Marcos initially downsized government bureaucracy, especially in the executive branch of the government.[1] His administration oversaw the post-pandemic return to normalcy with the gradual reopening of the economy, return of face-to-face/physical classes, removal of stringent travel restrictions,[2] and the lifting of the mask-wearing mandate for outdoor and indoor settings. He also sought to address the rising inflation and shortage of the country's food supply during the beginning of his presidency.
As president, Marcos signed into law the creation of theMaharlika Investment Fund, the firstsovereign wealth fund of the Philippines.[3] Under his term, the Philippines ratified theRCEP in February, and entered into force in June 2023.[4][5] Marcos also went on many foreign trips in hopes to attract more foreign investments in the country. During his term, many Filipinos said they felt unsafe on streets, and thecountry's drug problem has increased.[6] By the first quarter of 2024, Marcos' performance and trust ratings had dropped significantly, marking an erosion of public trust in him and his administration.[7][8]
Tensions in theSouth China Sea rose during his administration, with more clashes between the Philippine forces and the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard. The Philippines also virtually lost control of theSabina Shoal during his watch.[9][10][unreliable source?]
In less than two years as president, more Filipinos have become dissatisfied with the administration of Bongbong Marcos, according to the survey conducted byPublicus Asia from November 29 to December 4, 2023. Economic concerns, rising inflation, joblessness, low wages, and a perceived lack of productivity are some of the emerging factors behind the drop in pro-administration support. The survey also noted that the "Duterte effect" still persists, with opposition parties grappling with the discreditation of the previous administration.[18] By 2025, his vice presidentSara Duterte wasimpeached in February 5 by theHouse of Representatives while former president Rodrigo Duterte wasarrested in March 11 and handed over to theInternational Criminal Court, of which the arrest and hand-over of the latter was severely lambasted, as well as massively criticized and condemned by former Duterte administration officials and allies, and by the Duterte's supporters, which led to amassive protests in solidarity of former president Rodrigo Duterte.[19][20]
Marcos became the first candidate in the history of theFifth Republic to win by a majority, scoring nearly 59 percent of the vote. His 31,629,783 votes was not only the highest count ever recorded in a presidential election, but close to the sum total of the two previous records combined.
Quirino Grandstand was the original venue for Marcos's inauguration. It was moved to the National Museum since the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital still occupied the site at the time of the inauguration.
Bongbong Marcos has signed a total of97 executive orders, issued 1,041 proclamations, 37 administrative orders, 36 memorandum orders, 98 memorandum circulars, and two special orders.[33]
Marcos during a situation briefing with his administration on the effects ofTropical Storm Kristine on October 23, 2024
Marcos's leadership style was described by his press secretaryTrixie Cruz-Angeles as being "more systematic and efficient", compared to his predecessorRodrigo Duterte, who was driven by passion.[40] Cruz-Angeles described Marcos as "conservative", and "very up to date" with technology and global issues.[41]
Marcos, in contrast with his predecessor Duterte, is noted for consistently limiting his exposure to journalists and the media. During his presidential campaign, Marcos was criticized for eluding debates and media interviews. After assuming office, he signed his second executive order abolishing thepresidential spokesperson position and replacing it with a press secretary. Under Marcos, the Malacañang Palace holds fewer press briefings than the Duterte administration, typically holding a single press briefing per week. The Marcos administration also created a "pool" system, in which thePresidential Communications Office limits the number of media members who could attend press briefings or cover certain events.[42]
Marcos said he would sometimes consult his wife,Liza Araneta, who is a lawyer, regarding "legal matters", saying "I'm not a lawyer, so I need an expert opinion".[43]
Marcos began naming his Cabinet members on May 12, 2022.[44] Following his presidential inauguration, he administered a mass oath-taking of his Cabinet officials.[45]
On May 22, 2025, following the results ofthe midterm elections, Marcos called for the courtesy resignations of his cabinet members, agency heads, and presidential advisers, initiating the first majorcabinet reshuffle since theArroyo administration.[53] Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin later announced that while the resignations of several officials—including the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Housing—were accepted and replacements appointed,[54] others in key economic and security posts were retained.[55] In a second wave of changes, the Solicitor General and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education were replaced, while the Secretaries of Defense, Justice, and the Interior remained in their positions.[56][57]
Immediately after taking his oath of office on June 30, 2022, Marcos, in an attempt to "achieve simplicity, economy, and efficiency in the bureaucracy", issued his first executive order abolishing both thePresidential Anti-Corruption Commission created by President Duterte in 2017 and theOffice of the Cabinet Secretary.[116] The Marcos administration launched its COVID-19booster shot campaign, PinasLakas, to administer booster doses to at least 23 million Filipinos during Marcos's first 100 days,[117] but managed to boost only 3.5 million.[118] Marcos issued an executive order allowing voluntary use of face masks in outdoor settings,[119] and extended from September 13 to December 31, 2022, the period of thestate of calamity declared by his predecessor,Rodrigo Duterte, due to the COVID-19.[120]
