President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the international business community the Philippines is ready and open for investment. He emphasized the Filipino workforce is dependable, hardworking, adaptable, and has a heart for service. He said global investors can work with Filipinos to succeed together.
Key policy message to business community
Marcos delivered the message during his fourth State of the Nation Address Monday at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. He framed the speech to reflect empathy after recent flooding across the country. He spoke before a crowd of officials prepared to hear progress reports and future plans.
He underlined that basic accommodation services in DOH hospitals now follow zero‑balance billing. Patients no longer pay at discharge or need to seek payment arrangements. From arrival, all fees are arranged in the hospital. That system is now in place across public hospitals.
He stressed the country remains a friend to all and an enemy to none. As the Philippines prepares to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026, he said the nation will maintain its consistent foreign policy stance.
Economic priorities and public sentiment
A July Pulse Asia survey shows controlling inflation, price stability and improving employment topped the list of public concerns. Some 66 percent disapproved of government performance on inflation. Political science analyst Matthew David Ordoñez noted Marcos had a rough start with agricultural issues, unemployment, and high prices. But he survived and recovered largely thanks to effective foreign policy and key domestic initiatives.
Ordoñez urging the president to shift from survival mode to delivering tangible results. He called for reforms in socioeconomic planning institutions to produce policy outcomes, not merely symbolic change.
Flood control and disaster resilience
An expert emphasized that Marcos needs to address disaster risk reduction and flood control more decisively. Recent flooding disrupted school operations for a full week even after moderate storms. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition criticized the administration for unfulfilled campaign promises on flood mitigation. They noted that despite a bigger DPWH budget, floods hit elevated and mountainous areas.
Education and gambling control expectations
Observers expect Marcos to outline plans to improve the education sector. Critics say many promises made in previous SONAs remain unmet, especially on teacher salaries, benefits, job security, and performance systems. Educators continue calling for meaningful reform rather than rhetoric.
On gambling, Marcos banned POGO in last year’s SONA. Experts now expect updates on controlling online gambling, human trafficking, and illegal migration. A firm crackdown on POGO-related crimes could bolster trust in governance among Filipinos.
Foreign policy and trade achievements
Marcos returns fresh from meetings with U.S. officials where he secured a 1‑percentage‑point tariff cut—from 20% to 19%—in exchange for open market access to the U.S. He called the deal a significant achievement. But analysts say the administration must explain how this fits into broader diplomatic and trade strategy.
One university political science chair noted foreign policy is arguably Marcos’s strongest suit. He predicted the president would frame the U.S. visit and partnership to support his remaining term goals. Historically, presidents who leverage relationships with global powers boost their legitimacy and popularity.
Impeachment and political risk management
Marcos enters the second half of his term with improved approval ratings, partly due to the delay of his vice president’s impeachment proceedings. Analysts suggest that if impeachment resumes in early 2026, the president could let the process run quietly and preserve political capital. The Supreme Court has ruled the impeachment filing unconstitutional until next February, and any resumed case may need delicate handling to avoid backlash from supporters.
As he addresses lawmakers and citizens Monday, all eyes are on whether he will deliver concrete, actionable plans—or leave key questions open. The business world waits to see if his message that the Philippine workforce is ready will translate into real investment opportunities. Ahead of the ASEAN Summit next year, the global spotlight is on whether the administration can turn promise into progress—and what comes next.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.