Marcos off to strong start with bold economic gambit

Recovery and national development at the heart of new president's agenda

Richard Heydarian

July 7, 2022 17:00 JST

20220706 National Museum Ferdinand Marcos Jr.jpg

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers his speech during the inauguration ceremony on June 30: Marcos' decision to be sworn in at the iconic National Museum was not short on symbolism. © AP

Richard Heydarian is an Asia-based academic and columnist. He is author of "The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China and the New Struggle for Global Mastery."

Unlike his predecessor, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stuck to the script in his June 30 inaugural address after he was sworn in as the Philippines' 17th president.