SONA should not be red carpet affair amid flood devastation — solon

The fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. should do away with lavish preparations amid the devastation caused by heavy floods due to multiple tropical storms and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), according to Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña.

“Lavish preparations for the yearly address would be tone deaf to affected communities. This is not the time for pomp. This is the time for empathy, humility, and decisive action. Ang panawagan ko sa mga kapwa ko mambabatas na kusa na nating gawing payak ang pagdaos ng SONA,” Cendaña said. 

(I appeal to my fellow lawmakers to make the SONA simple.) 

“It is the height of insensitivity if we will roll out the red carpet for SONA when our constituents and their families don’t even have roofs over their heads,” Cendaña maintained.

Instead of colorful displays, Cendaña said the SONA is intended by the Constitution for the President to report to the people on the current status of the country.

“Malaki ang inaasahan ng mamamayan sa SONA ng Pangulo. Marami silang tanong na nangangailangan ng agarang sagot sa Pangulo. Isa na diyan kung nasaan ang agarang tulong sa mga nasalanta at kung bakit tila lumalala ang problema ng pagbaha sa kabila ng bilyun-bilyong piso na ginugugol natin taon-taon sa mga flood control projects,” Cendaña said.

(The public expects so much from the President’s SONA. They want immediate answers from the President. Among these is where is the much needed help to those who were affected by the floods and why is the situation worsening despite the billions of pesos being spent annually for flood control projects.) 

The President is scheduled to deliver his SONA on Monday, July 28, 2025, after the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress.

House spokesperson Princess Abante earlier said that the physical gathering for the President’s fourth SONA will proceed amid the inclement weather. — RF, GMA Integrated News