The State of the Nation Address (abbreviated SONA; Filipino: Talumpat sa Kalagayan ng Bans)

is an annual address by the President of the Philippines to a joint session of the Congress of the
Philippines. Mandated by the 1987 Constitution, the speech is delivered every fourth Monday of July
at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Metro
Manila.
The SONA, which is often broadcast, serves as a means to inform the nation about its present
economic, political, and social condition. It is also a vehicle for the President to summarise the
accomplishments and plans of his/her programme of government both for a particular year and until
the end of their term of office.

Ceremonial[edit]
The Address is usually delivered at around 16:00 PST (UTC+8). Before the appointed time,
legislators enter the Plenary Hall, with Congresswomen and consorts of Congressmen in recent
years sporting traditionally-inspired bespoke couture that, in some cases, expresses their legislative
agenda or ideological leanings.
The President meanwhile arrives at the Batasang Pambansa Complex some minutes before the
beginning of the joint session, and enters the main building through a back entrance. The President
is then welcomed with military honors, and greeted by the Speaker of the House, the President of
the Senate, and the welcoming committee, before proceeding to the Presidential Legislate Liaison
Office.
The President then enters the Plenary Hall as the Presidential Anthem is played. The Secretary
General introduces the President, who approaches the rostrum and is seated. The President of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House then convene the joint session, and the House of
Representatives Choir leads the now standing assembly in singing Lupang Hinirang.
Representatives of various religious groups then lead the assembly in an ecumenical prayer.
The Speaker then introduces the President in English or Filipino with words similar to the following:

"[Ladies and gentlemen], [honorable] members of [the] Congress [of the
Philippines], [His/Her Excellency], [Name], [the] President [of (the Republic of) the
Philippines]."
The Address, which can last anywhere from one to several hours, is broadcast on television, radio,
and online streaming by state agencies such as Radio Television Malacaang, as well as private
media organizations.

History[edit]
Malolos Congress[edit]
An early form of the Address was in place during the First Philippine Republic, which was
established in 1899 in Malolos, Bulacan. The revolutionary government took ideas from
European parliaments, where the magisterial role of the head of state in the legislature was to mark
the legislature's official opening.
The Malolos Constitution of 1899 provided for the President to preside over the opening of
Congress, as well as convey his messages to the legislature through a secretary. When Emilio
Aguinaldo addressed the Malolos Congress in Spanish on September 15, 1898, he simply
congratulated the formation of the first representative body of the Philippines and Asia. This is not
considered a State of the Nation Address because the Malolos Constitution did not explicitly provide
for one.
American Period[edit]
The State of the Nation Address as an annual practise began during the Commonwealth Era.[1]
The Jones Act enacted in 1916 was the first instance where a report about the Philippine
Islands was required to be submitted. However, the law only mandated a report by the Governor-
General to an executive office assigned by the President of the United States. This was in the form
of a written document that discussed the transactions and movements of the Insular Government.
When the Commonwealth of the Philippines was created and the 1935 Constitution enacted, it
provided for an annual report of the President of the Philippines to Congress:
"The President shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the state of the Nation,
and recommend to its consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."[1]
The first formal State of the Nation Address was delivered by President Manuel L. Quezon on June
16, 1936 at the Legislative Building in Manila.[1] The dates of the SONA were fixed on June 16 of
every year at the start of opening sessions of Congress, by virtue of Commonwealth Act 17.
However, CA 49 changed the date of the opening of Congress to October 16.
In 1937, October 16 fell on a Saturday, and the opening of Congress was moved to 18th, when
Quezon gave the second State of the Nation Address. The opening date of Congress was again
changed that year to the fourth Monday of every year. President Manuel L. Quezon delivered his
final State of the Nation Address on January 31, 1941, prior to the onset of World War II.
====Second World War==== Jos P. Laurel, president of the Japanese-
sponsored puppet Second Republic, was able to deliver his only message before the special session
of the National Assembly, led by Speaker Benigno S. Aquino, Sr., on 18 October at the Legislative
Buildingfour days after the Second Republic's establishment. This is, however, not considered a
SONA as the 1943 Constitution did notas President Laurel himself pointed outprovide for such
an address.
With the 1945 defeat of the Japanese Empire and the re-establishment of the Commonwealth
Government, the now-bicameral Congress of the Philippines convened on June 9, 1945, the first
time since their election in 1941. During this special session, President Sergio Osmea addressed
lawmakers at their provisional quarters (a repurposed schoolhouse) along Lepanto Street in Manila,
and gave a comprehensive report on the work carried out by the Commonwealth Government during
its three-year as a government-in-exile in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, he described the
conditions prevailing in the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation and an acknowledgment of
the invaluable assistance rendered by recognized guerrillas to combined Filipino and American
forces in the liberation of the Philippines.
The last Address of the Commonwealth was delivered by President Manuel Roxas on June 3, 1946.
President Roxas would later deliver the first SONA of the Third Philippine Republic in front of the
First Congress on January 27, 1947.the state of the nation address is 1st century

Third Republic[edit]
Beginning in 1949, the SONA was delivered at the rebuilt Legislative Building. Only once did a
President not appear personally before Congress: on January 23, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino,
who was recuperating at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, delivered his SONA to
a joint session of Congress via RCA. The Address was picked up by a local radio network at 10:00
Philippine Time (GMT+8), in time for the opening of the regular session of the 2nd Congress.