The Marcos administration launched its anti-illegal drug campaign,Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA), which commits to continue thewar on drugs "within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development".[121]
Marcos launched a 10-point agenda as part of his vision to further boost economic growth and rejuvenate the country's prosperity in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marcos's agenda includes the following:[122]
National Reopening- aimed to reopen the face to face classes in schools throughout the country, and revitalize the country's tourism sectors.[122]
Public-Private Partnership- aimed to further deepen the engagements of the public and private sectors to further boost investments.[122]
Infrastructure Development- expansion of theBuild! Build! Build! program under the Build Better More program.[122]
Fiscal Discipline- aimed to efficiency in tax collection through digitization.[122]
Transparent & Efficient Governance- establish efficiency in government processes through online systems and combat red tape.[122]
Digital Philippines- implementation of the Broadband ng Masa (BBM) program set to improve the country's internet services.[122]
Energy Security- boost local power generation and capacity through renewable energy sources and proper distribution.[122]
Future-ready Filipinos- provide quality education through top notch learning materials and technology tools.[122]
Affordable Healthcare- lower cost of medicines, expand pandemic preparedness, and build regional specialty hospitals.[122]
Food for All- increase agricultural output and improve the supply chain.[122]
Subsequently serving as the Secretary of Agriculture, Marcos launched initiatives which aims to improve domestic agricultural output and production, while expanding measures to further establish a farm-to-market approach in providing agricultural products to local markets and far flung areas.[123][124] In August 2022, ashigh sugar prices impacted the country due to the effects ofTyphoon Odette in December 2021, theSugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) in August 2022 released an order to import 300,000 metric tons (660,000,000 lb) of sugar, which is aimed to reduce costs and increase the sugar stockpiles. A few days later, Marcos rejected the proposed importation,[125] and Malacañang deemed the move as illegal, as the move was made without Marcos's approval, nor signed by him.[126] SRA Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian later apologized for the move and later resigned his post on Marcos; behalf,[127] prompting SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and SRA board member Roland Beltran to follow suit a few days later.[128] The move also caused Malacañang to instigate reforms within the SRA organization,[129] and launched a campaign into alleged efforts of using the sugar order as a "cover measure" forhoarding by sugar traders.[130]
In November 2022, Marcos expanded the Kadiwa Project launched by the Duterte administration, which aims to offer fresh local produces to local markets and other key areas in lower prices, and creates a direct farm-to-market approach of goods and services.[131][132] The programs is located in various areas throughout the country and temporarily occupies various facilities owned by local governments. The move is also aimed to be expanded permanently to accommodate more consumers affected by inflation.[133]
In January 2023, amidrising prices of onions in the country, Marcos approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons (46,430,000 lb) of onions to cater the gap caused by low local outputs,[134] and stated that the government was "left without a choice" despite approving the smuggled onions to be supplied in local markets.[135]
Marcos signed his fourth executive order on September 14, 2022, which establishes a one-yearmoratorium on theamortization andinterest payments ofagrarian reform beneficiaries. The move is seen to assist farmers from debt payments and allows a flexible approach in financial assistance.[136]
After serving as Secretary of Agriculture for over a year that was marked by a rise in food prices, Marcos relinquished his position and appointedFrancisco Tiu Laurel Jr., president of a deep-sea fishing company and a donor to Marcos's 2022 presidential election campaign.[138]
On his 65th birthday, September 14, 2022, Marcos signed his fourth executive order imposing a one-yearmoratorium on theamortization andinterest payments ofagrarian reform beneficiaries, which is seen to "lead to freedom of farmers from debts".[139]
On June 4, 2024, Marcos Jr., through Executive SecretaryLucas Bersamin, signedMemorandum Circular No. 52, directing all government agencies and schools to include the recitation of theBagong Pilipinas hymn -Panahon na ng Pagbabago andPanata sa Bagong Pilipinas pledge in weekly flag ceremonies. Critics argued that the memorandum violates Republic Act No. 8491 or the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines".[141] The new hymn has also been noted for resembling theBagong Pagsilang hymn of themartial law era of Marcos' father. Earlier in July 2023, Marcos Jr. also ordered government agencies to includeBagong Pilipinas slogan in their programs and projects.[142]
