Emotional SONA

It was a good 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) because President Aquino did not attack the Supreme Court (SC).

It was a good SONA because he did not gloat over the detention of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada.

It was the best SONA according to former Congressman and journalist Teddy Boy Locsin Jr., who is also an occasional critic of the President, because he was conciliatory, not combative.

It was a good SONA because he spoke from the heart, even shed a few tears at the end.

It was a good SONA because opposition leaders Senator J.V. Ejercito and Rep. Toby Tiangco were impressed.

It was a good SONA because he knew it was his last 2 minutes, and that his term was ending.

It was a very good SONA because he appealed to the people to continue supporting him and keep faith in him.

It was a very good SONA because he admitted he still has a lot of things to do.

It was an excellent SONA because he was emotional and appeared to be apologetic, and without a hint of arrogance.

Omissions

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senator Grace Poe noticed the glaring lack of mention of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) deplored the lack of promise for the increase of salaries of teachers and government employees.

The President made no mention of the dispute with China on the West Philippine Sea.

Congressman Rodito Albano said the SONA did not speak of future plans and strategies for the last two years.

Columnist Neal Cruz criticized the lack of a master plan to solve the unemployment problem.

No mention was made of the continuing insurgency problem of the New People’s Army and the Abu Sayyaf.

No promise was made of changes in the Cabinet and the revamp of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

No new roadmaps were announced.

The President did not tackle the country’s preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community by 2015, which will mark the start of free trade among the organization’s 10 member-states allowing free flow of goods and services — including basic education services.

No mention of key global developments that continue to affect and displace Filipino workers abroad. No program for overseas Filipino workers was announced. Senator Ernesto Herrera deplored the lack of any programs for the labor sector.

  No indication that he will invoke emergency powers to deal with the looming power shortage.

It will be business as usual for the next 23 months.

A sincere piece of advice starting today. Don’t mind criticism. Accept them with a presumption of good intentions. Remember: Ang pikon ay talo.

False alarm

Congressman Rodolfo Biazon, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, debunked Senator Antonio Trillanes’ warning that a coup d’état was brewing among the ranks of the military.

Biazon called Trillanes’ statement as “balitang barbero.”

Trillanes must have misinterpreted President Aquino’s statement that there was a coup d’état (in 1989), and he was ambushed. He said that everything after that he considers his second life.

“It’s hard not to think about these things, considering the people we’ve been going up against. Will there be a day when I go onstage, for work, and — will someone manage to plant a bomb? Will the dark schemes of those who want to bring us back to the wrong way of doing things finally succeed? When that day comes, and my second life comes to an end, will I be able to say things will be ok? I will tell you this, straight in the eye: after everything we’ve achieved, I can say that I am content,” Aquino said in his SONA. 

Malacañang issued a formal statement that there are no serious threats to the President.         

AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala also denied any recruitment among the military.

No need

Former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno issued a statement that there is no need to submit a supplemental budget for 2014 to Congress because all items therein should just be included in the proposed 2015 budget.

COURAGE issued a report that P178.7 billion was diverted from the national budget for Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) expenditures.

Tidbits

The Philippine Postal Corp. has issued 4 scented stamps, featuring President Cory Aquino’s paintings to commemorate Cory’s 5th death anniversary. The stamps cost P25 each.

President Aquino singled out Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), for praise in putting its scholars in jobs.

P-Noy also commended Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog, Biñan City Mayor Len Alonte and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia de Lima.

President Aquino announced the bidding of Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike to run from Taguig to Calamba.