Paolo Duterte: Marcos failed to address corruption issues in SONA 2026

Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte on Monday said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. failed to address long-standing issues and allegations of corruption in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, 2026.

Duterte said if Marcos truly wants to be seen as the “President of the Philippines,” he should demonstrate the political will to hold accountable those behind allegations of corruption, regardless of their family name, position, or influence, rather than what he described as merely expressing sympathy over a relative’s ordeal.

“Maganda sanang pakinggan ang pahayag na iyan kung pareho rin ang ipinapakitang malasakit sa sambayanang Pilipino. Habang naaawa siya sa kanyang pinsan, kailan siya huling naawa sa milyun-milyong Pilipinong lugmok sa kahirapan, dumadaing sa walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, mataas na singil sa kuryente, at patuloy na pagliit ng halaga ng kanilang kinikita?” Duterte said.

(That statement would be better to hear if the same concern were shown toward the Filipino people. While he sympathizes with his cousin, when was the last time he showed compassion for the millions of Filipinos mired in poverty—those lamenting the ceaseless rise in food prices, exorbitant electricity bills, and the ever-shrinking value of their earnings?)

Marcos opened his SONA by highlighting ongoing investigations into flood control projects, where he announced that legal action against those involved, including his cousin, former House speaker Martin Romualdez, is expected to proceed.

“Nagsagawa tayo ng malawakan at malalimang imbestigasyon, na walang pagkiling kahit kanino man. Masusi nating sinuri at sinundan kung saan tayo itinuro ng ebidensya. Mayroon nang mga unang nakasuhan at nakulong: mga kontratista matataas na opisyal ng DPWH; pati na ang mga mambabatas,” Marcos said.

(We conducted an extensive and in-depth investigation, free from bias toward anyone. We meticulously examined and followed the trail where the evidence led. Initial charges have already been filed and arrests made, involving contractors, high-ranking DPWH officials, and even lawmakers.)

“Dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa Ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghahain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating speaker. Masakit man sa akin ito ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama,” he added.

(We have reached the point where, according to the Ombudsman, the filing of multiple cases against the former Speaker is imminent. Although this is painful for me, we must do what is right.)

Duterte said the public is not asking for sympathy for those in power but is demanding truth, accountability, and justice.

“Hangga't hindi nasasagot ang mga tanong tungkol sa bilyun-bilyong pondong ginugol sa flood control, sa kontrobersiya ng PhilHealth funds, at sa Maharlika Fund, mananatiling kulang ang anumang SONA sa mata ng mga Pilipinong patuloy na naghihirap,” Duterte said.

(As long as questions remain unanswered regarding the billions in funds spent on flood control, the PhilHealth funds controversy, and the Maharlika Fund, any SONA will remain inadequate in the eyes of Filipinos who continue to suffer.)

The lawmaker added that the true state of the country should not be measured by the applause inside the Batasang Pambansa but by the food on the table of every family, the rising prices of basic commodities, the quality of government services, and the public’s declining trust in government institutions.

“Ang tunay na kalagayan ng bansa ay hindi nasusukat sa palakpakan sa loob ng Batasang Pambansa. Nasusukat ito sa laman ng hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilya, sa presyo ng mga bilihin, sa kalidad ng serbisyo ng gobyerno, at sa tiwalang unti-unti nang nawawala sa mga institusyon ng pamahalaan,” Duterte added.

(The true state of the nation is not measured by the applause inside the Batasang Pambansa. It is measured by the food on every family's table, the prices of commodities, the quality of government services, and the trust in government institutions that is gradually eroding.) —GMA Regional TV News