Congress opens second regular session ahead of Marcos’ 5th SONA

Metro Manila, Philippines – The 20th Congress has opened the second regular session ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).   

The House of Representatives and the Senate convened at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 27. Session will be suspended by midday, and reconvene in a joint session at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City at 4 p.m. for the president’s report.

In his opening address, Senate President Win Gatchalian said bills on improving the economy and the 2027 national budget will get priority.

Gatchalian highlighted five main objectives for the Senate:

+high prices of goods;

+low take-home pay for workers;

+rising electricity prices;

+lacking infrastructure and transportation, and;

+lack of job security

Meanwhile, Speaker Bojie Dy said what he called the “new Congress” would set a new standard of public service.

“Gaya po nang binigyang-diin ko noon, patuloy kaming magsusumikap araw-araw upang maibalik ang inyong tiwala. Ito rin po ang naging puspusan ang aming paglilingkod,” Dy said in his address.

“Ang ‘Bagong Kongreso’ ay hindi lamang po tungkol sa bagong pamunuan o mga bagong programa. Kasama po ang iba’t ibang kinatawan sa bulwagang ito, handa kaming tanggapin ang hamong magtaguyod ng isang panibagong pamantayan ng paglilingkod,” he continued. 

[Translation: Like I emphasized before, we will work every day to regain your trust. This is where we will focus our service. The ‘New Congress’ is not just about new leadership or programs. Together with the various representatives in this hall, we are ready to take on the challenge of upholding a new standard of service.]

The House of Representatives has been at the center of controversy over the past year after a number of lawmakers were implicated in the flood control scandal.

Criticisms ahead of SONA

Ahead of the morning opening session, a number of opposition and progressive lawmakers expressed frustration over the administration’s performance, particularly the supposed lack of concrete progress on corruption and the massive flood control scandal highlighted in the previous SONA.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said he would not physically attend the SONA. The senator was in a black barong in what he called a form of protest against legal cases that have been weaponized against officials who spoke out against the administration.

Meanwhile, Kabataan Rep. Renee Co gave Marcos a failing grade on his pledge to investigate corruption in infrastructure and flood mitigation projects.

“Ang malalaking isda, hindi pa rin nahuhuli, lumalangoy pa rin sa pera,” she said in a chance interview ahead of the SONA. 

[Translation: The big fish have not yet been caught, some are still swimming in money.]