23 Agosto 2024, Biyernes

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Guo sister, companion back in Ph after arrest

By Nidz Godino

“They were considered illegal aliens by Indonesian immigration as they are wanted in the Philippines,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said two companions of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo , her sister Sheila and Lucky South 99 incorporator Cassandra Li Ong arrived at  Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR540  landed at 4:18 in the afternoon yesterday.

Escorted by four female Philippine immigration officials, Guo and Ong were met at the airport by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jaime Santiago and Tansingco.

The two were brought to  immigration counter for processing and whisked away by personnel, first to  BI for medical and inquest procedures, then to  NBI headquarters for questioning and debriefing.

Sheila Guo will be turned over to  custody of the Senate while Ong will be under  House of Representatives, in accordance with their respective warrants.

Indonesian immigration officials apprehended the pair at Mega Mall Batam Centre in Riau, Indonesia on Aug. 20.

While Alice Guo was initially believed to have entered Indonesia with them via  cruise ship from Singapore, she apparently evaded authorities.

Upon learning that  Guo siblings traveled to Batam island last Aug. 18,  BI said they immediately coordinated with their Indonesian counterparts, who initiated investigation on subjects’ whereabouts.

BI also learned that  male Singaporean national allegedly assisted four persons, reportedly including  Guo’s brother Wesley, in booking their stay in Indonesia.

Sheila Guo and Ong were allegedly about to leave Batam Island when  Indonesian investigation team from  Directorate of Wasdakim intercepted them and initiated their return to the Philippines.

Guos and Ong  flew to Indonesia while under investigation for illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operator hubs in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban  were subjects of active warrants issued by  Senate and Congress.

Santiago confirmed they are now coordinating with  International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to find Alice Guo.

They  have plans to request  blue notice from Interpol to help determine Guo’s whereabouts. While  investigation is ongoing, they have not confirmed if Guo is still in the Philippines.

Philippines has worked with Indonesian authorities for  return of Sheila Guo and business associate Ong, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.said yesterday.

“You know what I know, that they were intercepted in various places in Singapore and Indonesia…and, we are now of course in coordination with  Indonesian government and their agencies, arranging for them to be brought back,” the President told reporters in Malacañang.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said  Sheila Guo and Ong will be under NBI custody for questioning.

“We have to debrief them…we have to know what happened…we have to process them first… legislative investigation should come later…we have to process everybody in accordance with  law,” he said.

On the issue of canceling passports, Remulla said  Philippine government cannot summarily do this as such documents are “vested with rights.”

“It was not found advisable also to treat it summarily because if  passports are canceled immediately then how can you make them travel back to the country,” he stressed.

For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros commended Indonesian authorities for  immediate arrest of Guo and Ong. Hontiveros looks forward to their attendance in  Senate’s next hearing on Tuesday.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that with  apprehension of Guo and Ong by  Indonesian authorities, “it is only  matter of time before Guo Hua Ping, aka Alice Guo, is brought to justice.”

Senate President Francis Escudero  had already spoken to Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan for arrangements on  custody of the individuals involved.

“Senate Secretary and Sgt-at-Arms will coordinate with BI and  office of Senator Risa to enforce and effect  warrant of arrest issued by  Senate vs. Sheila Guo and detain her at  Senate,” Escudero said.

Escudero said  OSAA “would effect  arrest of Sheila Guo at the airport and bring her to  Senate detention facility.”

Ancan also told  Senate President that they have “made coordination with HOR-SAA (House of Representatives-Sgt-At-Arms).”

Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas said  they will take custody of Cassandra Ong.  PNP will arrest her at NAIA then bring her to HOR where she will be detained.”

Alice Guo is staying in Batam City, Indonesia based on latest information received by  Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), which is tracking her movement.

Citing information from their foreign counterparts, PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said  Guo arrived in Batam last Sunday by ferry from Singapore.

“In Indonesia, the latest sighting was in Batam on Tuesday,” Casio said “we need to apply for  Interpol blue notice to track her location, movement as  person of interest in  criminal investigation of  sovereign member country.”

PAOCC and  PNP have asked  justice department to reject  motion of Guo to reopen  investigation and admit her counter-affidavit on qualified trafficking complaint lodged against her and others.

In their comment,opposition filed before DOJ,  complainants expressed doubts that Guo personally appeared before  notary public in San Jose del Monte on Aug. 14.

They noted that Guo did not personally appear before prosecutors to submit her motion and counter-affidavit.

