Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made an anti-corruption campaign central to his address to Congress on Monday. He presented it as a responsibility to the public rather than personal or political ties, even as his administration confronts growing pressure over economic challenges and internal disputes.
Marcos vows accountability amid family ties to scandal
In his second-to-last speech before his term concludes in 2028, Marcos stated he was “not the president of my family” or “not the president of my friends,” but of the Philippines. The declaration held significance given his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, faces accusations related to a multi-billion-peso flood-control project allegedly involving kickbacks to officials and politicians.
Romualdez, who stepped down as speaker last year, said in a statement that he has done nothing wrong and that he was prepared to face any charges. The unresolved case has deepened public frustration as inflation exceeds government targets and living costs climb. Marcos admitted the difficulty of pursuing allegations against relatives but maintained justice must prevail.
Public confidence in the administration has declined. A Pulse Asia poll showed Marcos’ trust rating at 28 percent, with 51 percent of respondents expressing distrust. Political analysts noted the president’s statements on corruption represent a change—but only if followed by concrete steps.
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Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said the rhetoric matters less than tangible outcomes. She pointed out that targeting family members could indicate a departure from past impunity, though the true measure will be whether cases are actually filed and pursued.
Protests and economic relief demands overshadow speech
Outside Congress, hundreds of protesters carried placards and banners demanding not only accountability for corruption, but also lower consumer prices and higher wages. The unrest highlighted the gap between Marcos’ promises and the realities faced by many Filipinos.
To help ease the impact of rising consumer prices, Marcos asked Congress to approve tax relief measures, including broader income tax exemptions for workers, as well as the removal of the minimum corporate income tax for small businesses.
Without mentioning China by name, Marcos also alluded to ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, declaring that Filipinos “do not yield” and citing the 10th anniversary of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that found China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, handing Manila a landmark legal victory. China rejects the ruling and continues to assert its claims in the strategic waterway.
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“This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor one that we will abandon,” Marcos said.
For many citizens, the speech conveyed both resolve and uncertainty. The administration’s ability to fulfill its pledges—on corruption, economic relief, or territorial disputes—will define its remaining years. With succession plans unclear and political alliances strained, the future remains unpredictable.
Marcos’ single six-year term ends in 2028, but his succession plans remain unclear. Despite the ongoing impeachment trial, Duterte remains the leading choice in early surveys for the 2028 presidential election.