LIVE UPDATES: Pres. Marcos' 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), July 27, 2026

The State of the Nation Address ng Sambayanan (People’s SONA) is a success as several groups were able to voice out their situation, former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño said on Monday after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivered the fifth SONA of his presidency.

“Kami sa BAYAN ay nagagalak na matuloy ang aming martsa. Hindi umulan, kumpleto ang programa at nakapagpahayag ang iba't ibang sektor ng ating lipunan kaugnay ng tunay na nararanasan nila, kung ano state of the nation sa kanilang pananaw,” Casiño told GMA News Online.

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.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said around 1.8 million students, parents, and teachers have undergone training to prepare them for the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the initiative forms part of the government's efforts to strengthen digital literacy and equip Filipinos with the skills needed for emerging technologies.

“Hindi lamang mga mag-aaral ang naghahanda para sa kinabukasan. Humigit-kumulang isang milyon at walong daang libong estudyante, magulang, at guro ang sinanay natin para sa AI readiness,” he said.

(It is not only students who are preparing for the future. Around 1.8 million students, parents, and teachers have been trained to become AI-ready.)

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, the former Speaker and cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said he respected the President’s remarks in his State of the Nation Address (SONA 2026) even if they hurt his family.

Marcos, at the start of SONA 2026, touted the charges that have been filed against some officials, lawmakers, and contractors after he brought to the fore the corruption of flood control projects in his last report to the nation.

He added that the Ombudsman was about to file charges against Romualdez, something that he said hurt him but something that had to be done.

“Masakit man ito sa aming pamilya, iginagalang ko ang naging pahayag ng Pangulo. Hindi ako kailanman humingi ng pabor o espesyal na pagtrato. Sang-ayon ako na gawin natin ang tama,” said Romualdez, a lawyer.

(This is hurtful for our family, and I respect the President’s statements. I never asked for a favor or special treatment. I agree that we should do what is right.)

Romualdez, however, was firm that he could prove his innocence.

“Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebidensya ang magsalita. Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang anumang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito,” Romualdez added.

The Pax Silica Industrial Hub will benefit Filipinos by providing quality jobs, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said Monday, referring to the planned development for the US-led Pax Silica initiative for an artificial intelligence supply chain.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the hub—an AI-focused industrial complex spanning 1,600 hectares in New Clark City in Tarlac—“will create an eco-system that will have AI at its core. It will bring quality jobs to our people, accelerate our industrial competitiveness, and revitalize our economy.”

This is already a controversial project, as AI facilities consume massive amounts of water and electricity.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to further strengthen the Senior High School (SHS) curriculum, saying the government is enhancing work immersion and employment pathways to better prepare graduates for the labor market.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the administration continues to enhance the SHS curriculum to equip students with skills needed in the "real world."

“Ngunit patuloy pa rin nating pinalalakas ang curriculum ng Senior High upang lalong maihanda ang estudyante para sa tunay na mundo. Pinaigting pa ang work immersion para maranasan nila nang personal ang paghahanapbuhay sa kanilang gustong larangan,” he said.

(We continue to strengthen the Senior High School curriculum to better prepare students for the real world. We have also intensified work immersion so they can gain firsthand experience working in their chosen fields.)

Marcos also highlighted the employability of SHS graduates, noting that more than 1,500 were hired on the spot during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fairs held in March.

More than 80,000 teachers and school heads have been promoted, while over 30,000 new teaching positions have been created, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Marcos recalled that in his 2025 SONA, he vowed that no public school teacher would retire under the Teacher I rank.

“Ngayon, mahigit 80,000 guro at School Heads sa pampublikong paaralan ang na-promote gawa ng ating Expanded Career Progression. Nagkaroon na rin ng mahigit 30,000 karagdagang posisyon para lumakas ang puwersa ng mga guro,” Marcos said.

(Now, more than 80,000 teachers and school heads in public schools have been promoted through the Expanded Career Progression program. We have also created more than 30,000 additional positions to strengthen the teaching workforce.)

Marcos also said the government has provided teachers with instructional tools and equipment, including Smart TVs, laptops, tablets, free mobile data, and lapel microphones.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday paid tribute to students who recently died in incidents of school violence, saying their deaths should serve as a reminder of the country’s shared responsibility to protect children.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2026) before a joint session of Congress, Marcos said the recent tragedies left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the nation.

“Ang mga nasawi nating mga mag-aaral kamakailan dala ng karahasan at kapabayaan ay nag-iwan ng malaking puwang sa kanilang pamilya, at mapait na aral din para sa ating lahat," he said. (Our students who recently lost their lives due to violence and negligence left a huge void in their families and a painful lesson for all of us.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced the doubling of PhilHealth benefit packages for children with developmental disabilities to expand coverage for consultations and therapy sessions.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the number of therapy sessions covered by PhilHealth would also increase from 90 to 150.