While Marcos highlighted his anti-corruption campaign, overseas worker assistance, infrastructure projects and tax reforms, critics stressed that implementation matters more than announcements. “We still have yet to see the practice itself,” said Krizia Dale Pamat, president of the Ateneo International Studies Students Organization (AISSO). Marcos began his SONA by announcing investigations into flawed flood control projects and declaring that “the wheels of justice are turning.” “Marcos castigated officials responsible for faulty, corrupted, tainted flood control projects… while receiving a standing ovation from lawmakers and officials who were likely responsible for the same faulty, corruption-tainted flood control projects,” Dimasuhid said. The forum ended with speakers urging continued public scrutiny of government policies beyond the annual SONA.