SONA 2026: Marcos To Present ‘A Lot Of Accomplishments’

President Marcos is working over the weekend to finish the draft of his fifth and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.

When pressed about the possible issues that would be tackled by the Chief Executive, Gomez said Marcos would likely “outline a lot of accomplishments” in the areas of education, affordable health care, transparency in public works and food security.

In an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel on Thursday, July 23, Gomez said the President would be working during the weekend to rehearse for his SONA. 

“As you know, the President really keeps it very close to his chest…he’s drafting his own SONA with inputs from the various departments,” Gomez said.  

Next chapter

“Abangan ang susunod na kabanata (Wait for the next chapter).”

This was President Marcos’ brief response when asked by media on Friday, July 24, during an interview at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga whether he would tackle corruption in his fifth SONA.

Last year, Marcos exposed in his address the multibillion-peso corruption in the government’s flood control projects, telling public officials “Mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame).”

Early this month, Marcos warned the government is not done yet in holding to account those behind substandard and ghost projects in the country, including those in past administrations.

“I cannot say that we have done enough because we are not done yet,” Marcos said at a press conference in Vancouver, Canada on July 4, noting that the extent of corruption in flood control projects seemed to extend beyond his administration.

Asked whether he already finished writing his speech, the President responded, “I’m never done. Until one hour before the SONA.” 

“I’m still changing it, you know, because, of course, we want it to be perfect… we’re just fixing it up and making sure that it’s not too long or too short, that we have everything that we want to talk about already,” Marcos added, noting that the script is more than 90 percent done. 

According to the Chief Executive, his address would also touch on his administration’s policies and programs that were done in the past year to address major challenges brought by “external forces.”

Priority bills

Speaker Faustino Dy III sought the help of the Senate in fast-tracking the approval of the Marcos administration’s priority legislation as the House of Representatives is eyeing to pass more bills before the end of the year. 

In a video statement, Dy said several priority bills are already moving through Congress, including the proposed Cybersecurity Act, which is scheduled for second reading, while eight other measures are awaiting action by the committee on appropriations or the committee on ways and means.

“We are asking our counterparts in the Senate to help us legislate other priority bills before the year ends,” he said.  

He expressed confidence that the Senate can simultaneously fulfill its constitutional duty as an impeachment court while continuing its legislative responsibilities. 

He added that both chambers can continue refining measures through bicameral conference committees and technical working groups.

Dy said Congress has approved 26 of the 52 LEDAC priority measures, including 15 of the 21 bills targeted for passage before the end of June.

Beware of agitators

Police are on the lookout for provocateurs who might disrupt demonstrations and sow chaos during the SONA.

While police officers play their role in maintaining peace and order, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Narratez Jr. urged rally organizers to monitor for potential saboteurs among their ranks.

“We call on all rally organizers to protect their own ranks and remain vigilant against outside provocateurs who might take advantage of the demonstrations to instigate violence,” he said.

The Quezon City government has granted permits for the rallies of three groups along Commonwealth Avenue.

Nartatez assured protesters police officers will strictly observe maximum tolerance and allow them to air their grievances against the government as long as they do not resort to violence.

Over 21,000 PNP personnel will secure the SONA in coordination with the Metropolitan Development Authority and other government agencies.

Court operations 

Work in courts across Metro Manila will be modified when President Marcos delivers his SONA.

The Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals and the Sandiganbayan – which is near the Batasang Pambansa complex where the SONA will be held – have suspended work during the event, according to their respective advisories.

The work suspension was put in place “due to anticipated traffic congestion and possible disruptions to public transportation,” they noted. Select units in these agencies, particularly security, cash collection and records, may implement skeleton forces.

Meanwhile, first and second-level courts in Metro Manila would implement a work-from-home schedule on SONA day, according to Lilian Barribal Co, deputy administrator of the Supreme Court.

Poverty, corruption 

Various religious groups on Friday asked President Marcos to address persistent poverty, corruption and lack of accountability as he set to deliver his address on Monday. 

In a joint statement, the Inter-Religious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation and White Ribbon Movement said the country’s situation should be assessed based on the real condition of Filipinos, especially the poor who continue to suffer from high prices and lack of opportunities.

The religious leaders led by IRLCNT chairman and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo and World Evangelical Alliance global ambassador Bishop Efraim Tendero said that while the Philippines has been declared an upper-middle income country, a large number of Filipino families remain poor. 

They added that many workers continue to receive low wages, lack job security and endure violations of labor rights. – With additional reports from Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Ghio Ong and Daphne Galvez