The Marcos Jr. administration marks its first six months in office by the end of December. This milestone gives us the opportunity to evaluate a few critical aspects of governance during this period.
During the presidential campaign, candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—popularly known as Bongbong Marcos—consistently harped on “unity” as his overarching goal for the nation if elected.
No doubt, the nation must be united if it hopes to surmount the many challenges in the economic, political, social and foreign policy fronts.
When he was sworn in as Chief Executive at noon of June 30, Marcos Jr. pledged to faithfully and conscientiously fulfill his duties as president, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate himself to the service of the nation.
The part about defending the Constitution is perhaps the most important in his oath of office, since laws emanate from its key provisions and it contains the broad outlines of the duties and responsibilities of public officials.
The new administration hit the ground running with its economic managers setting clear targets for the next six years.
The goal is to have a 6.5 to 8 percent real gross domestic product growth annually between 2023 to 2028, and to reduce the country’s poverty rate to 9 percent by 2028.
Tax reforms would also be put in place to increase revenue collection and to expand the previous administration’s aggressive infrastructure program.
Early on, Marcos said he would “not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.
With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be “a friend to all. And an enemy to none.”
This underpinned the diplomatic blitz that he launched with visits to Indonesia, Singapore, United States, Cambodia, Thailand and Belgium for various meetings.
In December, the two chambers of Congress approved the proposed P5.268-trillion budget for 2023. The Chief Executive signed the measure which seeks to reinvigorate job creation and reduce poverty by steering the economy back to its growth path before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The administration also moved to ease restrictive health and safety protocols adopted at the height of COVID-19 and to restore full face-to-face classes starting in September.
The Marcos Jr. administration started from a position of strength with a landslide victory in the polls.
But this strength must henceforth be channeled into sustained efforts to revitalize the economy, institute the needed reforms to improve governance, and provide vital social services such as education and health especially to the poor and disadvantaged sectors as we usher in a new year.
