Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. This speech marks the midpoint of his term and could be a critical juncture for turning around his governance ratings and reshaping public trust. Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, noted that although Marcos Jr. took office with high support, his governance over the past three years has been lackluster, particularly his failure to fulfill the promise of reducing the price of rice to 20 pesos per kilogram, leading to public disappointment.
Politically, the alliance between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte fractured due to former President Duterte being charged by the International Criminal Court for his drug war, signaling a break in the "unity team." However, this event also led some voters to see Marcos as a representative cutting ties with old political forces. His trust rating fell to 60% in April 2025 but rebounded to 48% by June, showing signs of recovery.
The economic challenges remain severe. Although inflation dropped from 6.0% in 2023 to 3.2% in 2024, price pressures persist, and the unemployment rate reached 13.1% in May 2025, indicating unresolved structural issues. Franco bluntly stated that if Marcos fails to improve economic performance during the remainder of his term, his political influence will be significantly reduced in the 2028 elections.
The external focus is also on the legislative agenda he proposed in this SONA. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has called for government support for 20 key reform bills covering areas such as internet accessibility, infrastructure, and small and medium enterprise reforms to enhance national competitiveness.
Online gambling remains a focal point of public concern. In the 2024 SONA, Marcos announced a complete ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) to combat related crimes. The current public voice hopes he will further clarify his overall stance on online gambling. Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro stated that the president is carefully studying the issue and is not rushing to make a statement.
The officials also previewed five economic priority bills to be highlighted in this SONA, focusing on foreign investment, labor, resources, and food issues:
Amendment to the Foreign Investment Land Lease Law: Extending the land lease period for foreign investors to enhance investment attractiveness.
Legislative Wage Increase Law: Establishing a uniform wage increase standard through legislation to reduce regional disparities.
Anti-Online Gambling Law: Intended to completely ban online gambling to curb negative social impacts.
Blue Economy Law: Promoting sustainable development of marine resources, balancing fisheries and environmental protection.
RICE Act: Restoring the National Food Authority's rice regulatory powers, stabilizing rice prices, and supporting local agriculture.
These five bills reflect the Marcos administration's policy orientation in balancing economic growth, social governance, and environmental sustainability, with the Anti-Online Gambling Law expected to provoke intense social debate. The State of the Nation Address is both an assessment and an opportunity, and whether it can reverse the low governance image will depend on whether Marcos can propose truly effective and executable reform plans.
