The 17th President and Chief Executive has done what the 16 presidents before him could not—expose the largest act of corruption ever, the flood-gate (flood control scam+Watergate) where over P1 trillion was looted by corrupt senators, corrupt congressmen, corrupt contractors, and corrupt officials of other government agencies.
President BBM (Bongbong Marcos) is determined to sue the culprits, send them to jail, and extract restitution of money they looted. The crackdown has felled once formidable political personalities, including former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada, and former House Appropriations Chair Elizaldy Co. New Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is looking into the graft case of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Biggest cleanup
In flood-gate, BBM has ushered in the biggest cleanup of the vast government bureaucracy. The clarion call is efficiency, transparency, accessibility, inclusion. The Sumbong sa Pangulo website lists 5,000 flood control projects and asks plain citizens to report projects that are damaged, substandard or not done at all.
BBM’s inclusion is achieved thru digital transformation which is not just about faster internet. “It is empowering Filipinos to learn more, earn more, and live better.” More than 500 free wifi sites have been installed nationwide, empowering learning, livelihoods, and progress in communities where the sites are. AI-ready hyperscale data center has opened. The revitalized digital sector is expected to create over 100,000 jobs in eight digital cities and one town.
“The Philippines is investing in expanded digital infrastructure, prioritizing underserved and rural areas to ensure connectivity reaches all Filipinos. At the same time, we are enhancing cyber resilience and data governance to build trust, security, and confidence in our digital systems,” the President told APEC CEOs on Oct. 31, 2025 in South Korea.
Marcos Jr. is using AI not only to enhance public services and streamline trade but also to amplify MSMEs’ ability to innovate, automate processes, and make smarter data-driven decisions, driving inclusive economic competitiveness across the Philippines and the region.
“No Filipino is left behind in the digital economy,” declares the President.
In his third SONA July 28, 2025, following the May 2025 electoral setbacks of seven of his 12 senatorial candidates, the President acknowledged “The people are disappointed and dismayed with the government, especially as regards basic services.” “The lesson is clear,” the chief executive said, “we have to do better, we have to move faster.”
Economy is in good stead
Despite slowing economic growth, Marcos insists “the economy is in good stead. Business confidence is up, inflation is down, many more were employed.” But, he stressed, “these are nothing but frills or embellishments, meaningless, because our people are suffering, weighed down by burdens of existence…No beating around the bush, “our people want a better, meaningful life and effective solutions to poverty and hunger.”
Marcos’s effective solution to most of the nation’s woes: Fight corruption. Like there was no tomorrow. “Mahiya naman kayo” (Have a sense of shame), is BBM’s anti-corruption slogan, on top of “Tama na, sobra na” (Stop the abuse). Improve efficiency. Severely. Deliver basic services. On time, with total sincerity, completely.
Can the President do it? Hell, yes. Why? Three main reasons: political will, political capital, political savvy. These Marcos Jr. has in equal measure.
At the historic Nov. 7, 2025 listing of shares of the Maynilad Water Services, Marcos made the assurance every businessman wants to hear: “The Philippines is open, ready, and eager to do business with you.” He added:
“As we face the many challenges ahead, from climate change to the rebuilding of public trust, may this day remind us that reform is built on work done with honesty. Because I believe that when we do things with purpose and excellence, progress will flow just like water that is steady and life-giving.”