for workers, Malacañang said Thursday. According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro, Marcos wants to provide what's best for the Filipino workers. ''Nais ng Pangulo na maibigay kung ano ang makakabuti sa manggagawang Pilipino,'' Castro said during a briefing. (The President wants to give the best for the Filipino workers.) With 171 yes votes, zero no votes, and one abstention, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed measure granting a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the private sector. The House version of the legislated wage hike offers a higher increase than the P100 approved by the Senate. The House and the Senate will have to reconcile the differences at the bicameral conference committee before transmitting the enrolled bill to Malacañang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature to become a law. Congress has until June 13 or the last session day to reconcile their differing versions of the wage hike measure and ratify the reconciled version for the bill to be ready for the President's signature. Otherwise, the measure has to be refiled in the next Congress. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace: Marcos optimistic on legally binding code of conduct in South China Sea
''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is very optimistic that there will be a final, rather conclusion, on this legally binding Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He is very optimistic that's why he bring this up to the plenary just this morning,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the Philippine media delegation. KUALA LUMPUR - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is optimistic as regards the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea. ''President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is very optimistic that there will be a final, rather conclusion, on this legally binding Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He is very optimistic that's why he bring this up to the plenary just this morning,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told the Philippine media delegation. Still, this will depend on the talks among ASEAN member states, according to Castro. ''Depende 'yan sa bawat bansa, siyempre may mga involved na bansa tulad ng China, iba pang miyembro ng ASEAN so depende kung papaano ang takbo ng paguusap,'' she said. (This will depend on the talks of each involved country, including China and other ASEAN member states.) The proposed code aims to set rules to prevent the intensifying dispute in the South China Sea from spinning out of control and worsening into a major armed conflict that could involve the United States, an ally of the Philippines, and other Asian countries at odds with China. China currently claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague sided with the Philippines and stated China's claims over the South China Sea had 'no legal basis.'' However, China has not recognized the ruling and continues its aggression in the region. During the ASEAN plenary session, Marcos emphasized the urgency to adopt the COC in order to prevent miscalculations at sea. He said this is to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea. –NB, GMA Integrated News
South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines' Marcos revamps cabinet in ‘bold reset' after midterms setback
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has ordered the mass resignation of his cabinet in what observers view as a strategic reset aimed at regaining momentum after a stinging midterm election setback. Advertisement All cabinet-level secretaries were asked on Thursday to submit their 'courtesy resignations' to allow the president to assess their performance and 'determine who will continue to serve in line with his administration's recalibrated priorities', according to a statement from the presidential palace. The move, described by the palace as a 'bold reset', came days after only five of the president's 10 endorsed candidates secured Senate seats in the May 12 vote – a result widely seen as a political blow. Marcos framed the resignations as part of a broader effort to reassert discipline and urgency across government. 'This is not about personalities – it's about performance, alignment, and urgency,' Marcos said. 'Those who have delivered and continue to deliver will be recognised. But we cannot afford to be complacent. The time for comfort zones is over.' Presidential communications undersecretary Claire Castro said she was not aware of any specific officials being targeted for removal. As of press time, all secretaries had either tendered their resignations or announced they would comply. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (right) with Senate President Francis Escudero at the presidential palace in Manila on Thursday. Photo: AP Risk analyst Jonathan Ravelas, managing director of eManagement for Business and Marketing Services, told This Week in Asia this 'appears to be a strategic move to reassess performance and realign priorities after the midterm elections. It signals a push for greater accountability and results within the administration'.
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Palace wants public to look at San Juanico rehab in a positive way
Malacañang on Monday said the rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge in Eastern Visayas should be looked at in a positive way, saying this will prevent future accidents. ''Ito lamang po ang una nating ipaparating, ito'y ayon sa ating Pangulo, ang pagrerehabilitate po, masasabi natin magkakaroon ng epekto sa taumbayan, sa concerned citizens na nandoon sa lugar pero tingnan po natin ito sa mas positibong aspeto dahil ito po ay rehabilitation,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing. (This is what we'll say, this is from our President, the rehabilitation will really affect the public, our concerned citizens in the area but let's look at it in a positive way since it's a rehabilitation.) ''Mas nanaisin po talaga na maiwasan kung anumang maaaring idulot na disgrasya kung ito man ay di maaayos nang maaga,'' Castro added. (We prefer to prevent future accidents from happening.) The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) earlier said the cost of the emergency repair of the bridge could reach P500 million. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, the recent assessment raised concerns about San Juanico Bridge's structural integrity. It temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Authorities are already on blue alert following the enforcement of the vehicle weight limit. A blue alert status means both agencies are at a heightened preparedness and alertness. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
