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PH ‘sound and improving’ PBBM: Despite rising threats, ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ has arrived By Charles Dantes

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday described the state of the nation as “sound and improving” despite rising hurdles, with inflation and the threat of the El Niño phenomenon among the biggest challenges.

2ND SONA DONE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. smiles to the crowd as House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri applaud after the Chief Executive’s second State of the Nation Address on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Revoli Cortez

In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) to Congress, Mr. Marcos cited the country’s growth momentum post-pandemic, buoyed by government efforts to improve agricultural production and infrastructure connectivity, among other achievements in his first 12 months in office. The Chief Executive also said his government has enabled a more competitive workforce and created job opportunities for Filipinos, including returning OFWs; stamped out corruption and promoted transparency through digitalization programs; and ensured a strong and stable rule of law that gears the war on drugs toward rehabilitation and extending amnesty to rebel returnees. “The state of the nation is sound and is improving. Dumating na ang bagong Pilipinas (The new Philippines has arNext page

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 160 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Speech lasts 71 Solons laud ‘no-nonsense’ accounting of Marcos admin’s first year mins., applauded at least 68 times By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Julito G. Rada, and Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrote his second State of the Nation Address, which lasted for an hour and 11 minutes and was applauded at least 68 times yesterday. The President received a standing ovation during the last part of his speech where he said that the “new Philippines” (Bagong Pilipinas) has arrived and that the state of the nation is strong and improving. Days before his SONA, Mr. Marcos rolled out the country’s new brand of governance and leadership campaign -- Bagong Pilipinas -- which he said was characterized by a “principled, accountable, and dependable government.” According to presidential son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, his father had to trim his initial draft to keep the speech under an hour and a half. “He started with quite a long draft but he was able to shave it down a little

for its “no-nonsense” accounting of what the administration has achieved and what more must be done, but labor groups and the urban poor said not LAWMAKERS on Monday applauded much has changed for them. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said State of the Nation Address (SONA) the President delivered his message

loud and clear. Despite the turmoil in other parts of the world, Romualdez said, the country’s economy is doing well and a large number of Filipinos are benefiting from it. “We in the House of Representatives

will support the President’s agenda,” Romualdez said as he vowed that Congress will work on the immediate passage of the legislation identified by the President in his speech. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said Next page

SONA fashion: Yellow for First Lady Liza, Sara

Pag-IBIG nets record-high ’Egay’ to peak P20.61b in H1 just under super typhoon level

HALLOWED HALL. An estimated 2,000 guests and dignitaries fill the Session Hall of the Batasang Pambansa to listen

POLITICIANS, government executives, and other personalities made statements with their Filipino attire on Monday as they walked the red carpet at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City before hearing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA). First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos wore a bright yellow embroidered Maria Clara dress as she sat beside Vice President and Education Secretary Sara DuterteCarpio in the VIP section. In keeping with her Mindanaoan roots, DuterteCarpio paid tribute to the Moro tribe in a traditional Maguindanaon dress in yellow-gold designed by Cotabato City-based designer Israel Ellah Ungkakay with a matching turban. Meanwhile, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos welcomed her brother with an ensemble inspired by the people of the Cordilleras. She matched her outfit with temporary tattoos on her body. “This is from Cordillera. The fabrics given to me were woven together. This represents the Filipino before we

to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address on Monday. Ver Noveno

PAG-IBIG Fund netted a record high income of P20.61 billion in the first half of 2023, the agency’s top executives announced Monday to coincide with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address. In a statement, the agency said from January to June, Pag-IBIG Fund’s gross income reached P35.03 billion, while net income amounted to P20.61 billion. Compared to the same period last year, gross income grew by 12% or P3.80 billion while net income increased by 11% or P2.05 Next page

Gasoline price up by P1.35/l, diesel by 45c

By Rio N. Araja and Darwin G. Amojelar

By Alena Mae S. Flores

TYPHOON “Egay” is forecast to continue intensifying and become a super typhoon by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Should it shift closer to the landmass of Luzon, however, Egay may peak at an intensity just below the super typhoon threshold, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PA-

OIL companies raised pump prices by as much as P1.35 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market, higher than the forecast amounts last week. The oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P1.35 per liter, diesel by P0.45 per liter, and kerosene by P0.35 per liter. The price increases were announced

BOTH IN YELLOW. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (right) and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio flash their grins after being mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the start of his second State of the Nation Address on Monday.