MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) serves not only as a platform for him to report on his administration’s achievements but also as an opportunity for the audience to express their enthusiasm for the milestones or promises they find most exciting.During Marcos’ one-hour and 21-minute Sona on Monday afternoon, various societal issues and accomplishments were discussed.
READ: Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’
However, some of the most notable announcements were the decision to ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) and the reaffirmation of the Philippines’ jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas (The West Philippine Sea is not just a figment of our imagination. It is ours. And it will remain ours, as long as the spirit of our beloved country, the Philippines, burns bright.),” he said.
READ: Marcos: West Philippine Sea not an imagination, it will always be ours
This declaration earned the president a standing ovation and enthusiastic applause from the attendees.
Moreover, the crowd also stood from their seats, applauded, and cheered when Marcos announced the banning of all Pogos.
“Effective today, all Pogos are banned,” Marcos said.
“I hereby instruct the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to wind down and cease the operations of Pogos by the end of the year,” he added.
Attendees could not help but cheer on this development.
“BBM! BBM!” They exclaimed.
Aside from that, Marcos was also welcomed with a 30-second round of applause when he was introduced by House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez for his Sona.