He commanded the Burgundian forces occupying Paris in 1419, but he returned to Brabant in 1420, where the populace complained of his brother's misadministration. He was declared ruwaard (regent) of Brabant. In 1421, he was reconciled with his brother, and resigned the regency. The citizens were pacified by John's "Nieuw Regiment" in 1422.
During his own reign, Philip was forced to grant concessions to the nobility in 1428. Wary of the rise of his cousin and heir Philip the Good in the Hook and Cod wars, he sought a marital alliance with Louis II of Anjou against Burgundy. Because his wife, Margaret, had borne him no children, his death in 1430 placed Brabant in the hands of Philip the Good, the next heir, whilst Saint-Pol and Ligny went to his great-aunt Jeanne, by proximity of blood. His wife was placed in the guardianship of Philip the Good.