Fight vs corruption top issue for Marcos’ 5th Sona – survey

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The fight against corruption is the top issue Filipinos want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss in his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), according to a survey by polling firm Pulse Asia. The results of the poll published on Friday showed 29.8 percent of Filipinos want Marcos to discuss or mention the fight against corruption in his upcoming Sona. More specifically, investigating and holding accountable all those involved in the flood control scandal was at 18.9 percent, while anti-corruption measures in general was at 10.9 percent. Article continues after this advertisement READ: SONA 2026: What lies ahead for Marcos in his final 2 years To recall, Marcos delivered his rebuke of alleged kickback schemes in infrastructure projects in his 2025 Sona, setting off the months-long investigation into the flood control scandal. Meanwhile, the issue of the prices of basic goods placed second with 18.7 percent, followed by livelihood (6.6 percent), alleviating poverty (6.2 percent) and the campaign against illegal drugs (5.5 percent). Other issues the survey respondents wanted Marcos to discuss were rising wages (5.1 percent), lowering oil prices (4.9 percent), agriculture (4.0 percent), crime rates (2.8 percent) and education (2.0 percent). Further, Marcos’ campaign promises polled at 1.6 percent; Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment polled at 1.2 percent; and juvenile justice, the Senate leadership crisis and the needs of senior citizens each polled at 1.0 percent. Article continues after this advertisement As for awareness of Marcos’ Sona, the July 2026 Pulse Asia survey found 81 percent of Filipinos heard, read or watched the president’s past annual addresses, compared to 78-percent in June 2025. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 2,400 representative adults aged 18 and older from June 28 to July 3 and 6 with a 2-percent error margin and a 95-percent confidence level. /das Article continues after this advertisement Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.