CEBU CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was commended for his stance to seek accountability from those involved in alleged corruption during his fifth State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday, July 27.

Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado praised Marcos for addressing alleged flood control anomalies.

The President started his SONA declaring that charges are being readied against his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“I can only imagine unsa kasakit sa Presidente (how painful for the President) to report before the nation about the accountability being faced by his own cousin, the former Speaker of the House, and to openly acknowledge issues within his own administration. That took courage, and credit should be given where it is due,” Aumentado said.

Aumentado said that among the encouraging parts of the SONA were announced tax cuts, the removal of tariffs on electric vehicles, and the continued push for alternative and renewable sources of energy.

“These are positive policy directions that can help ordinary Filipinos over the long term,” the governor said.

Aumentado admitted he was hoping that the President would bare concrete programs that would strengthen the tourism sector.

“Tourism remains one of the strongest drivers of local economies like Bohol,” Aumentado said.

“I choose to believe in the President's sincerity that he wants to leave a meaningful legacy. I hope that by the end of his term, mas taas ang pagsalig ug mas maayo ang kahimtang sa nasod kaysa karon (the trust is higher and the country is in a better situation than today),” Aumentado added.

In Cebu, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the President's push to reduce taxes, particularly for workers and electricity consumers, as it aligns with the province's priority of helping families overcome the increasing cost of living.

"Any measure that lowers the cost of living, especially electricity and basic goods, is a big help to Cebuanos," Baricuatro said.

Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco, on the other hand, was elated with Marcos' economic agenda.

Soco said the proposed tax relief, exemptions from the minimum corporate income tax, and the planned removal of systems loss charges could bring down financial pressure on both consumers and businesses.

"Measures such as tax relief, exemptions from the minimum corporate income tax, and the proposal to eliminate systems loss charges are significant steps toward easing the financial burden borne by Filipinos," Soco said.