Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained noncommittal on whether he would revisit corruption in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), responding with a brief “next chapter” remark.
“Abangan ang susunod na kabanata,” Marcos told reporters in Pampanga on Friday, July 24. [Translation: Watch for the next chapter.]
The president did not elaborate but said he considers the annual address primarily a report to the Filipino people on his administration’s accomplishments since the previous SONA.
“I always regard the SONA as a report, a report of the president to the public as to what has happened since the last SONA and that is what we will take up,” he said.
Marcos said this year’s speech would also explain how his administration navigated a difficult period marked by external economic pressures.
“Of course, I will make sure that people know all of the things that we have done to navigate this very difficult period in our history, where we are buffeted by all of these external forces,” he said.
He said the government had adjusted its policies in response to those challenges and that the measures had helped Filipinos cope despite continuing global uncertainties.
“But nonetheless, our response has been good, and we have had to make adjustments. But those adjustments have been effective and have served their purpose and I know that it has helped people weather this storm and continue to weather this storm until things hopefully normalize,” he added.
Marcos also said he was still making revisions to his speech, even as it was nearly complete.
“I’m never done. Until one hour before the SONA I’m still changing it, you know. Because of course, you want it to be perfect,” he said.
He estimated that the speech was more than 90% complete, with the remaining work focused on refining the language, ensuring the address is neither too long nor too short, and making sure all the topics he intends to discuss are included.
Marcos is scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress on Monday, July 27.
