Senators laud Marcos’ Sona pronouncements

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero —Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippine — “It was honest, truthful and comprehensive. “

These were the words used by Senate President Francis Escudero to describe President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona).

In a text message to reporters, Escudero said among the highlights of the speech include the first 10 minutes devoted to rice, agriculture, food security, the West Philippine Sea, and ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators.

“I commend the President for an excellent and perfectly delivered speech  that showed and proved that he listens and cares for the Filipino,” said Escudero.

READ: Sona 2024: Marcos’ most explosive, emotional yet

Former Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, on the other hand, was ecstatic when he thanked Marcos for supposedly “heading the people’s voices, for carefully analyzing sound data, and for concluding” that Pogo has no rightful place in Philippine society.

Enforce the President’s directive

“The President did not disappoint our countrymen. We agree with the President’s statement that evil triumphs when good men do nothing. Thus, we continue to call for the prohibition not only of Pogos but all forms of online gambling in the country. Likewise, we urge the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to promptly enforce the President’s directive,” said Villanueva.

For his part, Sen. Lito Lapid said the President’s Sona showcased problems that the Philippine government must address.

“The progress of the various programs reported by President Bongbong gives us hope for a better future and challenges us to do our part to ensure that we achieve the goals of these programs,” said Lapid.

“We in the Senate are ready to face this challenge to legislate the necessary policies so that our government can succeed in serving our countries,” he added.