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The higher inflation rate of 6.4 percent in July dominated newspaper headlines last week. The key economic data deserves prominent treatment in the media because higher inflation affects everybody—it erodes the purchasing power of every Filipino consumer and increases the poverty rate.

Two separate violent occurrences shook our world in the past week. The first was political while the second was natural. On July 24, 2022, a shooting incident marred what should have been a joyous occasion, the graduation ceremonies of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. A gunman shot former mayor Rosita Furigay, of Lamitan City, Basilan; her assistant Victor George Capistrano; and, security guard Jeneven Bandiola. All died because of the shooting.

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is always imbued with optimism, lofty goals and aspirations for the nation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not disappoint—he inspired Filipinos with a dream of a better country.


The President unveiled a six-year economic agenda in his first SONA on July 25 with defined targets that can be measured annually. The speech earned the respect of economists, businessmen and ordinary Filipinos, who hope the President will accomplish his noble intentions.