Marcos House allies look forward to his 1st SONA

MANILA, Philippines — Allies of President Marcos at the House of Representatives are hoping that he will reveal his plans to boost farm yield and renew the country’s aging infrastructure when he delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

“We in Congress want the President to succeed in his plans for the country. We are ready to help fulfill his legislative agenda. We are all definitely looking forward to his July 25 address,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said.

“Offhand, the President’s determination to give the highest priority to increasing farm output, along with building up our infrastructure, should keep the economy on track to achieving full recovery from the pandemic,” Pimentel added.

Other administration legislators have lauded Marcos for his sincerity in solving decades-long problems in the bureaucracy, as he repeatedly called for unity among Filipinos long engaged in political animosity.

“It is time to rally behind our new President – PBBM. If we want to help our country and ourselves recover from the post-pandemic economic problems, we must back up our new leader. His success is everyone’s success,” Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said.

Romero’s fellow Deputy Speakers Arnolfo Teves and Bernadette Herrera also welcomed the new Chief Executive, so did Representatives Paolo Duterte of Davao City and neophyte Salvador Pleyto of Bulacan’s Sixth District.

“It was a speech that came from the bottom of his heart. You can feel his sincerity, and his ardent desire to unify the country’s much-polarized political landscape. There was no hatred in his heart even if the bashers continued on,” Teves of Negros Oriental said.

“We look forward to working with President Marcos and his administration, and the 19th Congress. As with every administration, there will be areas where we can agree and work closely together,” said Herrera, who represents Bagong Henerasyon.

“Our hats off to PBBM. We wish him all the best in his administration, and we are just here to support him all the way,” said Duterte, son of former president Rodrigo Duterte and brother of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Pleyto said he sees Marcos’ visionary late father in him.

“We are prepared to support him in his legislative agenda which will be led by our incoming speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said.

Pleyto is a former career official of the Department of Public Works and Highways.