The Arc of Governance:
SONA 2024 to 2026
Tracing the Marcos Jr. administration's evolution from establishing strict boundaries and addressing crises in 2024, to delivering grassroots social services in 2025, and enacting sweeping middle-class tax relief in 2026.
2024 Defining Theme
Correction & Boundaries
POGO Ban & WPS Defense
2025 Defining Theme
Tangible Deliverables
₱20 Rice & Zero Billing
2026 Defining Theme
Economic Empowerment
₱350k Tax Relief & Power Grid
The Three-Year Policy Arc
Analyzing the 2024, 2025, and 2026 State of the Nation Addresses reveals a clear, phased approach to governance.
Phase 1 (2024) was about halting negative trajectories—banning illegal gaming operators and confronting the sting of food inflation head-on. Phase 2 (2025) shifted to providing immediate social safety nets, successfully rolling out subsidized rice and universal basic healthcare coverage. Phase 3 (2026) pivoted toward structural, long-term wealth building, primarily targeting the middle class and small businesses through massive tax cuts and securing the nation's energy future.
Side-by-Side: 3-Year Policy Tracking
A pillar-by-pillar comparison of key action areas across three addresses.
Economy & Cost of Living
Addressing the Crisis
Admitted that high macroeconomic GDP means nothing if rice remains at ₱45-65/kilo. Focused on defensive actions: repurposing ₱2.7B in confiscated smuggled goods and cracking down on agricultural hoarders.
Fulfilling the Promise
Announced the nationwide expansion of the highly anticipated ₱20-per-kilo rice through KADIWA centers, emphasizing this was achieved without bankrupting local farmers.
Structural Tax Relief
A major pivot to the middle class and SMEs. Demanded Congress pass a zero income tax bill for individuals earning up to ₱350,000 annually, alongside waiving the minimum corporate income tax for small businesses.
Health, Education & Infrastructure
Systemic Adjustments
Highlighted increases in PhilHealth benefit packages for severe diseases. Pushed to bridge the digital divide in education by providing more computers and solar power to remote schools.
Direct Patient Relief
Launched the "Zero-Balance Billing" policy, guaranteeing complete coverage for basic accommodations in all DOH hospitals. Guaranteed compensation for teachers' overtime.
Massive Scalability
Focused on long-term physical assets: aggressively targeting a backlog of 166,000+ classrooms, and monitoring 200 power projects to inject 10,000 megawatts into the national grid for energy security.
Law, Order & Governance
The POGO Ban
The most applauded moment: a decisive, total ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Also featured a firm declaration that the West Philippine Sea is a reality, not an imagination.
Internal Accountability
Shifted focus toward domestic government transparency by demanding an immediate, thorough audit of all flood control programs in response to public outcry over disaster funds.
Execution & Implementation
Acknowledged the impending end of term (2028). The tone shifted from making plans to heavily monitoring execution. Supported EDCOM 2's push to ensure national policies translate to actual day-to-day improvements.
Source References & Transcripts
SONA 2024 Official Hub
Full transcript and video of the July 22, 2024 Presidential Address.
SONA 2025 Official Hub
Official highlights, policy mandates, and reports from the July 28, 2025 Address.
SONA 2026 Official Hub
Details on middle-class tax relief and energy initiatives from the 2026 Address.
