By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has reiterated her earlier remarks on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s dedication towards serving Filipinos through his leadership of the country at the Malacañang press briefing this Thursday, July 10.

Chief among them is the President’s approach to dealing with local government officials, which is reflected in his “meet and greet” with newly elected local chief executives on Wednesday, July 9.

“Muling binigyang-katiyakan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang mga local government officials sa patuloy na suporta ng national government sa lahat ng mga programa ng lokal na pamahalaan — ano man ang kanilang political colors, dahil sa Pangulo, aksyon ang kailangan at ‘di pamumulitika,” Castro said.

“Ang nasabing pagtitipon ay nagpapatunay lamang na serbisyo sa taumbayan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino ang pangunahing hangarin ng Pangulo,” she added.

The Palace press briefer noted the Chief Executive’s engagement with local officials as a realization of his vision to align the interests of the local and national government in pursuit of streamlined efforts that would benefit the masses.

On the uptick in PBBM’s approval ratings

Meanwhile, at the same press briefing, Castro told reporters that President Marcos’ determination to serve the country remains unfazed by political noise and survey results showcasing the Filipinos’ sentiments on the country’s top government official.

She made the remarks in response to the 2025 Pahayag Second Quarter Survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. from June 27 to 30, which showed that 25 percent of 1,500 registered Filipino voters expressed approval of the President’s performance in leading the Philippines.

“Kung tumaas po ang approval rating ng Pangulo, maganda pong balita iyan. Pero katulad po ng sinabi natin, hindi po tayo dapat [umasa] lamang sa mga survey,” Castro said, lauding the increase in the Chief Executive’s approval rating from 19 percent in the previous quarter.

“Hindi po siya maaapektuhan ng anumang survey. Maganda po kung tumaas, kung bumaba ay siyempre hindi maganda, pero still hindi po siya maaapektuhan ng anumang numero sa survey dahil trabaho lang po ang nais ng Pangulo, para sa bansa at para sa taumbayan,” she added.

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