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What Marcos said in his second SONA

MANILA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) echoed his father, particularly his plans on agriculture, economy and infrastructure. His speech lasted for an hour and 11 minutes, bearing a mix of English and Filipino depending on the subject matter at hand.

Below are the highlights of Marcos' second SONA. Economy

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• The Philippines' Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or growth rate accelerated to 7.6% in 2022 from 5.7% in 2021 – the highest registered since 1976. This, however, went down to 6.4% in the first quarter of 2023, still within the 6 to 7% target of the administration. Growth rates represent the economic expansion of a country. The digital economy of the country contributed about P2 trillion, nearly making up a tenth of the GDP.

• Marcos owed this growth to the lifting of pandemic restrictions, the steady flow of remittances, the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and job generation. "The economy is revived and rejuvenated," he said.

Inflation

AFTER much speculation that brought uncertainty in recent weeks, Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson is set to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

"Confirmed," was Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio's brief response to the Manila Times' query on Tuesday, July 25.

The presence of the 31-year-old NBA star meant Clarkson taking the spot of naturalized player for Gilas, which is shooting to be the best finishing team in Asia that would mean securing an automatic slot in the Paris Olympics next year.

The Filipino-American guard out of Missouri is coming off a solid NBA season that saw him register a career-high 20.8 points, to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 61 regular season games.

The sweet-shooting Clarkson brings versatility to a Gilas side that will kick off its FIBA World Cup group stage match against Dominican Republic on Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Philippines, then takes on Angola, followed by Italy in its last two group stage assignments.

Clarkson saw action for Gilas during

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