Maurice John A. Gines
BSIT - 3

Interested Filipino citizens have again witnessed another annual report from President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on July 23, 2012. The latest State of the Nation Address highlighted the string of efforts of the Aquino administration to showcase the difference it has made since it assumed governance in 2010. The president collectively pointed out numerous achievements and key measures related to the economy, health, education, employment, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, energy, police, national defense, peace process, environment and natural resources, salary/pension, territorial claims, and the fight against corruption.

I believe that one of the strong points of the report include the indigent coverage of PhilHealth since it extends to Filipinos who does not have the means to seek medical help and it may potentially reduce the reasons to commit crimes in order to get money for medical attention. Another positive aspect of the report is the creation of LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension which can potentially resolve traffic congestion in Las Pinas, Paranaque, and Cavite that equates lesser time wasted in heavy traffic. The SLEX/NLEX connection also offers a faster transit time not only for people on vacation but also allow more productivity for businesses that are based on product delivery across provinces. It is also good to know of a notable increase in rice production and reduction in rice import that reflects stability in food production and reduced food import reliance. The installation of BRP Ramon Alcaraz offers additional patrol and security to our coastlines and economic zones on top of BRP Gregorio del Pilar’s protective voyages. The Air Force modernization with C-130 aircrafts, UH-1H and combat utility helicopters, rifles, mortars, mobile diagnostic laboratories, and station bullet assembly that reinforces our armed forces with their battle against terrorism and insurgence offering further defensive capabilities. Standing up for our West Philippine Seas territorial claim deserves acknowledgement as the dispute concerns a super power country like China.

One of the weak points of the SONA include the part where he discussed his forgive and forget ideology. It has been noted and celebrated that President Aquino’s administration has been able to prosecute former President Arroyo for electoral sabotage and has successfully removed Renato Corona from the Chief Justice position. Conversely, it challenges Aquino’s obvious bias toward his political adviser Ronald Llamas who was plagued with controversy related to possession of high-powered firearms and support for pirated media. This one seems to depict that he can forgive and forget the violations of those people under his administration. Although the President had claimed that he already disposed of his shares in Hacienda Luisita, it would have been meaningful to know what has been done and what is going on with the land distribution that can attest to the President’s claim over the issue. Another minus in the address was the glamorous but uncorroborated statistics which has been used to raise the stakes of President Aquino’s initiatives into a blinding wall of achievement that conceals the true state of the Philippine nation.

I believe that President Aquino would have given a more meaningful message if there were clear results with measurable targets and consistency on utilizing the principle of accountability. The obvious dare, which has not really been met by previous government including President Aquino’s, is to preside over real change with the target figures for each of his vision and provide substantial evidence for the reported change. People are tired and impatient particularly those who can’t afford decent education, health care, and social security. Every so often that people are being asked if their lives have improved or whether they have felt or experienced any life changing feat by the government and we hear mixed reactions with obvious amounts of uncertainty in their responses. The citizen’s reaction could mean a lot of things except faith in the government. Six years is relatively a short term for creating a long term progress but one presidential term is absolutely enough time to make a difference to address one or two longstanding socio-political issues that have fatigued the awareness and interest of ordinary Filipino citizens. We need to know where President Aquino is really leading us. We need to demand for transparency and accountability. We need to feel that the promises are kept. We don’t need excuses and we definitely don’t need another SONA to know that our president is doing his job.