28/07/2026
DEAFENING SILENCE
By Briana Bandojo
Silence can comfort the guilty but threatens those searching for answers.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth SONA on July 27, 2026. More than a catalogue of achievements, the SONA is the President’s chance to confront the struggles of Filipinos and assure the public that these are being heard. This was not the case in this year’s SONA. What stood before the nation was not a confrontation but silence on the issues that demanded to be addressed.
For one, the issue surrounding the proposed establishment of Pax Silica received only brief mention. The President highlighted its potential to generate jobs and strengthen the economy but stopped short of addressing the questions many Filipinos continue to raise. As the country grapples with recurring energy shortages and water security concerns, the public deserves a clearer explanation of how a resource-intensive project would be sustained without placing additional strain on already limited supplies.
Equally concerning was the absence of a clear and decisive discussion on the West Philippine Sea. At a time when Chinese activities in Philippine waters continue to draw national and international attention, many Filipinos were hoping to hear concrete commitments on how the administration intends to protect the country’s sovereign rights and respond to ongoing provocations. Instead, the speech offered words of encouragement, leaving many with the impression that the burden of defending the nation’s waters was being placed on its citizens rather than on the government’s concrete course of action.
The President also presented a long list of accomplishments, but many of these claims were not accompanied by measurable outcomes or clear indicators of their impact. While government reports may point to progress, Filipinos continue to evaluate success through their daily experiences -whether or not prices have become more affordable, public services have improved, and opportunities have become more accessible. These achievements carry little weight when they are not reflected in the realities of the people they are meant to benefit.
A State of the Nation’s Address is not simply a list of accomplishments. It is an acknowledgement of unfinished work, a recognition of people’s struggles, and a commitment to confront them with concrete solutions. Until the nation’s most urgent concerns are met with direct answers instead of omission, the loudest message Filipinos will continue to hear is a deafening silence.
