NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Duterte Claims Marcos Jr. Is Failing At Job Creation - House Rep. Fires Back With Hard Facts
Screengrab from Congress PH
Looks like former President Rodrigo Duterte is back with another bold claim—this time, saying that his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., hasn’t done much to boost the economy, especially when it comes to job creation. But House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V isn’t letting that slide.
“Mr. Duterte is playing fast and loose with numbers again,” Ortega said. “The data tells a different story—his administration actually did worse in creating jobs.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the unemployment rate in 2024 under Marcos Jr. stands at 3.82%—a huge improvement from the 10.26% unemployment rate in 2020, which happened before the pandemic even hit full force. Ortega pointed out that this steady decline proves the current administration’s focus on economic recovery and job opportunities.
Unemployment rate under Marcos Jr.:
• 2022: 5.39%
• 2023: 4.35%
• 2024: 3.82%
Meanwhile, underemployment—people who have jobs but need more work hours or better pay—has also dropped. During Duterte’s time, it stayed above 16% from 2017 to 2020. Under Marcos Jr., it’s down to 11.93% in 2024—the lowest in recent years.
Can Duterte Blame the Pandemic?
Ortega doesn’t think so. “Duterte can’t use the pandemic as an excuse for his economic failures. He had years to strengthen the labor market before COVID-19, but his administration didn’t prepare for economic shocks,” he said.
In contrast, Ortega praised Marcos Jr. for prioritizing job creation, foreign investments, and infrastructure. “His administration isn’t just focused on short-term recovery—it’s laying down long-term employment solutions,” he added.
A Call for Constructive Criticism
Instead of just throwing criticisms, Ortega urged Duterte and his allies to help strengthen the economy rather than distort facts. “If they truly care about the Filipino people, they should contribute constructively,” he said.
So, are we looking at real economic progress under Marcos Jr., or is this just another round of political bickering? Either way, the numbers seem to be on the current administration’s side.
“Mr. Duterte is playing fast and loose with numbers again,” Ortega said. “The data tells a different story—his administration actually did worse in creating jobs.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the unemployment rate in 2024 under Marcos Jr. stands at 3.82%—a huge improvement from the 10.26% unemployment rate in 2020, which happened before the pandemic even hit full force. Ortega pointed out that this steady decline proves the current administration’s focus on economic recovery and job opportunities.
Unemployment rate under Marcos Jr.:
• 2022: 5.39%
• 2023: 4.35%
• 2024: 3.82%
Meanwhile, underemployment—people who have jobs but need more work hours or better pay—has also dropped. During Duterte’s time, it stayed above 16% from 2017 to 2020. Under Marcos Jr., it’s down to 11.93% in 2024—the lowest in recent years.
Can Duterte Blame the Pandemic?
Ortega doesn’t think so. “Duterte can’t use the pandemic as an excuse for his economic failures. He had years to strengthen the labor market before COVID-19, but his administration didn’t prepare for economic shocks,” he said.
In contrast, Ortega praised Marcos Jr. for prioritizing job creation, foreign investments, and infrastructure. “His administration isn’t just focused on short-term recovery—it’s laying down long-term employment solutions,” he added.
A Call for Constructive Criticism
Instead of just throwing criticisms, Ortega urged Duterte and his allies to help strengthen the economy rather than distort facts. “If they truly care about the Filipino people, they should contribute constructively,” he said.
So, are we looking at real economic progress under Marcos Jr., or is this just another round of political bickering? Either way, the numbers seem to be on the current administration’s side.
Feb 17, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
