By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines must elect a “like-minded president” in 2028 to prevent ongoing economic reforms from being reversed.
Speaking at the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum in Makati City, Marcos underscored the importance of policy continuity, particularly in sustaining structural changes aimed at making the country more investment-friendly.
“If we do not elect a like-minded president in 2028, all of these will just go by the wayside,” Marcos said, referring to reforms introduced under his administration.
The President acknowledged investors’ concerns about policy reversals between administrations, noting that Philippine politics has often been marked by discontinuity.
“The wonderful thing about being in the opposition is you don’t actually have to get anything to work. All you have to do is criticize. All you have to do is pull your opponent down. And that’s the problem that we face,” he said.
Marcos said reforms must be understood and felt by the public to ensure they endure beyond his term.
“As long as we are able to show that these policies and these measures that we have undertaken are of benefit… then people will say… I want to keep it,” he said.
He added that some reforms were deliberately “enshrined in law” to make them harder to reverse.
Leader must understand economics
Asked what kind of leader voters should choose in 2028, Marcos said economic competence is essential.
“Well, number one, somebody who understands economics,” he said.
The next president, he said, must understand “how to create jobs,” “how to keep the inflation rate down,” “how to make food supply a given,” and must think about productivity.
“Growth is about productivity. How do you make your working population more productive? How do you fix the education system so they’re better trained? How do you make sure that they’re healthier? How do you make sure that they don’t worry about food? Those are the kind of people that you need,” he added.
Marcos emphasized that leadership should focus on nation-building rather than partisan politics.
“We need to have nation builders. People who want to make the Philippines better. People who actually love the Philippines and love Filipinos and want to make things better,” he said, adding that “there has to be element of competency.”
Structural reforms
Marcos cited key measures such as the CREATE MORE Act, which expanded fiscal incentives to attract investors, including in emerging digital industries and traditional sectors like mining.
He also highlighted streamlined processes through “green lanes” and government support for priority sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, and mining.
The President reiterated that the administration regularly consults the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
“Government will sit there and listen, and ask them, what is it you need from us?” he said.
“We cannot afford the social side if we’re not doing well on the business side, on the revenue side,” he added.
2028 elections
Vice President Sara Duterte is, so far, the only national figure to have publicly declared her intent to run in 2028.
Malacañang has maintained that Marcos remains focused on governance.
Asked if he would soon endorse a successor, Marcos replied: “Not soon. Timing is everything.”
He added that while they are considering possible candidates, some have declined.
Marcos said elevating someone without political background to a presidential level is “quite difficult” in the country’s “highly political atmosphere.” (PNA)
