Palace hints at 'earth shaking' announcement in Marcos' 2026 SONA

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Thursday floated the possibility that a major announcement may be aired by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.

“Lagi naman pong ganun,” Castro told reporters when asked if Marcos is expected to deliver an “earth shaking announcement" during his fifth SONA.

(It’s always been like that.)

“Antayin na lang po natin kung anong sasabihin ng Pangulo dahil nakita naman din po natin--- definitely, hindi mawawala ang mga naging accomplishments ng administrasyon. Pero kung ano pa kanyang ang sasabihin, hinatayin po natin sa Lunes,” she added.

(Let's just wait and see what the President has to say. Definitely, the accomplishments of the administration will be mentioned. But whatever else he has to say, we’ll just have to wait until Monday.)

Castro also said that Marcos himself is the one writing his own speech, which is still being finalized as of the moment. She said that it will most likely be finished by Sunday.

The Palace official also said she has no idea yet how long the President’s speech will be.

“Sa ngayon po ang Pangulo ay malapit na matapos at nire-review ang kanyang speech. Hindi ko po masisiwalat kung ano ang kanyang maaaring sabihin dahil hindi ko pa rin po nakikita at hindi ko pa rin nadidinig kung ano ang kanyang sasabihin,” she said.

(Right now, the President is almost finished in writing and reviewing his speech. I can’t disclose what his speech may be all about because I still haven’t seen it or heard what he’s about to say.)

Asked if updates about the flood control investigation and the cases set to be filed will be tackled by the President in the SONA, Castro said, “Kung anong sasabihin siguro ng Pangulo sa SONA ay mas magandang mapakinggan natin ito sa Lunes.”

(Whatever the President will say in the SONA, it would be better if we just listen to it on Monday.)

“Patungkol po sa mga contractors, marami na pong mga contractors ang nasampahan ng kaso at ‘yung iilan siguro ay kung wala pang ebidensya ay hindi masasampahan pa ng kaso,” she added.

(Cases have been filed against many contractors. But for others, cases may not be filed yet if there is not enough evidence.)

Castro also remained mum if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will be mentioned by the Chief Executive.

“Hindi siya napag-uusapan pero sa Sunday pa lang po namin makikita most probably kung ano ‘yung laman ng kanyang speech.” —RF, GMA News