On Monday, July 24, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa. Much like his previous SONA, Marcos Jr. once again portrayed a rosy picture of the Philippines, emphasizing the nation’s growing economy and the apparent easing of inflation.
However, not everyone shared the same sentiment, as numerous netizens and social media personalities expressed their skepticism and criticism, labeling Marcos Jr.’s speech as a “fairy tale.”
In her tweet, TV5 radio broadcaster DJ Chacha remarked “Ikot ikot lang mga bhie,” attaching a screenshot explaining how food prices may appear low at Kadiwa stores but are actually subsidized by the government using people’s taxes.
“Sa kadiwa stores mababa ang presyo ng bigas pero wala pa ring bente pesos per kila. Ang mga bilihin sa kadiwa ay subsidize meaning ginagastusan ng gobyerno para mibaba ang presuo ng bilihin., Gastos ng gobyerno na galing din naman sa ating mga nagbabayad ng buwis, so ending bumil tayo nang mababa sa kadiwa galing din sa pera natin. Ikot ikot lang bhie.”
Ikot ikot lang mga bhie. pic.twitter.com/IKPN0gaUzt
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) July 24, 2023
Twitter influencer @pads_nosi also chimed in, questioning, “Saang bansa kaya sila namimili?” in reference also to Marcos statement about the lowering commodity prices.
Saang bansa kaya sila namimili? https://t.co/WARHDJUHtW
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) July 24, 2023
Kapuso headwriter and creative consultant also joined the discussion asking what happened to the SONA as she seemed not able to monitor the event.
‘Anyare sa Sona?
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 24, 2023
In a subsequent tweet response to a netizen who briefed her about the speech, Doctolero debunked Marcos Jr.’s claims, exclaiming, “OMG. Totooo?? Ang mahal kaya ng bilihin! I wonder kung nag uulam pa ang mahihirap. O kung afford pa bunili ng bigas!”
OMG. Totooo?? Ang mahal kaya ng bilihin! I wonder kung nag uulam pa ang mahihirap. O kung afford pa bunili ng bigas!
— Suzette S. Doctolero (@SuziDoctolero) July 24, 2023
Another Twitter personality, @IamCharotism, humorously commented on the inflation topic, suggesting that Marcos Jr. might be referring to a different country and not the Philippines.
“May nakikita ka ata na hindi nakikita ng mga Pilipino. Nasaang bansa ka ba? Charot!”
May nakikita ka ata na hindi nakikita ng mga Pilipino. Nasaang bansa ka ba? Charot! #SONA2023 pic.twitter.com/nMYrUURfno
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) July 24, 2023
Similarly, award-winning Kapamilya writer Jerry Gracio sarcastically tweeted, “Nakita natin ang pagbaba ng presyo ng mga bilihin.” Jusko, saan ang pagbaba, sa baba ni sis?”
"Nakita natin ang pagbaba ng presyo ng mga bilihin." Jusko, saan ang pagbaba, sa baba ni sis? #SONA2023
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) July 24, 2023
Economist JC Punungbayan, on the other hand, noted the recurring pattern in Marcos Jr.’s SONA sound bites, which he pointed out in his tweet.
“#SONA2022: The state of the nation is sound. #SONA2023: The state of the nation is sound & improving. #SONA2024: The state of the nation is sound & improving & fantastic. #SONA2025: The state of the nation is sound & improving & fantastic & amazing. You get the drift.”
https://twitter.com/jcpunongbayan/status/1683470178355388417
Political Analyst Richard Heydarian, meanwhile, observed Marcos Jr.’s consistent avoidance of addressing conflicts.
“SONA 2023 just proved how truly & consistently CONFLICT-AVOIDANT MARCOS JR is! Hardly any in depth discussion of CONTROVERSIAL issues. Hardly any on EDCA, FEDERALISM or ICC, and barely on MAHARLIKA or DRUG issue. Unity nga!!!”
SONA 2023 just proved how truly & consistently CONFLICT-AVOIDANT MARCOS JR is! Hardly any indepth discussion of CONTROVERSIAL issues. Hardly any on EDCA, FEDERALISM or ICC, and barely on MAHARLIKA or DRUG issue. Unity nga!!!
— Richard Heydarian (@Richeydarian) July 24, 2023
