Pres. Bongbong Marcos SONA 2024 Set To Happen Today
MARCOS SONA 2024 – Analysts and lawmakers expect President Bongbong Marcos to discuss the West Philippine Sea, the inflation, and the POGO issues.
In the Philippines, the president delivers an annual State of the Nation Address or SONA, a report to the public about the programs of the government and their results as well as the state’s stand on key national issues. Today, Pres. Bongbong Marcos is set to deliver his 3rd State of the Nation Address.
The Marcos SONA 2024 is expected to gather most of the political leaders in the country. It will be held at the Batasang Pambansa Complex at 4:00 p.m. Senators, representatives, and other distinguised guests at the event are also expected to come with their spouses.
However, prior to the event, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte expressed that she will not be present at the SONA of Pres. Marcos. According to the Vice President, she appoints herself as the “designated survivor” — a political practice characterized by the absence of the person who can succeed the presidency at an event attended by the president and other political leaders.
The Chief Executive is expected to speak on the vision, key priorities, and policies of his administration. Undeniably, there are long-standing key national issues that the public is eager to be discussed.
Among the key national issues that analysts and lawmakers expect to be discussed at Marcos SONA 2024 are the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea, PH inflation, and illegal the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country as per a report on ABS-CBN News.
Analyst Ederson Tapia told Teleradyo Serbisyo that he expects updates on the West Philippine Sea issue. He stressed that not only political observers but as well as ordinary citizens closely monitor the territorial dispute between PH and China.
Undeniably, in the recent months, the moves of China in the West Philippine Sea only becomes more aggresive. There were already several incidents in the past when Filipino authorities were bullied by the Chinese authorities deployed in the disputed area of the South China Sea.
Based on the report, Senators Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri expect the President to tackle the inflation in the country. Villar stressed the rising costs of the agricultural products including rice.
According to Zubiri, he expects to hear the plan of the President on bringing down the inflation in the Philippines. He also wants the President to discuss raising the salary of the minimum wage earners in the country.
Furthermore, based on the report, the former Senate President also expects the President to discuss the illegal POGOs in the country in the Marcos SONA 2024. According to the Senator, it is time “for a clear policy on POGOs”.