Marcos' SONA Echoes Past Presidents, Sparking Comparisons

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, as he enters the final two years of his presidency. The one-hour-and-25-minute speech addressed issues including a flood control scandal, electricity bills, a tax relief package for the middle class, the controversial Pax Silica Industrial Hub, and the partial opening of the MRT-7. However, some Filipinos and political scientists have noted similarities between Marcos Jr.'s SONA and speeches delivered by past presidents. Notably, former presidents Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Joseph “Erap” Estrada were frequently mentioned in comparisons. Aquino III was known for delivering his SONAs entirely in Filipino. Marcos Jr.'s speech also featured significant portions in Filipino, prompting online comments such as, “He is doing a Noynoy Aquino by delivering his SONA in Filipino.” Political scientist Cleve Arguelles observed that Marcos Jr. was “doing a PNoy” and also “doing a bit of an Estrada” with his rhetoric against favoritism. Estrada, in his 1998 inaugural address, vowed to eradicate corruption, stating, “Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak o anak na maaaring magsamantala sa ngayon. At ngayon pa lamang sinasabi ko sa inyo, nag-aaksaya lamang kayo ng panahon. Huwag ninyo akong subukan.” (No friends, no godfathers, no relatives or children will be allowed to take advantage now. I am telling you now, you are just wasting your time. Do not test me.) Marcos Jr. used similar lines at the beginning of his speech, emphasizing that he is president not just of his family but of the country. This echoed Estrada's strong stance against nepotism and cronyism. Last year, during Marcos Jr.'s fourth SONA, similarities to Aquino III's speeches were also observed. The call for accountability regarding water and electricity, and slow or anomalous flood control projects, drew parallels to Aquino's direct questioning of officials. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s first cousin, who was allegedly linked to the flood control scandal, was also mentioned. Romualdez stated that he respects the president’s decision and maintains he did not do anything illegal, expressing readiness to prove it. The SONA serves as a crucial platform for the Philippine president to outline policy directions. However, the stylistic and thematic comparisons to past leaders highlight how presidential communication styles resonate with public memory and political narratives.