Martial Law and the Fourth Republic[edit]

The tradition of delivering the SONA on the fourth Monday of January ended in 1972, when from
1973 to 1977, President Ferdinand E. Marcos delivered the Address every September 21the
official anniversary of his imposition of Martial Law upon the country. Since Congress was abolished
with the promulgation of the 1973 Constitution, these addresses were delivered before a legislative
assembly either in Malacaang Palace or at Rizal Park, except in 1976 when the Address was given
during the opening of the Batasang Bayan at the Philippine International Convention Center.
President Marcos began giving the Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on June 12, 1978
during the opening session of the Interim Batasang Pambansa. From 1979 onwards, the SONA was
delivered on the fourth Monday of July, following the provisions in the 1973 Constitution and the
superseding 1987 Constitution. The only exceptions to this were in 1983, when the SONA was
delivered on January 17 (the anniversary of the 1973 Constitution's ratification and the second
anniversary of the lifting of Martial Law), and in 1986 when President Corazn C. Aquino did not
deliver any SONA following the People Power Revolution.

Fifth Republic[edit]
With the re-establishment of Congress in 1987, President Corazn C. Aquino delivered her first
SONA at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa. All her successors in the office have since
delivered their respective Addresses in the same venue.

Variations[edit]
Local chief executives also give their own addresses modeled after the State of the Nation Address.
These speeches are not mandated by law, but are given usually as a matter of practice or tradition.

In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, this is called a "State of the Region" Address
(SORA), given by the Regional Governor.
At the provincial level, the governor's speech is called a "State of the Province" Address
(SOPA).
At the civic and municipal level, this is called either a "State of the City Address" (SOCA) or
"State of the Municipality" Address (SOMA), given by the mayor.
At the barangay level, the barangay chairman speech is called a "State of the Barangay"
Address (SOBA).
It is also the practice of the Philippine Independent Church, a Christian denomination formed in
the wake of the Philippine Revolution in the spirit of a national church, to release an annual
"State of the Church" Address coming from the Obispo Mximo (Supreme Bishop).

Criticism[edit]
Recent addresses have been the subject of criticism by various sectors for being too ostentatious
and flashy, with politicians and media personalities treating the event as a red carpet fashion show.
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago blasted the organizers and called the event a "thoughtless
extravagance" where "peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as coached by media
in a feeding frenzy."[2] Presumptive House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for the 17th Congress urged
representatives to dress in simple business attire for future addresses, preferably the Barong
Tagalog for men and "short" Filipiniana for women, in preparation for President Rodrigo Duterte's
first address in 2016.[3]
Latest Sona of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Below is the full text of President Duterte's SONA 2017.

***

Kindly sit down. Thank you for your courtesy.

When I was a member of Congress, I my seat was over there. The seat... The lady with a
violent not violent but rather violet dress seated. But I was always absent together with the
Speaker and Tonyboy Floirendo, who is still absent until today. [laughter] And that started Ay
nandiyan ba? Sorry. But his propensity started almost 17 years ago when we were members of
the 11th Congress.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and the members of the Senate; Pantaleon Alvarez, the
Speaker and the members of the House of Representatives; Vice President Maria Leonor
Robredo; Former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and former President Gloria Arroyo;
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno of the Supreme Court and the members of courts;
Archbishop Pinto and the distinguished guests of the diplomatic corps; Secretary Salvador
Medialdea and the members of the Cabinet; my fellow workers in government; my countrymen.

When I took my oath of office a year or so ago, I knew that our country was reeling from a
multitude of problems. That day, there was euphoria in the air resulting from a successful
campaign and the thought that dominated my being was to make good on my promise to the
people to bring change in government, not a change that is passing but a change that can
survive the test of time.

Although I still had to know the magnitude and gravity of the problems, my feeling then was that,
equipped with political will and braced by a concerned citizenry, those problems would
eventually be bested by us. It was only a matter of determination and collective action. It was
only a question of time.

For as I saw it then as I see it now, there is no problem in the world which can stop the march of
a people with unflinching and tenacious determination. That was how euphoric euphoric it has
been.

Early on, I felt that if change was to be meaningful, it had to start with those occupying the
highest positions in government because change that comes from below is more transitory than
permanent. And I was aiming for permanence. Let change trickle down from [top to] bottom.

It has to be a change that is not confined merely to the replacement of people by people, but a
change in the peoples attitude, disposition and work ethic.

