PBBM week firms up gov’t accountability

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. spent the past week outlining his administration’s efforts to strengthen transparency, enhance public accountability, and expand engagement with key social sectors.

In a series of public statements, the President provided updates on the government’s ongoing pursuit of accountability for the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

He assured the public that the responsible agencies were working in coordination to complete the investigation, identify lapses, and implement the appropriate corrective measures to safeguard public funds.

Parallel to these developments, several government agencies rolled out new transparency portals aimed at improving access to information and promoting openness in government transactions.

24 November

Keeping public up to date

With his revelation of the flood control anomalies, President Marcos said his approach had three prongs: identify the projects, identify the perpetrators, and implement reforms.

In the third stage of the President’s move to hold those responsible accountable, the administration launched the Department of Public Works and Highways’ transparency portal.

“One of the things, one of the most important things that has come out very clearly in all the investigations into all the incidents is that we have lost transparency. People don’t see what’s really going on inside the government,” he said.

“That’s why no one reports anything because they can’t see it, they can hide it. These wrongdoers hide their stupidity. Because the average person, even the officials sometimes can’t see it,” he added.

Imee not his sister

After she accused him of using prohibited substances, the President fired back at his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, basically questioning her sanity.

“We’ve been very worried about my sister. When I say “we,” I’m talking about friends and family. And the reason is because the lady you see talking on TV is not my sister. And our cousins, our friends, share that view,” he said.

While he said he definitely would not be talking to his sister, still he wished her well.

25 November

Rigorous science vs plastic pollution

Marcos said that plastic pollution has become “emblematic” of the “new era of challenges.”

“Global in scale, persistent in impact, and deeply entangled with the way economies grow. [plastic pollution] affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, the lives of our coastal and urban communities,” he said at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-level Forum in Manila.

Marcos also highlighted the Philippines’ promotion of the NUTEC Plastics Initiative introduced by the IAEA.

“NUTEC Plastics embodies the kind of innovation that we need — solutions that merge advanced nuclear applications with environmental protection to translate scientific progress into tangible benefits for industry and for society,” he said.

Community-powered RE hailed

Marcos lauded a 6.55-megawatt renewable energy (RE) project in Naic, Cavite, describing it as a “monumental initiative.”

Dubbed the NING*NING Solar Rooftop Power Facility, the project equips homes in Pasinaya Homes Prime Central with rooftop solar panels capable of powering not just individual households but the entire community.

Nearly 2,000 homes collectively generate electricity from clean energy sources.

Marcos noted that by using rooftops, the project avoids converting farmland, preserving livelihoods, crops, and large land areas that would typically be needed for solar farms.

Non-resident envoys welcomed

The non-resident ambassadors of Tunisia, Paraguay, Burkina Faso, the Marshall Islands and Serbia presented their credentials to the President at Malacañang.

This marked the official start of their tenure as representatives of their respective governments to the Philippines, underscoring the mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering international cooperation.

The Philippines established diplomatic relations with Tunisia in 1975, with Paraguay in 1962, with Burkina Faso in 2002, with the Marshall Islands in 1988, and Serbia in 1972.

26 November

OSAPIEA dissolved

After Frederick Go was appointed Finance Secretary, Malacañang said the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) that he had headed would be dissolved.

The OSAPIEA was instrumental in negotiating trade talks and tariffs with other countries, particularly the United States.

AMLC freezes Zaldy Co’s, others’ assets

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) secured two freeze orders covering assets of around P12 billion. Among the assets were those belonging to former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

“This includes Zaldy Co’s air assets, which are worth about P4 billion,” Marcos said.

“Besides that, we have recovered 3,566 bank accounts, 198 insurance policies, 247 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts, and air assets,” he added.

The President said the freezing of the assets was “only the beginning,” assuring that more money will be given back to the people. Marcos had claimed that Co’s camp attempted to blackmail him.

Commemorative ASEAN, festival coins

In anticipation of the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits next year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) unveiled commemorative coins signifying the country’s chairship of the regional meet.

To be circulated in 2026, the 10-peso Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 Commemorative Coin features the Asean 2026 logo along with a QR code bearing all the details of the event.

