Palace defends SONA, warns against 'those who want Filipinos ignorant'

Malacañang on Wednesday defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) against criticism, urging Filipinos not to listen to those who want to keep them ignorant about the state of the country.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Filipinos should remain discerning and make an effort to understand the government’s programs and the situation in the country rather than allow themselves to be misled or manipulated.

"Some people want our fellow Filipinos to remain uninformed and ignorant. People who lack knowledge are easier to manipulate,” she said in Filipino.

"So to our fellow Filipinos, let us always be discerning. It is our responsibility to seek the truth. Let us not follow anyone who encourages us to remain ignorant of the truth. Otherwise, we will be blinded," she added.

Castro made the remarks when asked during a Palace press briefing about Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement that listening to the President’s fifth SONA on Monday was a “waste of time of the Filipino people.”

The Palace official clarified, however, that her remarks were not directed at anyone in particular.

"What happens to a person who does not make an effort to know the situation in the country or the President’s programs? That person remains uninformed," Castro said.

She said the President uses the SONA to report his administration’s accomplishments and inform the public about its future initiatives.

"This is based on the Constitution. Disrespecting the SONA means disrespecting the Constitution and the institution," Castro said.

Castro also disputed Duterte’s claim that the government has yet to deliver rice at P20 per kilo.

"It may be a waste of time to respond to this because it has no basis and conveys a completely worthless message. We know that all of this is false," she said.

"The P20-per-kilo rice is available, and many people have already been able to avail themselves of it and are benefiting from it through our Kadiwa centers," Castro added. — MCG, GMA News