Despite the praises received by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima expressed her frustration regarding the President's report, which failed to address issues related to the war on drugs.
During the first regular session of the 20th Congress on Monday, August 4, Rep. De Lima stated that it was a missed opportunity for the President not to discuss this issue, despite the impressive figures presented.
Although ₱83 billion worth of drugs were confiscated and 9,600 high-value targets were arrested, no names were mentioned, and no drug lords were called out in his speech.
“Show us the big fish. Hindi lang yung mga taong wala nang ipang laban. The last administration hunted the poor. This administration says it's hunting the real players. Then make it count. Sampulan ang malalaking drug lord. Mga tunay na drug lord.” De Lima challenged the administration, urging for more concrete evidence in the war on drugs.
De Lima also criticized the administration for continuing to blame the poor as suspects in drug-related activities, emphasizing that people's lives and freedoms are being compromised in this battle against drugs.
In addition, she called out the President for not addressing the issue of online gambling in the country.
“On online gambling. Walang pasaring, walang pahiwatig, dedma sa online gambling,” she remarked.
She then emphasizes SONA's lack of solution-driven offers to the public.
