FOR most Filipinos, the traditional State of the Nation address by the President is mostly about his administration’s achievements and giving himself a pat on the back for a “job-well-done” and to assure his constituents that all’s well, and the future economic and social plans are in place for their benefit.  That’s the norm.

In President Marcos Jr.’s words: “Para malaman ng tao kung ano ‘yung ginagawa natin at kung ‘yung mga pangako na ating sinabi ay kung talaga nating tinutupad. And that’s basically what the SONA is going to look like.”

“We will also report on the state of the nation in the sense that, what are the lives of our people, how are they doing? The economy, how is it doing? Criminality, how are we doing on that? How are we doing in the other problems, social problems, such as drugs, such as different threats that have been coming to us,” he added.

“Marami tayong mga issue na kailangan pag-usapan. Kaya’t ire-report talaga sa bayan ‘yan.”

And, judging from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s drop in performance and trust ratings in the latest  survey from Pulse Asia indicates he surely has a lot of explaining to do.

Pulse Asia’s recent report on Marcos s’ two-point drop from his 55% rating in March to 53% for his performance as of June, and his 5%, drop in trust ratings, from 57% in March down to 52% in June, should tell him, that all’s not well.

With his approval and trust ratings showing a decline consistently since his first SONA, one can only hope that he can explain what’s realistically in store for the country till 2028 given the real challenges that the country faces today.

Failing to acknowledge the unresolved economic issues, foremost, in his SONA, then about WPS and criminality as a result of POGO operations will inevitably result in more disappointments in his administration. For how can he competently convince the nation of his vision moving forward if he refuses to accept what ails the country?

Going by his initial preview of what to expect from his SONA, will he, indeed, have the courage and humility to confront the failure of his administration, essentially to stop the worsening inflation as evidenced by rising prices of food commodities?

It can only be his candor and frank assessment of his administration’s shortcomings that will win an endorsement of his new initiatives. Further rhetoric, to camouflage his administration’s shortcomings will result in more distrust.

Mr. President, all’s not well! Let’s start from there.

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