SONA 2025 draws mixed reactions from Filipino Americans

AP Photo, CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 in Manila, outlining ambitious reforms in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and education. 

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But while many inside the Batasang Pambansa greeted his speech with applause, reactions from Filipino Americans across the United States were far more nuanced, ranging from hopeful endorsement to sharp political critique.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., delivers his speech during the State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Philippines, on Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Delivered in mostly fluent Filipino, the nearly two-hour SONA painted a picture of national renewal and recovery. Marcos opened with a candid acknowledgment of public frustration.

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“The election’s results sent a clear message – we must do better, and we must act faster,” he said.

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He hailed lower inflation, increased employment, and improved investor sentiment, but conceded that these macroeconomic gains don’t ease daily struggles. 

“Our economy may look good on paper, but it means nothing if our people still suffer,” Marcos said.

The moment that drew the most enthusiastic applause in the chamber was when Marcos reaffirmed his campaign promise.

“We’ve proven that P20-per-kilo rice is achievable without a loss to farmers,” he said.

However, that claim drew skeptical responses from overseas Filipinos. 

Atty. Arnedo Valera, a veteran human rights lawyer and executive director of the Global Migrant Heritage Foundation, dismissed it as political theater.  

Atty. Arnedo Valera | FILE PHOTO

“There’s no P20 rice – but there’s plenty of empty promises,” he said.

In a statement shared with Inquirer.net USA, Valera accused the administration of offering “rhetoric in barong,” while real economic conditions continue to worsen. 

“Food inflation remains high, fuel costs burden the working class, and the national debt has swelled beyond P14 trillion. The dream of P20 rice has become a nightmare of empty stomachs,” he said.

Valera also criticized what he framed as the erosion of Philippine sovereignty and geopolitical neutrality. He called out the Marcos administration’s tolerance of the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over former President Rodrigo Duterte, describing it as a betrayal. 

“No administration with dignity turns on its own for foreign approval,” he said, linking the move to what he called “strategic confusion” in an increasingly polarized global order.

The President’s strong rhetoric and promises were backed by updates on expanded PhilHealth coverage, “zero-balance billing,” affordable electricity, improved school facilities, and rebuilding digital and transportation infrastructure nationwide.

He declared education as his administration’s top priority, and celebrated the expansion of free college and technical education programs.  

In New York, community advocate Chris Clarke welcomed the improvements in education and public health but expressed frustration over continued silence on Filipino immigration concerns in the US. 

“I wish he would have included the situation of detained green card holders and deported undocumented citizens,” Clarke said. “Our migrant communities are hurting, and they need help from embassy and consulate officials now more than ever.”

Over 200 members of the Filipino community and allied groups gathered at the Philippine Consulate in New York for the “People’s State of the Nation Address” (PSONA), condemning what they called Marcos’s “garbage policies” tied to unjust US trade deals, increased militarization and government neglect. 

Over 200 members of the Filipino community and allied groups gathered at the Philippine Consulate in New York for the “People’s State of the Nation Address” CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Tanggol Migrante Movement launched

Protesters launched the Tanggol Migrante Movement to defend undocumented Filipinos amid growing attacks, and criticized President Marcos for prioritizing foreign diplomacy while ignoring devastating typhoons and deportations of migrants. 

“This is the People’s SONA,” one organizer said, “because the people will lead us to genuine change and liberation.”

Still, some Filipino Americans viewed the SONA as a turning point.

“SONA 2025 promised maximum improvements in the economic, labor, agricultural and educational development of the country,” said Loida Nicolas Lewis, a longtime civic leader and philanthropist, in a statement to Inquirer.net USA. 

Loida Nicolas Lewis | Photo by Joe Salazar

“If he could realize even half of those promises, despite the inefficiency and corruption in the bureaucracy, he could still redeem the sullied reputation of the Marcos-Romualdez family.”

Activist Tim Timoteo, who openly campaigned for Leni Robredo in 2022, voiced unexpected praise.

“Marcos’ 2025 SONA was the speech of a man who’s grown into the presidency,” he wrote in a viral Facebook post. 

“Walang joke, walang kabastusan. Just clarity. And yes – he’s 10 times better than Duterte.” Timoteo noted significant differences in tone and policy direction, citing progress in infrastructure, energy security, economic digitalization and education reform.

But not all felt represented by the President’s broad themes.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, voicing concerns from Manila, posted: “There was no mention of a wage hike for our workers. This SONA was paper-thin.”

As the President closed his speech with “We will give everything in the next three years,” Filipino communities abroad are left wondering who, exactly, is included in that promise.

For critics like Valera and the immigrant rights advocates, the issue isn’t the length of the speech – it’s the gap between message and execution.

“This administration has failed to inspire, failed to define what it truly means to be a sovereign, just and independent Republic,” Valera said.

BAYAN USA DMV vowed to continue their work to  “illuminate the true state of Philippine society,” saying they will  “go as far forward as it takes to achieve true Philippine liberation.”