Marcos Delivers Penultimate Sona Amid Criticism

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address, touting accomplishments and promising tax and power reforms, while drawing sharp criticism from rights groups and labor unions.

More than half of the senators were absent, and the address was dismissed by some as lacking concrete labor reforms.

Vice President Sara Duterte called the SONA 'a waste of time of the Filipino people.' Marcos renewed his push for nuclear energy, drawing opposition from Senator Risa Hontiveros over nuclear waste concerns, while Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said it was time for the move.