[In the Public Square] Marcos SONA 2026: Reality check

What should we make of SONA 2026? The initial feedback to President Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) was generally, and only mildly, positive — but, reality check: we know from history that public consensus takes some time to form. What should we make of SONA 2026? Last week, we took a broader view of the SONA by going outside so-called Imperial Manila and hearing from lawyer Angelisa Razo in Davao, newspaper editor Francis Allan Angelo in Iloilo, and public official Jonas Cabiles Soltes in Camarines Sur. Today, we take a deeper look at the SONA with a recognized expert in governance, political science, development studies, and other disciplines. In this episode of In the Public Square, Rappler columnist John Nery is joined by Segundo “Doy” Romero. Still better known t