Latest news with #SONA
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
SONA 2025 draft 80% complete
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said 80% of his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) has already been written. ''I think we'll be all right. Because what we have already written is substantial… The SONA is about 80% written. So, kaunti na lang 'yung ano fine-tuning (It only needs minor fine-tuning),'' Marcos told reporters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Marcos said that due to his official visit to the United States, he lost four days of preparation for his SONA. ''So, we have to make it up. So, I cleared my schedule. We've been working very hard on it. As soon as I get back, we'll be working on it again,'' the President said. ''We will be back Wednesday evening. We'll start work on a Thursday. I'm sure we'll work on it over the weekend,'' he added. Marcos said his fourth SONA would be different from his past speeches. ''You have to remember it's the State of the Nation Address. And the state of the nation today is different from what it was last year and the year before that,'' Marcos said. ''So, of course, necessarily it will be different. We will be talking about mainly the same things about the social projects of the government for people in need,'' he added. Marcos said he would talk about programs that he initiated and hoped to continue after his term ends in 2028. ''We will talk about the programs…that we have initiated and will continue to promote and endorse… at the very least, until the end of this term. Hopefully, it will continue after my term. So, that's what we expect from the SONA,'' Marcos said. The President's fourth SONA before a joint session of Congress is scheduled for Monday, July 28. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos: SONA preps amid bad weather an 'unfortunate misjudgment'
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has deemed as an ''unfortunate misjudgment'' the move of the Department of Public Works and Highways to continue the preparations for his fourth State of the Nation Address next week. ''Hindi na nasabi, baha na nga bakit pa kayo maglalagay diyan? Paubaya niyo na muna yan, ayusin niyo muna 'yung ating response sa Crising... that is an unfortunate misjudgement on their part... I trust that it would not happen anymore,'' Marcos told Philippine reporters in Washington D.C. (It was not mentioned, there's flood, why would you still put that up? Focus first on our response with Crising... that is an unfortunate misjudgment on their part... I trust that it would not happen anymore.) The President, who was dismayed by the act, said the action was ''highly inappropriate.'' Earlier, Marcos directed that all SONA-related preparations should be halted, noting that the DPWH and other concerned agencies must focus on flood response and relief operations for those affected by the torrential rains and floods. This as DPWH personnel had installed tarpaulins of the President for his upcoming SONA despite heavy rains and floods across the metro. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Bad weather on SONA? OCD says protocol will depend on Congress
''Of course, we will depend on the protocol ng Congress po if they will suspend iyong SONA. But kami po... we are closely coordinating with the PNP po na magkaroon tayo ng orderly conduct ng flow ng mga pupunta sa SONA,'' OCD's Raffy Alejandro said./File photo Office of Civil Defense (OCD) officer-in-charge Raffy Alejandro said Tuesday that the contingencies for President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address next week would depend on Congress. At a Palace press briefing, Alejandro was asked for the contingency measures in case there will be inclement weather during the President's fourth SONA, which is scheduled on July 28 at the Batasang Pambansa compound in Quezon City. ''Of course, we will depend on the protocol ng Congress po if they will suspend iyong SONA. But kami po... we are closely coordinating with the PNP po na magkaroon tayo ng orderly conduct ng flow ng mga pupunta sa SONA,'' Alejandro said. (Of course, we will depend on the protocol of Congress if they will suspend SONA. But we are closely coordinating with the PNP so we can have an orderly conduct for those who will be attending the SONA.) ''So, kami po, ang mga areas na surrounding Congress ay hinahanda pa rin natin in case na magkaroon ng hindi magandang weather. So, in the event po na—or magkaroon ng suspension ng work or classes, tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman ang ating mga emergency responders na naka-standby in case na kailangan ng assistance during the SONA po,'' he added. (We are preparing the areas surrounding Congress in case there will be inclement weather. So, in the event that there will be suspension of work or classes, emergency responders are on standby in case they need assistance during the SONA.) Days before the SONA, several parts of the country are experiencing rains even after tropical cyclone Crising (international name: Wipha) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility last weekend. Classes and government work have been suspended at least until Wednesday in Metro Manila and some provinces in Luzon and the Visayas due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). Earlier, Marcos directed the suspension of pre-SONA preparations and tasked government offices to focus and ensure the safety of the public amid the bad weather. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Marcos orders suspension of SONA preparations to focus on flood response
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate halt to all State of the Nation Address (SONA) preparations after reports surfaced of government personnel installing materials in public areas despite severe flooding affecting many communities. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a statement Tuesday, said the President expressed dismay over the reports and directed the Department of Public Works and Highways and all concerned agencies to devote full attention to flood response and relief efforts. 'Let me be clear: all SONA-related preparations are hereby ordered immediately suspended,' Bersamin said. Even while on an official visit to the United States, Marcos instructed all agencies to prioritize the safety and welfare of affected Filipinos above ceremonial events. Malacañang has also suspended government work and classes across Metro Manila and 10 provinces due to the enhanced southwest monsoon that continues to cause widespread flooding.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Marcos orders suspension of all SONA preps
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is "dismayed" over reports that government personnel are putting up materials for the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) in public areas despite communities battling the onslaught of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. In a statement issued Tuesday, the Office of the Executive Secretary announced that all SONA-related preparations are immediately suspended. Marcos is set to have his fourth SONA next week, July 28. The Department of Public Works and Highways, together with other concerned agencies, must instead focus on flood response and relief operations, according to the OES. The OES said Marcos has directed that all efforts should be focused on ensuring the safety and welfare of the public, adding that all government agencies must act accordingly. The Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continues to bring cloudy skies and torrential rains over most parts of the country, particularly in Luzon area. PAGASA had said Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro will have monsoon rains with the possibility that floods or landslides will occur due to moderate to heavy with at times intense rains. The President had instructed concerned government agencies to ensure the safety of the people amid the floods in Metro Manila and several other provinces and to deliver assistance to flood victims quickly. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
