Cayetano Encourages Critics to Focus on the SONA Message, Not the Messenger
SONA – Ahead of President Marcos’ fifth SONA, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano appealed to both supporters and detractors to listen carefully to the President’s assessment of the nation.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has encouraged both supporters and critics of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to tune in to the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), stressing that every Filipino should hear the country’s chief executive’s assessment of the nation, regardless of political beliefs.
Speaking during a Facebook livestream on the eve of the SONA, Cayetano emphasized the importance of listening to the President’s message, even for those who disagree with his administration. He pointed out that Marcos remains the country’s elected leader and that his annual address provides valuable information about the nation’s current situation.
“To those who are anti-Marcos, I still urge you to watch. Why? Because he is our President. We only have one President,” Cayetano said.
According to the senator, the SONA is more than just a political tradition. He described it as the government’s official report on the country’s condition, giving Filipinos an overview of where the nation stands and the direction the administration intends to take in the coming months.
“The State of the Nation Address tells us the condition of our country. We need to know where we are starting from,” he said.
Cayetano also reminded the public that genuine concern for the country means staying informed about national developments regardless of party affiliation. He said citizens should be willing to listen to the President’s report before forming conclusions or engaging in discussions about the country’s progress and challenges.
Rather than allowing political preferences to influence their opinions, the senator urged Filipinos to evaluate the content of the President’s speech objectively. He encouraged the public to carefully examine the policies, accomplishments, and plans presented during the address, rather than focusing solely on who was delivering it.
“Don’t look at the messenger. Look at the message. Let’s listen to what the President says, determine where we agree and where we disagree,” he said.
Following President Marcos’ address before Congress, Cayetano is expected to present his own remarks during the Senate minority bloc’s traditional kontra-SONA on Tuesday. The event, held a day after the President’s annual speech, provides the opposition an opportunity to offer its own assessment of the country’s condition and respond to the administration’s priorities and policy directions.
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