Philippine Presidents have for many years mirrored on their governance and set the nation’s route in the course of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Thus, the annual report mandated by the Constitution has given snapshots of the Philippines’ political previous and the way the Chief Executives have steered the nation’s course as a part of this historic narrative.
Through the years, the president’s SONA has change into a platform to current the administration’s feats, priorities, and plans, the place Filipinos hinged their hopes for a greater future.
Before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. takes the rostrum to ship his second SONA, have a look again at some memorable strains from the SONAs of earlier presidents.
Manuel Quezon (1935-1944)
In 1935, Manuel Quezon turned the primary President to ship a SONA. As the Philippines’ bid for independence from the United States was gaining floor, Quezon stated:
“We, the citizens of these Islands, are now fairly started upon the final stretch of the long road we have so patiently and persistently followed toward the goal of independence. Up to here, the trail has been tortuous, but the difficulties we have encountered and the frustrations we have endured have not deterred us from our purpose. They have only spurred us onward, increasing the intensity of our undying devotion to the cause for which no cost could be too great, no sacrifice too bitter. And now, with success so plainly in our sight, our love of liberty and the voice of reason alike urge us to guard and cherish the prize that has been so hardly won.”
Sergio Osmena (1944-1946)
In his first and solely SONA delivered on June 9, 1945, after World War II, President Sergio Osmena reminded the members of Congress of the horrors of the Japanese occupation and informed them of the challenges forward.
“But the tasks of peace are at times more exacting than those of war. We are administering the affairs of eighteen million people just delivered from three long years of enslavement. To them we owe justice, order and the means to live in contentment and happiness. I am aware that our means at the moment are inadequate. We are not able to provide our people with as much as they deserve. But we shall not falter in the line of duty.”
Manuel Roxas (1946-1948)
In his speech on June 3, 1946, President Manuel Roxas spoke in regards to the challenges confronted by the nation a month earlier than its exit from American rule.
“We have less than five weeks, 31 days to be exact, in which to make the necessary preparations for the assumption of independent nationhood. Even under ordinary conditions, this would be a short space for so great a task. There are many steps, which must be taken to provide for the transition. The legislation needed for this transition will be duly submitted to you. But the problems we must solve are much greater ones than those of crossing the line from Commonwealth status to the status of a free Republic. Our people are to inherit a prostrate and war-devastated land.”
Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953)
President Elpidio Quirino on January 23, 1950 delivered his SONA through a radio broadcast whereas in hospital within the United States. Aside from narrating the nation’s strides in each peace and order, and the economic system, he spoke in regards to the Philippines gaining its place locally of countries.
“At long last the eyes of the world are turned to this new area of portentous possibilities. We must find our just and constructive place inspired by and fortified with all prudence, foresight, and firmness in the face of the changing scenes unfolding before our eyes. As the first Republic to be established in the Far East, our responsibility is great. Our mission is to broaden and expand our freedom and enrich our democratic institutions and secure for our people and our neighbors higher standards of creative living.”
Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957)
President Ramon Magsaysay in his first SONA on January 25, 1954 informed Congress of how the federal government beneath his administration ought to proceed.
“I must remind you of an all-important fact: that what we have set out to do can be realized only through concerted action and unity. More than ever, we must think, plan, and work as one, with only one supreme goal in mind-the promotion of the welfare and happiness of our people.”
Carlos Garcia (1957-1961)
President Carlos Garcia delivered his first SONA on January 27, 1958, and presented a picture of the country’s economic growth and improving social status. He also warned of “a dark side.”
“Thus far, I have presented to you a picture of our country that glows with the record of our growth and achievements. It is something of which we can justly be proud. But it would not be realistic and true to life if I did not point out its dark side. Life after all is a blend of sunlight and shadows, of successes and failures, of joys and sorrows.”
Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965)
President Diosdado Macapagal in his SONA on January 22, 1962, presented his “Five-Year Integrated Socio-Economic Program for the Philippines.” He called on the members of Congress to set aside partisanship for the sake of the country.
“I therefore appeal to each member of the Fifth Congress to set aside partisanship and contribute his experience and wisdom to the common task entrusted to us by our people. We face a challenge to our free political system, to our dedication as public servants and to our patriotism as Filipinos.”
“We have been elected under different parties but we have been elected by the same people. As the people did not mind our political parties in placing in our hands their welfare and future, so are we called upon not to mind our parties in serving their well-being.”
Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986)
President Ferdinand Marcos delivered his first SONA in January 24, 1966 and made 19 more SONA speeches in his entire tenure.
In his first SONA, he remarked:
“We must, for too long have we procrastinated as a people, be never daring to forsake, in the phrase of Rizal, ‘a humble present for a brilliant future.’ But our people cannot wait and they ask us to act, and I hear them say there is no margin for pettiness. There are no reserves for partisan strifes.”
In his message to the people on September 21, 1973, a year after placing the entire country under martial law, Marcos said:
“Many will ask, what do you consider your worthiest accomplishment during the last 12 months? My answer is the transformation of our people. It is this reaching out to one another, to do something ‘extra’ for the country and for one’s fellowmen. It is here that our democratic revolution inscribes its greatest virtue, its most important gain. For it is that makes an age, a culture, a civilization.”
His July 22, 1985 SONA, underscored a “turning point for the nation.”
“Let us, if we must, contend in the political arena. But when the issue is the welfare, the honor, and the future of the nation, let us be one and undivided. Let us remember the words said so long ago, but which today are still fresh and full of meaning: ‘Let our object be our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country’.”
Corazon Aquino (1986-1992)
President Corazon Aquino’s first SONA, delivered a yr after the EDSA Revolution, highlighted the restoration of Philippine democracy. It additionally harassed the ability that emanates from the Filipino individuals, and never from a single authority.
“This day completes the circle of our democratic achievements. Now Philippine democracy rests solidly upon the three pillars of freedom: the President, the Supreme Court, and Congress. Mr. Senate President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Congress, join me now in expressing our congratulations and deepest gratitude to those who have this day by God’s grace given to the nation the fully ripened fruit of freedom: ang ating mga kababayan, ang mamamayang Pilipino.”
Fidel Ramos (1992-1998)
President Fidel Ramos delivered his first SONA on the Legislative Building in 1992, saying:
“You and I can act individually – and obtain very, little or no. Or you and I can act collectively – and obtain a lot, way more. The time is brief, and our duty is evident.”
Joseph Estrada (1998-2001)
An action star turned politician, President Joseph Estrada won the 1998 elections with an anti-poverty platform. He delivered his first SONA amidst the Asian financial crisis, an episode of the El Niño phenomenon, and the centennial celebration of Philippine independence.
In his 1998 speech, Estrada said:
“Statistics claim that the number of poor people has gone down in the past decade. I wonder if the people believe these statistics.”
“Wala sa akin ang mga statistics na iyan. Poor is poor—walang pera, walang pagkain, walang bubong, walang dignidad, at lalung-lalo na, walang pag-asa.”
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010)
After Estrada stepped down from office, then-Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo first became president in 2001 when she served the remainder of her predecessor’s term. She was elected into the presidency in 2004.
In her first SONA, Arroyo indicated her intention to help the downtrodden. She introduced urban poor children from Payatas who wrote letters containing their wishes, and who according to her sent them down to Malacañang as paper boats in the Pasig River.
“Trabaho. Tahanan. Edukasyon. Pagkain sa bawat mesa. Salamat, Jayson, Jomar, at Erwin, pinaalala ninyo sa akin ang napakahalagang tungkulin ko. Pinaalala ninyo sa aming lahat kung bakit kami ay narito ngayon sa bulwagang ito.”
Benigno Aquino III (2010-2016)
Under the Aquino administration, the Philippines secured its historic win at the Hague-based court, which rejected China’s nine-dash line and upheld the country’s claim in the West Philippine Sea. Two years before the country’s filing of the arbitral case, Aquino said in his 2011 SONA:
“Dati, hindi man lang natin makuhang pumalag tuwing might sisindak sa atin sa loob mismo ng ating bakuran. Malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas; kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue.”
Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022)
At the height of the controversial drug war, President Rodrigo Duterte started his 2018 SONA by saying his centerpiece campaign is “removed from over.” Duterte also addressed critics of his policy, saying that protests would not deter the implementation of the war on drugs.
“If you suppose that I may be dissuaded from persevering with this combat due to your demonstrations, your protests, which I discover, by the way in which, misdirected, you then’ve obtained all of it flawed. Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives. The lives of our youth are being wasted and households are destroyed, all due to the chemical substances referred to as shabu, cocaine, hashish, and heroin.”
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (2022-present)
Delivering his first SONA on July 25, 2022, Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino individuals:
“I know this in my mind, I know it in my heart, I know it in my very soul … the state of the nation is sound.”
—LDF/NB, GMA News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
