Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Civil society organizations on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) failed to address the urgent needs of ordinary Filipinos and overlooked key reforms needed to tackle the country&#x27;s social and economic woes.Progressive leaders said the Marcos administration continues to fall short in delivering meaningful reforms, noting that several priority measures previously identified by the government—including the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, Party-list Reform, and the CADENA Bill—were not mentioned during the President&#x27;s address. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/marcos-jr-to-certify-bills-mentioned-in-sona-as-urgent-palace-1537">Marcos Jr. to certify bills mentioned in SONA as ‘urgent’ – Palace </a> </div>The groups also renewed calls for accountability for Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing an impeachment trial over the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and alleged threats against top national leaders.&quot;Ang totoong state of the nation ay meron tayong Presidente na tingi-tingi mamahala at isang vice president na kulang-kulang sa kaalaman sa niraranas ng ating bansa,&quot; Akbayan Party-list National President Rafaela David said during a media briefing in Quezon City.&quot;We have a president who offers band-aid solutions and a vice president who is clueless about what is happening in the nation habang ang mamamayan naman ay lubog sa baha at pasan ang taas ng presyo,&quot; she added.The groups challenged the administration to fulfill its commitments by ensuring accountability for corruption, pursuing long-overdue political reforms, increasing workers&#x27; wages, and bringing down the prices of basic goods.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/pnp-hunts-admin-of-social-media-accounts-tied-to-alleged-sona-disruption-plots-0940">PNP hunts admin of social media accounts tied to alleged SONA disruption plots</a></div>They also questioned the administration&#x27;s development priorities, arguing that expensive infrastructure and energy projects should not overshadow the immediate concerns of Filipino families, including access to healthcare, decent livelihoods, and social protection. &quot;The Philippines&#x27; classification as an upper middle income country by the World Bank is a label that is alien to the lived experiences of ordinary Filipinos. Millions of families remain poor, suffering from food insecurity, poor housing, and landlessness. In seeking to improve our lives, we are met with joblessness at home and an increasingly insecure world abroad. Quality education remains inaccessible except for the rich. A single serious illness of a family member can push even a middle-class family into poverty,&quot; said Sylvia Estrada Claudio of Tindig Pilipinas.The democratic coalitions, people&#x27;s organizations, labor groups, faith-based institutions, and various sectoral organizations also launched the People&#x27;s Assembly on Thursday, an alliance committed to advancing a shared agenda centered on democracy, accountability, social justice, and public participation.The alliance is set to hold its first convention on Sept. 20, to mark the anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late dictator, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. on Sept. 21,1972.

Civil society groups on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) failed to address the urgent needs of ordinary Filipinos and overlooked key reforms needed to tackle the country's social and economic challenges.

Civil society groups on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) failed to address the urgent needs of ordinary Filipinos and overlooked key reforms needed to tackle the country's social and economic challenges.

‘Tingi-tingi’: Groups say Marcos' SONA fell short, ‘People’s Assemby’ launched

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‘Tingi-tingi’: Groups say Marcos' SONA fell short, ‘People’s Assemby’ launched

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 30, 2026 09:27 PM PHT

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Updated July 30, 2026 09:45 PM PHT

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SONA

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Progressive groups

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