State Assemblymember

by MoMar G. visaya AJPress

FILIPINO American community leader Steven Raga officially took his oath of office as State Assemblymember representing New York’s 30th Assembly District as administered by United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday, Jan. 15 in Queens.

Raga became the first-ever Filipino American to be elected u PAGE 4 answered Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos.

He also thought that the President has established to the U.S. that the Philippines wants good bilateral ties while having an independent foreign policy.

“So, I think that overall, President Marcos has communicated to the United States that we’re here, we are friends, and we want to have good relationships with you,” Romualdez said.

“But, at the same time, we have our own policy which is in every way we can, be independent of any influence coming from any country. It’s more of what is best for our national interest,” he continued.

Reaping fruits of Duterte’s foreign policy Romualdez likewise expressed his belief that Marcos is reaping the fruits of former u PAGE 4

Marcos to travel abroad less, but APEC in November still a priority

by Kaycee valMonte Philstar.com

MANILA — After going on eight official foreign trips in the first seven months as chief executive, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he plans to cut down on travels this year to implement the agreements made in those trips.

In an almost hour-long pre-recorded interview with news anchors and aired on state television on Monday evening, January 23, Marcos Jr. said he wanted to travel and attend conferences first because he was the “new kid on the block.”

Bongbong Marcos on staying on as agri chief: ‘They cannot say no’

by JeroMe aninG, Jordeene b laGare, Marlon raMos Inquirer.net

MANILA — President

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 23 defended his decision to keep his concurrent position as agriculture secretary amid deepening challenges in the farming sector, saying he was in a better position to pursue reforms since stakeholders “cannot say no” to him as the chief executive.

As head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which has resorted to importation to deal with supply chain issues and the high prices of onions and other produce, Marcos said he hoped to carry out his duties without having to issue “entreaties” to anyone, as a regular secretary might.

“For me, in the DA, there really are things that I can do that it would take [a permanent secretary] a long time,” he said in an interview with selected members of the press, later aired on state television.

“The president, they cannot say no to. And if they don’t fulfill my order, I can chastise them,”