Marcos-Duterte Takes a Year of Leadership at Full Speed, Economic Debt Intensifies

More than a trillion pesos have piled into the country’s debt since Marcos Jr. took office. A 14-year high inflation rate has also been recorded. While rates of unemployment dropped, food prices skyrocketed—towering prices of rice, onion, sugar, and eggs surfaced, influencing the basic subsistence of farmers, jeepney drivers, and other Filipinos on the margins.

As the president, it should be Marcos Jr.’s primary role to lead the country at the forefront of the charge against poverty, but that will prove impossible if he is not present, preoccupied with expensive trips and attending inappreciable events. Even when present, Marcos Jr.’s priority list is distorted just like his predecessor, focusing on initiatives and anti-poor policies like the Maharlika Investment Fund, Sim Registration Act, and Jeepney Modernization Program, which hold zero relevance to the economic crises and debt the country is facing — leaving the Philippines hanging by a thread.

Meanwhile, Sara Duterte is far from accomplishing her promises during the campaign. Instead of addressing the Philippine's education woes, the Department of Education chief’s effort is directed to red-tagging critics and pushing for the Mandatory ROTC — only inciting more power-tripping, violence, and impunity.

The elected Marcos-Duterte tandem who came from two powerful dynasties need to be reminded that a political post is not an entitlement and the Philippine’s democracy is no punching bag for their temper tantrums and injustices. As the negligence and abuse continue, the people’s burning passion to strive for a better Philippines through better leadership will eventually take it to the streets.

It has been a year since over 30 million people voted for Marcos Jr. to assume the presidency, yet it seems like that is all he has done—assume the title.