President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) made at least three clear points: that the campaign against corruption will continue, that economic policy should be judged by its effect on ordinary citizens, and that these issues are interconnected rather than separate concerns.

He opened by referring to the flood control corruption investigations that he launched during last year’s SONA. Triggered by widespread flooding that exposed unfinished, substandard, and allegedly “ghost” infrastructure despite billions of pesos in government spending, the probe has led to the preparation of criminal cases against contractors, senior Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and lawmakers. The President also said nearly P25 billion in public funds and assets have been recovered, frozen, or preserved, with more than P800 million already returned to the National Treasury, underscoring his message that accountability must remain central to good governance.

A recent Stratbase-commissioned Pulse Asia survey, conducted between June 28 and July 3 and on July 6, found that 28% of Filipinos believe the government should lessen or eliminate corruption to provide better services. That figure is up from 26% in March. The result suggests that citizens see corruption not only as a political issue, but as a governance problem that affects service delivery, the use of public funds, and the fairness of institutions.

Beyond the anti-corruption drive and wider governance reforms, the President reiterated his administration’s economic priorities, highlighting efforts to attract high-value investments and position the Philippines as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and other emerging industries.

He also said reforms such as the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments have facilitated more than P6 trillion in investments over the past three years, with the projects expected to generate more than 400,000 jobs.

Just as important, the President framed economic issues from the perspective of Filipino households. That matters because the scale of investment and reform is ultimately judged by whether it translates into lower pressure on family budgets and more opportunities to earn a living.

The same survey showed that 30% of Filipinos believe making food — especially rice, meat, and fish — more affordable should be the national government’s top priority in addressing local concerns. That was down from 41% in March, suggesting inflation pressures may be easing, but the affordability of basic needs remains closely tied to how citizens experience governance. The finding is also a signal that the government must continue efforts to keep basic goods affordable and ensure that economic growth and stability are felt by ordinary families.

Filipinos are also focused on having the means to afford those basic goods. Rather than depending mainly on government assistance, or “ayuda,” many want more jobs and livelihood opportunities. The survey found that 28% of Filipinos said the government should create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, up from 24% in March 2026. This reflects a growing demand for economic opportunities that go beyond price relief. Filipinos want decent work, stable income, and pathways to improve their quality of life.

After the fifth SONA and with two years remaining in the Marcos Jr. administration, the public’s concerns are increasingly seen as linked: food, jobs and livelihood, and the fight against corruption are not isolated issues. They are interconnected expectations of effective governance, where shortcomings in one area inevitably affect the others.

There is no doubt about the President’s sincerity in wanting to achieve many things for the nation. His commitment to improving the lives of all Filipinos appears genuine, and it is reasonable to expect that he listens to public sentiment and responds to the issues that matter most to ordinary citizens.

The real test, with only two years left in office, is whether that sincerity and commitment can be translated into results that people can feel. The post-SONA period must shift the conversation from promises to performance. While the SONA sets the national agenda, citizens will ultimately judge the government by results. As the administration enters its final two years, Filipinos will look for clear follow-through on the issues that affect daily life: food prices, jobs, poverty, corruption, and public services.

More than ever, the President must show that economic stability, including the country’s much-touted Upper-Middle Income status, is not just a set of macroeconomic figures understood only by experts. People need to feel it through better jobs, more transparent and accountable governance, and more responsive public services. Citizens want an economy that creates opportunities and a government that is honest, forthright, and capable of delivering results.

Trust is strengthened when people see, and more importantly feel, that government listens, responds, and follows through on its commitments. Sustaining that trust, however, is a shared responsibility. It requires continued engagement among government, civil society, the private sector, the media, and academia to strengthen transparency, accountability, responsive public services, and meaningful citizen participation.

It is in this spirit that partner advocacy group Democracy Watch Philippines is convening a post-SONA forum on safeguarding democracy and public trust. The forum will bring together leaders from government, civil society, the private sector, media, and academia, and reflects a continuing commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, information integrity, and responsive governance. These principles remain essential to ensuring that public commitments are translated into results that Filipinos can see and feel.

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the president of the Stratbase ADR Institute.