‘SONA well-delivered but…’

ALBAY Rep. Edcel Lagman, president of the opposition Liberal Party (LP) praised what he said was President Marcos Jr’s “well-delivered” state of the nation address (SONA) last Monday.

In a statement, Lagman said the SONA “would evoke concurrence on some major policy statements like the unequivocal upholding of Philippine sovereign rights over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, albeit a repetition of previous declarations; review and amendment of the EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act); and the total ban on all POGO operations by the end of 2024.”

Lagman, however said what is lacking “are the important details in the implementation of said policies.”

“Such agreement on some vital points in the SONA does not mean that a counter-SONA is not necessary with respect to dissenting views based on established facts and validated data on the Philippine economy, poverty, agriculture and food security, education, employment, sustainable human development, and human rights – all of which will be discussed in the genuine opposition’s Counter-SONA,” he said.

Key House leaders commended what they said were the “bold declarations and notable achievements” that the President presented in his third SONA.

Senior deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga cited the President’s reaffirmation of the “unyielding commitment to our territorial integrity.”

Deputy speaker David Suarez expressed strong support for the President’s decision to the ban all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) by the end of the year, saying the “courageous move to ban POGOs addresses the social and economic issues brought about by these operations.”

Majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said the administration’s bloodless war against illegal drugs “marks a humane and effective approach to this persistent issue” while Rep. Elizaldy Co (PL, Ako Bicol), chair of the committee on appropriations, praised Marcos for his accomplishments, particularly on economic gains and reforms.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said: “We give a big hand to President Marcos for putting our people first in our nation’s drive to keep our economy on its