Lawmakers expect Marcos to highlight gains, plans in SONA

House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega on Wednesday said he expects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to highlight his administration's accomplishments and outline key plans for the remaining two years of his term in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Accomplishments by the numbers. ‘Yung mga short-term plan po na very crucial for the next two years, ‘yun ang talagang tinitignan ko (I am really looking at the short-term plans that are crucial for the next two years),” said Ortega, who represents La Union’s 1st District.

Ortega said he would particularly be looking at the administration's plans for agriculture, tourism, health, and education.

“Mas surgical po siguro na SONA ‘yung ine-expect ko (I am expecting a more focused and targeted SONA),” he said.

Meanwhile, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez expressed hope that oil deregulation would be tackled in the President's address.

“What to expect, I agree with Cong. Pao [Ortega], it’s probably going to be the numbers about what has been done and all that’s left that has to be done,” Gutierrez said.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said Marcos’ fifth SONA would be “simple but dignified” and would not feature celebrity directors or A-list personalities from the entertainment industry.

The National Capital Region Police Office, meanwhile, said more than 20,000 police personnel would be deployed to provide security for the SONA. — MCG, GMA News