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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos personally writing SONA, speech now in final review

Marcos personally writing SONA, speech now in final review

Published Jul 23, 2026 02:23 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos is personally writing his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Malacañang said.
  • The speech is nearly complete and is undergoing final review ahead of Monday's address.
  • The Palace said the SONA will still include the administration's accomplishments and hinted at possible major announcements but declined to reveal details.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 28, 2025. (Mark Balmores)

President Marcos is personally writing his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), with the speech now nearly complete and undergoing final review ahead of its delivery on Monday, Malacañang said Thursday, July 23.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President has been drafting the speech himself, confirming an earlier Palace disclosure that he was personally preparing his address.

She, however, declined to reveal the contents of the speech, saying she has neither seen nor heard the President's final remarks as the draft remains under review.

However, Castro dismissed speculation that the President would focus solely on forward-looking plans, saying the administration's accomplishments would still form part of the address.

“Definitely hindi mawawala ang mga naging accomplishments ng administrasyon pero kung ano pa ang kaniyang sasabihin, hintayin po natin sa Lunes (The administration's accomplishments will definitely not be absent, but as for what else he will say, let us wait until Monday),” she said.

Asked whether the President would discuss flood control projects and the filing of cases against contractors, Castro again refused to preempt the speech, saying the public should wait for the SONA while noting that several contractors have already been charged and that more cases could be filed once sufficient evidence is established.

'Earthshaking' announcements

Pressed on whether the President would make "earthshaking" announcements during the SONA, Castro declined to provide any preview, saying only, “Lagi naman pong ganoon (It has always been that way).”

She maintained that the President himself should be allowed to deliver his message in full during the SONA instead of the Palace revealing portions of the speech beforehand.

VP impeachment, speech length

Castro also declined to confirm if the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was among the topics discussed in relation to the President's speech.

“Hindi po 'yan napag-uusapan (That has not been discussed),” she said.

She likewise said there has been no discussion yet on the final length of the President's address, adding that the completed speech would most likely be ready by Sunday.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos SONA State of the Nation Address Claire Castro
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