Latest news with #Ferdinand"Bongbong"MarcosJr
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH negotiator to China, ASEAN is new foreign secretary
The Philippines' top negotiator to China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been chosen as the new foreign affairs secretary in a major Cabinet reshuffle ordered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Maria Theresa Lazaro will assume the post as Marcos' foreign affairs chief, replacing Enrique Manalo, who will return to his former post as Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, which he held from 2020 to June 30, 2022 under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Lazaro will take over the helm at the Department of Foreign Affairs on July 31, but she would still go through confirmation proceedings in Congress. A seasoned career diplomat, Lazaro, 66, negotiated a landmark agreement with China on a provisional arrangement for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to prevent a repeat of past confrontations. Signed in July 2024, the agreement that covers Ayungin and seeks to avoid altercations after a violent clash between Philippine Navy special forces and Chinese coast guard personnel on June 17, 2024 at the Philippine-occupied area. Since the forging of the agreement, succeeding resupply missions to the shoal have been peaceful with Chinese ships keeping watch at a distance. As DFA's Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN, Lazaro also leads negotiations for a crucial Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which aims to prevent a major conflict in the disputed waters, called by Manila as the West Philippine Sea. Lazaro, whose career in the foreign service largely focused on crafting Philippine foreign policy, spearheads negotiations for communiques in the ASEAN as the Philippines' representative to the bloc's senior official meetings or SOM. Lazaro retired from the Foreign Service in 2024, but was re-appointed by Marcos. She served multiple times at the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, including as its assistant secretary. She was also Manila's ambassador to Paris and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. She served as ambassador to Switzerland, consul general to Sydney, and deputy consul general to New York. Early in her diplomatic career, Lazaro served at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid, the Philippine Mission to the UN in Geneva, and the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Maryknoll College and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Cabinet secretaries to comply with Marcos' order to submit courtesy resignations
Some Cabinet secretaries said Thursday that they would submit their courtesy resignations in line with the call of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he would submit his courtesy resignation later as he serves at the pleasure of the President. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, for his part, said he would immediately file his courtesy resignation this morning. "I serve at the pleasure of the President," Gatchalian said. Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said he stands by the President's order as he serves at his pleasure. "President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive urging all cabinet secretaries to submit their courtesy resignations underscores his firm commitment to fast-track projects that uplift the lives of Filipinos," Aguda said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also said she would submit her resignation as she supports all of his decisions, "knowing that they are always made with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind." "I stand firmly with the President as he steers the nation and our economy forward with integrity, transparency, courage, and compassion," Pangandaman said. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, submitted his courtesy resignation saying "we serve at the pleasure of the President, and of the people." Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes will also comply with the President's directive. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said he already submitted his courtesy resignation, without delay or reservation. "I fully support the President's directive for Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignations," Recto said. "The President carries the heavy burden of leading the nation through complex global and domestic challenges. This bold decision was made with his desire to put people and country first," he added. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he would comply with the order, noting that it is well-within the plenary authority of the President to require that courtesy resignation be handed over by his Cabinet. Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Secretary Jaybee Ruiz and Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra will also comply with Marcos' directive. Marcos' call for the courtesy resignations of Cabinet secretaries was made with the aim to "recalibrate" his administration following the Eleksyon 2025 midterm polls. "It's time to realign government with the people's expectations," Marcos said in a press release issued by the Presidential News Desk. "This is not business as usual," the President said. "The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act," he added. — with reports from Joviland Rita and Ted Cordero/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Millions vote in Philippines midterms as Marcos-Duterte feud heats up
About 68 million Filipinos are eligible to vote in mid-terms that will decide the fate of a long-running power struggle between the country's two biggest political dynasties The senate races pit candidates backed by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr against those supported by Vice-President Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte If Marcos' senate picks win more seats, it increases his chances of impeaching Sara Duterte for alleged misuse of state funds - this would bar her from seeking the presidency in 2028 Also on the ballot are candidates for 317-member Congress, hundreds of governors, mayors and city councillors Voting runs from 07:00 local time (00:00 BST; 23:00 GMT) to 19:00, with unofficial results expected soon after Millions vote in Philippines midterms as Marcos-Duterte feud heats up
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Business Standard
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Philippines launches digital nomad visa, joins likes of Thailand, Indonesia
The Philippines has officially launched a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) following the signing of Executive Order 86 by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The new visa scheme took effect on April 24, 2025. The programme places the Philippines among a growing list of countries offering visas for remote workers, even as some parts of the world push for a return to traditional offices. In Southeast Asia, other countries offering digital nomad visas include Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. What the executive order covers Executive Order 86 authorises the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to issue DNVs to non-immigrant foreigners who want to live temporarily in the Philippines while working remotely for employers or clients outside the country. Although the Philippines had first introduced the concept in June 2023, the visa has only now been formally launched. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with issuing detailed regulations within one month. It will work alongside the Department of Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration to roll out the visa smoothly. Eligibility criteria for digital nomad visa applicants To qualify for the Philippines' DNV, applicants must: < Be at least 18 years old < Provide proof of remote work using digital technology < Show evidence of sufficient income earned outside the Philippines < Have valid health insurance covering their stay < Possess no criminal record < Be nationals of countries that offer similar visas to Filipinos and have a Philippine Foreign Service Post (FSP) < Not pose a threat to Philippine security < Not engage in local employment If an applicant's country offers digital nomad visas to Filipinos but has no Philippine FSP, applications may be submitted in a neighbouring country where an FSP is present. Government to monitor digital nomad entries closely Malacañang Palace said on Monday that strict guidelines and monitoring will be enforced to prevent problems similar to those seen with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) sector. The DFA, along with the Department of Justice, the Department of Tourism, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, has also been assigned to: < Develop visa guidelines within 30 days of the order's effectivity < Maintain a database of all DNV holders, compliant with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 < Monitor and evaluate the visa programme's implementation Visa duration and benefits Successful applicants will receive: < An initial visa valid for up to one year < The option to renew for an additional year < Multiple-entry privileges during the visa's validity The visa may be revoked if the holder: < Engages in local employment < Commits fraud or misrepresentation in the application < Violates Philippine immigration laws Philippines among fastest-growing hubs for remote workers According to Nomad List, a platform tracking remote worker trends, the Philippines was ranked as the 7th fastest-growing remote work hub globally in 2023. This ranking was mentioned by the World Economic Forum last year. As of 2025, more than 60 countries offer digital nomad visas or similar schemes worldwide. Speaking at a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said, 'Definitely, if we will have more tourists, we will definitely have more income, and it will definitely also benefit the country and the Filipino people.' According to official data, tourism contributed 8.6 per cent to the country's GDP in 2023. Authorities are hopeful that the DNV programme will help revitalise the sector by drawing in long-stay visitors who work remotely but spend locally. e-Visa system introduced for Indian visitors Earlier, the Philippines launched an electronic visa (e-Visa) system for Indian passport holders. Developed by the DFA, the system allows Indians to complete their visa applications fully online. Following a beta test phase in 2023, Indian applicants can now: < Visit the official e-Visa platform < Fill out forms digitally < Pay securely online < Receive approved visas by email The shift to a paperless system is expected to boost tourism from India by making the application process simpler and faster.
