Dennis Gasgonia

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Vivienne Gulla

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — For some minority congressmen, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s 4th State of the Nation Address “fell short” of their expectations, pointing out the absence of a pronouncement on the proposed legislated wage hike, accountability over confidential and intelligence funds, and human rights.“Nakulangan din ako. Kahit ganoon na matapang nga siya pagdating doon sa mga pondo sa flood control projects and other infrastructure projects, parang wala siyang binanggit tungkol sa intelligence and confidential funds. And then wala rin nabanggit tungkol sa human rights,” ML Party List Rep. Leila de Lima said.“Sana man lang nakapagsalita siya about accountability, dahil doon sa naging desisyon ng Supreme Court… at least say something about how important yung accountability sa ating Saligang Batas,” she added. “Wala kaming narinig para sa mga manggagawa. Deadma. Etsa-puwera. Isinantabi ang mga manggagawa sa SONA,” Kamanggagawa Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando, meanwhile, lamented.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-5-5-stars-out-of-5-torre-rates-marcos-2025-sona-2225">&#x27;5.5 stars out of 5&#x27;: Torre rates Marcos&#x27; 2025 SONA</a></div>“Bitin na bitin ang mga manggagawa sa SONA ni Pres. Marcos. Sabi niya, ‘invest in the Filipino’, pero wala man lang nabanggit na wage hike para sa mga minimum-wage earners at mga mga government workers. Asan ang investment doon? Nutrition month pa naman, pero puro sabaw at walang kalaman-laman ang report ng Presidente. Parang typical, boring na accomplishment report ng isang opisina sa gobyerno. Masyado niyang tinipid ang taumbayan sa mga proyekto at pangako,” Akbayan Party List Representative Percival Cendana added. <div>ONLINE GAMBLING</div>At least two lawmakers were saddened that the President failed to mention his administration’s policy direction on addressing online gambling addiction in the country. “Ang nakalungkot, marami rin tayong hindi narinig: Tulad ng pagsugpo sa online gambling addiction, ang pagkaroon ng ₱200 wage hike sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, ang pagpapahalaga ng West Philippine Sea; at ang pagbalik ng Pilipinas sa International Criminal Court, na hiling ng maraming Pilipino para may pananagutan ang sinumang maglalabis sa kapangyarihan,” Akbayan Party List Representative Chel Diokno, for his part, said.“We also expected that the President, like what he did to POGOs, will declare his opposition to online gambling which is destroying many lives. Though not included in the speech, we hope that the President will still put equal emphasis and priority on these two crucial issues,” CIBAC Party List Representative Eddie Villanueva added.Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco came to the President’s defense, saying the chief executive at least mentioned the administration’s efforts to address pressing issues, including a crackdown on possible corruption in flood control projects.“Hindi naman mababanggit lahat eh. Edi aabutin tayo ng ilang oras dito. Pero nung nakita ko na ‘yung clincher, ok na sakin ‘yun. Because doon sa sinabi ng Presidenteng ‘yun, hindi lang ‘yan sa flood control. Malaki ang mamemenos na pera, ‘pag nawala ang corruption sa projects,” he explained. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/cbcp-rues-marcos-sona-silence-on-online-gambling-2212">CBCP rues Marcos&#x27; SONA silence on online gambling </a></div><div>BUDGET</div>Tiangco, who opted to be “independent” instead of being part of the House majority, also welcomed the President’s warning that he will not sign a proposed budget that is “misaligned” with National Expenditure Program.The Navotas solon welcomed calls for an open bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed budget, but said it is more important for the lower chamber to remove the practice of having a small committee, which reviews and resolves individual amendments to the budget proposal.“Open ako sa open bicam. Pero sabi ko nga, hindi lang naman doon nagsisingit sa open bicam. Ang mas importante is doon sa small committee… wala namang minutes yun eh. Magugulat ka nalang pagtanggap mo ng HGAB iba-iba na…Wala ka nang pwedeng gawin, kasi sa third reading, wala nang pwedeng baguhin diba? Yes or no nalang ‘yun… Pag hindi sila pumayag na tanggalin ang small committee, ibig sabihin, may isisngit na naman na patago doon. Dapat transparent,” Tiangco said.“Hindi na talaga tayo dapat pumayag sa small committee. Kung ano yung inapprove on second reading, yun na ‘yun,” he added.House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed support for the President’s call to align budget priorities with the everyday needs of Filipinos, vowing to champion budget reforms, an open bicam and targeted investments in agriculture, health, and job creation.