Marcos: “If I weren’t President, I might be out in the streets with them”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addressed growing public unrest during a press briefing on Monday, September 15, as nationwide protests are set to take place on September 21, 2025. When asked whether these demonstrations could escalate into something similar to the large-scale uprising in Nepal, Marcos said this could only happen if the government fails to act decisively.
“That is only if we don’t do anything about it,” Marcos explained. “Do we blame them for going out of the streets? If I weren’t President, I might be out in the streets with them. I am angry. We should be angry. Make your feelings known.”
In response to widespread anger over corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects, Marcos announced the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). He appointed retired Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. as chairperson, citing Reyes’s reputation for honesty and fairness. The commission also includes former Public Works Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, SGV managing partner Rossana Fajardo, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser and investigator.
Marcos emphasized that the commission will be independent from the executive branch and other government agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police, which he said could face conflicts of interest. The ICI will have the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, conduct hearings, freeze assets, and recommend cases for prosecution to the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, or Civil Service Commission.
Marcos said this marks an important step for the government, stressing the need to act quickly and not waste the information provided by the public. The commission will begin daily meetings starting September 15 to establish its procedures and move forward with the investigation into billions of pesos allegedly lost to ghost projects and kickback schemes.
Marcos assured the public that the investigation would be fair and that everyone involved would be held accountable, emphasizing that actions would speak louder than words.
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