SONA: Need to know, its history, and what’s next?

This coming Monday, July 28, 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, in which he is expected to showcase the accomplishment of his Administration and to unveil future programs for our beloved nation.

As per the 1987 Constitution, in Article VII, Section 23, the President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session.

The first official SONA wad delivered during the Commonwealth of The Philippines by President Manuel L. Quezon on November 25, 1935 at the Legislative Building in Manila City (Now the National Museum of Fine Arts). President Quezon was the 2nd President of The Philippines, the 1st President of the Commonwealth of The Philippines, and the first President to be voted Nationwide. He had 7 SONA during his Presidency. He served for two terms from November 15, 1935 to December 30, 1941, and then from December 30, 1941 until his death on August 1, 1944.

When the Japanese Empire was defeated and the Commonwealth was re-established, Former President Sergio Osmeña delivered his only SONA at the temporary Congress established at Lepanto Street, Manila (now S. H. Loyola Street). Osmeña became President after the death of President Quezon.

Former President Manuel Roxas also delivered his SONA on Lepanto Street, and was the third and last President of the Commonwealth and the first President of the Third Republic. Roxas delivered 3 SONA.

Former President Elpedio Quirino ( who became President after Roxas’ death in 1948) delivered his 1st SONA at the rebuilt Legislative Building. Former President Quirino was also the first President to not appear in person as his message was radio broadcasted as he was in the United States recuperating at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Quirino had 5 SONA.

Former Presidents Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, and Diosdado Macapagal had their SONA at the House Session Hall of the Legislative Building. They held their SONAs every fourth monday of January.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Had the most SONA with 20 and had the longest speech in 1969, with a total of 29,335 words. Meanwhile, Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s speech made in 2005 was the shortest, with only 1,551 words.

Only Former Presidents Emilio Aguinaldo and Jose P. Laurel did not have an official SONA despite addressing the Congress in their respective time.

When the Congress was re-established in 1987, Former President Cory Aquino delivered her first SONA at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa. Those who came after her have since delivered their addresses in the same venue.

Most SONA were delivered in English, Former President Benigno Aquino III was the first to use Filipino in all of his speech during his Presidency.

The entire country as well as the world will be tuning in on Monday for the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Marcos Jr. Last year’s SONA was highlighted by the immediate ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), and a strong standing on the West Philippine Sea and our sovereign rights.

We shall await the future plans that the President will reveal as well as the achievement of the current administration. We hope that there are long term programs that we Filipinos and our beloved country will benefit for years ahead.

– Gillian Paul Abayon