Philippines’ Marcos pushes more social programmes, jobs to soothe public discontent


Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Monday, July 28, 2025. -- Photo: REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA (Bloomberg) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said recent midterm elections showed the public’s discontent over issues ranging from poverty to corruption, pledging to roll out more social programmes, create jobs and attract investment in the second half of his single six-year term.

"If only data will be the basis, the economy is doing well. Inflation has slowed down and employment has increased,” Marcos said in his annual State of the Nation Address to Congress on Monday. "But this is irrelevant if Filipinos are suffering.”

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