𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀’ 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

By: Arvin Dollosa

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22, highlighting agriculture and food security, the West Philippine Sea dispute, the illegal drug war, and the status of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

On agriculture and food security

President Marcos addressed the high prices of essential commodities, particularly rice inflation, citing that mandated price ceilings had to be implemented as temporary solutions due to the illegal manipulation of smugglers and hoarders.

“Whatever current data proudly bannering our country as among the best-performing in Asia means nothing to a Filipino who is confronted by the price of rice at P45–65 per kilo,” he mentioned.

Despite accurately citing that the Philippines experienced its highest palay harvest of 20 million metric tons in 2023, he failed to mention that the country was also hailed as the “world’s largest rice importer” last year, per the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Among the incoming agricultural projects the government is preparing for this year include the construction of 1,200 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, the development of irrigation systems on 45,000 hectares of new land, and the restoration of irrigation on 39,000 hectares of land.

‘All POGOs are banned’

President Marcos finally proclaimed a total ban on POGOs after the administration’s silence and public outcry about the online gambling services’ involvement with criminal activities, such as financial scamming, money laundering, human trafficking, and brutal torture among others.

“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws must stop,” he said, commanding the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to terminate all POGOs in the coming months.

The President also instructed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to coordinate with economic managers to locate new jobs for the thousands of workers expected to be displaced due to the POGO closures.

De-escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea dispute

Marcos stated that officials continuously seek ways to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waters, such as the recent provisional arrangement with China to resupply daily necessities and rotation missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, stationing Manila’s military outpost at Ayungin Shoal.

Despite asserting the need for proper diplomatic channels to settle territorial disputes, the President also remains firm in protecting the country’s rights, interests, and sovereignty from these aggressions, noting the country’s continuous strengthening of the aerial and maritime defense in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines cannot yield, the Philippines cannot waver,” he declared.

“Bloodless war” on drugs

Since assuming office, the President has sought to depart from the bloodshed anti-illegal drugs campaign of the previous administration, emphasizing a “bloodless” approach.

“Our bloodless war on dangerous drugs adheres… to the established “8 Es” of an effective anti-illegal drugs strategy. Extermination was never one of them,” Marcos proclaimed.

However, based on the Dahas Project of the University of the Philippines, which monitors drug killings in the country, there have been 727 recorded drug-related killings under the current administration, with 34.3 percent of these deaths perpetrated by state agents.

President Marcos’ third SONA lasted one hour and 21 minutes, marking it his longest address to date. It also had the highest attendance of a SONA in history, with over 2,000 guests, outside of the notable absence of Vice President Sara Duterte, who drew criticism from lawmakers after her “designated survivor” remark.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address. Lisa Marie David/Reuters