Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be a simple but dignified event, with no celebrity directors or big-name performers, Malacañang said Monday, July 20.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the House of Representatives, which hosts the annual address, and the Office of the President are aligned in keeping this year’s SONA modest.
“Ang magho-host po kasi ng SONA ay ang House of Representatives. Pero naka-align po ang ehekutibo, ang Office of the President dahil ang panawagan po dito ay simple lamang po, simpleng okasyon. Ang gagawin lang natin sa gagawing SONA ay simple lamang po at wala pong celebrity directors or mga big A-listers na magpe-perform. So, simple lang pero dignified ang gagawin pong pagsasagawa po ng isang national event katulad po ng SONA,” she said.
[Translation: The House of Representatives is hosting the SONA, but the Executive, through the Office of the President, is aligned with the call for a simple occasion. The SONA will be simple, with no celebrity directors or big A-list performers. It will be a simple but dignified national event.]
Castro also said a performer has been chosen to sing the national anthem, but declined to reveal the person’s identity.
“Kung may napupusuan po siya na aawit ng national anthem, mayroon na po at alam ko na rin po pero hindi ko po alam, magpapaalam muna ako kung dapat ko na siyang sabihin. Kapag ako po’y pinayagan na, babanggitin ko po,” she said.
[Translation: A performer has already been chosen to sing the national anthem, and I know who it is, but I first have to ask permission before revealing the name. Once I’m allowed, I’ll announce it.]
Responding to BAYAN president Renato Reyes Jr.‘s remark that Marcos should be the one “ashamed” in this year’s SONA, Castro defended the president’s record and rejected claims that the administration was merely staging a performance.
“Hindi nagkukumahog ang pangulo dahil sa SONAng ito, nagkukumahog pa po siya para mas marami pa siyang magawa para sa taumbayan. Kulang na kulang ang oras para sa Pangulo para maihatid ang lahat ng kailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Castro said.
[Translation: The president is not rushing because of the SONA. He is working hard to do even more for the Filipino people. Time is not enough for him to deliver everything our countrymen need.]
She said the administration continues to respond to unforeseen challenges, including natural disasters and the conflict in the Middle East, even if critics fail to recognize those efforts.
“Hindi naman ni inaasahan na magkaroon ng lindol, hindi niya inaasahan na laging magkakaroon ng bagyo, hindi niya inaasahan na magkakaroon ng krisis sa Middle East pero lahat ng iyan ay tinutugunan… baka sila po ang dapat na mahiya dahil wala silang nakikita,” the official said.
[Translation: No one expected earthquakes, recurring typhoons or the crisis in the Middle East, but the government has been addressing all of them. Perhaps those who fail to see these efforts should be the ones who are ashamed.]
Marcos is scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address before a joint session of Congress on Monday, July 27, where he is expected to outline the administration’s accomplishments, priorities and legislative agenda for the remainder of his term.
