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Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang said the Marcos administration will ensure any move to develop nuclear energy in the Philippines complies with international safety standards as it pursues the country’s long-term energy security goals. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government recognizes public concerns over nuclear power but stressed that safety remains a prerequisite for any project. “Hindi po ito isusulong ng gobyerno kung hindi rin lamang po ito pasado sa international standards pagdating po sa safety,” she said on Wednesday, July 29.  [Translation: The government will not pursue this if it does not meet international safety standards.] Castro said the administration will work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that any nuclear energy program complies with global safety requirements. “At alam po natin na tayo po ay mayroon ding mga standards na sinusunod at ito po ay kasama ang IAEA.” [Translation: We have standards that…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to passing an anti-political dynasty bill before the end of his term despite not mentioning the measure in his fifth State of the Nation Address, Malacañang said Wednesday, July 29. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposed law continues to be among the administration’s priorities. “Opo, iyan pa rin po ang nais ng pangulo, na maipasa sa panahon niya at sa kaniyang administrasyon itong anti-political dynasty bill,” she said.  [Translation: Yes, the President still wants the anti-political dynasty bill to be passed during his term and under his administration.] Castro made the clarification after being asked why Marcos did not mention the proposal in his SONA even though it has been identified as one of the administration’s priority measures. She said the administration is now waiting for the legislative process to move forward. “Hintayin na lang po natin kung papaano…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Malacañang said there is no plan yet to subsidize electric cooperatives or distribution utilities as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushes to remove the system loss charge from consumers’ electricity bills. The clarification came after the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association warned that removing the charge without government support could result in financial losses for electric cooperatives and even lead to bankruptcies. During a Palace briefing on Wednesday, July 29, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration’s priority is to spare consumers from paying for electricity losses caused by inefficiencies and power theft. “Ang gusto po ng pangulo ay matanggal itong extra cost sa ating mga kababayan, hindi naman para pasanin ang burden na ito ng mga consumers pati naman po ng mga utility companies,” she said.  [Translation: The president wants to remove this extra cost from our fellow Filipinos. The goal is not for either consumers…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to a social media video released by Senator Imee Marcos that referred to an “impakta,” saying the label better fits those who produced it than its intended target. The exchange came after Marcos released a social media video suggesting there was an “ICC” inside Malacañang. The video implied that the acronym stood for “Impakang Clai”  before ending without completing the phrase, prompting reporters to ask the palace official about the post during Wednesday’s briefing Asked whether she believed the video was referring to her, Castro first said she does not normally use insulting language against others. “Hindi ako sanay sa mga ganoong salita, hindi ako normal na nagsasalita ng ad hominem sa kapwa ko.” (Translation: I’’m not used to using those kinds of words. I don’t normally resort to ad hominem attacks against other people.) Castro then…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang rejects the statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte after she described President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) as “a waste of time,” saying the annual address is a constitutional duty that deserves respect and urging Filipinos to stay informed about the country’s affairs. In a press briefing on Wednesday, July 29, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the SONA is the president’s report to the nation on the administration’s accomplishments and priorities. “Ang SONA, ito po ay paraan, ito ay ang pag-uulat ng Pangulo ng kaniyang naging accomplishments, kung ano pa ang gagawin ng gobyerno para sa taumbayan. Ito po ay base sa Konstitusyon. Ang hindi pagbibigay respeto sa SONA ay hindi pagrespeto sa Konstitusyon, hindi pagrespeto sa institusyon,” she said.  (Translation: The SONA is the President’s way of reporting his accomplishments and what the government still plans to do…