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-4th-sona-garners-praise-criticism-from-citizens-2041">Marcos’ 4th SONA garners praise, criticism from citizens</a></div>“The President’s message was clear: make government work better for the people. As Speaker, I am committed to making sure the budget reflects that – every centavo must go where it’s needed most,” he said in a statement.“No backroom haggling. The people have every right to know how their money is being spent. If we want trust, we have to earn it, starting with an open bicam,” Romualdez added.The House Speaker gave assurances that the lower chamber will treat the proposed 2026 national budget with urgency and seriousness.“No delay, no drama. The House will do its job with focus and compassion. Because at the end of the day, that budget isn’t about institutions. It’s about lives,” Romualdez said.De Lima, meanwhile, has a word of caution on the President’s pronouncement about the proposed national budget.“I don’t think tama rin na sasabihin na ‘wag mo nang galawin. Hindi pwede ‘yan, because remember Congress has the power of the purse. Pero tama rin ‘yung sinasabi niya na kung obvious naman na may ginalaw na hindi maganda, then karapatan din naman ng pangulo na i-veto ‘yan o kaya mag-reenact nalang ng budget,” she said.<div>SENATORS WELCOME PROMISE OF ACCOUNTABILITY</div>Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada welcomed the SONA of the President, particularly praising the parts on more benefits for the public and the promise of accountability for flood control projects.&quot;What also amazed me was that sinabi niya doon sa mga nangwawalanghiya sa pondo ng kaban ng bayan, lalo na doon sa mga kasabwat sa mga flood control projects, kaya hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nalulutas ‘yung baha—hindi lang sa Metro Manila kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Kaya ako’y hanga na hanga sa speech ng ating Pangulo.&quot;&quot;Mabigat ang mga naging pahayag ng Pangulo, lalo na sa kanyang crackdown laban sa korapsyon sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon, We expect that the flood control projects will be implemented properly. Effective implementation will help ease the burden of many Filipinos. Malinaw ang mensahe niya na dapat manaig ang transparency at integridad sa paggamit ng pera ng taumbayan.&quot;Senator JV Ejercito also welcomed the same promise of accountability.&quot;We welcome President Marcos’ move to audit and review flood control projects and to hold those responsible accountable. But the real work now falls on implementing agencies like the DPWH- to ensure that these audits are not just for show but lead to accountability and reform.&quot;&quot;We support the President’s call for a full accounting of all flood control projects. But audits must be followed by consequences. Kung may sablay, may dapat managot. Kung may kalokohan, may dapat makulong.&quot;Senator Erwin Tulfo had the same reaction.&quot;Ito ang panawagan natin—tanggalin na ang partisipasyon ng mga pulitiko sa paglagak ng mga pondo para sa flood control programs. Kita naman ng buong bansa na walang pagbabago sa problema ng baha lalo na nu’ng tayo ay hinagupit ng malalakas na bagyo. Suportado ko ang pagpapanagot sa mga taong yumaman kapalit ng paghihirap ng sambayanang Pilipino. &quot;Senator Vicente Sotto III had the same sentiments.&quot;I was generally satisfied specially the fact that he gave a stern warning about corruption in the DPWH food control and other projects. I precisely like the part he talked about the preservation of the NEP. That is what we will be doing in the Senate. Humanda yun mga mahilig sa insertion.&quot;For Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the key is making sure the promises of accountability are delivered.“’Yun ang ibig sabihin ko na yung premise, nag-agree tayong lahat. Nag-agree tayong lahat na may problema tayo sa tubig at dapat maayos. Nag-agree tayo lahat na, ‘di ba dati ang sinasabi babaha ng proyekto pero ngayon baligtad – bumaha dahil ghost yung proyekto, dahil palpak yung proyekto, dahil doon nilagay. Noong araw magyayabang ka sa SONA, ang sinasabi ng mga dating presidente babaha na proyekto. Ngayon he was honest enough to say na yung mga proyekto dahil palpak, dahil ghost kaya bumaha. &quot;&quot;Dapat ma-publish talaga &#x27;yong mga project na iyan, head should roll kasi katulad ng bridge na binanggit na bumagsak. So far walang head na nag-roll doon. But napakita naman sa kanyang speech today that he&#x27;s listening. Now, yung translation into action, yun ang hihintay natin.&quot; Senator Joel Villanueva also welcomed the promise of accountability.&quot;Ikinagagalak po natin ang naging pahayag at paninindigan ng Pangulo hinggil sa usapin ng flood control. Sa totoo lang, parang sirang plaka na po ako sa paulit-ulit na pagtuligsa sa P1.4 billion kada araw na budget para sa flood control. Kaya’t lubos ang ating pasasalamat sa matapang na paninindigan ng Pangulo na tiyaking maipatutupad ang mga proyekto, isasailalim ito sa masusing audit, ilalathala ang mga plano upang mapag-aralan ng publiko, at papanagutin ang mga tiwaling opisyal at kontraktor na nagbulsa ng bilyon-bilyong pondo mula sa mga proyektong ito. Hindi po biro ang hirap ng mga kababayan natin na taon-taon ay binabaha, nawawalan ng tahanan, kabuhayan, at minsan, buhay. Panahon na para wakasan ito. Panahon na para siguruhing ang bawat pisong pondo ay napupunta sa tunay na solusyon.