August 1, 2025
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s latest State of the Nation Address (Sona), which lasted 1 hour and 11 minutes, tackled a wide range of issues – from how the government is working to lift Filipinos out of poverty to waging a war on corruption.
He said on Monday, July 28, that in the last three years of his administration, “ibubuhos natin ang lahat-lahat (we will work all out),” stressing the need to do more so that all Filipinos can have a better life.
“Huwag nating hayaang malihis ang ating pagtuon at pagtahak sa landas ng kaunlaran dahil nasa abot-tanaw na natin ito. Ito ang ating dapat na pagtulungan. Ito ang dapat na pinagtutuunan,” he said.
READ: Sona 2025: What’s delivered, promised, and what needs clarity
(Let us not deviate from our attention and from how we are leading to development because we can see it already. This is what we should work together on. This is what we should focus on.)
So as he ended his address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, he declared war on corruption, rebuking those engaged in defective flood-control projects that weighed down on millions of people.
READ: In fourth Sona, Marcos touts gains but issues strong warnings
“Mahiya naman kayo (Shame on you),” he said, pointing out that in the next few months, the government will file charges against those found to be liable, including accomplices and contractors.
READ: Sona 2025: Marcos on corrupt people in flood control deals: ‘Shame on you’
But not everything stated by Filipinos in the latest Pulse Asia survey on their most urgent national concerns were addressed by Marcos, like wage hike, which the 19th Congress failed to legislate last month.
- Inflation
The economy is good and inflation eased, Marcos said, but immediately stressed that “[ito ay] walang saysay kung ang ating mga kababayan naman ay hirap pa rin at nabibigatan sa kanilang buhay.”
(This means nothing if a lot of Filipinos are still struggling and burdened with their lives.)
So he said the government has allocated P113 billion to strengthen the programs of the Department of Agriculture through the rollout of Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets and centers in local governments.
Marcos said, as well, that local production is intensified, especially through the construction of farm-to-market roads, distribution of assistance and equipment to farmers and fisherfolk, as well as the expansion of irrigation systems.
He likewise issued a warning against rice traders engaged in price manipulation.
- Wage hike
Marcos did not say a single word on the issue of wage hike, which his economic managers opposed as something that could have “dangerous repercussions” on the economy, like higher inflation rate, and even joblessness.
- Lifting Filipinos out of poverty
He said a lot about poverty, saying that the government is working “nonstop” to combat poverty, and even the health care needs of Filipinos. “Walang humpay nating ipinapatupad ang mga programa sa pagsugpo sa kahirapan,” he said.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is continuous, he said, pointing out that in the last three years, 1.5 million households have already been lifted out of poverty, so local governments have to find the homeless so that they can be included in the program, too.
Marcos proposed an amendment to the 4Ps law, as well, while saying that there is free training and capital provided to the poor so that they can start their own business and eventually have a source of income.
- Jobs
Marcos said several government agencies will work together and find a way to provide employment opportunities to the remaining four percent of the labor force that are currently jobless.
- Corruption
What Marcos said about corruption elicited a standing ovation from people inside the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City as he promised to go after government officials and contractors who profited off several flood-control projects.
READ: Marcos to culprits in sabungeros’ case: ‘Your money won’t prevail over law’
“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-racket sa mga proyekto. Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys,” he said, calling bribe money by their informal names.
He said there will be an investigation and that cases will be filed.
- Criminality
Marcos stressed that while the crime rate is declining, the police have presence in communities so that Filipinos can feel them, saying that they are now expected to respond to reports in just five minutes.
The government likewise confiscated P83 billion worth of illegal drugs, he said.
He likewise issued a strong warning against those involved in the case of the missing sabungeros. “Most of all, we will make the perpetrators feel the weight of the punishment for these heinous crimes,” he promised.
- Hunger
The government’s Walang Gutom Program, which is now in its second year, is expected to reach 600,000 households, with Marcos saying that the recipients will already be 750,000 by 2027.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education will also keep on with their feeding programs. Next year, with P1 billion, Marcos said the DSWD is likewise expected to reach more children.
- Peace
“Ang kapayapaan ay mahalagang pundasyon ng Bagong Pilipinas (Peace is a strong foundation of the new Philippines),” said Marcos, who stated that both the police and military are being strengthened through the provision of new and modern armaments.
READ: Advocates to Marcos: Peace is solid foundation for development
He also tackled the Balik-Loob Program for former rebels, who are now working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in maintaining peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
- Assisting farmers
Marcos said his promise to offer a kilo of rice at P20 was achieved without hurting the income of Filipino farmers, and that the government has provided aid to 8.5 million farmers and fisherfolk since the start of his administration.
Farm-to-market roads have been constructed and thousands of hectares have already been irrigated, he said while pointing out that farm equipment and facilities are also being distributed.
- Help for MSMEs
The government will keep on providing capital to more people at a low interest rate and without collateral so that they can start their own businesses, especially the 2.5 million poor households.
- Exacting accountability on all
As he issued a warning against those involved in the case of the missing sabungeros, Marcos said “we will go after and hold accountable the masterminds and those involved — be it civilians or officials.”
- Fewer taxes
Taxes were not tackled in Marcos’ latest Sona.
- Environment
Aside from encouraging people to do proper waste management and directing an investigation of corruption in flood-control projects, Marcos did not say a single word on critical environmental issues.
- Defending the Philippines
Despite the threats to peace and sovereignty, Marcos said the Philippines has intensified its preparedness, surveillance, and defense while still being patient, especially in protecting the archipelago and its interests.
READ: Marcos’ Sona gets mixed reactions in provinces
He pointed out, however, that the Philippines can now better defend itself because of its allies. “Subalit ngayon, mas mataas pa ang ating kumpiyansa dahil mas marami na tayong mga kasangga, na magiging kabalikat natin sa oras ng matinding pangangailangan.”
- OFWs
Marcos mentioned the tragedy experienced by Filipinos in the hands of the Houthi, saying that after over 400 days, they have been freed through the close coordination of the government with the Sultanate of Oman.
Likewise, in the past three years, some overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and a lot more have been granted pardon.
- Terrorism
Except for claiming that there are no longer guerilla fronts in the country and saying that the government will make certain that no more units will be established, Marcos said nothing on how prepared the Philippines is to combat terrorism.