The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
MALATE, Manila — Amidst the accusations and black propaganda from critics, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. has doggedly sought to reverse the negativity by directing all efforts of government to strengthen our country’s economy and thus uplift the lives of millions of Filipinos families.
In this bid, the chief executive is seeking moral reformation by directing Congress to prioritize landmark reform measures that address long-standing issues in Philippine politics, among them an anti-dynasty bill, reform of the party-list system, creation of an Independent People’s Commission and expanded public access to government expenditures.
For civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, the President’s initiatives aim to strengthen accountability and ensure that political power serves the people rather than entrenched interests.
“The directive reflects a clear and deliberate form of leadership that puts national interest above political comfort. Setting these reforms as a priority is a call to renew public trust. It shows a President willing to confront what others have long avoided,” the civic leader pointed out.
And in expounding each effort, he cited that the anti-dynasty bill has remained unresolved for decades—often discussed yet rarely advanced—so, by placing it at the top of the legislative agenda, President Marcos Jr. signals the readiness to address a structural issue at the heart of Philippine politics.
“True reform requires courage. Any leader can promise change. It takes a steadier hand to pursue reforms that challenge familiar power structures,” Goitia enthused.
PBBM’s directive likewise includes a proposal to settle issues in the country’s sectoral representation through the Party-List System Reform Act, which is intended to restore the original spirit of the law. Over time, the system drifted away from marginalized sectors and moved toward groups with resources and influence. Fixing this is essential to democratic integrity.
“Representation must belong to those who have earned their voice, not those who simply found a way around the system.”
The President is also pushing for greater citizen access to government expenditures. This aligns with a larger effort to normalize transparency and make public service easier to understand and evaluate: “Trust grows when institutions open their doors. Transparency is not a slogan. It is a commitment.”
In an era marked by noise and speculation, President Marcos Jr. chose to focus on long-term institutional reforms rather than short-term political maneuvering, offering direction instead of distraction.
This, Goitia says, is the kind of leadership the country needs: “Reform begins with intention, but it succeeds through consistency. The President has set the direction. Now the challenge is for all branches of government to move with the same clarity of purpose.”
In conclusion, the civic leader asserted that “leadership is not defined by comfort. It is defined by the willingness to repair what has long been broken. In choosing to champion these reforms, the President affirms that governance is ultimately a duty to the Filipino people.”