&quot;Villanueva however had misgivings over the silence on online gambling.&quot;Nakapanghihinayang lamang na hindi nabanggit ng Pangulo ang kanyang posisyon laban sa salot na dulot  ng online gambling. Patuloy po ang panawagan natin: ipagbawal na po ito nang tuluyan. Wala itong naiaambag na mabuti sa ating lipunan. We reiterate our call for a total ban on online gambling because it wreaks havoc on the lives of our people. It destroys families, it traps people in addiction, and it offers no real value to nation-building. Ang tunay na serbisyo sa bayan ay ang pagtindig laban sa mali at paninindigan para sa tama, kahit hindi ito popular.&quot;Senator Bam Aquino welcomed the speech over all.&quot;Natutuwa kami na gagawing priority ang education for the next three years. Bilang chairperson ng Committee on Education sa Senado, sisiguraduhin natin na iyong mga repormang ito, masasagawa at babantayan natin ang mga pangakong ito.&quot;&quot;Iyong napangako sa classroom, connectivity, tulong sa mga guro natin, iisa-isahin natin iyan. Sisiguraduhin nating naipatupad, and we’ll make sure na magtutulungan iyong Senado at ang gobyerno para sa kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante.&quot;&quot;Nakita ko rin na nagsabi ang Presidente tungkol sa flood control, at kaka-file rin lang namin ng isang imbestigasyon pagdating sa flood control. Kailangan natin malaman kung saan napupunta iyong perang ito, kung napupunta ba ito sa tama o nawawaldas o binubulsa lang. So I welcome this call of the President for an investigation sa flood control. Nais ko rin makita kung saan napupunta iyong perang ito para sa madaliang panahon, maitigil na natin iyong pagbabaha sa ating bansa.&quot;For Senator JV Ejercito, the benefits of the Philhealth should have been fully implemented a long time ago.&quot;Pero ang totoo, kung noon pa lang ay naging seryoso na sa pagpapatupad ng Universal Health Care, hindi na sana kailangang isa-isang ianunsyo ang mga benepisyong ito. Dapat matagal na itong nararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino--hindi problema ang gamot, hindi hadlang ang bayarin, at hindi tila pribilehiyo ang pagpapatingin sa doktor.&quot;&quot;Sana ngayon ay totohanin na ang pagbibigay importansya sa UHC! &quot;Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also expressed happiness over the speech.Senator Miguel Zubiri had his own list of hits and misses in the President&#x27;s speech.&quot;We acknowledge the President’s efforts to present a comprehensive State of the Nation Address, but we had hoped to hear more on issues that directly affect the daily lives of Filipinos. The absence of any mention on the P100 daily minimum wage increase or the growing threat of online gambling is deeply disappointing. These are not peripheral matters. They go to the heart of what many Filipino families struggle with every day: decent wages and protection from the exploitative nature of online gambling. It was also encouraging to hear his emphasis on transparency, but that commitment must be matched by decisive action. Dapat may kasunod na aksyon kung seryoso tayo sa paglilinis ng pamahalaan. Kailangang imbestigahan hindi lang ang mga implementing agencies kundi pati na rin ang mga mambabatas na nagpasok ng kuwestyunableng budget amendments.  Will the Ombudsman be empowered to investigate and file charges? Are we ready to hold even our own accountable?&quot;Senator Panfilo Lacson also welcomed the promise of accountability.&quot;My favorite quote from the President’s 4th State of the Nation Address: MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!&quot; Lacson said.&quot;I clapped the loudest and the longest when he mentioned about the graft-ridden flood control projects, even calling for an accounting of the same while holding accountable those responsible, whether government officials or private contractors.&quot;<div> </div><div> </div><div>  </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O-7lWvVP8oc??si=zCSh_4EA0gAc7zEm&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

For some minority congressmen, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 4th State of the Nation Address “fell short” of their expectations.

For some minority congressmen, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 4th State of the Nation Address “fell short” of their expectations.

Lawmakers regret absence of legislated wage hike, online gambling in Marcos' SONA

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Lawmakers regret absence of legislated wage hike, online gambling in Marcos' SONA

Vivienne Gulla,

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 28, 2025 11:39 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 29, 2025 12:36 AM PHT

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