Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. just delivered his second State of the Nation Address, drawing mixed reactions from lawmakers.
Senator Joel Villanueva said that while he is overall “satisfied” with the State of the Nation Address (SONA), he hoped the president could have talked more about the issues in the West Philippine Sea.
“That is something I was looking forward to. Dun ako medyo hindi na-satisfy,” Villanueva told reporters after the SONA on Monday. “Baka kasi merong mga nangyayari na hindi natin alam. We don’t know kaya ayoko na rin mag-comment as to why he did not focus or talk much on West Philippine Sea.”
[Translation: I was a little unsatisfied. Maybe because there are things happening that we don’t know about. We don’t know so I don’t want to comment as to why he didn’t focus or talk much on the West Philippine Sea.]
For Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the president’s second SONA was “quite comprehensive,” but he said Filipinos are still warming up to the chief executive’s “love language.”
“Siguro habang nasasanay pa tayo sa kanyang love language sa bansa, nakikita naman ‘yung sense of urgency. Nakita naman sa speech niya. Not only does he know the problem, not only does he care, but nandiyan nga ‘yung urgency,” Cayetano said.
[Translation: Maybe while we’re still getting used to his love language in the country, we can see that sense of urgency. It was seen in his speech. Not only does he know the problem, not only does he care, but the urgency is there.’]
Cayetano said he hopes the “detailed and technical parts” of the SONA to be transmitted to Congress as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said his cousin may think his accomplishments during his first year as president are insufficient, that’s why he continues to work nonstop.
“Kulang pero ano, magtatrabaho siya muli. Walang tulog ‘yan. Basta tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho niya,” Romualdez said.
[Translation: Not enough, but he continues to work. He doesn’t sleep. He works continuously.]
A day after he delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos is set to fly to Malaysia for a state visit, where talks on economic cooperation and the newly enacted Maharlika law may be discussed.
“Ganun talaga ang mahal na president, gusto niya masama niya lahat. Kung meron lang 48 oras sa isang araw, magtatrabaho na lang siya. Ang dami niyang gustong gawin,” Romualdez told reporters right after the SONA.
[Translation: Our dear president is like that, he wants to include everything. If there were only 48 hours in a day, he would just work. There’s so much that he wants to do.]
The House Speaker gave Marcos’ SONA a “100%, A+” grade.
