MANILA, Philippines — “The state of the nation is sound.”
That is how President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. concluded his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, expressing hope that the Filipino people “will endure” the current crises we are experiencing.
In his speech, Marcos acknowledged the hardships the Filipinos are struggling through because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising prices of basic goods and services.
However, he said he “sees sunlight filtering through these dark clouds,” emphasizing that his administration picked “the best of Filipino minds” to address the several crises.
“Batid ko na hindi madali ang ating pinagdaraanan sa nakaraang higit na dalawang taon. Alam ko rin na ang bawat isa sa inyo ay ginagawa ang lahat ng inyong makakaya upang patuloy na harapin ang lahat na ng pagsubok sa kasalukuyan,” Marcos said.
(I know that these past two years have not been easy. However, I also understand that each of you is trying your best to face the current challenges.)
“I do not intend to diminish the risk and challenges that we face in these turbulent times in global history, and yet, I see sunlight filtering through these dark clouds,” he added.
“We have assembled the best of Filipino minds to help navigate us to this global crisis that we are now facing. We will endure. Let our Filipino spirit ever remain undimmed,” Marcos further said.
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