President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed his hope to be remembered for making lasting improvements in the lives of Filipinos once his presidency ends.
In the latest episode of the BBM Podcast released Saturday, Marcos emphasized his commitment to delivering “tangible and significant” progress during his term. “When I step down in 2028, I want people to say life got better under my leadership,” he said, adding that the desire for meaningful change has guided him throughout his political career.
Marcos’ statement comes ahead of his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, marking the midpoint of his six-year term. The President has recently shown frustration over the results of the 2025 midterm elections, interpreting them as a signal that the public feels disconnected from government services.
In response, he ordered courtesy resignations from Cabinet members, aiming to “realign” his administration with public expectations. The Palace confirmed ongoing reviews of officials’ performance to ensure accountability and effectiveness.
On foreign policy, particularly the West Philippine Sea dispute with China, Marcos declared a firm stance: “We will not yield. We will continue to defend our territory and our people.” He stressed that while the Philippines is not seeking conflict, it must firmly resist aggressive actions from foreign powers, especially those targeting Filipino fishermen and maritime access.
The President reaffirmed his position that even small concessions could have larger implications. “Give them an inch, they will take a mile,” he warned, referring to China’s expansive maritime claims that conflict with the Philippines’ sovereign rights, as supported by a 2016 international ruling.