LIVE: Malacañang holds press briefing with PCO Usec. Claire Castro | October 20, 2026

During today's Malacañang press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed a wide range of national and economic developments. Key highlights included the Palace's remarks on the planned IPO listing of Mynt (the company behind GCash) as a boost to fintech and economic reforms, along with defenses of the appointment of the new commissioner for the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). The briefing also touched upon diplomatic engagements and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) communications with the Chinese Embassy, intensified government crackdowns on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) and visa policies, modernization budget proposals for the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and administrative updates regarding health and legal programs for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison, alongside President Marcos Jr.'s official visit to Sulu. Chapters: 00:00 – Executive statements on Mynt (GCash) IPO listing plans and digital economy reforms 03:48 – Palace defense and official announcement regarding the newly appointed PCUP commissioner 05:25 – Detailed clarification on the statutory mandate, qualifications, and leadership criteria of the PCUP 10:28 – Addressing public and media criticisms regarding executive appointments 11:15 – Diplomatic updates on DFA meetings and communications with the Chinese Embassy in Manila 13:13 – Official government posture regarding geopolitical statements issued by Chinese representatives 14:19 – Administration stance on capital punishment proposals and preliminary preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Summit 16:49 – Comprehensive updates on anti-POGO operations, sweep directives, and immigration visa policy reviews 20:45 – Bureau of Customs (BOC) proposed modernization budget and revenue collection strategies 23:38 – Law enforcement progress reports and directives targeting illegal drug syndicates 25:46 – Inter-agency preparations for the ASEAN Summit and agricultural policy reviews for the corn sector 27:06 – Health, welfare, and legal assistance programs for PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison 28:52 – Presidential visit to Sulu for the inauguration of the Hall of Justice and regional health initiatives For more ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below:    • ABS-CBN News   For more ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below:    • ABS-CBN News   For more Breaking News & Live Coverage videos, click the link below:    • Breaking News & Live Coverage   For more latest news and analysis from ABS-CBN News videos, click the link below:    • The latest news and analysis from ABS-CBN ...   For more News Digital News Raw Cuts, click the link below:    • News Digital Raw Cuts   Subscribe to the ABS-CBN News channel! - http://bit.ly/TheABSCBNNews Watch full episodes on iWant for FREE here: http://iwanttfc.com Visit our website at http://news.abs-cbn.com Facebook:   / abscbnnews   Twitter:   / abscbnnews   Instagram:   / abscbnnews   #Malacañang #ClaireCastro #MalacanangBriefing #PBBM #PCUP #PCO #ASEANSummit #POGO #ABSCBNNews