The first half of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) term is drawing to a close. At this stage, his overriding concern is no longer just governance, but post-term survival as well. History looms heavily over the time-bound occupant of Malacañang Palace.
PBBM knows how former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (FPGMA) left office under a cloud of criminal cases and public humiliation. He also knows how he himself allowed the political tide to turn against former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD). PBBM understands that in Philippine politics, today’s ally can easily become tomorrow’s prosecutor (persecutor).
From 2026 onwards, PBBM’s decisions will be shaped by one objective. He wants to exit power quietly, with dignity intact. He wants to avoid the spectacle of a former president dragged into a hospital detention room or hauled before an international tribunal. Whether fair or not, that fear is rational. The hard truth is public goodwill usually runs thin at the end of a president’s term.
This is why PBBM can rationalize his position on FPRRD’s case. Public opinion surveys consistently show majority support for accountability for extrajudicial killings. Many Filipinos believe the domestic justice system is too weak or compromised to deliver justice. That belief has shielded PBBM from serious backlash over his decision to allow international proceedings to move forward. But that shield will not last forever.
By 2028, PBBM will need a critical mass of Filipinos who genuinely believe that retribution no longer serves the national interest. He will need voters to feel that reopening wounds would derail something larger and more valuable. That is not achieved through speeches or slogans. It is achieved by changing the material condition of everyday Filipinos.
One obvious strategy is economic momentum. This does not mean an economic miracle or rapid growth figures worthy of campaign posters. What matters is direction. Filipinos must feel that life is steadily improving, that opportunities are expanding, and that the country is finally on a sustainable upward path. When people believe prosperity is within reach, they become less willing to burn everything down for the sake of retribution.
Economic momentum also helps sell another crucial idea: administrative continuity. PBBM clearly wants Filipinos to believe that whatever progress exists must not be disrupted. The subtext is simple. If you want stability, you must protect the administration and its legacy. He has begun floating this narrative himself, especially in recent public statements.
But continuity cannot be built on vibes alone. Being “connected” to Gen Z and Millennial voters through social media updates will not cut it. Younger voters are less sentimental and more pragmatic. They want proof. And right now, that proof must come in the form of credible anti-corruption action.
This is where the real test lies. If PBBM wants an anti-corruption legacy, the big players in pork barrel corruption must go to jail. Not selectively. Not symbolically. Across the board. No exemptions for political allies or family connections. Without that, every claim of reform collapses. And the claim of administrative continuity goes down the toilet, too.
The uncomfortable reality is that many Filipinos, especially younger voters, expect accountability at the highest levels. That expectation inevitably includes former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Fair or not, his continued freedom undermines the administration’s anti-corruption narrative. If the public perceives that powerful insiders remain untouchable, the thirst for justice will persist into 2028. PBBM cannot just decree that away.
Succession planning is equally delicate. PBBM needs a successor who embodies continuity without triggering fatigue or factional warfare. The candidate must project stability, competence, and restraint. Gen Z and Millennial voters have little patience for bangayan and bardagulan. They see factionalism for what it is: self-serving noise that benefits politicians, not the country.
Reviving the UniTeam concept is worth considering. In theory, it could work again. But only with a crucial change. This time, unity must be anchored in principles and programs, not merely electoral arithmetic. Voters are far more skeptical now. They want coherence, not convenience. A ticket that looks like a reunion of dynasties will be utterly rejected.
Some hardened political operators argue that Marcos must also neutralise the strongest potential 2028 contender. Clear the path early, they say. There is logic to this, but it is also risky. Aggressive political demolition can easily backfire. Younger voters, in particular, are allergic to old-school power plays. They care more about national outcomes than political bloodsport.
The next three years do not have to be a lame-duck period. PBBM still has room to define his legacy. But that will require less image management and more hard, unglamorous work. Less papogi. More elbow grease. Real reforms. Real prosecutions. Real consequences.
The images that haunt Philippine presidents after office are not abstract. FPGMA’s neck brace. FPRRD’s incarceration and isolation. PBBM knows this. Avoiding fate will require bold choices and painful sacrifices. The clock is ticking, and history is unforgiving.
