Consumers Domain
SONA interpretations
"You come around every now and then
Your clothes are different but youre still the same
Why else would you come here?
Scumbag on a mission"
- from "Scumbag" by Green Day
Here are some quotes from the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Arroyo and my plain interpretations.
"Tapos na ang halalan at pamumulitika; panahon na para maglingkod nang walang damot, mamuno nang walang pangamba maliban sa kagalingan ng bayan, and to govern with wisdom, compassion, vision and patriotism. "
Interpretation: Indeed this recent election proved that the Filipinos do not really like me much but always remember that I still hold the purse, ok? Tsk tsk if only I wasn't caught talking with Garci... But anyway, you politicians should now play my game and follow my wishes for what I want is what is good for our country. And as I have been doing before, your support will always be rewarded. Simply close your eyes and cover your ears, just always say yes to me and I will keep feeding you.
"Hangarin kong mapabilang ang Pilipinas sa mayayamang bansa sa loob ng dalawampung taon. By then poverty shall have been marginalized; and the marginalized raised to a robust middle class."
Interpretation: I actually plan to stay in office for 20 more years if that would be fine with you. I promise you, in 20 years we will all be rich, but not as rich as Jose Pidal. Remember how I licked the problem of classroom shortage? All I did was simply manipulate the student to classroom ratio and instantly the problem disappeared.
"We will have achieved the hallmarks of a modern society, where institutions are strong."
Interpretation: Look at how we make our state very strong. Now, anybody opposing us can very well end up with a bullet in the head or disappear into thin air. Warning to critical journalists and activists.
"With the tax reforms of the last Congress, and I thanked the last Congress, we have turned around our macroeconomic condition through fiscal discipline, toward a balanced budget. Binabayaran ang utang, pababa ang interes, at paakyat ang pondo para sa progreso ng sambayanang Pilipino!!! Maraming salamat ulit sa nakaraang Congress."
Interpretation: Wow, I am enjoying this! This macroeconomics is really fun! Look, I even borrowed more money than the total borrowings under Cory, Ramos and Erap! And of course, because I borrowed a lot, we were able to pay more of our old debts. Needless to say we have a lot of new debts, hehehe, but why do I care, it's your tax money that will be used to pay for it anyway.
"First, investments in physical, intellectual, legal and security infrastructure to increase business confidence. Imprastraktura para sa negosyo at trabaho. Isang milyong trabaho taon-taon."
Interpretation: As in my previous SONA, I promised millions of jobs annually. And I am proud to say that yes I have achieved all those target! In fact by simply paying lip service to the country's economic needs, our government is forcing, este...causing... millions upon millions of Filipinos to be employed annually... outside of the country, however, hehehe. But still you have to credit me for that, for if there are jobs here in our country, then only a few Filipinos will be able to see America or Canada.
"Second, investments in a stronger and wider social safety net - murang gamot, abot-kayang pabahay, eskwelang primera klase, mga gurong mas magaling at mas malaki ang kita, mga librong de-kalidad, more scholarships for gifted students, and language instruction to maintain our lead in English proficiency. Dunong at kalusugan ang susi sa kasaganaan."
Interpretation: Health and education, that's my priority. That is why for 2007 we budgeted P146B for education and P13B for heath care. Just don't look at my allocation for debt servicing which, by the way, will amount to P622B. Don't tell anybody ok? Just believe me when I say that health and education are my priorities.
"Third, investments in bringing peace to Mindanao; in crushing terrorism wherever it threatens regardless of ideology; and in putting a stop to human rights abuses whatever the excuse."
Interpretation: We will crush those activists and journalists who have nothing good to do or say especially now that we have the Human Security Act. However, don't believe those who say that my government or the military is responsible for their disappearance and assassination, ok? Or else I will have you picked up for interrogation.
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