Marcos arrived in the Republic of Korea on Thursday to participate in the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting with the theme of “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow”.

| via Cyra Estrella, the axis

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“We’ll be focused on actionable areas, guarantee equitable access to digital services, fostering economic partnership, and we will highlight our pursuing digital transformation as a core pillar for our development,” Marcos said in the press briefing.

| via Cyra Estrella, the axis

Marcos said before flying to South Korea that he will concentrate on luring investment from APEC economies to invest and support the Philippines' tech sector as the world continues to transition to modernization and artificial intelligence.

| via Cyra Estrella, the axis

Hosted by South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung welcomed world leaders during the summit’s opening ceremony in Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO), marking the official start of the APEC 2025.

| via Cyra Estrella, the axis

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. joined fellow Asia-Pacific leaders today at the opening of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, this Friday, October 31.

| via Cyra Estrella, the axis

"The National Budget is the BLOODSTREAM of the government. It was meant to give life to our schools and communities but, it was now being poisoned by pork, patronage and corruption".

Alfonso Jose "AJ" Montesa, adviser of the People's Budget Coalition.
Via @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis

He also emphasizes how he wants people to understand the process and the budget itself.

"I know how 'technical' the matter is, that's why it is the responsibility of the Congress and Senate to let the society understand the technicalities so that they can participate", he explained.

The Senator wants to focus on the further improvement on the transparency and accountability in the budget process. He aims to learn more from the CSOs by taking their suggestions, advices and "tips".
Via @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis

Because of these problems, the CSO recommends removing the 256+ billion in pork and patronage-based programs in the house version of the budget, removing the whole 243 billion unprogrammed appropriations and holding all those involved in the corruption accountable to regain the public trusts.

He further explained that "Pork Scams" have evolved into three forms stressing how these categories show political discretion and lack of transparency allowing misuse of public funds.
Via @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis

PBBM said to Sec. Dizon: "Hindi kita nilagay dyan para depensahan itong departamento at yung budget na sinumite. Nilagay kita dyan para repormahin at baguhin". | via. @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis.

DPWH Sec. Dizon emphasizes the Red Flag No. 4 Projects under the 2025 GAA, noting that 798 out of 946 items have reappeared in the 2026 NEP, which the committee also observed to contain several items exactly the same to those in the previous year’s budget. | via. @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis.

He presented an example of a Project under the Cordillera Administrative Region wherein the funding allocations (indicated by colored bars) has presented irregularities, as the amount needed for this year (2025) are the same as the last year's budget. | via. @preciousgran.bsky.social, The Axis.