SONA to present ‘a lot of accomplishments’

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos is working over the weekend to finish the draft of his fifth and penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, 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, 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 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. –  Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Ghio Ong Daphne Galvez