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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandro Marcos mulls last-minute security sweep for SONA after news on improvised bombs

Sandro Marcos mulls last-minute security sweep for SONA after news on improvised bombs

Published Jul 27, 2026 12:27 pm

At A Glance

  • Majority Leader Sandro Marcos orders a last-minute security sweep of the House after reports of improvised explosive devices near the DOJ in Manila and the Senate in Pasay hours before the President's SONA.
  • Marcos says he trusts authorities to identify the perpetrators and their motives but notes it is difficult to believe in coincidences given the current political climate.
  • He stresses the need for extra caution as Congress prepares to host President Marcos' fifth and penultimate SONA at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City.
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (PPAB)
Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (PPAB)


Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos feels compelled to order a last-minute security sweep of the House of Representatives just before his father President Marcos' scheduled State of the Nation Address (SONA) at 4 p.m. Monday, July 27.
This, after Rep. Marcos got wind of the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) at past midnight Monday near the entrance of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila.
He also learned of another IED that was safely disposed of after it was found along Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City, where the Senate is located.
"I think I'm going to ask the PSG (Presidential Security Group) to do one more sweep of Congress after that news," the presidential son told House reporters at around noon Monday.
The PSG is now known as the Presidential Security Command (PSC).
The reports about the IEDs startled Rep. Marcos, who like the rest of the House members were preparing to hear the Chief Executive's speech at the plenary hall.
"This is news to me. I didn't know that...Let me verify those reports first. This is news to me. It's the first I've heard of it," he said.
"I have complete trust in the necessary authorities to number one, find the perpetrators who did this; number two, find out what the motive is," noted the second-term lawmaker.
Asked if he believed the twin incidents were somehow connected to Monday's SONA, Rep. Marcos said something that was off the cuff.
"You know, whether it's tied to the SONA not, it's very hard to believe in coincidences, right? Lalo na (Especially), with the political climate we are living through in this day and age.
"I think it's incumbent upon us to be extra wary with things like this happening," he said.
President Marcos will deliver his fifth and penultimate SONA on Monday afternoon before a joint session of Congress. 
The House of Representatives is located in Batasan, Quezon City.

Related Tags

SONA IED DOJ Senate House of Representatives Sandro Marcos Bomb
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