Sadly, although we knew years ago that what was needed or ought to do, we did not do [them]
because our idea of government was parochial and we could not rise above family, ethnic and
clan loyalties as well as loyalty to friends and co-workers. No one wanted to be a snitch. That is
why we are one in saying that genuine change is what this country truly needs.

I believed then, as I believe still, that progress and development will sputter if criminals, illegal
drugs, illegal users of drugs are allowed to roam the streets freely, victimizing seeming with
impunity, the innocent and the helpless. Worse yet, there were times in the past when the
protectors of the people were themselves the perpetrators of the very crimes they were tasked
to prevent or suppress. It is ironic as it is madness.

I have learned that economy surges only when there is peace and order prevailing in places
where investors can pour their capital and expertise. I have learned from my experience in
Davao City that investor confidence [is] bolstered and fortified only if a potent force and
mechanism for protection of local and foreign investments are in place.

That is why, I have resolved that no matter how long it takes, the fight against illegal drugs will
continue because that is the root cause of so much evil and so much suffering [applause] that
weakens the social fabric and deters foreign investments from pouring in. The fight will be
unremitting as it will be unrelenting.

Despite international and local pressures, the fight will not stop [applause] until those who deal
in it understand that they have to cease, they have to stop because the alternatives are either
jail or hell. [applause] And I will make sure, very sure that they will not have the luxury of
enjoying the benefits of their greed and madness.

I do not intend to loosen the leash in the campaign or lose the fight against illegal drugs. Neither
do I intend to preside over the destruction of the Filipino youth by being timid and tentative in my
decisions and actions. [applause]

To the critics against this fight, your efforts will be better spent if you use the influence, moral
authority and ascendancy of your organizations over your respective sectors to educate the
people on the evils of illegal drugs instead of condemning the authorities and unjustly blaming
for every killing that bloodies this country.

But dont get me wrong. I value human life the way I value mine. Each life that is snuffed out
translates into future generations lost. It is like cracking the acorn from which an oak tree grows
which, in turn, produce the seeds to complete the cycle of [life in] perpetuity.

There is a jungle out there. There are beasts and vultures preying on the helpless, the innocent
[and] the unsuspecting. I will not allow the ruin of the youth, the disintegration of families and the
retrogression of communities, forced by criminals whose greed for money is as insatiable as it is
devoid of moral purpose. Neither will I be immobilized into inaction by the fear that I will commit
an act that will expose me to public condemnation or legal prosecution. You harm the children in
whose hands the future of this Republic is entrusted, and I will hound you to the very gates of
hell. [applause]

That is why I ask you to join me in this fight against illegal drugs and all forms of criminality.
The government, equipped with legal authority, and you, with the moral ascendancy over the
sector you represent, can do so much, and hopefully eradicate this social scourge that plagues
us no end.

Look beyond your biases, your prejudices, your ambition, your political agenda. The search for
change will begin and end only when we look into ourselves and find it within.

Today, a multitude of problems confront us. No sooner is one problem solved [when] another
surges forth in its place. But we will not be disheartened; we will not be cowed; we will not be
overwhelmed.

It is during trying times and troubled events that the resilience, perseverance and determination
of the people are tested. The Filipino is no stranger or neophyte to situations like the one we
face today. We can, and we will, overcome as we did countless times in the past, [but] only if we
work together towards a common goal.

Sad to say, despite all efforts, peace, especially in the Island of Mindanao, continues to elude
us. But of course, it is not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living that we seek. Peace
flits away like a butterfly when you try to snatch it by the wings. And our pursuit of peace
continues.

The red insurgency has been with us for decades; the Muslim issue, for centuries.

So much time has lapsed, so many lives have been lost and so much destruction has been
wrought but peace eludes us still. Sometimes I am almost tempted to conclude that peace might
not be able to come during our lifetime.

But believe me, it will not be for want of trying. And I will persist in our goal of attaining peace
[up] to the last day of this administration and maybe even beyond although in a different
capacity. [applause]

There is rebellion in Mindanao. The extremists have declared it their purpose to establish a
caliphate within Philippine territory along the teachings and beliefs of [the] Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria or otherwise known as ISIS. The battle of Marawi has dealt a terrible blow to our
quest for peace especially now that an alien ideology and a radical shift in purpose have been
injected into the local setting.

I declared Martial Law in Mindanao because I believed that that was the fastest way to quell the
rebellion at the least cost of lives and properties. [applause] At the same time, the government
would be adequately equipped with the constitutional tool not only to prevent the escape of
rebels who can easily mingle and pretend to be civilian evacuees only to re-group in another
place to fight another day, but also to prevent them from spreading their gospel of hate and
violence in the rest of Mindanao.
Martial Law and the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus enable the military to arrest,
detain and question suspected members and sympathizers of the rebellion similar to what
happened to the parents of the Maute brothers.