Marcos Jr. hints at 'next chapter' in 5th SONA

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. began delivering his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday. On board the presidential helicopter, Marcos arrived at the venue at exactly 3:37 p.m. where he was welcomed by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and other top government officials. READ: Cayetanos, Imee Marcos, Padilla, Legarda to skip Sona Marcos’ speech is expected to last for one hour and 20 minutes, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. The PCSO Chorale has been tapped to perform the Philippine national anthem during the program. Ahead of his speech, Marcos hinted that the public should expect the “next chapter” of his administration’s anti-corruption campaign, while Castro teased “earthshaking announcements” reminiscent of the President’s “Mahiya naman kayo!” remark during his 2025 Sona. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, and Sens. Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Loren Legarda opted to skip Marcos’ Sona. /dp