Governance advocates have stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legacy will be determined by the effective implementation of existing policies rather than new promises, as his administration enters its final two years.
Speaking at a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum on Friday, July 31, Democracy Watch co-convenor and political analyst Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit emphasized that while Marcos’ fifth SONA appropriately focused on anti-corruption, economic growth, and the welfare of ordinary citizens, these promises must now yield concrete results.
”With only two years left in his term, the focus can no longer be on announcing reforms,” Manhit said.
”The challenge now is demonstrating that policies already put in place are producing measurable improvements in governance, public services, and the economy. Implementation will ultimately define this administration’s legacy,” Manhit added.
Manhit highlighted that Marcos’ trust rating plunged to a record low of 34% in June 2026, based on Stratbase-commissioned surveys, indicating growing public demand for decisive leadership and accountability.
He noted that citizens view key concerns—such as lowering food prices, creating jobs, and fighting corruption—as deeply interconnected issues that hinge on sound governance.
”Addressing high food prices and creating more livelihood opportunities require a government that uses public resources effectively and remains accountable to its citizens,” he said.
”What is apparent to the people, after the fifth SONA and with two years remaining in the Marcos Jr. administration, is that their top concerns—food, jobs and livelihood, and the fight against corruption—do not exist independently of each other. Rather, they are interconnected expectations of effective governance,” he added.
Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon, who also spoke at the event, agreed with the assessment, assuring that public funds and policies are being aligned to deliver concrete results.
”…is to ensure that these commitments are translated into sound policies, effective programs, and a national budget that delivers meaningful results for every Filipino…Every agency, every public servant, and every peso entrusted to us must contribute to delivering better outcomes for our country,” De Leon stated.
De Leon revealed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) conducted a rigorous evaluation of the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) based on implementation readiness, fiscal sustainability, and strategic relevance.
He added that the department aims to submit the 2027 NEP to Congress before August 14.
To curb corruption and enhance fiscal transparency, the DBM is rolling out structural reforms, including:
- Regional Endorsements: Requiring priority regional programs to secure approvals from Regional Development Councils before inclusion in agency budgets.
- Centralized Tracking: Launching the DBM Compass portal to allow the public to monitor government spending from allocation to disbursement.
- Digital Project Verification: Expanding Project DIME, which utilizes satellite imagery, drones, and geotagging to track major infrastructure projects like flood control initiatives.
De Leon concluded that preventing questionable projects during budget preparation serves as the government’s strongest shield against corruption.