‘Mataas ang aking kumpiyansa’: PBBM concludes his third SONA

President Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) finished his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), confident with the administration’s endeavors and future plans, at the Batasang Pambansa, July 22.

The President highlighted the administration’s achievements, notably on economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development. He then highlighted the administration’s priorities for the upcoming year.

“Mga kababayan, sa lahat ng mga ginagawa nating ito at mga gagawin pa, mataas ang aking kumpiyansa na malalampasan din natin ang hamon ng ating pinagdadaanan dahil ito ang pangunahing hinaing ng taumbayan. Hindi tayo titigil sa paglaban sa kahirapan, at sa paghahanap ng lunas upang maibalik sa normal ang presyo ng bilihin, lalo na ang bigas. At ngayon po, naririnig po namin ang malakas na sigaw ng taumbayan laban sa mga POGO,” Marcos Jr. stated.

Despite the Philippines being praised as one of the best-performing economies in Asia, Pres. Marcos admitted that these numbers mean little to Filipinos struggling with high prices, especially for rice. In response, he vowed to tackle rising food costs and make Kadiwa stalls permanent across the country.

Marcos Jr. highlighted the need to keep working on reducing food prices, noting that rice inflation was 22.5% in June, slightly down from 23% in May. He promised to expand the Kadiwa program in partnership with local governments, ensuring that affordable food remains accessible to all Filipinos.

In response to Beijing’s authoritative claims over the South China Sea, PBBM emphasized that the territory indisputably belongs to the Philippines and must stay under its sovereignty.

"Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas," he said.

Just before the end of his speech, the chief of state stated that all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) shall be banned, effectively immediately. The President also urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to seize the operations of POGOs by the end of the year. He stated that the Department of Labor and Employment shall plan to provide new job opportunities for Filipino workers who will be displaced once POGO operations come to halt.

PBBM emphasized that all officials, law enforcers, government workers, and the people shall remain vigilant and principled, thinking of the nation’s health, in order to solve the problems faced by the country.