BBM to push 'mutually beneficial' trade deal with US

On an official visit to the United States, President Marcos has designated Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as government caretakers, tasked specifically to manage the day-to-day operations of the executive branch, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said.

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Before departing yesterday for Washington for a three-day official visit, Marcos said the Philippines will push for a "mutually beneficial" bilateral trade deal with the US.

"The order of the President is to continue the work while he's away.

Anyway, we keep in constant communication with him during all the time that he is away from the country," Bersamin told reporters in an interview at the Villamor Air Base.

"Everybody continues to function 100 percent. That's the desire of the President all the time," Bersamin added.

He also said the President is involved "very personally" in the preparations for his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28.

"Because that is the report to the people, he always gives that the highest importance, and I think he has already collected the material for his SONA," Bersamin, a former chief justice, said.