TO FREE UP funds for disaster relief and other important aid programs, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered that his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday be frugal by utilizing its own personnel to perform the National Anthem and direct the program itself, rather than hiring external contractors.
But knowing the legislators–both chambers of Congress–the lawmakers and Cabinet members will be parading the latest fashion pieces just like years past to make their presence more obvious to the ogling public, especially in the age of social media.
At the Palace press briefing, lawyer Claire Castro in her capacity as Palace Press Officer, said that the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Chorale will sing the National Anthem on 27 July 2026 at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, while the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will direct the upcoming SONA.
There will also be no “A-listers” to perform.
“So, the conduct of a national event like the SONA will be simple yet dignified,” Castro told reporters.
Last month, the House of Representatives said next week’s SONA will be “simple” since there will be no red carpet or long gowns. It also encouraged guests to wear simple but dignified clothing.
In the previous Presidential SONAs, celebrities were tapped – at cost. Among them were filmmaker Paul Soriano, who directed Marcos’ first SONA, while The Voice USA Season 26 champion Sofronio Vasquez sang the National Anthem in the SONA last year.
This year, Castro said the President wants preparations for the SONA to be austere as the government cuts its expenses since it requires additional funding for its response to the Middle East crisis.
“That is indeed the plan, and that is also what the President wants,” she said.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier said the government will use the savings under its National Budget Circular 602 and 603 to finance the P12.38-billion expanded United Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) assistance.
As to whether the government can sustain its UPLIFT programs in case the Middle East conflict will continue to drag on longer, Castro said it will depend on the availability of funds for it.
But even with the planned austerity, Castro said the upcoming SONA will remain dignified, reported Business Mirror.
Castro said the government has implemented measures to address the plight of Filipinos affected by earthquakes and typhoons, which affected parts of the country as well as the Middle East crisis.
BRAGGING ACHIEVEMENTS
One of the achievements to be heralded in the SONA is the reduction in crime incidents, by 17 percent from 9,506 from January to April to 7,883 from April 6 to July 4.
Despite such decline, the president recognizes the need to continue the campaign against crime, including the killing of the noted American marine biologist Kent Carpenter in Negros Occidental and pro-Marcos political vlogger Alicia Lipata, also known as “Mima Alicia,” in Caloocan City.
“The government does not condone the occurrence of such crimes. That is why the PNP [Philippine National Police] is intensifying its efforts to fulfill its mandate of ensuring safer communities and enabling faster responses to such incidents,” Castro said.
GUIDANCE ON OIL PRICE HIKE
The President will announce the guidance to the Department of Energy on the near-term energy policy with the renewed fighting in the Persian Gulf that threatens to put pressure on oil prices once more.
Hopefully the President can give us a directive on what to do so we won’t suffer as much during (the next) oil crisis,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
The SONA is expected to highlight updates on the national energy emergency after the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February that led oil prices soaring with domestic diesel reaching a high P170 per liter, one of the world’s most severe price spikes, according to Global Petrol Prices.
After a brief calm, renewed fighting in the Middle East have sent pump prices north of P100 per liter again.
“We have given (our suggestions) to the OP and we are preparing for what the directive will be for the DoE. We’re ready and I think energy will be a very important topic,” Garin said.
As the Marcos administration enters its last two years, the DoE is hoping to finish major energy projects, with more than 200 power projects in the pipeline, Business World said.
Garin said the government is working on a master plan to construct and rehabilitate power facilities in Mindoro, Palawan, and the Visayas, which has been experiencing multiple yellow alerts due to power plant shutdowns.
“I think by the time the President steps down, it will be a better situation in the Visayas because of the plans in place,” she said.