INQToday: President Bongbong Marcos denies ex-President Duterte’s leisure claim in Germany visit

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Marcos to meet Blinken next week to discuss defense and economic ties

President Marcos will meet United States secretary of State Antony Blinken when the latter visits Manila next week to discuss the strengthening of defense and economic ties between the US, Philippines and Japan.

Foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that Blinken will arrive on March 18 in the evening and that the US secretary of state will meet Marcos in Malacaang during his visit.

Marcos cites significant changes in PH war on drugs

The anti-narcotics campaign of the Philippines has “changed significantly” as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. maintained that he was “diametrically opposed” to the use of violence in confronting the menace of illegal drugs.

The President made the remarks in his tete-a-tete with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at The Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt) on Tuesday, in which Marcos touted the changes that the government adopted in its fight against illegal drugs.

Marcos denies Duterte’s leisure claim in Germany visit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday dismissed the criticism of his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, that he was just out for leisure in his foreign trips.

In an interview with reporters here, the President stressed that his schedule was so tight that he did not have time to go sight-seeing during his three-day working visit to Germany.

Bill seeking to revoke SMNI franchise approved by House on 2nd reading

A bill that seeks to revoke the franchise given to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), in light of several violations found by a House of Representatives panel, has been approved on second reading.

During the plenary session on Wednesday, House Bill No. 9710 by 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez was approved via viva voce or voice voting.