Top 10 quotes from President Marcos' fifth SONA
Published Jul 27, 2026 07:02 pm
At A Glance
- President Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered several memorable lines, from declaring he is "President of the entire Filipino people" to vowing that the country "does not yield" in defending its sovereignty.
- Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described the SONA as "tamang timpla"—substantive, candid, and action-oriented—saying it balanced accomplishments with clear priorities for the administration's remaining two years.
- Here are the 10 quotes that best captured the President's key messages on governance, the economy, energy, foreign policy, national security, and his agenda moving forward.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives on July 27, 2026. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto perhaps best summed up President Marcos' fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA): "Tamang timpla. Malaman at hindi bola-bola (Just the right mix. Substantive, not fluff).”
In a statement on Monday evening, July 27, Recto said the President delivered "a fair rendition" of what the administration has accomplished, while acknowledging that the speech could not cover everything because "a SONA should never be Wikipedia-broad and telenovela-long."
“Ganyan ang SONA. Naguulat. Nagmumulat. Nanggugulat din (That's how a SONA should be. It reported. It enlightened. It also surprised)," he said.
The Executive Secretary added that President Marcos also clearly laid out what remains to be done.
“It is clear that he spelled this out, itemized, for easy monitoring come implementation time,” Recto said.
“His call is for everyone to dial down divisive politicking and ramp up work that will bring peace and progress to the entire nation,” he added.
Marcos' fifth SONA, which lasted one hour and 26 minutes, was his longest since taking office in 2022 and drew 94 rounds of applause, based on the official Palace transcript. His previous SONA speeches lasted 1 hour and 14 minutes in 2022, 1 hour and 11 minutes in 2023, 1 hour and 21 minutes in 2024, and 1 hour and 10 minutes in 2025.
Among the hour-and-26-minute address, these quotes stood out the most.
1. "Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya, mga kaibigan, o mga kakampi lamang. Pangulo ako ng buong sambayanang Pilipino."
This was the defining line of Marcos' fifth SONA. It framed his anti-corruption campaign, particularly his crackdown on irregular flood-control projects, while sending the message that public office should serve the entire nation rather than political allies, especially his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. It also became the speech's strongest statement on accountability and governance.
2. "At kung pagbawas ng presyo ang usapan, sa aking palagay, panahon na para tanggalin na ang systems loss na ipinapasa sa consumer... Therefore, we, the people, request — no, we demand — for the immediate amendment of the EPIRA."
One of the remarks that drew the loudest applause during the SONA came when Marcos demanded the removal of system loss charges from consumers' electricity bills and called for an immediate amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). The proposal, if enacted, could directly reduce electricity costs for households and businesses.
3. "We are respectful, and we are dignified. We are Filipinos, and we do not yield."
Delivered during his message on the West Philippine Sea, the line underscored the administration's commitment to uphold the 2016 Arbitral Award while rejecting efforts to undermine Philippine sovereignty. It also served as a rallying cry for national unity amid continuing maritime tensions.
4. "Mga kababayan, sa ating pagbalik-tanaw, kaya ko kayong harapin at sabihin na ginawa natin ang lahat ng nararapat upang malunasan ang mga epekto ng krisis."
Marcos used this statement to defend the government's response to the Middle East conflict and the resulting oil price shock. He cited the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers, fuel and food interventions, transport assistance, and other relief measures, saying the Philippines earned praise for the speed and decisiveness of its response.
5. "Una, palawakin natin ang exemption sa income tax. Dagdagan natin ang mga manggagawang malilibre sa buwis sa kanilang kita."
Marcos unveiled a package of tax relief proposals aimed at helping the middle class cope with the lingering effects of the crisis. His proposals include expanding the income tax exemption to workers earning up to P350,000 annually, reducing income tax rates for other workers, exempting small businesses from the minimum corporate income tax, and granting tax amnesty for certain unpaid taxes.
6. "We must all assume a community responsibility for our young people's protection."
Amid rising concerns over fake news, online pornography, social media toxicity, violence, and their impact on children's mental health, Marcos called for a whole-of-society effort involving families, schools, churches, industries, communities, and government to better protect Filipino youth.
7. "Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production."
The President renewed his push to explore nuclear energy as part of the country's long-term energy strategy, saying it could strengthen energy security and help lower electricity costs while assuring the public that safety would remain the government's foremost consideration.
8. "This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor one that we will abandon."
Marcos reaffirmed that the Philippines would continue defending the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea through peaceful and legal means, signaling that his administration remains committed to a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea.
9. "Kailangang mamulat ang buong lipunan at akuin ang responsibilidad. Pag-ibayuhin natin ang ating paggabay at pag-aruga sa ating kabataan."
Beyond identifying the threats facing children, Marcos challenged every sector of society to become actively involved in protecting the youth, emphasizing that safeguarding the next generation cannot be left to government alone.
10. "Sa nalalabing dalawang taon ng Administrasyon, tatapusin natin ang mga nasimulan at tutuparin ang ating pangako sa sambayanan."
Marcos ended his fifth SONA by promising to complete the programs and reforms begun during his administration over the next two years, framing the remainder of his term as a period focused on delivering commitments and building "the Philippines the Filipinos deserve."