Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Built World

Backing the project as an energy-security measure

On July 14, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated Phase 1 of MTerra Solar as the world's largest solar-plus-storage farm. Phase 1 has 1,373 megawatts of solar capacity and 825 megawatts of battery storage — 3,300 megawatt-hours in total — now feeding power into the Manila grid from two provinces north of the capital.

Updated Jul 16

Money Moves

In office; called the upgrade a 'vote of confidence,' met Canadian PM Carney in Vancouver on July 3

On July 1, 2026, the World Bank raised the Philippines to upper-middle-income status for the first time since 1987. Income per person reached $4,850, clearing the $4,636 cutoff after 39 years in the lower tier.

Updated Jul 3

Force in Play

Overseeing rapid expansion of Philippine military partnerships

For decades, security in the western Pacific ran through Washington. Countries struck bilateral deals with the United States and, mostly, with no one else. That model is dissolving. On March 27, the Philippines and France signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in Paris. It's the Philippines' first such pact with a European partner. The agreement gives each country's troops a legal basis to train and operate on the other's soil. France now joins the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada on a growing list of nations with military access arrangements in the Philippines. Four of these were signed in under two years.

Updated May 30

Rule Changes

Signed 2026 budget with P92.5B vetoes; faces plunder charge recommendations implicating him in P100B insertion scheme

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a $115 billion budget on January 5, 2026, while vetoing $1.6 billion in unprogrammed appropriations—slashing discretionary funds to their lowest level since 2019. The veto follows scandal over phantom flood control projects: former lawmaker Zaldy Co admitted to inserting $1.69 billion into the 2025 budget, implicating Marcos's cousin, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in an alleged kickback scheme.

Updated May 19

Rule Changes

Named victim in conspiracy-to-murder article

The Philippine Senate put on judicial robes Monday and opened the second impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The House charges her with stealing public money, hiding wealth, and plotting to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. killed.

Updated May 18

Force in Play

Balancing deterrence, alliance management, and domestic anger over sea confrontations

A month ago, China's coast guard escalated beyond shoving resupply convoys. It blasted water cannons at small Philippine fishing boats near Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, damaged two vessels, and left three fishermen injured. Chinese craft allegedly cut anchor lines and boxed out rescuers.

Updated May 15