SONA 2026

1156 - 7282026 | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, 2026, navigating a tense political landscape at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. Entering the final stretch of his term, the Chief Executive used the speech to outline major anti-corruption moves, energy and tax relief reforms, and economic shifts, amid high-profile legislative shifts and strict security protocols.

Plenary Leadership Shakeup and Trial Postponements

The day opened with the official resumption of the congressional session, featuring a newly reshaped legislative leadership team. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian made his debut presiding as Senate President, while Representative Faustino "Bojie" Dy III took the rostrum for his first SONA as House Speaker.

The backdrop was further charged by ongoing friction within the upper chamber. Tensions ran high as more than half of the 24 sitting senators were notably absent from the joint assembly room. To accommodate the day's constitutionally mandated state events, Congress confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial would be temporarily deferred, officially resuming on July 29.

High-Impact Policy Announcements

The President spoke for approximately one hour and twenty minutes, introducing several crucial legislative and economic targets:

Anti-Corruption Recoveries: Marcos reported that nearly ₱25 billion in public funds and assets have been successfully frozen or recovered from corruption investigations, including a massive probe into flood control projects. He confirmed that criminal plunder and graft cases are actively proceeding against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Energy and Consumer Relief: A major directive was issued to Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to permanently strip away electricity system loss charges from monthly consumer bills. He also highlighted the temporary suspension of excise taxes on LPG and kerosene to provide immediate relief from the ongoing Middle East energy crisis.

Technology and Pax Silica: Highlighting long-term economic shifts over traditional manufacturing, the President heavily championed the Pax Silica Industrial Hub under the Luzon Economic Corridor. This flagship AI-driven hub is slated to position the Philippines deeper into global semiconductor and logistics value chains. To prepare the workforce, Marcos announced that 1.8 million students, parents, and teachers have already completed specialized AI readiness training.

Security Lockdowns and Neutralized Threats

Security operations were severely tested in the early morning hours leading up to the address. At 12:17 AM, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Manila, resulting in minor structural damage. Hours later at 8:00 AM, a second, unexploded IED was discovered just 150 meters from the gate of the Senate building in Pasay. The device was successfully neutralized by police bomb squads.

A deployment of over 20,000 police officers maintained a strict lockdown perimeter around the Batasang Pambansa. Local governments, including the City of Manila, ordered total class suspensions across all levels to alleviate expected traffic and transport strains.

Sectoral Mobilizations and Alternative Reports

Outside the halls of Congress, progressive umbrella organizations and youth coalitions launched massive parallel demonstrations along Commonwealth Avenue.

The People's SONA: Organized by BAYAN, thousands gathered to demand swift accountability regarding alleged corruption, public utility hikes, and human rights issues.

State of the Youth Address: Led by the Kabataan Partylist, separate youth-centered assemblies targeted the administration over rising tuition costs, entry-level job scarcity, and educational system delays.

Plenary Protest Attire: Maintaining a long-standing legislative custom, the minority Makabayan bloc lawmakers arrived inside the plenary session wearing custom statement outfits hand-painted with sectoral grievances and community demands.