Padilla, Binay share expectations for Bongbong Marcos’ first Sona

FILE PHOTOS Senators Robin Padilla and Nancy Binay

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Robin Padilla and Nancy Binay shared their expectations on the first State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 25.

Padilla is eager to hear Marcos lay out his plans in the agriculture, energy, and employment sectors.

He likewise wanted to know Marcos’ plans on other concerns, such as the continuation of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program and the war on illegal drugs.

“Excited ako, ano ba sasabihin niya tungkol sa drug war? Anong sasabihin niya tungkol sa ‘Build Build Build,’ tungkol sa agriculture? Ito dito kami nagkakatugma ni PBBM sa plataporma na dapat buhayin natin ang agriculture. Gusto ko marinig lahat ‘yan,” Padilla told reporters in an interview at the Senate.

(I am excited to hear what the President has to say about the drug war, Build Build Build, and agriculture. In agriculture particularly, I agree with the President that we should energize this sector.)

“Agriculture, kailangan na natin mag-produce ng sariling pagkain. Trabaho. At higit sa lahat ang sa Saligang Batas,” he added.

(We need agriculture because we need to produce our own food. Also, I need to hear the President’s stance on jobs and the Constitution.)

Marcos concurrently sits as secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

As power outage is prevalent in many areas like Occidental Mindoro, Padilla is awaiting the President’s solution to the issue and his program on energy.

“Yung tao roon, sinisigaw nila, kailangan namin ng kuryente. Gusto ko malaman ano plano niya rito,” he said.

(The people there were clamoring for electricity. I want to know what the administration plans to do about it.)

Six-year roadmap

For her part, Binay raised that Marcos should tell the public about his six-year roadmap, including his strategy to alleviate the country’s situation amid the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring fuel prices.

“Unang-una, ‘yung ano niya, kumbaga ano pa ‘yung nakikita niyang plano kung papa’no tayo makakaahon dahil sa epekto ng pandemic, dahil sa epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina,” she told the media in a separate interview at the Senate.

(First, his plan to rise from the pandemic’s effects and rising fuel costs.)

“Maganda kung ano ‘yung magiging roadmap for the next six years. I think ‘yun ‘yung dapat mailatag na niya during his first Sona,” she went on.

(I think it will be good if he shares his roadmap for the next six years. I believe that is what he needs to present during his first Sona.)

Senator JV Ejercito has likewise urged Marcos to focus his first SONA on economic recovery and pandemic response.

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EDV/abc