Marcos Willing

A week after the midterm polls. Only six senatorial candidates endorsed by Marcos made it to the Senate.

- — With Delon Porcalla, Mayen Jaymalin

They are former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, former senator Panfilo Lacson, former social welfare chief Erwin Tulfo, reelectionists Lito Lapid and Pia Cayetano and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.

The Alyansa did not drop Villar from its slate even after the latter openly sought and gained the Vice President's endorsement.

Marcos also said he may have to be tougher to get things done and to instill fear among wrongdoers and underperformers in government.

He acknowledged that the recently concluded midterm polls reflected the Filipinos' disappointment with government services.

"That's what we are supposed to be doing. It's good that the election is over. Enough of politics. Let us work. Let us do what we are supposed to do," the President told Taberna.

"People are disappointed with the service of the government. The progress of projects is too slow and they cannot feel it," he said.

"I said we have to change it. I looked at the huge and difficult projects for the long term and their effect. We will work on that."

Marcos said the administration's priority projects include those in the tourism, health and transportation sectors. He noted some projects like the Metro Manila Subway do not have problems but would take time to complete.

"But we need to do it. If we do not do it, what will happen? We will be stagnant. We have to do something new. There is a good saying, if not us, who? If not now, when? We need to do it," he added.

Marcos said he has realized that not enough attention was given to small things that would improve the daily lives of people, like the train queues and the traffic situation.

"We will now give attention to these," he said.

Asked to react to claims that he is not accomplishing the things he wants to do because he is "too nice," Marcos said he could no longer change his attitude, but acknowledged that being tough has its advantages.