President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in the final stages of preparing his speech for his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) next week, according to Palace press officer Claire Castro, who hinted that the president may make ‘earthshaking announcements.’
As in previous years, Castro said Marcos would write his own speech but declined to disclose the topics that would be covered.
‘At this point, the president is nearly finished and is reviewing his speech. I can’t disclose what he may say because I haven’t seen it yet, nor have I heard what he is going to say,’ she said in a briefing.
Asked whether Marcos would address the flood control issue in his Sona, Castro only said it would be better for the public to wait for the speech.
‘Many contractors have already been charged, while some may not have been charged yet because there is not yet enough evidence to file a case against them,’ she also said.
Castro, meanwhile, hinted at possible ‘earthshaking announcements’ during Marcos’ Sona.
‘It’s always like that. So let’s just wait and see what the president will say. As we’ve seen, the administration’s accomplishments will certainly not be left out, but as for what else he will say, let’s wait until Monday,’ she said when asked whether the president will make such pronouncements.
‘Simple yet dignified’
At a briefing on July 20, Castro said Marcos’ second-to-last Sona would be ‘simple yet dignified,’ in compliance with the austerity measures the government is implementing due to the impact of the Middle East crisis.
‘The House of Representatives will be hosting the Sona. However, the executive branch, particularly the Office of the President, is aligned with it because the call here is simply for a simple occasion.’
Castro also said, ‘The Sona will be kept simple. There will be no celebrity directors or big A-list performers involved. It will be a simple yet dignified event, reflecting the proper conduct of a national occasion such as the Sona.’