A Presidency at the Precipice
President Marcos Jr.'s 2025 State of the Nation Address marked the midpoint of his term, delivered against a backdrop of political schism, economic pressure, and natural calamity. This interactive report unpacks the key themes, data, and divisions defining the state of the nation.
Inflation Rate (June 2025)
1.4%
Down from a peak of over 6% in 2023.
GDP Growth (Q1 2025)
5.4%
Among the fastest in Southeast Asia.
Public Debt (May 2025)
₱16.9T
A staggering and ballooning figure.
Unemployment (Apr 2025)
4.1%
An increase despite job creation vows.
Inflation Tamed
The administration highlights the drop in headline inflation as a key success of its economic management.
The Political Divide: A Tale of Two Factions
The 2025 SONA was defined as much by who was absent as by who was present. The public boycott by Vice President Sara Duterte and her allies, including the President's own sister, shattered the "UniTeam" myth and showcased a government deeply fractured.
SONA 2025 Attendee Scorecard
| Name | Position / Affiliation | Status |
|---|
The President's Agenda
In his address, President Marcos laid out his administration's accomplishments and priorities, focusing on a narrative of economic resilience, agricultural progress, and ambitious infrastructure projects under the "Bagong Pilipinas" banner.
The Nation's Response
The SONA is a dialogue, not a monologue. Voices from the streets, boardrooms, and civil society offered powerful counter-narratives, highlighting a deep disconnect between official statistics and the lived reality of many Filipinos.
The Streets Speak
Protesters from various sectors gave the administration a "failing grade," citing high food prices, disaster negligence, and unfulfilled promises on labor and land reform. Effigies symbolized a critique of the President as a "puppet" of the US and the Vice President as corrupt.
The Business Agenda
Business groups called for deep structural reforms, not just incremental changes. Their 15-point legislative agenda includes amending the EPIRA law, passing a National Land Use Act, and improving connectivity to lower the "cripplingly high" cost of logistics.
Analysts Fact-Check
Think tanks and news organizations provided critical context, labeling programs like subsidized rice as "palliative" and highlighting a mixed record on promise fulfillment. While foreign policy is a strength, domestic issues like hunger and job quality lag behind.
The Road Ahead
The SONA set the stage for the final half of the Marcos term, defining the legislative battlegrounds and the competing narratives that will shape the path to the 2028 election.
The Legacy Paradox
The administration's legacy depends on completing large-scale infrastructure and economic projects. However, the very political conflicts it must wage to maintain power threaten to erode the stability and legislative support needed to fund and finish them.
Status of 64 priority bills in the 19th Congress.
A Battle of Narratives
The "UniTeam" is gone, replaced by a fierce competition for 2028:
- Marcos Camp: Focuses on technical competence, diplomatic wins, infrastructure delivery, and projecting an image of stable, modernizing governance.
- Duterte Camp: Builds on nationalist grievance, anti-establishment fervor, and being the authentic voice of the masses feeling left behind by the economy.
Latest Updates
Track the latest accomplishments and developments from the administration, automatically updated from official sources and verified news outlets.
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