Edward Mico Joseph Agustin

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 4th annual State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City  on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 4th SONA

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17537450447992025072821070_2b37d16c9f9d4ecea56af2fb7db06212ff1aeef27a8317e753c972c6f09c6ac9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his 4th annual State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City  on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> — There were mixed reactions from senators on the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday, but many were disappointed that there was no mention of online gambling, and many also expressed support for an investigation on flood control projects. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/patrol-ng-pilipino-dapat-na-nga-bang-i-ban-ang-online-gambling-sa-pilipinas-2059">Dapat na nga bang i-ban ang online gambling sa Pilipinas?</a></div><p>“Sayang walang pagbanggit sa online gambling,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said. “Missed opportunity.” </p><p>According to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, “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.”</p><p>Zubiri did say, however, that the President’s call for transparency is encouraging but must be followed through. </p><p>“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?” Zubiri asked.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/25/gcash-says-to-follow-government-online-gambling-regulations-2317">GCash says to follow government online gambling regulations</a></div><p>Like Zubiri, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano wished a total ban on online gambling was announced. </p><p>Nevertheless he said he is happy with the tone and issues discussed in the SONA.</p><p>He appreciated Marcos’ honesty, particularly on the shortcomings of the government, and possible wrongdoings in flood control. </p><p>“Napakaraming problema, napakaraming issues… Kahit mag-two hours ka hindi mo matatapos. But yung mga pinakaimportante – health, education, corruption, and accountability – nabanggit. So now, the key is, even before the next SONA, by the end of the year, nasunod ba ang mga nabanggit?” Cayetano said. </p><p>Sen. Loren Legarda also hoped to hear a strong position on the spread of gambling and other vices.</p><p>She welcomed the focus on flood control and infrastructure, among others, but suggested other ways to solve the problems. </p><p>“These efforts must go hand in hand with the strict implementation of laws like the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Equally important is the need to confront corruption and wasteful spending in the implementation of infrastructure projects,” Legarda said. </p><p>“I welcome the President’s emphasis on upholding integrity and high standards in public spending because every peso lost to dishonest practices is a setback to community safety and public trust,” she added.</p><p>Sen. Joel Villanueva was another lawmaker who was disappointed on the absence of a pronouncement on online gambling. Villanueva has been pushing for a total ban.  </p><p>“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,” Villanueva said.</p><p>He, meanwhile, praised the position on flood control. </p><p>“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,” Villanueva noted. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SA IBA PANG PAGKAKATAON&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>But Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero downplayed the supposed omission of online gambling issue in Marcos&#x27; SONA, saying there are other avenues where the President can discuss it.</p><p>&quot;Alam mo, sa dami ng mambabatas, may kanya-kanya tayong advocacy [na] gusto natin mapakinggan sa SONA ng presidente. Gusto ba natin tatlong oras yung SONA?&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Siguro may ibang pagkakataon na pwedeng matalakay pa ng Pangulong yan. Pero hindi siya missed opportunity because every time the President has an interview, media can always ask him about his position on that,&quot; Escudero added.</p><p>Meanwhile, Escudero said the possible inclusion in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priorities of the bills on online gambling is a matter that will have to be discussed.</p><p>&quot;But again, LEDAC is composed of both the House, the Senate, and the Executive. So kung masasama man siya sa listahang ipaglalaban ng Senado, yun ay pagpapasyahan ng tatlong ahensyang yun,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FLOOD CONTROL</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>On flood control projects, Senator JV Ejercito echoed the President’s statement that many take advantage of these.</p><p>“Year after year, the budget for flood control projects is sliced up per district, leading to scattered, redundant, and sometimes questionable drainage improvements and slope protections. Ginagamit pa ng ilan sa korapsyon,” Ejercito said. </p><div><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></div><p>He stressed the need for departments such as the Department of Public Works and Highways to conduct proper audits.</p><p>Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto was satisfied with the SONA. </p><p>“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 (National Expenditure Program). That is what we will be doing in the Senate. Humanda yun mga mahilig sa insertion,” Sotto said. </p><p>Sen. Erwin Tulfo was also happy with the SONA, particularly because of the investigation on suspected anomalous flood control projects. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/7/28/full-text-marcos-sona-2025-1936">FULL TEXT: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s SONA 2025</a></div><p>“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,” Tulfo said.</p><p>Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson applauded the President’s statement on flood control projects. </p><p>&quot;My favorite quote from the President’s 4th State of the Nation Address: Mahiya naman kayo!&quot; Lacson said. </p><p>&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;</p><p>Sen. Bam Aquino supports an investigation on flood control projects as well. </p><p>He also highlighted the prioritization of education in the next three years.</p><p>“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,” Aquino mentioned.</p><div><strong>—With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5tp_7-okInA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFd7keXDBnM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>While many senators were disappointed that there was no mention of online gambling, most if them also expressed support for Marcos' call to investigate flood control projects.</p>

While many senators were disappointed that there was no mention of online gambling, most if them also expressed support for Marcos' call to investigate flood control projects.

'Nakapanghihinayang': Senators disappointed over Marcos 'silence' on online gambling in SONA

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'Nakapanghihinayang': Senators disappointed over Marcos 'silence' on online gambling in SONA

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 29, 2025 07:33 AM PHT

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Updated July 29, 2025 01:57 PM PHT

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