Win Gatchalian: Marcos should share economic recovery plans in SONA

Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on Thursday said he expects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss his plans for the country’s economic recovery in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Marcos is set to deliver his penultimate SONA on Monday, July 27. This is his first address with Gatchalian and House Speaker Bojie Dy beside him on the podium at the Batasang Pambansa. Both chambers of Congress have had a change of leadership following Marcos’ fiery condemnation of corruption in his last SONA.

The fallout from the revelation of the flood control scam has been widespread, with the Philippine economy also being impacted by the corruption controversy.

The lawmaker said that the stunting of economic growth has also impacted poverty reduction and employment.

“That is my expectation from the SONA. How do we jumpstart our economy so that we get back on track?,” Gatchalian said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He also said that the priority legislation should be focused on economic recovery and the establishment of social safety nets.

Asked to assess the impact of Marcos’ speech against corruption, Gatchalian said he hoped to get more specifics on how such widespread schemes can be prevented from occuring.

More than holding people accountable, Gatchalian said that it should be clear how the Department of Public Works and Highways was reformed, as well as how other agencies could prevent corruption.

Gatchalian, who was the budget chair for the Senate in 2026, said that the people should see concrete measures to curb corruption in the budget. This means ensuring transparency and putting in safeguards.

This upcoming SONA will be the first address since the flood control scandal, which implicated several politicians, including Marcos’ own allies. The address also comes in the midst of Vice President Sara Duterte’s high-profile impeachment trial. —RF, GMA News