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On a gloomy day, noon of June 30, 2022, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. became president of the Republic of the Philippines. In simple but refined ceremonies, Bongbong Marcos took his oath of office before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, representatives of world leaders, government officials and the Filipino people. It caps a triumphant journey for Bongbong Marcos from a heartbreaking defeat in 2016, the unrelenting attacks on his family, to a historic and landslide victory in the May 2022 elections.

Political stability is key to economic growth, and we as a nation have achieved this in the past 20 years despite a myriad of challenges and natural disasters.


The democratic process is working in the Philippines and has led to vibrant discussions on political and economic reforms. The smooth transition of power last week is an example of how we as a democratic country matured, notwithstanding our political differences.

The Philippine Vice President has traditionally been viewed as a mere backup, a spare tire, to the President. Unlike in the United States where the VP serves as the president of the Senate and presides over the Senate’s daily proceedings, the Philippine Constitution merely suggests a possible role for the second in command: “The Vice-President may be appointed as a member of the Cabinet. Such appointment requires no confirmation” (Art VII, Sec 3 [2]). Aside from this non-binding Cabinet offer, the vice president is likewise mandated to assume the presidency in case of the death, disability, or resignation of the sitting President.