President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday acknowledged that Filipinos’ trust in government has been ‘shaken,’ but expressed confidence that it can be restored through transparency and a renewed commitment to public service.
Speaking at the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) 124th Founding Anniversary celebration in Manila, President Marcos said the times remain challenging for the country, but government institutions can regain credibility by remaining faithful to their mission.
“I know that these are difficult times that we live in. Our people’s trust in government has been shaken; we cannot deny that,” President Marcos said. “But I am certain that trust can be regained if we remain transparent and true to our mission,” he added.
Moreover, the president said the PCG exemplifies this commitment, serving as a reminder that the government can still earn public confidence through honest and visible service.
“Whenever our people see you during rescue missions or in your day-to-day patrols, what they see is that the government is still working diligently and is worthy of their trust,” President Marcos said. “This is the PCG that works quietly and effectively.”
The president reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Coast Guard, promising continued investments in new vessels, aircraft, training, and infrastructure, including the PCG General Hospital and the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center in Misibis.
He praised the Coast Guard as a symbol of what government should be, disciplined, transparent, and dedicated to the people.
President Marcos’ remarks came amid the ongoing “ghost” flood control project corruption mess the administration is currently facing.
The President’s trust and approval ratings continue to drop, with the public remaining skeptical of the ongoing probe into the corruption scandal.
According to a recent Pulse Asia survey, 44% of Filipino adults were dissatisfied with the president’s performance in the past quarter. Between June 2025 and September 2025, the president’s approval rating decreased by nine percentage points.
