Marcos Jr. vows ‘no excuses’ for better Philippines

By Sean Rafio

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. promised unity and sufficiency in his inaugural speech after taking his oath of office as the 17th president of the Philippines at the National Museum in Manila City on June 30, 2022.

Marcos prefaced his speech with his campaign call for unity as he urged Filipinos to work with him in his government.

“We will go very far under my watch. You believe that too, at pinakinggan ko ang tinig ninyo, na ang sinisigaw ay pagkakaisa, pagkakaisa, pagkakaisa,” he said in his 25-minute inaugural address.

The country’s chief executive said his administration will be geared towards pandemic recovery by offering more opportunities for every Filipino to assist them during difficult times.

He said his Cabinet will use fresh techniques in handling crises, both local and foreign.

Marcos Jr. also said that food self-sufficiency will be a priority of his administration.

“The role of agriculture cries for attention… Food self-sufficiency has been the promise of every administration. None but one delivered.”

He said there are “inherent defects” in the country’s trade policies and spoke of the need for “radical changes” amid disruptions in worldwide food prices and supply due to the Ukraine crisis.

“There were inherent defects in the old ways and in recent ways, too. The trade policy of competitive advantage made the case that when it comes to food self-sufficiency, a country should not produce but import what other countries make more of and sell cheapest. Then came Ukraine,” he said.

Marcos expressed confidence that Vice President Sara Duterte will be able to reform the education system to ensure that Filipino graduates would secure jobs.

“What we teach in our schools, the materials used must be rethought. I am not talking about history. I am talking about the basics, the sciences. Sharpening theoretical aptitude and imparting vocational skills,” he said.

The country’s new leader admitted there were “shortcomings” in the pandemic response of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

“We will not be caught unprepared, unequipped, and understaffed to fight the next pandemic. To start with, we never got over the pandemic of poor, if any, free public health. The last major upgrade of a public health system exemplified by the resources poured into PGH (Philippine General Hospital) predates the current shambles by three generations,” he said.

Ongoing infrastructure projects during Duterte’s term will also be continued under the Marcos administration “so that no investment is wasted.”

Marcos also vowed to give overseas Filipino workers all the advantages under his administration “for them to survive and to thrive.”

HAIL TO THE FATHER

Marcos Jr.’s speech was also filled with tributes for his father and namesake, the country’s late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“I once knew a man who saw what little had been achieved since Independence in a land of people with greatest potential for achievement and yet they were poor. But he got it done. So will it be for his son. You will get no excuses from me,” Marcos said.

Marcos also hailed his father’s foreign policy.

“We resisted and never failed to defeat foreign attempts to break up our country in my father’s watch. His strongest critics have conceded that.”

He also claimed his father built more infrastructure, which was only equaled by former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

“My father built more and better roads, produced more rice than all administrations before his. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte built more and better than all the administrations succeeding my father’s.”

HOPE, COMMITMENT

The 64-year-old President ended his inaugural speech with a promise of hope and a commitment to work his hardest in the service of the Filipino people.

“I will try to spare you, you have your other responsibilities to carry. But I will not spare myself from shedding the last bead of sweat or giving the last ounce of courage and sacrifice,” Marcos said.

“Believe, have hope. The sun also rises like it did today and as it will tomorrow. And as surely as that, we will achieve the country, all Filipinos deserve. God bless the Philippines. God bless our work. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” the President added.

Marcos made his promises before guests at the National Museum in Manila and on national TV after he won the May elections with over 31 million votes, making him the first majority president since 1986. (With a report from PCIJ)