What to Expect, Issues Likely to be Covered at Marcos' Fourth SONA

Today, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

- By Melanie Uson

During his third SONA, Marcos made strong pronouncements specifically on the West Philippine Sea, boasted about the administration's achievements in infrastructure, including expansions of major highways, and a total ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country.

Ahead of this year's SONA, PhilSTAR Life gathered insights from both social media users and political analysts. While the public expressed a desire for lower commodity prices and transportation fares, analysts anticipated the president will address recent developments, such as online gambling, inflation, and severe flooding.

EMPLOYMENT, SALARY

Froilan Calilung, political analyst and professor from the University of Santo Tomas, said that Marcos is expected to tackle progress on inflation, unemployment, and currency stabilization.

"Hopefully, what we're going to have is recapitulation—not only of the promises that were laid down in the previous year, but of course the programs and the policies that were executed in the past three years," he told Life.

He also highlighted crucial issues the president should prioritize in the remaining three years of his term, particularly advocating for a legislated wage hike. Calilung emphasized the need for not just a simple increase in salary, but an actual law that will set a better and more acceptable wage increase.

"This is one way by which we could combat inflation. Kasi, if inflation is something na natural na nangyayari, the only way we could neutralize this is by increasing the take-home pay of the workers. So I hope he will be able to work on that," he said.

CALAMITY RESPONSE, MAHARLIKA FUND

Meanwhile, political analyst and University of the Philippines professor Maria Ela Atienza predicted that Marcos would likely address calamity funds and flood control programs.