Through her legal counsel, Guo yesterday asked  Commission on Elections (Comelec) for additional 10 days to answer  misrepresentation charges against her.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia previously said  preliminary investigation into  criminal liability of Guo will proceed despite reports that she had slipped out of the country.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Psalm 94:18-19

¹⁸ When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
¹⁹ When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.

22 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Jennifer Lopez divorce  Ben Affleck after 2 years of marriage

By Cynthia Montojo

“Love is beautiful…love is kind…and it turns out love is patient…twenty years patient,” Jennifer Lynn Affleck, announcing their first, quickie Las Vegas wedding that July, and signing off as Jennifer Lynn Affleck after  relationship  spanned two decades, two engagements, two weddings and headlines too numerous to count, Jennifer  has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck.

Filing, Aug. 20, in Los Angeles Superior Court brought to  apparent end  celebrity coupling  or at least  second installment of it dazzled from very heights of  pop culture firmament and emblazoned countless tabloid covers. They became known, even before such power-couple portmanteaus were ubiquitous, as “Bennifer.

 Filing  was first reported by  TMZ website. TMZ said Lopez listed  date of separation as April 26, 2024. It stressed  she did not mention any prenuptial agreement.

After meeting, falling in love and getting engaged in  early 2000s  and starring together in 2003’s infamous “Gigli” and 2004’s “Jersey Girl” couple parted ways, blaming in part  pressure of  public eye.

But to  delight of many and perhaps  skepticism of others, they reunited two decades later and married  twice  in 2022.

“Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find  best moment of your life in  drive-through in Las Vegas at 12:30 in the morning in the tunnel of love drive-through with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with,” she wrote in her newsletter.

Couple  had flown to Las Vegas, stood in line for their license with four other couples, and were wed just after midnight at A Little White Wedding Chapel, where Lopez said  Bluetooth speaker played their brief march down the aisle. She called it the best night of the couple’s lives.

A month later, they had  much grander wedding at Affleck’s house in Georgia, in front of friends and family.

22 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

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TV5 axed program manager accused of sexual harassment

By Nidz Godino

“Personal na nakipag-ugnayan si TV5 Chairman Manuel  Pangilinan kay Sen.  Raffy Tulfo para ibalita na tapos na ang ginawang imbestigasyon ng network hinggil sa reklamong pangmomolestiya ni Cliff Gingco, program manager ng TV5 News and Public Affairs, sa isang baguhang talent”.

TV5 officially terminated  employment of program manager  accused of sexual harassment by  male talent or casual employee of Kapatid network.

In  Facebook post of Senator Raffy Tulfo’s service-oriented program on Tuesday, , it announced  TV5 chairman and business magnate Pangilinan personally informed him that respondent, identified as Gingco, has been sacked from his post and dismissed from company service after  investigation showed that there’s strong evidence against him.

“At lumitaw sa imbestigasyon na may matibay na basehan ang reklamo laban kay Gingco, kaya nagdesisyon ang TV5 na tanggalin siya sa trabaho,” it stressed.

Statement also stated that  Kapatid network will provide medical assistance, among others, to help victim, as well as help prepare  criminal charges Gingco will be facing in the eyes of law.

22 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

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Ph, US national security brass discuss sea row

By J.Lo

“This is pretty typical of China…whenever they try to block  Philippines’ movement… Philippines tries to get around  ship and when ships collide, they blame  Philippines…what possible motivation would Philippines have going out and running out into Chinese ship?” International maritime security expert Ray Powell  asked top security officials of Philippines and  United States have expressed grave concern over China’s continuing and latest acts of aggression in West Philippine Sea (WPS).

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone  to exchange information on current maritime security situation in the region and how both can work together in addressing this.

National Security Council (NSC) “particularly raised grave concerns on recent illegal, aggressive and dangerous actions of China’s People’s Liberation Army-Air Force against  Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting  routine maritime security operation over Bajo de Masinloc.”

Both also discussed how China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels harassed and rammed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships in the area of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal while en route to Patag Island and Lawak Island.

NSC said both security advisers look forward to  implementation of strategic priorities to accelerate Philippines’ capability development and to continuously modernize  alliance.

Sullivan also lauded  recently concluded inaugural Philippines-Vietnam joint coast guard exercise and Manila’s efforts to expand  conduct of maritime cooperative activities with like-minded countries in the region and beyond.

Following Monday’s ramming incident damaged  PCG vessel,  Armed Forces of the Philippines has committed to increase its presence and aerial and naval patrol operations in  WPS.

Military  gave assurance it will not be deterred and will continue to defend and secure country’s rights and sovereignty within its exclusive economic zone.

Powell accused China of gaslighting  Philippines over  disputed WPS.

