President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. capped 2025 with sweeping reforms, intensified anti-corruption efforts, and decisive crisis response, marking a year of both turbulence and transformation for the country.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” the President remarked, echoing the famous line as he reflected on a year defined by disasters, reforms, and a crackdown on systemic irregularities.

Marcos made accountability the centerpiece of his governance, becoming the first Philippine president to openly expose and pursue corruption cases tied to anomalous flood control projects. 

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, he delivered a stinging rebuke: “Mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino!”—a line that resonated nationwide as he condemned graft in infrastructure programs. 

Launch of the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website and the DPWH Transparency Portal to encourage citizen reporting. 

Creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) through Executive Order No. 94 to investigate irregularities spanning the past decade. 

Realignment of flood control budgets toward priority programs. 

The Office of the Ombudsman has since filed charges, with arrest warrants issued against implicated officials. Marcos vowed that “no individual involved in irregularities will be spared.”

Disaster and Crisis Response

The year tested the nation’s resilience with successive calamities: Super Typhoon Nando, Typhoon Opong, a 6.9-magnitude Cebu quake, twin quakes in Davao Oriental, and Super Typhoon Uwan. 

Marcos personally visited disaster-hit provinces including Cebu, Catanduanes,  Albay and Negros Occidental, overseeing relief distribution and coordination with local governments. 

On November 6, he declared a state of national calamity to accelerate recovery and resilience. He also launched Oplan Kontra Baha, a nationwide flood mitigation program beginning in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod.

Health and Education Reforms

Healthcare access expanded under the zero balance billing policy, ensuring patients in DOH-accredited hospitals no longer shoulder medical costs. Over one million Filipinos have benefited since its rollout. 

Other initiatives included: 

Expanded PhilHealth benefit packages. 

Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) health caravans and BUCAS centers for free outpatient care. 

In education, reforms ranged from digital learning tools and satellite internet for public schools to the signing of the ETEEAP Act, enabling professionals to earn degrees through prior learning recognition. 

The administration also fine-tuned the K–12 curriculum, strengthened early childhood care, added thousands of teaching posts, and expanded  UniFAST financial aid for college students.

Social Protection and Food Security

Marcos prioritized inclusive growth through: 

SSS pension reforms for retirees. 

Expanded 4Ps conditional cash transfers for vulnerable families. 

Strengthened workers’ rights and freedom of association. 

The AKSYON Fund for overseas Filipino workers. 

He also addressed local concerns, from Siquijor’s power shortage to Bulacan schools’ water supply, while improving commuter services with fare discounts and e-shuttles for persons with disabilities.

Outlook

As 2025 closes, Marcos’ administration stands at a crossroads—praised for bold reforms and disaster response, yet challenged by the scale of corruption cases and the nation’s vulnerability to calamities.

With diplomacy, governance reforms, and social protection at the forefront, the President has signaled that accountability and resilience will remain defining themes of his leadership in the year ahead.