Senators Aquilino Pimentel III and Risa Hontiveros claimed on Tuesday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s inaugural State of the Nation Address (SONA) ignored key critical subjects.

The two senators claimed in a news conference the day following the SONA that the anti-corruption campaign and the judicial system were not substantially highlighted during the speech.

“Nakulangan ako sa mga sinabi ni Presidente ukol sa pagsugpo sa kurapsyon. Marami akong narinig tungkol sa rightsizing, pag-streamline ng mga proseso, at pagtanggal ng red tape sa iba’t-ibang ahensya. Ngunit ang hinahanap natin ay mas explicit na pahayag ang Presidente na lalabanan nya ang pagnanakaw at pang-aabuso sa kaban ng bayan,” Hontiveros stated.

(I find what the President said about combating corruption lacking. I heard about rightsizing, streamlining processes, getting rid of red tape in various agencies. But what I was looking for is an explicit message from the President that he’ll address corruption.)

Hontiveros highlighted that the president’s goal to enhance the government’s infrastructure program might provide a chance for unscrupulous individuals to divert government resources into their hands.