Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has called on all Filipinos—regardless of their political stance—to tune in to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, expressing readiness to analyze the speech afterward.
Speaking during a social media livestream on Sunday, Cayetano urged both administration allies and critics to hear out the Chief Executive’s report to the nation.
“So tomorrow may SONA. Dun sa mga pro-Marcos, walang problema. Manood po tayo kasi pro-Marcos kayo. Dun sa anti-Marcos, manood pa rin tayo [kasi] siya po ang ating Pangulo,” Cayetano said during a social media livestream.
“Let’s look at his message tomorrow and saan nag-agree at saan hindi nag-agree,” he added.
President Marcos is expected to highlight key administration priorities, including Pax Silica—a US-backed economic security initiative aimed at fortifying global supply chains for semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and strategic technologies.
Cayetano noted that the nation’s stance on this framework carries significant consequences, especially for communities near its proposed development sites.
“Kung taga-Clark ka, kung pro o anti ka doon sa Pax Silica, kahit hindi ka taga-Clark, kahit hindi ka taga-Pampanga at Tarlac, may cost po ang pumanig o lumaban,” Cayetano said.
Addressing the risks associated with taking a stand against entrenched interests, the senator offered broader reflections on accountability and opposition.
“Siyempre, usually kapag criminal syndicate ka, pagkakampi ka, marami kang reward. Pero ang cost noon is eventually crime does not pay,” he said.
“Ang problema, pag sa start ikaw ang lumalaban, usually binabalik sa iyo yung imbestigasyon o inuusig ka rin because ayaw din nilang mabuko,” Cayetano added, clarifying that his remarks were general observations rather than targeted accusations.
The Pax Silica initiative has sparked pushback from various groups regarding a planned AI industrial hub in New Clark City, with critics raising concerns over elevated power costs, environmental degradation, community displacement, and noise pollution.
Looking ahead to the address, Cayetano mentioned plans for a pre-SONA broadcast to examine systemic corruption.
“Ang importante po, siguro ’yun ang iwanan ko sa inyo, anong difference po na labanan natin sa corruption at labanan natin sa culture of corruption? So let’s see before the SONA bukas kung may time, yan ang pag-usapan natin,” he said.
In light of the SONA, the Senate impeachment court will pause operations on Monday.
Trial proceedings will remain suspended on Tuesday, July 28, for the minority bloc’s annual Kontra-SONA activities before resuming the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, July 29, under a revised 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule.