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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senators call for simpler SONA, toned down 'pageantry' amid widespread flooding

Senators call for simpler SONA, toned down 'pageantry' amid widespread flooding

Published Jul 24, 2025 04:27 pm

At A Glance

  • Senators have called for a simpler SONA, criticizing the event's red carpet atmosphere as insensitive to the ongoing suffering of Filipinos affected by recent floods.
As Filipinos across the country grapple with the devastating impact of widespread flooding, senators called to tone down the extravagant displays and red carpet fashion in President Marcos' upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Senate of the Philippines Building (MB file photo)
Senate of the Philippines Building (MB file photo)
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has called on public officials to tone down or remove the "pomp and pageantry" surrounding the President's SONA, citing the ongoing suffering of Filipinos affected by severe flooding across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, July 24, Zubiri criticized what he described as extravagant “red carpet fashionista walks,” complete with jewelry, saying such displays are insensitive given the widespread devastation caused by recent floods.
“Wag tayong maging kapal mukha o manhid sa pangyayari sa ating mga kababayan (Let’s not be shameless or indifferent to what our fellow Filipinos are going through),” said Zubiri.
“Dapat tigilin muna yang mga red carpet fashionista walk na complete with dyamante pa (Those red carpet fashionista walks—complete with diamonds—should be stopped for now),” he added.
Zubiri emphasized that empathy and solidarity should be prioritized over spectacle, urging officials to instead focus on the plight of flood victims, many of whom are walking through floodwaters and are at risk of contracting diseases like leptospirosis.
“Yung mga naglalakad sa baha at exposed sa leptospirosis ang dapat natin intindihin (We should be concerned about those wading through floodwaters and exposed to leptospirosis),” he added.
Senator Loren Legarda made the same call, stating that the Senate opening and the SONA must be made simple, as it should be, attuned with the times.
"Our people are suffering from the floods," Legarda said in a separate statement.
"We must use the occasion to solve the problems, to be part of the solution to this long-standing problem, and not to be out of touch with the real state of [the] nation," she added.
This was also the call made by Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, who stated that the upcoming SONA should not be grand or turned into a fashion show, especially since a calamity has just occurred with many affected and suffering.
He said that this has been his position on the SONA from the beginning, saying that it should not be turned into a lavish occasion while so many of our fellow Filipinos continue to suffer.
"Di ko nga alam bakit naging fashion show at pagarbuhan ng pananamit at gamit itong okasyong ito na parang Oscars Award (I honestly don’t understand how this occasion turned into a fashion show and a display of luxury—like it’s the Oscars Awards)," he said.
"Hindi ito ang pagkakataon para rumampa at magpasikat. Hindi ito tama at hindi dapat (This is not the time to strut and show off. It’s not right, and it shouldn’t be done)," he added.
The senators' appeal comes as many still continue to reel from the effects of monsoon rains and storms, with some areas placed under a state of calamity due to persistent flooding.

Related Tags

SONA Migz Zubiri jv ejercito Loren Legarda Senate of the Philippines President Marcos
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