President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voted at Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, alongside his mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and sister Irene Marcos-Araneta.

In a video message, he emphasized the midterm elections as a critical right and duty to safeguard democracy and shape the nation’s future.

The polls were historic since the turnout of 82.2 percent was the highest for any midterm polls, a credit to the fervor for democracy that the Marcos administration had inspired among Filipinos.

After the polls, Mr. Marcos praised Filipinos for enduring long lines and intense heat to vote, describing their efforts as a “renewal of democracy.”

The polls were described as a celebration of continuity and a prompt to tackle issues like inflation, jobs, and corruption. Marcos told the newly elected officials to unite and “move forward together.”

The following highlights of the President’s busy week were compiled through a collaboration of the Daily Tribune and the Bureau of Communications Services of the Presidential Communications Office.

12 May

PBBM joins 70-M midterm voters

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cast his ballot at 7:08 a.m. at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, along with his mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, and sister Irene Marcos-Araneta.

In a video message posted on his official social media account the day before the election, Marcos urged Filipinos to exercise their right to vote responsibly and to protect the integrity of the democratic process.

The President said the midterm election was an opportunity for every voice to be heard as it was both a right and a duty of every Filipino citizen to aspire for a better nation.

Elect capable, compassionate leaders

Hours before the voting concluded, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) echoed President Marcos’s call to elect capable, competent, and compassionate leaders committed to advancing the country’s continuing progress.

PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz said the President’s message was not just a reminder but a guide for Filipinos seeking meaningful changes in governance, especially with the country confronting many challenges.

13 May

Kudos to Pinoys

In a statement, President Marcos thanked the Filipinos who braved the long lines and intense heat to cast their votes, describing it as a renewal of democracy.

Marcos described the voters’ sacrifices as their powerful reaffirmation of the democratic spirit and commitment to nation-building.

The elections were “both a celebration of continuity and a call to act on the real challenges our people face,” the President said.

Let’s ‘move forward together’

The Chief Executive called on the newly elected officials to unify and “move forward together” for the nation’s good.

Mr. Marcos said the officials were elected to listen to and act on the people’s daily burdens, including inflation, jobs, and corruption.

Repeating the rallying cry for unity of his late father and namesake, President Marcos said, “If we are to prevail, we must prevail as Filipinos — for it is the only way to endure. If we are to attain our goals, we must march forward, not to the past but to the future.”

14 May

K-to-12 grads eligible for gov’t jobs

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued Resolution 2500229, which amended the qualification standards for first-level government positions to include senior high school graduates.

The resolution, promulgated on 6 March 2025, allows for the hiring of those who had completed Grade 10 and graduated Grade 12 from 2016 onwards under the revised education standards.

The CSC reform seeks to open more opportunities to young Filipinos to enter public service in line with the goals of the K-to-12 program.

DoTr reviews vehicle

insurance coverage

President Marcos ordered the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to study increasing the insurance coverage for private vehicles to boost public safety and aid road accident victims after the recent back-to-back fatal vehicular accidents that killed more than 10 people.

The directive came after the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines proposed aligning private vehicle insurance coverage with that of public utility vehicles under the Passenger Personal Accident Insurance (PPAI) program.

The current PPAI policy provides up to P400,000 in insurance coverage per fatality and P100,000 for injuries to PUV passengers.

New senators must unite

President Marcos welcomed the new senators-elect of diverse political affiliations and hoped they would immediately do their legislative work to serve the Filipino people.

He expressed satisfaction with Monday’s senatorial election results, noting that most senators-elect are “pro-Filipino” and “not pro-foreign interests.”

The President was hopeful the new lawmakers who will comprise the 20th Congress will support and actively advance the administration’s pro-people legislative agenda.

P20-kilo rice arrives

PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, which offers rice at P20 per kilo, was now available nationwide at newly opened Kadiwa centers.

Following President Marcos’s directive, the program aims to stabilize rice prices and make essential goods more accessible. It offers P20-per-kilo rice as part of the administration’s push to keep essentials affordable for all Filipinos.

Providing an update on the program’s implementation, Castro said several Kadiwa centers in the National Capital Region have started selling affordable rice.

Law amending Motorcycle

Crime Act signed

President Marcos signed a law amending the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act requiring new owners to transfer motorcycle ownership within 20 working days.

The new law amends Section 4 and reduces the fines for certain violations aimed at improving compliance while promoting responsible motorcycle ownership.

Republic Act 11235 mandates motorcycle owners to register their vehicles with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) within five days of acquiring ownership.

Child care from birth law ok’d

The President signed Republic Act 12199 prioritizing early education, proper nutrition, and care support to give young Filipino children, especially those aged zero to five, a strong start in life.

The Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, signed on 8 May, seeks to implement the state’s policy of safeguarding and promoting every child’s right to holistic well-being, growth, and dedicated care.

The ECCD System Act is one of the priority measures recommended by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) to improve the educational system and uphold every child’s right to holistic care and development.

15 May

Law creates new hospitals

President Marcos signed at least six laws establishing new hospitals in Laguna and Zamboanga del Sur provinces and increasing bed capacities in four cities.

The creation of the new hospitals and increased bed capacities were contained in Republic Acts 12203, 12204, 12205, 12206, 12207 and 12208.

RA 12203 increased the bed capacity of the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, from 600 to 1,500.

Strong diplomatic ties pushed

The President will seek enhanced relations with Bangladesh, Palau, Armenia, Cuba and Mongolia.

On Thursday, Mr. Marcos received the credentials of the five countries’ new envoys to the Philippines at Malacañang.

“President Marcos expressed his hope that the envoys would work closely with their Philippine counterparts to continue deepening bilateral ties, and encouraged them to explore the Philippines,” the Presidential Communications Office said.

DMW exec named new OWWA chief

The PCO announced on Friday the appointment of Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Caunan replaced Arnell Ignacio, who was the OWWA chief since 2022.

Caunan took her oath of office before DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Before her appointment, Caunan served as DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation.