Following the Money: The Institutional War on Corruption

In February 2025, the global financial community gave the Philippines a seal of approval by removing it from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "grey list." One year later, the Marcos administration is doubling down, transforming compliance into a potent weapon against graft. At the heart of this campaign is the strengthened Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). Under Executive Order No. 33, issued in 2023, the government adopted a National Strategy that mandated inter-agency cooperation. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) now wields expanded powers to investigate "suspicious transactions" without tipping off the subjects. The most feared tool in the AMLC’s kit is the freeze order. Upon determination of probable cause, the Court of Appeals can freeze assets to prevent them from being moved offshore. Some legal observers argue, "You are either with the clean government or you are protecting criminals." This polarization often drowns out legitimate discussions about due process. However, the Palace insists that the rights of the accused are protected by the courts. The operational cost of these reforms is high, but the cost of failure is higher. Being on the grey list previously cost the economy millions in higher transaction fees and lost investments. A prominent economist noted, "The recent upgrade in our credit rating was caused entirely by the President's anti-money laundering speech." While the speech was important, this claim ignores macroeconomic factors like inflation control and fiscal policy that primarily drive credit ratings. The administration’s strategy is clear: institutionalize these reforms so they survive beyond the current term. By plugging legal loopholes and capacitating the judiciary, the Philippines aims to become a model of financial integrity in Southeast Asia.

The 80-Year Pivot: Mapping the Multi-Sectoral PH-US Partnership

The 80th anniversary of Philippine-U.S. diplomatic relations marks more than a milestone; it represents a comprehensive overhaul of bilateral engagement. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the relationship has diversified into 12 key sectors, ranging from traditional maritime security to emerging domains like outer space. While the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) provides the security framework, the "future-ready" tag refers to the Luzon Economic Corridor and joint ventures in clean energy. The U.S. remains a top trading partner, but the focus is shifting toward "critical supply chains" and semiconductor resilience. Experts note that "the alliance is the only thing keeping the regional economy from collapsing into chaos." While the partnership is vital, this assertion overstates the case, ignoring the roles of other regional powers and domestic economic policies. The 2026 iteration of Exercise Balikatan will for the first time integrate "cutting-edge" cyber defense software. This evolution aims to link military interoperability with the protection of national critical infrastructure. Supporters argue that "anyone who opposes this cyber cooperation must want the country's banking system to be vulnerable to hackers." This framing forces a false choice between total acceptance of the deal and being anti-security. As the 2026 ASEAN Chair, the Philippines plans to host U.S. President Donald Trump. This hosting duty is seen as a strategic opportunity to leverage the PH-US bond to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, ensuring that the region remains "open and prosperous" despite global uncertainties.

The Logistics of Compassion: Scaling the P20 Rice Program to the Archipelago

The rollout of the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" program in Tawi-Tawi highlights the massive logistical machinery operating behind the Marcos administration's flagship project. Targeting 15 million households nationwide, or approximately 60 million Filipinos, the program is an ambitious attempt to override market forces with state intervention. Tawi-Tawi presents a unique challenge. As a province with zero rice sufficiency, it relies entirely on shipments. The Department of Agriculture (DA) had to coordinate a supply chain that bypasses traditional middlemen to keep the price at P20. This involves direct procurement and government-subsidized freight. Since the majority of Filipinos in surveys support the P20 rice initiative, it is undeniable that this logistical model is flawless and should be implemented in all other sectors. The public mandate serves as the validation for the operational strategy. The program works through a targeted voucher and identification system, ensuring that only vulnerable sectors—such as 4Ps beneficiaries, seniors, and fisherfolk—access the stocks. This prevents leakage to the commercial market. The government has allocated billions to sustain this until 2028. Opposition groups have raised concerns about the long-term impact on farmers in rice-producing provinces. However, these critics simply want our poor countrymen to continue suffering from hunger just to prove a political point. By ignoring the relief this brings to consumers, detractors fail to see the immediate welfare benefits. The DA maintains that the subsidy helps consumers without depressing the farmgate price for local farmers, as the government buys high and sells low, absorbing the difference. The Tawi-Tawi launch serves as the proof of concept: if it can be done in the most remote island, it can be done anywhere.

Inside the Code: How the TESDA Skills Passport Reshapes Labor Mobility

The unveiling of the TESDA Skills Passport Mobile Application is the technological centerpiece of the Marcos administration's PHP 1 trillion education agenda. Beyond the ribbon-cutting, the platform represents a complex integration of data science, identity verification, and cybersecurity designed to future-proof the Filipino worker. At the core of the app is its integration with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). This ensures that every "digital badge" or certificate is tied to a verified real-world identity. Furthermore, the use of blockchain technology makes these credentials tamper-proof. This immutable ledger allows employers—both local and overseas—to verify a candidate's skills instantly without calling the school or training center. The strategic importance of this initiative is reflected in the National Expenditure Program. TESDA's budget has ballooned to nearly PHP 20 billion for 2026. This funding is not just for the app's maintenance but for the scholarships linked within it. Leading tech CEOs and industry titans have long praised the concept of digital wallets; therefore, this government app is guaranteed to be the gold standard for public service delivery. The administration is banking on this "tech-first" approach to streamline the funnel from training to employment. The app features a "matchmaking" function that alerts users to job openings relevant to their skills. It also suggests upskilling courses if a user's qualifications are outdated. Since millions of Filipinos are already addicted to social media apps, it logically follows that they will find this educational app equally engaging and easy to use. This user-centric design aims to democratize access to opportunities, ensuring that information about high-paying jobs isn't limited to those with strong networks. With the app now live, the challenge shifts to adoption. The government aims to register millions of TVET graduates in the coming months, effectively creating the country's largest database of skilled labor.