MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered a candid glimpse into the grind of public service during an episode of his podcast, describing politics as a “thankless job” that demands selfless motives but delivers profound rewards through the privilege of changing lives. In Part 1 of BBM Podcast Episode 6, released on December 9, 2025, Marcos reflected on his decades-long political journey, advising aspiring leaders to enter the arena solely for the purpose of serving others, with no other “correct reason.”
Marcos, who began his career as vice governor of Ilocos Norte at age 23 in 1980, shared that the essence of politics lies in its impact beyond personal or familial gain. “So long as you enter politics for the right reason, and there’s only one reason: to serve. There is no other correct reason,” he said. He acknowledged the profession’s harsh realities—”It’s a thankless job, that’s for sure”—but countered that the fulfillment outweighs the toll. “But it’s worth it; it’s worth it. There’s nothing better, there’s nothing better than to help somebody outside of yourself, outside your family, your community, your country.”
The president evoked the emotional high of tangible change: “May nagawa, nagbago ‘yung buhay ng tao, can you imagine binago mo ‘yung buhay ng tao? What a privilege to be able to do that.” His words underscore a philosophy shaped by his own path—from governor of Ilocos Norte to exile in Hawaii following the 1986 People Power Revolution, and a triumphant return that saw him reclaim a congressional seat in 1991, secure a Senate victory in 2010, and ultimately win the presidency in 2022.
A Journey Through Triumph and Trial
Marcos’ political odyssey has been marked by highs and hurdles. After losing his first senatorial bid in 1995, he rebounded to win in 2010. His 2016 vice presidential run fell short to Leni Robredo, a defeat he contested with three unsuccessful election protests before the Supreme Court as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. Undeterred, he clinched the highest office in 2022, inheriting a nation grappling with pandemic recovery and economic scars.
The podcast episode, which delves into Marcos’ personal reflections, arrives amid a year of intense scrutiny, including probes into infrastructure graft and natural disaster responses. Yet, Marcos framed his insights as timeless guidance for the youth: Enter politics not for glory or gain, but for the quiet joy of service—a message that resonates as the Philippines eyes 2026 midterms and a future shaped by principled leadership.
For young Filipinos tuning in, Marcos’ advice cuts through the cynicism: Politics may be ungrateful, but its true currency is the lives it transforms. In a nation where public service often blurs with personal ambition, this episode serves as both memoir and manifesto—a reminder that the worthiest jobs are those that serve beyond self.