Cayetano Urges Marcos Critics to Engage with SONA

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday urged both supporters and critics of President Marcos to watch the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), stressing that all Filipinos should listen to the President’s assessment of the country’s condition, regardless of political affiliation. In a Facebook livestream on the eve of the SONA, Cayetano said even those opposed to Marcos should hear his speech because he is the country’s leader. “To those who are anti-Marcos, I still urge you to watch. Why? Because he is our President. We only have one President,” he stated. The senator emphasized that the SONA serves as the government’s report on the country’s situation and should be treated as a starting point for informed public discussion. “The State of the Nation Address tells us the condition of our country. We need to know where we are starting from,” he added. Cayetano called on citizens who claim to love the country to remain informed about national issues, irrespective of their political leanings. He urged the public to focus on the substance of Marcos’ speech rather than judging it based on the President himself. “Don’t look at the messenger. Look at the message. Let’s listen to what the President says, determine where we agree and where we disagree,” he urged. Cayetano is scheduled to deliver his own message at the traditional “kontra-SONA” (counter-SONA) of the Senate minority bloc tomorrow, a day after the President addresses Congress. Source: Philstar Nation