Bongbong Marcos still ‘very busy’ writing his Sona speech, says ES Rodriguez

FILE PHOTO: Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. Philippine Daily Inquirer/Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is writing his own speech for his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) next week, Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez disclosed Friday.

Rodriguez said that Marcos Jr.’s speech is a “work in progress” and still “a moving thing.”

“He’s the one writing his Sona message, and he will be very busy. Yesterday we tried to relax his schedule so he can write,” Rodriguez said in an interview.

“But this afternoon, he has devoted it until the weekend, until morning of Monday to finalize his Sona message,” he added.

According to Rodriguez, Marcos Jr.’s speech will cover discussions during the first three Cabinet meetings of the administration as well as plans for the country’s economy and COVID-19 response.

“It’s all about our economy, the economic plans. With the face-to-face opening of this coming school year, it’s all about COVID response,” said the Executive Secretary, also known as the “Little President.”

The COVID-19 response, he explained, doesn’t just focus on health, but extends to education, and other sectors as well.

Marcos Jr., who serves as concurrent Agriculture Secretary, will also tackle the issue of food security, Rodriguez said.

“It is his thrust, it is his vision for us not only to have food security but food sovereignty. Meaning, we don’t have to rely on much importation anymore,” he said.

“If we can feed ourselves as a nation, if we can feed ourselves as Filipinos, I think we are on our way to where we want to be much like where our neighbors are,” he added.

Moreover, Rodriguez said Marcos Jr. also wants to push for digitalized governance.

“Very much related to COVID response and opening of classes is of course the digitalization, not just with respect to the education of the students but also with the way things are being run in terms of governance,” Rodriguez said.

“He wants to see a digitalized governance and digitalized Marcos administration,” he added.

Marcos Jr. will have his first Sona on Monday, July 25.

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