Marcos ratings up ahead of SONA

HEADING into his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enjoyed a bump in his trust and performance rating at 77 percent and 75 percent, the highest among top government officials in the national survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation (RPMD).

Vice President Sara Duterte, who said she would stay away from the SONA today, had trust and performance ratings of 76 percent and 71 percent, the same survey showed.

The latest Boses ng Bayan survey conducted among 10,000 adult participants from July 1 to 10 showed Marcos had the highest trust rating of 80.70 percent in Balance Luzon and his lowest at 70.16 percent in Mindanao, said Paul Martinez, RPMD executive director.

The survey has a margin of error of +/-1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level, RPMD said.

Newly installed Senate President Francis Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez will open the joint session of Congress on Monday to listen to the President’s SONA. The President will deliver the speech in the House’s Plenary Hall at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.

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In an interview during a public engagement in Apayao on July 19, the President said his speech “is finished” and that he was “just doing some fine-tuning” before delivering his report to the Filipino people.

Marcos said he would state how the government was performing when it came to further ramping up the economy, addressing criminality, eliminating illegal drugs and responding to other threats being faced by the country.

“There is so much I want to discuss, but it might be too long. That is why we’re finding ways to prioritize everything,” the Chief Executive said. “And then maybe the different secretaries could provide more details.”

The President’s inaugural SONA in 2022 lasted 1 hour and 14 minutes, while his speech last year was 1 hour and 11 minutes.

“But it’s finished. We’re just making sure the language and tone are good, concise and that everything we want to convey is included. We want to show the people what we have accomplished in the past year,” he said.

Before this, Marcos said the executive department would provide a briefing on the SONA “so that the people would know what we have been doing and if all those we have promised are really being fulfilled.”

Practice makes perfect President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rehearses his State of the Nation Address on July 21, 2024, a day before the big day. Contributed photo

He said he would enumerate the government’s achievements and what it has in the pipeline for the coming year as he calls on the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass bills that will help his administration deliver on its promises to the people, especially on what it is doing to address high inflation and cost of commodities, unemployment, and the housing gap.

The 1987 Constitution mandates that the sitting President address Congress and the people every fourth Monday of July.

Several lawmakers spoke of what they expect to hear from the President.

“I anticipate the President discussing strategies to continue with the country’s economic growth, create jobs, and foster a conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs. Supporting MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) is vital for our economy,” Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun said.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong said he was keen to hear the President’s plans for advancing infrastructure projects, especially those that will benefit the provinces.

“Strengthening our connectivity and transportation networks is essential for regional development,” Adiong said.

Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said it would be crucial for the President to outline concrete steps to combat climate change and strengthen disaster resilience.

“Our communities are vulnerable, and we need robust measures to protect our people and environment,” Bongalon said.

1-Rider Partylist Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said he looked forward to the President’s initiatives to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability. “Combating corruption at all levels of government is essential for our nation’s progress,” he said.

On Monday, the House and the Senate will convene in a joint session to hear the SONA.

Romualdez said he expects the President to emphasize the importance of unity among all Filipinos, highlighting how collective efforts can lead to national progress.

“Furthermore, I anticipate a focus on the continued and immediate delivery of essential social services to ensure that the needs of the people are met promptly and effectively,” Romualdez said.

“We’re also looking forward to another year of follow-up on the successes and further build-ups on what we still have to continue in many programs of the Marcos administration, specifically ones that cover social amelioration benefits,” he added.

Romualdez has expressed the House’s readiness to act on the legislative agenda that Marcos might outline in the SONA.

“The President is expected to propose new laws aimed at simplifying and improving the daily lives of our citizens, addressing issues such as economic development, healthcare, education and infrastructure,” Romualdez said.

“These initiatives will be crucial in driving our country forward and enhancing the overall quality of life for all Filipinos,” he further said.

Romualdez has vowed to prioritize the approval of the P6.352-trillion 2025 national budget and the House’s remaining Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority measures.

Romualdez said the SONA will set the tone for the House’s legislative agenda.

“The President’s SONA will provide a clear roadmap, and the House is prepared to translate this vision into tangible legislative outcomes,” he said.

Romualdez has vowed to prioritize the passage of the 2025 national budget and the House’s three remaining Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority bills.

The three Ledac measures are the amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, amendment of the Agrarian Reform Law, and amendment to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act.

Members of a human rights group apply finishing touches on effigies at their headquarters in Quezon City on Sunday, July 21, 2024, a day before the State of the Nation Address of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. said that “with only a handful of priority bills left on the House’s plate along with the proposed legislation that the President will endorse in his third SONA, I believe that we in the bigger chamber have time to consider the passage of other pending, similarly vital, measures meant to further President Marcos’ vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where no Filipino will be left behind in the quest for high and inclusive growth.”

In other SONA-related developments:

– The Quezon City government has implemented a city-wide liquor ban and suspended classes as part of the series of measures aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the public during the SONA.

The Quezon City Police District started implementing the National Capital Region at midnight on July 20 until midnight on July 22. During this period, all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence are suspended within Metro Manila.

– The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the number coding scheme would remain in effect on Monday, July 22, during the SONA. The MMDA said a zipper lane would be opened on the southbound portion of Commonwealth Avenue for guests and officials.

The Batasan-IBP Road will be closed at 8 a.m. Alternate routes for northbound vehicles going toward Fairview from Elliptical Road should take North Avenue, turn right at Mindanao Avenue, then turn right to Sauyo Road or take Quirino Highway to reach their point of destination.

Southbound vehicles traveling from Fairview to Quezon Memorial Circle are advised to take Sauyo Road or Quirino Highway, then turn left at Mindanao Avenue, then another left at North Avenue to reach their destination.

Light vehicles from C5 Road are advised to turn left at Magiting Street, right at Maginhawa Street, and left at Mayaman Stree to Kalayaan Avenue to reach their destination.

Trucks from C-5 along Katipunan Avenue should take the Luzon Flyover and then turn left at Congressional Avenue to reach their point of destination.

The MMDA will deploy more than 1,320 personnel for traffic management, road clearing and crowd control.

WITH ARLIE O. CALALO, FRANCIS EARL CUETO, AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

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