President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration wanted to ensure that the government remained steadfast in its economic development plans despite the heated political atmosphere as a result of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

With 215 members of the House of Representatives signing the impeachment complaint against VP Duterte, the plea for her removal was sent directly to the Senate for trial.

In a collaboration between the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office and the DAILY TRIBUNE, the following activities were listed as having kept the Chief Executive busy last week.

3 February

Marcos hands-off in oust Sara move

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not intervene in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, Malacañang said Monday amid claims that the Chief Executive is responsible for delays in the process.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that the power to initiate and act on impeachment complaints is solely within the authority of the House of Representatives.

He said the President respects the authority of Congress as a co-equal branch of government.

“The power to initiate and act on impeachment complaints is the sole prerogative of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said.

4 February

Mercado takes Philhealth top post

President Ferdinand Marcos swore in Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, a US-trained orthopedic surgeon with 35 years of experience in hospital management, this 4 February in Malacañang as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).

He replaced Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. A Doctor of Medicine graduate of the University of the Philippines in 1987, he completed his Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery from Harvard Medical School in 2023. He also has an Executive Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina in the US.

He has been the vice chairman of the Mercado General Hospital/Qualimed Health Network since March 2021 and has demonstrated proven leadership and executive and strategic planning expertise.

Tax evaders must pay

The government is committed to enforcing accountability for tax evaders who continue to circumvent the country’s tax system, according to the President.

He issued this strong warning during the 2025 Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) National Tax Campaign Kickoff at the Philippine International Convention Center, saying that the government carefully monitors expenditures to protect public funds.

The President stressed that honest tax contributions fuel something greater than individual interests. He said that every peso collected is rightfully allocated to programs that benefit the people.

Nerez named as new PDEA chief

The President has appointed retired Maj. Gen. Isagani Nerez as the new chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). He replaced retired police general Moro Virgilio Lazo.

A native of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, he is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984. In 2022, President Marcos appointed him Undersecretary for Police Affairs at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs.

A lawyer and seasoned law enforcement officer, he has held key positions in various units of the PNP, including the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations, Eastern Mindanao.

BIR’s P3-T collection reported in 2024

President Marcos reported that the Bureau of Internal Revenue collected nearly P3 trillion in taxes in 2024, the highest posted in two decades.

Speaking at the 2025 BIR National Tax Campaign Kickoff at the Philippine International Convention Center, President Marcos said the BIR collected over P2.85 trillion in 2024, surpassing its P2.52 trillion record in 2023.

The President said the BIR’s revenue last year could easily fund 1,140,800 new schools, 190,133 kilometers of roads, and 167,014 rural health facilities.

The President likewise renewed his call for Filipinos to pay the correct taxes.

5 February

Thai envoy thanked for strong alliance

The Chief Executive recognized the Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat’s contributions to enhancing bilateral ties between the Philippines and Thailand.

President Marcos thanked Traisorat for the strengthened alliance between the two Asian neighbors during a farewell call held at the Malacañan Palace.

The Thai ambassador said he appreciated his “very fruitful and rewarding” time in the country.

The Philippines and Thailand have signed 54 bilateral agreements covering various sectors, including air services, agriculture, the abolition of entry visas, tourism and technical, scientific and cultural cooperation.

PNP Chief’s term extended

The President has extended the term of PNP Chief P/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil by four months, effective 7 February 2025, his retirement day.

A memorandum dated 4 February 2025 states that the President approved the extension of Marbil’s government service beyond the compulsory retirement age of 56.

His tenure as police chief has been marked by initiatives in law enforcement modernization and crime prevention.

OGP co-partners lauded

The President also acknowledged the representatives, partners, and stakeholders of the Philippines Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) as key enablers of open governance on 6 February.

A total of 4,000 stakeholders from local government units and civil society organizations have pledged their commitment to open governance through the nationwide advocacy campaign called “OGPinas!”, during the 2025 OGP Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in Taguig City.

The President said citizen participation in governance initiatives, such as the Citizen Participatory Audit Program, Grassroots Participatory Budgeting, and Open Data Portal, has earned the Philippines global recognition.

6 February

VP impeach won’t affect economy

The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte will not have any adverse impact on the Philippine economy, according to Mr. Marcos.

The President stressed that the government remains steadfast in its investment plans, strategies, and structural changes.

At least 215 members of the House of Representatives signed the impeachment complaint against the Vice President, allowing it to be sent directly to the Senate for trial.

More areas for UAE cooperation

The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to expand trade cooperation to strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi visited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang Friday to discuss enhancing trade and investment opportunities for both sides.

President Marcos said Alsuwaidi’s visit demonstrated both countries’ commitment “to work together more closely than we have had in the past.”

“I’m happy to see you and discover so many areas that would be possible for us to explore further,” the President told the UAE official.

WPS interests always protected

Mr. Marcos said that the Philippines will not be swayed by China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), pledging to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and interests.

The statement was made in relation to the prolonged presence of a Chinese “monster ship” in the area for over a month.

The President added that the country’s policy will remain unchanged despite China’s numerical advantage in naval assets deployed in the WPS, and that Philippine vessels will continue patrolling the area despite China’s harassment.

P7-B Mitsubishi infusions within 5 years

President Marcos has welcomed Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s P7-billion investment plan in the Philippines in the next five years as this will create more jobs for Filipinos.

In a courtesy call to the President, MMC president and CEO Takao Kato said that MMC’s expansion plan includes adding a new production model at its Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. plant facility in Laguna.

He added that the Philippines is MMC’s most important investment in Southeast Asia, citing its good and stable economy.

7 February

BoC directed to ‘work with honesty’

The President called on officials and personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to prioritize public interest and work with honesty, in an effort to usher the bureau into “a new era of efficiency and integrity.”

Marcos made the call during the celebration of the BoC’s 123rd founding anniversary at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, as he hailed the BoC’s significant contributions to the country’s collective progress.

Marcos said the BoC’s achievements have helped the bureau gain the public trust anew.