MANILA, Philippines – July 28, 2025 — Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña expressed deep disappointment over President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it underwhelming and filled with temporary solutions.
“Bitin na bitin,” Cendaña said, describing the speech as a mere rundown of surface-level accomplishments rather than a visionary roadmap for national progress.
The lawmaker criticized the President for failing to address urgent labor concerns such as a minimum wage increase. He also pointed out that the promised healthcare benefits remain out of reach for many Filipinos and questioned the effectiveness of the so-called “whole-of-government approach,” which Marcos claimed is central to his administration’s strategy.
“To me, it sounded more like a typical, uninspired accomplishment report you’d hear in a government office,” Cendaña remarked. “He shortchanged the people when it comes to new projects and meaningful promises.”
The congressman also noted that while the President highlighted several programs, many of them appeared repetitive and lacking in clear direction or measurable impact.
Cendaña’s remarks reflect a growing concern among progressive lawmakers and civil society groups who argue that the administration has yet to make significant strides in addressing systemic issues like poverty, labor rights, and access to quality healthcare.
The President’s SONA drew mixed reactions overall, with supporters praising its tone of stability while critics, like Cendaña, demanded bolder and more concrete actions to uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
