SONA 2023 stirs online discussion about Marcos' accomplishments and priorities
The second State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. elicited mixed reactions from netizens about his accomplishments a year after his inauguration in June 2022.
Delivered at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 24, Marcos' SONA also stirred an online debate about his priorities in the next five years as head of state.
Positive remarks
Just like how Marcos received 68 rounds of applause ffrom the audience comprised of the members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and their guests, some netizens also gave positive remarks about his speech.
One user noted that the president's address was simply astounding as it includes initiatives and details, as well as discusses various essential national issues.
"What an excellent #SONA2023. Very Technical. He started it with the most important issues: Agriculture and Education. Mentioning his partner, VP and DepEd Sara Duterte on her accomplishment is a good thing," a user also noted.
"Indeed President Marcos Jr./PBBM handles it with class. Once again he proves his critics wrong. His charm style is more effective than trash-talking," the tweet added.
"I applaud the 2023 SONA for including so many initiatives that were part of the Robredo platform. From a focus on renewable energy to overseas work as a choice to new jobs in the blue and green economy. Seriously and sincerely, good ideas being implemented is good for all of us," one netizen tweeted.
What an excellent #SONA2023. Very Technical. He started it with the most important issues: Agriculture and Education. Mentioning his partner, VP and DepEd Sara Duterte on her accomplishment is a good thing.
— Zen Nepomuceno (@KUglyton) July 24, 2023
Indeed President Marcos Jr./PBBM handles it with class. Once again he… pic.twitter.com/NMfRWrFYt5
Another netizen also pointed out that people should understand that not all issues can be discussed rigidly in SONA.
"Kailangan nating maintindihan na hindi lahat ay kayang talakayin sa #SONA2023," the tweet read.
Negative remarks
Meanwhile, some netizens raised questions regarding his administration's proposed plans and pointed out contradictions with his previous statements. They highlighted gaps in sectors, including healthcare, education and gender-related issues.
"There goes our government's education policy-- mostly infrastructure-based with no mention of capacitating teachers and giving them the right resources to deliver the curriculum. Ahem, DepEd laptop corruption issue? And the much-needed teachers' wage hike?" a user chided in a tweet.
"Despite the hyper-inflated budgets, the legislative agenda isn't moving much. Agencies in executive still seem transitional/interim even though we're 1 year deep into the term. It's as if they're all still waiting for clearer instructions on how to get things done," another one tweeted.
Despite the hyper-inflated budgets, the legislative agenda isn't moving much. Agencies in executive still seem transitional/interim even though we're 1 year deep into the term. It's as if they're all still waiting for clearer instructions on how to get things done. #SONA2023
— Javíer (@javiertionloc) July 24, 2023
As traffic is one of the major problems that is crippling the Philippines, Marcos' was cheered the loudest again when he bared his Mega-Bridge Program that aims to reduce travel time for Filipinos. However, others also emphasized the several airport fiascos that happened in the past months.
"Did not mention the discomfort of flying and the use of airports," a netizen expressed.
Duterte not attending the SONA 2023
Senator Bong Go later confirmed that former President Rodrigo Duterte will not attend the second SONA of President Marcos.
A netizen noted this one as an act of "high level sensistivity."
"Like him or not, Duterte still has rockstar following. He knows when to sidestep and not distract the limelight, something we should learn from. Today is for President Marcos to talk to the Filipino people," the tweet read.
Politicians also weigh in
Teddy Casiño, a former Bayan Muna congressman noted that President Marcos' speech is refreshing after six year of Duterte "trash talk."
"After six years of Duterte trash talk, this speech sounds kinda refreshing. BUT it’s a SONA that says all the right things and avoids all the contentious things. Pang pulitiko - puro pangako, puro magaganda at umiiwas sa mga mapapait na reyalidad," Casiño noted.
He also added that there were no word on worker's wages, job security, human rights and humanitarian disasters.
"In other words it was a speech that glossed over our problems, bloated his accomplishments, and promised the moon and stars. Tamis ng mga salita. Ganyan ang mga mambubudol," his tweet continued.
It is not the same story for Secretary of Finance, Benjamin Diokno. He said thet PBBM's 2nd SONA was a fitting report of the accomplishments over the past year & the hefty work ahead and the econ team is proud of what the admistration achieved so far.
PBBM's 2nd SONA was a fitting report of the accomplishments over the past year & the hefty work ahead. The econ team is proud of what we’ve achieved so far & we're determined to work even faster and harder in the next 5 years so that our economic gains are felt by all Filipinos.
— Benjamin Diokno (@SecBenDiokno) July 24, 2023
"Encouraging macroeconomic developments — sustained rapid GDP growth, record-high revenue collections, consistently low unemployment, continuously easing inflation, on-track debt and deficit numbers — point to a bright economic future," Diokno tweeted.
"This is a marathon, not a sprint. And while we’re miles away from our destination, the work towards a more resilient and prosperous economy continues," he ended.