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SONA 2026: What to expect in Marcos' 5th SONA? Political expert weighs in
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, but has yet to go into specifics on the key areas he will tackle in his speech before both House of Congress.
In an interview with GMA News Online, Associate Professor Dr. Dennis Coronacion, chair of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Department of Political Science, gave his expectations of what the President would likely—and unlikely—discuss.
Political wars
For Coronacion, Marcos is not expected to spend much time discussing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, and the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court.
"Tingin ko hindi masyado gaano mag-delve diyan 'yung SONA ng Pangulo kasi, since the time that he was campaigning back in 2022… Iniiwasan niya 'yung mga issues," Coronacion said.
(I think Marcos will not delve so much on these issues in his SONA since the time that he was campaigning back in 2022… He has been avoiding issues.)
However, if Marcos ever would do so, Coronacion said the President will likely assert that he has no involvement in the cases facing the Dutertes.
"Baka siguro bahagya lang at mabilis lang (Perhaps he will hardly mention it, and maybe just in passing). But I don't think the President will allocate so much time in his speech," the professor said.
The Senate impeachment court has paused the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President in view of Marcos' SONA and the traditional Kontra-SONA (Counter-SONA) by the Senate minority.
Top issues
What Coronacion does expect the President to urgently tackle achievements and programs related to food, agriculture, and education.
Food security, Coronacion said, has long been one of the country's key challenges, making it one of the President's priority programs.
"Nabanggit niya itong mga 'to noong nakaraang SONA, but, of course, tingnan natin kung ipagpapatuloy niya ito o may mga bago siyang programa upang maisaayos o ma-address ang kanyang problema pagdating food security," Coronacion said.
(He mentioned these in his last SONA, but, of course, let's see if he will continue with existing or present new programs to address the problem of food security.)
Marcos highlighted agricultural development as among his administration's top priorities, promising to bring down the retail price of rice to P20 per kilo.
El Niño threat
When it comes to mitigating the disastrous effects of the looming very strong El Niño, Coronacion noted that measures are already in place.
"Kahit sinong Pangulo, mayroon silang nakahanda na programa upang i-address o ma-mitigate 'yung epekto ng El Niño. It's just that titingnan natin kung what percentage of the proposed budget will be allotted in the agricultural sector," Coronacion said.
(Every President has prepared a program to address or mitigate the effects of the El Niño. It's just that we have to examine what percentage of the proposed budget will be allotted to the agriculture sector.)
According to PAGASA, the country is expected to experience a very strong El Niño by October 2026 and seen to last until December 2026.
Classrooms, scholarships
Coronacion said the public can also expect that the President to include in his speech areas related to the youth, especially education.
Classroom shortages and hunger among students are high on this list.
He said Marcos may announce additional scholarships, aside from the existing Bagong Pilipinas Presidential Scholars Program (BPPSP).
The BPPSP provides tuition support, stipends, and academic incentives to qualified Senior High School graduates pursuing higher education or technical-vocational courses.
Another big announcement?
One of the highlights of Marcos' 2025 SONA was his "mahiya naman kayo (you should be ashamed)" remark, a battle cry that helped open the floodgates to investigations into corruption in flood control projects.
In 2024, Marcos banned all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country, after illicit activities such as scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder, were linked to their operations.
For this year's SONA, Coronacion said the President's big announcement should focus on his achievements after his 2025 SONA.
"So, ano na ba ang status ng kanyang anti-corruption drive? 'Yung pagiging Mr. Exposé patungkol dun sa corrupt practices na gawa ng kanyang mga politiko?" Coronacion said.
(So, what is the status of his anti-corruption drive? Of him being Mr. Exposé of the corrupt practices done by politicians?)
Coronacion said Marcos' fifth SONA should provide an update on the progress of the promises he made in his previous SONA, especially as surveys indicate public dissatisfaction.
"Kasi parang lumalabas based on the surveys (Because based on the survey results), majority of the Filipinos are not satisfied with how you're addressing the corruption issue related to the flood control mess," Coronacion said.
He expressed belief that perceptions of selective investigations and slow progress in pursuing flood control cases reflect badly on the President's survey ratings.
"They're dissatisfied with the measures, the actions of the President with regard to the exposé that he had during his last SONA. Kahit 'yung pagtakbo ng kaso, mabagal (Even the progress of the cases is slow)," Coronacion said.
Economy, fuel prices
Also weighing down on the President's ratings, Coronacion said, are economic issues, oil price hikes, and the quality of labor in the Philippines.
A Pulse Asia survey showed that Marcos' national approval and trust ratings both fell by 7% points, while his disapproval and distrust ratings rose by 5% and 7% points, respectively.
Meanwhile, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in the second quarter of 2026 showed that the President's trust rating declined to 34%.
