MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to sustain the country’s economic momentum by continuing to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health, and education.
The President made this commitment as he touted that the Philippine economy grew by 6.3 percent in the second quarter of this year, which he attributed to the investments and constructions under the Build Better More program.
“While these numbers are rosy, these mean nothing if our countrymen will not feel its effects,” Marcos said in a video message posted on his social media on Friday night.
“So I assure you, this government will continue to invest in job-generating infrastructure, social protection programs, health and education for all Filipinos. We will not rest on our laurels but use them to propel us forward into social and economic transformation,” he added.
The country’s economic growth accelerated to 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, higher than the 4.3 percent during the same period last year and the 5.8 percent in the first quarter of this year.
Marcos also reported the drop in the country’s unemployment rate in June to 3.1 percent, one of the lowest on record for the last two decades.
“That’s why we continue to provide adequate and quality jobs,” he said. “Over 50.3 million Filipinos are now employed, with 63.8 percent of them in the formal sector.”
The President also assured Filipinos of his administration’s commitment to combat poverty, saying the goal is already “within its reach” as the latest poverty rate also dropped to 15.5 percent.
“That means we have lifted two and a half million Filipinos out of poverty and only 10.9 percent of Filipino families remain poor,” Marcos said.
“Our goal is to further reduce this rate to 9 percent by 2028, and improve the lives of eight million Filipinos,” he added.
The video was posted hours after Vice President Sara Duterte released a statement criticizing the Philippine government for its supposed lack of action to address issues in health, security, infrastructure, and foreign interference.
In a lengthy statement addressed to the Muslim community on Wednesday, Duterte said the country was being led by officials who are disloyal to their sworn duty.
“The Philippines should be led by people who care and have the ability to promote clean government and the development of the country,” Duterte said in Filipino.
“However, the Philippines today is governed by those who have no loyalty to their sworn duty. We are now being overcome by fear for the future of our children,” she added.
The vice president also talked about the need for leaders to stay honest and focused on public service as well as steer clear from the temptations of money and illegal drugs
“Leadership is faithfulness to the oath of office. Leadership is faithful service to the people. Leaders should only say one thing — that ‘it is done,'” Duterte said in a separate statement posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday.
“Leaders should not be motivated by cash, cocaine or champagne. And, most certainly, leaders should not be made to hold champagne glasses,” she added.
The vice president’s remarks came after a video circulated on social media linking President Marcos to alleged use of illegal drugs.
Government officials dismissed the video as fabricated in a supposed attempt to tarnish the President’s reputation and create political instability.
Duterte’s comment also seemed to allude to a recent incident where First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos was spotted sipping from the champagne glass of Senate President Francis Escudero during a Palace event last June.
Duterte was Marcos’ running mate in the “UniTeam” that swept them to victory in the 2022 elections.
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