Under the Marcos administration, theMovie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in December 2023 suspended for 14 days two shows of media networkSMNI,Laban Kasama ang Bayan (LKB) and President Duterte's platformGikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa; the MTRCB said the suspension was made due to an "unverified news report" made by a LKB host and former communist rebel Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz suggesting that House SpeakerMartin Romualdez had travel funds worth₱1.8 billion and complaints that a death threat to leftistACT Teachers RepresentativeFrance Castro was allegedly made by Duterte in theGikan sa Masa, para sa Masa program.[143] Two days later, theNational Telecommunications Commission (NTC) suspended SMNI for 30 days after the House of Representatives adopted a resolution filed byPBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles, who claimed that the network was propagating false information.[144] On January 23, 2024, the NTC ordered the indefinite suspension of SMNI on all radio and TV stations, on grounds that SMNI "failed to strictly comply with the thirty-day suspension order".[145]
Following a meeting on July 27, 2022, with Solicitor GeneralMenardo Guevarra, Presidential Legal AdviserJuan Ponce Enrile, Executive SecretaryVic Rodriguez, Foreign Affairs SecretaryEnrique Manalo, Justice SecretaryJesus Crispin Remulla, and lawyerHarry Roque, Marcos, on August 1, said that the Philippines has no intention of rejoining theInternational Criminal Court (ICC), maintaining that deaths linked to theWar on Drugs of the Duterte administration are already being investigated by the Philippine government.[146] By September 9, the deadline imposed by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor's (OTP) for the Philippine government to comment on the resumption of the investigation on the war on drugs, Guevara formally requested the ICC to deny the request of the ICC-OTP to resume the investigation; Guevara maintained that "the alleged murder incidents that happened during the relevant period do not constitute 'crimes against humanity', considering that said incidents do not qualify as an 'attack' against the civilian population".[147] In January 2024, Marcos stated he considers the ICC investigation a threat to the Philippines' sovereignty, adding he "will not lift a finger" to assist any ICC investigation.[148] However, former Senator and President Duterte's staunch criticAntonio Trillanes remarked on April 24, 2024, that ICC investigators have "already directly communicated with more than 50 active and former PNP [police] officials" regarding their implication in the drug war.[149]
According to thePhilippine National Police (PNP),index crimes dropped 11.67% in Marcos's first two months compared to the same period a year prior.[150] Amid a series of reported abductions in the country, several senators urged Marcos to issue a strong directive and act swiftly on the matter.[151] On September 15, 2022, the Senate initiated a probe into the series of kidnapping cases.[152]
In June 2025, Marcos appointed police generalNicolas Torre III as PNP chief. He had previously enforced the arrests ofKingdom of Jesus Christ leaderApollo Quiboloy in September 2024 and former presidentRodrigo Duterte in March 2025. On June 5, Torre began implementing a 5-minute response policy for PNP officials inMetro Manila.[153] Four days later, Torre made an unprecedented courtesy visit to theCommission on Human Rights, where he affirmed the CHR's oversight function over the PNP by stating that "The CHR is our boss on the protection of human rights."[154]
In 2022, Marcos declared his intention to continue thewar on drugs of the Duterte administration. By September 13, Marcos explained that the war on illegal drugs is "of internal matter", opting to leave it out of hisFirst State of the Nation Address; he said a working group was still formulating policies for his anti-drug campaign, with a focus on prevention and rehabilitation.[155]
On October 7, 2022 the Marcos administration launched its anti-illegal drug campaign,Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA), which commits to continue thewar on drugs "within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and with focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development".[156]
In March 2025, former president Duterte was arrested by the PNP in collaboration withInterpol under anInternational Criminal Court warrant charging him with "crimes against humanity", with the operation codenamed "Operation Pursuit" and headed by then-CIDG chiefNicolas Torre.[157][158][159] Minutes after Duterte's plane departed for theNetherlands, President Marcos held a press conference clarifying that the arrest was carried out not on behalf of the ICC (which the Philippines is not a member of) but as a member of Interpol, emphasizing that the Philippines must uphold its commitments and responsibilities as part of the international community.[160][157]
As PNP Chief, Torre vocally criticized the "Oplan Tokhang" policy during thedrug war of the Duterte administration as fundamentally "flawed", and denounced the claim that the number of drug war victims is highly exaggerated, stating that "This is fake news in its cruelest form. It trivializes the experience of the families of the victims."[161]
In May 2023, Marcos signed an executive order forming an advisory and management center to ensure efficient management of theMalacañang Heritage Mansions.[162][163] On August 24, 2023, he signed into law Republic Act No. 11961, strengthening the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage.[164]
Marcos suspended for one year and ordered a review of Executive Order 138 (EO 138) issued by President Duterte in 2021 that directs the fulldevolution of some executive functions tolocal government units. Marcos maintained that under EO 138, 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities will get poorer due to the extra functions that will be devolved; he added that "functions that belong to the national government should belong, should stay with the national government".[165][166][167]
2023Balikatan exercise.Marcos with U.S. Secretary of DefensePete Hegseth during the former's visit to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 21, 2025.Marcos with then-U.S. Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austin during the former's visit tothe Pentagon inArlington, Virginia, May 3, 2023.
