Joselito Malig

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives a standing ovation from lawmakers, government officials, and guests as he delivers his 5th State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 27, 2026.

— Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

2026 SONA - 20th CONGRESS

Jonathan Frederic De Santos

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (UPDATED)—  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ticked off most of the topics laid down by survey results last week on what most Filipinos wanted to hear in his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon, including corruption, high prices, and what government is doing about it.</p><p>The president started his joint address to Congress by recalling how he called attention to irregularities in flood-control projects and what has happened since then.</p><p>The president talked about how some officials implicated in flood-control corruption are now facing active cases and how the government has reportedly recovered nearly P25 billion from projects that were flagged and stopped.</p><p>He added reforms are already in place at the Department of Public Works and Highways, including the recruitment of idealistic fresh graduates, a review of projects, and tighter monitoring of projects with the help of civil society organizations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/27/marcos-says-multiple-charges-vs-romualdez-to-be-filed-soon-1621">&#x27;Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya&#x27;: Marcos says multiple charges vs Romualdez to be filed soon</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;IM NOT PRESIDENT OF MY FAMILY OR MY FRIENDS&#x27; </strong></div><p>&quot;Dumating na tayo sa punto na ayon sa Ombudsman ay malapit na ang paghahain ng patong-patong na kaso laban sa dating speaker,&quot; Marcos also said, referring to Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, his cousin and a central figure in the controversy.</p><p>(We have reached the point where the Ombudsman said they are close to filing cases against the former speaker.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/24/ombudsman-seeks-preliminary-probe-vs-romualdez-co-for-plunder-money-laundering-1240">Ombudsman panel seeks preliminary probe vs Romualdez, Co for plunder, bribery, money laundering</a></div><p>Marcos said the development pains him but government must do the right thing. </p><p>&quot;Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya, hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo, ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino,&quot; he said to applause from his cousin&#x27;s colleagues.</p><p>(I am not president of my family or of my friends. I am president of the Philippines and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>COST OF LIVING</strong></div><p>Acknowledging the high cost of living, Marcos Jr. called for expanding the exemption on income taxes to workers earning up to P350,000 a year — around P26,900 a month. Currently, only workers earning up to P250,000 a year are exempted.</p><p>The exemption will also cover small businesses, he said, saying they will no longer have to pay the minimum corporate income tax.</p><p>That, and amnesties on estate and other taxes and their penalties are &quot;to ensure the continued progress of the middle class amidst the lingering effects of the crisis,&quot; he said.</p><p>The biggest applause, though, was for a proposal to lower electricity bills. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/marcos-seeks-tax-relief-for-individuals-small-businesses-1654">Marcos seeks tax relief for individuals, small businesses<br/></a></div><p>&quot;[W]e the people request — no, we demand the immediate amendment of the [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] and to prohibit charging systems loss against consumers,&quot; he said.</p><p>EPIRA, meant to lower power rates through reforms and competition, allows power companies to pass on some costs to consumers.</p><p>Think tank IBON Foundation and other critics of that law call the charges onerous and meant to guarantee the companies make money even at the expense of their end users.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/marcos-wants-systems-loss-charges-removed-from-electricity-bill-rooftop-solar-made-easier-1727">Marcos wants systems loss charges removed from electricity bill; rooftop solar made easier</a></div><p>Marcos Jr. also called on Congress to pass the “Sariling Kuryente” bill to make it easier for households to install solar panels.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/5/21/single-dad-in-cavite-uses-the-sun-to-help-save-money-to-support-daughter-1226">Single dad in Cavite uses the sun to help save money to support daughter</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NUCLEAR POWER AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES</strong></div><p>Citing the Philippines&#x27; experience during the ongoing oil crisis sparked by the US and Israel&#x27;s war on Iran, Marcos Jr. batted for hybrid and electric vehicles, saying their increased use would also boost local industries to support them.