Marcos' Christmas wish: A good budget, and quality family time
Published Dec 11, 2025 05:21 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (PCO screenshot)
President Marcos said his wish this Christmas is simple but difficult to achieve: securing “a good budget” from Congress and finding more time with his family amid the demands of the presidency.
In a podcast conversation with university student journalists, posted on his social media pages on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 11, Marcos was asked what he wanted for Christmas that remains hard to attain, even now that he’s the president.
“For Christmas, that the legislature will provide us a good budget. That will make for a very nice Christmas,” he replied with a mix of humor and candor.
When pressed for something more personal, Marcos said that the intangible gift he longs for is time—specifically, time to simply rest with his family, which he said the job rarely allows.
“Intangible, more time with my family,” he said, noting that the presidency is a life where “you cannot chill… there’s no… wala na yun (nothing like that).”
‘I miss the simple life’
President Marcos reflected on the contrast between his current responsibilities and the routine his family once had while living in Ilocos Norte.
“Simple lang yung buhay namin noon (We lived simple lives). I miss that,” he said.
However, he emphasized that he remains grateful for the opportunity to serve.
“I'm happy to be here because you're given the privilege to help, to do something, to help
people's lives,” Marcos said.
“That's the biggest privilege that anyone can give you. If you're in public service, that's the most that's a golden,” he added.
Despite the weight of the job, the President said he finds meaning in public service.
“What a privilege… binago mo yung buhay ng tao (when you change people’s lives). That changes your world. There’s nothing better,” he said.
Asked by students for advice on pursuing public service, Marcos said there was only one good reason for entering politics.
“So long as you enter politics for the right reason. And there’s only one right reason: to serve,” he said.
“There's no other correct reason. It's a thankless job, that's for sure. But it’s worth it,” he added.