Veteran singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla publicly expressed her admiration for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), calling it a bold and hopeful roadmap for the Filipino people.
In an Instagram post following the address on Monday, Padilla praised the President for focusing on the most pressing issues affecting everyday Filipinos.
“Marami akong nagustuhan sa talumpati ng ating Pangulong BBM,” she wrote. “Ang matapang niyang pagtutok sa mga usaping tunay na mahalaga sa bawat Pilipino—mula sa kalusugan at edukasyon, hanggang sa presyo ng bigas at higit sa lahat, sa kaligtasan ng mamamayan.”
The Divine Diva specifically lauded the administration’s commitment to strengthening PhilHealth, describing it as a lifeline for Filipino families, especially during crises. She also commended the President’s prioritization of education and recognition of the vital role teachers play.
“Malaking bagay din para sa atin ang pagpapalakas ng PhilHealth… Gayundin, ang pagbibigay ng mataas na importansya sa edukasyon, hindi lamang para sa mga mag-aaral kundi para na rin sa ating mga mahal na guro—ang haligi ng kaalaman at inspirasyon ng ating kabataan,” she added.
Padilla was particularly struck by the President’s strong stance on accountability in government projects, including flood control initiatives—an issue that has drawn public ire in recent years.
“Pinakagusto ko ang kanyang pagbibigay-diin sa accountability, lalo na pagdating sa tiwalas na practice ng flood control,” she noted.
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She described the President as “matapang” for facing the nation with a concrete list of commitments and expectations, and said she is optimistic about the remaining years of his term.
“Sa wakas, isang matapang na Presidente ang humarap sa sambayanang Pilipino upang ipangako ang listahan ng mga hakbang na ito… Buong puso kong inaabangan ang mga makabuluhang pagbabagong magaganap sa ating pamahalaan sa susunod pang tatlong taon. Mabuhay ang ating Pangulong BBM at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!”
Padilla’s statements came as several senators also voiced their approval of the SONA, including Senate President Chiz Escudero, who praised Marcos Jr. for using Filipino almost entirely in his speech, and former senator Ping Lacson, who called the President’s rebuke of irregular flood control projects a welcome sign of seriousness and reform.
