Bona fide Text
SooN a...
Last Monday, millions of Filipinos were glued on TV to witness and to hear the eighth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo since she assumed post in 2001.
Filipinos expected real state of the nation, however according to Economist Winnie Munsod, PGMA failed to give emphasis in the educational status of the country. Based on my research, in recent UNESCO report the Philippines ranked 74th in the Education Development Index, falling below Mongolia, 61st; Vietnam, 65th; Indonesia, 58th; and China, 38th. The Philippines performed poorly in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 2003, ranking 41st in Science and 42nd in Math in a field of 45. The shortage of classrooms and teachers is becoming more serious every year. These results only mean that we need to improve the standard and quality of our education.
How about solving the evils of the economy – poverty and unemployment? After eight long years of sitting as the chief executive of this land, the Philippines remains a poor nation. The growing population is equated with the growing number of Filipinos who are in the poverty level. The National Statistics Office reported that the unemployment rate as of June 2008 was 8.0 percent and the underemployment was 19.8 percent. This statistics is alarming so far and if the government will not find means to solve the problem indeed the lines of ousted President Joseph Estrada is somehow true that "pupulutin tayong lahat sa kangkungan." Moreover, because of lack of good job opportunities in the country, every year hundreds of thousands of Filipinos leave to work abroad. The situation is getting worst because not only fresh graduates have the drive to go abroad, even the competent workers like our doctors, nurses and teachers prefer greener pasture.
As per observation, PGMA can be more subtle in delivering her message before fellow members of the political class. And she has to be more explicit when it comes to the impressionable public or politically naive allies such as the Catholic hierarchy. Especially in addressing concerns with regard to the RH Bill 3773 and pledged the adoption of "natural" family planning as her government's definition of birth control. Actually, she said this in passing maybe because if she'll give more views, it will create another points of arguments knowing that the devout Catholics are all eyes and ears on her last Monday.
I can still remember her 2007 SONA on how she put stress on her position as the president of this nation. This year's SONA, still she reemphasized she won't let the political ambitions of some to get in the way of her desire for the nation.
"As your President, I care too much about this nation… I will let no one, and no one's political plans, get in the way of the well-being of the people. I will let no one hinder our people's progress and prosperity. I will let no one threaten our nation's survival. This is my commitment," she said in her speech.
On the other side, Senators Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Panfilo Lacson, Joker Arroyo, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, and detained lawmaker Antonio Trillanes IV were not present in the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, which is the officialdom. Even Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., opted not to go also simply because they are not expecting anything more than lies. In an interview, Senate President Manny Villar said that if not for his duty there is a great chance for him not to attend last Monday.
Anyway, last Monday's SONA of PGMA is her second to the last. By sheer force of tradition and reality, if presidential elections are held under the current rules in May 2010, this means next year's State of the Nation Address must be her swan song. In other words, this is her last chance to really push the country in the direction she wants, motivated by her picture painted last Monday and making into reality the promises she kept on mentioning. Or else this country will be soon a... a country that is led by a president with bunch of promises… promises that are made to be broken. However, not yet too late Madam… not yet.