MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, unveiling a broad agenda that included a tougher campaign against corruption, the removal of system loss charges from electricity bills, tax relief measures, and a renewed commitment to defend the country’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, Marcos declared that public service must take precedence over political and personal ties as his administration intensifies investigations into alleged corruption, particularly involving multibillion-peso flood control projects.
“I am not the president of my family. I am not the president of my friends. I am the president of the Philippines,” Marcos said, emphasizing that no one would be spared from accountability if found to have violated the law.
The President said ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects would continue regardless of who may be implicated. His remarks came amid public scrutiny over projects being investigated by the government, including allegations involving influential political figures.
One of the most applauded announcements during the address was Marcos’ directive to the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to stop charging consumers for electricity system losses caused by power theft, illegal connections, and distribution inefficiencies.
“For too long, ordinary consumers have been paying for losses they did not create,” Marcos said, adding that electricity distributors should be responsible for minimizing technical and non-technical losses instead of passing the burden on to consumers.
The President also urged Congress to approve measures that would provide additional tax relief to Filipino workers and reduce the tax burden on small businesses to help ease the impact of rising living costs and stimulate economic growth.
Marcos outlined several priorities for the remainder of his administration, including strengthening food security, expanding irrigation and agricultural support, improving healthcare services, modernizing education, accelerating digital transformation, enhancing disaster resilience, and sustaining the government’s infrastructure program under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda.
On foreign policy, the President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, stressing that the country would continue to uphold the 2016 Arbitral Award and international law.
“Our rights are not negotiable,” Marcos said, reiterating that the Philippines would defend its maritime territory through peaceful and lawful means.
The President also highlighted gains in employment, investments, tourism, infrastructure development, and digital connectivity, while acknowledging that inflation, food prices, and public services remain among the government’s biggest challenges.
Outside the Batasang Pambansa, various groups staged demonstrations calling for higher wages, lower prices of basic commodities, and greater government accountability. Security was tightened around the complex as thousands of police officers were deployed to maintain order throughout the annual event.
The fifth SONA also drew lawmakers, diplomats, cabinet officials, business leaders, and several celebrities who walked the traditional red carpet before the session. Among those in attendance were actors Aga Muhlach, Charlene Gonzalez, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Tito Sotto, and Ciara Sotto, whose appearances generated significant attention on social media.
Marcos’ address lasted more than an hour and served as his administration’s legislative roadmap for the coming year. With less than two years remaining in his six-year term, the President said his government would focus on translating its commitments into tangible results, particularly in fighting corruption, lowering the cost of living, strengthening public services, and sustaining economic growth.
The State of the Nation Address is a constitutional requirement in which the President reports on the country’s condition, outlines the administration’s accomplishments, and presents its legislative priorities before Congress. This year’s address is considered one of the most significant of Marcos’ presidency as it sets the agenda leading into the final years of his administration.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
