Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, some Filipinos said they hope the President will give concrete measures to address corruption in government and the continued rise in the prices of basic commodities. One of the defining moments of Marcos&#x27; SONA last year was his remark, &quot;Mahiya naman kayo!&quot; —a statement which the administration linked to its crackdown on anomalies in flood control projects.But for Willy Gadayan, a tricycle driver in Quezon City, the issue remains unresolved. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/25/sona-2026-doe-cites-iran-crisis-response-as-key-first-year-achievement-2042">SONA 2026: DOE cites Iran crisis response as key first-year achievement </a> </div>“Ang gusto kong marinig ‘yong sa flood control na hanggang ngayon hindi pa na-resolba ‘yong problema. Marami pang kulang. May ulo pa ‘yon, may puno pa ‘yon na dapat lumitaw.”Student Khylie Diane Reyes shared the same view, saying those responsible for the anomalies have yet to be fully held accountable. “Based naman po sa last year, kung titingnan ngayon, parang hindi naman siya masyado na-address. Doon sa flood control, parang hindi naman po ipinalabas na may nahuli like lahat po sila.”Others said they expect the President to focus on the rising cost of living.Angel Montilla, 46, who has been selling cooked meals in Quezon City for two decades, said increasing prices continue to affect small vendors and consumers alike. “Ang inaasahan ko sir, bumaba ‘yong mga bilihin, ‘yong bigas. Kasi siyempre naapektuhan rin kami sa pamimili namin. Ibaba ‘yong presyo ng mga bilihin. Itaas ‘yong sahod.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/25/experts-say-marcos-must-define-legacy-in-penultimate-sona-amid-crises-1622">Experts say Marcos must define legacy in penultimate SONA amid crises </a> </div>Ice cream vendor Roger Moreno also appealed for lower prices of basic goods.“Ayusin n’ya lang ‘yong pamamalakad niya sa problema. Bigas nga lang pinakamababa ngayong 50. Dapat bawasan nila ang presyo. Halos lahat tumaas na e.” Meanwhile, others said they hope Marcos will prioritize workers, especially minimum wage earners.“Most especially yung mga kababayan natin mga manggagawa, lalo na yung mga minimum wage earners na alam naman natin na hindi pa rin nila nakakamit yung mataas na sahod or yung pagtaas ng sahod. Siguro ang gusto kong marinig, hindi lang yung mga bagay na narinig na natin before,” said Engr. Joaquin Israel, a resident of Quezon City.Not everyone, however, was dissatisfied with the administration&#x27;s performance.Tricycle driver Jackie Barsenal said government assistance and infrastructure projects have benefited many Filipinos.“Marami naman siyang nagawa sa mga proyektong ipinatupad. ‘Yong binibigay niyang mga ayuda. Sapat naman ‘yong ayuda na pinapamigay niya. Nakakarating naman sa mga tao.” <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/23/sona-2026-rally-points-set-police-ramp-up-security-1329">SONA 2026: Rally points set, police ramp up security</a></div>SONA SECURITY IN PLACEMeanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it is ready to secure Monday&#x27;s SONA. The Quezon City Police District conducted a walkthrough along Commonwealth Avenue on Saturday, July 25, as part of its security preparations.Around 13,000 police personnel will be deployed across Metro Manila, with the majority assigned along Commonwealth Avenue where protest groups are expected to gather.“Ang PNP po, lalo na po ang Quezon City Police District ay magpapatupad pa rin po ng maximum tolerance para po mabigyan natin ng pagkakataon na magpahayag ang mga rallyista,” said QCPD chief public information officer PMaj. Jennifer Gannaban.“Ngunit nakikiusap tayo na sana sundin po nila yung batas para mapanatili na maayos at matiwasay yung gagawan nilang pagtitipon.”The PNP said three northbound lanes of Commonwealth Avenue will be designated for rally participants and advised motorists to take alternative routes to avoid traffic on the day of the President&#x27;s address.

Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, some Filipinos said they hope the President will give concrete measures to address corruption in government and the continued rise in the prices of basic commodities.

Ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, some Filipinos said they hope the President will give concrete measures to address corruption in government and the continued rise in the prices of basic commodities.

Filipinos seek action on corruption, rising prices ahead of Marcos' 5th SONA

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Filipinos seek action on corruption, rising prices ahead of Marcos' 5th SONA

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 25, 2026 11:01 PM PHT

Read More:

SONA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Corruption

Prices

Minimum wage earner

Flood control

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