“What also deeply impressed me was the President’s focus on long-term reforms in crucial sectors like agriculture, education, and digital services“
THE air after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address last July 28 felt different.
As Chairman Emeritus of several civic-oriented groups, I’ve seen my share of SONAs – speeches filled with grand promises, often sugar-coated realities. But this time, the lines were firm, honest, and, frankly, solutions are long overdue.
For once, we have a President who’s not pretending everything is okay. He’s facing the mess, and he’s clearly committed to cleaning it up.
What truly struck a chord with me were his candid remarks on corruption, particularly within government infrastructure projects like flood control.
To hear the President admit that cartels are operating within the system, and then to promise they would be dismantled – that was a powerful moment. Flood control has become a dirty business for far too long.
The money meant to protect lives is being pocketed by unscrupulous individuals. The fact that the President called that out in front of the nation shows he’s serious about getting to the root of the problem.
As a long-time public servant and an advocate for institutional reform, I can say the President’s speech reflected a clear sense of direction.
There was no drama, no empty slogans, just a focus on the work that needs to be done. He laid out what’s been accomplished and what still needs fixing. He didn’t sugar-coat anything; he just told the truth.
And the results are tangible. You can criticize all you want, but the progress in infrastructure is undeniable. The continued rollout of “Build Better More” is not just a slogan; it’s a reality. The airports, the trains, the roads, the terminals—those are real. They’re not drawings or press releases. That’s progress you can see and feel across the country.
On foreign policy and national defense, President Marcos’s approach is one I wholeheartedly support: working strategically with allies while asserting our country’s sovereignty.
This isn’t about being submissive. It’s about being strategic. We don’t have the luxury of time to stay neutral and reactive in today’s complex global landscape. Marcos is standing his ground, and that matters profoundly for our national interest.
What also deeply impressed me was the President’s focus on long-term reforms in crucial sectors like agriculture, education, and digital services.
While others might be busy preparing for the next election cycle, President Marcos is clearly thinking about the kind of Philippines the next generation will inherit. He’s not performing to get cheers; he’s laying foundations for the future.
In a time often filled with noise and political showmanship, President Marcos is doing something rare—he is leading with calm, with focus, and with a profound sense of responsibility.
This wasn’t just a speech. It was a wake-up call. And it sent a clear message: the President is not here to entertain. He’s here to deliver.
(The author, who holds an LLB, master’s public administration, master’s in national security administration and a doctorate in philosophy, is the Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas and Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement.)
