President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his desire to leave behind a dependable, open, and responsive administration focused on nation-building and restoring public trust as he works toward his term’s end in 2028.
Speaking during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila on Friday, August 14, the Chief Executive admitted his hesitation to discuss long-term legacies while still in office. He noted with humor:
”I’m weary about legacy. Legacy is when you die. I’m not about to die anytime soon, despite the reports to the contrary.”
Despite his reluctance, Marcos outlined a vision centered on creating a government that actively listens to its citizens rather than simply issuing directives.
He emphasized the importance of collaborating closely with local government units (LGUs) to address community-level concerns more effectively.
”Legacy, I just hope we put the faith of people back in government. And that we now have a government that people can depend on, people can trust, and that people can talk to,” Marcos said.
”So, that we make government more accessible, not only in terms of transparency, but accessible in terms of we can bring our concerns to government and we have enough confidence that they will, in fact, do something about it,” he added.
According to the President, engaging with local leaders provides valuable insights into how the national government can refine its approach and stay connected with ordinary Filipinos.
”It may not be perfect, but it is something that will give you an idea of how to proceed, how to get these things – how to improve matters. And so that’s what, it’s a more open, more open government,” the Chief Executive said.
Beyond institutional trust, Marcos stressed that his administration aims to steer the Philippines toward economic and national development, rejecting passive governance.
”And now we are bringing back that idea that government is not here to coast and to just, you know sit back, and I don’t know what, make pasikat and make payabang,” he said. “No, government is there to build the nation. And that’s what I hope that we have started to be.”
Acknowledging the hurdles involved in transforming the country, Marcos framed a better Philippines in terms of stronger economic prospects, quality jobs, and a proactive international presence.
”It is a long road to build the nation, it is a difficult process. And, you know, there are growing pains in everything that you do. Every change, of course, entails all kinds of adjustments, some pleasant, some not so. So, it is a difficult process. But hopefully we have started that process once again of nation building, that we are making the country better,” he added.
”We’re not just custodians and just, you know, just making sure it’s the same, nothing new, just do the same, business as usual, no new initiatives, you know it’s too hard, it’s too complicated, you know, people won’t understand,” Marcos noted, stressing the need to aim higher.
Ultimately, the President highlighted partnership with the public as the core goal of his presidency.
”That’s the legacy I hope, and hesitant as I am to speak about legacy, that’s the legacy I hope to leave, that now government is your partner hand in hand with every citizen, with every sector, hand in hand trying to build a better Philippines,” he said.
”If I can do that, if I have met with even some success to do that, then I will say that we have done a reasonably good job. We will never have done a perfect job but we will have done a reasonably good job. Nation building once again returns to the government, once again returns to the people, once again returns to the country. That perhaps is the most important thing that I hope to achieve,” the President concluded.