(Updated) In his first SONA in 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presented three ways to promote good governance: improve the country’s data connectivity; implement government regulations; and complete the issuance of national IDs.
While slow, the administration is working to improve the country’s internet infrastructure by building more fiber networks and setting up additional Wi-Fi sites in public places and schools.
Simplifying government functions and facilitating ease of digital transactions, however, still have a long way to go, especially since bills to support their institutionalization are still pending in Congress.
Over 88.23 million Filipinos have been issued national IDs as of June 21 — approximately 95.9% of the 92 million target initially set for June 30, 2023.
Marcos, in his 2023 SONA, did not make new promises about addressing corruption or promoting good governance.
He warned he will not tolerate corruption or incompetence in the government. Yet, he is tight-lipped when it comes to Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), even after Sen. Risa Hontiveros said it has potential ties to government corruption.
Neither has the president said anything about recovering ill-gotten wealth stolen during the term of his late father, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
As of April 2024, 85 cases covering P125 billion in assets are still pending in courts, according to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
VERA Files Fact Check tracks the promises of Mr. Marcos with regard to corruption and good governance during his first SONA in 2022. See how his administration fared:
SONA YEAR: 2023SECTOR: Corruption and Good Governance
- Pass the Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law
“Which aims to establish an effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are protected, and product standards and safety are observed.”
Promise Status - Date: Fulfilled - 07/16/2024
Promise Update:
- Internet Transaction Act signed into law on Dec. 5, 2023, creating an e-commerce bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry.
- E-commerce bureau to establish database of e-marketplaces and e-retailers in the country; to regulate and penalize online businesses and sellers who violate the law.
- Digitize government warehouses and archives and harmonize data inventories across departments and agencies
“The voluminous records stored in the government warehouses and archives have to be digitized. Those that are already stored in various inventories of data should be harmonized and shared across departments and agencies.”
Promise Status - Date: Stalled - 06/23/2025
Promise Update:
Test 2 — it seems the other one i filled out in the sona promise pod didn’t reflect here
- Digitize government warehouses and archives and harmonize data inventories across departments and agencies
“The voluminous records stored in the government warehouses and archives have to be digitized. Those that are already stored in various inventories of data should be harmonized and shared across departments and agencies.”
Promise Status - Date: In progress - 07/16/2024
Promise Update:
- As of March 2024, four data centers — two in Makati, one in Clark, Pampanga, and a fourth in Diliman, Quezon City — are operated and maintained by DICT; the agency also maintains a total of 1,127 government websites.
- In September 2023, DICT announced partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and its subsidiary John Hay Management Corp. to establish the North Luzon Data Center.
- North Luzon Data Center to help improve e-governance and ease public transactions within this geographical area.
- Pass the E-Governance Act
“It promotes the use of internet, intranet and other ICT to provide opportunities for citizens.”
Promise Status - Date: In progress - 07/16/2024
Promise Update:
- E-Governance Act to make government services easily available and accessible online.
- As of June 25, E-Governance Act named one of 10 second-priority bills for passage before end of 19th Congress in 2025.
- On March 6, 2023, the E-Governance bill was passed by the House of Representatives. Seven bills on e-governance are pending at the Senate committee level.
- Pass the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP) Act
“A reform mechanism that seeks to enhance the government’s institutional capacity to perform its mandate and to provide better services, while ensuring optimal and efficient use of resources.”
Promise Status - Date: Stalled - 07/16/2024
Promise Update:
- No enabling law yet for the National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP) that aims to remove redundant government agencies and streamline government processes.
- The House of Representatives passed the NGRP Act on third reading in 2023. Five counterpart measures are still pending at the Senate committee level.
- Issue 92 million national IDs by the middle of [2023].
“We expect to issue 30-million physical IDs and 20-million digital IDs by the end of this year. The target is to accomplish the issuance of about 92-million IDs by the middle of next year.”
Promise Status - Date: Failed - 07/16/2024
Promise Update:
- As of June 21, 88.23 million people registered for the national ID,approximately 95.9% of the targeted 92 million ID registrations.
- Philippine Statistics Authority dispatched 55.17 million physical IDs and generated 45.68 million ePhilIDs as of the second quarter of 2024.
