Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to deliver concrete solutions rather than mere promises during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.
In a statement, the lawmaker emphasized that the address must prioritize actionable commitments over rhetoric, particularly when it comes to holding corrupt officials accountable.
“Hindi lang dapat puro pangako at hungkag na retorika ang laman ng ikalimang SONA ng Pangulo,” Diokno said. “Kung totoong seryoso ang Pangulo sa pagpuksa sa korapsyon, dapat niyang tiyakin na ang lahat ng sangkot sa pag-abuso sa pondo ng bayan ay mapanagot at makulong, kaalyado man o hindi.”
Diokno also pressed the administration to champion key institutional reforms, such as strengthening the party-list system to ensure genuine representation for marginalized sectors, and passing the Right to Information Act to bolster government transparency.
“Dapat din niyang isulong ang pagpasa ng mahahalagang reporma, kabilang ang mga hakbang na palakasin ang party-list system upang tunay na marepresenta ang mga marginalized na sektor, gayundin ang Right to Information Act na magpapatibay ng transparency at pananagutan sa pamahalaan,” he added.
Beyond anti-corruption and governance reforms, the representative urged Marcos to present practical plans to ease economic burdens—including inflation, soaring fuel and electricity costs, and a lack of quality jobs—to provide lasting relief to everyday Filipinos.
Additionally, Diokno highlighted the need to address persistent crises in the education sector.
“Sa gitna ng matitinding hamong ito, hindi rin dapat kalimutan ng Pangulo ang edukasyon,” the lawmaker noted.
He stressed that the President must outline clear strategies to raise student learning outcomes, bridge the classroom shortage, and create safe, supportive environments for both teachers and students.