MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III expressed his determination to continue his fight against corruption as he repeatedly mentioned “wang-wang” in his second State of the Nation Address today.
Speaking before a jam-packed crowd of Senate and House of Representatives members and high ranking officials of the government, the President opened his 2011 SONA recalling his anti-siren campaign when he assumed office last year.
“Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking inagurasyon at sinabing: Walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon. At ngayon, patuloy nating itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan,” Aquino said as he started to deliver his SONA.
"Naging simbolo po ng pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Humarap po ako na walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon, naging hudyat at sagisag ito ng pagbabago," the President said.
Highlighting his reiteration of the administration’s anti-corruption drive, the President announced that he is appointing former Supreme Court associate justice Conchita Carpio-Morales as the new Ombudsman.
"Pagpasok ng bagong Ombudsman na si dating Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, magkakaroon tayo ng tanod-bayan na hindi magiging tanod-bayad ng mga nagwawang-wang sa pamahalaan. Inaasahan ko nga po na sa taon na ito, masasampahan na ng kaso ang lahat ng nagkuntsabahan sa katiwalian, at naging sanhi ng situwasyong ating inabutan," he said, inviting loud cheers from the crowd inside the lower chamber’s plenary hall.
The 53-minute speech of the President included the accomplishments of his government in its drive against the anti-siren system. He boasted the success of his administration in improving the Filipinos' self-rated hunger from 20.5 percent in March to 15.1 percent last month.
He lauded the efforts of his government in gaining the confidence of the business sector, citing that within the one-year period, his economic managers managed to reach "seven times all time high in stock market."
He also noted the improved credit rating of the country in foreign funding agencies, while noting that the government managed to save more than P23 billion in the interest payment of the country from January to April this year.
Aquino integrated his inaugural 'wang-wang' speech in his SONA today, comparing the use of sirens by abusive drivers on the streets to the abuses of government officials and anomalies in public transactions.
“Ipagpapatuloy pa rin natin na walang wang-wang sa kalsada,” the President.
He likewise said the economic gains now can be attributed to the anti-corruption efforts his administration has put in place to recover government fund that were about to be spent on shady deals.
He also went on reporting the eradication of the bureaucratic red tape in various government agencies, especially in the engergy department.
"Dahil wala nang wang-wang sa DOE, muling nabuhay ang kumpiyansa ng mga namumuhunan sa ating energy sector. Patunay dito ang isandaan at apatnapung kumpanya na nakahandang tumaya sa eksplorasyon at pagpapalakas ng ating oil at natural gas resources," he added.
He also went through campaigning of his government in purging excessive perks and bonuses of the official of several government-owned and –controlled corporations, particularly in the Philippine National Construction Corporation.
"Ibinaon na nga po nila sa bilyun-bilyong pisong utang ang kanilang tanggapan, nasikmura pa nilang magbigay ng midnight bonus sa sarili," he added.
He also noted the continuing campaign of the government on its tax collection drive, especially among professionals, whom he said paid taxes that are lower than their actual income.
He likewise explained the seriousness of his government in fighting corruption in the Department of Public Works and HIghways and the successful resolution to the country's food shortage problem by augmenting the programs of the National Food Authority and the agriculture department.
"Sa loob lamang ng isang taon, pinatunayan nating mali sila. Ngayon, ang dating 1.3 million metric tons na kakulangan natin sa bigas, halos nangalahati na; 660,000 metric tons na lang po ang kailangan nating angkatin," he added.
He also mentioned the continuing program of his administration, especially in the Department of Education, Commission on HIgher Education, TESDA, and Department of Labor and Employment, to address the unemployment problem of the country.
The President also assured of the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to augment the country's security requirements for its coastal territories.
"Malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas; kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue," he said, implying the country’s ownership in some parts of the disputed islands in the Spratlys.
He revealed that the AFP's first Hamilton Class Cutter was on its way to the country to augment the military's security patrol in its territorial waters. On top of this, the military will also purchase additional helicopters, patrol craft, and other equipments.
He also said his administration is now studying the possibility of filing a formal protest on the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
“Upang masigurong sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay hinahon at pagtitimpi ang maghahari tuwing may alitan sa teritoryo,” he added.
He also mentioned Catholic bishops in spearheading dialogues in important issues between the government and the Church.
"Salamat din po sa ating Gabinete, na walang kinikilalang panahon ng tulog o pahinga, maipatupad lang ang pambansang agenda. Special mention po ang PAGASA, na tunay na ngayong nagbibigay ng maaasahang babala," he aaded.
He likewise acknowledged the people who trusted in his administration, while citing that the ordinary people will remain his "boss" in his entire stint in the Palace.
“Kaya po, sa sambayanang Pilipino, ang aking Boss na nagtimon sa atin tungo sa araw na ito: maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbabagong tinatamasa natin ngayon.Buhay na buhay na ang Pilipinas at ang Pilipino," the President concluded.
Clad in Barong Tagalog and black pants, the bachelor President arrived at the Batasan Pambasa Complex on board the presidential chopper past 3:30 p.m., where House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte ushered him at the lobby while waiting for the two chambers of Congress to resume its session.
He was earlier scheduled to travel by land to the House of Representatives but heavy traffic caused by thousands of protesters marching along roads leading to the congressional compound prompted the Presidential Security Group to implement a last-minute change to Aquino's mode of transportation.
At 3:55 p.m., Aquino made his way to the podium of the House of Representatives and delivered his key report to millions of expecting Filipinos who listened to the President through various platforms.
In the case of philstar.com, hundreds of online chatters waited for the President's SONA when the chatroom opened past 10 a.m. today. Hundreds more watched the President deliver his speech through the website's live streaming service. -- With Dennis Carcamo