President Marcos used his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to paint a picture of a nation that is safer, fairer, and more resilient. It served as a wishlist and more as a progress report, signaling a shift in tone from promises to performance.

While it did not enumerate a legislative agenda, Marcos made clear that continuity, accountability, and delivery will define his final three years. He claimed progress in rice affordability, public safety, education, and infrastructure, while also issuing a firm warning against budget proposals that veer away from the people's interests.

“Kaya sa huling tatlong taon ng Administrasyon, ibubuhos pa natin ang lahat-lahat (In the last three years of this administration, we will give it everything we’ve got)," Marcos said in his 70-minute speech that got applauded 124 times.

“Hindi lamang upang mapantayan, kundi mahigitan pa ang pagbibigay-ginhawa sa ating mga kababayan (Not only to match, but to surpass what we’ve already done to uplift our people),” he said.

Marcos asserted that the country is more peaceful and more protective of human rights than in years past. He credited security forces and reintegration programs with former rebels for helping stabilize communities, especially in Mindanao. He also emphasized that rights are now better respected regardless of background.

“Ang lipunan natin ngayon ay mas mapayapa. Mas mapangalaga rin sa karapatang-pantao, anuman ang edad, kasarian, kundisyon, o pangkat (Our society today is more peaceful and more respectful of human rights, regardless of age, gender, condition, or group),” he said.

“Wala na ring nalalabing grupong gerilya sa bansa, at titiyakin ng pamahalaan na wala nang mabubuo muli (There are no more remaining guerrilla groups in the country, and we will ensure that none rise again),” he added.

The President claimed that his long-standing campaign promise of P20 rice has been realized through Kadiwa stores and will be expanded nationwide. He cited a P113-billion budget for agriculture and food security programs to make low-cost rice more widely available. He also issued a stern warning to traders cheating farmers and manipulating rice prices.

“Napatunayan natin na kaya na natin ang bente pesos sa bawat kilo ng bigas, nang hindi malulugi ang mga magsasaka (We have proven that we can sell rice at ₱20 per kilo without our farmers going bankrupt),” he said.

“Binabalaan ko ang mga trader na magtatangkang magmanipula ng presyo ng palay at bigas… Hahabulin namin kayo (I warn traders who attempt to manipulate rice prices… We will go after you),” he added, noting that the government considers such a deed as economic sabotage.

Marcos reported that P83 billion worth of illegal drugs had been seized and over 153,000 people arrested in three years, including government personnel and local officials. He highlighted recent billion-peso busts across multiple provinces and personally witnessed the destruction of nearly 1.5 tons of shabu.

However, he warned that drug peddlers appear to be returning despite the crackdown.

“Sa lahat ng mga operasyong ito, mahigit 153,000 ang naaresto... mahigit 677 sa kanila ay kawani ng pamahalaan (Across all these operations, more than 153,000 were arrested… 677 of them were government personnel),” he said.

“Tila nagbabalikan daw ang mga pusher… Kaya, patuloy ang ating mga operasyon laban sa mga drug dealer, big-time man o small-time (Pushers seem to be returning… So our operations against drug dealers—big-time or small-time—will continue),” he added.

The President acknowledged learning losses in reading, math, and science and emphasized teacher empowerment as part of the solution. More classrooms are being built, guidance counselors deployed, and mental health programs expanded. He also noted that teachers are now equipped with laptops and internet support.

“Ngayon nagdaratingan na ang mga laptop na laan para sa bawat guro sa public school. Tiniyak natin na walang anomalya sa pagbili ng mga laptop na ito (Now, the laptos for each public school teacher have arrived. We made sure that there were no anomalies in their purchase),” he said.

Marcos touted the pace of infrastructure development under his administration, from railways and roads to water systems and housing. He said major projects are underway across the country, including the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and the rehabilitation of the Guadalupe Bridge. He also warned contractors and agencies against poor-quality or delayed projects.

“Sa Build Better More, higit ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng mamamayan ang napakamahalaga (Under Build Better More, the safety and welfare of the people are the most important),” he said.

“At ang mga proyekto, tama dapat ang disenyo. Mataas dapat ang kalidad. Natatapos sa takdang oras. At naaalagaan at namementina nang mabuti (The projects should have the appropriate design, high-quality, completed on time, and regularly and thoroughly maintained),” he added.

The President ordered a comprehensive review of all flood control projects. He questioned the efficiency of these efforts in light of persistent flooding in many parts of the country. Marcos said the government would not tolerate wasteful or ineffective spending.

“So that this will not happen again. First, the DPWH will immediately submit to me a list of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed in the last three years,” he said.

“Second, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee shall examine that list of projects and give a report on those that have been failures, those that were not finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost projects,” he added, noting that this list would be made public.

Marcos highlighted programs to increase crop and livestock productivity, expand irrigation, and distribute farm inputs. A nationwide coconut replanting initiative aims to plant 100 million trees. He also called on Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to better serve smallholder farmers.

“Pinatataas natin ang produksyon ng palay, mais, pinya, saging, mangga, kape, cacao, calamansi, tubo, sibuyas, bawang, at iba pa (We are increasing the production of rice, corn, pineapple, banana, mango, coffee, cacao, calamansi, sugarcane, onion, garlic, and more),” he said.

“Hihilingin natin sa Kongreso na amyendahan ang Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act para maging mas angkop sa mga pangangailangan ng mga magsasaka (We will ask Congress to amend the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act to better suit the needs of farmers),” he added.

The President reiterated that work, not handouts, is the best path out of poverty. He said microentrepreneurs are being supported with capital and training, and agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are working to help the unemployed find opportunities. Over 1.5 million families, he noted, have "graduated" from the 4Ps program.

“Maayos na hanapbuhay talaga ang mabisang pantiyak laban sa kahirapan at laban sa gutom (Decent work is the most effective guarantee against poverty and hunger),” he said.

“Hindi tayo titigil hanggang halos 2.5 milyong maralitang pamilya ang natulungan nating magkaroon ng kanilang sariling maliit na negosyo (We will not stop until 2.5 million poor families are helped in setting up their own small businesses),” he added.

The President said PhilHealth now covers services like dialysis, cancer treatment, and heart surgery for children. He also pointed to faster reimbursements and simplified processes for accessing medical assistance. More specialty hospitals are being established in the regions.

Meanwhile, he declared that patients admitted to Department of Health (DOH) hospitals will no longer have to pay for their bills.

“Wala nang kailangan bayaran ang pasyente basta sa DOH hospital dahil bayad na po ang bill ninyo (A patient at a DOH hospital no longer has to pay because their bill is already settled),” he said.

Marcos warned lawmakers that the national budget must reflect justice and directly benefit the people. He said he would veto any measure that strays from this principle. He described the budget as the government’s most powerful tool to uplift lives.

“I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program,” he said.

“And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget,” he added.

Reaffirming the Philippines’ diplomatic stance, Marcos said the country remains neutral, open to cooperation, and committed to protecting Filipinos abroad. He also thanked countries that helped repatriate distressed OFWs. The Philippines is set to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026.

“Ngayon, masasabi natin na mataas ang tingin ng buong mundo sa Pilipinas (Now, we can say that the whole world holds the Philippines in high esteem),” he said.

“Maayos, patas, at mahinahon tayong nakikitungo sa iba't ibang mga bansa (We deal with various countries properly, fairly, and calmly),” he added.