Latest news with #Bersamin
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Classes, gov't work suspended in NCR, Luzon provinces on July 23 —Palace
Work in government offices and classes at all levels in the National Capital Region and some provinces are suspended on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, due to inclement weather, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday. Through Memorandum Circular No. 90, Bersamin said the following provinces have no classes and government work as well upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council due to the continuous heavy rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat): Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, and Negros Occidental. However, agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue their operations to ensure continuity of essential government functions despite the declaration of work suspension. Meanwhile, non-vital government employees of subject agencies and all other government employees may be engaged under approved alternate work arrangements, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations. The memorandum also indicated that the localized cancellation or suspension of classes and/or work in government offices in other regions may be implemented by their respective local chief executives, pursuant to relevant laws, rules and regulations. The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Bersamin: No ICC warrant for Bato, but PH authorities will act if there is one
No warrant of arrest has been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Senator "Bato" dela Rosa in relation to the previous administration's war on drugs, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Sunday. However, should the ICC issue an arrest warrant for the senator through Interpol, Philippine authorities may arrest him, he said. 'Wala (There is none),' Bersamin told reporters who covered the departure of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for the US at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. 'If there should be a warrant, we'll probably do the same thing that we did in the case of the former president [Rodrigo Duterte], if the warrant is coursed through the Interpol because we continue to be a member of the Interpol," Bersamin said. 'We are not going to do things differently unless the Supreme Court in those pending cases makes a different announcement about how we should proceed,' he added. This move, Bersamin said, is non-discriminatory since it is in accordance with the law. 'Nothing discriminatory that we will ever undertake. We're always clear about that, hindi kami (we're not) politically motivated. All those attributions to us were unfair,' Bersamin said. GMA News Online contacted the office of dela Rosa to get his comment on the matter but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time. The Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity stated that Philippine authorities may dispense with the investigation or prosecution if another court or international tribunal is already conducting the investigation. 'Instead, the authorities may surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court, if any, or to another State pursuant to the applicable extradition laws and treaties,' the measure read. Dela Rosa, a staunch ally of the Duterte family, served as police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte's administration. Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant issued by the ICC through Interpol. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for crimes against humanity charges in connection with the killings under his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and when he was president of the Philippines. In March, Dela Rosa was named among the co-perpetrators of Duterte in the war on drugs, as shown in the application of warrant of arrest posted on the ICC website. He was identified as the architect of "Oplan Tokhang," which was first implemented in Davao City when he was then the local police chief. According to police records, drug war deaths totaled about 6,000 Human rights groups however claimed that the death toll was 30,000, including vigilante killings. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Bersamin, 2 Cabinet officials tapped as caretakers during Marcos' US trip
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and two other Cabinet secretaries will serve as the country's caretakers during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Washington, D.C. Bersamin said the two officials are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III. 'The order of the President is to continue the work while he is away. Anyway, we keep in constant communication with him during all the time that he is away from the country,' Bersamin told reporters. 'Wala naman kailangan na ilagay niyang specific because each of us, including the other cabinet secretaries, we are all aware of what the President has set for us to do, so we will just leave it like that and everybody continues to function 100%,' he added. (There's no need for the President to assign anything specific because each of us, including the other Cabinet secretaries, are already aware of what he expects from us. So we'll just leave it at that, and everyone will continue to function at 100%) Marcos on Sunday departed for the United States for an official visit, which includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump. Among the topics Marcos and Trump will discuss is the steep 20% tariff rate on Filipino goods entering the US, as Manila hopes to strike a mutually acceptable and beneficial tariff deal. Bersamin also said the President could include discussions during his Washington trip in his fourth State of the Nation Address. "We can expect that. If he wants to include that, if there is anything worth reporting, we can expect it," Bersamin said. The President's visit will be from July 20 to 22, 2025. Aside from Trump, Marcos will have a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 21. Several businesses in the US also expressed their intention to meet with the Philippine leader, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano said. — RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
PH May Arrest Senator Dela Rosa if ICC Issues Warrant Over Duterte Drug War — Bersamin
The Philippine government could arrest Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant related to his involvement in the deadly anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Bersamin told Kyodo News that dela Rosa would be treated the same way Duterte was — referring to the March arrest following an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity. Despite the Philippines' 2019 withdrawal from the ICC, Bersamin explained that the country must still honor ICC warrants through its membership in Interpol. However, enforcement would also depend on Supreme Court guidance on due process. Dela Rosa, who served as national police chief during the drug war, recently secured reelection as senator. The ICC has not yet ruled on Duterte's request for temporary release to live abroad. While government data reports about 6,200 deaths in the campaign, rights groups estimate a much higher toll.
Filipino Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Marcos keeps core cabinet team, says performance reviews ongoing
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has opted to retain most of his Cabinet members following a recent round of performance evaluations, indicating his intent to preserve stability and continuity as his administration moves into its second half. In a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that the President had declined the courtesy resignations of several key officials, ensuring their continued leadership. 'The secretaries whose resignations have been declined need to be announced because there have been many speculations… They have been the victims of intrigues and harassment from many quarters. It's just simple justice to them,' Bersamin stated. Retained cabinet and high-ranking officials: Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. – Secretary, Department of Agriculture Conrado Estrella III – Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara – Secretary, Department of Education Bienvenido Laguesma – Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment Rex Gatchalian – Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development Teodoro 'Ted' Herbosa – Secretary, Department of Health Hans Leo Cacdac – Secretary, Department of Migrant Workers Renato Solidum Jr. – Secretary, Department of Science and Technology Christina Frasco – Secretary, Department of Tourism Henry Aguda – Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology Vivencio 'Vince' Dizon – Secretary, Department of Transportation Manuel Bonoan – Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways Other officials who will remain in post: Romando Artes – Chairman, MMDA Romeo Lumagui Jr. – Commissioner, Bureau of Internal Revenue Bienvenido Rubio – Commissioner, Bureau of Customs Sharon Almanza – Treasurer of the Philippines Elaine Masukat – Secretary, Presidential Management Staff Juan Ponce Enrile – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel 'All of them who have been retained, including myself, are expected to give fresh attention to the mandates and show more performance in our respective areas,' Bersamin said. While most top officials were kept in place, the Palace confirmed the acceptance of resignations from several presidential advisers and assistants: Meynardo Sabili – Chairperson, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Terence Calatrava – Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Almarim Tillah – Presidential Assistant on Muslim Affairs Menardo Espineli – Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns (terminated) 'The assessments about them is that they did not perform up to par. Let us assume that the President has good reasons, the best reasons, not to continue with their services at this time,' Bersamin explained. President Marcos also appointed veteran lawyer Atty. Francis Edralin Lim as the new Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing Emilio Aquino, whose term ends on June 5. Lim previously served as President and CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange and is known for his expertise in corporate and securities law. Addressing speculation about a sweeping overhaul, Bersamin rejected the notion that the review was a purge. 'If you are asking for blood, there will still be blood… but at least for the major departments, wala hong masyadong movement,' he said. Bersamin emphasized that all officials, including those retained, are still subject to high standards and ongoing performance reviews. 'Even if you have been retained now, you will still be expected to deliver on your marching orders,' he said. The Executive Secretary added that evaluations are ongoing for undersecretaries and heads of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), with announcements expected in the coming months. 'The performance evaluation is a continuing process. You can be sure that at any time, anyone who is not performing according to standards of the President will be replaced or relocated.'
