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Marcos should show real state of PH in first SONA —Hontiveros


The Filipinos expect no less than the true condition of the Philippines from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. when he delvers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said.

"I'm looking forward to hearing what he promised during his inaugural address na sasabihin nila sa atin yung totoong estado ng ating bansa at higit doon ay maglalatag sila ng mga hakbang para tugunan ang sitwasyong ito," the senator said in an interview with reporters.

(I'm looking forward to hearing what he promised during his inaugural address, that he will tell the real state of our country and more than that, he will lay down the steps to address our situation.)

Among the solutions that she wanted to hear from Marcos are measures to address the food crisis and the high prices of fuel and goods.

The opposition lawmaker said she also likes to hear plans to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the economic recession that the health crisis brought.

Also anticipated in his SONA are his plans for the overseas Filipino workers, the economic transformation, agriculture, energy supply, reopening of schools, infrastructure programs, tourism, and climate change.

"Marami silang binanggit noong inaugural address na siguro senyales na bibigyan nila ng pansin. Inaantay kong marinig yung mga kongkretong situationers at higit don mga solusyon sa kanilang State of the Nation [Address]," she said.

(They mentioned a lot of issues during the inaugural address and that may be a sign that they will give attention to these. I am waiting to hear concrete situationer and his solutions in his State of the Nation Address.)

Hontiveros said the people should keep watch over the administration and raise their voices if needed.

"Bilang oposisyon, parang gusto nila i-evoke ulit ang imahe ng strongman na gagawin ang lahat para sa atin na hindi na natin kailangan makialam," she said.

(It seems that they are trying to evoke again the image of a strongman who will do anything for us to the point that we do not need to voice out our thoughts.)

"Importante na manatili ang partisipasyon ng mamamayan. 'Wag tayo mag-demobilize. Katulad sa ating mga pamilya, patuloy tayong maging aktibo sa ating mga komunidad at higit sa lahat sa ating sambayanan," she added.

(People's participation is very important. Let us not demobilize. Let us continue to be active in our communities and most especially in our country.)

Hontiveros said the minority bloc will do its job as fiscalizer even there's a possibility that only she and Senator Koko Pimentel will be in the opposition.

"Kung kalaunan pag-open ng session sa umaga ng July 25 kaming dalawa ni Senator Koko [Pimentel] ang magbubuo ng minority, okay na okay po sa akin 'yan," she said.

"Ako po ay magiging confident pa rin na magagampanan namin ang tungkulin ng minorya na mag-check and balance at confident din ako na tulad ng minorya nung 18th Congress, kami ay magiging mabunga sa usapin ng pagpasa ng mga panukalang batas," she added.

Two weeks before the opening of Congress, Hontiveros said Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano have yet to confirm if they will join the minority bloc.—LDF, GMA News

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