</p><p>&quot;Consistent with our clean energy drive, we have encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles. We have removed all tariffs on EVs until 2028 to bring down market,&quot; he said.</p><p>He said government fleets will prioritize the use of EVs and so will public transport, including a planned electric ferry service on the Pasig River.</p><p>&quot;Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production,&quot; he said after talking about petroleum service contracts and the development of hydrogen fuel and power plants.</p><p>A nuclear power plant built while his father was president has remained mothballed over safety concerns despite regular discussions on revisiting its use.</p><p>&quot;Titiyakin nating ito ay ligtas. Titiyakin din nating maipaliwanag nang mabuti sa publiko ang magandang dulot sa atin ng enerhiyang nukleyar,&quot; Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>(We will make sure it is safe. We will make sure to fully explain to the public the advantages of nuclear energy.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/5/21/us-philippines-to-train-filipinos-in-nuclear-power-1318">US, Philippines to train Filipinos in nuclear power<br/></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;COMMUNITY OF NATIONS&#x27;</strong></div><p>Throughout his speech, Marcos Jr. repeatedly mentioned how the Philippines, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, has worked with other nations to address the oil crisis and increase trade and investments.</p><p>&quot;The Philippines is once again a full member of the community of nations,&quot; he said as he highlighted that the country has 23 free trade agreements already in force or under negotiation.</p><p>He also boosted the Pax Silica deal that the US has inked with 23 other nations, saying it will &quot;bring quality jobs to our people, accelerate our industrial competitiveness, and revitalize our economy.&quot; </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/26/scientists-farm-workers-dispute-bcda-s-pax-silica-promises-1625">Scientists, farm workers dispute BCDA&#x27;s Pax Silica promises</a></div><p>&quot;As a strategic component of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the hub will be an advanced manufacturing and logistics center in the global AI and technology value chain,&quot; he also said.</p><p>As Marcos Jr. touted the Philippines&#x27; partnerships, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/27/marcos-says-cagayan-to-host-spaceport-pax-silica-as-ticket-to-ai-industry-1914">including for a spaceport in Cagayan province</a>, he also stressed the need for international support against a threat that he said is &quot;directed against our dignity and self-respect as a people.&quot;</p><p>Referencing the 2016 arbitral award invalidating China&#x27;s sweeping claim over a large part of the South China Sea, Marcos Jr. stressed the award &quot;is not a claim that we advance alone, nor one that we will abandon.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/12/ph-13-countries-reaffirm-2016-arbitral-award-on-its-10th-year-0841">PH, 13 countries reaffirm 2016 arbitral award on its 10th year </a></div><p>He promised that the government &quot;will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this award, utilizing every peaceful and legal means available to the Republic against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement.&quot;</p><p>As he appealed for support for the award, Marcos Jr. called for unity on standing up against threats to it and to the country&#x27;s rights in the West Philippine Sea. </p><p>&quot;Dahil tayo man ay magkakaiba sa maraming bagay, iisa lang ang ating lahi. Tayong lahat ay Pilipino. Pilipino sa diwa; Pilipino sa dugo.&quot;</p><p>(Because while we may be different in a lot of things, we are one people. We are all Filipinos, in spirit and by blood.)</p><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/h4DX6JuTpOE?&amp;t=321s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ticked off most of the topics laid down by survey results last week on what most Filipinos wanted to hear in his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon, including corruption, high prices, and what government is doing about it.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ticked off most of the topics laid down by survey results last week on what most Filipinos wanted to hear in his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon, including corruption, high prices, and what government is doing about it.

From his cousin to the community of nations: Highlights from Marcos Jr.'s 5th SONA

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

From his cousin to the community of nations: Highlights from Marcos Jr.'s 5th SONA

Jonathan de Santos,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 27, 2026 10:44 PM PHT

|

Updated July 27, 2026 11:02 PM PHT

Read More:

State of the Nation Address

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Martin Romualdez

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

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

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.