Powell said China is maintaining its “typical” behavior of blaming the country whenever  incident caused by CCG’s unlawful and aggressive maneuvers occurred in WPS.

China has issued  false narrative about  incident on Monday, pinning  blame on PCG’s vessels.

“It’s what the term gaslighting is… trying to refute your reality, it is introducing its completely contrary and clearly false idea…and trying to see if they can get you and others to believe them,” Powell stressed.

Powell said compared to Ayungin Shoal, China will have difficulties in controlling Escoda Shoal.

“It takes number of ships…controlling Sabina Shoal is really hard…. much larger feature and you can’t have just one entrance like in Ayungin Shoal,and, of course, it is much closer to Philippines for they have to go further away from their base Mischief (Panganiban) Reef. And, of course, unlike  BRP Sierra Madre  Philippine ship in Sabina Shoal can move,tactically for China, it’s  harder problem…they are not gonna defend this very, very large feature…and if Teresa Magbanua wanted to move to different parts of the shoal they can do it today,”Powell said.

He said China is engaged in  “grey zone battle” in its serious efforts to take over  WPS,  merely based on its nine-dash line.

“China’s sovereignty claims over all these are very ambiguous…sometimes, they will say that all of the nine-dash line belongs to China…but then sometimes they will say we don’t claim sovereignty over everything, it just that specific places…and so really, whatever they decide is theirs, it is moving of  battle lines and, this is  grey zone…and  battle lines had been drawn before at Ayungin Shoal and they have now moved closer to Palawan,” Powell said.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino reiterated his call for  Philippine government to convene  NSC after the incident in Escoda Shoal.

“I reiterate my plea to the President to convene  NSC because what happened was  aggravated action… convening of  NSC will allow  country to formulate  more focused response, we can get the opinion of  Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and DFA ,Department of Foreign Affairs…incident involves] one of the highest forms of aggravated maritime intentional allision and collision,” Tolentino said.

He further said  incident puts into question  sincerity and seriousness of China in  Bilateral Consultative Meeting mechanism with Philippines.

“China must show its sincerity in negotiating with  Philippines…we just concluded  talks on Ayungin Shoal, and this happened,” lamented Tolentino, who has strongly advocated for multilateral mechanisms to resolve  issues between  Philippines and China… “ rhetoric must stop…we should file  necessary cases.”

Tolentino also said  Philippines must demand compensation from China for  damage sustained by two PCG patrol vessels after being rammed by CCG in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.

“Philippines should also file  claim for damages…under Part 15 of UNCLOS,United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,  owner of the ship, whether state-owned or private, can be held accountable for what happened,” he added.

Tolentino  intends to bring up during  budget hearing of the Office of the Solicitor General and  Department of Justice his proposal for  creation of  specialized team of lawyers that will handle maritime cases. 

22 Agosto 2024, Huwebes

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Headlines

Penalize drivers with no RFID, toll load

By J.Lo

“Vast majority of toll expressway users at 91 percent are compliant and responsible ETC users and are often greatly inconvenienced by  erring motorists,” Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said beginning Aug. 31, motorists will be fined up to P5,000 for entering expressways without  electronic toll collection (ETC) device as part of efforts to speed up traffic flow.

In  statement, TRB signed  joint memorandum circular (JMC) with Land Transportation Office and Department of Transportation for  imposition of penalties on motorists using tollways without  ETC device.

JMC penalizes  entry of  vehicle on  toll road without ETC device: P1,000 for initial offense, P2,000 for  second offense and P5,000 for subsequent offenses.

Moreover,  JMC punishes motorists who exit  toll gate with insufficient load balance to pay  required fee. Circular  slaps fines of P500 for  first offense, P1,000 for  second offense and P2,500 for proceeding offenses.

Agency  instructed motorists to ensure compliance with  order to spare themselves from paying  penalties as  JMC will take effect by end of the month.

Justifying  issuance of tcircular,  TRB  has to penalize motorists without  ETC device and insufficient load balance in fairness to responsible toll users.

Agency  hopes  imposing fines, motorists would be forced to fix their ETC devices and load up properly for their trips. In the process, this would quicken traffic flow and minimize long queues at tollway booths.

TRB will issue subsequent advisories dispersing  responsibilities of toll operators, RFID providers and government agencies in enforcing  JMC.

Agency  also committed to conducting  information campaign to disseminate  provisions of tcircular.

TODAY’S GOD’S MESSAGE

Romans 8:32

³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

21 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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Cut in premiums still under study

By Nidz Godino

“This is how I recall in the last hearing  I mentioned we will thoroughly study  possibility of recommending whether premium contributions will be brought down… decrease in premium contributions,” Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Emmanuel Rufino Ledesma after saying  he would “immediately” recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. monthly premium contribution of its members be reduced by three percent.

