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FIRST SONA 2022

On July 25, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. made his inaugural State of the Nation
Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, outlining his goals for his six-year presidency. Migs
Zubiri, the newly appointed Senate President, and Martin Romualdez, the Speaker of the House, who had been
chosen by their respective houses earlier in the day, greeted him as he arrived onboard the presidential
helicopter. The arrival of Marcos Jr. was spectacular thanks to Paul Soriano's direction of the SONA. He
walked inside the plenary chamber as Pilipinas Kong Mahal was being performed instrumentally.

Sen. Imee Marcos and Rep. Sandro Marcos from Ilocos Norte were present with the president at the
Presidential Legislative Liaison Office. The president also spoke with his wife, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Former head of state Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte were all
recognized by the president during his address. A round of applause followed his mention of his wife and kids.

Marcos Jr. acknowledged the infrastructure initiatives of the previous president Duterte in his address
and pledged to continue them. In addition, he expressed gratitude to the 16th president for founding the
Department of Migrant Workers. Former national police commander Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa celebrated
as the president revealed his idea to make Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for senior high
school students. When Marcos Jr. outlined his plans to build more specialized hospitals in the National Capital
Region and around the country, he received a standing ovation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. never failed to satisfy Filipinos with erratic and unstable ideas,
particularly in the education sector. The assessment of the viability of the K-12 school system is one of the
primary themes highlighted in the SONA 2022 addressing the education sector. In the midst of the epidemic,
Marcos Jr. underlined the government's aim to reinstate face-to-face education. In preparation for the following
school year, he recommended everyone to obtain their COVID-19 booster doses. Marcos Jr. also inquired
about classroom availability with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). While the
reintroduction of in-person education is encouraging, this administration must ensure that no students are left
behind. In addition, Marcos Jr. continues to place a high priority on mandatory ROTC even as the academic
gap in the nation widens and access to formal education decreases. The Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC) should be required in senior high schools, the President advocated in his speech to Congress. The
culture of corruption and abuse that obligatory ROTC has fostered in ostensibly safe-haven institutions is
difficult to ignore, however, given its violent background. The Marcos Jr. administration must face the fact that
the number of youths who are not in school is rising, that the curriculum is inadequate, that the instructors are
overworked, and that the pupils are ill-prepared. It's time to rearrange our nation's skewed priorities and stop
producing power-tripping cadets and requiring multilingual pupils to learn English. Since the Philippines'
educational system would undoubtedly become corrupt if we don't.

The audience applauded Marcos when he revealed that he would be issuing an executive
order that would put a stop to the payment of lands and interests, but this only serves to prolong the suffering
of these farmers because a postponement of payments isn't a real solution to the high debts and uncompetitive
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products that are afflicting our local farmers. For this year, they could live frugally, but the farmers and their
families would have to go hungry again the following year, and their kids would have to drop out of school.
Extensions and moratoriums won't be able to effectively assist our farmers until there are structural
improvements done.

He also talked about his administration's healthcare policies and the epidemic. Marcos
reassured the populace that there would be no more lockdowns and that booster injections would be given to
increase immunity and reduce mortality. If the new administration is serious about improving our health, it
should consider raising pay and providing greater benefits to our healthcare personnel. The proposal to bring
medical aid closer to rural communities is also encouraging, although the details are yet unclear.

He has been certain that economic development and recovery would be given top priority. He
listed their goals in detail for the Philippine economy during his administration. Although these figures may
appear impressive, the current situation shouts that his government will have a heavier load to bear, especially
in the near future. Given the current circumstances, Marcos Jr.'s objective might not be realistic if the current
amount is greater than twice what he had in mind. The objective of a single digit poverty rate could just be a
pipe dream in the near future unless his government can design a comprehensive economic transformation that
will really reach people on the outskirts of society.

Additionally, it was his time to face up to the crimes against humanity and violations of human rights
committed by his dictator father Ferdinand Marcos Sr. during the catastrophic years of Martial Law. But as we
have all witnessed over the years, he and his family never acknowledge it. He ought to have demanded the
release of political prisoner and human rights activist Leila De Lima, who is being held on false drug-related
charges. Additionally, this runs counter to his pledge to promote unity made during his presidential campaign.

While the administration's plan appears to be beneficial to the overall economy, the destiny of
regular Filipinos remains uncertain. With more investment predicted in the next years, it is unclear if this
macroeconomic development will convert into improved lives for individuals.

The president's State of the Union Address (SONA) revealed our country's direction for the
next six years. While he neglected significant aspects from the Filipinos' current condition, his governance
strategy gives a positive picture for the Philippine economy. But, as one economics professor at the University
of the Philippines pointed, all presidents, regardless of who they are, would want to solve the same economic
challenges. They will all set lofty objectives for their government to meet. The main difference is how they
implement their programs and initiatives, which will determine whether their high expectations are met or not.

It's time for us Filipinos to recognize the type of government and nation we truly deserve. Do
we deserve a nation that is engulfed in extreme poverty and hunger? Do we deserve to be dominated by those
who have committed crimes and horrors in the past? Do we merit living in a place where certain people are left
behind? Do our kids deserve to grow up in a society that values impunity and a culture of fear? I'm hoping that
these queries have responses.