Marcos finalizing SONA speech - PCO

Metro Manila, Philippines– President Bongbong Marcos is finalizing his speech for his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said on Wednesday, July 17.

It said the chief executive even cleared his schedule today on Wednesday to prepare for his yearly speech.

The PCO did not provide other details such as the length of the speech or topics that will be covered by the president.

In an interview with reporters last week, Marcos said issues affecting Filipinos will be discussed including the economy, criminality and even fighting illegal drugs.

“The economy, how is it doing? Criminality, how are we doing on that? How are we doing in the other problems, social problems that we are facing such as drugs, such as the different threats that have been coming to us,” said Marcos when asked about what to expect from his annual address.

Marcos said he wants his speech to reflect the true state of the nation.

“It's a SONA. Ganun pa rin. Ibabalita ko kung ano 'yung mga naging progress doon sa ating mga ginagawa.So, ire-report ko kung talaga bang 'yung mga sinimulan natin ay tuloy-tuloy at maganda pa rin ang progress at kung gaano pa katagal bago matapos 'yung malalaking project na 'yan,” he said.

[Translation: It’s a SONA. I will report on the progress of government undertakings. I will also give an update on big government projects.]

The president said it will be a challenge to squeeze in all gains in the past year in a one-hour speech.

NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.