Ledesma seems to have backpedaled on that promise, saying instead that they are still studying  proposal.

During  hearing of  Senate committee on health and demography on transfer of PhilHealth’s excess fund to  Bureau of  Treasury, its chairman, Sen. Bong Go, asked Ledesma about his recommendation to the President.

Go anchored his inquiry on Ledesma’s statement at previous hearing, that he would recommend to the President  reduction of  monthly premium contribution of its members, as PhilHealth agreed to transfer P89.9 billion of its unused funds to  national treasury.

Apparently not satisfied with  PhilHealth chief’s answer, Go pressed, “Are you really not answering my question earlier…when you said that you would recommend decrease of  premium contribution to our dear President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr., have you done it yet…you promised at the last hearing that you would recommend it…did you avoid my question?”

Ledesma then revealed that they are still studying  proposal and have not yet recommended  reduction of PhilHealth premium contributions to the President.

“We are still in the process of reviewing and studying. ..so, we have nothing to recommend to President Marcos yet…because PhilHealth is still studying it,” he stressed.

But Go pointed out that  PhilHealth chief previously promised to recommend  reduction.

“In fact, what you said was… ‘we at PhilHealth our management  will recommend to President Marcos that we bring down  premium rates…’ that’s on the record…that clear…do you want to review the records?” he said.

Ledesma  is supportive of reduction of premium contribution, as part of  proposal to amend  Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.

“We fully support  reduction of  premium contribution…as  amendment to  UHC law  3.25 percent premium rate for 2025 PhilHealth supports it 110 percent…at the same time, we are internally reviewing from our end,” he said.

Go advised PhilHealth chief, “Make good on your promise.”

Previously, during  Senate hearing on July 30, Ledesma said PhilHealth is eyeing to recommend to Marcos  reduction in  contributions of PhilHealth members, after getting rapped for having unused funds  government has impounded.

“When will you recommend to the President to lower PhilHealth fee or premium…would you recommend it?” Go asked during  July hearing.

Ledesma replied: “actually, yes, we will, especially after this very nice hearing that just happened, we will do it immediately….as early as this afternoon July 30 I will convene our team and we will recommend  reduction in  premium rates and contribution rates to President Marcos…immediately, to answer your question.”

Labor coalition NAGKAISA  lawyers are finalizing  petition for certiorari and prohibition against  PhilHealth fund transfer.

Coalition  further urged Marcos and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to hold in abeyance  transfer of  second tranche of P10 billion from PhilHealth to  national treasury.

It asserted that PhilHealth fund transfer “is highly illegal and unconstitutional,” as it represents  executive usurpation of Congress’s exclusive power to legislate appropriations.

“This is madness, and  P10-billion sin, in addition to initial P20 billion government will freely squander,” NAGKAISA said in  statement.

Coalition  explained  illegal to reallocate funds from programmed appropriations,  already legislatively approved, to unprogrammed appropriations without  required legislative process.

“This undermines  constitutional authority of Congress over budgetary matters and sets  dangerous precedent for executive overreach,” NAGKAISA stressed.

Coalition  previously sent Marcos  letter requesting him to return  initial P20 billion that was remitted to  national treasury from PhilHealth.

“These funds should remain with PhilHealth, where they are crucial for addressing  health care needs of ordinary Filipinos, especially amid  ongoing challenges in  health care sector, we are prepared to take legal action if necessary, either by intervening in  existing petition or by filing separate petition for certiorari and prohibition before  Supreme Court,” NAGKAISA chairman Sonny Matula said.

21 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

Happy third birthday with father God Cynthia Lopez

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Ph allows temporary stay of Afghans in transit

By Nidz Godino

“Philippines and  United States have agreed on allowing  limited number of Afghan nationals to transit to Philippines to complete their visa processing for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and resettlement to  United States,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in  statement Philippines has agreed to  United States’ request to temporarily host  limited number of Afghan nationals while their special immigration visas to the US are being processed.

Under Philippines-US SIV agreement, DFA said all Afghan SIV applicants “will be subject to full security vetting by Philippine authorities and should secure appropriate entry visa prior to arrival, in accordance with Philippine laws and regulations.”

Bureau of Immigration, however, retains full authority to exclude any applicant from entry into  Philippines as  result of  standard immigration examination upon arrival in the country.

According to  DFA, each applicant shall be authorized to stay in Philippines for no more than 59 days.

