Ten priority bills championed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have been quietly dropped from the administration's agenda, raising eyebrows as he prepares for his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 2026.
Since taking office, the Marcos administration has enacted 41 out of 102 proposed bills. However, the recent removal of key initiatives from the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) highlights a significant shift in focus.
Key Abandoned Initiatives
Among the most notable is the proposed return of mandatory ROTC, which was emphasized during Marcos' inaugural SONA. The bill struggled to gain traction in Congress despite support from key figures like former Vice President Sara Duterte.
Similarly, the military pension reform, once deemed critical due to its fiscal implications, has seen little progress following its passage in the House. This stagnation reflects the administration's challenges in navigating legislative dynamics.
The Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone Act, aimed at transforming the Leyte Industrial Development Estate, has also lost momentum, particularly after the resignation of its primary advocate, Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The decline of these initiatives raises concerns about the administration's ability to fulfill its legislative promises. Historically, many administrations have faced similar challenges in maintaining momentum on priority legislation.
As President Marcos prepares to address the nation, the future of these abandoned bills could reflect broader legislative trends and priorities, impacting governance moving forward.