President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his push for structural reforms and his personal drive to “keep going” are rooted in a long-term vision for the country, expressing hope that future administrations will sustain and institutionalize the changes initiated under his watch.
Speaking with students in the latest episode of the BBM Podcast, Mr. Marcos said reforms must be built to last.
“Even if I’m not here anymore, I hope the changes we started or that are already underway will continue so they won’t be stopped,” he said.
He noted that durable reforms should be designed to strengthen over time, “especially if we choose our presidents well.”
President Marcos said the country is operating in a “different world,” where old approaches no longer work.
He said he and his advisers spend hours daily exploring out-of-the-box strategies to adapt to modern challenges.
“Stop thinking the same old way. It doesn’t work anymore,” he said.
The president said this constant push for improvement is tied to his personal ethic of relentless work in public service.
“I’m here to serve. I’m not here for myself,” he told the students. “You haven’t finished yet. Go, go, go… keep working, keep working. It’s not enough, it’s not enough.”
He acknowledged that government work is never truly finished, but insisted that the absence of finality is not an excuse to slow down.
“That will always be lacking… because the work never ends,” he said. “But never mind, you just have to keep going until you drop.”
The chief executive also reflected on lessons from his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., saying those early observations helped shape his resilience.
“If you believe in something that you are doing for the country, for your people, do not stop,” he said.
He admitted that the presidency leaves little room for rest, joking that “sleep” is the one thing he misses, but said brief mental breaks, exercise, and time with family help keep him stay focused and clear-headed.
