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The Philippine Star
December 12, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — While he now finds it hard to sleep and feels always blamed for all the problems plaguing the country, President Marcos said he can assure the nation that he remains in good mental health and can even claim being the “luckiest man I know.”
“I’m fine. Perhaps over the years, I already got used to the huge advantage because my father became a president,” Marcos said in the second part of the sixth episode of his podcast. “For 20 years I watched him. I said I know how difficult this job is. So you have to learn to manage it.”
Upon assuming the presidency, he said, “I did not want to rest. There is a lot of things to do. But you have to teach yourself, you need to take a break.”
Marcos noted that one’s clear thinking may be affected if tiredness sets in.
“I don’t mean two-month vacation. I’m talking about taking three hours off... and doing something – I don’t know, listen to music or share stories with your kids – something different,” he said.
“I’ve been through hell and high water, you know, I don’t panic anymore. I don’t get rattled.”
Marcos made the remarks as his critics questioned his capability to perform his functions following allegation of his elder sister Sen. Imee Marcos that he is using illegal drugs.
Malacañang has described Imee’s claim as “baseless” and a “desperate move.” Last month, Marcos said he, his family and friends have been very worried about Imee.
“The lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister. And that view is shared by our cousins, our friends,” the President told reporters at a press conference last Nov. 24. “We are very worried about her. I hope she feels better soon.”
Not enough sleep
Asked during the podcast about the things he can no longer enjoy to the fullest now that he is President, Marcos replied: “Sleep.”
“It’s hard to have a complete hours of sleep. Sometimes you finish late and even if you finish late, you still have to do a few things. You need to read something so you will be ready for the next day,” the Chief Executive said.
“Because you think of a lot of things, when you are awakened because of some noise or if you got bitten by a mosquito or whatever, it is hard for you to return to sleep. You will again think of the things you need to do,” he said.
The Chief Executive expressed hope that the next administrations would build on the structural reforms started under his term.
“My hope and the reason the structural change is important is because even if I am no longer here, I hope the changes that we started will continue,” he said.
“Do it (structural change) in such a way that it will continue, it will even get better, especially if we choose our presidents well.”
Despite the pressures of politics and governance, Marcos said he still regards himself the “luckiest person” he knows.
“Would I want to have been born to another family? Absolutely not. I still consider myself the luckiest person I know. I do not know anyone as lucky as I am because my father was like that, my mother was like that. All of your experiences, even if you did not enjoy some of them, will bring you lessons,” the President said.
Marcos, who served as a congressional representative, governor, vice governor and senator before becoming President, revealed that he did not want to enter politics when he was young.
“But you cannot predict it. Now I am here. Not that I regret anything of it. I do not regret one day,” he said.
Marcos expressed hope that Congress would pass a “good” appropriations law.
“I don’t know how specific you want to get, but that for Christmas that the legislature will provide us a good budget... That will make for a very nice Christmas,” the President said.
Marcos added that he also wants to spend more time with his family, but clarified that he does not regret seeking the presidency.
“You know, in this job you cannot hang, you cannot chill... Of course, we used to enjoy that very much, especially when we were living in Ilocos. The children did not have jobs then. Our lives were very simple then. I miss that,” he said.
“I am not saying I’m not happy to be here. I’m happy to be here because you are given again the privilege to help, to do something, to help people’s lives. That’s the biggest privilege that anyone can give you. If you’re in public service, that’s the most – that’s golden.”
In an interview over radio dzMM meanwhile, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos is expected to stay in the country and work during Christmas to ensure that the 2026 budget would be enacted on time.
“If the enrolled (budget) bill is transmitted on (Dec.) 23, it seems that it would mean sleepless nights for the President, so how can he travel?”
She stressed the President is fiercely against reenacting this year’s outlay. “I think the President will work on it. Even during Christmas, the President will work. The President will be focused on work, not on vacation.”
The Palace press officer expressed optimism that the P6.793-trillion proposed national budget would be signed into law within the year.
