Marcos Must Regain Trust as 2028 Polls Near, Analysts Warn

MANILA, Philippines — Public trust in President Marcos will depend on whether his administration can turn key reforms into tangible gains before political campaigning for the 2028 elections overshadows governance, experts said. They warned, during a Democracy Watch Philippines post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum over the weekend, that the Marcos administration has a limited window to address pressing issues such as the economy and security to regain public trust. "The administration must be able to demonstrate that its reforms are yielding positive results for the people," said one analyst. "Otherwise, as the election season approaches, the focus will shift from governance to politics, making it even harder to achieve tangible gains." Experts pointed to the need for concrete actions to combat inflation, boost economic growth, and improve the security situation in certain areas. These issues directly affect the daily lives of Filipinos and are key determinants of public sentiment. "We have seen in the past how election campaigns can distract from effective governance," noted another expert. "The Marcos administration needs to act decisively now to show the public that it is effectively addressing their concerns." The upcoming months will be critical for the Marcos administration to prove its capability to deliver on its promises and solidify its support base ahead of the 2028 polls.