Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) a rating of 9 out of 10, saying the speech addressed key national issues that deserved public attention.
Speaking after the President’s SONA on Monday, Zubiri said he believed the speech effectively covered several important concerns facing the country.
The senator said he was among those who gave President Marcos a standing ovation during the address because the President discussed issues that needed to be tackled, including the matter of system loss.
Zubiri also said he stood in applause after President Marcos emphasized that the country’s dignity should never be sacrificed and declared that Filipinos are “not monkeys.”
According to the Senate Majority Leader, the President’s message was already on point within the opening five minutes of the speech.
He said that based on his observation, many of the issues raised at the beginning of the address accurately reflected the concerns that needed to be discussed.
Zubiri added that while he viewed the President’s speech positively, the administration should ensure that the commitments and priorities outlined in the address are carried out.
He said the government must follow through on the points raised during the SONA so that there would be greater reason for optimism when the President delivers his next State of the Nation Address.
The State of the Nation Address is the President’s annual report to Congress and the Filipino people, outlining the administration’s accomplishments, priorities and legislative agenda.
Zubiri’s remarks came as lawmakers and the public continued to assess the President’s speech and the issues highlighted during the annual address.
