Marcos' take on VP Sara impeachment a key topic in SONA 2025 — UP NCPAG dean

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s pronouncements regarding the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte may have profound implications on Congress' next moves, a public administration expert on Monday said about the Chief Executive's fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Professor Kristoffer Berse, dean of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), said lawmakers from both chambers of Congress may take cue from what Marcos will say about the high court's ruling during his SONA speech.

"Bagamat may independence naman ang tatlong branches natin—judiciary, legislature, executive—magandang mabanggit na rin, tingin ko, ng Pangulo para maibahagi rin at malaman ng tao kung ano ang saloobin niya dito sa usapin ng impeachment," Berse said.

(Although our three branches of government—the judiciary, legislature, executive—all have independence, it would be good to let the people know what the President himself thinks about the impeachment issue.)

He added, "Nakapagsalita na ang judiciary, SC. Magandang malaman kung siya mismo bilang Pangulo ano ba ang tingin niya lalo ngayon na mayroon ng decision mula sa Korte Supreme. Maaaring 'yan din ang magbigay ng direction para sa members ng Senado at Kongreso," he added.

(The judiciary, through the SC, has spoken. It would be good to know how he views the matter, especially now that the Supreme Court has come up with a decision. That may give direction to the members of the Senate and Congress.)

Legacy phase

Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City at 4 p.m. on July 28, 2025. 

Berse said the President should include the government's gains, achievements, and plans for the last three years of his administration for his annual report this year. 

"Dapat maisama ang achievements ng administration in the past years. Mga tangible gains... Pero higit du'n, maganda rin na mai-report ang mga naging resulta," Berse said.

(He should include the achievements of his administration in the past years, tangible gains... but more than that, it would be good to report the results of these projects.)

"Magandang marinig natin mula sa Presidente ano ang mga balak niya for the last three years. Pumapasok na kasi tayo sa tinatawag na legacy phase. Kung ano ang gusto niyang maiwan na legasiya sa kaniyang administration sa mga susunod na taon," he added. 

(It will also be good to hear his plans for the last three years. We are entering what is called the legacy phase: what he wants to leave as the legacy of his administration.)

During a Kapihan sa Media in Washington D.C. last week, Marcos refused to provide specific details about his SONA. The President, however, said his fourth SONA would be different from his past speeches.

"Mahalaga ito dahil ito ang annual submission ng report ng Presidente. Dito natin maririnig ang mga ginawa, ginagawa, at gagawin pa sa mga susunod na taon. Maganda malaman para makita natin kung nagkaroon tayo ng magandang decision sa pagpili sa namumuno sa bayan," said Bersa. 

(The SONA is important because it is the annual submission report of the President. We will be able to hear what was done, what are being done, and what will be done in the coming years. It is important so that we see if Filipinos came up with a good decision in choosing the country's leaders.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News