This year’s SONA, happening on Monday, July 28, marks the fourth time President Marcos Jr. will deliver this high-stakes national address.
Every fourth Monday of July, all eyes and ears turn to the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
It’s SONA day, and whether you’re a skeptic, a supporter, or somewhere in between, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) gives a front-row seat to how the President views the country, and where he wants to take it next.
This year’s SONA, happening on Monday, July 28, 2025, marks the fourth time President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will deliver this high-stakes national address.
READ: Sona 2025: Marcos under scrutiny as presidency hits halfway mark
With only three years left in his term and mounting public pressure to deliver on bold promises, like his campaign vow of lowering rice prices to P20 per kilo, this could be his most defining SONA yet.
So, what exactly is the SONA? Why does it matter? And what should you expect from this year’s edition?
READ: Words vs results: Marcos’ 3rd Sona a year later
The State of the Nation Address is not just a yearly political tradition, but a constitutional obligation.
As stated in Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution, the President must deliver a speech at the opening of the regular session of Congress to report on the nation’s status and outline future legislative priorities.
READ: Marcos personally oversees preparation for 4th Sona, Malacañang says
The tradition stretches back to 1935 when then-President Manuel L. Quezon gave the first official SONA under the Commonwealth government.
Over the decades, the event has evolved from a straightforward speech to a national moment, where the entire government, including the executive, legislative, and judiciary, is present in one room.
While the SONA is directed to Congress, it has become a symbolic address to the Filipino people, a yearly mirror held up to the country’s state of affairs.
