News Roundup 04 November 2023
Nov 04, 2023 • 4 min Read
Tycoon, Marcos boyhood pal Laurel gets agri post | INQUIRER.NET – After 16 months since he assumed office, President Marcos on Friday chose his own replacement as full-time secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which is tasked with ensuring the country’s food security.
Marcos appointed his childhood friend and presidential campaign contributor, fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., “who understands very well the problems that agriculture is facing.”
“And the reason that I held on to the position of Secretary of Agriculture [all this time] was that I truly believe, and I think I was proven right, that there are many things that only a president could do and the problems were so important and were so deep,” he said at a press conference in Malacañang.
But with Laurel whom he knew “since we were boys,” the President said someone with “a good understanding of what it is that needs to be done, what are the problems” in the agriculture sector would be leading it.
“I am confident about his appointment because I personally know him,” Marcos said.
Full Story at: Tycoon, Marcos boyhood pal Laurel gets agri post | Inquirer News
No destabilization plot vs Marcos admin — AFP | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — There is no destabilization plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration, according to the military.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said that Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. was “misquoted” after reports stated that he revealed a destabilization plot against Marcos in a change of command ceremony of the Western Mindanao Command on Friday.
“General Romeo S Brawner Jr, the Chief of Staff, AFP, was simply misquoted,” Aguilar said in a statement.
Aguilar clarified that Brawner “merely mentioned the reported efforts by certain individuals to upset the peace and stability that the country is enjoying right now under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”
The spokesperson also noted that Brawner only reminded all AFP personnel “to remain professional and loyal to their oath to protect the people and the State.”
During his speech at the ceremony, Brawner urged the active personnel of the AFP not to join the alleged movement led by retired officials as there have been efforts to recruit from among their ranks.
Full Story at: No destabilization plot vs Marcos admin — AFP | Inquirer News
Japan vows infra support for Philippines under Build Better More policy | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed Japan’s commitment to helping the Philippines with its infrastructure projects, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Build Better More policy.
Kishida made the announcement following his bilateral meeting with Marcos in Malacañang Palace on Friday.
The Japanese leader highlighted Japan’s role in projects such as the Dalton Pass and the Manila Metro Subway.
He also said that Japan’s commitment to the Philippines is not only limited to infrastructure but also extends to other areas like smart agriculture, renewable energy adoption and disaster management.
“In the area of economy, I mentioned we will continue with the public-private support for infrastructure development such as the Dalton Pass and the Manila Metro (Subway Project) in line with President Marcos’ Build Better More policy,” Kishida said in his statement.
Full Story at: Japan vows infra support for Philippines under Build Better More policy | Philstar.com
Philippines prepared for escalation in Israel-Hamas conflict — DFA | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government assured the public of its readiness to handle emergencies and crisis situations if the Israel-Hamas conflict escalates into a regional war.
During a news forum held in Quezon City on Saturday, De Vega said that the Philippine embassies in Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon have already established contingency plans to deal with any potential expansion of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The contingency plans have been in place for a while due to the inherently volatile nature of the region.
“Well, naalala ninyo kagabi may ipinahayag iyong mga Hezbollah na sinisisi nila iyong Amerika, iyong Estados Unidos sa gulo pero wala silang sinabi na gigiyerahin nila ang Israel – war is never positive but we have to take it that there’s some welcome news or some positive news that so far we have not seen an escalation,” he said.
(If you recall from last night, Hezbollah pointed fingers at the United States for the conflict, but had not made any direct threats against Israel. War is never positive but we have to take it that there’s some welcome news or some positive news that so far we have not seen an escalation.)
De Vega also said that some Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, are returning to normal, according to Filipinos living in Israel.
Full Story at: Philippines prepared for escalation in Israel-Hamas conflict — DFA | Philstar.com
