Palace on issues not tackled during SONA: It doesn't mean it isn't in there

Issues not mentioned during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) also have his attention, Malacañang said Wednesday amid criticisms on the President's address.

"The President has laid out his priorities. It doesn't mean that he is not going to pay attention to other concerns," Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said at a press conference.

Angeles stressed that what Marcos mentioned in his speech was "just the roadmap" for his administration.

"But the day-to-day and ongoing activities are considered still part of the program, particularly those related to continuity," she said.

"So, just because it wasn't mentioned, doesn’t mean it isn't in there."

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said Marcos' first SONA had left out several vital issues in the society. They said the anti-corruption drive and the justice system were not extensively discussed during the speech.

Groups under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also lamented the same thing, with Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes identifying them as human rights, corruption, peace process, and taxation.

Kilusang Mayo Uno national chairperson Elmer Labog also called out Marcos for not tackling wage, security of tenure for workers, and attacks against trade unions. —KBK, GMA News