Pimentel, Estrada hoping Bongbong Marcos tackles economic recovery, jobs on Sona

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Image from PCOO / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Jinggoy Estrada are hoping that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would discuss his plans on economic recovery and job generation, among other issues, during the chief executive’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Pimentel told INQUIRER.net that he is looking forward to Marcos discussing the “A, E, I, O, U” of some of the country’s priority concerns.

“I hope to hear plans for A — agriculture which means food; E — fair economy, education improvement, affordable energy; I — inflation; O — obra meaning jobs and work for our desperate people; U — utang (debt), be conscious of our massive P12,000,000,000,000 debt,” he said in a message.

Pimentel likewise wants to know the country’s true state, raising questions on shortage of cash, payment of the debt, and the recommended budget for 2023, among others.

Estrada’s expectations for Marcos’ first Sona were similar to Pimentel’s, specifically on economic recovery and job generation.

Aside from those, Estrada is eager to listen to the President’s plan for the country post-COVID.

“I expect PBBM’s very first Sona to contain his priority measures on how to realize his campaign promise of ‘Bangon Bayan Muli,’ which can guide us as legislators as to what measures to prioritize and consider with urgency,” he said in an interview in the Senate.

“I look forward to hearing our President’s vision of the future, his plans for the country post-COVID-19, and how to fuel the full recovery of the national economy after the onslaught of the pandemic. I am hopeful that focus can also be given to pressing labor concerns, specifically on job generation and provision of assistance to our workforce, especially to the unemployed,” he added.

Estrada is likewise “interested in hearing how the President intends to heal the country and inspire unity among Filipinos after a heated election campaign.”

Human rights, criminal justice reform

Meanwhile, detained former Senator Leila de Lima expects Marcos to tackle human rights and criminal justice reform.

“Huwag sanang kalimutan sa Sona ang usapin ng human rights and criminal justice reform, including prison reform,” she said on social media site Twitter.

Huwag sanang kalimutan sa SONA ang usapin ng human rights and criminal justice reform, including prison reform. The sorry state of most of our jails and correctional facilities calls out for urgent attention and action.

— Leila de Lima (@AttyLeiladeLima) July 19, 2022

(I’m hoping that issues of human rights and criminal justice reform, including prison reform, will not be forgotten during the Sona.)

“The sorry state of most of our jails and correctional facilities calls out for urgent attention and action,” she went on.

Some incumbent senators have also said they wanted to hear the plan on economic recovery and pandemic response, among other concerns.

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