IN THE PHILIPPINES, an important political process is being done every last Monday of July at 4:00 pm.
On such date and hour, the President delivers his State of the Nation Address (SONA), and with this year’s SONA, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fourth.
This is a constitutional obligation that is required under Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution, marking that the President must deliver a speech at the opening of the regular session, as well as report on the country’s status and future agenda.
2025 SONA preparations
SONA is conducted at the Batasang Pambasa, with security personnel being deployed to the area to make it highly secure.
In an earlier press briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III stated that the PNP is on full alert status with around 23,000 personnel being deployed to secure this year’s SONA.
16,000 police organizations and 6,000 personnel from other agencies have also been deployed to further ensure the safety of people attending the SONA.
Following the recent southwest monsoon and three tropical storms: “Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong,” that disrupted the livelihoods of Filipinos, the House of Representatives took measures to prevent a fashion show amongst politicians in the traditional red carpet of SONA media coverage.
Recently, several lawmakers called to “tone down” SONA in respect of Filipinos who were affected by the calamity.
This step is within the intention to “show solidarity” amongst people who experienced heavy rains, floods, and other disruptions last week.
Chiz Escudero remains Senate President
Hours before the opening of the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the 20th Congress has officially opened its first regular session.
The opening prayer was led by Senator Bam Aquino, praying for the strength as well as unity among senators in the country.
This was later followed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaiming the 12 winning candidates who won the 2025 midterm elections with Senators Bong Go, Bam Aquino, Ronald Dela Rosa, Erwin Tulfo, Francis Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos taking their oath of office.
Winning by 19 votes, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero retained his position in the 20th Congress, thus still being recognized as the highest-ranking official of the upper chamber.
Winning against Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, he took his oath as the Senate president in the plenary after receiving the most votes amongst 24 senators.
Amongst the 5 who are in favor of Tito Sotto III are Senators Risa Hontiveros, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
For the position of the Senate president pro tempore, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was reelected, while Senator Joel Villanueva was placed as the Senate Majority leader.
In the 20th Congress Senate Majority Bloc, the 19 senators listed are:
- Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
- Sen. Bam Aquino
- Sen. Bato Dela Rosa
- Sen. Bong Go
- Sen. Camille Villar
- Sen. Chiz Escudero
- Sen. Erwin Tulfo
- Sen. Imee Marcos
- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. JV Ejercito
- Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
- Sen. Lito Lapid
- Sen. Mark Villar
- Sen. Pia Cayetano
- Sen. Raffy Tulfo
- Sen. Robin Padilla
- Sen. Rodante Marcoleta
- Sen. Win Gatchalian
Meanwhile, the five listed senators in the minority bloc are:
- Sen. Loren Legarda
- Sen. Migs Zubiri
- Sen. Ping Lacson
- Sen. Risa Hontiveros
- Sen. Tito Sotto
Martin Romualdez retains position as House Speaker
After being elected by 269 members of the House, Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez retained his position as the House Speaker for the 20th Congress.
Despite retaining his position as the House Speaker, speculation was widespread about Romualdez being unseated from his position.
Three possible challengers have also emerged with Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, and Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco being named to take the seat as the speakership.
However, none of the three challengers confirmed any intention to pursue the position.
With 11,557 bills and 2,393 resolutions filed, and 1,565 measures passed, 287 of which became national and local legislation, the House of the 19th Congress was praised by many lawmakers as one of the most productive in history.
In his oath-taking, Romualdez stated that he expects the 20th Congress to perform even better.
Before SONA
As the people in the Batasang Pambasa take a break, before the said time for the President’s SONA, the President will be greeted by military honors and will be introduced by the Senate President and House Speaker after arriving by the said place by a helicopter.
The President, along with the Senate President and House Speaker, will walk through the plenary hall and meet the joint congressional session with the upper and lower houses.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos’ upcoming fourth SONA is expected to run over an hour.
Meanwhile, the national anthem, sung by Filipino singer Sofronio Vasquez III, has been tapped.
