MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is preparing to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address, a pivotal moment in his three years Marcos presidency. As he steps into the second half of his term, the nation watches closely, expecting clear direction amid mounting challenges.
Political analyst Jean Encinas Franco from the University of the Philippines described the first three years Marcos presidency as underwhelming, marked by promises unmet despite initial public enthusiasm. “If I try to capture what people may remember of his administration, unfortunately, while he came in with such a huge mandate, the perception is that he has not done much,” Franco explained.
One of the most tangible campaign promises was to lower the price of rice to P20, a straightforward goal that ordinary citizens could easily grasp and feel. However, the failure to realize this highlighted broader issues of unmet expectations during Marcos’ early years in office.
Political Shifts and Public Perception
The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court has significantly influenced Marcos’ political standing. This event deepened the divide between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, once his ally, but also appeared to attract new supporters for Marcos who approve of his firm stance.
“The good thing about it is that these things sort of expanded his—hindi ko naman sinasabing loyal supporters—but those who did not vote for him in the 2022 elections seem to suggest or indicate that they like what he did, on hauling Duterte out of the country into The Hague and getting investigations against Sara and all these things,” Franco noted.
Despite this, Marcos experienced a dip in public trust in April 2025, with a drop in approval ratings attributed largely to the political fallout in Mindanao following Duterte’s arrest. Yet, surveys in June 2025 showed a rebound in trust, climbing from 38 percent in May to 48 percent, indicating a shifting public mood.
Economic Concerns: Inflation and Employment
Franco emphasized that Marcos should have focused more on curbing inflation and addressing underemployment, issues that directly affect Filipino families. “People say it’s not easy to lower the price of goods pag nasimula ng taasan,” she remarked.
Inflation rates were notably high during Marcos’ early years, hitting a peak of 8.1 percent in December 2022—the highest in over a decade. Although inflation eased to 3.2 percent in 2024, underemployment remains a concern, with 13.1 percent reported in May 2025. Many Filipinos continue to seek higher wages, reflecting labor market challenges.
Urgent Call to Strengthen Leadership
The remaining years of Marcos’ presidency are seen as critical. Franco urged the President to project strength and maintain control, especially in managing relations with the legislative branch. “He should appear stronger, rather than be perceived as weak,” she said.
The upcoming SONA is expected to be Marcos’ opportunity to clearly present his achievements and legislative priorities. Failure to do so risks his image as a lame duck and diminishes the influence of his endorsement for future political candidates.
Focus on Legislative Reforms
Attention also turns to Marcos’ legislative agenda. Business groups have called for support on key reforms that could boost competitiveness, enhance infrastructure, and modernize regulations. Among these are bills aimed at improving nationwide internet access, expanding infrastructure investments, and strengthening support for small businesses.
In 2024, Marcos banned all Philippine offshore gaming operators to address various national issues. Now, calls for a broader ban on online gambling are mounting. The Palace has stated that any decision on this matter will be carefully studied, highlighting the complexity of such policies.
As the nation awaits Marcos’ address, the focus remains on how he will navigate these political and economic challenges to fulfill the promises of his three years Marcos presidency.
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