Guilty? Says who?

Marcos cannot govern on promises

The International Monetary Fund projects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.1 percent in 2027. The government is targeting 5 percent to 6 percent growth from 2027 to 2030.

Those numbers look good on paper. But for families struggling with food, electricity, and transportation costs, economic growth means nothing if their money still runs out before payday.

The Marcos administration must stop treating future growth as proof of success. A forecast is not a cheaper grocery bill. A growth target is not a salary increase. And promises of recovery do not erase the hardships Filipinos face today.

The government wants the public to look forward to 2027. But it must first answer for the economy Filipinos are living through now.

If growth improves next year, the administration may claim credit. That is politics. But real success must be measured by whether workers are earning enough, families are living better, and fewer Filipinos are struggling to survive.

Filipinos do not need another promise of a brighter tomorrow. They need a government that makes life more affordable today.

— Jason Mago

The price of failed leadership

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insists his government is acting. But where are the results?

Inflation reached 7.2 percent in September. Nearly half of Filipinos distrust him. These are not “numbers in the air,” Mr. President. They are the realities confronting families at every market stall and dinner table.

You speak of urgency and relief, yet ordinary Filipinos cannot feel either. Prices continue to climb while your administration insists its interventions are working.

Meanwhile, Malacañang remains entangled in political quarrels. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro seems to have an answer for every remark from Vice President Sara Duterte. Perhaps she should devote equal energy to explaining why groceries remain painfully expensive.

And Mr. Marcos, enough of the bucket controversy. Filipinos need affordable food, not another argument over how to collect water.

To the electorate, there is another uncomfortable truth: Corruption and incompetence thrive when voters repeatedly reward political dynasties, patronage, and empty promises. Elections have consequences, and those consequences eventually appear on the grocery bill.

Mr. President, the people have spoken. They want relief they can actually feel.

You cannot govern a hungry nation by insisting it has already been fed.

— Carl Magadia

She’s still got it

Sara Duterte topped a recent presidential preference survey for 2028. Two years from now, the Vice President lawmakers are seeking to remove from office could be occupying the highest seat in the land.

A September survey showed that half of Filipino adults picked her for president.

Meanwhile, Duterte dismissed allegations of her unexplained wealth as politically motivated, linking it to the 2028 elections. But an election is no substitute for an explanation.

Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros and Gilbert Teodoro trail far behind her, without impeachment baggage.

Sara also enjoys higher approval and trust ratings than Bongbong.

A recent survey put her at 54 percent approval and 55 percent trust. Marcos? Just 30 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

Sara is facing impeachment cases involving confidential funds and unexplained wealth, stands accused of publicly threatening government officials, has been questioned about her knowledge of Pax Silica, and was criticized for her silence on China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, while questions about her China-related business dealings persist.

That’s quite a political résumé to scrutinize.

Yet she continues to command substantial public support. All this while Filipinos are grappling with inflation, unemployment and hunger.

The contrast is difficult to ignore. So is the question it raises.

How much weight do Filipinos place on accountability when choosing their next leader?

Well, she’s still got it. The numbers, the charm, the public affection certainly.

God bless the Philippines.

— Vivienne Angeles