A 12-coin series of the 100-peso Philippine Festivals Commemorative Coins was also unveiled featuring unique top festivals celebrated by local municipalities and cities across the country.

According to the BSP, one design will be released each month to coincide with the celebration of the featured festival.

‘Excellent’ local infra projects feted

Local government units and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional offices were recognized for their excellence in implementing local infrastructure projects and public services.

During the SubayBAYANI Awards 2025 at the Manila Hotel, nine LGUs were cited as Top Overall Performers with 126 LGUs adjudged as Exemplars, and three DILG-ROs for demonstrating “strong collaboration, transparent processes, and proactive efforts.”

The President urged LGU officials to remain committed to delivering first-rate service to the people.

“High quality remains our standard. A government worthy of its people does not settle for mediocrity, does not cut corners, and does not waver,” Marcos said.

27 November

Baseco Hospital gets P15M more

Amid the government’s vision of a Philippines with a reliable healthcare system, President Marcos lauded the establishment of the President Corazon C. Aquino Hospital in Baseco, Manila, noting the number of patients it has served since its opening in September.

“We counted the number of patients up to 24 November, and it was 7,000 to 7,308 patients,” he said. “We see that service is very important, especially when it comes to the health of our countrymen.”

On its day-to-day operations, Marcos said 200 to 220 patients visit the hospital to receive the medical assistance they need. He pledged additional funding from the Office of the President to the Baseco hospital.

Vertical housing projects commended

Gracing the inauguration of a socialized vertical housing project in Sta. Cruz, Manila, the President lauded the city’s program, which reflects the administration’s vision to provide homes for those without a roof over their heads.

“What we have done here in your San Lazaro housing is very beautiful. In all the housing we have done in the national government, we always say that it is not enough just to build a house or provide a unit,” he said.

“Human life is not just about housing, but also about the services,” he added.

Asean Sec-Gen welcomed

President Marcos welcomed Asean Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn to Malacañang where they discussed key priorities and deliverables for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship under the theme, “Navigating our Future, Together.”

Kao was in the country to provide full support for the preparations for the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN in 2026.

Dialogue with Ukraine’s leader

Mr. Marcos spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called him to talk about areas of cooperation between Manila and Kyiv.

The two leaders talked about food security, agriculture, and digitalization as well as their interest in Ukraine’s technologies and expertise in the digital world.

“As the Philippines assumes the chairship of ASEAN, we also discussed ways to strengthen ASEAN–Ukraine engagement for the benefit of our peoples,” Marcos said.

28 November

‘Handog ng Pangulo’ in Zamboanga

Marcos led the distribution of livelihood assistance and the delivery of government services to indigenous peoples (IP) during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Tulong at Serbisyo Para sa Indigenous People Communities” program held in Barangay Sinunuc, Zamboanga City.

The President met with around 500 members of the Sama Bajau IP community, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving their quality of life to prevent them from becoming street dwellers.

Marcos said the program is part of the administration’s goal to bring government services closer to the people, especially vulnerable and remote communities.

Dependable water supply for Manila

To ensure a continuous water supply in Metro Manila and other areas, Marcos led the inauguration of the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.

The project, called Tunnel No. 5, aims to give Filipinos dependable access to water. It strengthens the decades-old Umiray–Angat–Ipo–La Mesa system, the backbone of the water delivery from Angat Dam to Metro Manila and to Mega Manila.

With the inauguration of Tunnel No. 5, the Angat Dam’s system transport capacity will increase from six billion to eight billion liters per day, as the water conveyance tunnel can carry over 1.6-billion liters per day.

Co’s planes tracked

As the search for former House representative Zaldy Co continues, Marcos instructed transportation agencies to seek help from Singapore and Malaysia to track the former lawmakers aircraft.

The President believes Co is hiding his assets in these countries.

“You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets. You have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

Marcos thanks AFP officials

In return for their loyalty to the Constitution and to the Filipino people, Marcos expressed his gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Council of Sergeant Majors.

“I reiterate my gratitude for your sincere service, especially in the test of our unity,” he said.

“We will not go astray if we are united in our purpose.”

He also urged the troops to not let lies and misinformation cause disunity among the ranks and to stand for the truth.