All costs for  sustainment of  Afghans while in the Philippines will be shouldered by  US government. This includes expenses for food, housing, security, medical and transportation to complete visa processing.

Afghan nationals will be confined to their billet facility for  duration of  processing of their SIV applications by  US embassy in Manila.

US government, with International Organization for Migration as facility manager, will ensure  applicants, especially children, will have adequate social, educational, religious and emotional support during their stay in the billet facility.

US embassy said Afghan SIV applicants will temporarily reside at CARE (Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts) operated facility in the Philippines.

Afghans with visas approved by  Philippine embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan will have been medically screened in Afghanistan before entering  Philippines.

They need to leave their billet facility only once for their consular interview at  US embassy.

“Agreement is currently undergoing final domestic procedures required for effectivity,”  DFA said.

The embassy did not disclose some details like  number of SIV applicants or  place outside Manila where they will be billeted.

“For operational security purposes, we will not comment on  capacity of  platform or how many guests are in the Philippines at any given time, we are still discussing timelines and operational specifics with  government of Philippines,” said US embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay.

Afghan nationals being considered for resettlement had worked for  US government but were left behind when US forces withdrew from the country in August 2021, allowing  Taliban to return to power.

21 Agosto 2024, Miyerkules

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Admin “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” finalizes Senate 2025 bets

By Nidz Godino

“We are not just allies in name…we are united by  shared purpose  to serve our nation with integrity, strength and unwavering resolve,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, president of  ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party whose membership in  House of Representatives reached 103, said leaders of  country’s largest political parties gathered on Monday at  Aguado Residence at Malacañang to finalize  administration coalition’s 12-person senatorial lineup and formulate strategy for  2025 midterm elections.

Gathering  brought together leaders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP) and National Unity Party (NUP).

Discussed at the talks was  formation of administration’s Senate slate for 2025.

Former Senate president Tito Sotto III leads  four-person bloc from  NPC. He is joined by former senator Panfilo Lacson, reelectionist Sen. Lito Lapid and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.

Three from  NP bloc are reelectionist Senators Imee Marcos and Pia Cayetano, and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, who will be swapping posts with her mother, Sen. Cynthia Villar who is reportedly eyeing  mayor’s post in their home city.

Three candidates from Marcos’ PFP have also been named: reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino, returning senator Manny Pacquiao and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

There will also be two from ruling Lakas-CMD party,  country’s most dominant party, re-electionist Senator Bong Revilla and Rep. Erwin Tulfo of party-list ACT-CIS,  former broadcast journalist and DSWD chief.

“Our unity is our strength, and today, we solidify that bond to ensure that our vision for  better Philippines will continue to be realized…we are here not only to support  programs and projects of President Marcos but also to help realize his vision of unity towards lasting peace and prosperity for all… challenges we face require  coalition that is not only strong but also harmonious,” Romauldez, first cousin of President Marcos who had already forged  alliance with the latter’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), stressed.

House leader, along with PFP executive vice president Antonio Lagdameo Jr., also Special Assistant to the President, met  nation’s top political leaders and convened  meeting last Monday evening at  Aguado residence in Malacañang to unify and strengthen  administration party.

They emphasized  need to prevent internal conflicts among politicians and maintain  incumbents’ equity, ensuring that each party’s interests are protected as they work together in pursuit of this shared vision.

Romualdez led discussions with  clear focus on fostering unity, preventing internal conflicts and ensuring that  coalition’s strategy for  May 2025 midterm polls is both cohesive and effective.

“This is more than just  strategic planning session; it is  declaration of our shared commitment to  Filipino people,”  Speaker declared.

Formidable  alliance is between and among Lakas-CMD of Romualdez, Nationalist People’s Coalition of the late tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., Nacionalista Party of former Senate president Manny Villar and  National Unity Party.

Under Marcos’ leadership and guidance,  meeting marked  first gathering of key leaders from  country’s major political parties, now united under  banner of “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Representing PFP were Lagdameo and its president, South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo; NP, Sen. Mark Villar and Reps. Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo’s fourth district) and Yevgeny Emano (Misamis Oriental’s second district);  NPC, its chairman, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III and its secretary-general, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, himself  former congressman from Batangas; NUP, its president and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte and its secretary-general and Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia.

As  meeting concluded,  leaders reiterated their commitment to alliance, recognizing that their unity is essential in navigating  challenges ahead and realizing  administration’s vision.

“This is just the beginning, as we move forward, we will continue to strengthen our coalition, refine our strategies and ensure that our vision for  new Philippines is realized in every corner of the nation,” Romualdez declared.