A congressman from a province that directly faces the West Philippine Sea (WPS) says it would be a great "morale boost" for Filipinos to hear President Marcos reiterate the government's commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun had this to say amid recent acts of aggression from regional giant China, which has an expansive territorial claim over the entire South China Sea.

Khonghun said on Sunday, July 26 that the matter on the WPS was one of the country’s most important national issues, and thus deserved more than a passing mention in the SONA.

"Syempre nakakataas ng morale lalong-lalo na kapag ang Presidente mismo ang nangunguna sa pagtatanggol sa ating mga kababayan,” said the congressman, a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives.

(Of course it boosts morale, especially when the president himself leads in defending our countrymen.)

The WPS conflict hits close to home for Khonghun; it is not uncommon for fishermen from Zambales' western coastline to be shooed away by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal)--a fertile fishing spot lies just 124 nautical miles offshore.

The area is well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Khonghun, like many in the House, have bannered the country's July 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) victory, which invalidated Beijing's expansive nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

The Philippines just celebrated the 10th anniversary of this landmark Arbitral Award, which China has never recognized.

President Marcos will deliver his fifth and penultimate SONA before a joint session of Congress on Monday afternoon, July 27.

Beyond the West Philippine Sea, Khonghun said the SONA also provides an opportunity to outline the administration’s plans for strengthening the economy and creating more jobs during the remainder of President Marcos' term.

“Syempre ang Pilipino, ine-expect kung papaano mapapagaan ng ating pamahalaan 'yung buhay ng ating mamamayan, lalong-lalo na sa ekonomiya, lalong-lalo na sa kung papaano nila mabibigyan ng trabaho ang mga Pilipino,” he said.

(Of course, Filipinos expect how our government can ease the lives of our people, especially in the economy, and especially in how they can provide jobs for Filipinos.)