Report Marcos Jr. Grapples with Governance Challenges Amidst Midterm Setbacks

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In the wake of a surprising electoral outcome, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has addressed his frustrations midway through his presidency, revealing concerns about governance dynamics in the Philippines. Following the 2025 midterm polls, where many of his senatorial slates faced losses, Marcos expressed a shift from seeking respect to considering the effectiveness of fear as a tool in leadership.

 

Marcos acknowledged the electorate's desire for visible and efficient governance, admitting that the public's disappointment stemmed from delayed governmental actions. He highlighted his focus on long-term projects, suggesting a possible neglect of immediate issues like food pricing and healthcare accessibility.

 

Reflecting on bureaucracy, Marcos joked about the contrasting efficiency between corporate titans and governmental processes. He lamented that directives from CEOs are executed promptly, whereas his orders are mired in red tape and require extensive persuasion, underscoring the need for a balance between necessary checks and fast-tracked service delivery.

 

The perception of Marcos being "too nice" has sparked discussions about potential leniency contributing to governmental inefficiency and unchecked corruption. While acknowledging his cordial approach, Marcos emphasized decisive action against corruption, noting that removals from positions occur without public fanfare.

 

Several replacements, including Cabinet secretaries in key sectors such as transportation and trade, have occurred under his administration, although corruption allegations were not officially cited as reasons. A performance review is ongoing, with anticipated organizational changes.

 

Marcos's leadership style contrasts sharply with his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte's confrontational approach, which now sees Duterte facing charges at the International Criminal Court over his controversial drug war. Despite past alignments, this development is portrayed by Marcos as fulfilling international commitments, while critics see it as politically driven.

 

The legacy of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., marked by Martial Law and associated abuses, looms over the president. While the younger Marcos recalls this era with a sense of necessity and familial pride, there remains an ongoing dialogue about leadership effectiveness, accountability, and historical memory in the Philippines.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-05-19