Marcos expressed support for theAFP Modernization Program,[170] which aims to boost the country's defense capabilities. Stating that the country's external security situation is becoming "more complex and unpredictable", Marcos ordered theArmed Forces of the Philippines to shift its focus on its defense operations against external threats, due to the lower risks in the country's insurgencies, theRussian invasion of Ukraine, and the potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.[171][172]
With an aim to enhance the country's defense capabilities, Marcos has approved the "Re-Horizon 3" of the AFP Modernization Program, which is also known as the RAFMP. The $35 billion plan revised modernization program will be spread out over 10 years and aims to modernize theArmed Forces of the Philippines based on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), a defense concept aimed at strengthening the country's external defense deterrence by projecting power within thePhilippine's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone,Benham Rise, theLuzon Strait, and theSulu Sea through inter-island defenses doctrines, multi-layered domain strategies, and long-range strike capabilities.[174] The concept also aims to strengthen the country's aerial and maritime domain awareness, connectivity, and intelligence capabilities.[175][176][177]
On April 15, 2025, Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 12174, prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling, and use ofchemical weapons in the Philippines.[178]
After a7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Luzon a few weeks after his presidential inauguration, Marcos rejected creating an executive department dedicated to disaster resilience, agreeing with his sister (SenatorImee Marcos), who said that creating a disaster response body under theOffice of the President instead would "save the government a lot of money".[179][180] In April 2023, Bongbong Marcos signed an executive order creating a disaster preparedness and response task force.[181]
About 63% of Filipinos considers themselves poor by the fourth quarter of 2024 amidsts the rising inflation, which was the highest since 2003.[189][190] Exports began to decline during his administration. Following an all-time high of nearly $80 billion in 2022, it declined to $74 billion in 2023, and $68 billion in 2024.[191]
Marcos issued an executive order suspendinge-sabong (online cockfighting) operations in the country.[195] He also issued an executive order banningPhilippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), citing concerns for national security.[196][197] Residential condominiums and offices markets were severely affected following the POGO ban, which saw a vacancy rate of up to 20.5% following the surrender of spaces and non-renewals of leases from POGOs.[198]
Amidst a learning crisis in the Philippines,[199] Marcos appointed his then-running mate and now vice presidentSara Duterte to concurrently serve as theSecretary of Education. Public schools in the Philippines started full in-person classes on November 2, 2022, after two years of hiatus due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[200]
In August 2022, theCommission on Audit (COA) flagged theDepartment of Education (DepEd) for the purchase of allegedly overpriced and outdated 39,583 laptops worth₱2.4 billion back in 2021 for online classes at the height of the pandemic. In response, Duterte requested from the COA a "fraud audit" of the laptop deal.[201] Starting August 25, theSenate Blue Ribbon Committee, headed by SenatorFrancis Tolentino, held a series of hearings with previous officials of the DepEd and the Procurement Service of theDepartment of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), to look into the matter.[202]
Amid a low full vaccination rate of 19% among Filipino students nationwide, the Marcos administration reopened classes in 46% of all schools in the country, or 24,000 schools on August 22, implementing five days of face-to-face classes; 29,721 schools were allowed to continue implementing blended learning from August to October 2022.[203] A department order was signed, on September 2, by Duterte, automatically suspending all classes from kindergarten to senior high school during calamities and disasters; the order also prohibited the use of schools as long-term evacuation centers.[204]
Marcos withDepEd SecretarySonny Angara visiting at the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School inMalate, Manila on June 17, 2025, directing several government agencies to ensure the smooth and safe resumption of classes, while emphasizing the need to address students’ safety, well-being, and financial burden.
Under Sara Duterte's authority, the Department of Education in August 2023 launched the "Matatag curriculum", a new "less congested" curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 10. The new curriculum reduced the learning areas for students from seven to five, and removed Mother Tongue as a separate subject; it also emphasized a "Makabansa" learning area to instill Filipino identity andnationalism among students.[205]
In July 2024, Duterte resigned as education secretary, with SenatorSonny Angara appointed as her replacement.[206] The choice of Angara as secretary received praise from lawmakers and teachers' organizations due to his qualifications,[207] with several pointing out his immense challenge as secretary on account of the ongoing learning crisis and the "host of problems" left unresolved during Vice President Duterte's tenure.[208][209] Upon assuming his post, Angara revealed during a House budget hearing several irregularities that had occurred at DepEd, among which were 1.5 million undistributed items such as laptops and textbooks from 2020, the delayed delivery of food for the agency's School-Based Feeding Program, and the agency's slow and inefficient fund use under Duterte.[210][211][208]
President Marcos considersbattery farms as a solution to the country's energy needs.[212] In his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos presented his plan to increase energy production by includingrenewable energy andnuclear energy in thecountry's energy mix.[213] In May 2023, Marcos renewed theMalampaya gas field contract which was to expire on February 22, 2024, extending it for 15 more years until 2039 and allowing oil companies to continue extractingnatural gas from the field.[214]
After President Marcos delivered hisFourth State of the Nation Address in 2025 wherein he called for a nationwide shift to renewable energy, he was criticized byEdwin Gariguez, a priest and environmentalist, for not concretely addressing the pollution and ecological destruction caused by several natural gas projects such as the Batangas LNG Plant.[215][216]
In an attempt to achieve "simplicity, economy, and efficiency" in the bureaucracy, Marcos, on June 30, 2022, issued his first executive order abolishing thePresidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) created by Duterte in 2017, and theOffice of the Cabinet Secretary.[217] The powers and functions of PACC were transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, while the existing Cabinet Secretariat will be under thePresidential Management Staff.[217]
