SONA: The View from Outside Imperial Manila

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) a year after calling out those involved in flood control corruption, urging them to "Mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame)!" This year, many will expect tangible progress in the campaign against flood control corruption. This report takes a broader view of Marcos' fifth SONA and the expectations surrounding it by looking beyond "Imperial Manila." In an episode of "In the Public Square," Rappler columnist John Nery was joined by lawyer Angelisa Razo, a professor of law at Ateneo de Davao University; Francis Allan Angelo, a newspaper editor-in-chief in Iloilo; and Jonas Cabiles Soltes, a public official in Camarines Sur. They discussed the current state and future prospects of the administration's initiatives, particularly concerning the fight against flood control corruption. Their perspectives offer insights rooted in the realities of the provinces, distinct from the often Manila-centric narratives. The discussion probes how the policies outlined in the SONA will translate into concrete solutions for local challenges and whether the commitment to address past corruption issues remains steadfast. The SONA is a crucial event for Filipinos, garnering significant public expectation. However, it has often faced criticism for its tendency to focus on the capital's perspective, failing to fully capture the diverse realities across the archipelago. This discussion aims to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the SONA from viewpoints outside the "Imperial Manila" bubble. Source: Rappler Philippines