Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Marcos

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Philippine National Police Chief General Nicolas Torre III gives President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) a rating of 5.5 stars, if 5 is the highest. Torre said he liked the President’s strong statements against corruption, particularly on flood control projects.“Ako gustong-gusto ko yon, sapagkat talagang dapat maramdaman ng taong bayan na may managot don sa mga nangyaring pagbaha,” Torre said. Torre also admitted he was caught by suprise when the President referred to him as “bagong kampeon” (new champion), after enumerating famous Filipino athletes and outlining the administration’s plans for sports development - causing the audience to erupt in laughter and cheers.“Nagulantang ako don,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-puts-filipinos-key-issues-on-center-stage-as-he-vows-to-rid-gov-t-of-corruption-2028">SONA 2025: Marcos puts Filipinos&#x27; key issues on center stage as he vows to rid government of corruption</a></div>Torre was able to collect over P20 million worth of cash aid for flooding victims, from a charity boxing match with acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte - even if the latter failed to show up. But apart from the much talked about boxing match, the President also praised the PNP’s 5 minute response policy to crimes and emergency calls. He also highlighted his administration’s efforts to fight criminality, which has resulted to the interception of about Php83B worth of drug shipments and arrest of 153,000 drug dealers - with 9,600 considered as high value targets.“Hindi naman pagbubuhat ng bangko, ayokong manggaling sa akin. I do hope that our citizens, the Filipino people, actually feel the difference in recent months, sa in terms of deployment, police response at saka sa quality mismo ng mga serbisyong ibinibigay ng pulis sa kanila,” Torre said.The Department of Social Welfare Administration (DSWD) meanwhile, is thankful for the donations it received, including from the PNP.“Tuloy-tuloy pa ang ating response hanggang ngayon. yung mga social workers natin nasa labas pa. And marami tayong donations na natatanggap. Sasamantalahin ko yung pagkakataon magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga good samaritans out there,” says Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian.Gatchalian added they have so far distributed 850,000 family food packs during the past 7 days, which he claims is the fastest and widest deployment achieved, due to the President’s Buong Bansa Handa program, where food packs are prepositioned in strategic warehouses.The President also mentioned in his SONA, the DSWD’s conditional cash transfer program called 4PS.“Maari sabihin niyo ayuda rin yan pero quite the contrary, investment yan sa human capital. Sinisigurado natin na namumuhunan tayo sa next generation natin, na hindi sila illiterate at hindi sila stunted. Kaya nga may condition yung cash transfers na yan and nakikita natin na nagbe-bear na ng resulta. Katulad by the end of this year, 1.4 million na, na Pilipinong pamilya ang nakinabang at lilisan na sa programa dahil gumanda na ang buhay,” Gatchalian said of the program, to also address criticisms against the government’s aid programs. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-mahiya-naman-kayo-marcos-order-probe-on-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1725">&#x27;Mahiya naman kayo&#x27;: Marcos orders probe on possible corruption in flood control projects</a> Marcos Jr. also touched on a number of pressing issues in his SONA - including education, health, infrastructure, employment and the plight of Overseas Filipino Workers and seafarers. The President expressed gratitute for the help extended by other countries, like Oman, in ensuring the release of several Filipino seafarers held hostage by the Houthis. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) it is currently reviewing policies, including the possibility of fully banning the deployment of Filipinos to dangerous zones such as the Red Sea. “Pinag-aaralan pa yung aspeto na yon, pinag-aaralan pa. But for now, ganon muna ang ating patakaran - we suspend those who encounter attacks and we encourage ship owners to divert ships that carry Filipinos along the Red Sea and of course, encourage Filipinos to refuse to sail when their ships are passing through the Red Sea,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said.And like his previous SONAs, the President didn’t fail to reiterate the country’s foreign policy of being “a friend to all and enemy to none” while protecting the national interest and territorial integrity.“Yan ay programa natin noon pa na wala tayong tinutumbok na kalaban. Pero pinagtatanggol natin ang ating national interest. So meaning to say, walang nabago doon. Yung sovereignty, sovereign rights, arbitral award, UNCLOS, patuloy nating babantayan yan,” National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año explained.But for Año, the President went a step further in advancing the national interest, by focusing efforts on strengthening military and defense capabilities.“Sinabi ng pangulo ay kailangang pataasin pa yung ating capability, yung ating modernization ng Armed Forces, PNP, Philippines Coast Guard, in line with dun sa ating pagtatanggol ng national interest…Na-approve na lahat yung mga Horizon, at ngayon nirereview ngayon ng Defense ano pa yung mga kailangan natind on. Katulad ngayon, kagagaling lang namin sa United States. Nag-commit si President Trump na patuloy na tutulungan yung ating pag-buildup ng deterrence capability,” Año said.The Philippines and the US are also currently looking into building a hub for the co-production of ammunition. “Lagi naman may magki-criticize eh no. Pero ang importante dito, national interest natin. Sino ba ang naka-align sa national interest natin, dun tayo. Hindi lang naman US eh no. Pati mga like-minded countries particularly the European Union at saka yung iba pang countries sa Pacific like Australia, New Zealand ay nakikipag-tulungan sa atin,” Año said.<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pQ2XVaFDtFo?&amp;ab_channel=ABS-CBNNews&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III gives President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) a rating of 5.5 stars, if 5 is the highest.

PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III gives President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) a rating of 5.5 stars, if 5 is the highest.

'5.5 stars out of 5': Torre rates Marcos' 2025 SONA

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

'5.5 stars out of 5': Torre rates Marcos' 2025 SONA

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 28, 2025 10:25 PM PHT

|

Updated Jul 28, 2025 11:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Nicolas Torre

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

President

SONA

ABSNews

Eduardo Ano

Hans Cacdac

Rex Gatchalian

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.