A day after Marcos's inauguration, Executive SecretaryVic Rodriguez signed a memorandum circular declaring certain positions in the executive department held by officials appointed by Duterte as vacant, leaving at least 4,000 government positions needing to be filled up. Next-in-rank and most senior officials were to fill up the positions asofficer-in-charge (OIC), although casual employees whose contracts were to expire on June 30, 2022, were allowed to serve only until July 31, 2022, unless earlier terminated or renewed.[218] Rodriguez, on July 29, extended the terms of the OICs until December 31, or until a replacement has been made, "to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of government services".[219]
On July 23, 2022, Marcos vetoed a bill strengthening the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) of theDepartment of Justice, citing "excessive grant of remuneration, incentives, benefits, allowances, and honoraria" to employees and hired lawyers.[220] A week later, he vetoed a bill creating transportation safety board, explaining that the proposed board has functions already being "undertaken by the different agencies" under theDepartment of Transportation, thePhilippine National Police, and theNational Bureau of Investigation.[221]
In an attempt to "accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts" inMarawi, on December 22, 2023, Marcos signed an administrative order abolishing theTask Force Bangon Marawi and directing regular line agencies to take over the rehabilitation of the city. Marcos further ordered the agency's unused funds to be surrendered to theOffice of the President.[223]
Through Proclamation No. 297, Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency issued in March 2020 by President Duterte following the onset of theCOVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation lifted all established medical protocols, including the mandatory use of face masks; it also allowed emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for vaccines to remain for one year in order to exhaust the remaining vaccines.[224][225][226]
Marcos allowed the controversialVape Regulation Bill to lapse into law on July 25.[227] The bill has been approved in January 2022 by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the18th Congress, but has been transmitted to Malacañang for Duterte to act upon only on June 24, six days before his presidency ended.[228]
TheDepartment of Health (DOH) launched on July 26 its "PinasLakas" campaign to continue administeringCOVID-19 booster doses to at least 39 million Filipinos, or 50% of the eligible population of 77 million, in Marcos's first 100 days of presidency. In September, the DOH lowered its target population to 23 million after seeing minimal progress in the booster campaign, which DOH officer-in-chargeMaria Rosario Vergeire attributed topandemic fatigue. By the end of Marcos's first 100 days, a total of 20 million Filipinos received their booster doses,[229] of which 3.4 million received their first booster doses under the administration's booster campaign.[230]
To provide medical assistance to more people, in August 2023, Marcos signed a law establishing specialty centers in government hospitals in every region.[236]
The Marcos administration decided to continue theBuild! Build! Build! infrastructure program of President Duterte by superseding it with the Build Better More (BBM) program which added more infrastructure projects.[237][238] The Marcos administration approved 194 infrastructure projects, with a total cost of PHP 9-trillion.[239] It includes projects in public transport, physical connectivity, water resources, digital connectivity, health, agriculture, and power; 77 of these projects were carried from past administrations while 123 are "new and initiated" by the Marcos administration.[240]
On August 23, the Marcos administration requested₱1.196 trillion from Congress to fund in 2023 its BBM infrastructure program.[241]
St. Gregory Housing in Panghulo,Malabon, one of the administration's housing projects
The Marcos administration aims to build 1 million housing units annually to address the country's backlog of 6.5 million housing units.[242] Twenty-eight local government units (LGUs) have signed a memorandum of understanding with theDHSUD to pursue housing projects; 11 of them are in the construction stage.[243] As of April 19, 2023, about 1.2-1.3 million housing sites have been started since Marcos assumed office.[244] By February 2025, there are 56 housing projects in various stages of development and construction.[245]
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2024)
The Marcos administration promised to improve the transportation system of the Philippines and said it will pursue more projects.[246][247][248] Marcos pursued thePublic Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), which will phase out old traditional jeepneys and replace them with modern public utility vehicles; it resulted in aweeklong nationwide transport strike in March 2023, forcing Marcos to order the government to review the PUVMP "to ensure that everything is taken into consideration under the program, including the grievances of our drivers and operators".[249]
In July 2022, former Finance SecretaryCarlos Dominguez III canceled the loan applications for three China-funded railway projects—thePNR South Long Haul,Subic–Clark Railway, and theMindanao Railway (Tagum–Davao–Digos)—due to China's inaction on funding requests by the Duterte administration during Duterte's tenure.[250] A month later, the Marcos administration resumed talks with China to renegotiate and "resume" the major railway projects, with theDepartment of Transportation (DOTr) citing that the funding will "strengthen bilateral relations and enhance the partnership between the Philippines and China".[251]
On July 1, 2022, a day after his inauguration, Marcos signed a memorandum seeking to provide free train rides to students, and extend the freeEDSA Carousel rides until December 2022.[252][253] Shortly after, the free train rides for students was recalibrated and limited only toLRT-2; the DOTr said that train fares were "already heavily subsidized", especially when free train rides were implemented atMRT-3 for three months during the Duterte administration, and that Line 2 has the highest number of student ridership.[254]
In June 2025, Marcos ordered the postponement of the planned rehabilitation ofEDSA, one of Metro Manila'sprimary thoroughfares, to allow for a review of the project's implementation processes. This decision came shortly after Transportation SecretaryVince Dizon had announced that the ₱8.7 billion (US$156 million) overhaul—intended to improve road surfaces, pedestrian walkways, and drainage systems—would begin on June 13.[257] As part of the traffic management strategy during construction, the DOTr had proposed toll-free access to segments ofSkyway Stage 3 and the enforcement of an odd-evennumber coding scheme along EDSA.[258] Marcos' directive paused what would have been the first large-scale renovation of EDSA in over four decades.[259]
PresidentBongbong Marcos exposing on August 11, 2025, that 15 contractors accounted for ₱100 billion (US$2.03 billion), equivalent to 20% of all flood control projects over the past three years.President Bongbong Marcos (third from right) surveying an unfinished flood control project site inBaliwag,Bulacan, on August 20, 2025.