Further, 45% of Filipinos said they had "little trust" in the President, while 19% remained "undecided."
Anti-Dynasty Bill
Coronacion said the public may also expect for update on the President's Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council bills, particularly the Anti-Dynasty Bill, Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Bill, and the Party-list System Reform Bill.
"Kailangan sana natin ito kasi 'pag naipasa ito, magiging gauge 'yan kung sincere ba talaga ang Pangulo natin na ma-eradicate or if not ma-lessen ang corruption sa bansa natin," Cornacion said.
(We need to hear an update on these because once these bills get approved, it will gauge if the President is to eradicate or lessen corruption in our country.)
In June, the House of Representatives passed on final reading an anti-political dynasty bill banning relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or occupying a post in the same constituency or jurisdiction.
To date, there is no existing anti-political dynasty law, although Marcos earlier urged Congress to prioritize its passage.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has said the Senate will prioritize the anti-political dynasty bill under his leadership.
Also in June, Speaker and Isabela 6th District Representative Faustino "Bojie" Dy III filed a bill seeking to ban members of political dynasties and contractors from being nominated or serving as party-list representatives.
It sought to ban incumbent elected officials and individuals who were awarded government contracts, concessions, franchises, or public-private partnership agreements in the past five years before an election from being a party-list nominee.
West Philippine Sea, fuel crisis
Meanwhile, Coronacion expects the President to be deliberate in tackling foreign policy, particularly in defending Philippine sovereignty in the face of aggression from China.
"Tingin ko magsasalita siya regarding 'yung nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea para ma-boost 'yung morale ng mga members ng Philippine Coast Guard na sinasaktan ng Chinese Coast Guard," Coronacion said.
(I think Marcos will talk about the events related to the West Philippine Sea to boost the morale of members of the Philippine Coast Guard that has been hurt by the Chinese Coast Guard.)
On July 20, a Filipino sailor suffered a head injury after he was allegedly struck with a baton by a China Coast Guard personnel during an incident at Ayungin Shoal. The CCG, however, claimed that it was the Philippine side that initiated the confrontation.
With Filipinos experiencing the impact of the Middle East crisis, the public may expect the President to mention programs to cushion its impact, including the cash assistance to drivers, as well as "zero balance billing" in government hospitals, according to Coronacion.
"I think he's going to expound on that kasi parang 'yun 'yung naging cornerstone of his solution sa poverty sa bansa natin—human capital development," he said, adding that messaging will likely be directed towards drivers, victims of recent typhoons, and other vulnerable sectors.
(I think he's going to expound on that because that has been the cornerstone of his solution to address poverty in our country—human capital development.)
Pax Silica
The professor said it is also possible for the President to tackle the controversial Pax Silica project, a US-led initiative and economic security framework that envisions to create a global supply chain for artificial intelligence and the semiconductor industry.
"If ever the President has to say something to allay the fears of the Filipino public and to address the national security issue that is connected with the Pax Silica," he added.
Various groups have raised concerns over the establishment of the enormous AI center in New Clark City, pointing out that it may raise power rates, pose environmental threats, displacement, and noise pollution.
READ | EXPLAINER: What is Pax Silica and why are people worried?
Critical eye
As Marcos' penultimate SONA draws near, Coronacion challenged the public to be critical and observant of the President's statements.
This would include checking on what the President promised in his 2025 SONA and compare these to statements in his previous SONAs.
"Dapat naman tayong maniwala because these are real figures, government data. But let's always look at the other side. Maging critical tayo, maging mapagmatyag," Coronacion said.
(We should believe in the figures presented because they are government data. But let's always look at the other side. We should be critical and observant.)
"Puwede nating ikumpara 'yung mga figures na sinasabi niya ngayon, puwede nating ikumpara doon sa last year, lalo na doon sa usapin ng flood control mess," he added.
(We can compare the figures he will present to the ones he mentioned last year, especially if it is about the flood control mess.)
Felt by ordinary Pinoys
As the SONA will likely present numbers that paint a positive picture for the country, Coronacion said the President's achievements should also be felt by Filipinos.
"Let's not forget na itong mga data nito supposedly may good impact on the Filipino public. Tingnan nila kung ano pa 'yung kulang," Coronacion said.
(Let's not forget that the data supposedly has a good impact on the Filipino public. The public should look that other things that needs to be done.)
"Tingnan natin kung 'yung areas na hindi covered ng kanyang mga projects o kaya kahit 'yung mga proyekto niya mayroon itong mga pagkukulang (Let us examine the areas not covered by the administration's projects or those that are still lacking)," Coronacion said.
"Let's have a balanced view of the President's report of his achievements," the professor said. — VDV, GMA News
