MARCOS, AMONG TIME MAGAZINE’S ‘100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2024’

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been included in TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2024,” which includes other heads of state, celebrities, scientists and tycoons.

TIME magazine recognized Marcos’ leadership, citing how his administration steadied the post-coronavirus pandemic economy and how his presidency “elevated the Philippines on the world stage.”

The magazine mentioned his efforts to rehabilitate the name of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, and also highlighted his other achievements in office.

“He brought technocrats back into government, steadied the post-pandemic economy, and elevated the Philippines on the world stage,” Time’s news correspondent Charlie Campbell wrote.

“Many problems persist, including extrajudicial killings and journalists routinely attacked. But by trying to repair his family name, Bongbong may reshape his country too,” the article said.

TIME also recognized the President’s stance against China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the President’s inclusion in the TIME 100 list reflected his brand of leadership that puts the national interest and the welfare of every Filipino above all else.

“Under his Administration, the Philippines has experienced robust economic growth and recovery, exceeding expectations and instilling confidence in the country’s economic outlook,” the PCO said.

“Despite geopolitical tensions and the hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Marcos has elevated the Philippines on the world stage and contributed to regional stability, notably in the Indo-Pacific region,” it added.

The PCO noted how Marcos continues to “steer the country towards peace and prosperity towards his vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.”

Marcos is listed in the Leaders category, along with Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny; Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk; Taiwan President-elect Willian Lai; Argentina President Javier Milei; Qatar Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Adbulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; World Bank Group President Ajay Banga; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Other Philippine leaders who were featured in the list in previous years were Marcos’ predecessors Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 and Benigno Aquino III in 2013. 

HOUSE ‘YOUNG GUNS’ COMMEND PBBM  FOR TIME FEATURE

ALLIES of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. in the House of Representatives  led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez extended their congratulatory messages to the Chief Executive for being featured in the prestigious TIME news magazine. 

“Being lumped together with the world’s best and brightest, and to be touted as among the ‘Most Influential,’ is something that makes us proud of our President,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said of the article that included President Marcos, carrying the title “100 Most Influential People of 2024.”  

“It’s an affirmation that the 31 million Filipinos who voted for him simply made the right choice,” Khonghun said proudly, glad that the Philippines has now been “elevated in the world stage.”  

“This is a very good start for the administration. This also bodes well not just for our improving and stellar economy, but for the things to come in the next four years. The best is yet to come as they say,” House Deputy Majority Leader Migs Nograles of PBA Partylist remarked. 

Other administration lawmakers from the so-called “Young Guns” group in the Lower Chamber were elated that TIME magazine credited Marcos for his nearly two-year leadership, where he worked hard on stabilizing the Philippine economy in the post-pandemic phase, among other equally-important tasks. 

“This is not an easy feat I should say, as we all know how judicious and high-brow the magazine is. This is a highly-coveted article coming from a very prestigious magazine that is known globally for its integrity and credibility,” Taguig Rep. Pammy Zamora said.

Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Paolo Ortega of La Union have all concurred with their House colleagues too. 

Adiong gave his objective assessment of how the Marcos administration fared in its first two years, which earned the Chief Executive a favorable article from TIME authored by correspondent Charlie Campbell.  

“I can imagine how the President feels that after all his hard work, it has now come to this – a credit from no less than one of the most respected news magazines in the world for several decades. What he started to plant is now bearing fruit, so to speak,” Adiong said. 

“We’re glad that TIME magazine acknowledged that despite being a silent and low-key head of state, they gave credit to President Marcos for standing up against China’s continued advances over our very own maritime territory,” Adiong said.