Senator Imee Marcos Chooses School Visit Over SONA
IMEE MARCOS – The senator followed through on her earlier statement that she would skip the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Batasang Pambansa.
Instead, she visited La Huerta Elementary School in Parañaque after attending the opening of the 20th Congress at the Senate. At 1:59 p.m.—just hours before the 4:00 p.m. SONA—she posted photos of herself distributing school supplies and Nutribuns to students.
“Nandito tayo ngayon sa La Huerta Elementary School, Parañaque, Hulyo 28 para mamahagi ng mga school supply at nutribun sa ating mga estudyante,” she wrote. Videos also showed her interacting with students and teachers.
“Matapos ang pormal na pagbubukas ng sesyon sa Senado, dumiretso tayo sa La Huerta Elementary School sa lungsod ng Parañaque ngayong Lunes, Hulyo 28,” she added. “Kasama natin ang Nutri-Jeep sa pamamahagi ng mga kagamitan sa eskwelahan, Nutribuns, tubig at arrozcaldo para sa mga estudyante at guro.”
Her absence from the SONA placed her among the senators aligned with the so-called “Duterte bloc,” including Senators Robin Padilla, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Bong Go, who also skipped the event. Senator Marcos attended the Senate session earlier that day wearing a black Filipiniana dress—possibly signaling her stance.
Meanwhile, in his fourth SONA, President Marcos focused on key issues: public safety, food security, education, and disaster preparedness.
He said stronger ties with countries like the U.S., Japan, and Australia help protect the Philippines, especially in the West Philippine Sea. He promised ₱20-per-kilo rice through Kadiwa stores and warned traders against price manipulation. He also allocated ₱130 billion in support of farmers.
In education, he plans to build 40,000 new classrooms, provide free internet and SIM cards to students, and give laptops and additional pay to teachers. He also announced more early learning centers, mental health support, and free medical checkups in schools.
To improve disaster response, he promised better warning systems, safer evacuation centers, and faster repairs of damaged roads and flood-control projects. He ended by calling for unity and continued efforts to improve the lives of Filipinos.