President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (C) arrives to deliver his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 24, 2023. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — More than 60 rounds of applause and a standing ovation marked the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The one-hour and 11-minute speech on Monday, July 24, got a total of 68 rounds of applause and only one standing ovation, which happened as Marcos ended the Sona.
Among the topics Marcos tackled were the economy, agriculture, energy, education, science and technology, health, digitalization, climate change, and disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, issues that were not tackled include Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators; the International Criminal Court’s ruling on its drug war probe, and the West Philippine Sea.
The president’s second Sona almost had the same length as his first, which lasted for one hour and 13 minutes.