On July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivered his 4th State of the Nation (SONA) address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. He began with a strong plea: “Let’s set aside differences” and urged all officials to focus on working together in pursuit of national progress.
Domestic Agenda and Anti Corruption Push
In this State of the Nation speech, Marcos tackled domestic concerns head-on. The address lasted about one hour and ten minutes, his shortest yet, and zeroed in on pressing issues like corruption in public works and flood-control schemes.
Marcos vowed to release a full list of flood-control projects implemented under his watch and hold accountable anyone involved in graft. He sharply condemned corrupt officials: “To those who conspired to steal public funds… you should be ashamed.”
He attributed the public’s frustration to setbacks in May’s midterm elections, and responded with a renewed call for responsive, unified governance to tackle poverty, weak infrastructure, and transparent service delivery.
Foreign Policy: “Friend to All, Enemy to None”
Under a subheading of foreign affairs, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ established foreign policy motto: “The Philippines is a friend to all. The Philippines is an enemy to none.” He emphasized that this approach remains unchanged, even as the country prepares to host the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Though he did not explicitly mention China in his speech, analysts noted that his tone appeared softer. He avoided raising maritime tensions directly, focusing instead on defending sovereignty “patiently and with restraint.”
Strengthened Alliances in a Time of Need
Marcos highlighted the country’s increasing confidence in its external defense, thanks to deeper ties with partners like the United States, Japan, Australia, and others. He said these alliances would serve as vital support “in a time of grave need.” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the Philippine military’s shift from counter-insurgency to external defence, focused on protecting national interests in the West Philippine Sea.
Public Reaction and Analysis
Reacting to the SONA, critics argued that Marcos overlooked key social issues such as kidnapping, regulation of online gambling, and persistent social inequality. Some observers also interpreted the speech’s minimal foreign-policy content as a strategic move to avoid deeply polarized topics while highlighting domestic concerns instead.
Supporters praised the anti-corruption emphasis and the streamlined message of unity. But feedback remains mixed: the administration faces pressure to balance foreign policy firmness with domestic responsiveness.