During hisThird State of the Nation Address in July 2024, President Marcos touted his administration's implementation of more than 5500 flood control projects in the Philippines, adding the promise to initiate ten additional large-scale projects for the next 13 years that will cost more than₱500 billion.[260] However, due to the floods caused byTyphoon Carina (Gaemi) and thesouthwest monsoon (habagat) in the succeeding days, his administration was heavily criticized for the perceived failures of the flood control projects,[260][261][262] with theDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) later admitting that the projects were largely for "immediate relief" while its other major projects encountered delays.[263] The agency also cited improper garbage disposal as among the major factors for floods inMetro Manila.[264] In preparing thenational budget for 2025, President Marcos vetoed several flood control projects, mostly fromCentral Luzon andCagayan Valley, that would have cost₱16.7 billion.[265]
According to SenatorErwin Tulfo, Marcos sacked a wealthy DPWH Undersecretary for alleged corruption.[266][267][268] The alleged dismissal of the undersecretary, whom Tulfo himself had declined to name, came after Marcos held hisFourth State of the Nation Address where he denounced officials who have been profiting from flood control programs.[269] Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, however, denied that he was removed by the president due to corruption, explaining that he had simply went on a three-month medical leave to treat his spinal condition.[270]
Amid the weakening of the communist fronts by the military, in May 2023, Marcos directed the "recalibration" of theNTF-ELCAC, an anti-insurgency task force, to shift its previous "aggressive" policy and become "bringers of peace".[273] Marcos appointed Vice PresidentSara Duterte as co-vice chair of the NTF-ELCAC.[274] As part of his administration's peace initiatives, in November 2023, Marcos granted amnesty to former rebels of theCommunist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF),Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), andMoro National Liberation Front (MNLF); he also granted amnesty to members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB).[275]
In a reversal of Duterte's policy, the Marcos administration and the NDF issued a joint statement on November 28, 2023 announcing the revival of peace talks between the two parties,[276][277] with the government side to be led by retired generalEmmanuel Bautista and Special Presidential AssistantAntonio Lagdameo and the NDF side to be led byLuis Jalandoni.[278][277] Vice President Duterte asked Marcos to reconsider the plan to hold peace talks which she called an "agreement with the devil", while SpeakerMartin Romualdez deemed the decision to be a "moral imperative" for the country.[279] Negotiations between the Marcos administration and the NDF began inOslo as early as 2022, but were withheld from the public.[280]
After theSupreme Court ruled in May 2024 thatred-tagging threatens a person's right to life, liberty, or security,Human Rights Watch andKarapatan called on Marcos to abolish the NTF-ELCAC. Marcos rejected the calls for abolition, saying the task force was instrumental in reducing the country's internal security threat.[281][282] In July 2024, Duterte resigned as co-vice chairperson of NTF-ELCAC.[283]
On July 2,Social Welfare (DSWD) SecretaryErwin Tulfo revealed that Marcos ordered for the list of4Ps beneficiaries to be "cleaned" due to reports of unqualified beneficiaries receiving cash grants and refusing to surrender their accounts.[284] About 1.3 million beneficiaries identified by the social welfare department as no longer poor were to face removal from the cash assistance program, which may free₱15 billion to be distributed to "other qualified persons".[285] In late August, the DSWD earmarked₱500 million to be distributed as cash assistance for poor students, prohibiting walk-ins after an initial chaotic distribution involving beneficiaries gathering in huge crowds at the central and regional offices of the DSWD;[286] by September 24, 676,922 students nationwide received cash aid, which totaled ₱1.652 billion, in the DSWD's six-week program.[287]
On July 30, Marcos vetoed a bill granting tax exemption on poll workers'honoraria; he cited the bill will "negate the progressivity of the reforms introduced under RA 10963 or theTRAIN law".[288]
After Kuwait suspended all types of visas issued to Filipinos in May 2023, Marcos rejected proposals to impose a total deployment ban against Kuwait, saying he did not want to "burn any bridges"; he maintained the Philippine government will continue negotiating with Kuwait to improve the situation.[289]
In June 2023, Marcos appointedMarcos loyalist and disbarred lawyerLarry Gadon in a newly created position, the presidential adviser on poverty alleviation, which has a monthly salary grade of₱278,434.[290][291] Gadon said his first project would be to launch "BBM: Batang Busog, Malusog", a feeding program for the youth.[292]
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2024)
