More Filipinos want to hear solutions, not achievements in Sona — survey

Composite image by INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos want to hear the government’s solutions to ongoing issues than its achievements in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), a survey revealed on Sunday. The results of the survey by public affairs and stakeholder relations firm EON came a day before Marcos’ fifth annual speech. According to the survey, of the 1,200 respondents who chose up to three answers, 48.3 percent want to hear “solutions to current national problems.” Article continues after this advertisement This had the highest number of respondents. Meanwhile, “the administration’s accomplishments” was the least chosen subject, with only 22 percent of respondents wanting to hear about it during the Sona. READ: Manila sets road closures, rerouting for Marcos’ 5th Sona Apart from the two, 35.6 percent of Filipinos want to hear about “anti-corruption measures and government reform,” 34.7 percent want “updates on previous promises,” and 32.8 percent want to know about “plans to lower prices.” Another 27.2 percent of respondents want to hear “an honest discussion of the country’s problems,” while 23.5 percent want to know about the government’s “plans and programs for the coming year.” Article continues after this advertisement “Respondents place immediate action and accountability ahead of accomplishment reporting in what they want to hear from the President,” EON said. As for the issues Filipinos want addressed during the Sona, 67.1 percent hoped that “economy and inflation” would be tackled. Article continues after this advertisement Notably, corruption ranked lowest among the issues Filipinos most wanted to hear about, with 42.2 percent of respondents saying it must be covered. In between are jobs and wages at 56.2 percent, education at 53.2 percent, agriculture and food security at 47.3 percent, health at 44.7 percent, cost of living at 43.3 percent, and crime and public safety at 42.4 percent. Respondents could choose up to five answers. READ: SONA 2026: Did Marcos ‘Walang Gutom’ curb rising hunger The survey also assessed public confidence in the government’s ability to fulfill promises made during Sonas. Only 30.8 percent of Filipinos “believe that the government can implement the commitments” that will be mentioned in this year’s Sona. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. EON conducted its pre-Sona survey from July 7 to 10, 2026, covering 1,200 Filipino adults across the country. /mcm