In politics, timing is everything.
For some members of the House of Representatives and Senate, the timing of President Marcos' third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, is ideal in making various policy statements and legislative directions.
As President Marcos enters the halfway point of his Palace tenure, his report to the Filipino people would undoubtedly be in the context of the current national landscape as shaped by dynamic politics and the economy.
It's largely for this reason that House Speaker Martin Romualdez wants the Chief Executive to renew his signature message of unity among all Filipinos. Unity was President Marcos' clarion call during the 2022 elections, where he scored a historic majority victory.
"I expect the President to emphasize the importance of unity among all Filipinos, and highlight how collective efforts can lead to national progress," Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House, said.
"Furthermore, I anticipate a focus on the continued and immediate delivery of essential social services to ensure that the needs of the people are met promptly and effectively," he added.
Citing the past two SONAs, the Leyte 1st district congressman says the President "will likely propose new laws aimed at simplifying and improving the daily lives of our citizens."
Romualdez said these pieces of legislation would address matters on economic development, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. "These initiatives will be crucial in driving our country forward and enhancing the overall quality of life for all Filipinos," added Marcos' top ally in the bicameral legislature.
The SONA can also be a venue for the President to address more contentious issues, like Charter Change (Cha-cha). Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, one of the veteran members of the House, is crossing his fingers that Marcos does so because, again, timing is everything.
On Charter Change
"We are nearly halfway through PBBM's administration. The Philippines is strong, stable, and promising. Now is the best time for Cha-cha," Barbers, a majority member, said.
Barbers said that while discussions on amending the outdated 1987 Constitution recently took a backseat in an out of Congress, President Marcos can change this by highlighting it in his annual speech.
"I say that we do away with the old and try something new, especially of there's such a huge upside for the economy. And the Marcos administration has been all about seizing opportunities for economic advancement," he said.
"As for the Charter's political provisions, particularly on the term limit of elected officials, some of the framers of the Constitution have admitted that they had no concrete basis for putting the three-year term cap on House members, while senators have a six-year term. Charter change can also remedy this and perhaps fix the way Philippine elections are carried out by making them more qualifications-based instead of personality-based," added Barbers.
West Philippine Sea
House "Young Guns" bloc member Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun says the President can "send a very powerful message" in his SONA by opening his speech with an affirmation of the country’s position in the WPS, as buoyed by the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling that favored the Philippines.
"This would be a huge morale boost to our valiant troops on BRP Sierra Madre, our heroic men and women from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) who conduct the resupply missions, and our courageous Filipino fishermen," said Khonghun, an assistant majority leader.
Another “young gun” in Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong says that President Marcos' audience on the particular topic goes beyond those who will attend the SONA at Batasang Pambansa Complex.
"The international community also has its ear on this given its significance to regional stability. Case in point is President Marcos' being named one of TIME Magazine's '100 Most Influential People of 2024', wherein he was cited for his stand on the WPS," he said.
POGO issue
For Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senator Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, it's the timely topic on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that they want to hear President Marcos tackle head-on, particularly the total ban of the industry.
“The President’s popularity and approval rating will surely shoot up if he announces it [total ban of POGOs) in his SONA. That would be a good political move,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said he believes the people will be elated once the President makes such a decision. “Everyone’s attention would be focused on that event. We would be surprised, perhaps not only surprised, but also happy,” he said.
Hontiveros and Gatchalian said they hope the President will heed the recommendation of Deparrment of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto’s recommendation for the country to do away with POGOs.
Gatchalian pointed out the various crimes involved in POGO hubs include human and sex trafficking, serious illegal detention, money laundering, torture and online scamming—“all of which undermine national security and social order".
“I hope that based on the ill-effects of POGOs in the country so far, and all the promises that were not fulfilled since we adopted an open-door policy for POGO during the Duterte administration, and if the National Security Council (NSC) opines that POGOs are a national security threat, then the President should announce a ban on POGOs in his SONA,” Hontiveros said.
Peace talks
And then there are the more personal advocacies from solons that they hope President Marcos would highlight given his historic mandate.
"The one topic majority of Filipinos would benefit from is if President Marcos would officially reopen the formal resumption of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)," Deputy Minority Leader ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said.
Castro belongs to the militant Makabayan bloc, which has consistently called for the resumption of peace talks since it was stalled during the previous administration.
"The breakthroughs in the peace negotiations have generated much support among our people, including members of Congress. In fact, House Resolution 636 in the 18th Congress calling for the resumption of the peace talks--after Duterte first cancelled them in 2017—garnered the support of more than 130 members of the House of Representatives," she recalled.
Solo parents welfare act
For Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera, the full and effective implementation of the Solo Parents Welfare Act is the one thing that she wants President Marcos to emphasize.
"The implementation of the law if very poor. Local government units (LGUs) should be reminded, briefed and educated about it," said Herrera, another deputy minority leader.