SONA 2023 LIVE UPDATES: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2nd State of the Nation Address

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

One year into his administration, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at 4 pm on Monday, July 24, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

This SONA is Marcos’ second in his six-year term in office. In this speech, Marcos bared his accomplishments in the past year and his priorities in the near future.

On the day Marcos delivers his annual speech, which coincides with Typhoon Egay and a transport strike, the government is also implementing road closures and class suspensions.

Bookmark and refresh this page for updates, videos, fact checks, and analyses as Marcos delivers his second SONA.

Watch the video below for Rappler’s live special coverage:

SONA 2023 LIVE UPDATES: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 2nd State of the Nation Address

LATEST UPDATES

Jul 24, 2023 9:26 PM PHT

Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Imee Marcos pose for a photo in SONA

Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos pose for a photo in #SONA2023.

“A tribute to our rich culture in the Cordillera and Maguindanao for #SONA2023 with VP Inday Sara Duterte,” Senator Imee says in her Instagram post. | via @bnzmagsambol https://t.co/MOt9ZmAqkW pic.twitter.com/dYFsEmDgRx
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) July 24, 2023

Jul 24, 2023 8:39 PM PHT

Kadiwa Program served only one-third of poor households

Rappler.com

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during his second SONA that the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa Program served 1.8 million poor households. Marcos is also the country’s concurrent agriculture chief.

“Sa mahigit pitong libong Kadiwa na idinaos sa buong Pilipinas, 1.8 milyon na pamilya ang nakinabang sa mababang presyo ng bilihin,” Marcos said. (1.8 million families benefited from the low prices offered in more than 7,000 Kadiwa outlets in the Philippines.)

However, what Marcos did not say during his speech is that there are 5.6 million poor households in the Philippines, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Listahan 3 survey. This means Kadiwa benefited one-third or only 1 out of 3 of poor households in the country.

Jul 24, 2023 8:30 PM PHT

IN PHOTOS: What government officials wore to SONA 2023

Rappler.com

The State of the Nation Address was an opportunity for government officials to make bold statements through fashion, whether for sheer aesthetic effect, or with underlying political nuances.

Some even sported two looks: one for the opening of the 19th Congress’ second regular session prior to the SONA, and another for the SONA red carpet.

Here are some of SONA 2023’s notable looks.