Unveiling The Legacy: Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Presidency and a Nation’s Uncertain Path

A presidency born from both inherited legacy and contested ambition, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ascent reshaped the political landscape of the Philippines. Assuming office in June 2022 amid high expectations and deep societal divisions, his term has unfolded as a complex blend of policy ambition, historical reckoning, and intense public scrutiny. Known formally as “Bongbong Marcos,” the son of former autocrat Ferdinand Marcos Sr.—whose 21-year dictatorship remains a defining trauma in Philippine history—Bongbong Marcos entered office with the dual burden of honoring his family’s complicated past while forging a distinct vision for governance.

His presidency has sparked debate over memory, accountability, economic direction, and democratic resilience, making his legacy one of the most dissected of recent Southeast Asian politics.

The Marcos Jr. administration’s first years were marked by deliberate efforts to redefine national identity through historical memory.

Central to this was the rehabilitation of his father’s legacy, a project that revived debates long suppressed. In 2023, the government officially moved the Philippine Nation’s Overseas Economic Zone in Manila to honor Ferdinand Marcos Sr., reframing his rule as a period of national modernization rather than repression. State-sponsored commemorations and archival disclosures, though limited, signaled a shift: where once silence dominated, now selected narratives reemerge.

“We grapple with the past not to erase it, but to understand its full weight,” said Marcos Jr. during a state visita in 2023, acknowledging that “history is complex—both lessons and omissions.” This cautious engagement with history reflects a leadership style steeped in symbolism, aiming to reconcile generational divides while asserting continuity in policy.

Economically, Marcos Jr.

has championed infrastructure expansion and fiscal discipline, positioning his government as a steward of stable growth. His signature initiative, the Build, Build, Build program, continues to deliver critical transportation and public works projects. By the end of 2023, over 300 major projects were underway, with investments totaling more than $30 billion, including toll roads, railways, and energy facilities.

The Department of Public Works and Highways reports that the program has stimulated job creation and improved regional connectivity, particularly in underserved provinces. “Our roads are not mere asphalt—they are arteries of opportunity,” Marcos Jr. stated at a ribbon-cutting in Cebu.

Critics, however, highlight persistent inequality and debt concerns, noting that while infrastructure grows, access remains uneven. “Investment must go hand-in-hand with inclusive growth,” warned former central banker Amando M.solve, urging greater transparency in procurement and marginalized community inclusion.

Political dynamics under Marcos Jr.

reflect both consolidation and contestation. His party, theتدversalMarcos Table ( 2. Marcos’s political base remains anchored in key rural regions and among older voters nostalgic for mid-century stability.

Yet opposition mobilization has intensified, with youth-led coalitions and civil society groups questioning accountability—especially regarding human rights violations linked to his father’s regime. The Commission on Human Rights has reiterated calls for the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Rights Act*, a legislative push stalled amid parliamentary resistance.

Legislatively, Marcos Jr. has relied on a mix of strategic alliances and party cohesion to advance key measures.

The 2023 first term saw passage of the Retirement Benefits Modernization Act and reforms to the Public Services Commission aimed at curbing cronyism. Yet policy progress has been uneven, hindered by legislative gridlock and public skepticism. The chairman of Senate Committee on Good Governance observed, “Believability is earned, not assumed—and Marcos’ administration still proves itself daily.”

Environmental policy has emerged as another defining frontier.

While Marcos Jr. champions renewable energy development—citing solar and wind projects to reduce coal dependency—environmental advocates express concern over large-scale mining and coastal reclamation programs. The 2023-2025 National Climate Change Action Plan emphasizes both mitigation and adaptation, including flood control infrastructure in Metro Manila and biodiversity conservation in Palawan.

However, reports from Greenpeace Philippines warn of inadequate environmental impact assessments and insufficient community consultation, calling for stronger safeguards against ecological degradation.

Internationally, the Philippines under Marcos Jr. has sought deeper integration, re-engaging with multilateral institutions and reinforcing defense ties with the United States under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. His administration advocates climate resilience as a foreign policy pillar, positioning the archipelago as a frontline nation in global climate negotiations.

“We speak not just for the Philippines, but for every small nation facing rising seas,” stated Marcos Jr. during COP28, aligning his foreign vision with domestic urgency.

Society remains deeply split along generational, regional, and ideological lines.

Polls indicate generational divides: while elders often associate stability with Marcos-era governance, younger Filipinos prioritize transparency and reform, disillusioned by inherited power structures. The rise of digital activism has amplified scrutiny, with grassroots campaigns demanding reparations for historical injustices and accountability for past abuses. “Memory is not just personal—it’s political,” said historian Dr.

Maria Santos, “and how Marcos Jr. navigates it will define his legacy as much as his policies.” Meanwhile, urban centers buzz with civic engagement, education reforms, and tech-driven governance experiments signaling a modernizing impulse beneath tradition.

Behind the headlines lies a presidency writing a contested narrative—one shaped by power, memory, and the persistent challenge of democratic renewal.

In a nation still healing from authoritarian trauma, Marcos Jr.’s actions test whether a return to symbolic inheritance can coexist with structural reform. His tenure exemplifies the delicate balance between honoring legacy and confronting history, between continuity and change. As Philippines navigates this pivotal moment, one truth remains clear: the legacy of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

is not written in monuments alone, but in how leadership transforms memory into meaningful progress.