In 2022, the Marcos administration launched the BroadBand ng Masa Program (BBMP) to provide free WiFi connections in remote areas.[293] To "boost government initiatives against scams committed through text and online messages", Marcos signedhis first law, which mandatedSIM card registration;[294] by the end of the July 2023 deadline, a total of 113.9 million SIM cards were registered, and about 54 million unregistered mobile numbers were deactivated.[295]
In June 2023, the Marcos administration's tourism department launched a new branding campaign worth₱49 million; it included a new tourism slogan "Love the Philippines" which replaced the decade-old "It's More Fun in the Philippines". The tourism department contracted a creative agency, DDB Philippines, to produce a campaign video. A few days later, the tourism department deleted the video from its Facebook page afterAgence France Presse had the video analyzed and confirmed thatstock footages of places in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Indonesia, and Switzerland were used in the video.[296][297] Shortly after, theDepartment of Tourism (DOT), under SecretaryChristina Frasco, terminated its branding campaign contract with DDB Philippines; Frasco asserted no public funds were spent on the video,[298] and decided to continue using the new slogan.[299] Marcos then said he still trusts Frasco despite the stock video controversy.[300]
In an effort to enhance the overall experience of tourists in the country, the DOT began establishing Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) in strategic areas across the Philippines in 2022.[301] By June 2024, about nine TRAs had been constructed by the DOT and turned over to the various local government units; at least 20 more TRAs are awaiting construction.[302]
Marcos and then-Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo during the former's state visit inBogor, September 5, 2022Marcos and then-Singaporean Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong during the former's state visit inSingapore, September 7, 2022Marcos and then-Japanese Prime MinisterFumio Kishida during the former's working visit inTokyo, February 9, 2023Marcos (2nd from left) and other leaders fromASEAN hold a "ASEAN-way" handshake at anASEAN Summit inVientiane, October 9, 2024Marcos with then-Japanese Prime MinisterShigeru Ishiba during the latter's official visit at theMalacañang Palace in Manila, April 29, 2025Marcos and Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi at theHyderabad House during the former's state visit inNew Delhi, August 5, 2025Marcos with Japanese Prime MinisterSanae Takaichi during the47th ASEAN Summit inKuala Lumpur, October 25, 2025
Following a French court of arbitration's ruling instructing Malaysia to pay US$14.9 billion to the descendants of theSulu Sultanate for breaching an international private lease agreement by not paying the cession money under the agreement since 2013,[305] Malacañang, on August 2, said that the claim to Sabah is "not an issue of sovereignty" as it is "in the nature of a private claim".[306]
Marcos made his inaugural state visits in Indonesia from September 4 to 6, 2022, and Singapore from September 6 to 7, securing $14.36 billion (₱804.78 billion) in investment pledges.[307] On September 18 to 24, he made his first working visit to the United States, where he attended the 77thUnited Nations General Assembly and received $3.9 billion in investment pledges.[308] Marcos was criticized upon his unannounced return to Singapore in October 1 to 2 to watch theF1 Grand Prix; Malacañang later confirmed Marcos's trip as "productive" in enjoining continued foreign investment in the country with Executive SecretaryLucas Bersamin later explaining that the visit was "partly official, partly personal".[309][310]
While campaigning for president in January 2022, Marcos promised to "set aside" theSouth China Sea Arbitration in favor of direct negotiations with theChinese government over the disputes, stating that thePermanent Court of Arbitration ruling was "no longer available" to the Philippine government because China, among many other parties, had rejected it.[315] However, following his election in May, then-president-elect Marcos reversed his previous stance and declared he would uphold the Arbitration ruling, vowing to invoke the ruling "to assert [the Philippines'] territorial rights" if and where necessary.[316]
While addressing theAsia Society inNew York City in September 2022, Marcos made a statement that his country has "no territorial conflict with China" but rather, "China [is] claiming territory that belongs to the Philippines." He acknowledged the necessity of closer cooperation with his country's allies if the disputes escalated to war, asChina'smilitary capabilities are nearly 15 times "stronger" thanthe Philippines.[317]
With the Philippines making hard stance pronouncements regarding South China Sea, tensions began to rise with more clashes and ramming incidents between the Philippine forces and the Chinese Navy and coast guard. The Philippines also virtually lost control of theSabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal) towards to China, with the latter country tightening its control on the disputed territory.[318][319]
Marcos and then-U.S. PresidentJoe Biden at theWhite House during the former's official visit inWashington, D.C., May 1, 2023.Marcos meeting with U.S. PresidentDonald Trump at the White House during the former's official visit in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2025.
Marcos and former PresidentRodrigo Duterte during the latter's visit to Malacañang Palace in Manila, August 2, 2023
Marcos asserts that his administration does not intend for the Philippines to re-apply forInternational Criminal Court (ICC)membership following the country's withdrawal from the international tribunal under his predecessor that took effect in March 2019.[326] In 2023, the Marcos administration submitted two separate requests in February and March to suspendthe ICC's probe into the war on drugs during Duterte's presidency and the killings in the Davao area between November 2011, and June 2016; the administration argued that the Philippine government is investigating and has already investigated cases of alleged crimes against humanity, and that the ICC investigation would encroach on the Philippines' sovereignty.[327][328] After the ICC rejected the Philippines' requests, Marcos, on March 28, said the Philippines is "disengaging" from any contact and communication with the ICC, saying he considers the ICC jurisdiction over the Philippines as an interference and "practically attacks on the sovereignty".[327]
On June 3, 2024, Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy visited Manila to invite Marcos toa peace summit in Switzerland later that month. Marcos assured Zelenskyy of Philippine participation in the summit, which the European leader said sent "a very strong signal". Following Zelenskyy's request, Marcos pledged to sendmental health professionals to assist soldiers inUkraine.[330]
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(November 2023)
Opinion polling, commonly known as surveys in the Philippines, on the presidency of Bongbong Marcos has been conducted by various pollsters since the start of his tenure. The tables below show the latest polls that were administered.
APulse Asia September 2022 survey of 1,200 respondents nationwide revealed that the Marcos administration received high approval ratings on its addressing of 11 of 13 key issues in the country; calamity response and controlling the spread of COVID-19 were both rated the highest, at 78%, while performance in poverty reduction (39%) and control ofinflation (31%) ranked the lowest.[331] However, recent surveys have shown that the Marcos administration now has low approval and trust ratings.[332][333]
Former President Duterte and his supporters have also organized protests against Marcos.[349] In a "prayer rally" held inCebu City, the former president made numerous remarks denouncing Marcos'People's Initiative and the subsequent economic constitutional amendments.[350] During the rally, Duterte also made statements alluding to the deposal of President Marcossimilar to his father yet through military force.[351] In the same rally, Duterte called President Marcos a drug addict,[352] Marcos responded that Duterte's use offentanyl impaired his judgement.[353] Duterte has since softened his position[354] yet states that he and his coalition are no longer allies with President Marcos, reinforced by Vice President Sara Duterte stating that theUniTeam alliance was dissolved immediately after the2022 Philippine General Election.[355]
There were protests on how Marcos and Congress were "shamelessly fooling" people in enacting the 2025 national budget, with columnistBoo Chanco saying that "BBM could have saved the day but he connived with Congress in his token veto of P26.065 billion worth of projects under the DPWH and P168.240 billion allocated under “Unprogrammed Appropriations.” Chanco added that "not surprisingly, BBM kept intact the pork funds inserted in the DPWH budget."[356]
^As Faustino retired from military service on November 12, 2021, in adherence to Republic Act 6975 banning the appointment of retired military officers for a year, he will first serve as a senior undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense beginning June 30, 2022.[76]
^Aldeguer-Roque served in an acting capacity from August 3 until October 27, 2024.
^Cacdac served in anOfficer–in–Charge capacity from August 22 to September 7, 2023.
^Mateo, Janvic; Villeza, Mark Ernest (June 10, 2025)."WITH VIDEO | PNP Chief: CHR Is Our Boss In Protecting Rights".One News. RetrievedJune 15, 2025.Gen. Nicolas Torre III made history on Monday, June 9, as the first Philippine National Police chief to pay a courtesy visit and attend the Commission on Human Rights' flag-raising ceremony.
^Cabalza, Dexter; Villa, Kathleen de (September 3, 2022)."DOH: Eased mask use 'disastrous'".Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived fromthe original on September 3, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 12, 2022.
^Rosel, Trixee (July 30, 2024)."DPWH ready to implement over 5,000 new flood mitigation projects in 2024".Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. RetrievedAugust 4, 2025.More than 5,000 new flood mitigation projects are expected to be implemented[...] amid criticisms over the alleged failed flood control projects especially in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
^"DPWH undersecretary denies corruption allegations".Daily Tribune. Concept and Information Group, Inc. August 8, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 1, 2025.[Roberto R. Bernardo] said he is on an approved medical leave from 28 July to 27 October for a debilitating spinal condition that requires physical therapy and rest.
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